Everybody check in!

[Alive again]

Just wanted to get a feel for who was still around after the upgrade!!!

 

[youthwalk]

I'm here

 

[Alaskamomma]

I'm here. Barely. In a real downer because I am having some signficant health issues at the moment that do not look very good right now. When I have more info I will let you all know.

 

[thislifewithinmecries]

I'm here! Even though I don't know you very well alive!

 

[Alive again]

I'm here. Barely. In a real downer because I am having some significant health issues at the moment that do not look very good right now. When I have more info I will let you all know.

Praying for you dear friend. It seems you have been thru a lot this last year! Know you are in my prayers, for God knows what is going on. Share only if and when you want to/are able to. But prayers going up!

I'm here! Even though I don't know you very well alive!

Welcome to Cf! I hope to get to know you better over time! Know that much of this site has just changed, so we are all figuring out a lot of things! But we are glad to have you with us! You will find this a very accepting and supportive group of brothers and sisters in the Lord! May you have the opportunity to get to know many of us better!

I'm here

Love your graphics as always, I just have never gotten around to figuring all that out! So glad you are still here!!!

 

[bipolarbear]

Here... The new upgrades are very confusing... I am still relocating, it's next month... Very stressed out depressed, and have gained 15 pounds... I still have yet to sort through one single box... However, this experience is forcing me to try extra hard with my bipolar, as my Beloved is working near our new home, hours away... I know I have made progress personally as far as the bipolar is concerned... I even decided to start telling peopl I know that I have bipolar; a Huge step for me... Lots going on, trying to not get overwhelmed, and trying to remember to pray and leave it in the Lord's Hands... (Whimper)

 

[Loopi]

I'm here, although getting rather lost on these forums so almost avoiding them when my head is buzzing so that I don't throw my laptop across a wall when i fail to find what i'm after >.< having a really bad time of being up at the moment, mainly with the anger. Nearly gave my SO a black eye the other night over a game of wii tennis. I just saw red and ended up having a friend hold me back then i ran out crying >.<

Got a second opinion from a psychiatrist on the 14th... dreading hearing the words "your faking it" and having to live like this, without help, forever.

 

[DoubtingThomas29]

Checking in, I have been walking for an hour five days a week, that is about three miles, I hope to lose some weight by doing this. I weigh three hundred twenty pounds, I hope three years from now to be down to 160 lbs. I think I can lose a pound a week for a long time, by this regular exercise routine I am on now.

 

[bipolarbear]

Congrats on getting out and walking! I have let stress and depression overcome me, and have gained back 15 of the 40 pounds I worked so hard two years ago to loose! You inspirte me... I think I should go for walks too...

Bipolarbear

 

[thislifewithinmecries]

The second I was taken off one of the meds I was on I lost 15 pounds, I also started eating a little better and exercising. Unfortunately my busy schedule has caught up with me and now I eat whatever and haven't been exercising as much! But, I have the whole summer to get into shape! Pray for me as I will be praying for all of you! Love you guys!

 

[Soulwings]

I'm here.

I don't know if any of you remember me... I wasn't around a lot before the upgrades, but I was around some. Anyway.

I commend you on the walking!! I am trying to lose weight also, and while I am a relatively healthy weight for my height, I am still not my ideal weight. Walking is enjoyable and I live in a very wooded and hilly area - beautiful and ideal for hikes - so I should do it more often. Exercise often elevates mood so it's a very good thing for bipolars in depressive episodes.

Anyway, hope to talk more with you all. Seems like a nice bunch of people in here.

 

[4Everloved]

This really is a good bunch of people.

I like to walk too. It always relieves anxiety and gives me a bit of hope for the day.

Welcome back, Soulwings.

 

[lemonflavor]

Just got here. Got my first disability deposit May 1.

