Need a bit of advice re. coping with this level of energy. Do I call CPN, or is this nothing much to be concerned about?

[dontrunwithscissors]

I'll try to keep this brief....I was diagnosed with PND back in March, and spent 6 weeks in a Mother and Baby Unit. The last time I saw the psychiatrist, she mentioned the possibility of bi-polar as I have been experiencing real mood swings. (I told her about a week in mid September where I had masses of energy, was dancing around the house, sleeping very little and spent £2000 on shoes.) I don't see her again until the end of next month. So...the last 4 days I've been very well during the day, but gradually feeling ever-more weird so that by the evening I can't sit still. I feel like I have so much energy I don't know what to do with it. My worry is that I've resorted to drinking (a fair amount for me) as it's the only thing that calms me down and stops me talking. Now I know that this isn't good. Today I'm really, really wanting to go out and blow a fortune on clothes. Now, my problem is that my CPN is on sick leave with no date for her return. I've been given a replacement CPN, but, to be honest, I didn't like her much and the last time she came out she basically said to only call her if things were bad as she was very overstretched. So, do I call her? I could really use some advice on how to cope with this (rather than resorting to alcohol, which is worrying me a wee bit.) Or perhaps this is nothing much at all, and I need to just get a grip? (In which case, do you have any advice on how to deal with this?)

[dontrunwithscissors]

Thank you for those suggestions. I'm really not sure what to do. I partly don't want to acknowledge any of this as I don't want the medication (purely because I don't want to put weight on - I know that's ridiculously vain!) I also have both DD's to look after tomorrow.

[onepieceoflollipop]

dontrun it can be hard to know what to do for the best. However if you don't seek advice there is a risk that your mood may become further elated and you could become very unwell and not have much say in what happens. (I am not saying this to frighten you, just looking at worse case scenario). Possibly you could end up in hospital again?

On a more positive note, you say that you have had short lived periods of elation in the past and have recovered without professional input. However imo you cannot assume that this will happen again; clearly you know that things aren't right hence you posting here.

The professionals that know you are the best people to advise you from this point. (although I and others on here will be happy to listen to you and offer support)

I understand what you say about the medication; weight gain is an issue for some people.

[tiredlady]

OP,
I'm sorry but you absolutely have to acknowledge what is happening here.

Untreated mania can be devaststing. I've seen people blow their life savings in a weekend.

if you get really unwell you could risk the safety of your children.

Forget about weight gain.
Get help tomorrow morning

[tiredlady]

Didn't mean to sound bossy, sorry.

This may well be a temporary blip. If you have had minor fluctautions in your mood over the years and never come to anyone's attention, then this episode may well resolve on its own with no real harm done.

However, there is no way of knowing that for sure and to be safe please get some help.

I know weight gain is awful, but there are other meds your psychitrist could try you on that don't have this as a side effect.

Hope that helps

[tiredlady]

God, can't spell tonight

Devastating
fluctuations
psychiatrist

[BookcaseFullofBooks]

I'm afraid I don't have anything more helpful to add than others but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you. It can be really hard for partners to come to terms with mental health problems and it sounds like yours is struggling.
One other thing. If you feel unable to wait until tomorrow, don't hesitate to call the crisis team or the out-of-hours gp number.

[dontrunwithscissors]

Thank you for all that advice last night. I really nearly ended up losing the plot, but I did manage to show DH this thread so I think he understands a bit more how I'm feeling. I managed to speak to my CPN this morning and she's going to speak to a doc & get back to me.

[onepieceoflollipop]

dontrun Glad to hear you managed to speak to the CPN and also managed to perhaps get your dh to understand a bit more.

I might not post for a day or two (working most of weekend!) but will check back here.
Thinking of you, hope it all settles down soon.

[tiredlady]

Did you see your Dr OP?

[dontrunwithscissors]

My CPN has left a note for someone to contact me on Monday and arrange an appointment to see my psychiatrist (who's on holiday today.) I just need to make it through the weekend in one piece..... Thank you for checking back.

