Posted by Toph on April 13, 2004, at 11:18:14
I hope this post is not banished to the faith board, but after years of cycling between clinical depression and deadly highs, it all suddenly stopped. I quit jobs, called off a marriage, stood on the edge of a building, writhed in psychic pain so intense that even a painful death would be a relief. Other times my brain raced in mania with thoughts and emotions so uncontrollable that only a locked unit could save me from literally frying my brain or injuring myself though some wild stunt. Manic, I am a meglomaniacal God or the subject of every show on TV or song on the radio. And if I drive, no laws pertain to me; and, oh yes, I wish those guys would stop following me. Enter Lithium - a simple salt, whose medicinal mechanism still baffles scientists to this day. No cognitive changes, fortunately no toxic effect (knock on wood) to thyroid or kidneys. OK, I confess some diarrhea reminds me that I take something. But 23 years ago I practically had my own parking space at the hospital. Since taking Lithium, atomic number 3, the lightest of all metals, I have not had another manic or depressive episode. 10 years of repeatedly falling flat on my face followed by 23 years of steady work, marriage, all three kids in college - in huge part because of this exquisite element from heaven. I sure believe in miracles.
poster:Toph
thread:335934
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040412/msgs/335934.html