Finally holding a job. now how do I keep it?

It's been 4 years since I've held a job this long. It's been three weeks in a sausage factory. Its not fun but I need money. I used to have such low motivation but things have changed a lot. Its just that there's been a lot of medicine changes and my motivation is dipping again. Same with my energy. I feel dysthymic. I am currently on remeron, lithium, Geodon, invega, klonipin, and vyvanse. This seemed like the perfect mix of meds but now I'm starting to not care again, I'm getting apathetic. Any tips from those of you who balance a job and bipolar?

I'm not a good one to ask, but please know that I wish you well and hope your problems resolve quickly.

ask your pharmasist if taking the meds at a different time will make them more effective for working... tc (((hugs)))

======================(((HUGS)))====================

Maybe it's not your meds, but your circumstances. You should be congratulated on holding on to your job, but I think it would be discouraging for anybody to work in a sausage factory. I know it would depress me.

Perhaps you could try to hang on until you can get a more stimulating job. Good luck, whatever happens. You deserve it.

I didn't know I was bipolar through my employment. Not until the end. While I believe my illness (yes, I view it as an illness) effected my employment, I feel I was very high functioning. I could be delusional, I don't really know anymore.

Had I known from day 1 about my bipolar issues, I believe many things could and would have been different for me. I lost my job due to health reasons. I believe the constant sickness I felt from emotions/mood fluctuations took a very big toll and played a roll in my declining health. There are so many things I see in hindsight. So many failures. So many things I wish I could turn back time to my first day in the job, just with more insight.

So, the advise I would give, but was not able to take at the time, is to stay on top of your illness. Learn as much as you can. Get yourself a mood tracker and set reminders and alarms but stay on top of it. Get a good therapist you can trust!!!! Depending on where you live, you may need to get some job protection. Here in the USA, we have FMLA. don't be afraid to use it if you feel yourself slipping. Don't let ANYONE, including yourself guilt you into not taking care of yourself if you need it. Get a strong support system. Educate your family and friends so you have an extra set of eyes on things. I used to think "tell your boss". I "used" to think we'd advanced past stereotyping and stigma. Sadly, I've learned this is far from true. So telling your boss is a personal things and please make sure to make any important decisions when stable!!!

Best of luck with your job! That is a huge accomplishment.

Thank you! And I found out the culprit for the lethargy might be the amitriptyline I take for back pain from a car accident I was in. But it also might be my moods. I can say though that I feel high functioning for the first time in my life and this summer I am starting college courses for the first time in my life as I am 22. So I'll see how that goes. Its more of a test for me.

I have a bad record with jobs. I'm not one to ask. I would be hypomanic when I got the job and depression 3 months later, causing me to get fired or quit.
I think self care and knowledge of how your illness affects you personally. It's much too easy to forget self care when hypomanic.
I wish you well. ☺

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I used to take amitriptyline years ago and yes, it did seem to cause excessive daytime sleepiness. It's actually something I was going to ask my doctor about starting again. I hope you get the sleepiness figured out. You need to stay safe, awake, and alert.

((((((hugs))))

Take it one day at a time.

Don't project any disaster scenarios or think ahead.

Let the job come to you.

Best advise. Show up.