[captain1]

I see others here having a struggle thats behind me. I know that it's not guaranteed that I'll continue to be stable. I'm pretty sure I'm not manic. I just feel o.k., not too high at all. I don't feel any mania symptoms either. Its nice to not be on the other end and have depression instead. We'll I worked hard for this and did what my dr.s and therepists told me. I quit smoking in order to quit the drinking and the weed. I read as much as I could about bi-polar and now recognise when something is happening to me, so I can watch myself and conteract it if possible. I really wanted to get better for the people I love in my life. To anyone having a hard time, stick with it and remember the meds are seldom right the first time. Good luck and God bless. In the meanwhile I'll try to help others if i can.

[thickntired]

Hi Captain,

You should not feel guilty. You did the work and way to go!

I have a question. How much of a difference did it make when you gave up weed?

Thanks,

TnT

[captain1]

I think the weed was important. I didn't know it until recently, but it is a depressant. I fought quiting it when my T said to quit. I'm glad I did, it definetly affected my pysche. I don't think it can replace the meds im on. It's different. It must interact with what I take I don't want to ruin that, I'm stable now. Part of it too is it's easier to quit them all then just one. Doing one triggers a craving for the other.

[grippy]

Congrats Captain

[BlackPup]

Way to go Captain!!!!! Congrats on quitting weed and drinking. And I'm glad you are getting some time to be stable.

Captain, I'm so glad to hear you say that you will try to help others with bipolar illness. I think that's a major factor in our ability to remain stable and to provide beneficial information for others who have this chemical imbalance.

Take care.

Genetic

[rgb11]

Originally Posted by captain1

I see others here having a struggle thats behind me. I know that it's not guaranteed that I'll continue to be stable. I'm pretty sure I'm not manic. I just feel o.k., not too high at all. I don't feel any mania symptoms either. Its nice to not be on the other end and have depression instead. We'll I worked hard for this and did what my dr.s and therepists told me. I quit smoking in order to quit the drinking and the weed. I read as much as I could about bi-polar and now recognise when something is happening to me, so I can watch myself and conteract it if possible. I really wanted to get better for the people I love in my life. To anyone having a hard time, stick with it and remember the meds are seldom right the first time. Good luck and God bless. In the meanwhile I'll try to help others if i can.

as a loved one...or rather one that I love. I thank you for your stability and efforts.

I also thank you for your honesty about the weed as I know he continues to struggle with thinking it's good for him.

[betsylou723]

Don't feel guilty you worked hard! Congrats!

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by captain1

I see others here having a struggle thats behind me. I know that it's not guaranteed that I'll continue to be stable. I'm pretty sure I'm not manic. I just feel o.k., not too high at all. I don't feel any mania symptoms either. Its nice to not be on the other end and have depression instead. We'll I worked hard for this and did what my dr.s and therepists told me. I quit smoking in order to quit the drinking and the weed. I read as much as I could about bi-polar and now recognise when something is happening to me, so I can watch myself and conteract it if possible. I really wanted to get better for the people I love in my life. To anyone having a hard time, stick with it and remember the meds are seldom right the first time. Good luck and God bless. In the meanwhile I'll try to help others if i can.

Congrats and absolutely not. I'm newly diagnosed BD1 and I am making strides more than someone I know that was struggled. BUT the person not as thirsty for recovery as I am. She's not willing to do the work. I encourage you to help (with in limits) people that ask for help. I would be willing to help the person struggling that I cannot. Manny people think its all about the medicine. They don't understand it's mind, body & soul---and are not willing to make lifestyle changes.

[scattergories]

Congrats on your success! I was just wondering, do you still feel ups and downs even though you are stable?

[flame78]

Originally Posted by scattergories

Congrats on your success! I was just wondering, do you still feel ups and downs even though you are stable?

I also feel like I have become very stable. Not sure about captain but for me personally yes I totally still feel ups and downs! But they aren't nearly as severe. So far I've noticed it happens when I skip my medicine. I guess I'm not perfect still in following my therapy guidelines. I am having trouble sometimes swallowing all that medication every night.

