[just4today]

Good morning from British Columbia, I have a couple of questions for you guys. I wonder if anyone seems to have a marked period of mood instability in the fall each year? It has been a pattern for me for many years.All of my serious hospitalizations have been in the fall and since we are once again in that wonderful time of year, I once again am VERY hypomanic and haven't slept for weeks.We are in the process of selling our home of 15 years as well so i'm a little stressed.Dr. put me back on Respirdal along with my ongoing Lamictal and Wellbutrin.Unfortunately, I have found that I am way too sedated to do my new job effectively(another hard thing,to work in public) so I have cut my dosage.I know my Dr. would not approve but we need the money.Anyway, I am sleeping abit now .Been isolating and have no desire to contact freinds.I'm bipolar II, rapid cycler etc. Getting a little worried but don't want to assume I should panic yet and stop working as this puts even more strain on my husband......Also, just wondering if anyone would be comfortable sharing experience with ECT.I'm concerned about long term effects and how they are affecting me now.Thanks for listening.Jill

Dance like nobody's watching.

[krzyk101]

Hi just4today

I have bipolar I, and some other baggage, but to answer your question on seasons. I know that I have for the last at least 5 years now had my depressive cycle begin in the fall, usually between now and at earliest start October.

The last 2 Octobers I can remeber started my depressive phase to being severe. It has been this way now that I look back. My hospitalizations for depression have been in the winter months for last 5 years.

Been Mentally Ill for 11 years now, and have stayed out of the hospital last winter for the first time I can remember. Bipolar meds are Effexor XR, Lithium, Risperdal...to name a few major.

Been on same meds now for about 5 months, seems like I should get an award. Think it may be a record for me. Just keep my fingers crossed as the seasons change.

Peace and best of luck for you this winter-Chris

______________
~KRIS~


If you think you have totally gave up, you haven't, because you are here!

[lenjan]

I start falling apart in October and hit rock bottom in about February. Moderate depression is my usual state, but all my slides into severe depression have been in that time span, no matter what the year. I just don't "get" fall. Everybody says, "Oh, but the leaves are so pretty!" I say, "they're changing color because they're DYING." Leaves changing depresses me because I live in Wisconsin and I know that soon everything will be bare and we'll have tons of snow. (Sometimes we have snow by Halloween, and since I've been here it's snowed as late as May 5th.) I *HATE* winter. And no, this is not the best place for me to live. :-)

So anyway, you're not alone. By sometime in November or so here, it's pitch black at 4:30 p.m. and I can hardly bear it. My pdoc recommended a light box, but they're 200 bucks and I can barely afford to feed myself, much less have 200 bucks to blow on a light box. Orvis sells lightbulbs that accomplish the same thing, 4 for $35, but I don't have that, either.

Good luck getting through it this year!

Candy

Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal. -- Albert Camus

[mj14]

candybear, just to prevent you from wasting the $35, the full spectrum light bulbs do not provide light therapy. A light box uses very high intensity light, and that is what is important.

I don't know what insurance you have, but my doctor told me that light boxes are covered under some plans.

mj

<font color=green> If she spins fast enough then maybe the broken pieces of her heart will stay together, but even a gyroscope can't spin forever</font color=green>

[lenjan]

Thanks mj. Right now I have $12 to my name and I don't get paid again till the 15th, so I don't have the $35 to waste anyway. :-)

I will check and see if a light box is covered. My insurance is pretty good, covers my pdoc 100%, no copay or deductible or anything, and covered my hospitalization in Feb. with no complaints. Maybe if my pdoc tells them it is medically necessary they'll spring for a light box. I hadn't thought of asking!

Candy

Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal. -- Albert Camus

[just4today]

Hi,Kris, Thanks for the input.I always heard that the toughest times for those with bipolar was spring.So great to hear you've been through a good season with out hospitalization!That's huge.I know, I am going on my 4th season(fall) of independence after many years of lengthy stays.My usual pattern is still there(not great now)BUT my meds have been pretty stable for a while now with adjustments.Sounds like we share a few similarities re meds and multiple diagnoses etc.I took years and years of trials before these meds (wellbutrin,lamictal,resperidal),hard to get excited but you must be on the right road-5 months is very promising.Hears to enjoying the season of fall instead of falling as the season approaches.Jill

Dance like nobody's watching.

[krzyk101]

Thanks Jill,

Spring is not too hard on me, as I had said in my reply I have the most difficultly in the fall/winter months.

Though I do say sincere thanks for the praise of my getting through spring season.

I continue to struggle only do feel I am making progress, and with one step forward in the bipolar dept. I have many issues to work on in other areas.

As I am Chronically ill, I can only fight to maintain as I will have this for life. Just as with Diabetes I can only as all of us with Bipolar I someday hope for a cure. Until then I appreate the helpful praise and supporting encouragement from you and all those here - Thanks again