Vivian Lee
05-14-2009, 09:23 AM
:confused: im a 40 year old South African male wit Bipolar, lately ive become very violent and mainly just before an episode of mania. One would assume that this would be the other way round BUT i dont understand this, my blood levels are within the requiements as to the meds im taking, my diet and sleep is well balanced , basically im ok. I just wish I knew how to manage this life sentence better as its effecting my family, friends and every aspect of my life like never befor. one would have thought that by now with all the mental health issue's around the world that there would be an answer, a universal answer that is. Im slipping away slowly I can feel that
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katlin09
05-14-2009, 02:40 PM
Is your pdoc aware of what's going on? This could be very well a reaction between an increased brain chemical at the time of mania and one of your meds. I would definitley call your pdoc and let him start working on this problem, you definitely can't live like this.
kat
kat
dreams in neon
05-14-2009, 02:49 PM
:confused: im a 40 year old South African male wit Bipolar, lately ive become very violent and mainly just before an episode of mania. One would assume that this would be the other way round BUT i dont understand this, my blood levels are within the requiements as to the meds im taking, my diet and sleep is well balanced , basically im ok. I just wish I knew how to manage this life sentence better as its effecting my family, friends and every aspect of my life like never befor. one would have thought that by now with all the mental health issue's around the world that there would be an answer, a universal answer that is. Im slipping away slowly I can feel that
I'm sorry you're going through this. It's frustrating. I can relate because my bipolar falls more on the manic side, so I know how you feel.
As far as your irritability is concerned, it sounds like you are currently in a manic state. Irritability is one sign of mania.
I would contact your pdoc ASAP so that adjustments can be made to your meds.
When I'm in a manic state, my pdoc prescribes Klonopin 4x/day as needed which helps reduce my mania and irritability. It works like a charm for me. You may want to ask your pdoc about it if you're looking for a way to control your irritability during manic episodes.
Good luck.
I'm sorry you're going through this. It's frustrating. I can relate because my bipolar falls more on the manic side, so I know how you feel.
As far as your irritability is concerned, it sounds like you are currently in a manic state. Irritability is one sign of mania.
I would contact your pdoc ASAP so that adjustments can be made to your meds.
When I'm in a manic state, my pdoc prescribes Klonopin 4x/day as needed which helps reduce my mania and irritability. It works like a charm for me. You may want to ask your pdoc about it if you're looking for a way to control your irritability during manic episodes.
Good luck.
windimeria2000
05-14-2009, 05:51 PM
You probably just need to get your medicine right. Here are a few medicines you might ask your doctor about for your violent behavior.Lithium is good for the depression part of bipolar that can cause distress and aggrivate you. Klonipin is good to calm a person down. Klonipin usually takes about 30 minutes to start working so if you know your feeling angry suddenly, take the pill and walk away from the source of your anger. It will last for 6 hours. Also, if your on Xanax ask the doctor if it is right for you cause from the way I understand it, that Xanax can make you more voilent.
I am like you except I am female and I am not violent (just angry and thoughts of violence). i always get angry or depressed or both. I know however what mania is cause the medicine Ambilify triggered it when I first started it a couple of years ago. However, I did level out and all was "good enough".
Good enough means for me that I wasn't wanting to do myself harm.
With Bipolar we just got to take one day at a time and push ourselves but also to learn our limits.
I wish you well and please let us know how your doing.:wave:
I am like you except I am female and I am not violent (just angry and thoughts of violence). i always get angry or depressed or both. I know however what mania is cause the medicine Ambilify triggered it when I first started it a couple of years ago. However, I did level out and all was "good enough".
Good enough means for me that I wasn't wanting to do myself harm.
With Bipolar we just got to take one day at a time and push ourselves but also to learn our limits.
I wish you well and please let us know how your doing.:wave:
dreams in neon
05-14-2009, 06:06 PM
Just a polite correction about Klonopin. Its' half life is 8-12 hours and in some people like myself, it starts working in 20 minutes.
bluegreensky
05-15-2009, 05:50 AM
Hey Vivian, sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time :( Jst want to let you know that here in good old SA we don't have Klonopin, active ingredient is clonazepam, here it is known as Rivotril...in case you wanted to ask pdoc for script...my pdoc is reluctant to prescribe on continuous basis as it is addictive, but it helps to take PRN...
