[vrba44070]

Hi everyone,
I'm in a hospital psych ward where they allow internet access. This is my tenth day here. My mood is up & it is down. I can't seem to get a grip on myself enough to get out of here. At least we have internet access; I'm grateful for that.
I wonder what I'm getting out of this - being this way. I keep thinking there must be some way to control my mood. I've tried meditation, therapy, etc. Please help.

[VickiesPath]

Hi,
I've been where you are five times since 1985 so don't panic. The process is slow. First, do you have a diagnosis? If so, what is it? You need to ask questions, lots of questions. Sometimes, depending on whether or not you were taking meds when you were admitted, they have to detox those meds before trying new ones, so that means your moods will certainly be all over the place. You have the right to know what your diagnosis is and what your treatment plan is. They should also help you with ways to cope with your mood swings, whether teaching you coping methods or providing meds to ease the discomfort. When you were admitted, they gave you a patient's rights sheet. That will tell you what your rights are. Make friends with some of the nurses and techs and tell them that you are having a very rough time. They truly don't want you to bounce off the walls. Keep asking them to explain your treatment plan until you understand exactly what is going to happen. Good luck.

[vrba44070]

Thank you. I'm out now.
My diagnosis was bipolar 1, most recent episode manic, severe w/ psychotic features. I was in the hospital for 11 days because they had to put me on lamictal. Nothing else has worked out for me. Depakote worked but raised my liver enzymes, lithium made me throw up, tegretol made my sodium levels dangerously low, trileptal did the same. I hope lamictal works. So far it is helping but I only just started 200 mg. That's the lowest theraputic dose. I'm still manic as hell, but I'm not hallucinating anymore.
Sorry it took me so long to respond but I have been settling in at home. My husband really wants me to stick with low key activities for a couple of months.

[Amazonmom]

Glad to see that you're home!

Lamictal really did work well with my moods, hope it's the magic med for you.