Staying Focused

[Kielso]

I'm glad there is a forum specifically for others with my problem - Bipolar Disorder. I was beginning to think I was the only one out there! (Okay, that's stretching it a bit, but hopefully you know what I mean!)

I have had problems in the past with focusing on my religion and spiritual growth. It spawns from my difficulties focusing at all. Can anyone offer any tips?

I've let my disorder control me for far too long, and I'm ready to do something about it.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Kielso

First let me ask if your taking rasperadone? To me it is the worst med to hit the market and it won't let you focus. I pored mine down the toilet.



Don't get me wrong, I worked with the doctors till I finally got on the right meds and I take them every day with no problem.



My life has been good now for a few years.




Your question is real hard for me to answer because I just don't know how much attention span you have.



If it is real short then ask forgiveness for all your sins. Then keep praising the LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART.



IF you can go further then read what you can out of GODS WORD ( BIBLE ) and then put it down till the next time you can read. Don't worry about understanding IT just read IT. Miracles come out of the BIBLE.



Just take one step at a time. When you are ready, commit your complete life to GOD, HE will send HIS GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT upon you. ( HE gives is freely )


Then you have nothing to worry about as then you have a GUIDE, COMFORTER, COMUNICATOR, and TEACHER.



Then no human stands between you and GOD.



You will have a direct line to GOD and be a member of the KINGDOM OF ALMIGHTY GOD.



I want to thank you for coming to this wonderful forum. I to believe there is no other like it.



Just let your feelings out here and there are many standing by to offer help.



We all need it.



AS YOU GROW ALWAYS REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[lemonflavor]

I hope we can encourage you. Have you tried reading a devotional type book where you just read one or two pages a day? Something like The Gospel According to Job, My Utmost for His Highest and of course the Bible, even if it's just a paragraph a day to start out. Doesn't matter how small you start, whatever you can do, then go from there.

I take Risperdal and so far it helps with my focus but it also causes some nausea and loss of appetite so we'll see if I can stay with it.

 

[goldenviolet]

Kielso... it takes practice and spiritual growth for all of us; not just bipolars.

there is what docs prescribe, and managing/ coping skills. i thinks it a daily walk in Christ, trying to be as balanced as possible. practice and growth.

did you see our bipolar exspert thread? it's where we put the things that help us. maybe you can get and give some ideas too.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear lemonflavor

I don't know if you are knowledgeable of this:

"
DIABETES ALERT!!


Many recent scientific studies have identified a direct link between usage of “atypical antipsychotic drugs,” including Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Risperdal to abnormal weight gain, hyperglycemia and tragically, diabetes. In fact, the FDA found these risks great enough to mandate the drug companies to change their warning labels and send “Dear Doctor” letters out to your health care providers warning them of these risks.
The only specific indications for which the FDA has approved these drugs are clinical schizophrenia and bipolar mania. While these drugs held great promise for those suffering from schizophrenia or bipolar mania, the drug companies have engaged in a widespread campaign promoting doctors (may who lack specialized training in the mental health field) into prescribing these powerful medicines to everyone from stressed-out “soccer moms” to children with minor attention deficits. The usage of these drugs are not without risks, including many serious side effects. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of this situation are the many children who now suffer from diabetes after taking these drugs when there were safer, less expensive, and more appropriate treatment options available to them.
We are currently representing and pursuing legal claims on behalf of individuals harmed by these drugs. If you have taken these drugs, and have developed diabetes, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, pancreatitis (inflamation of the pancreas), seizures, tardive dyskinesia, stroke, heart attack, liver disease, amputation of a limb (due to diabetes), severe weight gain, or other medical conditions, you may be entitled to compensation.
Eli Lilly has recently agreed to pay almost 700 Million Dollars to settle existing lawsuits with other victims who have suffered injuries from taking Zyprexa.
If you believe you or a loved one has been injured by these drugs, please take the first step necessary to protect your legal rights by filling out a simple case evaluation form here. At no cost or obligations to you, our legal and medical team will promptly review your situation to see if you have a case. If we do accept your case, there are no fees for our services unless we recover money on your behalf.
Please act now, as there are legal deadlines rapidly approaching which may bar your case forever.
For more information on the specific drugs which you or your loved one have taken, please feel free to click on the links to the right.
**This site is not intended to give medical advice. As always, you should consult your doctor prior to making any changes to your medical treatments.


or this:

Risperdal (Resperidone)


