Difficulties in dealing with taking medication

[Lik3]

Why is it that we who have bipolar disorder hate to take our medications? I have only two choices and that is to take it or not to take it. I have problems dealing with stress and I wonder if that too is caused by the bipolar. Sometimes I hear and see things that are not there. I also have vivid dreams that seem so real and some of them are of a violent and sexual nature. It is rather strange. I know I am rambling on and on and on, but I wonder what is it about bipolar medication that makes us want to stop taking it? For me at least it was the sleepiness. I remember two of my classmates in college told me that I snore. The professor had to wake me up. That was embarassing. I felt that it would hurt my performance in school. It didn't , but still. I also hated the idea of being bipolar which would mean taking that medication and going to see someone for counseling and treatment. I know that I needed it, but sometimes I wish God could heal me. I knew I needed it because I had suicidal thoughts in the past and that is how I thought I had bipolar disorder. I remember it like it was yesterday. So do you too or did you too have difficulties dealing with the fact that you had to take medication?

 

[Christownsme]

I was forced to take medication, and so I didn't even worry myself about it. I found how useful it was and how it helped me feel better about life, and so when I got out of the hospital, I was med compliant.

The only things I noticed that when I started reading the side effects, I got scared of the meds. But I tried to rest in the fact that most of the time meds are not going to have earth shattering side effects.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

At times I have gone off my meds, it never turned out well and I had go back on them. I know now to function right I have to be on them. Sleepiness is hard to deal with. Weight gain from some of them too makes it hard to stay on them. I know now with having my boys I have to stay on them.

 

[Lik3]

Thank you for your honesty. I didn't always take my medication and I myself gained weight as a result of the medication that I took. The side effects were sleepiness of course which interrupted my listening to the professor's instructions. But I had to learn the medication was there to help me instead of hindering me.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

Some meds do cause weight gain. With the tiredness some meds do more. Everyone is effected so differently. I take 200mg of Seroquel in the morning, 600 mg at night and it does not make me tired. Others, well that would knock them out asleep for a week. With meds it is a guessing game to figure out which meds and which dosages. It is frustrating.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Hi I'm a "Newbie" too!

Taking meds was quite a journey for me. I went the "God's going to heal me" route for years because people in the church told me I didn't need those meds and that God was going to heal me. I believed that so I would get off my meds. Well that never went well. I always ended up back in the hospital. The other thing was that I would have to take my meds at different times of the day. That didn't go well because I couldn't remember what I took and when. Long story short in 1988 I lost everything. Up to that point I had never really accepted my illness. Taking pills wasn't something I was use to doing in my life. It just didn't make sense to me. It wasn't until college in a Psych class that I first heard anyone talk about the brain in all of this. Once I understood the brain chemistry part, then it made sense. The illness (manic depression/bipolar) stopped being spiritual and/or moral. It was now just physical and that gave me a certain peace. Right now God is walking me through my resistance issues concerning treatment/counseling. God is doing some amazing things and I know he's with me. I don't think it's ever an easy thing to deal with a loss of health but God is right there with those of us who do and we can trust Him every step of the way.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

Hi I'm a "Newbie" too!

Taking meds was quite a journey for me. I went the "God's going to heal me" route for years because people in the church told me I didn't need those meds and that God was going to heal me. I believed that so I would get off my meds. Well that never went well. I always ended up back in the hospital. The other thing was that I would have to take my meds at different times of the day. That didn't go well because I couldn't remember what I took and when. Long story short in 1988 I lost everything. Up to that point I had never really accepted my illness. Taking pills wasn't something I was use to doing in my life. It just didn't make sense to me. It wasn't until college in a Psych class that I first heard anyone talk about the brain in all of this. Once I understood the brain chemistry part, then it made sense. The illness (manic depression/bipolar) stopped being spiritual and/or moral. It was now just physical and that gave me a certain peace. Right now God is walking me through my resistance issues concerning treatment/counseling. God is doing some amazing things and I know he's with me. I don't think it's ever an easy thing to deal with a loss of health but God is right there with those of us who do and we can trust Him every step of the way.

Welcome to CF!!!!

I have had happen with churches. When I found the Lord, the first church I went to, the one I was baptized in, told me that. Stop the meds, fast and pray till healed...yeah, in the hospital I went. Some how I keep ending up back in those types of meds.

I am sorry things went so bad.


I couldn't handle the meds without a pill box. Makes it a lot easier.

 

[madison1101]

I had an AA sponsor drop me because I saw a psychiatrist and went on medication. She told me all I needed was the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. I am grateful that the churches I have attended never encouraged me to go off my meds. My current pastor is very supportive of my treatment both of alcoholism and bipolar disorder.

A really good book on this subject is called, "Why Do Christians Shoot Their Wounded?" It is written by a Christian psychiatrist.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

I will have to look for that book. That is really sad that your AA sponsor dropped you.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Welcome to CF!!!!

I have had happen with churches. When I found the Lord, the first church I went to, the one I was baptized in, told me that. Stop the meds, fast and pray till healed...yeah, in the hospital I went. Some how I keep ending up back in those types of meds.

I am sorry things went so bad.


I couldn't handle the meds without a pill box. Makes it a lot easier.

