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Mental health

Bipolar support thread?

512 replies

Crawling · 03/02/2013 19:04

Ive noticed there are quite a few of us and thought maybe a thread for us would be good. All are welcome those diagnosed and those awaiting diagnosis.

Ill start with Ive been depressed so long now I dont remember how I used to feel, yet id still prefer this to mania as the havoc I reaked last time was very painful to clean up after my episode. If I had to chart my mood today between 1-10 1 being I cant think how to make a cup of tea and 5 being good 10 being the tv is talking to me and I must go out now im about a 3 today what about you guys?

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funnymum71 · 03/02/2013 21:20

Hi Crawling. I'm bipolar and have just had the worst 12 months in a very long time. I'm just coming our of my second severe depression in that time and am having really bad moodswings.

ie - This morning I was ready to get the wallpaper stripper out as I had a really great idea about redecorating the living room (even though I'm not earning at the mo so we're broke), then this afternoon I was having anxiety and thoughts of self harm.

Its what makes me who I am, but I hope that next year I can manage to be a bit more stable.

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springbanana · 03/02/2013 21:44

I have had mood swings for months. I seem to get moods and writing things that are not my opinions. Not sure, what are my opinions really. When I am depressed I am better. I would chart my mood 3 and 7.

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raininginbaltimore · 04/02/2013 00:33

Hey. I'm in the middle if a depressive episode. Under care of perinatal team as I was admitted when my dd was 8 weeks old. She's 6 months now an I thought it was getting better. Then I broke my foot an lots of sitting aroun thinking has been bad for me.

Having that feeling now that I will always feel like this. I'm a 3.

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Scheherezade · 04/02/2013 00:36

I'm bipolar I. I have ups and downs but my major episodes are controlled by medication.

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Crawling · 04/02/2013 07:56

Hi all its sad that so many of us suffer does anyone else find they still have episodes on meds just less severe?

RaininginBaltimore that must be hard coping with a newborn and a broken foot and depression.

SpringBanana I think I read your thread where you were concerned about taking meds how is it working out for you?

funnymum I hope the next 12months are better for you.

This illness sucks.

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fedupandtired · 04/02/2013 08:48

I was diagnosed 13 years ago. Currently I'm not doing too badly. It's mostly kept under control with the meds and if I do start getting unwell usually a tweak in meds is all that's needed. I've had to make major changes in my life to get this far though.

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raininginbaltimore · 04/02/2013 10:40

I was doing so well,but the foot has knocked me back. Not being able to do much has made me worse. Now I am struggling to get out of bed.

Wat sort of changes have you made fed up? I'm supposed tone returning to work in two weeks,but doctor has signed me off. I am going to request part time hours under DDA, and hope I'm successful. I'm a teacher and full time is just too much for me.

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fedupandtired · 04/02/2013 14:21

The major one is work. I can no longer work full time and I'm in a fairly undemanding, low paid admin job and I even struggle with that most of the time. Whereas once we had a big detached house, now we have an ordinary semi. We've had to reduce our outgoings so that we can live on DH's salary so that anything I am able to earn is a bonus.

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Crawling · 04/02/2013 15:40

Sceherezade was it your thread about dla in chat the other day? if so can I be nosy and ask how long it was awarded for?

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Scheherezade · 04/02/2013 16:07

Yes it was, and its for 5 years :)

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Crawling · 04/02/2013 16:27

Thank you im just im going through a reconsideration as first decision was lrc and low mobility and for a year if needs be im wondering whether to appeal if im not happy with the revised offer.

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springbanana · 04/02/2013 19:36

I desperately need a mood chance. I can't cope with the kids anymore. Max tv already. No meds yet.

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raininginbaltimore · 04/02/2013 23:59

Think of the day in hours. Sometimes a whole day seems too much, especially when DS (3) is being difficult. So I just have to stay calm or whatever until the next hour and so on.

I am applying for DLA on advice from my team. Dunno if it will be successful.

I really hope I can get part time hours. I'm not sure how we would cope financially without it. We can't downsize or cut back anymore. I have considered jacking in teaching and going to work in a shop two days a week. The stress is often too much.

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Crawling · 05/02/2013 08:04

Raining I hope you get the dla and part yime hours.

I managed some exercize last night I am feeling better because of it now I just need to keep it going.

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springpotatoe · 05/02/2013 14:20

and the mood change came :)
I am fine now.

How did you get your diagnosis?
I got mine twelve years ago. I had been ill for about a year and ended up to hospital. I was diagnosed manic-depressive with mixed state ( i think they did not use term bipolar back then or type 1 or 2). I was quite surprised about it.

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Crawling · 05/02/2013 16:59

I as misdignosed at 15 with depression and PTSD t I was admitted then 2 1/2 years ago I had a major mixed episode and they talked about sectioning me but as the episode was over they tried talking me into staying but let me go they told me Bipolar 1 and then my pychiatrist told me it was scizoaffective ( which has all the symptoms of type 1 bipolar but scizophrenic episodes as well) whhen I was 22.

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Crawling · 05/02/2013 17:37

I also saw a link between mood disorders and migraines it said the fluctuating serotonin was responsible. I suffer them how many of you suffer them?

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springpotatoe · 05/02/2013 17:48

I do. Sometimes I just get aura without headache.

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funnymum71 · 05/02/2013 20:18

I need to apply for DLA. Its even more pressing now as I don't know if I can carry on working full-time and DH has just been made redundant. Giant arse.

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Scheherezade · 05/02/2013 20:39

I occasionally get visual migraines.

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fedupandtired · 05/02/2013 20:48

I don't suffer with migraines but I have always suffered with headaches. Seen numerous GP's over the years. Funnily enough I saw my GP just last week because I thought I'd started suffering with migraines but he ruled it out and diagnosed tension headaches. Said my neck and shoulder muscles were the tensest he'd felt all week.

Definitely not migraines though.

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Crawling · 06/02/2013 16:08

What meds and doses are you all on may I ask?

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Scheherezade · 06/02/2013 16:23

Lithium 800 and sertraline 100 I think

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funnymum71 · 06/02/2013 16:24

I'm on 600mg quetiapine and 200mg lamotrigine. I also have up to 100mg PRN quetiapine and 4mg diazepam daily.

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Crawling · 06/02/2013 16:28

Thanks good luck with the dla claim funnymum.

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