[grendell]

Hi, hope everyone is well. I am new to all this (forum things) but I thought it sounded like a plan? Lots of things do?
I am 42, male and have bipolar (type 1 with psychotic features). I was diagnosed a couple of months ago after the first twenty years of my adult life being kind of a train wreck... I suppose I know why now?
Anyway I don't know anyone else with this so was just hoping to talk and learn really.
Thanks

Originally Posted by grendell

Hi, hope everyone is well. I am new to all this (forum things) but I thought it sounded like a plan? Lots of things do?
I am 42, male and have bipolar (type 1 with psychotic features). I was diagnosed a couple of months ago after the first twenty years of my adult life being kind of a train wreck... I suppose I know why now?
Anyway I don't know anyone else with this so was just hoping to talk and learn really.
Thanks

Hi Grendell... I am new here too and I think you'll find that everyone here is very friendly and supportive and hopefully you'll find a few people here that you really relate to as well. Welcome!

[grendell]

Thanks very much for the welcome TheHighPriestess

Wish I had thought of a cooler nickname now... after seeing yours..

Cheers

[Hobbes75]

Hi, My name is Jenn, w/2 'N's(just being funny!!) I have type one bipolar, ptsd, severe depression, and an anxiety disorder and OCD. I have been mis-diagnosed for a majority of my 36 years here on this planet. 4 1/2 years ago, my family and I were faced with a horrific trauma. This is what put me in a downward spiral to where I was a year ago. I'm doing ok, today. Ever day is a battle. I'm on meds, see a therapist and a psychiatrist. I also take a DBT class. But.....there just aren't any support groups in my area for what I have. So I decided to check out on line support. I found Pych Central and thought awesome! I follow them on Twitter and their info is always great!! So here I am, glad to be here and can't wait to get to know some of you.

[Melancolic]

I have been advised to become proactive in accepting and managing my illness or risk spending increasingly longer periods in hospital. I have bipolar and have spent 10 of the last 12months hospitalised. I currently take sodium valproate 2100mg risperadal 2mg cymbalta 30mg rivotril 1.5mg temazepam 20mg circidan 2mg. I struggle socially, have never had a relationship and lost the last friend i had many years ago.

[porcupine2]

Originally Posted by erraticpendulum

I have been advised to become proactive in accepting and managing my illness or risk spending increasingly longer periods in hospital. I have bipolar and have spent 10 of the last 12months hospitalised. I currently take sodium valproate 2100mg risperadal 2mg cymbalta 30mg rivotril 1.5mg temazepam 20mg circidan 2mg. I struggle socially, have never had a relationship and lost the last friend i had many years ago.

It's so hard trying to go it alone. Are there any support groups or organizations in your area? Is your family nearby or are they not supportive of you? Feel free to IM me anytime - everyone needs a friend

[Rauni]

Hello everyone.

I'm Rauni, and was diagnosed with Bi polar several years ago. On top of that, I have anxiety issues and PTSD. Along with medication, I'm also using a service dog to help with day to day life. I'm open to speak about just about anything, if you ask. Basically, I'm here to seek friendship and support, and a place to vent occasionally as I have found if I vent, I'm able to sort feelings out and get a clearer picture of the event that has made me upset.

Namaste,

Rauni and EZ

[Mollydee]

Hi everybody!! I will keep this short while I get familiar with all this stuff. I am BP II, diagnosed 10 years ago. Struggle with the depression pretty much on and off since (and before to be honest). Not sure if you would consider me medication resistant but I've been on and off a few over the years. Use to enjoy the change in meds just to feel that high I usually got . Finally got a good cocktail beginning of 2011 that worked good until this past month and then dr. added one back into the mix. Hooo hummm!! story of my life. I think I know my triggers. I think I know what I need to do to avoid any episodes. I keep a daily mood chart., etc... this does not seem to work all the time. I'm missing something. I wish I could figure it out. Thoughts?

[Lou8]

Originally Posted by Polly23

Hi Guys,
I am a new member. I am really looking forward to chatting with you all.
I was diagnosed with bipolar last fall at 41, after I went on my antidepressants for the 4th or 5th time. I would start them for 6 months or so, go off of them, then restart which led me into severe rapid cycling and I have pretty much lived in a mixed state on and off since. I was started on Valroic Acid and my dose increase then I gained almost 10 lbs in less than 3 weeks. I am to be reassessed next week, but I am a little scared as it seems it takes most of you alot of trials of different meds before you get the right combination.
Most importantly, I am a wife and a mother of 3 awesome kids and they are really my first priority. I hate to burden my husband with all the stuff it is so draining for me to keep on top of. And I would be fine if it was once or twice a week that I need to check out from everyone and go to bed after dinner, but I feel like that often and I fell like I deprive the kids their mom sometimes. Hate crying all the time too. However it's better than the irritability/agitation that comes with the hypomania/mania. I can be such a major "B". Got to try to get to sleep or I know I'll be in trouble tomorrow..Good night for now....