But then as I said I have to face the consequence of slightly more severe mood swings and then I realize I don't want to for example put my relationship at risk or I suppose just put myself through that so then I get back on board and take my medicine like I should.

But overall in regards to my own recovery, it's been 6 years since I was diagnosed and I do feel I've had this most of my life. So it's not even like going back to "feeling like myself" I've never truly been well I don't feel. So anyway since my diagnosis let's just say as each year has passed I just feel better and better. Now even as each month has passed again better and better.

But really now I just feel so stable and think it's been about 6 months of just being level. Before that I was still though overall feeling better I actually was still suicidal quite a bit. But a few years ago I made myself see that I have to live for my family. But the thoughts were still there and now they are gone. I mean it must be the medicine! And yes I do believe the other types of therapy I've done have contributed too. I went to a group therapy based on different books based on things like self esteem, depression and anxiety. I even went to the same group, read the same book more than once, until it got through my thick skull

Anyway, kind of wanted to share a bit about myself, but I am happy for captain, that's really great. As for helping others, that is great and I like to try to do that cuz I know I can relate, etc. But yes as someone mentioned you do have to be cautious with that too. Obviously I realize I'm not a professional and can only do so much. I just mainly want to post here and maybe converse with some people. Good luck to all of you, take care...

[BlackTears27]

Don't feel guilty at all. I'm sure it took you a lot of hard work and dedication to get where you are so you should only feel proud and accomplished. If for some reason you do still feel guilty, why not find someone who is still struggling and be their shoulder to cry on, be their support, help them. Then you can know that you used your success to help someone else!

[bipolarLady7]

I agree with the others, Captain. Don't feel guilty. My advice is instead of feeling guilty, be grateful to God, and continue to do what is helping you be well.

[rossiv46]

Thats great that you were able to quit pot and alcohol. I stopped drinking, not sure for how long but I to am feeling stable. I know what you mean about feeling guilty. I guess it's something were not used too.

[captain1]

Originally Posted by thickntired

Hi Captain,

You should not feel guilty. You did the work and way to go!

I have a question. How much of a difference did it make when you gave up weed?

Thanks,

TnT

Sorry thickntired my wifi is intermittant so I haven't been on for a while. Seems to work better in the winter, go figure. To answer your queston, I definetly needed to quit it to quit smoking. I instantly wanted a cig after I used. But I still didn't quit right away. I couldn't smoke in the hospirtal so I had a head start with cigs. I was going to keep my "chunky arboreum" habit but I told my T and she said quit. It's hard to say if quiting helped, I still don't know if its all bad. It definatly affects you, the queston is is there anything bad there. I would think it messes with the other drugs that I have proven to myself to work. I have to say my head is clearer too from not using.

[captain1]

Originally Posted by bipolarLady7

I agree with the others, Captain. Don't feel guilty. My advice is instead of feeling guilty, be grateful to God, and continue to do what is helping you be well.

Thanks BL7, that was nice. I do believe there's someone or something greater than us.

[captain1]

Originally Posted by rossiv46

Thats great that you were able to quit pot and alcohol. I stopped drinking, not sure for how long but I to am feeling stable. I know what you mean about feeling guilty. I guess it's something were not used too.

That's right Ross. I've felt guilt all my life. It's not logical is it. Why do we beat are selves up? I'm going to like myself better, it's the right thing to do. Good luck on your abstinence, it get to the point where you wonder why you did it in the first place. Also think of the money saving. In more ways than one. For instance DUI's.

[captain1]

Originally Posted by BlackTears27

Don't feel guilty at all. I'm sure it took you a lot of hard work and dedication to get where you are so you should only feel proud and accomplished. If for some reason you do still feel guilty, why not find someone who is still struggling and be their shoulder to cry on, be their support, help them. Then you can know that you used your success to help someone else!

Thanks BT27. I will do that.

[ibex]

That is so awesome and I envy you.

[catsrhelm]

Don't feel guilty. I wish I was stable, but I am not. Hopefully, all it will take is a simple adjustment to my medications, and I will be okay.

[catsrhelm]

No, you should not feel guilty for being stable. I am stable right now, and have been for one month now. I hope to stay that way for a while. I don't like it when I cycle into either mania or depression.