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Previously on these boards I have sort of boasted that for the past 22 years I have been symptom-free of my classic Bipolar I disease. On .7 lithium I was able to end for all these years the repeated hospitalizations for psychotic manic and clincal depressive episodes I suffered in the 1970s.
Well, in April, I held my mother as she took her last breath in the hospital from complications stemming from an accidental perforated colon. I thought I was grieving normally, but two weeks later I was whisked off to the locked unit of the hospital with a full blown manic episode (agitation, delusions of grandeur, sleeplessness and ideas of reference). My lithium had dipped to .5, but having some in my system meant that I recovered quickly and got out in a week (I was months in the hospital 30 years ago). I was given Serequel for the first time which helped me with my delusions and also gave me sound sleep. I now have raised my Li level to .9 and will continue to take 100 mgs of Seroquel for a few months. I returned to work today after being off on a medical leave for 30 days.
If I learned anything, it is 1) never be too sure that your meds will prevent an episode after a traumatic life event; 2) Be careful as you get older (I'm 57); Have a safety plan with someone close to you (had my wife compelled me to take more lithium and mega doses of Seroquel I may have avoided this episode); and finally, the sooner you get to the hospital, the sooner you get out.
I know there aren't many Bipolar Ones out there, but I thought I'd share my experience for anyone who can relate.
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