The Bipolar Support Thread

[BippityBoppity87]

Hi everyone Just thought I'd start a shiny new thread for anyone who is suffering from bipolar disorder.

Hope everyone is ok!

Hey! Was looking for a thread where I could talk about my bipolar and then spotted this brand new one. I'm 24 and have been diagnosed for about 6 years (although one psychiatrist thought I've got borderline personality disorder which I dispute as I don't actually show the classic symptoms 😒 I personally think I've got classic bipolar 2 disorder). I take aripiprazole, lamotrigine and mirtazapine. Currently going through a depressive episode which is really crap and have no support other than my DH and my GP who I saw last week and will see again on 31/12 (which seems so far away). Wondering how bad it needs to get before it's acceptable to call the psychiatrist and ask for a review as I don't see him until end of February. Anyway I'm sorry for essay and I look forward to sharing and supporting x

Should have added, I'm currently TTC my first baby with the blessing of my psychiatrist so that's taking its toll emotionally as well!!

Oh gosh that's sounds tough MrsAW2018 I have a wee toddler. Had pretty bad PND when he was born, but wasn't on any medication at the time. I'm currently having to take sertraline, aripiprazole and the occasional zoplicone to help me sleep.

I've never taken aripiprazole before, so no idea what to expect! I was told to take it in the morning?

Anyone have experience with that med?

@BippityBoppity87 I'm on aripiprazole, have been since March/April time. I'd been on it before and it hadn't been affective but it's not done a bad job this year. I'm taking it in the morning too. It should be weight neutral so shouldn't make you put any on unlike quetiapine and olanzapine (which both made me balloon). How long have you been diagnosed?

Hello, there you are! I’ve never been allowed aripiprazole - ‘too activating’ apparently- but it seems so much better than most others in that group. I was on lithium and chlorpromazine for years, sometimes with sleeping pills and benzos, often just fine on lithium alone. Currently lithium with occasional v small dose olanzapine if not sleeping enough.

Not long MrsAW2018 but I'm assuming they've known for a while, just wanted to make sure I think.

Hi WhyDidIEatThat Yeah I totally forgot I was supposed to start a thread 😂 I have the attention span of a sponge!

I made one last night then I deleted it and thought I should probably wait until I've calmed down a bit!

Hello! I have bipolar or schitzoaffective depending on the psychiatrist.

I have manic psychosis last summer and after that I felt down couple months. Then suddenly I got obsessed with Star Wars Lego and I have bought several sets of them. I also feel restless. I saw go on Tuesday and he seem to think that I am ok. Don't know about that. I bought more Lego today. Tomorrow I go and donate blood.

Booked the blood donation a while ago.

Oh god the other week I bought a Dr Seaus fluffy toy thing, an Alice In Wonderland tea cup and a daddy's little monster top because why not! I wasn't manic I promise Then I almost bought £200 head phones, and I wonder why I don't have any money 🙄 I'm sure I've bought more. My partner wants to take my card, but I need to go Christmas shopping on Friday.

I've bought all sorts when manic, my husband keeps my main card now just in case and keeps an eye. Before I was with him I booked a very expensive holiday and went all whilst being manic.

My hypomania isn't as prevalent as the depression and doesn't last for as long either. Could be in this depressive episode for months, who knows?🤷🏼‍♀️ it's already been going on since beginning of November, I just refused to accept it for quite a few weeks, thought I was physically unwell etc but now I know it's depression. Do you ever get psychosis?

I feel a bit wistful for that whole financial invincibility thing, everyone always brings up the cars - bought 3 new cars (on a credit card stolen from my ex) when I already had a new car. Escaped from hospital and bought another car. But I mostly remember taking out store cards and buying things for people, strange things like velvet dresses but dozens of them in random sizes. It was all completely senseless. I bought a fur coat which cost a whole year of mortgage interest payments and got sectioned in it 😕 I remember feeling real pity for Normal People who were just so earthbound and mundane and didn’t have this freedom and spending power.

I’m still generally quite shit with money compared to normal people but I’ll never have access to credit again. It was absolutely horrific sorting it all out, and I’m still feeling it today all these years later.

No I don't think so MrsAW2018 I was quite bad when my mum died 3 years ago though. Kept hearing voices, then was convinced there was a demon in the house so I put salt all around the doors. I don't know why I thought salt! Is that not for witches?! God knows. And was tempted to get a priest round. I'm not religious btw.

That reminds me. I almost bought a bright blue fur coat the other week and leapord print shoes. So glad I didn't. What I sight I would have looked! I also forget the shower when I go hyper. I went 4 days a few weeks ago as my mind was somewhere else.

I'm so sorry, but the fur coat thing made me laugh. I can just imagine that in my head!

I was completely naked apart from the fur coat if that helps 😀 just running up and down my stairs up and down up and down. It was about this time of year, I missed Christmas obviously. I do laugh about it all but it has been awful, especially for my children.

Haven’t had anything like that for years, used to have very powerful Ideas that I would become completely gripped by and guard furiously in case someone stole them but obviously later you look back and 😳😳😳 but I still remember the feeling.

Oh my god WhyDidIEatThat 😂 sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh and it's very serious, but it's something I could imagine doing.

I get like that with ideas. I invented (in my head) a nosey cosey yes that's what I'm calling it which is basically a woolly thing to put over your nose when you get cold. I actually thought that was a great idea 😂

My partner says I need to get a pill box, I'm not getting a pill box, I'm only 31!

Marking my place (waves) hi everyone I might not say much but I'm always reading. Diagnosed 6 months ago on in paroxatine and lithium.

My people!

I have bipolar II, currently pretty stable on Lamotrigine. I've had a pretty bad down recently due to the stress of my business going under which also meant I had no money for my prescription for a few weeks. Back on it now but still pretty low although I think that's more to do with the situation with the business rather than Bipolar iyswim.

Does anyone else find that Lamotrigine makes them forgetful? I used to have an above average memory (pretty sure that's why I was pretty good academically) but now I forget everything! Even when I'm not up or down. It's really sad and frustrating.

I've only just started taking aripiprazole today. Not going to lie, not a fan. I feel exhausted and a bit sick.

I have no idea what I am. I was only in there for about 20 mins! And just kept saying the 'bipolar spectrum' that's about it and the different medications.

I’m diagnosed with mixed bipolar. Currently in hospital, I’ve been here for 6 weeks and just been put on a section 3 although hoping for leave to go home at Christmas!

Oh, I take venlafaxine, chlorpromazine, lithium, gabapentin, plus lorazepam and zopiclone PRN

@BippityBoppity87 I hear a voice too sometimes and see spiders on the wall that aren't really there. Keep persevering with the aripiprazole. These things take a while to get into our systems and work!!

@gingerfreckles hi! How are you finding those meds helping you?

@Lostandinsane yes! Lamotrigine makes me soo forgetful!! I used to have such good memory and now I forget things all the time. Sorry to hear about your business btw, that must have been really difficult.

@FFSOMG sorry you're currently in hospital, fingers crossed you are well enough to get some leave for Christmas.

Hope you're all doing okay today ladies x

Yesterday evening I was sure I have to go and ask for diazepam for my restlessness. But I woke up calm and depressed. Blood donation was cancelled because the place wasn't suitable for them.

I had psychosis last summer. Horrible place to be. I was really paranoid and felt extremely angry and was accusing people of conspiracy. I was on holidays and no access to help. Well I would not have asked it because that because I had lost insight. It burnt itself off and left me depressed.