xblondeangel650
11-23-2008, 09:14 PM
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Menia almost 2 years ago,I took Depakot and Prozac to stabilize my mood and the depression.I don't have manic eposdes often,but when I do,it scares me pretty bad.My Bipolar use to be alot worse before taking the medications,I got off of them because I didn't have insurance and It's expensive to see the doctor now.Every couple weeks I will feel anxious and angry,it varies.I just want to know what I should do now,medications or other means of therapy?
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jon h
12-01-2008, 11:39 AM
Hi blondeangel, please dont worry!! i have battled this for years, without any medication, in fact without any proper diagnosis. I have times when i can go shopping, & just burst into tears in the supermarket coz i cant decide what to get for dinner, and then within about 30 seconds be completely normal or totally manic, ready to kill anyone who so much as looks at me! the most important thing to remember is the illness itself will not harm you in any way. I have got to the stage where i welcome the downs as a relief from the manic!! The bit to remember is how others view you is not important. even though all the experts in england tell me i'm wrong, i'm sure that all psychotic episodes are actually the result of physical injury. I have found that eating fatty & high sugar foods will get you thru, especially with rest. Above all, do not worry!! Take care...
katlin09
12-01-2008, 02:40 PM
Xblonde,
I'm sorry but I must disagree with the previous poster, because this disease can very much kill you, especially if you're manic. What happens when your out at night in the rain driving your car at a 100 mph in a mania induced fit and you wreck into a tree, because odds are you aren't wearing a seatbelt because in your manic mind you think you're invincible....you're dead.
What happens when your in a mania induces hyper sexual state and you go around having sex with any man/woman that will have you and it turns out one or more of them have aids? Eventually you're dead.
What happens when you just go up to the wrong person on the street because your in a mania induced state and you believe that you're a religious prophet sent to tell everyone that God is comeing and they stab or shoot or even rape you....you're dead.
I'm not trying to be Ms. Gloom and Doom here...but there are many people on this board that can tell you that these are all very real symptoms of Manic states. Seeing a pdoc and getting on medications to control you're manic episodes is very important for your safety and that of others, it also allows you to function in society, to keep a job, to keep a home, pay your bills, not alienate friends and family, etc.
You say you can't afford it, they're are always ways to get help, Medicaid, Medicare, free clinics, drug companies that give discounts or free meds, etc.
It's always the choice of the indiviual but this really is not a disease that you can control by eating a certain diet, or living in a certain climate, etc.
Please consider going to a pdoc and helping yourself.
Kat
I'm sorry but I must disagree with the previous poster, because this disease can very much kill you, especially if you're manic. What happens when your out at night in the rain driving your car at a 100 mph in a mania induced fit and you wreck into a tree, because odds are you aren't wearing a seatbelt because in your manic mind you think you're invincible....you're dead.
What happens when your in a mania induces hyper sexual state and you go around having sex with any man/woman that will have you and it turns out one or more of them have aids? Eventually you're dead.
What happens when you just go up to the wrong person on the street because your in a mania induced state and you believe that you're a religious prophet sent to tell everyone that God is comeing and they stab or shoot or even rape you....you're dead.
I'm not trying to be Ms. Gloom and Doom here...but there are many people on this board that can tell you that these are all very real symptoms of Manic states. Seeing a pdoc and getting on medications to control you're manic episodes is very important for your safety and that of others, it also allows you to function in society, to keep a job, to keep a home, pay your bills, not alienate friends and family, etc.
You say you can't afford it, they're are always ways to get help, Medicaid, Medicare, free clinics, drug companies that give discounts or free meds, etc.
It's always the choice of the indiviual but this really is not a disease that you can control by eating a certain diet, or living in a certain climate, etc.
Please consider going to a pdoc and helping yourself.
Kat
Bunnylover
12-01-2008, 06:15 PM
Speaking for myself, no, it is decidedly unsafe. The realization that I was not going to live through one of these depressive episodes is what got me to finally be willing to accept the new diagnosis and try mood stablilizers (I had always been diagnosed with major depression before.)
If you can't afford a doctor, there are programs to help, and if you can't afford medications there are programs with that. I would suggest calling your local health department for a starting place, to see what assistance is possible.
Also, aside from the safety issue, is your quality of life good without medication? For me, it's not, the hypomanic episodes are annoying, and the depressive episodes are indescribably horrible. It's not just about staying alive, but about really living.
