[Bipolarchic14]

I have been on my medicine for a little over a month and I am still not feeling well. I know I need to give more time. My p- doc wants to add lithium and some anxiety meds to the mix which I am hesitant to agree to...I have been thinking a lot about my quality of life with bp2 . I am just wondering how many people with bipolar disorder have a better quality of life when on all these meds, for how long if so. Do you feel you can accomplish goals you set out to, feel you can relate to people and feel happy and|or excited about your life (at times not always of course). I see these statistics that state that people with bipolar have a 70% chance at failed marriage compared with like 49 % overall which granted is not too much better. I see other stats that suggest bipolar keeps people from financial success etc. I am just wondering if there really is hope/ and a good chance for a better life or if my therapist is just trying to keep me " here" with false hope.

[wildflowerchild25]

There is definitely hope! I was relatively stable for six years and got a degree, had a baby, got married, and started teaching in that time. Even now I still have a good job and keep it together. I'm not exactly stable right now but I still think I'm ok. Plus I know I can be stable. And I know there are others here who feel the same. Don't give up! You can absolutely lead a fulfilling life.

[doglover1979]

I'm feeling stable and have been for at least six months now, maybe more. That is actually a long time for me. Its so nice to feel level everyday.

I had a blip of depression in the fall, leading to a slight increase in my anti depressant. I also recently stepped down the dose on my AP, after a few days of weirdness I was good.

My med mix is really, really right on now. It's so nice!

I hope you feel better soon. Sometimes it really is about the cocktail. I takes a while to get it right, but you will get there.

Honestly even on meds you'll have issues which need to be worked on by yourself or with therapy and/or constant med tweeks.

Quality of life is different for everyone. I have to say mine is not a very good quality and the quality of life since diagnosis and meds has gone way down. I dont think its worth it but support network wont let me go.

[Victoria'smom]

As far as marriage I've been with my husband for 13 years. Both of us have bipolar and we have a son. We've learned to support each other no matter our mood is. We've learned to take everything with a grain of salt when in a mood swing. It still amazing to me that I wake up next to my best friend no matter how much of our mood swings we blame on the other.

My original goals, nor my secondary goals were achieved. I've become okay with that. I do my third ambition for free. I also teach a co-op class 2x a month. Today I proctored a national exam. My jhusband is given a chance to write and do web design when feels well.

I'm happy with my little life, even when depressed. I feel my medication gives me a different quality of life. With meds and government assistance (yes sorry I doubt I'll ever get off assistance). We have had a home and utilities continuously for three years! We have a furnished house, a car, a TV, Xbox 360, washer/ drier and newish computers all because we have not had to abandon everything or have anything reposed. Most of this was either Xmas presents or hand me downs. My son and husband are even able to take karate 3 days a week. We still have huge financial bumps every episode but its not life shattering.

As for stability and how long It'll lasts, I don't view things that. Stable is different for everyone if my meds keep me from having a lot of bipolar related fights, able to parent, generally content, keep me from the hospital or jail, with food and housing its doing it's job. I view mood swings as just a more intense version as you really feel.

All that said I take 3 pills/1x a day, so does my husband. My son takes 1 patch in the morning and 2 pills at night. As for therapy its helped me a lot. I'm learning my cycles, when to take my "as needed" medication, learning not to be afraid of myself when cycling and all the feelings that come during a cycle and with daily life.