His name is Gerry - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

James-g · 01-17-2004, 12:06 PM

I have a friend that is bipolar who after having the flu at Christmas did not recover. He has been exhausted with no energy and in a state of depression. In his desperation he took a small amount of street Ritalin and this has helped him. I had coffee with him last night and I told him that I was very worried that he did that. He told me that he was desperate and that he told his doctor about his taking the Ritalin. There was an improvement with the Ritalin and I asked him what his doctor said about that. He said his doctor was concerned also and has booked him into the hospital on Sunday. He is considering electric shock treatments for him. I asked him if he had asked about Ritalin and bipolar on the internet. He said that he has tried and was unable to find a site that he considered supportive. My friend is an intelligent man with a fanatic sense of humour. He has the love and support of his wife who is at wits end with worry about him. I have dystonia and spinal problems and he knows how much the BB’s have helped me. I am not asking for advice about Ritalin or bipolar. He is capable of doing this on his own. I am asking that you offer him and his wife some encouragement. Let them know that they are not alone and there are caring people who can be supportive on this BB. I will take the responses to this post to him and his wife. His name is Gerry.

wobbly · 01-17-2004, 12:21 PM

Your friend is definitely not alone. There are plenty of people on this board who have been at their wits' end, hospitalized, and feeling despondent. I've been there myself, and yet, 6 months later, having found the right meds and with some therapy, I am pretty close to being myself again.
Gerry, don't give up--there will come a day when you will feel so much better and all the hell you've gone thru will be just a memory. I know when you're down in hell it seems like nothing will help and you're never going to get better, but nothing is permanent with this disease and there is good help available. Ride with it. Go to the hospital, take your meds, do your therapy, find a support group. Don't get discouraged, just take it one day at a time. Things will be brighter down the road.

James-g · 01-17-2004, 01:53 PM

Hi wobbly

That you for responding. If I don’t see him this evening I will take your post to him in the hospital tomorrow. I don’t think after reading your post that I would be wrong in encouraging him to introduce himself to the people on this BB when he gets out of the hospital in about three weeks time. Would you have any advice for me when I visit him that may make his stay in the hospital less stressful for him and his wife? All the best
James

wobbly · 01-17-2004, 02:11 PM

Well, I asked my husband about tips for visitors and he and I both agree that the best thing is to let the person know they're cared about and offer them your support. I was in the hospital for 9 days and my family came to visit every day, and it was very helpful having them there. I'm not saying you need to visit Gerry every day for 3 weeks, but you can always ask him what he feels up to and play it like that. As far as for his wife, I think it depends on how close of friends you are. She might appreciate grabbing a bite to eat with you--she probably won't be feeling much like cooking and might also be feeling lonely and upset about what's going on. I think the big thing for both of them is to let them know you're there for them.
I hope Gerry does come on the board when he gets out of the hospital, because there are a lot of really great people here, and it's a relief to find out that you're not the only one who's going thru this stuff.
Hope this helps.
PS: You didn't say, but I'm just curious: Are you in the UK?

James-g · 01-17-2004, 02:56 PM

Hi wobbly

I wish I was in the UK. I am freezing my butt off in Saskatchewan, Canada.
I have been to England 3 times in the early 70’s and stayed in Swindon, Wilts for three months once. My friends were hinting for two months for me to leave but I was having such a good time that I pretended to not understand them. Thank you for your advice. I was best man at his wedding and think the world of his wife. I am going to have a read of the other posts and educate myself about this illness. He has been bipolar for years and we have been friends for over 22 years. I am ashamed to say that I know nothing about his illness. All the best
James