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!

I had a blood test last week and heard nothing so assumed the level was ok? I still think I'm on a very low dose (600mg) and was expecting it to go up. It's given me so much nausea vomiting and diarrhoea, then I drink on top 🙄 it's just so hard when I feel so low and then have phases of mania mixed in. My mum has been fantastic today tho, even tho I've let her down again, she's even in bed with me because I don't want to be alone 😢

Yes mixed states are the worst. I've only experienced it twice since being diagnosed but looking back to pre antipsychotics I can see a few times I've had them.

If your doctor hasn't contacted you I would think the same as you and assume the levels were fine.

Do you not take an antipsychotic? I couldn't be without mine. It evens me out but I know everyone is different. I think being on the highest level of olanzapine kind of numbs me. I haven't cried in years.

Oh gosh @DiaryofWimpyMumm I used to do exactly the same! I would go on dating sites too. This was years ago though. I still can't believe I did that.

I had a pretty bad dip last night. I don't know what happened. I'm either really flat or I feel a bit low and I don't know why

I woke up at half 5 yesterday and couldn't get back to sleep so that was me awake until about 9pm, so maybe that had something to do with it.

I find if I don't have enough sleep it really messes with my mood. Thankfully I've been sleeping quite well. The blood pressure medication I'm in has stopped the night sweats I was having so I'm not waking so much. Touch wood!

Just spoken to the Drs, Lithium has been upped to 800mg as I am only just on the borderline for therapeutic levels. Have also been given a bet blocker for my crippling anxiety/agitation, if that doesn't work try more quetiepine or more Diazepam! Just feel like a walking pharmacy. I've also still, after 5 weeks got this virus- no voice, cough and temp so can't run off the anxiety. I'm at the point of giving up, even for my kids because even if I do get better this could happen again. To make things just that bit more stressful my ex wants a letter from my dr/nurse/psychiatrist to say I'm able to look after the kids again. I'm also worried about my mum, she's given up her life to look after me, if she was there I wouldn't eat or wash or do anything. Where is the light, I hate this illness is hurting me and everyone around me 😢

I've been given diazepam to take up to 3 times a day. The dr didn't want to up my sertraline before speaking to my psych as she said it sent me manic the last time. But I'm seeing him on Thursday anyway. Just feel like utter rubbish.

Can't believe I've been on MN for yonks and never found this thread before today!

Hello, I'm Dolly, I've got Bipolar II with mixed features. Currently quite well after two years of severe depression/ mixed episodes. Had to give up my job (ironically I was a MH professional) and had a really scary time. In my late 40s and my psychiatrist thinks the episode was triggered/ exacerbated by perimenopause. Hrt has helped a bit.

I'm on Quetiapine & Sertraline at the mo.
Lovely to meet you all.

Hi @Dolly

I haven't been given a type, just the spectrum. Right, I've taken 1 2mg diazepam to test the waters a bit. I hate these slumps.

Hi dolly I also have bipolar and have just had the pleasure of starting menopause, unfortunately I can't have HRT because my blood pressure shot up all of a sudden so docs are attempting to lower it.

Bipolar 2

So I've taken 6mg of diazepam today, and I'm not going to lie, I don't feel any different. I think I was expecting a miracle.

6mg is a tiny amount, takes 15mg to have any effect on me.

(I was rather disappointed too)

I only have 7 left to last me until Thursday at my psych appointment. I think my meds will probably need tweaking.

I was on 5mg 3x a day, now been given propranolol which is a beet blocker. Seems to be working, Altho after a manic episode anxiety tends to go away for a while. Got to spend the day alone tomorrow, not going to lie, I'm dreading it ☹️

I don't think I'm well at the moment. My gp asked me if I could keep myself safe until Thursday, I'm really struggling.

I take 15/20mg diazepam when I have bad panic or anxiety. The 2mg didn't quite cut it but tbh

Bippitty- go to A&E if you feel you cant keep yourself safe. Don't sit sand wait for it to get worse. Or call the Samaritans, they have helped me a lot this last week. I totally understand how you feel, I am constantly thinking about taking all my pills, even with my kids waiting for me to get better, they seem to be getting on fine with their dad 🙄

bippoty sorry I missed your message. I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Is your DP home with you? What's the plan for Thursday will you see your psychiatrist?

I'm seeing my psychiatrist tomorrow. I think I know what happened.

Probably to much information but when it's my time of the month about a week before, not all the time, but sometimes, it makes me really loopy. Almost to the point of feeling suicidal and I feel like I'm going crazy. I'm not sure if that's the reason, but it's happened before.

Does this happen to anyone else? Is there a link with people who are bipolar?

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) exists.

It’s not uncommon, there have been threads on MN about it. No idea if mental illness increases chance of it happening though.

I tried googling it, it says it can be quite common in people who have bipolar.

It doesn't happen every month. I don't know if it was that or just a coincidence.

Yes my psychiatrist has referred me to someone for it. I'll see if I can find the letter and report back. I'm exactly the same that's why I'm on the pill but only Dianette, that's the only one that works, all the others send me nuts! X

I take Cerazette & don't have periods because every month I felt either suicidal or intense or like things were unreal.

Psychiatrist appointment went well.

My sertraline had been increased to 125mg, aripiprazole 10mg, and now lamotrigine low starting dose. He said if that doesn't work I'll be given lithium.

How is everyone else today?