Bipolar support thread

Sueinbirmingham

I get DLA. I'm not sure how much difference it makes, because you can't exactly pay for the level of supervision you need with it, but I find it really helpful for a variety of practical things.

I actually get more than I can practically use and I did wonder if I could just send some of it back each month, but people said not to do that, it would just cause problems.

I know I'm entitled to that much - I've taken advice on it - but it worries me having it when others get less.

I hate being dependent on benefits, but when I look at job ads, I don't see stuff I could do, given the variable nature of my condition.

You never know about the future, though, and in the past, DLA has helped me to get the support I needed to be able to work.

Sorry, that was a bit long.

snookey

Sue its up to you if you want to save some money just make sure its the amount your allowed before it affects your benefits.

Miss.Sian-Marie

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone could please help me.

I'm not into this whole self diagnosis thing and if it wasn't for the fact that a few close friends had mentioned it I wouldn't be thinking it but I'm suffering a lot of the symptoms of bi polar and have done for the last few months, I also suffer from anxiety attacks - the dr's are battling to put me on meds for them but I don't think that's what I want at the moment.

The only question I have is whilst I do suffer from a lot of symptoms i.e highest of highs, lowest of lows, manic phases, some days I don't want to talk to anyone and just stay in bed all day. Having researched it on the internet I've seen that phases last a few weeks where as mine can last a few days before I become manic again, they seem to change very quickly - Has anyone else found this or does it sound like something else other than bipolar?

I appreciate you cannot give an accurate diagnosis over the internet and I'm not going to say "I have this wrong with me because someone on the internet told me".

Hope you can help,

Thanks

rubytuesday

Miss Sian -Marie

I suggest you see your GP - all the symptoms you describe may present in Bipolar disorder but as you rightly say it is not for us to diagnose.

rubys_mummy

Miss.Sian-Marie wrote: »

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone could please help me.

I'm not into this whole self diagnosis thing and if it wasn't for the fact that a few close friends had mentioned it I wouldn't be thinking it but I'm suffering a lot of the symptoms of bi polar and have done for the last few months, I also suffer from anxiety attacks - the dr's are battling to put me on meds for them but I don't think that's what I want at the moment.

The only question I have is whilst I do suffer from a lot of symptoms i.e highest of highs, lowest of lows, manic phases, some days I don't want to talk to anyone and just stay in bed all day. Having researched it on the internet I've seen that phases last a few weeks where as mine can last a few days before I become manic again, they seem to change very quickly - Has anyone else found this or does it sound like something else other than bipolar?

I appreciate you cannot give an accurate diagnosis over the internet and I'm not going to say "I have this wrong with me because someone on the internet told me".

Hope you can help,

Thanks

i was recently diagnosed with bi polar, even tho i thought i'd had it for years. my hubby rang my GP and talked to him about my symptoms, and the GP referred me to the mental health team, who gave me a diagnosis

its sounds like you have rapid cycling bi polar, but obviously you need a proper diagnosis so that you can get the help you need

i thought i'd be put on meds and that would be it, but they're trying me on my 3rd lot at the mo, and they dnt seem to be working.i still get manic and depressed, but in some ways i'm fortunate, because my manic periods last longer than the depressed ones.....just means i dnt get any sleep tho because i want to be busy in the house all the time!

Trialia

Sian-Marie - mine cycles that fast, so I'd say yes, it is a definite possibility. I've been known to bounce from mania to suicidal depression in 5 hours.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

How many different meds have you tried before finally settling on 1?

I have so far only tried Seroquel. Have been on it since my diagnosis in january 2011. As it dosen't appear to be making much difference, my care co-ordinator has almost written me off as in nothing is helping my mood swings. She is also, for some reason, starting to heavily focus on my Emotionally Unstable Personality triats & trying to blame my mood on that.

My main diagnosis is BP II, however, I was also diagnosed with having Emotionally Unstable Personality traits. So, my main mental health issues lie with BP II.

snookey

Iv tried lots of meds but seroqul seems the best one. Im on mitazipine and venlafaxine also. Nothing helps compleatly but this combination suits me.

System

Arrghhh

After being "high" for a few weeks i have now crashed. Ended up calling the crisis team on friday as i was hearing them and i saw death who was trying to kill me. They refused to come out because i had had a glass of wine. :mad: They said i could either "sleep it off" or wait in A+E for 6 hours. I chose to try and sleep. I didn't, and had a couple of panic attacks. Apparently they said they would tell my CPN and she'd call me on monday-no phone call.

My flatmate was stressed as hell and didn't know what to do with me. I keep thinking i'd be better off living alone so i don't make other people suffer.

Drerading the 9th october as its when i have been told i have to die. And i know they will be angry with me if i don't.

Oh and i'm due another ESA medical soon...just waiting for the brown envelope of doom to drop through the door

Sueinbirmingham

I hope you're improving now.

Could you get either your psychiatrist or your GP to give you some extra medication to use PRN when you get too high or too agitated?