[mrba08]

So I don't normally drink coffee every day, just every once in a while. Well yesterday I drank 2 cups in the morning and I was up until 4am and only got 4 hours of sleep. Now I totally feel like I'm entering a mixed episode which I was also hospitalized for in November. All through February i was doing awesome and was so happy. So this is my first big mood fluctuation after being diagnosed and after getting all my meds working beautifully and I'm not sure what to do and I'm nervous! I'm a cutter and haven't since December and i just HAD to do it. I haven't needed to see my pdoc since end of January and my next appt is mid April. Do I call my therapist, do I call my pdoc? I really don't want my family or friends to know. I cringe at the thought of telling them. Advice anyone?

Caffeine is a no-no according to my doc.

[Hexagram]

A sudden flood dose of caffeine followed by sleep loss is all kinds of trouble. If you feel as if you're entering a mixed episode, trust that feeling and call your pdoc.

[BipolaRNurse]

Call your pdoc, and stay out of the coffee! You must be hypersensitive to caffeine, so it's best to avoid it entirely if possible. I myself have been known to drink entire pots of coffee to keep a budding hypomania going, and sometimes it actually does the trick even though I'm a heavy caffeine user by any standard. (Average is 2-3 cups of coffee/day, plus a liter or so of iced tea and another 12-20 ounces of Diet Coke.) Just throwing that out there.

It totally makes me go from low hypomania to almost manic if I drink too much. I am very sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

[Crazy Hitch]

As some before me have mentioned; I am very sensitive to changes in caffeine.

If your mood state is becoming disruptive to your daily functioning; please call your pdoc so that you can discuss possible med changes. Your T may be able to help you with some self soothing strategies.

[The_little_didgee]

I've noticed coffee makes my agitation worse. If I drink too much of it I'll have trouble sleeping which exacerbates the agitation.

This is how I avoid the unpleasant side effects: I make sure not to drink more than one coffee per day. After I am done I drink about 500 ml of water or juice. It prevents dehydration which amplifies the effects of caffeine. Eating regularly and avoiding other caffeine beverages throughout the day also helps.

Caffeine is often hidden in drinks. E.g., Mountain Dew.

[scatterbrained04]

I am a huge coffee drinker. So my body is pretty used to it. However, if I start drinking beyond one pot in a day, I start to feel a little mixed. Like energetic yet feel like I could burst into tears. Sounds like you have sleep deprivation adding it. My very unprofessional opinion would be to stay away from caffeine for the next to days and try to get plenty of rest, then see how you feel. When caffeine makes me feel that way it usually goes away. Unless you feel you are a danger to yourself then please call your pdoc right away. Again...my very unprofesssional opinion. You know you best.

[wiretwister]

IIIII Lovvvveeee mmyyyyyy cccooofffffiiieee,, iittt cccaaalllmmmsss meee ddooowwwnnn.........take care,, reach out for help if you need it and if you think you might you probibly do....

[loophole]

I drink coffee basically all day at work. I have a thermas that holds a pot. As I write this I'm drinking a cup. Lol... Coffee doesn't effect me like it does most though. However a sip of alcohol and I'm headed for a real mess.. Alcohol free for two years. Definitely believe it's a person to person effect on their bipolar

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[mrba08]

I'm definitely sensitive to caffeine! I'm going to call my pdoc tomorrow. I took some seroquel last night to try to sleep. I've been so witchy to my husband and kids. I feel so bad for them. I get so edgy and shout out things before I can even think about it. I hope this episode doesn't last long.