Posted by Chris A. on May 6, 2000, at 14:40:12
In reply to Thank you for your input-JohnB, Janet and Janice, posted by judy1 on May 6, 2000, at 12:52:18
Judy,
You sound like you have a lot of insight into what is going on. I am mixed bipolar, rapid cycling, and can empathize. Perhaps while you're at a more stable point would be a good time to set up some guidelines as preventive medicine. I am no poster child. My lifestyle hygiene has lately consisted of lying on the floor and crying. One doc that I liked flat out told me that there's never any reason I need to be up past midnight. He's right and I try to hold myself to it. If I can't sleep I load on the Klonopin and Ambien, as it's better than encouraging mania. Other guidelines include 1) never drive over the speed limit. If I can't drive under it or have to use cruise control to get through town, the hypomania needs to be treated more aggressively. 2) Have significant others that are my intervention team. They understand my illness and are aware that I might contact them anytime day or night for help or feedback. 3) Always stay on a mood stabilizing regimen - whether I like it or not or think it is necessary or working very well. Right now I'm doing a course of ECT, so can't take any anticonvulsants. I have chosen to try Omega 3's - 34 fish oil capsules a day (if it's good enough for Harvard it's good enough for me). My husband also has me adding Choline (found in lethicin, eggs and peanuts to my diet). It was mentioned in the "Bipolar 2000 Expert Guidelines." 4) Exercising moderately (for me it was walking with my teenage daughter until I sprained my ankle) has some benfits for the vast majority of us. My depression doesn't seem to be as severe when I am able to move a bit.
Please don't give up. Look back over the docs you've seen and pick out the one or two you liked the best and see if through letter writing, or whatever, you can get a regular doc. Sometimes I feel a tad paranoid or frustrated with mine and I find it's best to be as open about those feelings as possible. No doc is going to be perfect, but in our case a relationship with one is essential. I ask mine to be honest with me. Since I'm unstable he sends me to a bipolar expert at a university every once in a while for a consult. If nothing else that always offers hope, as he's on the cutting edge and my doc's a whole lot more willing to try new things when he has the list in writing from a well respected expert. The next thing they want me to try is the vagal nerve stimulator. We shall see. My faith in God and my family keep me going. Your child does deserve to have a Mom. It helps to have friends and support in places like this, too.God Bless,
Chris A.
poster:Chris A.
thread:32402
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32542.html