[bp2012]

I was just diagnosed in July and I'm curious if anyone has any triggers like having too much caffeine, liquor, etc? I think on occasion I've had caffeine overload and had a temporary manic episode from it. I'm still trying to fully understand what I'm feeling during mania. Depression is a lot easier to know you're miserable. Anyway, as I learn more about being bipolar I'm trying to understand what triggers what and to what degree. Curious if others have had experiences I can learn from? - Jim



May the pendulum come to rest so my soul can be at peace

[thickntired]

Hello Jim,

I would def say quit the booze because it will interfere with your medication. Caffeine sounds like it could cause you panic or anxiety. It's never made me manic.

Peace & Hugs,

TnT

[Odee]

The booze has made me panic, on and off meds. So, that's a weird trigger for me.

As far as I know, sleep and daily life/stress are much more likely to trigger an episode. However, I have heard people swear that taking gluten out of their diet cured their bipolar disorder.

[faerie_moon_x]

Yes, food is a trigger. There are also some studies suggesting sometimes people are sensitive to gluten and that can be a trigger. But, alcohol is a trigger and caffiene but everyone experiences triggers in different ways. So, I say the best thing is know your limits, mark down on your mood chart if you have caffiene or alcohol. Also do be careful mixing alcohol with meds, which is dangerous.

[hamster-bamster]

No food/drink is a negative trigger for me, but protein is a positive mood boost.

[~Christina]

Caffeine doesn't effect me at all. I do avoid alcohol. I have noticed if I eat carbs more than a couple times a week I mentally and physically feel low/mild depression, maybe it's just me.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

Caffeine doesn't effect me at all. I do avoid alcohol. I have noticed if I eat carbs more than a couple times a week I mentally and physically feel low/mild depression, maybe it's just me.

Maybe add a protein each time you eat carbs and you won't have this problem. Or, fat (e.g. PB). Adding protein or fat to carbs blunts the spike in blood sugar, evening out the moods.

[~Christina]

Hamster that maybe " textbook" food 101 but, It doesn't work for me.

[Seaswept]

I feel better when I cut back on carbs too. It just never lasts with me.

Caffeine- I don't take after 5pm because I won't sleep.

Alcohol- I don't drink often but when I do, I skip my seroquel.

Sugar- I love sugar and all sweets, but I get kooky if I eat too much at once.

[liviacat]

The best thing I ever did was get sober. No alcohol, no recreational drugs period.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by morethingswrong

Hamster that maybe " textbook" food 101 but, It doesn't work for me.

Sorry! I got it from my endocrinologist.

[Dragonfly33]

For me - no alcohol, no drugs, only one cup of leaded in the morning. No sweets after 3pm. Low carb, high protein. I'm on a huge vitamin regimen too. I also cut out migraine triggers: chocolate, yogurt, almonds, cheese, avocados, MSG (I found it in Adobo Seasoning!)

Sleep is a big one for me. I know, it's 12:37am Chicago time. (it's finals week, ugh!) I'm super stressed!!!

[bp2012]

The gluten thing sounds a little odd. I can see a blood sugar crash after eating carbs causing the blues. Blood sugar is quite the villain at times. While on the seroquel I also skipped it if I was going to drink. Mixing was too much and even if I skipped I was buzzed very quickly off of very little. I figured it was a bad combo when I felt numbness in my arms and legs. Without the meds nothing like that has happened again. I never got into illegal drugs so I count myself fortunate I never did. I'm afraid to even try them now just because it might make something go haywire. Thanks everyone. I'll explore a lower carb diet to see how that pans out. I'm really hoping I can simply mitigate this condition through diet, exercise and complaining a lot. lol

Jim

[Dragonfly33]

Originally Posted by bp2012

The gluten thing sounds a little odd. I can see a blood sugar crash after eating carbs causing the blues. Blood sugar is quite the villain at times. While on the seroquel I also skipped it if I was going to drink. Mixing was too much and even if I skipped I was buzzed very quickly off of very little. I figured it was a bad combo when I felt numbness in my arms and legs. Without the meds nothing like that has happened again. I never got into illegal drugs so I count myself fortunate I never did. I'm afraid to even try them now just because it might make something go haywire. Thanks everyone. I'll explore a lower carb diet to see how that pans out. I'm really hoping I can simply mitigate this condition through diet, exercise and complaining a lot. lol

Jim

There have been many studies regarding the gluten and bipolar. Research has shown that individuals with bipolar disorder have increased levels of IgG antibodies to gliadin, which is indicative of gluten intolerance or sensitivity. (even if your result for Celiac disease is negative)

Personally, I don't believe gluten free diet is a cure all, but it may alleviate symptoms for some people.

If you try it and it doesn't work, at least you won't be any worse off.

[Seaswept]

I tried gluten free for a few days and I swear I felt better than ever.

[manicminer]

Too much whiskey + Too little sleep = A very manic me

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly33

For me - no alcohol, no drugs, only one cup of leaded in the morning. No sweets after 3pm. Low carb, high protein. I'm on a huge vitamin regimen too. I also cut out migraine triggers: chocolate, yogurt, almonds, cheese, avocados, MSG (I found it in Adobo Seasoning!)

Sleep is a big one for me. I know, it's 12:37am Chicago time. (it's finals week, ugh!) I'm super stressed!!!

you poor thing!

[hamster-bamster]

I eat gluten primarily in the form of whole rye, and am symptom-free.

[Bipolar mom]

Some people can have food/drink triggers. Too much caffeine can make me hypomanic. After a night of heavy drinking i get severely depressed. Too much fast food makes me depressed as well. I never drink anymore. And try to stay away from the fast food. Though I can't function without a little bit of caffeine!

[Anika.]

There is actual research into gluten and autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar. Bipolar shows curious results with gluten on the mania and psychosis end of things. People who have either gluten sensitivity or celiacs disease often have symptoms of mental illness. In the west we also have super gluten in this mordern age. They are using gluten free diets with schizophrenia for psychosis, and have been using it with autism for quite a long time. It has shown good results.

It may not be the end all be all, but foods are chemicals, just as your meds. So it's not really that odd. Everything we put in has the ability to effect us in some way.

What a lot of people don't realize is that gluten takes quite a while to come out of your system, not a day or two. Second.. Gluten can be found in almost all processed foods incluring deli meats, condiments, soups..it's pretty much everywhere not just in bread or baked goods.

Manic patients have show increased IgA and IgG antibodies I beleive. You can find studies online. When the mania subsided so the antibodies also decreased..