[franz kafka]

I've identified three periods of the year when I have issues with either mood or psychosis or both: February-March, June-July, and October-November.

I've been thinking of asking pdoc to preemptively raise my Zyprexa during those times in the hopes of avoiding the disturbance all together. And hopefully keeping me out of the hospital.

Has anyone else tried this? Does it work?

[SorryShaped]

Not personally, but I used to be friends with someone that did exactly this. It didn't do so well with him, as I'd met him in hospital. I do see where it COULD work though if you know there's a calendar pattern

My pdoc wants to be consulted when I’m having a problem. She is a pain. However, last time I went hypomanic, she was on vacation, and I managed to get her back up to give me a whole bottle of zyprexa. I have a surplus now for emergencies.

I also managed to get extra Seroquel (I use for sleep) because sometimes I can’t sleep and need more. This also is supposed to help with mania.

So, I have some meds in stock for braking purposes. Absolutely these work, especially Zyprexa.

I don’t have problems with the seasons. Stress sets me off as do medication mistakes.

[Wild Coyote]

I know my H's seasonal pattern and we schedule his vacations accordingly.


WC

[Pookyl]

Originally Posted by franz kafka

I've identified three periods of the year when I have issues with either mood or psychosis or both: February-March, June-July, and October-November.

I've been thinking of asking pdoc to preemptively raise my Zyprexa during those times in the hopes of avoiding the disturbance all together. And hopefully keeping me out of the hospital.

Has anyone else tried this? Does it work?

I’ve tried a variation of it which has worked for me. I carry my PRN’s with me at all times. In my case Seroquel IR and Valium.
I take the PRN as soon as I feel off. So, while I can’t prevent the episode from commencing I can often prevent hospitalisation, extreme highs and lows, and my episodes are shorter.
That being said sometimes I get unwell no matter what I do.

[BipolaRNurse]

I get wacky around the beginning of the Spring and depressed in the late fall. I can practically set my calendar by it, so to speak. Spring is especially wonky, I mess with my meds because I think I'm overmedicated and it gets me all fired up. I feel that way even as I write this. I made it all the way through winter without getting depressed this time, didn't even need to use my light box all season and now I'm experimenting with my meds again. I know better but sometimes I just get so bored and unmotivated that I need a change. It feels good to be "up" a little. I've been getting stuff done around the house and I'm more productive with my writing. I've done three blog posts just in the first 12 days of this month, when I normally make only about two or three posts in an entire month. I know I'll get scared and go back on all my meds soon, because there is so much risk of my choo-choo jumping the tracks and I really don't want to become manic. But it's nice to not feel quite so flattened for a change.