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Old Apr 05, 2013, 07:47 AM
notALICE notALICE is offline
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Member Since: Mar 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 315
I take two medications for Bipolar Disorder - Gabapentin (300mg twice a day & Klonopin 0.5 twice a day). Sometimes my speech is slower, especially if I'm in a depressive phase, which I seem to be in now. Although slower speech (not slurred) had been observed prior to the Bipolar medication, when I was on antidepressants, along with confusion & memory loss before my diagnosis, and perhaps before any meds at all.

I am getting out of a manic stage, where my speech was rapid. (No sleep, agitation, spending sprees, classic manic symptoms).

I now seem to be coming "down" from that manic state. No longer confused, sleeping better, memory improved but I'm leaning towards isolation, sadness & depression. Yesterday I was asked if I was drunk on a phone conversation. Very sensitive subject to me as I got sober 5 years ago and it's something I can feel good about. (I suffer from extreme low self esteem).

Later in the day I got mad at my son (for a very valid reason) and he said, "You're on drugs". Yes, that's true - meds prescribed and I take them as prescribed. (He has BP1, and I found out he's not taking his mood stabilizer as directed).

I hate being doubted. It cuts me to the core. Drugs were never my issue, I self medicated with alcohol. My beverage of choice now - coffee. Period. I guess my feelings are very hurt & I'm offended. I'm trying everything to get "better" and instead of support from my family I get accusations. I also tend to be hypersensitive.

Anyone else have similar experiences, and how do you deal with them?

Thanks in advance!
__________________
notALICE

MIDWAY upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost.


Bipolar I

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