[kj44]

Hi everyone, I seem to be going into a pretty good manic phase. I have felt wonderful for about 2 weeks. I'm just hearing static, and seeing black shadows occasionally, doesn't bother me much, but, I have Pdoc appt. Sat.. My question do I tell?? I haven't felt this good in a very long time, I have pretty much decided that I will not go back to where I was and continue life. I'm very confused and saddened now, because, I have seen the good, and, I like it. I still feel good for the most part, I am soooo scared. I am very afraid to change meds, been through it too many times. Please please give advice, I'm sure there are people on here that have been through this. Thanks so much, Kelli

Yes you should tell Kelli. I know you how great it can feel to feel good, trust me I know! But not dealing with mania prompty can lead to feeling just as hellish as depression can. If you are starting to experience psychosis and you are feeling great it really can be a red flag that things are going to take a turn that you do not want to take. I'm not trying to scare you but my last manic episode lasted five monthes and turned into an absolute nightmare, literally.
I see you are taking 5 mg of zyprexa. So a med change might not be in order but a simple increase in zyprexa. That is a fairly low dose when it comes to psychosis. You have to keep in mind that a manic episode can just as easily land you in the hospital as depression. I've been hospitalized for mania and never for depression so I might get nervous when I see these posts but I know this is serious stuff.

Please do tell your pdoc about this. I would hate to see you get in further than you bargained for.

[roads]

Once negatives (like static & black shadows) appear in "a pretty good manic phase," that phase is headed to its end. I've never heard of anyone going from manic onto anything good.

As much as most folks enjoy the manic part of bipolar, there's just no way to live there. We live in cycles, & that's just the way it goes. Managing them so they don't totally destroy our lives is the primary goal for a lot of us--even tho it means giving up those manic highs. The crashes are just too awful.

I hope you'll tell all to your pdoc saturday. The time to make a decision about how to handle your condition isn't now. But that's just MHO. Let's see what others say.

[kj44]

Thanks, I can probably handle an increase in Zyprexa, just afraid of losing myself. Thank-you for your replies,and, I know your both right! Just needed to hear it, and, take one of those really deep breaths!

[ffgal]

I am having VERY similar problems right now!! Been really really manic for about almost 6 months. Normally I stay more on the depressed side of bipolar...been inpatient 6 times for it....both my psych docs have been wanting to put me inpatient for the mania, but I keep talking my way out of it....they said pretty soon it would be against my will. I am taking some of my meds, but not all bc I am having fun & think I deserve this happiness considering how much gloom there is in my life. The bad part is, I have been having hallucinations. Some of them are very vivid, but not frightening. Also, I sleep walk every night the last few weeks (normally just go into den n watch tv, pretty harmless except when raided freezer few days ago & didnt close it back all the way & ruined all the food in it, whoops!). There is one hallucination that is WAY too real that has been occuring every night. I wont trigger anyone on here by describing it, but it is seriously sick & evil!!!! So, I know how you feel about loving being manic, yet there are some parts that are unpleasant & you know are not good. I know if I tell my docs I will be inpatient & I just cant do that again. Also, dont like to lie to my docs though. I try to always be as honest as possible. My therapist needed to reschedule & in the back & forth emails about it I did say that I didnt wanna delay the appt. more than absolutely had to bc I had something disturbing going on.....she actually moved my appt. up from when it originally was.....just hope it doesnt go bad....afraid I have already said to much & dont know what to tell her. I will let you know if I figure out any advice from doctors, I will pass it along to you....hope you get all this figured out soon!!!