No miracle med yet
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No miracle med yet
| Wed, 11-01-2006 - 6:28pm |
Ok, we all know meds only can do so much and it takes time to find the right med combo for each of us.
So, what can we do on our part to help

Hey there! You've hit on one of my favorite soap boxes: IMHO there's no way that meds alone are going to give you any quality of life with BP or depression. In addition to taking meds, I do the following daily: pray/meditate, exercise strenuously, eat a healthy diet, I never drink alcohol or take any drugs other than my prescriptions, and I see a therapist.
If you are hypomanic, strenuous exercise does wonders. I just finished a 5 mile run at the fastest pace I could handle - now I'm exhausted and looking forward to a good night's sleep.
Alcohol is probably the most popular way to self-medicate and soothe our crazy minds - but beware: alcohol has the exact opposite effect on us. Although it may feel good in the very short run, it has extremely detrimental effects on the long term management of our disease.
Finally, I cannot underestimate the power of prayer/meditation. If you aren't good at or familiar with how to do either, its so worth the investment of time.
There is really quite a bit you can do to manage this disease besides stalking the pdoc! About a year ago I had a horribly manic episode and needed to force myself to focus on prayer/meditation and exercise - I started smoking way too many cigs and not getting enough sleep. I didn't let it spiral out of control, but immediately went back to the basics of what I knew about pray/meditation and exercise and got the whole mess back on track shortly.
Meds, in and of themselves, won't do it. Again, JMHO. Love, Mo.
When I read:
"There is really quite a bit you can do to manage this disease besides stalking the pdoc!"
LMAO!!!
Pug hugs, Kelli
I simply refuse to allow myself to breakdown again. I have accepted that YES, there are gonig to be depressions...there are going to be manics...and in betweens, and who knows what else BP will throw at me? I also have PTSD, from childhood sa, and that acts much like BP does, only throws in dreams and flashbacks when you least expect them.
This is year 6 that I've been going through this. November marks the longest stretch of time that I've not been i/p in that many years. I will not not not go back.
Learning how to manage your illness takes very hard work. Its much easier to just give in. I won't do that. I want to sometimes, but I can't let it happen. I want to live way too much...to have that glimpse of a normal existence.
I've listed ways to fight depression before...when I get manic, I put myself to sleep, so to speak. I take Ativan. If its too bad, i call my pdoc and get some Seroquel. If none of that is available, Benedryl works in a pinch. Whatever you can do to calm your brain, is what you need to do. You first have to learn how to recognize YOUR MANIA. It manifests very differently in people.
As for cycling...I just have to tell myself I'm cycling...That's about it.
:)
Writing here, talking with those who understand 1000% what you are going through helps more than ANYTHING. For me.
Love and Hugs to all,
Keli
Hey Mo!!!
I totally totally agree with everything you said.
Totally.
Miss you and glad to see you're well.
Keli
Hey Mo,
I love that...stalking the pdoc...lmao
So many people think meds are going to cure them. It is a tool to help you cope and to get through. Behavior modification needs to take place. People have to take responsibilty for themselves. It is kind of like diabetes. The person can't JUST take insulin, they have to eat right and exercise to help control their diabetes. Popping a pill isn't going to make all our problems disappear.
I have asked myself times in my life, what negative thing or
~ Tina ~
I love you Keli.
You are doing so good. It has been a BIG challenge for you these past 6+ weeks. You have been dealing with physical sickness and cycling. I am so proud of you for hanging in there.
You know IF you were to have to go i/p again than go. It isn't a failure if you have to. It is part of this stupid illness. That would be taking care of yourself by going i/p if you needed to. That is our responsibility to ourselves and our loved ones...to help ourselves. I hope you never have to go i/p again. I wish for you all the strength and stability that is out there.
Hope you have a good day sweetie,
Hugs,
Tina
~ Tina ~
I have had this talk NUMEROUS times with my DS....there is no miracle pill that will make this all go away. You have to learn SOME self control. I guess I am not "sympathetic" enough. I know over on the child bp board, I am probably not viewed in a "good" light because I don't accept certain things from DS, bp or no....I also bust his butt when he needs it because EVERY other kind of PC discipline hasn't worked. He understands that though.
When I am depressed I try to force myself to do at least ONE chore around the house....ONE something I can point to at the end of the day and say "I accomplished X"....doesn't always happen, but it is a process. Thanks to eobp II and the cycling, the manics tend to hit about 10 pm, when I am trying to get to sleep....SOOOOO, when I FINALLY get to sleep I level out or bottom out and don't want to get out of bed in the morning. FUN, FUN!!!! When the manic hits at midday I ride it and try and get the work done that I didn't/couldn't concentrate on in the morning.
Well that's about it and I need to get going and ride the wave....WHEEEEEEE!!!!!
tk