I just found out I'm Bipolar

[New_Believer]

I've actually suspected since I was 14 after a manic episode that no one could explain, but yesterday I was officially diagnosed with Bipolar I Disorder, Single Manic Episode, Unspecified. My doctor put me on Depakote which I have not started taking yet. The only thing I'm concerned with is weight gain. But I'm wondering if anyone else here has been on this med. What is it like? Did it help you, and how long did it take for it to start working?

I'm also wondering how you deal with your depressive moods and hypomanic or manic moods. Sometimes I think I need to go to the hospital because the suffering is so bad I am afraid I will do something stupid. When I am depressed, I get suicidal. When I'm manic or hypomanic or whatever it is, I have thoughts of hurting others and doing crazy things. I don't want to sleep and sometimes I just wander around at night. I do things like climbing on buildings or trying to hop trains. Sometimes I walk so far that I get lost. I don't know how to handle these things.

 

[RuthD]

I'm praying for your healing.

 

[New_Believer]

Thank you.

 

[rocky76simmons]

2 Corinthians chapter one is a good reading for comfort in times of trouble. I have found it very comforting for me since I am also struggling.

 

[rocky76simmons]

Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of the Father, and the mind of Christ and always pray without ceasing, praying through these things and turning them over to Christ will help you, pray that Christ guards your heart and mind and stay in the Word and stay in Pray, and stay in Christ as we live by faith and walk in love we are in Christ and He is in us.

 

[New_Believer]

Thanks for reminding me of that. That is a great chapter for suffering. I always go to Romans 5.

 

[Jeshu]

I found after many years that medications didn't really work for me, they make me terribly depressed. I do hope they will work better for you.

Acceptance of self and applying God's love personally has helped me the best. Learning to stay grounded and not run of with my manic times has also been very useful.

Bipolar is a difficult to control illness but it teaches us to feel sympathy for those who suffer from depression and it teaches us what it is like to be full of life and really happy. Personally I rather cycle between extreme moods than be perpetually depressed that's for sure.

 

[romen33]

I was on risperdal and my doctor switched me to depakote because I was experiencing clouded thinking on risperdal. It took about 3 weeks and my thinking improved. I have been on it for six months or so and have not had weight gain but medicines work different on people. So far its working quite well for me.

 

[yanno the meek]

I'm bipolar and I run a bipolar support group. Depakote will help you manage the ups and downs. There are other medications if Depakote doesn't work for you (I take Lamictal) but ultimately when its a brain chemistry issue it frequently comes down to what side effects can you live with.

Some prescribers will prescribe Depakote for people who are already dramatically overweight. Be careful if this applies to you.

Sleep is one of the most important parts of the road to recovery. The brain has to be able to repair itself.

 

[Loven God]

Depakote made me very ill , but remember that meds work diffrent on diffrent people so that does not mean it will be the same for you . The only thing you can do is try it and if you have problems if you do talk to your doctor about it . Before or after taking it to get your questions answered .

 

[trustinhim83]

Hello, I actually just stumbled upon this forum today for the first time, while trying figure out how to resolve some marital issues I'm having.
Anyhow, I am also Bipolar, and am just recently getting a correct diagnosis. Have been suffering since teens (now 29). Bipolar tends to run in families, or is genetic...I'm sure you've heard. Do you have anyone in your family with it? My father, and aunt are both Bipolar, and quite possibly a few others who were never diagnosed.
I personally hate the notion of medication. I am an all natural kinda gal. I've tried just about everything under the sun, natural, through the years not even knowing yet that I am Bipolar. I've tried things to get relief of symptoms, because I always had a pretty good idea that is what it was. I've tried: prayer, meditation techniques and yoga, other exercise, Valerian root, Kava Kava, L-Tryptophan, Omega 3's, Lemon Balm...list goes on. Some of these things help, with sleep especially. The exercise helps a lot with the depression side of things. However, none of these resolve the imbalance. It is a chemical problem, and when you try to self medicate or find your own blend things can get a little messy if you aren't careful. Especially if you have suicidal ideation. I'm sorry to say that I know more than one Christian who has either committed suicide, or nearly has while suffering from uncontrolled Bipolar disorder. It is a very serious illness, and often gets worse with age. Just like a diabetic needs treatment, a Bipolar patient does as well. You either live with the disorder, and take that risk, or you live with side effects of meds....that seems to be the option.
I have found that talking with a Therapist does help. CBT therapy is helpful. My psychiatrist is talking atypical antipsychotics with me: Seroquil, Haldol, or Olanzapine. Mood stabilizers are out of the question for me right now, because my husband and I would like to start trying for a baby in the near future. Depakote would supposedly be pretty ideal for me as well. I am even very hesitant about any of these other drugs, but seriously need relief. I totally understand your feelings about being scared to go on a med. I don't have much answers for you myself about what to do...I'm not even sure myself, but hope that hearing another person is going through it helps. There is quite a lot of support on the internet. You can find out a lot if you do a search on Depakote patient reviews as well. Wish you well..
Will be praying.

 

[artsygal]

My psych doc worked in some fancy places and he graduated from Harvard, anyways he has been great, he said Trileptal (sp?) is supposidly the best stuff out there right now for mood stabilizing, guess it has the least side effects of all the medicines. Not sure as I am new to my diagnosis and all this stuff too. All I know is I started on this med and I have no side effects, although I did with the Abilify and had to quit that the mood stabilizer I didnt.

 

[Loven God]

Happy the Trileptal is working for you . Will keep you in my prayers .

 

[BRERDO]

If Depakote is not working or settling right for you, don't give up on medication. I had gone through 13 different meds before I found the right cocktail and dosages of Lithium and Lamictal. The medication will work if you give it both time and patience. If you are not seeing a psychiatrist, I suggest doing so as they are specilized in psychiatric medication. A family doctor or MD is not going to be as in-depth in knowledge and expertise. Not saying they can be but seeing someone who specializes in mental health is best. Also, along with medication, visiting a therapist is vital to handling the disorder. getting on-line support from great sites like this one and reading some web information BiPolar is great but a therapist knows how to work with you to get you buy the brick wall you stand before to the point where you are able to maintain the disorder yourself. Triggers are the biggest indicator and mood swings (either way). Learn what makes you depressed. Learn what makes you manic. Avoid both situations. If you are depressed, just remember that it is the disorder and not you that is putting you in that situation. If you are hypomanic and running a mile-a-minute... that is the disorder and not you. Find your level and maintain it through therapy, medication and support. We can give you one of the three. It is up to you to find the other two. You can do it.

 

[equestria]

If you are a reader I would suggest "Feeling Good" by Dr. David Burns. Changed my life.

The most important thing I do when I'm moody is to be gentle to myself, and forgive myself for my mistakes. I see myself as Jesus sees me.

Try going out for a walk. If it's too cold, try some yoga or cleaning your house. Making a meal. Anything to get out of bed.

 

[CraftyTurtle]

Any medication can have side effects - some side-effects you can live with, others you can't. And it's different for everyone. If you find you are gaining weight, or something undesirable, please speak with your doctor - there are different medications, and different forms of treatment.
At your age you may be still in the frame of mind that doctors are extremely knowledgeable people who know what is best for you. That is true to some extent. You need to give feedback as to how it affects you. The doctor is there for YOU.

 

[BRERDO]

Any medication can have side effects - some side-effects you can live with, others you can't.

That is very true. For me, I walk around every day with chapped/dry lips from the Lithium. It is a welcomed trade off.