Family & Friends of Bipolar Support Group
This community is dedicated to parents, siblings, grandparents, other relatives and friends of someone who is Bipolar. The purpose of this community is to help families and friends develop greater patience and understanding, as well as maintain a positive, caring relationships with those diagnosed as Bipolar.
How do you know when it's time?
Hi, new to the forum.
I been married to my husband 26 years this April. We were married very young, he was 18 and I 24. Mental health issues ran rampant in his family but I never knew enough about them. I knew sister was bipolar and some with other issues.
It took until we were married 23 years for him to finally seek help or it was going to be the end of our marriage. Daughter and I were always walking on eggshells. He'd been told several times by me to see a doctor but you know men. Crap hit the fan and he finally went. Diagnosed bipolar. Started on Lamictal, first 150 MG a day then another 150 MG. Now on 300. We noticed several months ago he was showing signs of cycling. Talk to the doctor next visit and husband said he was having anger/irritability issues. Had not seen any for almost 3 years.. But also complained of weight gain. At first, psychiatrist was going to up Lamictal until he mentioned weight. So he prescribed him 25 MG twice a day as he explained it was used as a mood stabilizer and a side effect was weight loss. Well, here we are 3-4 months later and really no noticeable change. More irritable and angry. He does notice it. And he is diligent on taking meds, although he does forget about once a week.
I do go with him to his appointments. Two for one....I am ADHD and also suffer major anxiety. I was diagnosed (after a year of HMO runaround) with Rheumatoid Arthritis. So we are a match made in heaven.
I've heard many stories of people going off their meds because the feel better. Not him. He remembers the darkness and feelings before he started treatment.
So in your experiences with family/spouses/friends...how often do you see meds tweaked and why? Does the body build up resistance? Just curious.
I love my husband and I will help him in any way possible.
Hi, new to the forum.
I been married to my husband 26 years this April. We were married very young, he was 18 and I 24. Mental health issues ran rampant in his family but I never knew enough about them. I knew sister was bipolar and some with other issues.
It took until we were married 23 years for him to finally seek help or it was going to be the end of our marriage. Daughter and I were always walking on eggshells. He'd been told several times by me to see a doctor but you know men. Crap hit the fan and he finally went. Diagnosed bipolar. Started on Lamictal, first 150 MG a day then another 150 MG. Now on 300. We noticed several months ago he was showing signs of cycling. Talk to the doctor next visit and husband said he was having anger/irritability issues. Had not seen any for almost 3 years.. But also complained of weight gain. At first, psychiatrist was going to up Lamictal until he mentioned weight. So he prescribed him 25 MG twice a day as he explained it was used as a mood stabilizer and a side effect was weight loss. Well, here we are 3-4 months later and really no noticeable change. More irritable and angry. He does notice it. And he is diligent on taking meds, although he does forget about once a week.
I do go with him to his appointments. Two for one....I am ADHD and also suffer major anxiety. I was diagnosed (after a year of HMO runaround) with Rheumatoid Arthritis. So we are a match made in heaven.
I've heard many stories of people going off their meds because the feel better. Not him. He remembers the darkness and feelings before he started treatment.
So in your experiences with family/spouses/friends...how often do you see meds tweaked and why? Does the body build up resistance? Just curious.
I love my husband and I will help him in any way possible.
So to answer your questions. My husband was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 after I had to have him committed in 2007. Being a man that always took pride in his appearance, he downright refused to take his meds when he found out they would make him gain weight.
Long story short, he only started taking his meds when I left him for good and refused to take him back. I got a job, I went back to school and decided I was not about to spend my life helping someone that wound't bother to help himself.
We are now together after 10 different med changes. Yes, it took the Dr Almost 4 years to find the right combination. He's now on Seroquel and Buspar. Best combo ever! He has gone without a single episode for 3 years already, but you know is different for everyone.
Hang in there. Talk to his Dr often. Work together. Go online and find reviews on different medications and don't hesitate to ask his Dr for a med change until you see improvement.
Things DO get better. I promise. I was you 9 years ago and now I can rest easy; my son and I.
Take care of yourself as well. I wish you the best.
Our appointment is next Monday and I feel like calling the doctor ahead of time myself and talking in private. That's the one downfall of going together. I have major anxiety now over everything, especially since the diagnoses of my RA and all the stress of everything else.
Thanks so much. Something has got to be done because I really start to dislike him and the resentment starts and I know he ends up with the same feelings about me. When he cycles, it makes us both people we don't want to be. It can get ugly.