If you took Risperdal (Resperidone) on or before August 2004, and you have developed diabetes, pancreatitis (inflammation of pancreas), ketoacidosis, hyperglycemia, seizures, diabetic coma, stroke, heart attack, amputation of a limb (due to diabetes), severe weight gain, or other medical conditions, you may be entitled to compensation.
You are urged to contact our experienced lawyers if you or someone you know has suffered any of these symptoms. There is no obligation for us to review your case. You may fill out our Free Case Evaluation and we will call you or you may call us at 866-716-8300. Act now, because the deadline for filing your case against the Risperdal manufacturers will soon pass.
If you would like to see the letter that the manufacturers sent the doctors about new warnings, please click here.
Risperdal is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar mania.
Increased occurrences of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and weight gain have been associated with the use of Risperdal.
Drug companies have pushed atypical antipsychotics like Risperdal too quickly, to the wrong patients. The results? Unnecessarily exposing patients to potentially dangerous, long-term side effects such as diabetes and weight gain.
Children and the elderly are also adversely affected by drugs like Risperdal.
As reported by the FDA in December of 2003:
FDA and Janssen revised the WARNINGS section of labeling, describing the increased risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes in patients taking Risperdal. MedWatch is posting a revised version of a letter originally distributed to health care professionals November 2003. FDA asked all manufacturers of atypical antipsychotic medications, including Janssen, to add this Warning statement to labeling.
If you are suffering from any of the following conditions after taking this drug, you may want to contact us for more information:

• Diabetes
• Ketoacidosis
• Severe weight gain
• Diabetic coma
• Heart attack
• Hyperglycemia
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
• Pancreatitis
• Stroke
• Tardive Dyskinesia
• Seizures "

or this:

"
Risperdal (generic name: risperidone) Johnson & Johnson’s schizophrenia drug, has been linked with a high incidence of type 2 diabetes, hyperglycemia and other blood sugar disorders. Risperdal is in the class of drugs called atypical antipsychotics, which are a newer class of antipsychotics touted as having a lower incidence of blood sugar disorders than the older medications such as Haldol and Thorazine. Risperdal was approved by the FDA in 2003.
Diabetes Study Results

Data from a study that was reported at a conference of the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology in Philadelphia August 23 and 24, 2003 showed that patients on Risperdal had 1.49 times as many (49% more) cases of diabetes as those on older antipsychotic drugs. The study of 19,878 U.S. military veterans between October 1998 and October 2001 indicated that Risperdal and other members of the new class of anti-psychotic drugs posed a higher risk of diabetes.
Risperdal Uses

Risperdal is intended to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia including positive symptoms (delusions, thought disorder, hallucinations) and negative symptoms (social withdrawal, lack of energy, apathy, and reduced ability to express emotion). Risperdal affects a broad range of neurotransmitter receptors, including serotonin and dopamine receptors. In addition to schizophrenia, Risperdal has been prescribed for the treatment of acute bipolar mania, agitation and severe anxiety in people with a wide range of psychotic illnesses. It has also been prescribed off-label for many less severe psychological disorders and for disorders in children. Risperdal and the other newer atypical antipsychotic drugs were intended to have full antipsychotic activity, with the advantage of fewer and less severe motor side effects and extrapyramidal symptoms such as akahisia (restlessness and fidgety movements), tardive dyskinesia (involuntary, uncontrollable movements), and akinesia (drug-induced Parkinsonianism, including tremors). Instead of having less side effects, it has been found after Risperdal and the other drugs in the class were approved and used by millions that the risk of developing diabetes was so high. Furthermore, Risperdal may lead to Tardive Dyskinesia as the older antipsychotic medications did. Tardive Dyskinesia is one reason that the older antipsychotic medications were not tolerated well by many schizophrenia patients.
Risperdal & Pancreatitis

Risperdal has also been linked with pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The duodenum is the upper part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine through a tube called the pancreatic duct. These enzymes help digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream. These hormones help the body use the glucose it takes from food for energy.
If you or a loved one developed diabetes, hyperglycemia or pancreatitis during or after using Risperdal,

I'm not the doctor but I think you need to be fully aware of the situation.



This may well be the reason your haveing stomach problems.




I hope this helps.




IN OUR PAIN WE NEED ALL REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[Shalia]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, sorry, had to have a freaking screaming fit there.

Are you HONESTLY telling this person to try getting off a mental health med due to the metabolic warning that is now on ALL, I REPEAT ALL of the atypical antipsychotics except Geodon and Abilify <both which cause their own issues>?

Are you HONESTLY telling someone that "soccer moms" and kids with ADHD are being prescribed heavy duty antipsychotics by bored psychiatrists?

Risperidal is often known to be a *miracle* for autistics, and I can't find a doctor ANYWHERE that will give Tyler a try on it. And I can bring them dozens of case studies for autism. But you think there hand it out like yummy candy to soccer moms?

