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.
I'm a "Newbie" here, I think that's what you call it, but I'm posting this message to let you know what I'm going through.
I'm currently in the process of being diagnosed as bipolar. My G.P. has suggested it could be depression but more likely bipolar as my father is the same. He wants to put me on some medication, not sure what yet, to help regulate my moods. Previously, he had prescribed Valproic Acid (mood stabilizer) to help me. I stopped taking them as I didn't want to take a pill the rest of my life and felt that I would be okay without medication. Also, to be honest, I have a a fear of taking any sort of medication dealing with this disease as I have seen what the effects this medication has had on my father. He had taken Lithium for a period of 8 years until he read online that this medication will cause hardening of the liver and kidneys. He stopped taking that medication, switched to another and it didn't work. Now, after his stroke, they have him on a stronger medication which basically to put it short and sweet....leaves in a trance like state all day long. I don't want to end up like this. I'm afraid what this medication will do to me.
Also, I was prescribed Effexor at a previous time. I find the roller coaster that this medication put me on was way worse than what I was like not taking the medication.
Not sure what the best thing to do is here. Perhaps I need to get over my fear and just trust my doctor. I don't know what sites to believe in or what sites tell the truth about medication as one seems to contradict the other. And, of course, I'm not a medical expert here. All I know is that I'm afraid of what the future brings, now realizing that I can't handle this on my own.
I'm currently in the process of being diagnosed as bipolar. My G.P. has suggested it could be depression but more likely bipolar as my father is the same. He wants to put me on some medication, not sure what yet, to help regulate my moods. Previously, he had prescribed Valproic Acid (mood stabilizer) to help me. I stopped taking them as I didn't want to take a pill the rest of my life and felt that I would be okay without medication. Also, to be honest, I have a a fear of taking any sort of medication dealing with this disease as I have seen what the effects this medication has had on my father. He had taken Lithium for a period of 8 years until he read online that this medication will cause hardening of the liver and kidneys. He stopped taking that medication, switched to another and it didn't work. Now, after his stroke, they have him on a stronger medication which basically to put it short and sweet....leaves in a trance like state all day long. I don't want to end up like this. I'm afraid what this medication will do to me.
Also, I was prescribed Effexor at a previous time. I find the roller coaster that this medication put me on was way worse than what I was like not taking the medication.
Not sure what the best thing to do is here. Perhaps I need to get over my fear and just trust my doctor. I don't know what sites to believe in or what sites tell the truth about medication as one seems to contradict the other. And, of course, I'm not a medical expert here. All I know is that I'm afraid of what the future brings, now realizing that I can't handle this on my own.
I know it's hard but you can do it. We're here to support you.
doesn't cause weight gain like some
and does not leave you sluggish
but I can learn from it
Bp is not so bad
the treatment is getting better all the time
One of the secrets is to
educate yourself and fallow your docs intructions on the meds. dont drink on the meds ie alchol and watch cafine and your diet keep excersizing.
you are a human with a body mind and spirit and we need to pay attention to all three areas
reseach the meds you are on and ask questions about them here.
Take what you learn here as other peoples exp
not fact. put all this to gether then when you talk to your dac you are armed with some self knowledge
and that will help
so please post your questions here
we will try to help and if we cant we can point you in a good direction.
ps
ignore what you dont like and take what you like
matt
not fact