Hi, I'm Lou and have bipolar 1 and am 66 yrs. old. I have had it forever, but went manic after my second child at 29 and finally diagnosed when 46, had trouble with the meds, they gave me RA, but am now on zyprexa and celexa. My email is happy24060@yahoo.com if you want to email. They say it gets worse as you age........hopeful thought not, but I think it is true. I am married and luckily have a husband who helps me. Maybe we can b e friends?
Hugs, Lou

[rubberducknano]

Originally Posted by Merlin

Welcome to our forum! Come in and introduce yourself to other members!! This thread is place for new members to get the attention and feedback of the older members, or older members to give more information about themselves. They can discuss diagnosis, treatment or another other topic of their disorder and older members will respond.

I created this introduction thread due to the number of introductions posted on the "Bipolar Chat" sticky. The Bipolar Chat that I lead is now scheduled on Fridays at 9 PM EST. It will cover a variety of topics which will be posted in the chat announcement and outlines will also be posted for those unable to make the chats. The first Friday of the month Wingin'it will lead an open Bipolar Chat. Those will Bipolar are also invited to the Depression Chat on Wednesday at 9 PM EST, but there will be significant overlap in topic.

Hi my name is Stephanie. I was diagnosed with Bipolar I about 12 yrs ago the same time I was diagnosed with Leukemia(a blood cancer). Mostly the focus was on treating the Leukemia and the Bipolar took a back seat. Now that I'm in remission with the Leukemia I've been better able to explore what living with the Bipolar looks like. I joke sometimes about trying to find my "new" normal but I'm beginning to think there is no such thing.
I was told about this website at a in-person support group I just started to attend. I hope it will be helpful. I am 33 and single and most all my siblings are married with children. I lost touch with a lot of my long term friends while I was going through my Leukemia treatments. It was either too hard for them to deal or something. Sucks though.
I'm on disability so I have a hard time meeting potential friends that are somewhere near my age.
That is at least how I used to meet people was through work. I volunteer sometimes when I feel up to it but that has been difficult lately.
I am currently in treatment and am having my meds adjusted. I am on Effexor, Depakote, and Geodon. Generics of course.

[Daenerys001]

Hello everyone- I have come here to "talk" to others about the sometimes daily issues that having bipolar issues brings. I will try to be active here but I never want to promise anything because some days I just can't do anything at all. Sometimes because I am isolating, sometimes because I'm just so tired.
I am 42 but was just diagnosed as Bipolar II a little over a year ago. Went into an intensive outpatient program at a local hospital for what I know now was a mixed episode. Doc diagnosed me fairly quickly so like many, I doubted the diagnosis. Also bucked it because my mother is bipolar (very severely so) and swore I'd never be like her. Didn't want to accept it. Some days I still don't.
I am extremely sensitive to meds and it has been med hell. Severely allergic to lamictal, neurontin, and Geodon especially. Geodon put me in the hospital for the first time. Taken several meds that either didn't have any effect at all or the opposite effect. Sometimes they just stop working. Spent 6 days in the hospital recently for that. *sigh*
My current cocktail is: AM: 600mg Trileptal, 50mg Cymbalta PM: 600mg Trileptal, 5mg Zyprexa, Ambien, Klonipin as needed. Zyprexa is the newest addition and I HATE it because it makes me eat like a horse and gain weight. Ugh.
Hope to get to know some of you. Thanks for reading.

[into-the-night]

Hello.
I'm 18 and was diagnosed with Bipolar II when I was 17. It took nearly 6 months before I got my final diagnosis. I suspected manic-depressive disorder some time before I requested hospitilisation (that is to say I said goodbye to all of my friends and was prepared to walk away forever, but luckily one of my peers stopped me and said that I should really stop avoiding my doctors and allow them to help me). Before those weeks of tests, I had never taken my doubts seriously. I nearly dropped out of school, but thanks to being a very good student all my life (when 'up' studying way ahead and when down being 'ill'), I got a second chance. Somehow I managed to study 6 months of material in 16 subjects all in 2 months and actually made it to the next grade (hypomania probably).
I'm currently off my medications, but starting to wonder where it'll take me.