Do you READ the PI sheets on the meds you take? There are risks on ALL the drugs we take. Every single one of them. Depakote and Lithium will ruin your liver. Drop off an anti-convulsant too fast and you can make yourself epileptic for life. Some people can *never* get off Effexor because the discontinuation syndrome is too harsh. Wellbutrin can cause seizures. Lamictal can cause The Rash. I could go on for hours, but I'll only make myself extremely angrier.

Unless you are this woman's doctor, know what meds she's tried and what meds she hasn't, why they work, why they don't, what OTHER meds she's taking and how they combine, you should *not* be telling her to not take Risperidal.

Risperidal is an excellent antipsychotic, and when administered correctly and is the right med for you, works very well. According to the prescribing insert, during clinical trials, the number of people who complained of weight gain over placebo was NINE PERCENT. Not exactly black box worthy, huh? But all the weight gaining atypicals got it.

Scare mongering only convinces people to flush their meds. Which is not a good thing when you are talking antipsychotics.

Ugh.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Shalia

Some folks have a difficult time focusing. For example this was said in this post:

" It spawns from my difficulties focusing at all. Can anyone offer any tips? "

With that question, this followed:

" First let me ask if your taking rasperadone? To me it is the worst med to hit the market and it won't let you focus. I pored mine down the toilet.



Don't get me wrong, I worked with the doctors till I finally got on the right meds and I take them every day with no problem.



My life has been good now for a few years. "



Then there was a post by
lemonflavor:

" I take Risperdal and so far it helps with my focus but it also causes some nausea and loss of appetite so we'll see if I can stay with it. "

Then information on problems experienced with the med was given for reference.



In that information was:


" Risperdal & Pancreatitis "


With my statement:


" I'm not the doctor but I think you need to be fully aware of the situation.



This may well be the reason your having stomach problems. "



Now Shalia I know your young and maybe you also have a problem with focus but that is the jest of the conversation.




Then of course was this post:


" Scare mongering only convinces people to flush their meds. Which is not a good thing when you are talking antipsychotics.

Ugh. "



There is a big difference between the last post and the above. We are all bipolars here trying to find our way through the maze of meds that will work the best for each one of us. We have to be able to relate our experience with meds in order to explain what we did as a result.


When I was on risperidone and tried to do some work it was an impossibility. My span of thinking on a subject was generally no longer than 5 minutes. Great for autism but hell for concentration.
Most folks want to be able to keep a line of thought and be able to focus and use their minds GOD gave them.



It is with deep LOVE that I hope this information will help both Kelso and Lemon flavor, and in some small way, Shalia a veteran of 26 years of age. Quite an accomplishment I must say.




I HOPE WE CAN ALL STAND UNDER JESUS LOVE AND NEVER FORGET:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and move to the O ) ( then feel who is around you )

 

[lemonflavor]

Unless you are this woman's doctor

Hey, I'm a man.

Thanks for the support.

Me and my doctor are well aware of the risks.

I hope we can get back to encouraging Kielso. Sorry for the diversion.

 

[AngelRider]

I'm glad there is a forum specifically for others with my problem - Bipolar Disorder. I was beginning to think I was the only one out there! (Okay, that's stretching it a bit, but hopefully you know what I mean!)

I have had problems in the past with focusing on my religion and spiritual growth. It spawns from my difficulties focusing at all. Can anyone offer any tips?

I've let my disorder control me for far too long, and I'm ready to do something about it.

I understand what you mean because I am Bipolar also and the moods can get out of hand sometimes. First I would ask if you are on the corrects meds. Also getting the right amount of sleep and eating healthy are major things. Please let me know if you need to talk and how you are doing. YOU are not alone and I am here to listen or talk if you ever need me.

 

[Alive again]

I'm glad there is a forum specifically for others with my problem - Bipolar Disorder. I was beginning to think I was the only one out there! (Okay, that's stretching it a bit, but hopefully you know what I mean!)

I have had problems in the past with focusing on my religion and spiritual growth. It spawns from my difficulties focusing at all. Can anyone offer any tips?

I've let my disorder control me for far too long, and I'm ready to do something about it.

WELCOME TO CF!!! I am glad to have you joined us. For me when I cannot focus, I use tapes with scripture and relaxation music combined. It helps me to relax and focus my thoughts on God and His word as much as I can when things are out of control too much for me to focus. Other things that help me are ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE. Others find help with journaling to dump overwhelming thoughts or feelings. Yes, talking with your doc to know if it is a med side effect and if there are alternate meds that would work is also a possiblility. But I noticed you have not yet mentioned anything about meds, so that is all I will say on that topic.

You also did not indicate if this is related to either mania or depression, but simply asked about growing spiritually so that is why my response really focused more on tapes/cds that have short verses and music combined. It is one of my personal favorites when it comes to trying to sleep!!!! But may also work for those times when it is difficult to focus on reading God's word!!!

Blessings and please continue to come and see us!!!

