Anybody Bipolar II, what are you taking for it, are you out of work a lot, how long?
541652
Yes - When I started taking meds 15 yrs ago, I finally realized what it was like to feel normal!  Today I take 900 mg of lithium, 100 mg of zoloft and 150 mg of effexor.   Both my father and grandfather committed suicide due to this disease, yet modern medecine was less advanced at that time than today. I don't miss much work as a result of the bipolar, plus I have a high stress, high level position at work, and, I have 3 children and am married.  I did miss quite a bit of work due to breast cancer but that is another story.  The bottomline is this disease is like many others, if you manage it properly, life can be very normal...you can play from the same deck of cards as most everyone else.  Being bipolar is not terribly different from many others diseases; like diabetes, which at the beginning of the 20th century was considered a mental disorder.  The biggest difference I see between functioning and nonfunctioning patients is 1.) willing to be responsible for self - a.) take meds as prescribed - b.) do not drink alcohol or take recreational drugs - c.) don't use your condition as a crutch or an excuse 2.) follow these simple steps and your treatment will help you.  I saw a lot of doctors due to my breast cancer and received astonishlingly ignorant comments from some - "you take these meds?" "why?" "that's enough meds to kill a horse"  and I'm petite...Comments like that foster shame which gets one mind thinking...I don't need/want to take all these pills...but I know without a shadow of a doubt I need the meds...and ignorant people, whether they are doctors or not, will not derail my health.  I have had some problems associated with tremors and a twich, but for the most part they have been lessened by modification of the meds.  hope this helps. Godspeed.
186608
currently depakote, lamictal, and risperdal.  I'm extremely happy with my current "blend" -- I've previously (since my diagnosis 15 months ago) tried zyprexa, tegretol and so many combos and dosages.\n\n[I'm BP1 w/ rapid cycling]
984502
My first suggestion would be to visit a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist that specializes in mood disorders.\n\nI am Bipolar and I've been under the care of a Psychopharmocologist who specializes in mood disorders and a CBT Specialist as well.  In addition, I've spent the last 6 months educating myself on the disorder, treatment and drugs.  I also attend group therapy twice a week in a clinical CBT group and also attend a BPD support group.\n\nBefore I started getting treatment, I was living a life full of rapid cycling (vast change in moods, can be hourly/daily/weekly) high risk behavior and never really knew who the real me was.  So you can say I was having an identity crisis and was suffering from bipolar depression.  \n\nSince being treated, I've been able to manage my condition and live a very productive and healthy lifestyle.\n\nIt's difficult to self diagnose, but if you're looking for an opinion, I would suggest visiting sites with good information on mood disorders and perhaps some discussion boards.\n\nI would also be happy to help if you want to send me an email.  \n\nHere are some helpful sites\nhttp://www.dbsalliance.org/info/aboutmood.html\nhttp://dbsa.invisionzone.com/index.php?showforum=6\nhttp://www.crazymeds.org/\nhttp://www.crazymeds.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=bipolarquestions\n\nGood luck
654201
sick ... two days now. i really need to get back to work :(
633312
my mother has the same disorder and she doesnt do much of anything but she is an excellent writer. i am bipolar and im in college to become a registered eeg tech among other things...you can do anything you set your mind to. the most importain thing is to accept your illness and understand your capabilities and limitations, with this in mind you can set goals for your self and take small steps...before you can take on something as major as commiting all of your time to school make sure your medicine is working for you, dont stop taking it no matter how good you feel and learn to cope with the down times...worse case scenario if you do have mental issues you can take a break. You can always go back! if you dont know what your interested in just enroll as a liberal arts major for now and take a few classes to find what your interested in you never know what may come from it.
1021811
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/articles.asp\nhttp://www.bipolar.com/\n** This is very treatable, my Mom had it.. just make sure the person that is diag with this condition is not ashamed, not afraid, and gets support and help. Mental Illness is not taboo like before, tons of people men and women, have DEPRESSION and Mental Illness.. I hope this helps and truly... God Bless. I grew up in a home with this illness before they knew what it was.. So glad times have changed.\n\nArticles/Stories\nClick here for information about republishing.\n\nClick here to learn more about our contributing writers.\n\nFor Those With Bipolar \nFor Those Supporting Someone With Bipolar \nRelationships and Bipolar Disorder \nBipolar (General) \nMental Illness \nHealth and Wellness \nDepression \nMedication \nMoney Management \nLegal Issues \nSocial Security Disability \n Bipolar Stories \nStacey's Corner \nGaylene's Corner \nScott & Lori's Corner \nMichele Soloway's Corner \nConnie's Corner \nMiscellaneous Articles \nWriters Wanted! \n \n\nArticles For Those With Bipolar\nBenefits Of A Home Business For People That Have Bipolar Disorder - 4/21/06 \nHelp Your Doctor Help Treat Your Bipolar Disorder - 4/21/06 \nBipolar Disorder is NO EXCUSE! - 4/20/06 \nHow to Research Medication Quickly and Easily - 1/28/06 \nHoliday Safety And Bipolar Disorder - 12/24/05 \nAdvice For People With Bipolar Disorder: Just Say "No" To Holiday Stress - 12/16/05 \nHow To Avoid Being Alone During The Holidays - 12/13/05 \nAre You Cheap When It Comes to Bipolar Disorder? \nAre You Falling for "Bait"? \nThe Benefits Of Being A Participant In A Bipolar Study And How To Find These Clinical Studies \nBipolar Disorder Self-Care \nBipolar Disorder and Weight Gain \nChange Your Life By Getting Rid Of Negative People \nChildren - Should Bipolar Sufferers Have Them? \nDealing with Bipolar from a Weight Loss Perspective \nDo You Have a Bipolar Spectrum Disorder? \nDoctors That Treat Bipolar Disorder: Is there A Conspiracy? \nEliminating Stress As A Cause Of Episodes \nThe First Step to Successfully Managing Bipolar Disorder \nFour steps to understand and get help for bipolar disorder: \nGoing to Extremes: Bipolar Disorder \nHitting Rock Bottom In Order to Climb Back Up \nThe Holidays \nHow NOT to choose a therapist. \nHow Someone Bipolar Can Go From Being Wealthy To Homeless \nHow To Get the Most Out of Attending A Support Group Meeting \nHow to Locate Local Support Groups and Resources and Avoid the Hidden Dangers You May Experiences \nHow to Protect Yourself in the Age of Managed Care \nI Have Bipolar Disorder---It Doesn't Have Me \nIn Search of the Magic Bullet \nIt's Not A Sprint, It's A Marathon \nLife Events Can Trigger An Episode \nNine Ways To Make the Most of Your Support System \nPlaces You Can Turn \nThe Power of Language with Bipolar Disorder \nProblem Solving Tips for When You Feel Overwhelmed \nSuicide \nTen Mistakes People Who Have Bipolar Disorder Make \nWeeding Out False Friends \nWhy People With Bipolar Disorder Accomplish So Much \nWhy You Need to Take a Notebook to Your Next Doctor's Appointment \nArticles For Those Supporting Someone With Bipolar\nEnsure Success by Involving The Entire Team - 1/17/06 \nA Secret Key to Success With Bipolar Disorder - 1/11/06 \nTips For Holiday Travels For Supporters And Survivors Of Bipolar Disorder - 12/17/05 \nLifelong Supporters: Advice on How to Care for Someone with Bipolar Disorder - 12/16/05 \n10 Mistakes I Made with my Bi-Polar Son and 10 Things I Did Right \nA Perfect Child \nBipolar Disorder and How Supporters Can Help their Loved One While Helping Themselves \nBipolar Kids - It's Different! \nCan Children and Adolescents Have Bipolar Disorder? \nCaring for the Caregiver \nChild and Adolescent Bipolar Disorder: An Update from the National Institute of Mental Health \nDon't Argue With People During an Episode \nDon’t Make Yourself Sick Trying To Help Your Love
944648
As someone who was laid off work once for a hormone imbalance, I can tell you, hormones can make your life pure h*ll.  One second your okay (you think) and the next thing you know your a raging b*tch for no reason.  It really gave me sympathy for women.  I now have my thyroid/pituitary gland problems under control, but I still remember it.
731510
Yup - sounds like lack of sleep to me... I used to have two jobs at opposite schedules, so I had to sleep in four hour shifts. After three months of that, I was hallucinating while driving to work at 3am.... scary shyte mon!! Get some rest!
926550
i dont know about the combo you're on now, but i do know that wellbutrin is the worst medication to take for bipolar. it makes it worse.
448564
I'm bipolar. The predominant symptom with me is the depression. It is dark, empty and so incredibly lonely. I tried to commit suicide 4 years ago and that wasn't even my low point. There are other symptoms too like anxiety, paranoia, social anxiety, ocd....I've been married twice (one time for only 3 months) I've claimed personal bankruptcy twice and have moved 10 times over the past 8 years. I maintained a great career for 12 years as an illustrator but lost my job 14 months ago when I went manic and got into drugs like pot, cocaine and ecstasy. Last year I was in a mental hospital 3 times for 1-2 weeks each time. It seems like I've been on every mood stabilizer under the sun like risperdal, lithium, epival, olanzapine and anti-depressants like paxil, effexor and wellbutrin.\nI've been on an anti-seizure med called lamotrigine/lamactil and wellbutrin since January and I'm doing great (knock on wood). Currently I'm back in school ironically to become a pharmacy technician.\nAs rotten as all that stuff sounds I think there is hope for people with bipolar. The most important thing is to not make the same mistake when I stopped taking my meds. The meds are for a reason and when we feel better it's because of the meds and a good reason to keep taking them.\nI've got a daughter and not a day goes by without me praying that she never has to go through the same pain that I've gone through.
262192
I don't live in the Fort Worth area but I am bipolar. I want to apologize for the comments from some of the people who have answered your question. I don't know them but I'm actually quite embarrassed for them. I think you're doing the right thing by trying to find other people who are bipolar because it's always helpful to talk to others who are going through the same pain you are going through.
711564
Yeah you should check with your doctor.  Bipolar is a very severe illness and you shouldn't ingest anything without knowing what affect it will have on your mood
486532
If you go get medical attention they can tell what is wrong with you. But hopefully you just have a short temper. I  know someone who is bipolar and its not fun they said they wish they just had a short temper so best of luck to you. But go get some medical attention. Let me know what happens i will keep you in my thoughts.
915548
I'm bipolar & have real depressed spells too.  I have to take several different antipsychotic drugs.  I take a multivitamin, B-Complex (very good for mental health). Also fish oil (Omega 3 oils)., Vitamin C & garlic.  You can find books that can help you out with that.  Natural Healing is a real good book for that.  Ask the lady at the bookstore counter!
725393
Education. Read the Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide (Amazon link below). It's an excellent book on th esubject, and will give you a very good idea what to expect and how to deal with it.\n\nYou should also visit one of the many online support groups below.
273779
It was pretty hard for me at first, I was working 40+ hours at the time. I have changed my lifestyle drastically. Send me an email.
215139
I have bipolar disorder. I am not a "manic depressive". I am defined by who I am not by a illness I have.\nIf I am silly or playful do not ask if I remembered my meds, I am not out of control.\nI deserve to be treated like the guy you knew before I told you I had bipolar disorder.