Bipolar Questions Version 4

Modern Studies (politics in the UK, some America and China)

Question: How do you get over tiredness? I'm struggling right now to keep busy as all I want to do is sleep

Anger or excitement

Do you ever give your meds nicknames? (because I do )

That's funny! My husband and I give a lot of nicknames to things, especially furniture, our cars, each other, but not so much to medications. Thinking back, the only meds I ever called differently were Depakote (I called it "Depressakote" since I was always depressed on it) and Ativan, which my husband and I simply refer to as "A", pronounced "Aaaaah".

Do you take a medication that you would definitely not want to stop?

I’d like to stop them all and am working towards that effort this year.

Have you ever met anyone from this forum in person?

Not face to face, but I did talk to an old member as part of a conference call in the past. That member has since left Psych Central.

I used to participate in other online bipolar forums. One was created by a guy who used to go to my local DBSA group. A few members of that group participated on that forum. I therefore did meet them face to face. I have also met/seen some somewhat well-known writers of books on bipolar disorder. They included John McManamy (writer of "Living Well With Depression and Bipolar Disorder"), Melody Moezzi (regular writer for bp Magazine and author of "Haldol and Hyacinths - A Bipolar Life"), Andy Behrman (author of "Electro Boy"), and Julie Fast (author of "Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder" and other books and articles). I've also had email correspondence with Dr. James Phelps (a well-known bipolar expert). Most of the above were either members or guests at my local DBSA or guest speakers I saw at events through NAMI or in NYC. Some day I would like to see Kay Redfield Jamison speak. I have questions for her. I once drafted a letter to her, but never sent it. I recall her once speaking in a city only 35 mins from my home, but I didn't go. I'm sure she's given speeches in NYC many times. I can easily get there in an hour by train.

What person with a mental illness inspires you most?

demmi lovato

I think she's superb- not just in what she does (the singing, the acting,) but it's great she comes out and talks about her struggles

when you listen to music, do you like it turned up loud, do you like it turned down (like background), or a normal regular volume

I like it up loud so its blaring at me. Even when wearing headphones outside I like it so I cant hear anything or anyone else.

Question: What do you take for treating tremors from medication. Mines are out of control at the moment

The very first time I took Lithium, I took 1,200 mg per day and had very noticeable and bothersome hand tremors. I was taken off Lithium after about 9 months and they stopped. A few years later, I was put back on Lithium, but at 900 mg per day. I didn't notice any major hand tremors at all for the 3+ years I stayed on it again. The lack of tremors that time could have been because of many things or just one or two. That might have included:

* My lower dose
* Just not getting that side effect the second time around
* Being on a low dose of a benzo (Klonopin in my case)
* Taking a beta blocker (Propranolol in my case)

Benzos and beta blockers are known to reduce tremors for some people. I think there are even other meds that can do that, too. Ask your psychiatrist.

I didn't take Klonopin and Propranolol for tremors. I took them for other reasons. Perhaps preventing Lithium tremors was just a bonus.

I don't recommend using a benzo for side effects unless it's a last resort. I'd recommend other meds for that. For me, at my dose, Propranolol is side effect free, but there are considerations when taking a beta blocker. Will it lower your heart rate or blood pressure too much? It only improves mine.

Looking back at all of the side effects I've experienced from various medications, tremors were comparatively small potatoes. I guess if they are extremely severe, or if hand and other body part stability is crucial (i.e. for a sharp shooter, violinist, dancer, artist, certain assemblers, athletes) that's another story. Sure, my handwriting was extremely shakey during tremors, and sometimes people noticed them, but I could type OK and it was not that horrible. For me, tremors could be lived with. Though I complained about tremors, they were not the reasons I stopped Lithium that first time.

Question: What side effect(s) have you been OK to live with?

Absolutely none but most of all not weight gain.

Do you have any side effects with your medications?

Mostly tiredness with a smidgen of stomach upset due to quantity and REALLY vivid dreams courtesy of the antipsychotics.

Do you find you remember dreams more in a manic or depressive state?

Alternatively...

Do certain medications (like antipsychotics) make you remember dreams more?

I don't remember dreams (mostly because I don't sleep, so obviously don't dream)

I can remember one dream from years ago, about meeting someone in the hospital with the exact same issues as me and then breaking out together, having awild night on the town, then returning to hospital only to find that this other person had been discharged.

don't remember what state I was in though

what's your ideal vacation

That has changed since I was younger. In my youth, I loved adventure and exploring all kinds of new places around the world. Now, I just want a break from the status quo in a beautiful, and quiet, place where I can sit (or lounge) and look out into the distance at a bucolic scene.

What is one way you've changed over the years that is positive?

I used to be very type A, driven and impatient. I’m much more patient and laid back now.

What is your favorite season?

winter.

question: how do you cope on the days when the summer heat is really hot and really bothersome?

Go up in elevation to the blustery, chilly tops of mountains or go swimming. It doesn't really get too hot here though.

Question: Do you have any pets?

I have an American bulldog and a Quaker parrot that speaks up a storm.

Do you find pets to help your condition?

I don't have any, so wouldn't know.

I imagine they would, just not in a mental space to look after one (I know when I'm around other people's it's really calming)

at what age is your earliest memory

Four years old for sure. Flashes of stuff around beginning of my twos.

Do you have food you hated as a kid that, now that you're an adult, you think: "Not bad!" If so, what was it?

actually.. other way round

when I was a kid, I was obsessed with Spaghetti and beans (I even had beans on toast when I was old enough), but now I don't like any of those things. in my mind they taste "yucky"

I also used to eat bananas as a kid, now when I look back on it I can't help thinking.. wow, what a brave girl- bananas are so yucky (the texture in your mouth is disgusting)

are their any foods that you'd really like to try because they look tasty?. what are they

Lots of things. I'm not a picky eater. I've tried many different foods and dishes from all over the world, but there are countless that I've yet to try. I'd enjoy trying dishes/foods from various countries I've never tried. Maybe from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Are you more alpha or beta or a combination?