[2bme]

Only recently diagnosed with BPII. Still bit confused about everything. I do like it more being Hypo than other way around! Other way more frequent. Currently quite high. Came here for some understanding. Already part of another very supportive forum.

[porcupine2]

I did it again. I was so frustrated over the weekend by my neighbors intrusions that I ended up losing my cool. Still frazzled in the morning I had to go to Walmart to pick up my prescription and they had it all screwed up. After an hour on the phone with corporate and then going in to the store I was ready for a fight. I lost it, started swearing up a storm, they hurried and got my script ready which was supposedly ready to go before I got there, then I swore thru the store slamming things and went outside to wait for the bus. I was at a 10, even after a xanax and getting to the safety of my home, I could not bring myself down. Finally I called someone and vented long enough to get my heart rate back to normal. Within an hour I crashed....10 to 0 ...and I went to bed totally spent for the rest of the day. Most people talk about going from 1 to 10 in a manic phase but for me it was backwards. Today I feel like I've been hit by a truck.

[MoxieDoll]

Hello everyone - I was diagnosed Bipolar last year after being diagnosed with major depression/anxiety disorder/ADHD and managed for those conditions for over 20 years. At this time, my diagnosis is Bipolar/anxiety disorder/ADHD.

I see a fantastic therapist every 2 weeks, but have been having a very difficult time finding a good psych to manage my medication. Currently, I'm only taking Synthroid, Adderal and Xanax. I have taken Lamictal and Lithium within the last year, however I am not taking any other psych meds until I find a psych. My GP (who is absolutely awesome) is comfortable prescribing the adderal and xanax but would rather I see a psych for anything more than that.

I'm in a rough patch right now and have decided to put everything but my family and the mental health issues on the back burner until I can get some more control over the moods/reactivity I'm going through.

[ScreamItsKat]

Hi,Im new to this website and came here mainly for help,answers and someone to talk to about how I feel. I am young at only 15 and I live with my Mum and Dad. I haven't been diagnosed properly with any disorders but I am certain that a disorder is linked to how I feel,the disorder that I have found that my feelings are very similar to is the Bipolar disorder. I really would appreciate someone to talk to about this. I feel extremely isolated about my feelings,my parents never talk to me about this and when I try it never happens,it usually turns into arguments or my mum(I mainly speak to my mum,I hardly talk to my dad) runs away from the situation. My mum seems to be very oblivious to my feelings and thoughts probably because I never have success trying to talk with her. I really hate this fact,all i want is answers and to know I can properly talk to someone,I feel stuck right now and I hope this website can help me. Thank you if you respond to this. X

[porcupine2]

hello Scream - I don't know when it will actually not be taboo to have a mental illness. No one ever wants to hear about it because they fear it - especially family. Is there a counselor at school you can talk to? I'm not sure what they have available in Scotland but maybe another family member (aunt or uncle, grandparents) could help you get thru to your parents. Take a look at the other forums on this website - you will see yourself in many of our stories. You are never alone - hang in there!

[beautifullybroken25]

Hello! My name is Jen, and I am 25 years old. I was just recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder a few weeks ago. I have been taking this medication called Seroquel XR 400mg. I take it at 7pm because it also helps with my insomnia. Since I'm so new to the disorder and I am eager to learn much more about it. Along with BD I also have Adult ADD and Anxiety Disorder. I look forward to meeting others who suffer with the same diagnosis.

[irishgirliexo]

Hey, my name is Erin. I'm 25 years old and diagnosed with Bipolar I last May. I have been stable since June 2011. I am currently taking Lithium, Tegretol and Geodon. I also take Xanax for anxiety and Ambien for sleep troubles. I joined to have a community where I can talk about this with people in the same situation as me. Nice to meet you all! (:

[xoJoannexo]

Hello, my name is Joanne and I'm 31 years old... I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, so it's nice to have a place to come to where others are also suffering.
I was first diagnosed with depression when I was 16 years old, and since then I have been on this horrific roller coaster ride...
This year alone I have been hospitilazed 6 times with one suicide attempt for depression... My psychiatrist has just recently diagnosed me with Biploar 2 disorder...
I'm in a way relieved for the diagnoses, and somewhat scared at what's in store for my future...
I have two beautiful daughters, aged 4 and 1 and a very supportive husband...
However, my life feels blah, dull and empty, I have been doing Reiki to sustain my energy levels...
I am so thankful for a wonderful forum where I can come to, to have some answers answered and to speak my mind... thanks again

