[vacantangel]

just wondering if either your manic/hypomanic episodes and your depressive episodes are triggered by life events or if they come on for no reason that is apparent. for me it is both. i can talk with someone, read something, watch something on tv or some event in my life that can trigger either end of the spectrum or sometimes they just happen without anything to trigger them at all.

so, what about y'all, what happens to you? pls excuse the no caps, my keyboard is #$!@. i finally bought a new one but haven't hooked it up yet, procrastination you know, big problem for me.

so, looking to see how y'all's cycles start. oh, and can they be triggered by any of your meds, ie: ad's. my wellbutrin can trigger hypomanic episodes and sure wish something would for a change. i'm tired of living in the deep, dark abyss. it's almost like home i'm here so much but not a home i like to be in. but I was really stressed a few minutes ago and took some xanax so right now i'm feeling really high!!! i like this much better than the deep dark depression which i'm sure will be back when this xanax wears off.

[darkeyes]

I'll make this brief, it is the triggers, family ones, that can trigger episodes, thanks to my mood stabilizers, I do not go over "the edge", though hard, I manage to get by

DE

Same here Angel. Events can trigger me, but by the same token, everything in my life can be good and i can still fall into the pit and vice versa.

Ry

work is my main trigger.

but doc said my obsession with dieting is messing me up making me rapid cycle worse too.

you could keep a log, i do. i just havent had time to review the logs.

[vacantangel]

darkeyes - what mood stabilizer did you mention before you were on, I can't remember but I don't think it is the same as mine. was it Seroquel? I know it's hard sweetie, just keep hanging in there. I'm always here to support you.

Ryan, I don't recall you mentioning before that you were BP or seeing you post in this forum. How's the urges, I hope they are subsiding for you now. You seem to be holding it together very well lately although I know you are dealing with quite a bit but also making some really positive changes regarding your health. I applaud you for that.

ccl - Is it stress at work that triggers you. I remember you saying that you have problems with co-workers. That can be tough to deal with, especially since you're with them so long. You seem to be doing better lately, what do you attribute that to? I'm not too good at keeping a journal. I start off good but then I end up giving up on it within a few days. Do you do it in writing or on the net?

Seems we're all the same, certain things can trigger or also, cycles change for no apparent reason. Anyway, I hope you all do well and remember that I'm always here to support y'all at all times. If you need anybody to talk to, you can PM me anytime.

(((((((((((((bi-polar group hug))))))))))))

Angel, I don't post much here. Not sure why. Probably because there's not much to say about the disorder to other people that have it. What am I gonna say... I'm manic right now? And then they'll all say it'll pass. Same goes for the depression. I think all I really posted about in here were questions regarding meds. Not sure what you mean by urges. If you're talking about the mood swings (???) the lamictal has helped.

Ry

I should add that I very much appreciate your praise for my trying to better myself. I'm struggling now cause I bit off more than I can chew, but with support like that, I know I can make it through. Thanks a million.

Ry

AngelGirl,
i have been feeling better cuz of a few reasons:
filed some paperwork at work to get covered under the family medical leave act, filed a complaint against my management for discrimination, harrassment, and violations of union agreements..... (i guess thats called being more assertive lately) *and yes my job is very stressful... very very.*
i took a whole week off and just hung out alone and doing things for myself that i WANTED to do, like, went to a pool hall, (cuz i love the game) met some people there, socialized, got offered a job there. etc

and ive been consistent with my meds (lamictal and klonopin)
i have a xanga weblog where i post but i mark em all private so nobody can read them, and most importantly, i have a daily planner... i take it everywhere... has my checkbook, all my cards, pockets for my bills, has monthly calendars, and weekly calendar where i can write future appointments, bill due dates, and my moods, and other info like things i got done that day....

that planner is the thing i depend on the MOST to stay functional considering the severity of my BP..

[vacantangel]

ryan, i thought you were having urges to drink? am i mistaken. i know you have bitten off more than you can chew and i responded on your thread about that, baby steps, only so much at a time. don't try to do everything at once. you know i'll always be here to support you as i know you're always here to support me. you can do this ryan. i know you're strong. (((((((((ryan)))))))))

[vacantangel]

ccl

all very positive steps that you've made and i'm so proud of you sweetie. it's nice to see you doing better these days. congrats on being assertive at work and doing what you needed to do. it looks like the time off has done you a world of good and you've taken a lot of steps to try and bring some order to your life and it's working for you. i'm very proud of you and you should be too. keep it up sweetie. you're doing a remarkable job.

Angel, drinking was my attempted to escape depression or to calm myself when I'm manic. I'm on lamictal now and it helps, but after years of coping with alcohol, it becomes a hard habit to break. Matter of fact, until recently it seems that I've done everything but the right thing to try to cope with this.

[nothemama8]

AG read these posts again these are your friends

[darkeyes]

Lamictal, and almost off of all meds, doc feels I am doing well enough to remain at the present time, 150mg from the original 300mg.
I had been on others but this stabilizer works best for me, there is no weight gain or fatigue, well at least I haven't experienced any side effects, though I know everyone's body reacts differently.
I'm glad I went along with the suggestion from the pdoc to give Lamictal a try.
Hope all is well with y'all

DE

[vacantangel]

I'm glad that you are making some positive changes Ryan. I'm very proud of you.

[vacantangel]

DE, I'm glad that Lamictal is working for you and even at the lower level. I hope you have continued success with it.

[darkeyes]

Thanks for your reply, I hope all goes well for you too

Take care,
DE

[vacantangel]

Thank you!