[dncr07]

I don't know a single person with Bipolar I and it feels like nobody in my life can really understand. I'm lucky to have a support system and an extremely supportive boyfriend, but I don't want to feel like a little kid anymore- always needing help. I'm about a week on Lithium now and today I feel depressed and I don't care about anything. Not to an extreme, but enough that I just want to stay home on the couch and don't care if I go to work. Having job issues mostly- consistency and dependability. Also feeling all sorts of things- ups, downs- I don't even know what "normal" or baseline is for me. I'll start reading everyone else's posts, but just starting to get a feel for this site. Thanks for being here.

[Ontario guy]

Hey there. I'm also new here and I was just diagnosed with BP a few weeks ago. What you are feeling right now, yes, it's normal. I was also unsure myself. This feeling is part of BP. The meds will take some time to kick in fully and you may be feeling off here and there but if it hasn't helped after 1 full month, go back and see if it can be changed or adjusted. From what i have gathered, when we start taking meds, there are crappy side effects at the start but if you stick with it, it should get better. Just remember.....smile. Even if you don't feel like it, fake it, cause it will help even faking it helps elevate the mood somewhat. It's the placebo effect. Hang in there, the people on this site are very nice and helpful. I understand what it's like and what your going through. I think everyone on here does. Nothing wrong with asking for some help. It's all good

[Ontario guy]

Just a side note, you listed wellbutrin as one of your meds. I have been on wellbutrin since May with 1 mg Ativan 4xs a day PRN (when needed) wellbutrin worked great at the start. I was on 150mg till August. Then my moods started creeping back. My doctor upped my wellbutrin to 300mg a day and all is better again. I still have a few kinks to work out and was just placed on valproic acid (mood stabilizer). I'm not a doctor but the increase of wellbutrin helped a lot. I noticed for me anyways, wellbutrin works great but doesn't last long and needs tweaking every once in awhile

[tipper1492]

Hi guys, you're in the right place here, and everyone here understands what you both are dealing with. Welcome and I'm very confident you will be happy you joined us here. I'm BP as well. When it feels like no one understands, all I have to do is come here and see others story. I haven't made any friends here, nor out in the world; except very few anyway. That's why I need to know I am not alone with my mental illness.

[Mimielam]

Originally Posted by dncr07

I don't know a single person with Bipolar I and it feels like nobody in my life can really understand. I'm lucky to have a support system and an extremely supportive boyfriend, but I don't want to feel like a little kid anymore- always needing help. I'm about a week on Lithium now and today I feel depressed and I don't care about anything. Not to an extreme, but enough that I just want to stay home on the couch and don't care if I go to work. Having job issues mostly- consistency and dependability. Also feeling all sorts of things- ups, downs- I don't even know what "normal" or baseline is for me. I'll start reading everyone else's posts, but just starting to get a feel for this site. Thanks for being here.

well like my doctor told me today, I too must wait a little more to give time for the medication to work and yes feeling all sorts of thing is part of it. I've got to respect my limits. Today was a hard day and I'm glad it's over and it really help when I got home and someone was there and I took the time to talk and listened Made me feel better. hope tomorrow is better for you.

[BipolaRNurse]

This is a great place to be with other people who experience the highs and lows of Bipolar 1 (or any other kind, for that matter). We get it. We're going through it too. Feel free to vent here any time.

[Curious651]

Glad you found the site and decided to try it out. I have found some good ppl and support. I believe the site works best if you do get to know some ppl. Many are regular and many have good insight. As stated above, what you are feeling seems to be normal for BP. We all have up and down times. It may take some time for the meds to be sorted out. Please be patient and work with you pdoc.

[Victoria'smom]

Here has helped me so much! Welcome I hope you find it as warm and friendly.

[Crazy Hitch]

Just popping in to say hello and welcome to the community.

Be well.

[43camt]

I was diagnosed in september, just graduated college and i start my jon in two weeks. I literally just got the ok from the dr to take the right lithium dosage (600mg, im 6'3").

The illness sucks but is very very manageable wih lithum.never, EVER skip taking ur meds without ur dr's approval. They reall know this stuff, bp is common after all.

Tty

[Manic Trance]

Hello!

Welcome! I was diagnosed about a year ago. Huh, that is weird that it's been a year. This place is the best! I also don't know anyone who has bipolar, at least not anyone I know that I know, you know what I mean? It is extremely isolating, but I really appreciate having the frame of bipolar, and being able to come on this forum and talk. It's really amazing, because I tell people about what I experience and people are like 'I know, right?! I hate it when that happens...' whereas everyone else in my life would be like oooooook? :-/
It's so annoying, but so great to have everyone here. You are in the right place.
I am thinking of doing the bipolar chat room this evening. I've never done it before.
Maybe see you there!

Soon...
MT

[RustbeltRoyalty]

New to the forum here also. It's a very supportive place to be, for sure. I've never been on lithium, but I've heard it has a high success rate. Welcome to the boards and to the interesting carousel of bipolar management.

[~Christina]

Welcome to PC

[dncr07]

Originally Posted by 43camt

I was diagnosed in september, just graduated college and i start my jon in two weeks. I literally just got the ok from the dr to take the right lithium dosage (600mg, im 6'3").

The illness sucks but is very very manageable wih lithum.never, EVER skip taking ur meds without ur dr's approval. They reall know this stuff, bp is common after all.

Tty

Thanks so much. How long have you been on lithium? I'm 5'2" 120lbs and also on 600mg. (In addition to other things…) Did you start on it right away when you were diagnosed in September? Are you on anything else?

While I trust my doctor and my therapist, I also worry about putting all of this stuff in my body. It sucks that there's no exact science- the answer to every question is always "it depends" or "it's different for everyone." I'm sick of this. Angry, sad, irritated, hopeless, then hopeful, happy and ok. Right now I'm ready to crawl into a dark cave to hide. So mad that I have to deal with this

[dncr07]

Originally Posted by Manic Trance

Hello!

Welcome! I was diagnosed about a year ago. Huh, that is weird that it's been a year. This place is the best! I also don't know anyone who has bipolar, at least not anyone I know that I know, you know what I mean? It is extremely isolating, but I really appreciate having the frame of bipolar, and being able to come on this forum and talk. It's really amazing, because I tell people about what I experience and people are like 'I know, right?! I hate it when that happens...' whereas everyone else in my life would be like oooooook? :-/
It's so annoying, but so great to have everyone here. You are in the right place.
I am thinking of doing the bipolar chat room this evening. I've never done it before.
Maybe see you there!

Soon...
MT

Where do I go to join the chat room?

[Manic Trance]

Originally Posted by dncr07

Where do I go to join the chat room?

I tried yesterday and realized the bipolar chat is on Tuesday. Sorry bout that. But you go to Psychcentral's calendar on the main page and it lists all of the chats and what not. Each listing is a link and that link, I presume, takes you to the chat room.
Gonna try and do it on Tuesday.