Posted by platinumbride on November 6, 2003, at 9:53:09
In reply to Re: Remission rate for manic depression ?, posted by Emme on November 4, 2003, at 17:29:54
This is a subject that is pretty close to my heart...
Both my brother and his father have the awful and nasty Bipolar I that made each of them psychotic during their worst times.
My dad (brother's biological, but not mine) dealt with serious symptoms for at least 10 years. (Back then, and in a third world country it was just schizophrenia -- period) Lots of thorazine, lots of rest and lots of extended family support (like put him to work on the farm and have 12 big uncles and cousins watching him) helped him while he was in his own country.When he came to the US, he had more episodes, blah blah......he, as a physician, learned to manage his own disease, even prescribing himsel thorazine when he had to, and avoiding every possible trigger. Honestly, he has not been in a hospital or straight jacket or on any major tranqulizers for over 30 years.
My brother has been in his remission for over 10 years, but with lithium and zyprexa, and again, avoidance of triggers. He was dangerous and psychotic as well.
I guess in their cases there is a lot of luck involved as well as dilligent monitoring of early signs like inability to sleep.
So, I have seen very long term remissions from both ends of their respective BP symptoms. I feel pretty happy about that.
Diane
poster:platinumbride
thread:276348
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031104/msgs/277115.html