Hello, Not really sure how this works. I have been reading posts. I stumbled onto this site, wish I woulld have known it was here 5 years ago when I was diagnosed with bp 1 rapid cycling. ( Though I have been ill for a long time--just in denial). Though I am very grateful for it now. I am in a relapse..it's been coming on for almost a year now but I am in full mania mode...LOL Love that bouncing off the wall feeling I would really appriciate any survival suggestions to get through this..I finally admitted to my doc. that my meds haven't been working well for awhile ( Lamictal 200mg and buspar 30mg-though I only take the buspar as needed because I hate the feeling). She started me on Seroquel 50mg at night...I am sleeping now..but the jumpy, speedy disconnected thought and movements are still there. She wanted me to go the group therapy, but it is on Tuesday nights and I have school, so I told her about this site and told her I would try for support through here. She was reluctant.wanting me there with a "trained proffessional" but she knew that I could not, and she wants me to have some contact with other people that suffer from the same illness.Well now that I wrote a book. Again I just wanted to say Hi
hello jaded, i want to say welcome to the site. I've only been on for a little bit, but i can tell you that there are some very kind, and knowledgable people here. I'm am also a rapid cycler, and have just gotten off a 5 day full blown mania, and now am in the depression part of the rollercoaster. But for me, its kinda like the weather where i live.....if i just hold on tight for a bit it'll change once again. IMO, I think it was wise that you talked to your pdoc about your meds. They can't help if they don't know whats really going on. I've been going to therapy for a while and it does help, but here you can hear first hand the experiance strength hope and compassion that the average therapist just cant convey no matter how hard they try. Kinda like hearing it from the horses mouth so to speak.
i look forward to getting to know ya!
take care of yourself (your the only one that really can :)
Melissa
Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
the only way a butterfly can emerge is through the darkness of its cocoon.
Welcome. First off, I want to congratulate you for letting you pdoc know that the meds weren't working, that can be hard, especially if you are manic! I am also on Seroquel, which has helped me immensely-how long have you been on it? It sounds like you might want to give her a call asap and let her know that you have those hypomanic/manic symptoms still as the right dose of Seroquel should curb them...
I do understand her wanting you to go to a formal support group, they can be very helpful and serve a purpose. I have found that this group is also supportive, in a different way. It helps to talk and be heard/understood: we also have a good mix of people in different life situations/professions, etc. and moderators who help keep things in balance.
Thank you Starlite and nrs2b for your comments. Your right Star, the way I look at it, the best thing (only thing) about being rapid cycler is that none of the episodes last too long. Though this includes "normal" moods too. How I long for those "normal" days:) I'm sure we all do. Those are the days that we cling to and hold onto when we slide to far up or too far down. nrs2b the doc. just started me on it 2 days ago so it at least has helped me sleep (which I needed)..I know it will need time to take affect. I think she put me on it because I had finally ( after more than 5 years) admitted that I do "hear and see" things. I'm glad it has worked wonders for you. That gives me hope. As for the formal support group, maybe next semester I will keep Tuesday nights open to be able to attend one of them. I recently was laid off and decided to go but to school to get my degree in Business Management. Though I ended up missing last Tuesday's class because I was bouncing off walls. Luckily I called my Proffessor and told him and he was sooo understanding. It gives me hope that some people understand about mental illness and don't look at you like you just grew a second head when you tell them about it. Thanks again.
Hello Jaded. I would just like to welcome you here. I am also a rapid cycler (is that spelled right? it doesnt look it...) although I am BP 2. Anyhow, I am also goign through a manic stage right now also. However, im very new to this, just recently diagnosed, and i have no tips for you. Just hang in there!
This site is great, and we are all here for support, if nothing else. Welcome!
Thank you Shea for the welcome...I do have some methods that work a little ...but I have been well for so long (4 years) that it took me off guard and I had forgotten how bad it feels to be "sick" again...My meds never "fully" stopped the feelings...just numbed them enough that I could deal..(kinda like butterflies when I was manic and a little teary when depressed) though I'm more manic than anything....I just make myself sit down alot..and only allow myself to do one "specific" thing at a time.i.e only do dishes ..sit down..only vaccuum..sit down ..so on and so on...that way I can at least be productive and not start something and change directions in the middle of it..then NEVER get anything done..It's the MAJOR jittery feeling inside my body that is driving me nuts...as all of us know....Well, now that I wrote a book...Thanks again for the welcome :)^^
I would really appriciate any survival suggestions to get through this..I finally admitted to my doc. that my meds haven't been working well for awhile ( Lamictal 200mg and buspar 30mg-though I only take the buspar as needed because I hate the feeling). She started me on Seroquel 50mg at night...I am sleeping now..but the jumpy, speedy disconnected thought and movements are still there. She wanted me to go the group therapy, but it is on Tuesday nights and I have school, so I told her about this site and told her I would try for support through here. She was reluctant.wanting me there with a "trained proffessional" but she knew that I could not, and she wants me to have some contact with other people that suffer from the same illness.Well now that I wrote a book. Again I just wanted to say Hi 