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Bipolar Disorder ask a question/discussion thread

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭Rosiestar


    nesf wrote: »
    Talk to your GP/Psychiatrist about it and your options. One is medication at home, another is going into hospital for a while to get some sleep and to get stabilised. There are options here, you are not in a hopeless position.

    thanks so much nesf and yes, nesf, hospital was a clear option for my psych, well after a whirlwind day, I've doubled my Geodon, had my credit card cut up and all alcohol taken out of the house (that part didn't really bother me 'til now!)! My Lyrica has been doubled which I'm sure will have an effect on calming me down but given that I'm writing this at ten to five in the morning I'm not so sure, I was in a shopping centre today before my psych appointment and spent money which I shouldn't have done, right before Christmas, it will never end I feel, maybe the medication will help, maybe not, who knows....at the end of the day, if this is the worst I can do, compared to what I have done in the past, well............


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Rosiestar wrote: »
    thanks so much nesf and yes, nesf, hospital was a clear option for my psych, well after a whirlwind day, I've doubled my Geodon, had my credit card cut up and all alcohol taken out of the house (that part didn't really bother me 'til now!)! My Lyrica has been doubled which I'm sure will have an effect on calming me down but given that I'm writing this at ten to five in the morning I'm not so sure, I was in a shopping centre today before my psych appointment and spent money which I shouldn't have done, right before Christmas, it will never end I feel, maybe the medication will help, maybe not, who knows....at the end of the day, if this is the worst I can do, compared to what I have done in the past, well............

    I've seen people far, far more agitated than you (as in wouldn't be able to sit down long enough to type a reply) be brought down by meds, so don't lose hope. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Hmmm, since I'm so high again I might reawaken this thread. :D

    I've been pacing continuously for 4 hours singing to myself, feeling happier than I've ever been, sedatives are having no effect on me, looks like no sleep for me. Had two depressed phases, an unpleasant high and a milder pleasant high already today so a real mixed bag at the moment.

    The comedown is going to be *nasty*.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 274 ✭✭pejay


    nesf wrote: »
    Hmmm, since I'm so high again I might reawaken this thread. :D

    I've been pacing continuously for 4 hours singing to myself, feeling happier than I've ever been, sedatives are having no effect on me, looks like no sleep for me. Had two depressed phases, an unpleasant high and a milder pleasant high already today so a real mixed bag at the moment.

    The comedown is going to be *nasty*.


    Hi nesf i find your postings really helpful both here and in the anxious depressed forum as you know from previous posts i have done that i too have been recently diagnosed bipolar and am still finding it hard to figure out
    Just wanted to know if you get the anxiety with bipolar i know you get the highs and lows as do i but i just find my anxiety high all the time but if i am feeling low then it really manifests into full blown panick.

    Dont know whats wrong with me the last couple of days last week i thought i had myself stable after phys introduced lycria along with the serequel and valium and i thought there was light at the end of the tunnel.
    This week i am back to not talking much to anyone only if i really need to lying on the couch with duvet and dreading if i have to do something or someone calls to my house my anxiety is through the roof.

    I still think my doc does not have me on enough valium i got down from using 6mg per day to 2mg p er day although when the anxietiety is high i find it takes 3mg to numb it a bit not looking for advice on the valium now by all means just tring to understand the bipolar a bit more and also what meds you may be taking to help you with the bipolar and anxiety thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    pejay wrote: »
    Hi nesf i find your postings really helpful both here and in the anxious depressed forum as you know from previous posts i have done that i too have been recently diagnosed bipolar and am still finding it hard to figure out
    Just wanted to know if you get the anxiety with bipolar i know you get the highs and lows as do i but i just find my anxiety high all the time but if i am feeling low then it really manifests into full blown panick.

    Dont know whats wrong with me the last couple of days last week i thought i had myself stable after phys introduced lycria along with the serequel and valium and i thought there was light at the end of the tunnel.
    This week i am back to not talking much to anyone only if i really need to lying on the couch with duvet and dreading if i have to do something or someone calls to my house my anxiety is through the roof.

    I still think my doc does not have me on enough valium i got down from using 6mg per day to 2mg p er day although when the anxietiety is high i find it takes 3mg to numb it a bit not looking for advice on the valium now by all means just tring to understand the bipolar a bit more and also what meds you may be taking to help you with the bipolar and anxiety thanks

    Anxiety isn't a huge component to my bipolar. I get quite anxious a lot of the time but I haven't had a full blown panic attack since I went on mood stabilisers. Bipolar can unfortunately take a long time to figure out from a medication point of view (my drugs are still being adjusted 10 years on), so the only thing to do is to stick with the programme and work it out as best you can.