[yinyangmama]

Hi! I'm Kelley from Atlanta. My story: I went through treatment for tonsil cancer in early 2011 and after treatment found myself in a manic/hypomanic episode which lasted several months. I knew things weren't right but didn't realize what it was until I sprang into severe depression at the end of the year, and started cutting (which I had never done before). I was diagnosed with BPD after throwing up my hands and asking for help. I completed an Intensive Outpatient hospitalization program in March. Now I am trying to adjust to new medications (Lamictal and Zoloft), negotiate a new role at my stressful job, make the appropriate apologies, accept the diagnosis, deal with healing physically and emotionally, mend a marriage that I almost completely ruined, and all of this while being Mommy to my 4 year old boy and 2 year old girl. I have recovered from cancer and tests have been clean since, so that part is hopefully behind me. I'm glad I found this site and have been reading on here a lot, and look forward to chatting with others who have similar problems and concerns.

[thedayturnedaround]

Originally Posted by beautifullybroken25

Hello! My name is Jen, and I am 25 years old. I was just recently diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder a few weeks ago. I have been taking this medication called Seroquel XR 400mg. I take it at 7pm because it also helps with my insomnia. Since I'm so new to the disorder and I am eager to learn much more about it. Along with BD I also have Adult ADD and Anxiety Disorder. I look forward to meeting others who suffer with the same diagnosis.

Hi Jen. I have bipolar disorder also. I used to take Seroquel. I have been diagnosed bipolar for over 10 years. If you want to talk about anything I'm here for the same reason.

[porcupine2]

I have been in 'raging' mode for almost 2 weeks now. Can't seem to settle myself down and when I get close something else happens that sets me off. Today I go pick up my meds from the pharmacy and last time I was there I made a scene. And I'm already at a boiling point when I woke up as if ready for battle. This is how the manic part of my disorder shows itself - not all happy and reckless - just deep down to the gut rage. It is so much harder to go from 10 to 1, than 1 to 10.

[IAmtheWaiting]

I turned here too, Rene, and it's the first time in my life I've really felt the need to talk to someone on a message board also. My younger brother is going through diagnosis right now for what the doctors think is bi-polar. From what I have been learning about it, it seems to take a lot of time before the right combination of medicines can be found to treat each different patient. His condition has been going on for just over a month, and he has already seemed to show improvement since he was first in the hospital. The most promising thing I heard him say was that he realized it WAS possible to feel all-right, and that he was glad there were medicines out there for him to take. He said he felt like he never had any close friends, and that he was anti-social, which I never would have described him as at all, but then, what do I know? I sympathize with your situation because I am the same age, and a single girl who also feels like I am going nowhere in my life. I have held a decently-enough paying job for over 7 years, with health benefits and a 401K, and all that stuff, but I am so un-satisfied with life also. I don't personally feel like I have bi-polar, but seeing my brother go through this has made me feel even worse, since there are people out there who are going through VERY real problems, and it makes the day-to-day stuff I do like working and living seem really un-important. When my brother was first put in the hospital, he was really agitated and violent and when I visited him they had him in physical restraints. This was so tough for me to see my "baby" brother like this. But within a month, he has already gone from THAT to actually talking about how bad he felt before any of this was discovered, and while there are still extreme ups and downs from day to day, and even minute to minute while the doctors evaluate and re-evaluate him, I am right now hopeful that bi-polar, and similar issues are very treatable. I am am hoping for the patience and the strength to get through this and be there for my brother, and by knowing that there are so many others out there, like yourself, who are reaching out to either seek or give help, I am even more assured that recovery is possible for us all.

[Nsgirl]

Originally Posted by Merlin

Welcome to our forum! Come in and introduce yourself to other members!! This thread is place for new members to get the attention and feedback of the older members, or older members to give more information about themselves. They can discuss diagnosis, treatment or another other topic of their disorder and older members will respond.

I created this introduction thread due to the number of introductions posted on the "Bipolar Chat" sticky. The Bipolar Chat that I lead is now scheduled on Fridays at 9 PM EST. It will cover a variety of topics which will be posted in the chat announcement and outlines will also be posted for those unable to make the chats. The first Friday of the month Wingin'it will lead an open Bipolar Chat. Those will Bipolar are also invited to the Depression Chat on Wednesday at 9 PM EST, but there will be significant overlap in topic.

I am 40 and diagnosed with bipolar 1 year ago. I also have narcolepsy which makes finding meds I can take a problem. I'm hopeful I can find others with both diag.