[rollymoody]

Others on my intro thread suggested I pay a visit to this forum.

I was just diagnosed with bipolar two weeks ago during a 9 day hospitalization. (one of four hospitalizations)

I'm on depacote and seraquel. (pardon my spelling)

The docs avoided using lithium and soon will take out seraquel due to my type one diabetes. (these meds run primarily through the kidney...which is bad for a diabetic in the long run)

I thought I was doing pretty good this past week but today the depression hit hard along with thoughts revolving around substance use, self harm, and death. (and no I gave in to none of these impulses) I just sort of over ate instead.

Can anyone her offer some perspective to me on how the future will go and the things I will have to do to help myself?

Right now I feel rather hopeless and trapped, but my perspective is one dimensional at the moment. Not sure what to see or how to see more.

[kaliope]

well it took me awhile but i did stabilize and have a normal life. i have been stable for years for the most part. i had an episode where a stupid doc put me on an antidepressant, which triggered my mania...she should have known better. and when my ptsd is triggered that can induce mania but i also had to get off one of my meds due to side effects. otherwise i have been stable for over four years. but it took a lot to get there.. trying almost every med out there and being really pushy with the doctors. i REFUSED to stay on meds with side effects while they wanted me to stick it out or try higher doses of things that werent showing signs of working. i feel if they were going to work, i would notice something at a lower dose. so you have to be a strong advocate for yourself and not let doctors push you around nor let them make you settle for "good enough" you can have great.

[Victoria'smom]

Welcome

We each have different levels of functioning. I'm able to have a successful family life but I'm unable to hold a job. I have difficulty taking my medication but I'm on three different medications (4 next psychiatrist). My daily life is pretty successful but overall I'm low-functioning as my mood swings are severe and I'm generally unstable. You may want to get therapy. Schedule and healthy eating helps.

Hey hun, getting a diagnosis can mean that things just might get better. Of course, finding the cocktail of meds that will work for you takes time through a trial and error process. Yes, it sux...but when you find that which works for you, it's like a new beginning. Please hang in there for the process. Everyone wants you to get well.

[BipolaRNurse]

It's been three years almost to the day since I received my initial bipolar diagnosis, and in some ways I still feel like I've just been given the news. I still have questions and I'm still uncomfortable with the dîagnosis. The most important thing I've learned from all this is that "this, too, shall pass". No matter how you may be feeling at a given time, it WILL change. You can count on it.

The most important thing I've learned from all this is that "this, too, shall pass". No matter how you may be feeling at a given time, it WILL change. You can count on it.

How true that statement is. It will pass, but it will come back also. Also, I think about the quote "Insanity is doing the same things over and over, but expecting different results." I now apply this to bipolar, because for my own sake, I try to do new things, but I don't get different results. I'm still bipolar. I'm still going to swing up, down, and around in circles no matter what.

My best way to describe it is this. It's like being stuck on a merry-go-round without a way to get off.