Hi,
I just wanted to introduce myself. My boyfriend of 6 months has BP2. He was diagnosed when he was 25 he is now 41. He takes risperidone (risperdal)4mg.
He told me from very early on into the relationship about the BP. I have since bought a book called "Loving Someone with Bipolar" by Julia Fast. My boyfriend is always willing to answer any questions I have but I don't always want to keep asking as he then tells me about the "episodes" he has had and I don't want to keep making him relive them so the book is very helpful.
The only area so far where our relationship suffers is in bed he finds it difficult to keep an erection for very long. We have talked about it a lot and I have tried to reassure him but I know he worries that he is not satisfying me.
He told me that a few years ago when he went to his GP he offered him Viagra but didn't say why and my boyfriend hadn't gone there with any erection problems. I have since done a lot of research into risperidone and erectile dysfunction and it is a common problem. I am not sure I would be happy for my boyfriend to take Viagra as in my opinion it comes with its own side effects.
We have discussed going to a sex/relationship counsellor my boyfriend says he would prefer to go by himself as he feels he is the one with the issues not me.
I would be happy to hear anyone else's experience or advice.
Thanks,