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!

@MrsAW2018 I've just been to the psychiatrist today and they've changed my paroxatine for amytripline because I'm not sleeping a lot at night. I'm not sure what I really think as I'm sure I remember taking these in the past and feeling really drowsy in the day. A bit fed up today, fed up of this nothing life and feeling numb.

I've been feeling generally pissed off and angry today. @MrsAW2018 I sometimes see spiders too and bugs. Sometimes mice. But we had mice at the beginning of the year, so I'm on high alert.

The worst one was when I saw a woman who looked like that girl from the ring just standing sideways on my wall. It was only for a split second, but it scared the hell out of me!

Quick question. I've been told to take aripiprazole in the morning, but I've felt absolutely awful all day. I don't know if I'm just run down, but I've been feeling sick, exhausted and have some minor cold symptoms. I don't know if I am just coming down with a cold or if it's just a side effect?

Can you take it at night instead? Or does it have to be taken in the morning?

I have bipolar II and on Lamotrigine, really struggle with forgetfulness too @lostandinsane

Does anyone have any tips on how to deal with it? It makes me feel really stupid and frustrated! Am considering reducing my dose to see if that helps, but a bit nervous about fiddling with meds as they are working well at the moment

@CarolSpatula Yeah I'm the same. Kind of want to try something else but it's the first med I've "got on with" so I don't want to rock the boat.
I try to keep organised with lists and calendars but that's not use if I don't have my diary on me. Or if I put something in my diary but don't follow up by putting it on the family calendar. I tried using Google calendar reminders too but I found that if it was reminding me to, say, make a phone call and I got the reminder while I was at work or something then it was still no good as I'd forget by the time I finished!

It makes me feel so stupid too!

I've been known to (in a fit of manic rage) accuse my DH of being abusive and gaslighting me because I'd forgotten a whole conversation or similar and said I would action something

@BippityBoppity87 that sounds horrible!! I would stick with the morning for aripiprazole tbh. The side effects should wear off soon.

I've be just woke up and been sick I feel absolutely awful and could barely get out of bed today. Have to go to my therapy session but I really don't want to go. I'd rather just stay in bed

Morning. I have my PIP assessment today, feel awful and stressed. Feels like I’m going to some sort of eugenics medical.

Extra extra love fission, had mine yesterday. Never had one for DLA (I don’t think?) so was v apprehensive. Assessor was lovely but I cried more than I thought I would 😳 am just a mass of emotional dysregulation on legs though. Good luck xxx

And good luck bippity, it’s still very early days with this med isn’t it? Hope you get used to it soon x

I went and had a wee nap, which has helped. This is what happens though. When I'm on the up, I'm running around doing loads of things at once, mind racing a million miles an hour, working more, sleeping less and feeling fantastic. Then I crash, like today, feel utterly exhausted and shit about myself wondering why I thought it was a good idea to take on extra hours at work!

And I'm skint because I've spent all my money.

Does anyone like my mug? Bought it the other week. Thought it was very ept.

Thanks WhyDid. It was very rushed, wasn’t really given time to say much in detail, was over in about 30mins.

May I ask if everyone here has or has had therapy and / or a cpn? I’ve never had either, just a psychiatrist who I very rarely have any contact with. The assessor seemed to think that odd.

I'm currently having CBT. Think I've been going once or every two weeks for a couple of months now. I also have a key worker. Is that the same as a cpn? I've only seen my psychiatrist 3 times in 5 months. Next appointment is in 6 weeks.

I also have to have a medication review once a month with my gp.

I can only get my meds weekly as I'm prone to being impulsive when I'm feeling suicidal.

@BippityBoppity87 love the mug! I only get my meds weekly as well.

@FissionChips I've had therapy and a CPN before but have neither at the moment.

I had therapy before and cpn for two years. I would like to have one now but it is impossible to contact cmht.

I get my meds monthly because I am not in danger of od (other things yes).

Like MrsAW I’ve had therapy and cpn in the past but not recently, our mental health trust is in a very bad way - I think officially the worst in the country now 😕 but back in the day I had a lot of help. Now I see the psychiatrist once a year or so, which is fine but not really completely fine.

fission I’ve already had a text to say my report is ready, within 24 hours 😯 the whole process feels rushed, although the assessment itself felt like it went on for years

Ignore that post^, I’m feeling very negative right now. Embarrassed I wrote it.

Don’t be embarrassed 💕💐 I’ve actually attacked lots of people (obviously when not in right mind)

It was 20 years ago when I was diagnosed! It’s changed massively over the years, there’s nothing now.

That's shocking I can't believe how little help you all have had. When I rang 111 as I was wanting kill myself, they sent an ambulance round, carted me off to a&e where I tried to run away then taken to my local psych hospital for an assessment, who weren't going to let me leave initially until they spoke to my DP, and arranged to see the psychiatrist the same day.

I had never had anything like that before. No previous mental health involvement. But I was in a bad way and it had been a build up from years and years of just 'getting on with it'

Don't be embarrassed FissionChips Honestly, there is nothing you can say to me that I won't be shocked by. I don't exactly have an angelic past. I've done some really, really embarrassing stuff.

The only think I'm shocked about is that lack of support!