    Now specifically for anxiety, drugs are not the only answer. Speaking solely from personal experience, seriously talk about CBT and similar therapies with your care team. You might be able to get something from them to take the edge off of it. Obviously discuss this with your psychiatrist but here are some self-help tools that you may or may not find useful:

    Overcoming Anxiety (NHS recommended, my psychologist is sceptical about this book though, so take with a grain of salt)

    MoodGym, free online CBT course (Australian based university programme)

    Now neither of these are a substitute for a trained therapist doing CBT with you! But they might help a little bit while you're waiting to get a therapist. :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 274 ✭✭pejay


    nesf wrote: »
    Anxiety isn't a huge component to my bipolar. I get quite anxious a lot of the time but I haven't had a full blown panic attack since I went on mood stabilisers. Bipolar can unfortunately take a long time to figure out from a medication point of view (my drugs are still being adjusted 10 years on), so the only thing to do is to stick with the programme and work it out as best you can.

    Now specifically for anxiety, drugs are not the only answer. Speaking solely from personal experience, seriously talk about CBT and similar therapies with your care team. You might be able to get something from them to take the edge off of it. Obviously discuss this with your psychiatrist but here are some self-help tools that you may or may not find useful:

    Overcoming Anxiety (NHS recommended, my psychologist is sceptical about this book though, so take with a grain of salt)

    MoodGym, free online CBT course (Australian based university programme)

    Now neither of these are a substitute for a trained therapist doing CBT with you! But they might help a little bit while you're waiting to get a therapist. :)

    Yeah waiting on CBT at the moment waiting list is 8 months so i am hoping that helps although i would like to get a grip on the anxiety as i dont feel i would be able to sit doing the CBT while i am like this i dread everything just lately i have appointment on friday for something different and i am already worked up about it.

    I am just wondering is it because i am low in mood this week thats why my anxiety is high thanks for you reply :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    pejay wrote: »
    Yeah waiting on CBT at the moment waiting list is 8 months so i am hoping that helps although i would like to get a grip on the anxiety as i dont feel i would be able to sit doing the CBT while i am like this i dread everything just lately i have appointment on friday for something different and i am already worked up about it.

    I am just wondering is it because i am low in mood this week thats why my anxiety is high thanks for you reply :D

    My anxiety is always highest when I'm low in some form or another. Your mileage may vary of course. :)


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Just found this thread! I was diagnosed bipolar in 2006 when i ended up spending several weeks in St. Pats in Dublin.
    Meds are a massive challenge and I have been on just about everything in the last 15 years but luckily I have been stable for a couple of years now. Well at least I don't get extremes of depression and mania, more like occasional rapid cycling which never gets OTT.
    A really useful online resource for tracking meds, mood swings and lots more is a website called patientslikeme. Excellent for looking up medication reviews by similar people.
    I shouldn't say it but I really like the mania as long as it does not go on too long, then it can be exhausting and really hard to live and work with. With every bout of mania there comes the deep dark opposite unfortunately!
    I could go on for ages but don't want to make this post too long. My biggest issue with all this is not having anyone to talk to that actually understands what i am feeling!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    My biggest issue with all this is not having anyone to talk to that actually understands what i am feeling!

    Yup. :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Have had 2 hours sleep in the last 48. No longer feel high but everyone around me tells me that I still am. Thursday can't come soon enough!


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    nesf wrote: »
    Have had 2 hours sleep in the last 48. No longer feel high but everyone around me tells me that I still am. Thursday can't come soon enough!
    What's on Thursday? If others are saying you are high, then you deffo are. How long do your highs normally last and have you ever put together a plan of how to deal with it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    What's on Thursday? If others are saying you are high, then you deffo are. How long do your highs normally last and have you ever put together a plan of how to deal with it?

    Thursday is my appointment with my psychiatrist. :)

    Plan is to last it out til then and try to keep a lid on the grandiose thinking. I haven't been this high in 9 years. Last time I got this bad I stayed this way for a good long while, went into a dysphoric mania and became very paranoid. Thus why I'm happy about Thursday.

    Although honestly the physical exhaustion is beginning to sink in. This may be an unpleasant few days from this point on. Still feel great though despite this, wired but tired as they say. ;)

    Edit: Oh and the elation has returned. I'd forgotten how much I loved this early part of the highs. :D

    Edit 2: Unpleasant high now, I'm praying the sedating drugs work on me tonight even for just a short while. No sleep just makes things so much worse for me!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    6 hours sleep, yah! It makes a nice change to the 18 hours of pacing yesterday. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    It's a mixed episode. On Rivotril and Zimovane now short term to try and bring me down. If that doesn't work it's off to hospital for me. Right now am just in a high so I'm giggling about it all. :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    This Rivotril might as well be Tic Tacs for all the calming effect it's having on me. It might be taking the edge of slightly but I'm spending my time either pacing or sitting in a chair with my legs twitching constantly, mostly the former. :(

