New to BP .. need some advice
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| Sun, 10-08-2006 - 4:04pm |
My H was dx'd w/ BP nearly 3 weeks ago. The psychatrist put him on Lamictal. I had finally got him an appointment because I didnt trust the way his regular MD was pushing other meds (sleeping pills, Wellbutrin along with the Zoloft he was already on). So, he went to see the expert to be sure the meds were correct. What brought him there was the fact that nearly 7 months ago he attempted to hang himself in our basement. He was dillusional, had liquor, beer, other medications (rx and otc) in his system. Fortunately, I intercepted and got him on the road to recovery, so I thought. I thought that was rock bottom. He was in the psych ward for a few days, then started IOP and AA. After being sober about 3 months, he started drinking again. Lying picked up again. And around this time, started an emotional affair with a girl at work. Lots of mood swings, depression, rage, you name it. Of course when I found the drinking, I wish I would have handled it differently. I tried to keep him sober and that just increased his lying and hiding. I eventually found some emails from the OW and confronted. He was quick to lie about who she was, where they met, etc, and promised he would end contact. Then, ironically the day he had gone to the psychiatrist, is when I discovered the A had continued, he came clean about who, what, where, etc.
Over the years he has been moody at times, but this just got worse over the last few years. We have always had obstacles to deal with and I know that our marriage issues are not solely based on BP, but I need to more about the disorder.
We are in counseling, thankfully. Individual and joint with the same therapist.
I need to know more about the disorder. I know that it takes several weeks for the medication to show any results. First, will drinking beer effect it? He drinks an average of 6-8 beers a night, more on the weekends. Second, are there any sexual side effects of the medication? Such as less interest, or maybe trouble climaxing? Our sex life had been really great over the last few years, and over the last couple of weeks he has less interest and is different during, and seems to have trouble with climax. Sometimes he gets there, sometimes not, sometimes things cut out in the middle (never happened ever before with us). This is extremely personal, but I just dont know what to do. I have high hopes that it is the medication. Has anyone experienced this or know of any side effects like this? The website does not have much information on it. Also, if this has happened to anyone, has it eased at all once the body was used to the medication?
I appreciate ANY advice you can give. Whether for the questions I asked about the medication or how I can be supportive of him.

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