[chaselikesocks]

Okay so I'm 19 years old with BP, ADHD and all that good stuff. I'm recently diagnosed with bp and just starting out on zyprexa so i'm still unfolding on the new meds but that's besides the point. The problem is, is i'm about to have my second knee surgery already, so my knee is messed up and i cannot sit still. I compulsively pace around, which hurts like hell but not as much as trying to sit still i guess.. what should i do?? I'm really into buddhism, meditation, self growth and psychology. I believe knowledge is power. But it's really hard for me to do these things w/ my problems. I used to use drugs a lot (downers) especially opiates. I fell in love, they allowed me to enjoy all these things, they literally made all my problems go away, and somehow made me more productive. But i turned myself in before i became an addict and got help (mental hospital) so i've been clean for 3 weeks now. I'm feeling alright but i feel that i was made to do big things and i can't get myself to get up and do things. Sorry for shotgunning so many different problems and questions but i would really appreciate any input you can give me. Thank you (:

[Moogieotter]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have your head on straight. I'd just take it a day at a time w ur new sobriety and meds. That's a lot to handle. Get a great support system in place w a sponsor and therapist and positive people in your life. They might give you opiates for your post op pain. Resist these at all costs. If you are absolutely dying, have somone you trust give you them exactly as prescribed. Talk to other recovering opiate addicts about that too. The buddism and mindfulness should go a long way! Hang in there!

moogs

[Imah]

I understand pacing. I say, you can't stop movement when you are used to it, and you can't walk, if you don't have an exercise machine, you have to lay on back and rotate working leg, or do arm circles sitting until it calms you down. But you must create another habit to replace walking that uses your excess energy. Be creative. There must be people in wheel chairs who also have ADHD. Think what would they do.

[dont_worry_be_happy]

I agree with the user above! replace this with a new habit. Not smoking of course. But maybe like exercising. I know that helped me when I had knee surgery.