 

[Alaskamomma]

Well I mentioned earlier that I would update all of you on my health condition. It appears I may have breast cancer in both breasts. I have been having symptoms for some time, just thought it was one thing or another. It is not the type cancer where I have found a lump. It is suspected I have Paget's disease. A cancer that attacks the milk ducts. I am trying to get a biopsy scheduled, however, no breast specialist in Anchorage takes my insurance. So, my insurance co is telling me I have to fly to Seattle to have it done. So, we are arguring with them over that so I can have it done locally. My daughter, who also has bipolar, is in the middle of having a mixed episode. So, she has to stay with me 24 hours a day right now until her meds can be adjusted. Waiting to hear back from her psych doc which I left a message with her on Wed night and still no word from her!!!!!! (grrrrr!) On top of that we are trying to sell our home. Sorry to totally blow here, but I feel the need to get this off my chest. Someone on CF did bless me with many blessings and it did bring a smile to my face. So to whomever it was, thank you. You, indeed, blessed me.

 

[Soulwings]

Alaskamomma I'm so sorry to hear about the things that you are going through :-( that has to be super super difficult... hang in there and remember that God is on your side... and that we are here if you need to talk (don't feel sorry about venting - I am sure that we all are in that place sometimes!). I'll be praying that things work out for you... I don't know what would be best, other than having the cancer be gone... but God does and I will pray that He shows you the right way to go.

Mixed episodes really suck... how old is your daughter? and having a child who is also bipolar... that has also got to be a very difficult thing.

 

[Alaskamomma]

Thank you, Soulwings. I appreciate what you have said. WHen it get to the point I am in now, it is hard to remember God is even there. Part of me says He is, part of me feels so alone. So, thank you for your reminder.

My daughter is 8. She was diagnosed with bipolar I (same as me). However, I think her case is so much worse than mine. I don't know it is hard to tell. WHenever I was 8, I had already runaway twice. Her psych doc increased her meds today. She is taking a nap on the couch right now. This is the only time (besides at night) that she has been still in the last three days. WIth what I am dealing with personally and what I am dealing with her, well, I am doing all I can do keep going on, I feel. I feel so weary. I am blessed to have an outstanding family (in-law's) who have kept in daily contact with me over the phone, praying with me. And I have really good neighbors who have been checking in on us since she ranaway.

My mantra in life is to "see the good" and I can still say I am able to do that. No matter how bleak things appear to be right now. There is still good to see if we but look.

 

[Soulwings]

Wow. You inspire me... because I have difficulty seeing the good in anything... whether or not I am going through hard times, I am a pessimist. I am bipolar type II and so don't have the severity of mood swings that you and your daughter must go through, but I still can understand the crazy horrible'ness of it all, to some degree. So kudos to you for staying strong in the midst of difficulties... whether or not you think you are handling it well, you are handling it, and that is the most important thing. I can't imagine, though, the stress of having to handle someone that is all over the place (so to speak) all of the time. When I get mixed episodes, they last for a few hours (thanks to type II, of course), and I'm dangerous enough to myself then. I don't know what I would do if they went on for days/weeks.

What meds are you and your daughter on? *just curious* Seems like there are new drugs out all the time; I am on Lamictal (400mg) (as well as 3 others, an AP and two anxiolitics) and it works pretty well for me, although I feel now that I don't have much fluctuation in mood at all, and that my creativity has pretty much disappeared. Always complaints about meds to be had. Heh.

 

[Alive again]

So glad to hear from so many! I am thankful to have each and everyone of you here and part of my life thru this forum. SO much has been posted it is beyond me to respond to all that has been said. Know that I have said a prayer for each of you!

 

[jynx]

Hi! I am not "new" to the forums, I am just new to this subtopic? I have been gone for a few months only to come back and find things rearranged!!!! ugh!!! As if I didn't have a difficult time BEFORE things were garbbled up.... now I can't seem to find squat!!!!! and <pout> I can't get my little person thingy to work right either!!! It won't crop. Tis what I get for not sleeping again, I guess.

 

[Soulwings]

Welcome to the board, Jynx, even if you aren't completely new. I was missing for a few months as well and I came back and BOOM, all of CF had changed!! At least the web address is still the same...

Alive Again - How are you doing this morning?

And everyone else - how are you all doing?