Thanks Dianna_Child of God. For several years I lived a very devastated life. IMO no one should ever tell a mentally ill person to get off their meds EVER! I was in and out of mental hospitals. It was such a vicious cycle. When I didn't get healed it was said I didn't have enough faith. From there it went to "there must be some sin" somewhere in my life. There were church people who even believed that I was possessed. That shattered me. I was never the same after that. I didn't know until then how hurtful some Christians could really be. To this day, on some level I still protect myself from Christians. This is the 1st time I've ever talked about my mental illness on a message board and a Christian one at that. I guess I've come out of the closet LOL!

madison1101 What a blessing you've been embraced and supported by your church community. I want that so much for every Believer that suffers from mental illness. I'm sorry your AA sponser did that to you. How terrible.

 

[madison1101]

Thanks Dianna_Child of God. For several years I lived a very devastated life. IMO no one should ever tell a mentally ill person to get off their meds EVER! I was in and out of mental hospitals. It was such a vicious cycle. When I didn't get healed it was said I didn't have enough faith. From there it went to "there must be some sin" somewhere in my life. There were church people who even believed that I was possessed. That shattered me. I was never the same after that. I didn't know until then how hurtful some Christians could really be. To this day, on some level I still protect myself from Christians. This is the 1st time I've ever talked about my mental illness on a message board and a Christian one at that. I guess I've come out of the closet LOL!

madison1101 What a blessing you've been embraced and supported by your church community. I want that so much for every Believer that suffers from mental illness. I'm sorry your AA sponser did that to you. How terrible.

I struggled with an alcohol relapse two years ago, and wound up hospitalized after a drug/alcohol binge followed by some self-harm. One day while hospitalized, my Pastor came to visit me, and it was such a blessing. Prior to my hospitalization, he had given me a wonderful book called Abba's Childwhich I took with me to the hospital.

pastor's only question was to ask me what I was doing to nurture my relationship with the Lord. He was pleased when I told him I was reading that book.

 

[quietpraiyze]

madison1101 what a blessing when someone doesn't just go to church, but actually shows up as the Church. I wish sometimes people would talk about what's helpful when a person is suffering so they don't add to that person's pain.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

I struggled with an alcohol relapse two years ago, and wound up hospitalized after a drug/alcohol binge followed by some self-harm. One day while hospitalized, my Pastor came to visit me, and it was such a blessing. Prior to my hospitalization, he had given me a wonderful book called Abba's Childwhich I took with me to the hospital.

pastor's only question was to ask me what I was doing to nurture my relationship with the Lord. He was pleased when I told him I was reading that book.

I will have to look into that book.

 

[Live In Stereo]

Why is it that we who have bipolar disorder hate to take our medications? I have only two choices and that is to take it or not to take it. I have problems dealing with stress and I wonder if that too is caused by the bipolar. Sometimes I hear and see things that are not there. I also have vivid dreams that seem so real and some of them are of a violent and sexual nature. It is rather strange. I know I am rambling on and on and on, but I wonder what is it about bipolar medication that makes us want to stop taking it? For me at least it was the sleepiness. I remember two of my classmates in college told me that I snore. The professor had to wake me up. That was embarassing. I felt that it would hurt my performance in school. It didn't , but still. I also hated the idea of being bipolar which would mean taking that medication and going to see someone for counseling and treatment. I know that I needed it, but sometimes I wish God could heal me. I knew I needed it because I had suicidal thoughts in the past and that is how I thought I had bipolar disorder. I remember it like it was yesterday. So do you too or did you too have difficulties dealing with the fact that you had to take medication?

Yes, especially as a christian, there is a stigma that you should not need medicine for mind stuff. You are a bigger sinner or something.Okay with me, I just need a Savior more than them. also the side effects as you mentioned can be pretty hard to take.You know that medicine could be damaging you some way.ther is allways a side effect risk down the road and then if you are like me I would rather spend the money on something I like than pay for them.The idea you have to do it daily. It is a small thing to take them, but just to have a do you do not have to do even that. ( I naturally kick against have to's anyway.) Like last night I got comfortable in bed to read a book and relax and I had not taken the meds yet. Hassle.also I do not know of others in this situation but I am at my case workers mercy and the Drs really push you through like they could care less. Some of the things they make me do cause me more damage and symptoms of anxiety. They may not mean to, but I feel like I am in bondage to their whims or I will not get meds. I too pray way more than Paul(3x). deliverance from the meds. and there is always a fear somewhat-even in trusting God- that government will restrict us and take the meds away so when taking, I think what if i cannot get them one of these days? People like us to way Government is heading are expendable. I hope this helps and does not put even more on you of why we do not like the medicine. Only God. I like him to be all I need, bu tphysically at least now, I must have the pills.

 

[Live In Stereo]

Some meds do cause weight gain. With the tiredness some meds do more. Everyone is effected so differently. I take 200mg of Seroquel in the morning, 600 mg at night and it does not make me tired. Others, well that would knock them out asleep for a week. With meds it is a guessing game to figure out which meds and which dosages. It is frustrating.

It is funny how medicine effects everyone different. I was put on 25 mg. of serequel for sleep and it knocks me out like you said. I can barely get up on it. i only take if I have had several bad days without sleep since it give me such a hangover.