Bipolar

[LadyDeliah]

Just got back to this thread, thanks for the positive comments, but dealing with things doesn't mean I was brave. I had little choice. The two alternatives were to give up or get on with it and I've done both at various times in my life.

Talking about it on here isn't an indication of bravery either, I don't see it as shameful or something to hide, just like I'd have no issue talking about a broken leg or bad back.

Also talking about any differences helps break down barriers and may assist someone who is going through similar things who is more isolated and vulnerable than I am. I am tough as old boots, but thanks anyway :-)

Just wanted to add that being bipolar isn't all bad, especially now that the medication has switched most of the bad stuff off. My brain still goes at 100 miles an hour and I look at the world in a different way to most people. I love the fact that I'm constantly analysing the world around me and can concentrate deeply, for hours on end when I get interested in something.

My brain is different to most normal people, but many of those differences are positive.

[Pugwash]

My hubby when not in a depression, is thoughtful,helpful, fun to be with (most of the time) very interested in Art and Music. Delivers leaflets for Dulwich Picture Gallery and attends many of their events, goes to Poetry reading groups, helps with our residents association and community centre, helps out at a hospice shop, walks a friend's dog, swims and goes to the gym. He tries when he is 'normal - high' to keep himself occupied, but I have to watch him as he can easily wake up one day in a deep depression and then rarely get out of bed for 3 - 6 months and lose a stone in a week from not eating. Those periods are the worse - long periods of silence, being on my own - I tend to work late until 7.30 or 8 pm and go into work at weekend so that I am doing something constructive and stop myself from getting low as well with the pressure

We both have a odd sense of humour and do much bantering. I am lucky that I am rarely off sick from work and I have been told that I am a positive influence on my colleagues as I can see situations from a carers point of view and can emphasise with many of my clients

[LadyDeliah]

That sounds tough Pugwash. I can't walk away from my stuff, you can walk away, but you choose to stay. Hats off to you, I know I would run for the hills.

[Pugwash]

Although I may moan and get down about hubby, I would much rather be with him than without him. We did have a trial seperation many years ago when his illness cost him yet another job ( he has had around 40 jobs since his late teens) but we saw each other every day and I worried too much about him being on his own. Our 30 year plus marriage I think has survived that long as we each have our own interests and groups of friends plus joint interests. I go and do my community work thing when he is down so have some company and respite from the depression.

Is there sufficient interest for a one off social meeting for all EDF bipolar carers/sufferers, just to exchange views etc. I am very connected with the ED Community Centre and could possibly get some meeting space

[woodrot]

PaulK Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> To the posters still sending me abusive PMs , get

> a life.

cool story bro'

[Alan Medic]

Things have not been good for my niece and I think my brother has been going through hell/pain over it. However it would seem she has agreed to see a doctor. I was wondering Lady D if the medication you are now taking is a commonly known one for the illness or was it prescribed for your particular case and may not work for others?

I'm posting publicly as quite a few people who read the forum (from previous posts and pm's) are aware of the illness and may also have something to add regarding medication.

She does not want to communicate with her parents or one of her sisters so recent information is probably due to the intervention of her ex who has visited her.

Since stating this thread I've found out that my cousin's son in Switzerland also suffers from BP.

[ratty]

Hi,

I work in mental health crisis services so work with many people suffering from BPAD.

Quetiapine seems to be the favoured treatment in terms of medication, and I have quite a few patients that have succesfully held jobs down whilst taking it. Dosages seem to range from 100 to 150mg OD to 300mg TD so a wide spectrum. Reports back from patients are positive.

I hope your niece gets the support she needs.

[Alan Medic]

Thanks ratty. Will pass your info on.

[Saffron]

Lamotrigine and quetiapine have both had success in clinical trials for BP, though some individuals respond better to treatment than others. Whether or not a GP will be extensively familiar or comfortable prescribing them is another matter. Probably these drugs should initially be prescribed through a specialist. xx

[LadyDeliah]

Quetiapine is not something I've heard about but I have heard that Sodium Valporate is similar to Lamotrigine and has similarly good results but you need liver tests regularly, I think.

I don't find Lamotrogine totally controls the fluctuations but it makes managing them easier.

[ratty]

Sodium Valproate is a mood stabiliser and often prescribed alongside other treatments. Also used to control epilepsy and better known by its brand name Epilin.

Agree about Quetiapine and a specialist. Usually prescribed by a psychiatrist and regularly reviewed up.

[LadyDeliah]

The problem with a lot of medication used to treat bipolar disorder is that many impair cognitive function. I find that Lamotrogine doesn't do that, so even though it doesn't completely stop the ups and downs, it smooths things out enough to make things more manageable.

Other people are ok with anti-psychotics and lithium and they seem to be more effective, but some people aren't happy with their side effects.

I think ultimately your niece will need to find a doctor who is easy to deal with and happy for her to try different treatments if any particular one doesn't suit her.

[Alan Medic]

Thanks everyone for your messages and your input here. Hopefully she will attend her appointment next week.

[Alan Medic]

Just wondering if there is any point in this. My niece has posted some horrible things about her father and older sister on FB. As I still have a line of communication with her, though not often, could I potentially make matters worse by sending her a message asking her why she wrote what she did? Not saying she was right or wrong, but just asking the question.

My hope would be it would spark a thought in her that maybe she shouldn't have, but I don't know. Is this a no no? Even contemplating asking the question could simply be my ignorance of the illness.

