Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Hi guys ..
I've been with my boyfriend for a year and a half this Christmas and he is the absolute love of my life. We also live together and are pretty comfortable for the most part. He makes me want to be a better person and he's constantly on my side fighting my battles with me. My bipolar (mixed types) has been devastating to our relationship in a lot of ways though. Since I'm currently not medicated, things have been pretty rough. I was on Zoloft (for my p.m.d.d.) and Neurontin for months and they seemed to be leveling me out. Plus, I was constantly in the gym working out every morning and eating right and that played a big part on my moods being more stable also. In the beginning of October, I abruptly stopped taking them because I had my wisdom teeth out and had to take 2 new prescriptions because of that and being on medication for my acne from my dermatologist AND my other pills. It made things complicated in the sense of me losing track of which pills I was taking and then I just fucked everything up. So since going off (very dangerous I know esp with SSRI's) I have been BAT SHIT. We've been fighting so much lately, the inconsistency would make anyone go nuts. My mood swings are CONSTANT. One minute I'm flirting with him, I'm sexual, I'll cook for him, write him love notes, make lists of reasons why I love him, buy him beer or surprise him with his faves. . And then my depressive states have been more intense and coming around more frequently. I'm nasty, irritable, I beat myself up over EVERYTHING, and I bring him down with me. He told me I've been selfish in our relationship and that his wants and needs are important too. I do not blame him! Bipolar is unfortunately a self absorbed disorder that we need to attend to because we can lose our true selves if we stop fighting. I know I often shut off and leave him alone to himself because I'm constantly at war with the chaos inside my head that it almost leaves no room for anything else around me. I am guilty of that. I hate that. Sometimes I even shut him out when he tries to be helpful and take me on walks. I'll start a fight if something is bothering me and sometimes, he has no patience when I start up because it happens CONSTANTLY, so I know it's frustrating. I do it on walks or out to dinner sometimes, stuff that is supposed to be fun or pleasant . I would be as frustrated as him.
I'm scheduled to go back to my PDOC Dec 28th (she's been out of the country) , and I need to be on a medication that is effective ! Neurontin was ok but I still had mood swings and I love zoloft, but is there any recommendations you guys have that you found to be a vast improvement for you? I know everyone is different and medications have different effects on people, but any input would be greatly appreciated. My guy is still on my side through it all but it's really taking a toll lately. We've come extremely close to splitting up and it scared me. We've never been at this point before. I do not want to lose a great guy because of this shitty illness. I want to stop lashing out and I want to treat him the way he deserves to be treated. He tries so so so hard with me. He reads articles upon articles about mental illness and tries to understand. I love him so much and I'm in fear that if I don't get under control soon, that could be lost. Help :(
I've been with my boyfriend for a year and a half this Christmas and he is the absolute love of my life. We also live together and are pretty comfortable for the most part. He makes me want to be a better person and he's constantly on my side fighting my battles with me. My bipolar (mixed types) has been devastating to our relationship in a lot of ways though. Since I'm currently not medicated, things have been pretty rough. I was on Zoloft (for my p.m.d.d.) and Neurontin for months and they seemed to be leveling me out. Plus, I was constantly in the gym working out every morning and eating right and that played a big part on my moods being more stable also. In the beginning of October, I abruptly stopped taking them because I had my wisdom teeth out and had to take 2 new prescriptions because of that and being on medication for my acne from my dermatologist AND my other pills. It made things complicated in the sense of me losing track of which pills I was taking and then I just fucked everything up. So since going off (very dangerous I know esp with SSRI's) I have been BAT SHIT. We've been fighting so much lately, the inconsistency would make anyone go nuts. My mood swings are CONSTANT. One minute I'm flirting with him, I'm sexual, I'll cook for him, write him love notes, make lists of reasons why I love him, buy him beer or surprise him with his faves. . And then my depressive states have been more intense and coming around more frequently. I'm nasty, irritable, I beat myself up over EVERYTHING, and I bring him down with me. He told me I've been selfish in our relationship and that his wants and needs are important too. I do not blame him! Bipolar is unfortunately a self absorbed disorder that we need to attend to because we can lose our true selves if we stop fighting. I know I often shut off and leave him alone to himself because I'm constantly at war with the chaos inside my head that it almost leaves no room for anything else around me. I am guilty of that. I hate that. Sometimes I even shut him out when he tries to be helpful and take me on walks. I'll start a fight if something is bothering me and sometimes, he has no patience when I start up because it happens CONSTANTLY, so I know it's frustrating. I do it on walks or out to dinner sometimes, stuff that is supposed to be fun or pleasant . I would be as frustrated as him.
I'm scheduled to go back to my PDOC Dec 28th (she's been out of the country) , and I need to be on a medication that is effective ! Neurontin was ok but I still had mood swings and I love zoloft, but is there any recommendations you guys have that you found to be a vast improvement for you? I know everyone is different and medications have different effects on people, but any input would be greatly appreciated. My guy is still on my side through it all but it's really taking a toll lately. We've come extremely close to splitting up and it scared me. We've never been at this point before. I do not want to lose a great guy because of this shitty illness. I want to stop lashing out and I want to treat him the way he deserves to be treated. He tries so so so hard with me. He reads articles upon articles about mental illness and tries to understand. I love him so much and I'm in fear that if I don't get under control soon, that could be lost. Help :(
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I find myself going places in the car and not wanting to get out of the car. I come back home and I don't want to get out of the car. I think it's the only time I spend reflecting. Chronic tiredness from Long Covid plus the immunosupressing meds for my Crohn's is slowing me down but everything just seems a massive effort. I am dealing with the paperwork following my father's death but it's not...
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Wow, it's the middle of the week already!Today is our 11 year anniversary, so we're going out to a nice dinner. I'm losing a lot of sleep these days, hence a wonky schedule and uncomfortable feelings. But I know it will pass, eventually.I hope all of you have a peaceful day, and may good things come your way!
You've responded before that you were doing fine on an anti-depressant and on the painkiller but your posts suggest otherwise.
My recommendation would be to get on proper meds.
What about Lithium or Lamictal, has your doc suggested any type of mood stabilizer?
Good luck to you on Friday. Hope you get the right meds quickly!
Taking a lot of meds gets confusing. I have my morning meds in a box on the coffee table. My thyroid & stomach meds are near the fridge because I have to take them first thing in the a.m.
My night meds are in a basket in the kitchen. You'll get the hang of it!
Go to DS's own site and you will see the overwhelming use is for fibromyalgia and other nerve pains
http://www.dailystrength.org/treatments/Neurontin
You will also note that bipolar isn't even listed.
I'm aware it's been used as a "very experimental" treatment of bipolar but that is mainly around it calming people down and it is only vaguely recommended if used in conjunction with proper bipolar meds.
The only clinical paper I have found is old (2003) It says neurotin while it could be useful where bipolar is accompanied by anxiety or substance abuse, there is no evidence of it helping either depression or mania.
Thanks for your responses everyone :)