Hang in there Vivian, you know how it goes, it will pass and then you get to enjoy some good times before the next episode hits...look forward to the good days and make the best of them!
Dreams, is it true about clonazepam being addictive?
Hang in there Vivian, you know how it goes, it will pass and then you get to enjoy some good times before the next episode hits...look forward to the good days and make the best of them!
Dreams, is it true about clonazepam being addictive?
dreams in neon
05-15-2009, 06:40 AM
Dreams, is it true about clonazepam being addictive?
Clonazepam can be addictive, but according to what my pdoc told me, as long as it is taken exactly as prescribed, one does not need to be concerned about becoming addicted.
I take Clonazepam 3x/day to help control my rapid cycling.
However, once my moods begin to stabilize, I reduce my dose to 1 tablet in the morning. After I do this, I find that I never miss the additional doses I would have taken during the afternoon and evening.
One problem with benzodiazepines like Clonazepam is that the body can build up a tolerance to them. In other words, the more they are taken, the higher dose a person requires in order to relieve their symptoms.
This is part of the reason why I always reduce my dose of Clonazepam whenever my moods are level so that my body doesn't feel like it needs more than what my pdoc prescribed. (.5mg)
Clonazepam can be addictive, but according to what my pdoc told me, as long as it is taken exactly as prescribed, one does not need to be concerned about becoming addicted.
I take Clonazepam 3x/day to help control my rapid cycling.
However, once my moods begin to stabilize, I reduce my dose to 1 tablet in the morning. After I do this, I find that I never miss the additional doses I would have taken during the afternoon and evening.
One problem with benzodiazepines like Clonazepam is that the body can build up a tolerance to them. In other words, the more they are taken, the higher dose a person requires in order to relieve their symptoms.
This is part of the reason why I always reduce my dose of Clonazepam whenever my moods are level so that my body doesn't feel like it needs more than what my pdoc prescribed. (.5mg)
bluegreensky
05-15-2009, 06:49 AM
Clonazepam can be addictive, but according to what my pdoc told me, as long as it is taken exactly as prescribed, one does not need to be concerned about becoming addicted.
I take Clonazepam 3x/day to help control my rapid cycling.
However, once my moods begin to stabilize, I reduce my dose to 1 tablet in the morning. After I do this, I find that I never miss the additional doses I would have taken during the afternoon and evening.
One problem with benzodiazepines like Clonazepam is that the body can build up a tolerance to them. In other words, the more they are taken, the higher dose a person requires in order to relieve their symptoms.
This is part of the reason why I always reduce my dose of Clonazepam whenever my moods are level so that my body doesn't feel like it needs more than what my pdoc prescribed. (.5mg)
Thanks Dreams ;) If only I could have a hard-tap on your brain...a world of knowledge :cool:
I take Clonazepam 3x/day to help control my rapid cycling.
However, once my moods begin to stabilize, I reduce my dose to 1 tablet in the morning. After I do this, I find that I never miss the additional doses I would have taken during the afternoon and evening.
One problem with benzodiazepines like Clonazepam is that the body can build up a tolerance to them. In other words, the more they are taken, the higher dose a person requires in order to relieve their symptoms.
This is part of the reason why I always reduce my dose of Clonazepam whenever my moods are level so that my body doesn't feel like it needs more than what my pdoc prescribed. (.5mg)
Thanks Dreams ;) If only I could have a hard-tap on your brain...a world of knowledge :cool:
dreams in neon
05-15-2009, 06:54 AM
Thanks Dreams ;) If only I could have a hard-tap on your brain...a world of knowledge :cool:
You're welcome! ;)
You're welcome! ;)
Vivian Lee
05-15-2009, 06:56 AM
thanks to all of you that have replied and it seems like such a relief just to hear that im not alone, the only meds that i take as I said previosley is Degranol ( carbamazapine ) . im frankly too scared to try anything else as I absolutly hate the drowzy feeling and the fact that when u are medicated you dont function. I still have to support myself by working and cant do this in a drugged state. I have tried a variation of drugs over the last few years and normaly the onset is great but as soon as one's body becomes use to the meds, an increase is required. already im on 1600 mg of carbs per day, i dont feel drugged anymore as my body has become uset to it but as you guys have said, my mood is aweful an that in itself is like a drug. Once i start ther is very little that can stop me. I usually calm myself down with great difficulty and isolate myself from the rest of the household and family, thank GOD im not suicidle just very angry and emotional. I have tried some of the other drugs mentioned but will on m next visit mention this to my Dr, i think that over the past 20 years he has heard and seen everyting where I am concerened. The huge and ultimate question is, WHAT NEXT PEOPLE, where to from here.!!