[Saffron]

At this point, you may be better off offering simply 'unconditional positive regard' (google the term if you're not familiar with the concept). She might not be thinking very logically if she's on the point of a meltdown (or already in a meltdown by the sound of it). If you have a line of communication, try to strengthen it by supporting her. To do otherwise may put her on the defensive and risk losing any link you have with her. Your unconditional positive regard for her doesn't mean that you agree with what she wrote, simply that you support her as a person who is going through a tough time. More than talking with her, you can support her by listening to her. xx

[Oxalis]

Sorry to hear about the FB posts. They must be very upsetting for all concerned. If you haven't come accross it already you may find it helpful to read Kay Redfield Jamison's book, "An unquiet mind". She describes her experience of manic depression (her preferred name for bipolar 1) with clarity and insight. She is a professor of clinical psychology. I found it fascinating and deeply moving.

[Alan Medic]

Thanks Saffron for the very clear response to my question and to Oxalis for the recommendation. And of course to all the previous contributions.

[Saffron]

Very interesting BBC article on web-based therapy for bipolar: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22384552.

[DanKeeley7]

Hi all,

Really interesting reading this. Glad to see people are being so open about it. (PaulK you ave no idea!)

I'm 28 and following a major manic episode last summer when on holiday in Italy I was diagnosed with Bipolar. I spent 2 weeks in hospital in Italy then another 2 in the Maudsley up the road. I'm pleased to say I am back in my full time job and seem to be handling it all whilst still battling my demons. I'm on Olanzapine and Sodium Valporate and I too agree with the exercise, good sleep and eating well strategy - eliminating as much stress as possible whilst working towards a full recovery (if there ever will be such a recovery!).

I was wondering if anyone would be keen to grab a coffee and chat about our experiences? Alan Medic perhaps you could learn from a few of us if we got together for a coffee over the next few weeks at some point? Please so let me know your thoughts people. I think it really helps to chat about the condition in the comfort knowing you're not getting judged etc.

Hope that may be of interest folks. Hope we're all as well as can be!

[maxash]

Hi Dan, I too have read and followed this post with interest. For quite a while a few years back I was diagnosed with Bipolar, which after seeing lots of doctors and spending time in hospital, trying loads of different drugs including nearly all mentioned in this thread, it was found that I have Borderline personality disorder, I am still on drugs which are ok, but I find living day to day with how it affects me very differcult. I would be interested to hear if anyone else has heard of this condition, or knows anyone who has it.

[ianr]

maxash, just to mention a Radio 4 programme on BPD this week: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01sm6s0. I've not heard it myself yet, but it looks interesting.

[maxash]

Hi ianr, thank you very much for putting me on to that piece on radio 4, it was very interesting and has helped me on to another website with maybe new help for this very mis-understood illness. At this moment in time, there is still alot of differences of opinions even between professionals in the mental health field. Thank you once again. maxine.

[Pugwash]

Having lived with someone with bipolar since 1980. I have become accustomed to the highs and lows. The highs where hubby becomes hyperactive, 3- 5 hours sleep at night, swimming early hours of the morning followed by bike rides, breakfast, vulunteering for loads voluntary work, visiting friends, spending and giving away money. Hypersensitive to any form of rebuff - constantly picking arguements including with strangers, getting angry, having no social awareness or grace, saying wrong things to people resulting in loss of friendships.Endless phone calls and enormous bills, alternately not eating and over eating.

Hubby currently in a depression since end of February - all day in bed, rarely eating, when does so - its fridge raiding, cheese, cold meats, bread, cereal. Refusing to answer telephone, reluctant to see childen and grandchildren. Constantly breaking previously booked social events ( we have lost a fair bit through cancelled theatre tickets - always at last moment so cannot find a replacement friend) Will not allow me to change bed linen as refuses to get out of bed. Speech is mumbled and incoherant and lacking volume, when up wanders around the house in nightwear, reluctant to wash and shave, walks out in to the front garden ( we are on a main road and bus route) in nightwear. Takes all appropraite medicines, and will attend GP appointments (Dr. Cliff at The Gardens) This week he has been up for a few hours in the evening, undressed, managed to go out all day to Essex on Thursday by himself to meet daughter and grandchildren, but since then has stayed in bed. Will reluctantly wash up and put washing in machine and hang up other wise will not do anything around the house or garden, (Grass is about 4 foot high - so having to get in our gardener who does a twice yearly pruning/cutting etc job).

It is surprising how many people have bipolar. When well hubby attends a monthly bipolar group in Beckenham.

We have a life, his, mine and ours. To stop me going mental - i have my own friends and social activities, I have always been open about his illness, as he himself does, people who know us well take it for granted that he will either pester them or ignore them.I have a very interesting job which is very demanding, so I often go to work at weekends and do 10 hour days just to keep me out of the house and getting depressed.

My stepdaughter is also bipolar but refuses to seek medical help. Our other 2 daughter have a great understanding of mental health issues. One daughter recently had to do a presentation to a college for a job and did it on depression and how to help young people with this in an educational setting. (got the job). The other is an OT specialiising and working within the NHS with people with learning disabilities and with mental health issues

[Foxhelp]

Did any one meet up, Alan/Dan?

[Alan Medic]

I didn't though I bought a book recommended by one of the posters. I appreciate the information many people gave regarding the illness and passed it on to my brother. If people met up I'd expect it was done by arranging it by private messages.I say that as i've not seen anything on the forum to that effect.

Maybe if that's what you would like you could contact people who posted here the same way?