[redbandit]

I went two years in-between relapses this time. That doesn't sound nearly long enough! Life was going well, then BAM, I go for a long time with little sleep and start becoming delusional.
How do people maintain stability long-term? I'm still struggling, but wondering if this is something I will have to live with. Is there even such a thing as long-term stability?
I've been struggling for months now, and am trying hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks for reading!

[rollacoasta]

Originally Posted by redbandit

I went two years in-between relapses this time. That doesn't sound nearly long enough! Life was going well, then BAM, I go for a long time with little sleep and start becoming delusional.
How do people maintain stability long-term? I'm still struggling, but wondering if this is something I will have to live with. Is there even such a thing as long-term stability?
I've been struggling for months now, and am trying hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks for reading!

hey redbandit,

I'm not sure how old you are etc... But I'm 28, have experienced no stability at all in my 20's and have only just been properly diagnosed. So I'm not sure if that puts things into perspective for you?

I am so unbelievably jealous that you had a full 2 years free of this awful illness!!! I hope I can gain that sort of stability too!

[BipolaRNurse]

I would LOVE to be able to say I'd gone two years between bipolar episodes.....for me, "stable" lasts an average of 2-3 months. As my pdoc says, this is a relapsing/remitting disorder that will come back to haunt us, no matter how good the treatment is or how 'normal' everyday life is at a given time.

I read somewhere that the "average" bipolar patient experiences nine episodes during the course of their illness. NINE. I've had that many in two years. Believe me, I appreciate the stable periods when I can get 'em. However, I can understand how frustrating it must be for you to have a relapse after so long a period of stability. Just about the time you think you're out of the woods, an episode occurs and reminds you that you still have this illness. It sucks, but what can you do? It's not like bipolar is curable, no matter how much we may want to think it is. It's a part of life that will always have to be managed.

In the meantime, I hope you get through your mood episode quickly and easily and go right back to being normal, stable you.

[Mamabug1981]

I envy you too. I flip back and forth a few times a month unmedicated. With ADs, I flip every few months. I just began APs literally last week, so can't speak to that. I'd say you are already fairly long-term stable, but if you have concerns, call your doc.

[redbandit]

Well, I hope I didn't mislead anyone. Those were two years in between hospital visits, that's what I was basing it on. I've still had the mood swings.

[pawn78]

You can only do the best you can do. Healthy sleeping patterns, diet, exercise, therapy, medication, daily routine.... Etc.
At some point though we just have to accept this disorder is a part of who we are.
I am doing everything I can to stay stable, and it's a struggle. My brain wants to go totally batshit manic right now, and I have to do everything in my power to stay in control.

For me, the key is sleep. If I can't get at least 5-6 hours of sleep, I get in trouble. So far, I'm ok. I've only had a few nights without that much sleep, and got 6 hours last night.
If it's gets worse, I'll be forced to call my Pdoc, and get something to help me sleep, and unfortunately, since I'm manic, it will have to be a very, very strong drug!

[redbandit]

Originally Posted by rollacoasta

hey redbandit,

I'm not sure how old you are etc... But I'm 28, have experienced no stability at all in my 20's and have only just been properly diagnosed. So I'm not sure if that puts things into perspective for you?

I am so unbelievably jealous that you had a full 2 years free of this awful illness!!! I hope I can gain that sort of stability too!

I am almost 28, but trust me, I'm never free from this illness!

[buzz bee]

Two years, lucky you. I have five plus a year.

Do you need a med increase? Our bodies get used to the medication and its time to upgrade.

What were you doing in those two years that worked so well? I can always use advise.

Chin up and see your doctor.

[buzz bee]

BTW, look at the post I just posted under "bipolar Bandit". It has some good ideas.

[redbandit]

Originally Posted by buzz bee

Two years, lucky you. I have five plus a year.

Do you need a med increase? Our bodies get used to the medication and its time to upgrade.

What were you doing in those two years that worked so well? I can always use advise.

Chin up and see your doctor.

Just saw my dr this morning actually! I'm not sure if I was doing anything different in those 2 years. I managed to hold down a job for 10 months, which for me, is really something

[lilypup]

I have not been in the hospital in five years. I am 55 and have been in a total of 5-6 times. I seem to go about 2-3 years normal then the hypo, then a frenzy, then a crash with a long depression. In hypo, I seem totally normal (just efficient), so my real disabling problem is the depression. I have been able to stay out of the hospital for a long time, because my husband works from home now and could take care of me. I am also VERY compliant with meds and have a good T and pdoc. Right now, I am coming off a two year depression where I basically lived on the couch and in bed. I have my good days where I get around pretty good, and then my "couch" days. I am waiting for the normal to return.

[Dix888]

I am 62. Have had these symptoms off & on all my life. Spring/Summer bring insomnia/manias for me. I don't know anyone who is cured of this. There are various levels of management. The rights meds help a lot. Doing things you enjoy (hiking, writing, dancing) help, too. I think of it as if I were born with no arms. I would not going around yelling "when will I Ever grow Arms!! Why can't I make myself grow arms!!" It would be more useful to get prosthetics & PT (for us, meds & therapy).
It's not anything you have done wrong. This is a genetic brain difference. We were all born with it. Stable homes make the symptoms less severe. People brought up in unstable homes suffer more.
You are very lucky to have had 2 years of stability!
People like us can be extremely creative & useful but we have to be kind to ourselves. When we're going through the unstable times, we need to go easy on ourselves, rest more, do more fun activities, take breaks from school (or work)

Originally Posted by redbandit

I went two years in-between relapses this time. That doesn't sound nearly long enough! Life was going well, then BAM, I go for a long time with little sleep and start becoming delusional.
How do people maintain stability long-term? I'm still struggling, but wondering if this is something I will have to live with. Is there even such a thing as long-term stability?
I've been struggling for months now, and am trying hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks for reading!

[rollacoasta]

I see your point redbandit about what you might describe as a stable period of two years. What we might be assuming as a 'stable' period for us could mean something completely different to what you may have experienced. This is why this sort of communication gets tricky, things have to be put in context and in perspective...

I see a lot of comments about sleep. Does anybody here take doses of around 300mg quetiapine (Seroquel) at night? I take it for BPII but also for sleep, I have 9hrs a night consistently... Seems to be working well so far