dreams in neon
05-15-2009, 07:01 AM
The huge and ultimate question is, WHAT NEXT PEOPLE, where to from here.!!
The next step is to accept your episodes when they occur and do the best you can to cope. (I know, easier said than done!)
I see a tdoc (therapist) who helps me deal with the frustrations of having bipolar. He has also helped me see patterns in my cycling as well as identifying possible triggers that may be responsible for causing an episode.
Unfortunately, being on meds does not guarantee that one will be free of symptoms, but they can help reduce them to the point where a person can enjoy some degree of stability.
The next step is to accept your episodes when they occur and do the best you can to cope. (I know, easier said than done!)
I see a tdoc (therapist) who helps me deal with the frustrations of having bipolar. He has also helped me see patterns in my cycling as well as identifying possible triggers that may be responsible for causing an episode.
Unfortunately, being on meds does not guarantee that one will be free of symptoms, but they can help reduce them to the point where a person can enjoy some degree of stability.
Vivian Lee
05-15-2009, 07:08 AM
rivitril is in my view a sudden death drug, I tried it and fealt awfeul and infact more violent that ever, maybe i was on the wrong combination ?? i just know and can tell you that my experience on rivitril was delayed, drugged and very confused with headaches. HMMMMM not what you wanted to hear im sure, but then this illness is so damn unpredictable. I tried the normal drugs prescribed but as I said I probably just need to find the right one or one's. One thing that does calm me down is the rain, gee with the storm we had last night , I was doing ballay on the ceilings LOL LOL.
bluegreensky
05-15-2009, 07:36 AM
You're right, not exactly what I wanted to hear :( because I want us to find something that can help you! What about Ativan(lorazepam)? have you tried it before? As for stormy weather...well, that's CT winter for you...as far as the rain is concerned, I'm with you brother ;)
dreams in neon
05-15-2009, 08:06 AM
Another possible med to try is Xanax. (Alprazolam)
Vivian Lee
05-15-2009, 10:13 AM
Are there any CONTACT support group/ groups that one can trust and rely on, people that know what they talking about and not just gloryfied tea parties. With me being so attached to my house a change of venue other than the therapists office will be marvelous. Its amazing that with this illness that there aren't or at least I havent looked, ive been so busy rying to stay alive and concerntrating on myelf that ive lost touch with the outside world as most people know it. being paranoid is also a issue here, as sson as I trust someone and something seems a miss, I become so damn paranoid and usually end up misstrusting everyone. I have a good support group of friends but unfortunatly BP is a scary topic as most of them either dont want to know about BP or to scared to know, now with me being BP its hard. They fully aware of m situation BUT at the same time unsure of what to expect.
dreams in neon
05-15-2009, 03:59 PM
Are there any CONTACT support group/ groups that one can trust and rely on, people that know what they talking about and not just gloryfied tea parties. With me being so attached to my house a change of venue other than the therapists office will be marvelous. Its amazing that with this illness that there aren't or at least I havent looked, ive been so busy rying to stay alive and concerntrating on myelf that ive lost touch with the outside world as most people know it. being paranoid is also a issue here, as sson as I trust someone and something seems a miss, I become so damn paranoid and usually end up misstrusting everyone. I have a good support group of friends but unfortunatly BP is a scary topic as most of them either dont want to know about BP or to scared to know, now with me being BP its hard. They fully aware of m situation BUT at the same time unsure of what to expect.
Your psychiatrist should be able to recommend support groups in your area.
Your psychiatrist should be able to recommend support groups in your area.