[manic_me]

I remember now why I used to be bulimic. Because whenever I went into a long lasting episode, my stomach stops working. What little I eat, no matter what or how much, my stomach feels like it's going to explode and hurts so bad and the only way I can get any relief is by forcing myself to throw up everything in my stomach. I also get terrible headaches, especially in the mornings and at night. I don't get it but I can't stand it. All day I can't wait to sleep, but by the time I go to lay down I suddenly can't sleep. On average I can only get about 3 hours asleep a night. I go through a wide range of emotions, my thoughts just race and it sounds like I'm in a crowded room with everyone trying to talk at once.

During the days when this happens I can't even hear because of how loud my brain is. This is driving me crazy. Not only am I mentally ill, it's beginning to make me physically ill. Does thus happen to anyone else? Any advice?

My first big depression before it was treated, I couldn't eat, food wouldn't go down, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't turn off my brain...I haven't had the food problem since being treated.

[manic_me]

I'm glad the food thing got better for you. I wish I could get treated, but at least I know one day it will and can go away

just hang on, you said you have an appt on Tues? just keep coming here and talking to us. I was given paxil and eventually lamictal when I was first treated and I could finally eat. basically I was living on pepsi and slimfast bars before that.

[Victoria'smom]

Right now I'm sitting with my headphones blaring to drowned out my racing thoughts and outside noise. So yes I understand the crowded room feeling.

Your head aches are probably from lack of nutrition. Take vitamins, please if you can get an endoscopy, it could be an ulcer.

[manic_me]

Well I am attempting to make an appt. on Tuesday, and MIguesl'smom
I am vegetarian so I eat pretty healthy and take iron and protein supplements. Daily vitamins just makes me throw up right after taking them? And every time I come out of a manic up and go into a manic down my stomach seems to mess up. I have been hospitalized several times from the stomach issues but no one seems to know why my stomach does it. No one has any help to offer when it comes to this lol. but I do appreciate the advice =]

Originally Posted by manic_me

Well I am attempting to make an appt. on Tuesday, and MIguesl'smom
I am vegetarian so I eat pretty healthy and take iron and protein supplements. Daily vitamins just makes me throw up right after taking them? And every time I come out of a manic up and go into a manic down my stomach seems to mess up. I have been hospitalized several times from the stomach issues but no one seems to know why my stomach does it. No one has any help to offer when it comes to this lol. but I do appreciate the advice =]

I throw up after multivitamins too - they just dont agree with some people. Maybe you could try a different brand? None agree with me, I just hope my diet is healthy enough (and according to medical tests it is)

I get extreme nausea, throwing up, not being able to eat, physical illness from anxiety. When I am really low I wont eat, but that is more lack of interest than feeling sick from it. The anxiety for me can hit during any mood state but more so when I am low.

Where are you with your moods at the moment? Are you in a depressive or hypo/manic state? How long do your moods last for on average? You might be able to figure out when a change is coming.

[manic_me]

it's all mutivitamins with me as well. I just got off of a serious manic episode and just started a manic down. I have rapid cycling as well making keeping up with it all very difficult.

I can relate to how you feel with the anxiety it's terrible. I just wish I had some advice for either of us =\

The anxiety is getting easier and easier to manage. I just have to work at it. Now I will be fine most days except work days, where I manage to keep it under control until about 20 mins before I need to leave. I expect this week I will do even better

The anxiety illness is definitely controllable, its just a matter of working at it every day and not letting it beat me! Mindfulness has been extremely helpful, as has CBT for the anxiety. Some days it does get through but I know I am trying my very best not to let it so I dont let it get me down.

Manic down, you might have to explain that to me?

If you can manage it, slimfast, really cold, through a straw. that might stay down and has more nutrients than instant breakfast drink. it also doesn't taste nasty anymore like it did in a can.

[manic_me]

Originally Posted by Supanova

The anxiety is getting easier and easier to manage. I just have to work at it. Now I will be fine most days except work days, where I manage to keep it under control until about 20 mins before I need to leave. I expect this week I will do even better

The anxiety illness is definitely controllable, its just a matter of working at it every day and not letting it beat me! Mindfulness has been extremely helpful, as has CBT for the anxiety. Some days it does get through but I know I am trying my very best not to let it so I dont let it get me down.

Manic down, you might have to explain that to me?

Wow, that's awesome to hear! I am so happy for you that things are getting better for you! I have been trying to find things to help, but without medication, trying to manage all of the disorders seems like a job in of itself.

and a manic down is what I call it when I am just so depressed I start cutting and can't seem to pull myself out of it. Everything either makes me want to cut, give up or is just irritating.

[manic_me]

Originally Posted by emomom

If you can manage it, slimfast, really cold, through a straw. that might stay down and has more nutrients than instant breakfast drink. it also doesn't taste nasty anymore like it did in a can.

I'm going to have to try that again sometime, I think I am getting enough nutrients but with me starting to throw up all of the time it never hurts to be safe than sorry. Thanks =]

Must be hard without meds. Have you tried CBT or DBT? They can be really really helpful. Do you know how long will this manic down will last? *hugs*

The suggestion of a meal replacement drink is a great idea, I used to drink them when the tummy was too ill but I needed something to keep me going.

[manic_me]

idk what those are. And no not really. I am hoping not to long. All of this is miserable I know the hypomania lasted about 4 months I really hope the down won't last as long.

when (not if ) you see a therapist you can ask about cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt) or dialectical behav ther (dbt) to help with changing distorted thoughts that we sometimes tell ourselves and that keep us thinking negatively...like all or nothing thinking, or my favorite, fortune telling (I'm bad about guessing what's going to happen in the future and I often think the worst), anyway stuff like that. Those kinds of thinking feed depression and anxiety so the therapy helps to break the chain of thoughts. (((big ol' hugs)))

[manic_me]

oh cool, well thanks =] and I also appreciate the optimism. I'm hoping the local health department can help some or offer something in assistance. Because if my disorders I am unable to work making the financial means difficult and why I turned to this site to begin with

for those with the same or similar disorders as me that do work I admire. I've tried and I can't do it.

I hope the health department can help you out. Im sure there would be some DBT and CBT courses online, or at least parts of it that you'd be able to access for free It really is worth looking into. You would be surprised how much it can help. Especially if this illness is caused by anxiety.

[manic_me]

yeah, I am for sure going to look into that some more tomorrow =] I am willing to try anything at this point. Who wants to be their own worst enemy? And I am bipolar thanks to genetics but I have also been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, mostly caused by the abuse I suffered as a kid but either way if there's an option available that might help I am all for trying it. I REALLY appreciate it <3

If you are in the US, each city has a community services board that is there to serve the mentally ill and challenged. They should have outpatient services. Where I am, two cities actually share one. Also, CBT and DBT workbooks are available at the bookstore or from amazon...the book my ther recommended for me was (don't laugh) The Feeling Good Handbook by David D Burns MD, this is for CBT depression and anxiety. its a big book if you look for it in the bookstore.

[manic_me]

Yeah, I am in the US, good old Florida. There are some options available but nothing close to me. The nearest option is about 2 hours away from me, unfortunately in the county I am in bipolar isn't taken as seriously as it should be because of our counties current drug problem, all spare resources are being used to cope with that. When I was first diagnosed and pulled out of school they recommend that book to me actually, but at the time I was sixteen and couldn't help but laugh at it. Now though, it may be worth the read =] thank you so much for all of the advice you have no idea how appreciative I am