Bipolar Disorder...

[alef]

Hi there!

My mother is/was bipolar with a bit of schizo mixed in, so I know what you are going through. I just wanted to encourage you by saying that my mother is currently not taking ANY medication and she has been episode free for over a year. Things with her used to be so severe that we had to institutionalize her several times. I believe it is a miracle from God.

I remember the medication she took would make her exceptionally drowsy. Her speech was slurred and she staggered around the house. Of course, we were in Korea at the time. I don't know what they would have prescribed her, if she was here in the US.

I was told that repirdol (sp?) is excellent, and has worked miracles with some folks. I was told this from one of the support groups I was a part of. *BIG HUGS* You are strong women, and I pray God will shower you with blessings!

Hi Humblegyrl

Thanks for the encouragement I am happy for your mom. I read somewhere that as you get older, your bipolar symptoms can lessen. I am only 31 and I know from experience that I need to take medication or I will land up in the hospital. How old is your mom?
The risperdal does work well to control my mania, but not the depression. I slur my words a little and am fatigued and wondering how on earth I am going to be able to work like this. You are right though, we are strong women and I am relying on God to help me through it. I keep telling myself "this too shall pass." Thank you for your prayers

 

[alef]

for the yoga. I've got Suzanne Deason's Yoga for Relaxation dvd and it's wonderful.

Regarding your comment to LC regarding Paul and bipolar- my mom read about that years ago, but we've not been able to locate the article. You can almost feel it in his syntax. There are times when I feel manic that I can't read him. Weird, huh?

I hope your doctor will be willing to work with you to find the right meds for you. If not you may need a new doctor. Been there done that more than once. I now drive 170 miles to a wonderful psychiatrist who actually listens and lets me experiment to find what I need.

God bless,
Allye

Hi Allye

I have a hard time reading Paul sometimes too.You can almost feel his moods going up and down in some passages. 2 Cor 10:5 points toward bipolar as well imho, when Paul talks about taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I feel like thats what I need to do when the negative thoughts come ( like arrows) and I hold up my shield of faith. I did a search for articles about Paul possibly being bipolar, but haven't found anything worthwhile yet. If I do, I'll post a link. I really hope that my psychiatrist will experiment with my meds because I really like him, and he is a Christian which makes it so much easier for me to talk to. I am so glad that you have found a good one

 

[Laurel Crowned]

Back to the nightmares, have they gotten worse lately? You've mentioned them a lot.

Hey Allye,

I hadn't really thought beyond the fact that I was actually having nightmares to gauge whether they were getting worse. I've been plagued with nightmares all my life so I take it as part of my reality. But when you mentioned if they were getting worse I went through my journal and wrote the dates I've had nightmares since March 8. I upped my meds on March 1st after my breakdown.

From March 8 until now I've had nightmares 24 nights. Mostly 1-2 nights apart. I'm glad you asked... because when I see my doctor next week I want to see what we can do about this. This can't be normal and it isn't healthy.

I'm so used to living with uncomfortable situations that I don't think about improving anything other than the depression... but the lack of good sleep contributes to my depression.

Thanks for helping me focus on the data instead of just the feelings.

LC

 

[Laurel Crowned]

Hi Laurel Crowned and Allye

Thanks for the welcome. I do feel like God is leading me in the right directions. I was wondering about medication...does everyone get dragged out and really tired on theirs, or is it just this risperdal that my dr. has me on, or is it the depression? What do you do to alleviate the tiredness? I know I should exercise but of course I just don't have the energy. Any tips? Thanks

For me, I can't say that I see a correlation between my tiredness and my meds. When things get really tense for me at work I tend to be more tired but I tend to think that it just takes so much emotional energy to do my job. I know what you mean about the exercize when you're tired. I can never drag myself out of bed when I feel really tired.

When I was Disney World I got really tired the day before we were leaving. All I wanted to do was go back to the room. My friend whipped me out of that mode by taking charge of what we were going to do. I ended up having a lot of energy and a great time. Maybe if you have somebody who you can call when you're tired who will come and walk with you. Major work outs are really beyond me when I'm really out of it. I used to have a work out partner... but when I was depressed I'd just bail on her. So that didn't work... but something as non-threatening as walking is often easier for me to get around to doing. Then I walk at the beach where I can get sun, fresh air, and beautiful scenery.

LC

 

[Laurel Crowned]

Humblgryl,

Thanks for your words of support. Praise God for your mom's peace of mind.

LC

 

[alaurie]

Hey BP friends,

If you ever visit Chicago make time to visit the Art Institute. This Van Gogh self-portrait is incredibly moving. I go to museums alone, partly to focus, and partly because sometimes his works cause me to openly cry, and I don't want to embarrass friends! This one elicited that response; it's a powerful painting. He looks so exhausted -BP- can't we relate?

http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/eurptg/29pc_vangogh.html


Allye

ps LC- I checked your journel- I'm so glad the move is a good one! And you know how much you mean to me too.

 

[alaurie]

LC, come back! I know it's going to be later this week before you get back online, but I miss my friend - especially with what looks to be a late nighter tonight . I've got a doctors appt. Monday- think I'm definitely in need of some med tweaking.

 

[Laurel Crowned]

LC, come back! I know it's going to be later this week before you get back online, but I miss my friend - especially with what looks to be a late nighter tonight . I've got a doctors appt. Monday- think I'm definitely in need of some med tweaking.