[BookcaseFullofBooks]

How have you been feeling today?

[dontrunwithscissors]

Very 'up,' but also stupidly irritable. DH has gone off to bed in a bit of a huff, and I'm feeling very odd, continually walking in a figure of 8. Meh. Hopefully the quetaipine will kick in soon.

[tiredlady]

Well, if it's any consolation, your posts are sounding rational and coherent which means you are still in control of how you express yourself - which is a good thing :)

[BookcaseFullofBooks]

I hope you're able to cope okay over the weekend. If things get any worse call for help won't you? Take care.

[dontrunwithscissors]

Yes, I think I'll cope over the weekend, and I've got the quetaipine (CPN said I could up the dose if I need to until Monday.) Thanks for your support. I'm actually feeling quite hopeful that I might finally get some stability after all the crazies over the last 6 months.

[dontrunwithscissors]

Just coming on to whinge about the fact that I've still not spoken to anyone about what's been going on. Had a v.v. weird episode yesterday . Someone was supposed to ring me yesterday,but didn't

[Earthymama]

I know it's hard to make the calls, but do try you CPN, (just caught this thread)

Hope you are ok x

[dontrunwithscissors]

Thanks, Earthymama. My CPN's on holiday, but have just made myself call the CMHT and they're going to ring me back....>

[slobberedupon]

Just wanted to say that that I don't have anything to add (not a health professional) but wanted to say that you're in my thoughts and am hoping that thing's are getting better.

Has the CMHT rung back yet - I'm shocked that they've been that blase about it all.
x

[dontrunwithscissors]

Hi, yes, I've got an appointment for tomorrow morning. Whilst I'm on, would anyone be so kind as to give me a swift kick up the backside?! I'm really scared about telling the psych about everything as I'm worried of the response. Had such a weird episode yesterday, I thought my head was going to explode. I could barely order my lunch at the sandwich shop as I had so many thoughts crashing around my head I couldn't concentrate enough to speak. Now I know I need to say all of this, but....

[madmouse]

Look at it this way:

To look after your kids safely you need ot be ok

To be ok you need the right support

To get the right support they need to know what is going on

So for your kids' sake you nee to tell them everything.

And it doesn't sound weird to me, when the PTSD was at it worst my thoughts really crashed over each other too, very tiring.

[kizzie]

Hi - I knnow its really hard but do try and tell them evrything at appointment. You'll just be frusrated if you dont - and you are less likely to get the right support.
Hope the appointment goes well x

[MadameCastafiore]

Please please tell your psychiatrist/doctor/CPN everything - they will not be able to tailor your care properly and help stabilise your mental state without total knowledge of what you are going through.

Ask for the name of your care co-ordinator's name too - I think you are supposed to be allocated one from the Community Mental Health Team on discharge from Tier 4 (inpatient unit) to Tier 3 (Community based health professionals).

And don't think about putting on weight at this moment - once you get your mental state sorted you can think about maybe exercising which would be good for your state of mind.

[dearprudence]

dontrun I've just seen this thread. My dad has bipolar disorder, and has had several periods of mania and depression over the past six years. So much of what you've said strikes a chord with me.

I'm glad you're being seen tomorrow, but if you don't get any joy, or if things worsen, you shouldn't hesitate to call the crisis team.

Bipolar is a horrible thing, and I'm really sorry you're struggling with it. But I've seen my dad go from being incredibly ill, back to living a normal life with the right medication. Please, please, tell them how you've been feeling. That's the best way to get the right help. Backsides will be kicked if necessary!

By the way, I also think it's encouraging that you're managing to write so clearly here. My dad did a lot of writing stuff down when he's been 'high', and it's very disjointed and hard to make sense of.

Good luck tomorrow.

[dontrunwithscissors]

Thank you, all, for the butt-kicking
dearprudence, sorry about your Dad. I suppose I'm not sure what's going on as I feel perfectly fine & totally able to express myself in between these fairly short-lived 'episodes'. Anyway, I've written a lot of stuff down on what's happened and will certainly try to tell her everything.