    Hopefully it takes a few days to build up a therapeutic dose in the blood or something. All I know it that over 2 hours after taking it my wife is commenting that I'm pacing/twitching constantly and talking fast. I feel in great form though, so it could be a lot worse I suppose!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    ironmaiden, no diagnosing please.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Have gone from high and twitchy this morning to low and sluggish this evening. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate mixed episodes?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    The damn Zopiclone isn't kicking in tonight, 2 hours of lying in bed restless and unable to sleep. I've a psych evaluation about whether I need to go into hospital tomorrow, I'm not going to be in a good state for it. :(


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    nesf wrote: »
    The damn Zopiclone isn't kicking in tonight, 2 hours of lying in bed restless and unable to sleep. I've a psych evaluation about whether I need to go into hospital tomorrow, I'm not going to be in a good state for it. :(
    Good luck with the evaluation. What hospital would you be going to? I hope you have Health Insurance cos there are some hospitals that make your stay a lot more comfortable...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Good luck with the evaluation. What hospital would you be going to? I hope you have Health Insurance cos there are some hospitals that make your stay a lot more comfortable...

    It'd be St. Pats. I've been there before and it's fine. The evaluation went fine, I've improved over the last week, now they're going to try and stabilise me over the next 2-3 weeks and if that doesn't work then I'll be going into hospital for a while to get this episode sorted. I'm happy enough with this plan.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Pretty bad agitation there for a nice while, caught it early though and 1mg of Rivotril took the edge off and I'm able to sit down now and not pace so hard that my back and legs start to hurt. Had a bit of a crash there after the "high" so now feeling hopeless and worthless etc. Every day is a rollercoaster at the moment mood/energy/agitation wise.

    Hopefully the increase to 15mg of Abilify will help settle things down a bit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,754 ✭✭✭Odysseus


    nesf wrote: »
    Pretty bad agitation there for a nice while, caught it early though and 1mg of Rivotril took the edge off and I'm able to sit down now and not pace so hard that my back and legs start to hurt. Had a bit of a crash there after the "high" so now feeling hopeless and worthless etc. Every day is a rollercoaster at the moment mood/energy/agitation wise.

    Hopefully the increase to 15mg of Abilify will help settle things down a bit.

    Jesus mate, you really are having a few bad weeks. Not a lot I can say, but as I always find your post insightful I just feel the need to say something. I really hope the meds kick in soon for mate. At least you know how to look after yourself when your unwell this. Hope it gets better soon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Odysseus wrote: »
    Jesus mate, you really are having a few bad weeks. Not a lot I can say, but as I always find your post insightful I just feel the need to say something. I really hope the meds kick in soon for mate. At least you know how to look after yourself when your unwell this. Hope it gets better soon.

    Thanks, the Rivotril has kicked in fully now so I'm somewhat zoned out. Legs still twitching but I'm not bothered by it. My son is having his birthday party this evening at a play centre but there's no way I could face the public like this at the moment. I can barely stand to see family see me like this etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,754 ✭✭✭Odysseus


    nesf wrote: »
    Thanks, the Rivotril has kicked in fully now so I'm somewhat zoned out. Legs still twitching but I'm not bothered by it. My son is having his birthday party this evening at a play centre but there's no way I could face the public like this at the moment. I can barely stand to see family see me like this etc.

    You can make it up to your son when your better, you need to focus on you now, but you know that and you are doing it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Odysseus wrote: »
    You can make it up to your son when your better, you need to focus on you now, but you know that and you are doing it.

    Yeah, I know, it still sucks though. :P


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Ritovil wears off, bad agitation returns, more Ritovil taken, now in an unpleasant high. :(

    Just can't catch a break today at all.


  • Registered Users Posts: 403 ✭✭Humans eh!


    Hello S, been following this thread from the start, I will ring you before the weekend is out.
    -M


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Humans eh! wrote: »
    Hello S, been following this thread from the start, I will ring you before the weekend is out.
    -M

    You think I'm someone else.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Bad agitated patch there, my hands were drumming out random patterns compulsively on the table (what is this?) and I couldn't type properly. Lasted about a half hour. A side effect of the increased Abilify dose or just manic related agitation? I'm very confused.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Damn insomnia despite the sleeping tablet. I'm going to give the zopiclone another half hour to kick in (it's had an hour so far) before I resort to taking some Rivotril for extra sedation. If I don't get sleep tonight I''ll be in a very high and bad state tomorrow. :(


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 60,721 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gremlinertia


    @ nesf; how did yesterday go? As for the mixed moods and sleeplessness i'm having a week of it too. Just waiting and waiting for things to return to a more 'even keel' hope it does soon, can't keep up the candle burning at both ends. Recently tried on low dose of serequel, have adapted scarily quickly to it though, so waiting on whenever next hospital appointment is, though if i up dosage much it'll interfere with work, and i have to work. :( Hope things level for you soon.