Hey Allye,

While I am ecstatic about having moved... I'm DYING without internet access at home. I couldn't get on at school yesterday... and I really needed to... I'm at work now... and only have a few minutes. Miss you HEAPS. I'll continue to pray for you. Tomorrow I'll start Purpose Driven Life... and I'd love prayer for my job.

LC

 

[alaurie]

... and I'd love prayer for my job.

You've got it

 

[Laurel Crowned]

You've got it

Allye, your prayers kept me from crying at work today. Really LONG stressful morning. Annoying pushy parent... Michael was in top form with the tantrums and the crying. Another teacher came to my rescue and gave me words of support that I really needed to hear.

Now... I'm headed home. To my real new house. PTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LC

 

[alaurie]

I'm glad you felt the prayers. I'm glad you're back

I'm glad you've moved to the

Maria Free Zone.

with no more communal bathroom

Did you get the cyberspace casserole and brownies? Martha will be so proud if you did.

Love
Allye

 

[Laurel Crowned]

Hey Allye,


Maria who??? No one here by that name. LOL In the name of Jesus I forgive her for everything she's ever done.

Thanks for the cyber snacks... that cold ham sammich that I ended up eating made me ill. Your cyber cuisine hit the spot. Next time, not so many veggies in the casserole.

How are you doing???

 

[Serving4Christ]

And just when I thought things at this point couldn't get any worse...

My spouse called last night and and told me she wants to move to Virginia or Arizona...far away from me so she can get on with her life. She said she couldn't be close to me anymore and she wanted to get away from me. My psychologist told me she's Borderline Manic depressive, not me. He said he didn't need to see me anymore unless I needed to talk with him. Things just keep spiraling downward. Nothing good can happen as a result of this poor planned and ineffective decision to just up and move to a place that offers her nothing. No family there to help by watching the children, no relatives close by, and no connections other than her friend that offered for her to move with her. And when she decides she's tired of that friend like all the rest, what then? My children take the brunt of her bad decisions.

And when I asked if the kids could stay with me until she got established, her answer was a strict no, I'm not leaving the kids.

 

[Laurel Crowned]

Hey Serving4Christ,

When I have no words to offer... I offer prayer. My prayers will be with you.

LC

 

[alaurie]

And just when I thought things at this point couldn't get any worse...

My spouse called last night and and told me she wants to move to Virginia or Arizona...far away from me so she can get on with her life. She said she couldn't be close to me anymore and she wanted to get away from me. My psychologist told me she's Borderline Manic depressive, not me. He said he didn't need to see me anymore unless I needed to talk with him. Things just keep spiraling downward. Nothing good can happen as a result of this poor planned and ineffective decision to just up and move to a place that offers her nothing. No family there to help by watching the children, no relatives close by, and no connections other than her friend that offered for her to move with her. And when she decides she's tired of that friend like all the rest, what then? My children take the brunt of her bad decisions.

And when I asked if the kids could stay with me until she got established, her answer was a strict no, I'm not leaving the kids.

Wow, Dan- many, many prayers your way. Borderline is supposedly one of the hardest diagnoisis to treat. Please keep talking with your psychologist or pastor for support while all this is going on.

And a question, is she legally allowed to do this at this stage- before custody rulings have been handed down?



Allye

 

[alaurie]

Hey Allye,

Thanks for the cyber snacks... that cold ham sammich that I ended up eating made me ill. Your cyber cuisine hit the spot. Next time, not so many veggies in the casserole.

How are you doing???

Doing okay. You know a dietitians gotta go with the veggies Maybe we can send the cyberspace food idea to Martha. She's likely to have a lot of computer time in her future

 

[WithHisBloodWentOurSin]

Does Journaling help you all?

 

[Laurel Crowned]

Does Journaling help you all?

YES! Journaling here at CF has helped me immeasurably. I'm able to express how I am feeling, get prayer and support, and feel a little less alone. I'd highly recommend starting a journal in the Edification section.

Peace,
LC

 

[alaurie]

Bipolar or allergy fog...? I need prayers for mental clarity today. Had weird dreams last night- not nightmares, just strange half-waking half-sleeping type dreams about old friends. Am getting ready for work this morning and will start into a room for something and not remember why. I have to dose monthly IV meds today ... per MD protocol (complex) and there are still gray areas I have to interpret and make decisions on re dosages. Data entry is laborious once the decisions are made.

Thanks for your prayers,
Allye

 

[Laurel Crowned]

Bipolar or allergy fog...? I need prayers for mental clarity today. Had weird dreams last night- not nightmares, just strange half-waking half-sleeping type dreams about old friends. Am getting ready for work this morning and will start into a room for something and not remember why. I have to dose monthly IV meds today ... per MD protocol (complex) and there are still gray areas I have to interpret and make decisions on re dosages. Data entry is laborious once the decisions are made.

Thanks for your prayers,
Allye

How odd! I'm having the same feeling: Bipolar or allergy fog. Yesterday in class I was so out of it I feel asleep while on the computer. My mind was really hazy. I've been having trouble with my sinuses and a lot of pain in that area. The last two nights I had weird dreams... not nightmares but weird ones about people I know. I've given up trying to remember my students names or where I've placed things because I keep forgetting. It's frustrating. I'll pray for both of us today. I also pray that it would be the mind and hands of Jesus doing your job today.

Peace,
LC