[OutlawedSpirit]

Hopefully you guys aren't getting tired of me asking questions just yet. I have lots of them. Anyway, last week I had asked advice on what to do because I had been in a major depressive state and couldn't seem to find any "professionals" around here that were interested in helping. Well, Friday I made an emergency appointment with my T and she said that they had a crisis residential program. (Would have been nice to know that before) Anyways, so I agreed to go to that on Friday afternoon. I spent the night and signed myself out on Saturday for two reasons. For one, since they wouldn't let me smoke, it triggered mania, so I was feeling pretty good anyway. For another, although my T had said that I would get to see a pdoc on Saturday, and probably be out Sunday or Monday with having at least started meds, I found out I wouldn't see the pdoc until at least Tuesday. I really didn't see the point in sitting there doing nothing but watching crappy T.V. for three or four days. I could do that at home just fine.

I guess to my point now. I have an appointment with my T tomorrow, and an appointment with my pdoc a week from tomorrow. Last week, since I wasn't able to function in pretty much any sense of the word, I went ahead and opened a short term disability case with work. Now, maybe I can finally get to my actual question (Sorry this is so long, I'm just feeling talkative today, I guess). How often is it necessary to take time off work when starting meds? I mean, if chances are I might have to take off work, then I want to talk to my T tomorrow about having her just extend my short term disability case at least until I see my pdoc, instead of closing it to reopen it again in a week. If it isn't common to take time off to adjust to meds, then it would be more beneficial to just shut the case tomorrow and hope I don't need to take more time off for meds.

I really am hoping someone, at least, was able to follow that. I'm not entirely sure I did, sorry

[Victoria'smom]

They told my husband a year. It's been 14 months and he's not "ready" to go back. I know iop is about 2 months so that may be an option to speed things up.

[BlackPup]

I worked part time through my first few meds but then it got really out of control and I spent 3 months on leave. Depends on the job and how long it takes to find the right combination. In total its taken me many years to get to the med combination that I'm on now which really seems to be working.
I hope you find yours quickly and without much messing about.

Yeah, totally depends. Job/meds/individual physiology/crapshoot.
I've never taken time off for it. DO remember first 2 things I got put on though... at an a.m. appointment and then off to work. Even standing, I was barely able to stay awake and hanging all over the counter. Kind of funny now.

[OutlawedSpirit]

I really can't afford to not be able to focus at work. I work in a factory around forklifts and heavy machinery, so I think focus is sorta important. Plus, I'm enough of a klutz anyway, I really don't need any more help in that department. I must say I absolutely love all the smilies on here. They're so fun!

[sugahorse1]

I haven't had to take off time from to change meds. Maybe I did have to, but I have never actually done it. I've also only called in sick once due to depression, I put on a mask the rest of the time

If you operate machinery and will be taking meds that make you sleepy, or kind of out of it then maybe a little time off to adjust might be a wise thing to do. The meds all hit us differently, for me they usually hit quite hard the first few days sometimes much longer depending on what I am taking.

It would be awful to have an accident at work where you or others could get injured. Could you still take the leave but if the adjustment goes well, go back to work sooner than planned?

I am on disability so I havent had to take time off either. But I think that's what I would do.

I never allowed myself to take any time off of work to adjust to meds. I have been this way since I was nine so the swings have always been normal to me. swings... the empty feeling that goes with it. the acting out for attention when I felt that way. The social impairment, feeling like the odd one out all of the time.

Ugh.. if only Bipolar was just that.. swings. But no, as with everything else it encompasses so much more. Emotional problems. Cognitive problems. behavioral problems. AAAHHHHH!

Crap.. I forgot the question!

Oh yeah, taking time off. No.. I never have to adjust meds. Even when I should have, but I work alone so I can go a little nutty without being noticed.