New Here...Not New to Bipolar
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| Mon, 05-29-2006 - 5:35pm |
I am jus starting to explore the iVillage boards and was happy to see a Bipolar board. About me: 32, married for seven years(today!!),housewife,bipolar 2. I got my dx about 8 years ago. I have had some very bad times..in the ward 6 times, one attempt on my life. I have been on just about every med out there...a rollercoaster doesn't even do justic in describing it.
I would have to say I am the most stable I have ever been. Have been good for over a year now. I think it is b/c of a lot of things, hubby is out of the military, we do not have any stress over money now, and I know meds have played a lot into it.
I have actually been off all my meds, except for Seroquel at night (so I can sleep) for about two months. I actually just told my husband yesterday, and my doc doesn't know. I have been on SSI and medicare or medicaid(can't ever rememember which it is) for sometime now, plus my husband had full medical in the military. Now he is out and runs his own carpentry business, and makes way more than the military, so as of next month, I will not get the coverage.
I know we can afford medical insurance, but I dont' want to put that burden on my husband, so I weaned myself off the meds over these last few months. I am doing really well, and trying to do other things, like exercise daily,healthy diet, good sleep and so on to help.
I also have a pretty stress free life compared to most...I dont' work, hubby doesn't want me to, no kids at home, so I basically live a life of luxory..well as much as possible, and I still take the advice of own of my favorite therapist...avoid the avoidable stress... So here I am...basically off meds, doing ok..but you know I am so worried I will wake up one day, any time now, and just crash..because that is what always happens...seems happiness is always ready to fly out the window without notice.
I am sorry I am rambling here...haven't really been on a bipolar board or list in a long time. Sometimes I want to try to forget I even have it, but I know denial isnt' the best way to handle things.
So anyways...long story short LOL ...I am glad to be here, and my email is always open to everyone, as I think it is important that those who deal with this, stick together.
Dianna
diannamcheck@cox.net

Welcome to the board, but I have to say I think you are making a BIIIIIIG mistake taking yourself off meds. It is VERY important for bipolars to stay on them. I started taking meds in '93, but in '99 I went to a nutty pdoc that took me off mood stabilizers. In six months I went very manic, lost my job, and got kicked out on the street. I kind of got back on my feet on Lithium, and in 2000 I went on Neurontin and later Geodon, and since then have been very stable.
Having an episode can cause great strife in your life. Find a way to get back on them, asap!!!!!
Express!
Beth "Petrouchka"
I know what can happen when going off meds, have gone off them before. I am not on the board to debate the issue of being on or off meds...I knew I shouldnt' have mentioned it .
Dianna
Hi Dianna & Welcome to the board.
It is your decision to go on meds or not but we on this board have noticed a difference in our moods when we were not on meds or our meds weren't working. The final decision is yours to make. If you feel your life and moods are the way you want them and you feel ok...then go ahead and not take meds, but IF you see signs that you are having mood instablility, I am sure you know what to do.
We are not here to judge and I don't think any of us do that here on this board. We are here to support one another, so if you would like to keep posting you are always welcome here.
Take care
Tina
~ Tina ~
Hi Dianna and welcome! I'm glad you found us here. I'm sure you are well aware of the risk of going off your meds and it is a choice that you and you alone can make. We can only share our experiences with going off our meds or not being on the right meds. I hope this trial is successful for you. It sounds like you have the appropriate setting to attempt going med free. Just keep in mind that with some meds it can take several months before they are completely out of your system. And with that said, I won't say anymore on the med subject.
I want to say that we are a very supportive group of ladies and look forward to getting to know you. We've been through a lot collectively and want to share our experiences with you and share our support with you. So keep on posting and we will be here for you:)
Hugs,
Traci
Hi and Welcome !!!
God could not be everywhere, so
Dianna,
I've been busy and just now playing catch up, but wanted to say hello and welcome!
Don't sweat the no meds issue--many of us have BTDT with disastrous results so it does raise a lot of red flags, but honesty is the best policy around here.