I need help

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-08-2003
I need help
1
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 4:34pm
My name is Jenny and I am 24 years old. I have a husband and a six year old son. I was diagnosed as bipolar when I was 19 and it explained a lot of things that I've experienced all my life, such as severe mood swings etc. I started taking Lithium when last year and it helped me INCREDIBLY. However, I missed my mania so I stopped taking it and I stopped going to my psychistrist. Since then, everything has gone downhill fast. I am a total mess. I recently started to see my psychiatrist again and I am supposed to get my Lithium pills on Dec. 1. It feels like an eternity from now until then, which I am sure any of you can understand, because I am absolutely miserable. I cannot control my moods and most days I find it very difficult to get out of bed. I desperately need support from people who understand what I feel like. I hope I can find it here. It is going to be difficult waiting so long to get my Lithium again. This time I am sure I will stay on it for as long as my psychiatrist advises. I don't ever want to feel like this again. Please help.
--Jenny--
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Thu, 11-18-2004 - 4:41pm

Jenny

I am SO sorry you are going through such a hard time right now. Many of us have done the exact same thing - we feel good, miss the rush of mania, so we stop our meds. Like you, Lithium is my wonder drug. I am confused as to why they are making you wait until Dec 1 to start back on it, but we will all be here to help you make it until then! One thing you should prepare yourself for - you will ALWAYS need to take meds. That is the biggest downside to BP. You don't get better and you cannot make it without meds. I personally tried for MANY years and would LOVE to be able to go back and re-do those years with the knowledge I now have....I would never have stopped taking those pills when I was 18!

I'm VERY glad you found us though. There is a wealth of knowledge and support here. Feel free to ask about any concerns or questions and we'll try to help. Those of us with BP are some of the strongest in the world, I am certain of it. You'll make it until you can get back on your meds.

Tracey