[Moose72]

I am medicated for my last manic episode, but I think it is still going on. I just had to go out this morning and eat breakfast at Bob Evans. Then I put gas in the car (a necessity but still spending), and went to the mall and got my left ear pierced. (I have three in each ear already; this is in the top cartilage.) I wanted to do the other ear, too, but the woman said I should just take the other earring and come back if this one heals okay, but that would be about 6 months. Yesterday, I bought a book and two two-cd sets, too, and some v-day cards. But that was because my boyfriend and his daughter both have their birthdays coming up right after V-day. It still feels good to "spend". New stuff! Yes I see my pdoc soon- Monday. Over the weekend, I bought a couple of DVDs from Amazon.com, too.

As a side note, I have a horrific cold and stayed home from work. So did my eldest son.

[AAAAA]

Moose,

I hope you and you're son feel better soon. I don't have anything clever to say about the manic spending because I don't know how to deal with it myself.

[Moose72]

Is it similar for you, all-A's?

[AAAAA]

I buy home improvement stuff. My carpet has been replaced in this house 4 times and we've lived here for 10 years (in my defense we have 4 dogs, three cats and four kids). When I'm manic that's where my mind goes, new furniture, paint, doors, flooring, vaccuum cleaners, steam cleaners, any appliance that helps clean, etc.

My mom on the other hand, it was GREAT for us when we were growing up and she was manic, it was like Christmas. And I guess I'm like that to a certain extent. I buy the kids things as a reward for helping me rip the house apart.

I try very hard to make lists, and if it's not on the list, I don't buy it, that helps bring down the useless stuff a bit. But my husband is not very helpful in that department. When he's depressed, he likes to shop it makes him feel better.

[PlanningtoLive]

I just went out and bought two new cell phones. I rationalized by saying that the contracts were up, so I wasn't paying as much for the phones........good excuse. One was for me and the other was for my son. I don't even want to see my next cell phone bill - which I told them to put the charges on.

[Moose72]

I did that once, too, Planning. I got a second line for my son, when I got my upgrade of a phone. Mind you- I LOVE this phone- it takes AWESOME pictures and will do decent video with sound when you're on-the-go and wouldn't normally have a video camera. I've captured a TON of cool moments from my kids' childhoods! Still, I didn't really NEED this fancy cell phone. I have since discontinued the 2nd line (cheaper phone) and downed my internet package to near nothing. But if I had the means, I bet I'd be someone out buying a car on a whim. Then again, my car is a piece of junk (or, several pieces rusted together lol) so I could really rationalize a car purchase!! The kids would FLIP if I picked them up from school in a new car. But I've done damage to my credit in the last year or more by not paying bills on time. How can I be both %#@&#! about paying bills on time and then totally NOT pay them for months in a row??!?!?!

[ehrhar]

I feel that I'm heavily medicated but whenever I'm exposed to a situation that permits an opportunity for spending, I spend. The whole thing is really embarrassing I generally buy clothes because I keep trying to find something that will make me look attractive. I feel ugly and I keep trying to find something to satisfy that low self-esteem. I have spent so much on clothes and shoes that I can't contribute to household expenses (except for groceries). My husband manages all the major financial concerns in our home. I beat myself up all the time for not being able to contribute. The most significant way for me to manage the situation has been to stay away from shopping malls.

[Moose72]

Well, I went to my pdoc today for the make-up of the one I missed a week ago. She said my new Depakote dose is working well and I'm to go for a blood draw for levels, including aspects of my liver asap 12 hours after I take my Depakote. (Which I take before bed.) We did talk about manic episodes and she said that every time you have one, it damages your brain a bit; that you aren't as sharp as you used to be! Can you believe that? She also said that they'd come closer together, too. I said "Well I'd better write my great novel now then!" (Then realized that "writing my great novel" could be considered a manic thing. ) I also realized that Mr. Toad (of "Wind in the Willows" and "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride") was bipolar- getting huge, swirling eyes, getting "Motor Mania!", zooming around wildly singing "We're merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily on our way to no-WHERE in par-tic-u-LAR!!!"

(And on the spending theme, he, of course, bought a "motorcar" during his

)

I also went with the 2nd of the pair of piercing earrings ans got it put in the same ear near the first one. (Free- just delayed. Already paid for the set and the piercing part is free.) So now I have two up top. Looks fine. Hope it heals along with the first just as well and no more worries after that. So now I have three in one ear and five in the other.