Anyone else with bipolar 1 disorder ?

Wonder if there is anyone here with bipolar 1, managing to live with it, and general experience, insight, tips etc......

Love digbysox

Hi there, I'm "Sky" ... I don't have BP 1 or 2 but do have Cyclothymia ... a so-called 'mild' form of BP! I'd love to start a BP Tribe if you like

Yep. Sky, I would. I envy people who have Cyclothmia - they seem to have all the fun without the bad stuff, but then again I could be entirely wrong lol - please put me right xxx
Love digbysox xxx

Ooooh Digby, we certainly don't have all the fun; I spent Sunday night wondering whether suicide was my only 'option' out of my current predicament - not much fun! When I'm 'well' and on an even keel I can expect to have 2 / 3 days of feeling hyper, 2 / 3 days of feeling low, and a few days in between of being 'normal' (whatever that is!) However, I've had 3 episodes of serious depression over the past 8 years and they've been horrendous.

Are you able to work with your BP? I've just quit my job working for a couple of incredibly nasty lawyers so I'm job hunting now ...

I'm not sure what meds you are on but I've always responded really well to Seroxat (Paroxetine) and only take that for the time being although I suspect that may have to change in due course.

Keep in touch anyway; email me if you want support / need to ask any questions etc.

Best wishes,
Sky

Hiya Sky - thanks for putting me straight and hope I didn't offend xxx I haven't been able to work for years - on DLA and Incapacity Benefit. My meds are Sodium Valproate (mood stabiliser), Sertraline (Ad) and chlorpromazine (anti-psych)
I have to live a low key life, which along with the meds and a MIND social support group keep me fairly well. I still get the swings but not as severe and of a much shorter duration.
What type of work are you looking for, and do you disclose your illness ?

Love digbysox

Hi digbysox & sky
I've been tested for bipolar years ago & they did not think I had it although that is what was suspected. I have not heard of Cyclothmia so just googled it. I wonder if that is my problem as it sounds much more similar to me.
I have been tried on so many different medications over the years but not the ones you take, sky. I'm going to look into it
Great to meet you both here

Let us know how you get on, Missy xxx

Love digbysox xxx

Hi Everyone, Im bipolar, not sure which type Ive been diagnosed with but Im up and then down several times a year more often at the moment.
The drugs I take do help, Carbamazepine (mood stabilizer) and Risperidone (anti-psychotic) and I find a calm peaceful life does make a big difference...not easy with a teenage son in the house lol!
I kept losing my jobs every time I got ill so I studied at home and re trained as a web designer so I can work from home when Im well and take breaks when Im not although Im still on DLA and income support at the moment.
At the moment Im trying to find a local support group where I can meet people and get out the house a bit more often.

Yes there is someone else with bipolar 1 - Me! I have been through a really rough 39 years. Although diagnosed with Bipolar at 35 it took years to get correctly diagnosed with bipolar 1 and then ages to get the right meds. I just turned 40 on the 3rd March and things are going great. I would not wish this disease on my worst enemy and in many ways physical illnesses such as cancer are easier to bear. I have been in and out of hospitals and had one bad manic episode last year which almost broke up my marriage and nearly ended up with me dead. The depression side of the illness is terrible but the manic side is SO Dangerous! It can be so destructive. You become the opposite to what you are. Your morals change, your values change, you have no sense of right and wrong, you lose inhibitions and fears, your judgment is so far off of what it normally is and it gets you into bad places and bad situations.

After lots of different meds I eventually got on Lamictal (300 per day) and Seroquel (350) along with rivotril for occasional anxiety. It works great. I have gained weight on my upper stomach but that is to be expected. As someone who has strived to be thin all my life I see this as a compromise (having a bit of a belly because of my meds compared to lying in a gutter somewhere without my meds).

I have never actually met anyone with bipolar one and when I go to the clinic I am sure there are plenty there but since no-one talks about it no-one knows who is suffering.

I can't work so I bought a website which sells electronic goods. I really don't have many friends but like it that way. I find it very hard to talk to people especially strangers and the fact that my husband is a minister and there are always people in and out of our lives I find it hard. If I did not have the support (and understanding forgiveness) of my husband I would not be here. I do not know how anyone could go through this alone.

Anyhow I just thought I would reply to you and let you know that there is someone else here suffering and dealing with BP1.

Gillian
Newbawn, Ireland

Hi Gillian

I am BP1 too, 44 yrs old, diagnosed last year after a severe manic period had me ending up being sectioned. I am on lithium (mood stabiliser), sertraline (anti D) and quetiapine (anti psychotic) seems to be working at the moment.

welcome !

I have bipolar 1, just joined and finding my way around here.

welcome to you Starburst, this is a great place.

I am fighting going into mania at the moment and being able to vent and talk to people who understand makes such a difference.

had a med change today, anti d taken off, seroquel increased + PRN, added diazepam for anxiety

I am also a member of two other BP specific online fora if folk want to look them up you can get more specific support there. I find them both helpful.

bipolar4all.co.uk quite a few on her are going through the transition to ESA so anyone needing support around that could find it here

bipolar disorder on about.com (US so time difference can be an issue but it is a busy forum with very knowledgeable people and extremely supportive)

Me too what can I say, mania is very distructive and sometimes fun but on alot of occasions ended up pretty messy. Only been in hospital once for 6months, was a classic case as in diagnosed late 20s and im on lithium. Feeling pretty good most days dont know if it will stay that way but i kinda just try not to think too far ahead

i do feel a bit ashamed sometimes cos i think people outside of the mental health circle can often think you are ill all the time and treat you like they have to be careful around you or just think you are weird so i dont tell people anymore cos i dont like feeling like a freak, which i know im not but still yeah its a bit sucky