If you can't afford a doctor, there are programs to help, and if you can't afford medications there are programs with that. I would suggest calling your local health department for a starting place, to see what assistance is possible.
Also, aside from the safety issue, is your quality of life good without medication? For me, it's not, the hypomanic episodes are annoying, and the depressive episodes are indescribably horrible. It's not just about staying alive, but about really living.
dreams in neon
12-01-2008, 06:54 PM
I agree with Kat. Taking meds is essential for controlling bipolar.
I've been to the point where I've felt "level" or "normal" and didn't take my meds for a week. Let me tell you, that was a big mistake.
It wasn't long before reality hit and I experienced a severe manic episode followed by a horrible, deep depression.
95% of my bipolar is on the manic side, so I need to be extra careful of the behaviors Kat described. When I'm on my meds, I'm able to think rationally and make decisions about what kind of behaviors will get me into trouble. When I'm not on meds, my judgement goes completely out the window.
When it comes to something as serious as bipolar, you can't risk not taking your meds on a daily basis. It's just too risky.
I've been to the point where I've felt "level" or "normal" and didn't take my meds for a week. Let me tell you, that was a big mistake.
It wasn't long before reality hit and I experienced a severe manic episode followed by a horrible, deep depression.
95% of my bipolar is on the manic side, so I need to be extra careful of the behaviors Kat described. When I'm on my meds, I'm able to think rationally and make decisions about what kind of behaviors will get me into trouble. When I'm not on meds, my judgement goes completely out the window.
When it comes to something as serious as bipolar, you can't risk not taking your meds on a daily basis. It's just too risky.
seaturtle
12-01-2008, 11:55 PM
HI,
I went for years and years undiagnosed and without meds. It's only now that I am on Lamictal that I live without continuous suffering. IMHO, get your meds and stay on them. I tried for most of my life to control the illnesses I have. I certainly could not do it, until the meds. If I had to choose between meds and therapy, the meds would win, hands down.
The way my disorder had been going, I am pretty sure I wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for the meds. I guess there are some people, perhaps those whose symptoms are not that severe, who manage well without meds.It sounds as though yours are not under your control right now.
Whatever decision you make, I hope you do well.
I went for years and years undiagnosed and without meds. It's only now that I am on Lamictal that I live without continuous suffering. IMHO, get your meds and stay on them. I tried for most of my life to control the illnesses I have. I certainly could not do it, until the meds. If I had to choose between meds and therapy, the meds would win, hands down.
The way my disorder had been going, I am pretty sure I wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for the meds. I guess there are some people, perhaps those whose symptoms are not that severe, who manage well without meds.It sounds as though yours are not under your control right now.
Whatever decision you make, I hope you do well.
MeFromHere
01-30-2009, 04:51 AM
"also allows you to function in society, to keep a job, to keep a home, pay your bills, not alienate friends and family, etc."
Are all these symptoms of bipolar (not being able to do them except for the last one)?
Are all these symptoms of bipolar (not being able to do them except for the last one)?
seaturtle
01-30-2009, 11:04 PM
MeFromHere -
Yes, bp can cause such depression that people simply can't make it out of bed or attempt self-harm or suicide. It has a high suicide rate. And the manias can (and do) wreck relationships, careers, impulsive acts of all kinds (sexual, financial). There is no end to how this illness, untreated, can ruin our lives. It can make us withdraw and take away our ability function.
One more note to the original poster: untreated, bp will get worse. I read recently that the medications actually will stop the brain deterioration that grows worse if the disease is not properly medicated.
Seaturtle
Yes, bp can cause such depression that people simply can't make it out of bed or attempt self-harm or suicide. It has a high suicide rate. And the manias can (and do) wreck relationships, careers, impulsive acts of all kinds (sexual, financial). There is no end to how this illness, untreated, can ruin our lives. It can make us withdraw and take away our ability function.
One more note to the original poster: untreated, bp will get worse. I read recently that the medications actually will stop the brain deterioration that grows worse if the disease is not properly medicated.
Seaturtle
irishwriter
02-01-2009, 08:49 AM
as others have mentioned , i too would recommend talking to pdoc.
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even though i haven't yet found right combo of meds, i do believe that because of the chemical imbalance the brain that meds are vital along with therapy. wish you the best of luck and i hope you get the help you need.
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even though i haven't yet found right combo of meds, i do believe that because of the chemical imbalance the brain that meds are vital along with therapy. wish you the best of luck and i hope you get the help you need.