Any Bipolar People Out There

[Yvonne 0]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with Bipolar in my early twenties - I'm 39 now so I've managed to survive it for quite a while - I never thought I'd reach 30! I was a rapid cycler - up n down every 2 weeks. I'm on Lamictal so I don't get the highs anymore and the big lows are a thing of the past - but they do go hand in hand - anyhoo - I'm left somewhere in no mans land - stable but not quite returned to normal mood. I miss the highs but being a mum comes first. It would be selfish and dangerous to stop the meds but I've thought about it, being constantly down isn't much fun. I think the best thing is trying to accept it - accept that it won't just go away and to just try and cope with it day to day and a laugh a day keeps the nuthouse at bay.

I'd love to meet fellow nutters and have a chinwag.

Love,

Yvonne

x

[dotofoz 0]

HI, fellow nutter here.... I have depression, OCD, & PMDD. So far, mega-Zoloft and Nuvaring (hormonal contraceptive ring) has helped with them all. The OCD rears it's ugly head once and a while, but I try my best to not be too stupid.

[divanita2006 0]

As a fellow "nutter", I admire you for being victorious against bipolar illness, because it isn't easy to live with. I was diagnosed in my 20's, and I am now 47. I've been diligent about taking my meds (lithium, seroquel, ambien, and celexa) and mindful of when I'm feeling too low or too agitated. Rarely, maybe once a year, I have periods of sadness. Usually my unstable moments appear when there is family conflict/drama. I spend a lot of my free time helping those who are homeless (many are mentally ill) and isolated because I realize that I am only "a few meds and a few paychecks away" from being on the street myself. There, but for the grace of God, go I.

Thank you for sharing about bipolar illness; it reminds me that I am not alone.:clap2:

[Terrilen 0]

I too am a fellow "Nutter". I am Bipolar Type 2 and have been fighting it since my late teens I am now 47. I am currently on Lthium, Seroquel, Buspar, Topomax, Inderal and Requipp. I see someone about my meds monthly as they can become toxic easily. It's a sad disease/condition because of how misunderstood it is. God Bless all those who are brave enough to resond to this thread, may life treat you a little kinder.

[Yvonne 0]

Hi Terrilen, Divanita and Dotofoz,

Pleased to meet you guys and thanks for replying - I was hoping there were some others like minded nutters out there

I've been on a few meds over the years but the Lamictal has been a lifesaver for me - downside is it's stopped the highs - but with the highs come the crashing lows and therein lies the danger - so I guess I'm lucky - well I try to think that way - you've got to laugh or else you'd crack right up.

I'm also taking risperdal, gamanil, largactil and thyroxine - not looking forward to taking the dispersable tabs after the op cos they taste horrible - eek :phanvan

Stress is a trigger for the lows and we have to just hold on tight and ride them out.

I really admire you for your work with the homeless - it's good to help others.

My little girl keeps me sane yet drives me crazy all at the same time and to be honest she and my partner are the only two things keeping me going and I want to be at my best for them - for me too of course.

I'm hoping the weight loss will help with my confidence which has been eroded over the years, i'm a shell of my former self - i look in the mirror and don't recognise me! Also hoping the paranoia will lessen and I'll actually enjoy going out. I can't wait for the day when I can round around like a dafty with my little girl. Daft is good.

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my initial note - It is great knowing that you're not alone.

Take care,

Yvonne

x

[Yvonne 0]

Hello again,

Just wanted to ask if you guys had any mental health problems after your operations?

Did your condition/mood deteriorate etc?

Yvonne

x

[divanita2006 0]

Hi All!

Thanks for reminding me that I am not alone on this journey. Hugs to you all.:girl_hug:

Yvonne:

I've been banded for 5 months, and I haven't noticed any change in my mental status. I suspect that my meds may need to be reduced a bit. What I have noticed is that as the weight comes off, I have more energy to exercise; I have more stamina; and I feel a sense of accomplishment. I don't seem to be as self-critical, and I'm a bit more forgiving of my faults, my illness, and my mistakes.

Keep posting; this thread is so therapeutic!

[wootsie73 0]

Well guys,

I think I'm bipolar type 2, but I haven't been diagnosed. I am 50 years old and have just been living with it all my life without treatment, but I finally have an appointment with a psychiatrist in Feburary of next year. The reason I say I think I have it is because my daughter has type 2 and is being treated for it. She does fairly well on her meds, but I have many of the same symptoms she has. The only problem we both have is we are nurses and a nurse can't be diagnosed with bipolar and keep her license! So, my daughter's official diagnoses is severe depression. I will have to have the same because of my license. I recycle sometimes more frequently than others, but I do have cycles. For a long time I attributed it to PMS, but I had a hysterectomy when I was 28, so I must have been delusional too! LOL Anyway, I'm glad I may soon be treated for it, because it sucks going through these cycles without anything to help. I am on about 10 meds already, so I dread that part of it, but I would rather feel better.

Joan

[Lap_dancer 8]

At 46, I've come to the conclusion I have a little bit of everything in me! And that's Okay!!!...but for the detoxing! :faint:

[juliegeraci 7]

Hi Yvonne, I have bipolar. I've been on meds about a year now. I don't have the upsings like I use to and it seems the downswings have subsided. I take Wellbutrin and Lexapro in the a.m. and Geodon at night. I can't tell you how much better I feel. Good luck with your band.

[Terrilen 0]

It is the Holiday's and they can often be tough times of the year to get thru for MOST people let alone those of us suffering from bipolar depression! I just want to wish everyone with our disease peace of mind and as much laughter and joy your heart can hold! I know it is not always easy,but I truly do believe that with LOVE all things are possible! Have a Blessed Holiday Season and Be Well!

[kwhenrykerr 0]

Is anyone saying that NORMAL people are not nuts?

[Yvonne 0]

Hi people,

Everyone's nuts - who's 100% sane? and the biggest nutters are those who won't accept it! My dad is a nutter and thinks he's the sanest person for miles.........never thought he had a problem and never sought help........ parents eh?

Anyhoo - well said terrilen, this season is hard for people with depression and I wish you all peace of mind at this time of year.

I try to remember that spring will be with us before we know it and with it comes some relief.

Hi to wootsie, lap dancer, julie and kwhenry - nice to meet you all.

I'm sitting here trying to keep a level head this morning - it's hailstones outside and I've been up since 05.30 - eek - woke up after having some terrible nightmares, can't shake them off - worst for a while - the risperdal has helped but not completely.

It's nice to meet fellow bipolars, I don't know anyone in person with it - all my bipolar friends are online and American - proof in itself that America has more nutters than anywhere else - lol (don't take me seriously) and it's good to talk with someone going through the same as you.

Take care all,

Yvonne

xxx

[kwhenrykerr 0]

ARE YOU CALLING ME NUTS!!!! ha.ha. I want you to know that crazy and NUTS are not the same. I just love being normal.

Anyway keep smiling and best wishes for a nice day.

[kaboom 13 0]

Hi all! I am so happy to meet other nutsos. I am bipolar as well as many of the people who replied. I actually believed that me making this decision to be banded was one of my many episodes. And maybe it was at first but I figured I'd listen to what my counselor told me about all my bright ideas during my highs and I actually waited it out for now 6 months. I've been reading and researching and now I am almost a week away from my surgery. I've made myself sick and nauseous thinking about what I'm putting myself through, in fact I am so nervous about this that my manic highs are continous where I can't sleep at all.

I understand many of you out there and I'm glad you have had the courage to speak about it. Is there any advice anyone can give me to better eaze the process? If you've already been banded, did it help?

God Bless!