Quote:
Originally Posted by Trippin2.0
I RESENT this comment... Imagine I said you take meds coz you're too weak-willed to try 2 cope without a chemical safety net? You wouldnt like that, & you know what? I dont even think that,but apparantly you've been through my episodes with me,heard my voices,lived my delusions maybe you
were even there when I got sent inpatient? Judge not lest yea be judged... Just saying, a mile in my shoes ok?
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I have been on here for over a year and I know that both medicated and unmediated people run the whole gamut in terms of their symptoms.
Plus, according to this site, 10% simply cannot be helped by medications, and not the "easiest" 10% but the general 10%, which, again, means that people who cannot be helped run the whole gamut.
Regarding caffeine: I drink caffeine in moderation and I am perfectly stable and asymptomatic. I usually have one latte, a couple cups of black tea, unlimited decaf black tea, unlimited caffeinated and decaf green tea, and a little dark chocolalate daily. That not only allows me to be asymptomatic with respect to bipolar but also permits me to sleep well and long on ridiculously low doses of Amitrtiptyline and THC - the doctor who prescribed Amitriptyline was surprised that that little worked for me and since he prescribed I have further reduced the dose to the bare minimum. My former p-doc advised caffeine before 3PM and I follow her advice. After 3PM I drink decaf tea only (or green tea which does not contain much caffeine).
So, food for thought. I have no plans to reduce or eliminate caffeine because I cannot improve on how I feel so why would I deprive myself? I must have tea; I subsist on tea. If I do not drink enough tea, I get migraines in a split second. Even forgetting all the antioxidants that tea is so famous for, just the sheer volume of liquid that tea gives me cannot be matched by anything else - I do not like drinking water, even flavored water. Plus, there is the social aspect - what do you do if you are invited to have a chat over coffee? I prefer to accept such invitations because I am a sociable person. So there is a very significant cost if you deny yourself caffeine: one of the best sources of liquid is gone, there is social awkwardness, good taste is gone - I love tea and I like my latte and occasional cappuccino, antioxidants in both tea and coffee are gone, and the great metabolic benefit of green tea is gone. And all the benefits of dark chocolate are gone. Altogether, a huge cost, in my mind. I hope the benefits that you reap outweigh this cost.