Alive

 

[Shalia]

Sorry, lemonflavor! I should have gone back up and checked the gender thingy. Oops! Please forgive!

Wonderwaleye, I'm sorry *you* had a terrible time with Risperidal. Some people do. Some people find it a miracle. I did. If it didn't mess with my hormone levels as much as it did, I'd still be on it. I COULD concentrate. And I'm a flighty dingbat. It depends on if these are the right drugs for you.

When a prescribing insert says there has been a "clinically significant improvement" <doesn't matter what drug, it could be a mental health drug or one for stomach ulcers, this is FDA rulings> it means it works for approximately 30% of the people taking it. So you have a 1 in 3 shot of being someone it works for. Trileptal is considered an excellent shot cause it's nearly 50/50. But in realistic terms, it still fails for half the people who try it.

Why do you think it takes so long to get our meds right?

You were one of the 2 in 3 that Risperidal didn't work for. I'm sorry about that, that stinks for you. I'm one of the 2 in 3 that Abilify didn't work for and I could tell horror stories about Abilify, <as well as pull scary stuff from its PI sheet> but I wouldn't want people to quit their meds.

Yes, I'm a bit over protective on this type of message: I'm a prepharmacy student who's bipolar. What can I say: it gets to me.

 

[Alive again]

I agree with Sahlia, however I was an RN for 15 years, so I have a similiar training background. I also am concerned with med compliance issues as well as efficaciousness and side effects of any med.

I appreciate wonderwaleye's info, but IMHO, it could have been posted as a thread all of it's own as the op never mentioned meds at all. (although meds can and do cause probs with focusing and any recommendation to talk with your doc and be informed about meds I highly support). The op question if I took it correctly was how to focus on spiritual growth and issues with a focus prob, so let's get back to that topic if possible and not send our newbies running for cover!!!

 

[Shalia]

<shuffles feet nervously>

Yes, ma'am, I'll behave.

 

[AngelRider]

yes I too listen to radio shows while I am busy working around the house and lots of music. I also try to stay focused on my son and his needs too without getting out of focus. I am also learning myself now how to be calm about things I do not like going through. It is not easy being after having had such a big mouth in the past when I REALLY needed to know how to be quiet at times......I am glad today is a new day for sure

God bless you

ANgelRider

 

[Alive again]

<shuffles feet nervously>

Yes, ma'am, I'll behave.

Oh Shalia, I am so sorry!! I agree so much with what you posted and am thankful for your clear and concise way of explaining it. Pleas accept my humble apologies.

Alive

 

[Alive again]

I'm glad there is a forum specifically for others with my problem - Bipolar Disorder. I was beginning to think I was the only one out there! (Okay, that's stretching it a bit, but hopefully you know what I mean!)

I have had problems in the past with focusing on my religion and spiritual growth. It spawns from my difficulties focusing at all. Can anyone offer any tips?

I've let my disorder control me for far too long, and I'm ready to do something about it.

Her's the op. Time for me to behave as well!!!

 

[Yusuphhai]

Hello Kielso (and Family),

Focusing difficulties maybe caused by Self Compelling Symptoms, such as always think something not worth thinking but ignore more important thing. I have this extra symptom of BP. I had thought I have recovered and don’t need accept I am a patient; but I am wrong. BP exactly need much time to completely recover; a steady healthy life is not easy. So you are not alone ;we are brothers and sisters in adversity. Let’s help and encourage each other; we all need welcome and kindness.

Love, Yusuph in Jesus(Yeshua)

 

[AngelRider]

focus on the Lord and be patient. I had to literally wash myself of embarassment up until recent because I let my mouth just go and obviously my lithium was not up to par and now it is. I am really trying to learn to keep my MOUTH shut because like it says in the bible it is a poison and it not only hurtss me it hurts others.....okay i went off on a tangent...........we all need to focus on helping each other and I am very glad I have got this forum to vent and try to help too.......I love you guys...................hang in there

AngelRider

 

[Alive again]

focus on the Lord and be patient. I had to literally wash myself of embarassment up until recent because I let my mouth just go and obviously my lithium was not up to par and now it is. I am really trying to learn to keep my MOUTH shut because like it says in the bible it is a poison and it not only hurtss me it hurts others.....okay i went off on a tangent...........we all need to focus on helping each other and I am very glad I have got this forum to vent and try to help too.......I love you guys...................hang in there

AngelRider

I have that mouth prob also. I haves verses from James, particularly James 4:1 posted in my bathroom where I see them everyday (manu times)

 

[Kielso]

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!

My impulsivity and lack of patience are two major hurdles I'm trying to overcome right now, too. I've done some bad things in my past...But the power of forgiveness is amazing, isn't it? I just want to focus on the good, on what I can do for God. He's done so much for me.