Foggy head and no energy

[Beeboo]

I was only diagnosed a year ago but have been fighting the symptoms of Bipolar all my life. I seem to constantly cycle without a break in the middle. This leaves me very exhausted and foggy headed almost all of the time. The meds have helped greatly with my moods and major behaviour issues and I am at least safe from myself but how on earth can I possibly live any kind of a life as I still can't complete the most basic functional tasks on a daily basis? I'm a Mom of three amazing teenagers who are making the most of their lives whilst I can't move or think straight. Many I'm just asking to much of my meds. Will I ever be able to rely upon having energy and mental ability on a consistant basis?

[Beeboo]

Hi. Thanks for your sharing with me. It helps a great deal and gives me strengh to hear how others have been able to find a way through what seems to be a nightmare. I have a lot of changes to go through but as I keep being told - baby steps! It's good to know Im heading in the right direction. :)

[AndyScot]

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 back in 1990.  It has been a never ending roller coaster.  My depression even got to the point where I had electric shock treatments in 1998.  I have had so many medication changes and combinations I can't even count them.
Now for the positive note......I recently had a med change which seems to be working for me.  I started going to the gym 4-5 times a week.  I always knew that exercise was the best thing I could do for myself but I previously had no energy whatsoever.  I have also started to eat a more sensible diet.  I have been feeling very well for the past few months.  This is the longest period I have ever felt stable since being diagnosed.  I know that right now the last thing you feel like doing is going out to exercise.  I totally understand that, but maybe down the road when you have a good medication combination and are feeling a little bit better it might be something to consider.

Hope this helps a little bit and all of the best in the never ending battle of dealing with this illness.

[Beeboo]

Hi and thanks. I see my new psych next month and hope I have the energy to continue adjusting meds. I notice that most of the information on BP speaks about our moods and not a great deal about poor energy levels and cognative functioning being so difficult. It has got a lot worse and often but have I always had just as much of problem with all three. I am new to learning about this and don't know if it's just all part of the ride. I hope Ive made sense as I've taken 45mins to writting this. Thanks again.  :)

[looloo141]

Hi there, I was wondering how stable you are at the moment? Do you think maybe your pdoc would consider decreasing your meds ever so slightly in an effort to combat some of the fogginess?
This might not be right for you at the moment but just a suggestion.
Good Luck in finding a psych, I don't think they appreciate our need for consistency, its a nightmare having to tell your story over and over again!

[Beeboo]

Thanks for your suggestions. I suppose this brings to light my poor relationship with Psych. I see a new one everytime so I've found meds that get the worst under control. Lost faith in psych means I am reluctant to change meds AGAIN. I don't think they even understand what to do themselves. I will continue to educate myself. :)

[ILADVOCATE]

   Yes some mood stabilizers are more helpful on specific symptoms such as rapid cycling than others but only a psychiatrist would understand this in full. These websites have information that would be of help to discuss with a psychiatrist:
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Mental-Health/Useful-Bipolar--Depression-Webisites/show/523?cid=105  ;
   Its important to think back specifically when this started, if any medication was of some help on it and how often these concerns occur and then discuss this with a psychiatrist. I know that rapid cycling has still be a concern for me but I have found some mood stabilizers were beneficial in this regard but each person responds differently to each medication.