    Grem


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Got to sleep thankfully at 5am. More changes to drugs now, more sedatives to try and get me a good night's sleep each night etc.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Regional West Moderators Posts: 60,721 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gremlinertia


    Just got a letter for my next psych app, not until end of august. Back to doc i go i suppose. :( Surely there should be more monitoring when on these drugs? Ah well..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    That sucks Grem.


    Apparently 1mg of Rivotril + 7.5 mg Zopiclone = 2 hours of sleep for me at the moment. o_O


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 535 ✭✭✭bob50


    nesf wrote: »
    That sucks Grem.


    Apparently 1mg of Rivotril + 7.5 mg Zopiclone = 2 hours of sleep for me at the moment. o_O


    Hi Nesf ive been down the road your experincing at the moment

    its terrible trying trying too sleep and hoping you will Can your doc change what your on ?


    Best of luck with the meds & hopefully you will get some sleep


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    bob50 wrote: »
    Hi Nesf ive been down the road your experincing at the moment

    its terrible trying trying too sleep and hoping you will Can your doc change what your on ?


    Best of luck with the meds & hopefully you will get some sleep

    Thanks Bob. It was just changed today to try and get me to sleep tonight. :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,625 ✭✭✭flyswatter


    What keeps you up nesf? Is it your mind racing with negative thoughts?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    flyswatter wrote: »
    What keeps you up nesf? Is it your mind racing with negative thoughts?

    Just a really active mind. A need to do be doing *something* and so on. Whether the thoughts are negative or not varies from day to day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Music feels like it was written especially for me. :)

    (Yes, I know this isn't true :p)


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    What are you listening to?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    What are you listening to?

    Beethoven, Mozart, Bartók, Dvorak mostly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Actually I'm pretty obsessed with this at the moment:



    It makes perfect sense to me in this state, it all seems so logical and sensible. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    The world is moving far, far too slowly for me right now. See the incessant posting as an example of my boredom and efforts to relieve it. I hate this part of the highs, it was very pleasant until a half hour ago.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,754 ✭✭✭Odysseus


    nesf wrote: »
    The world is moving far, far too slowly for me right now. See the incessant posting as an example of my boredom and efforts to relieve it. I hate this part of the highs, it was very pleasant until a half hour ago.

    I had significant difficultly in sleeping myself last night. Whilst I was up thinking what how you where getting on, I know myself I'm messed up without sleep,the only exception seems to be when I'm on an endurance race etc, or maybe I'm too busy to notice it then. Anyway hope things pick up for up during the day.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Odysseus wrote: »
    I had significant difficultly in sleeping myself last night. Whilst I was up thinking what how you where getting on, I know myself I'm messed up without sleep,the only exception seems to be when I'm on an endurance race etc, or maybe I'm too busy to notice it then. Anyway hope things pick up for up during the day.

    The meds got me 5 hours of sleep so not too bad overall. Still high this morning but not as bad yet. When the sedatives wear off it might be a different story though.


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    You need to be very careful with the sedatives etc as you become immune or addicted very easy!
    Whatever you do don't drink any red bull or other energy drinks like i used to do when inpa mixed mood phase. You really go through the roof.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    You need to be very careful with the sedatives etc as you become immune or addicted very easy!
    Whatever you do don't drink any red bull or other energy drinks like i used to do when inpa mixed mood phase. You really go through the roof.

    Yeah, I've only been prescribed the sedatives short term for the duration of the episode. My psychiatrist feels that the risk of me getting no sleep and going into a full blown mania outweighs the risk of becoming tolerant or worse to the sedatives and I'd agree with her.

    I never touch energy drinks. Green tea and the odd Coke is about as bad as I get here.


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 irishbipolar


    Headhog wrote: »
    Does any of this behaviour sound familiar to anyone? I think i may have type 2 bipolar i dont recall obvious manic episodes, just mostly cyclic episodes of very severe depression that doenst respond anymore to any tablets. I have to go to the GP about this im scared of what might happen. What if they tell me im psychotic or schizophrenic?

    Headhog,

    Sorry to hear about your problem and I hope you manage to sort it out quickly.

    I don't know if you have bipolar. As you mentioned, I think get to your GP ASAP. Your GP will direct you in the right way. Maybe your GP could start you on a new course of medications that they could monitor.

    I have BP a number of years and over that time I have been in hospital a few times. A hospital stay is sometimes needed to get the meds right and to get top-class care - from your doctor, nurses and thru therapy. I am not suggesting you will have to go to hospital but all I am saying is that there is the very best of help out there. First port of call is your GP. Take it from there.

    I really hope everything gets sorted for you. Take care.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,644 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Headhog, don't self diagnose, talk to a doctor as soon as possible. :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    headhog, I've deleted your posts. as is site policy, please don't look for medical advice here. we can't diagnose you. you should speak to your gp about your concerns.


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