Emotional hothead

[Ekkiemom]

I'm not sure what I need to do to control the strange over emotional thinking that has been more frequent in the past few weeks.  All I know is that when I have these episodes they seem to be getting worse as far as the anger part of it goes.....on the flip side I'm crying all the time. It seems the little thing sets me off and I tear up....I'm being treated for bi-polar 1.  Before Tx started my meds were working just fine, but now not so much.....I'm in my 5th wk of Sov/Ribi and I'm praying this doesn't get any worse. Can anyone tell me if this is going to taper off or continue to get worse. I have a great support system but frankly I'm tired of saying I'm sorry......I'm normally pretty laid back but I feel like a really mean "Godzilla" on steroids......is there anyone who knows of any med that can ease this side effect?  Please any help would be great!

Thanx
Cranky crybaby

[Ekkiemom]

Hey Idyllic .......thank you for such kind words.....this is one of the more life challenging events I've had to deal with in quite some time......leftover bad Karma I'm trying to rectify for bad decisions in the past...in any case....I wonder everyday if this treatment will be my miracle....will be our miracle!  I agree this is a biggie as far as stressors go. I do try and take a lot of naps.
I'm working thru the stressors for now but nervous as the Tx progresses. I'm seeing my gastro next wk, will ask for some meds to help calm my "Godzilla" outbursts!  LOL.
Take care and keep the faith
Deb

[Ekkiemom]

Thank you for your post. I understand the 4 hrs sleep thing which really isn't enough for me and adds to my irritability unfortunately.  I also loose it when there is a change in routine as I'm creature of habit & RIBA doesn't help....I'm so very happy you only have 6 days left of Tx.  Stay in touch and let us know how you're EOT labs go.  You'll  have SVR in no time......prayers for u from me...take care
Deb

[orphanedhawk]

What you can do is surround yourself with beauty, listen to pleasing music, watch comedies, drink lots of water, get outside and take walks when able.

When all else fails, remind yourself that you feel down due to the meds you're on and it will not last. You will feel better in time.

Breathe deep and go easy on yourself. Treatment is not easy.

[susan400]

I just want to throw in, these meds can make even people w/o bipolar..., feel totally bizarre, moody, angry, psycho, mood swings, and on and on.  Your not alone in your feelings of being out of control with the anger and moodiness.  I've been going through those things alot myself on these meds and as far as I know, I'm not bipolar.  I've had a sleep disorder/insomnia for about 15 yrs and restorative sleep is not something that I can say that I've had for a very long time.  The only way I get any sleep at all.. and sometimes that's just 4 hrs, is to take a sleep medication.  On previous posts on these message boards, I said that my sleep hadn't been affected by the meds and that is true because even before I started this particular time of Hep C treatment.., I've had chronic insomnia issues.  So, I didn't feel that the meds were the direct cause for it.  For me, I was diagnosed with PTSD due to an earlier trauma I was living in, in my 20's and that anxiety caused by the trauma has been the main reason for my sleep issues.  Any little stressor or change in my routine and my sleep is ruined for the night and that, in turn, causes me to have more moodiness due to the fatigue the next day.  But, the Hep C meds make that moodiness magnified to the Nth degree.  Fortunately, I am only 6 days from being done with this treatment.  I sure hope that you do talk to your doctor who is prescribing your bipolar meds, because they need to know that your on the Hep C meds that affect your chemistry and moods. I hope you feel better soon.   Susan400

[Idyllic]

I don't know what meds you are taking for your BP illness but sometimes they can be activating. And again not knowing what all you are taking most of them do Zero for anxiety.

I was just skimming through some of your earlier posts and notice repeated mention of insomnia and that right there might be a reason to schedule a medcheck with the practitioner who follows you on your BP meds. Not a lot of doctors really understand Hepatitis C let alone the side effects of the meds.

Restorative sleep is really important while treating. I mean it is in general but especially so right now.  I said this in another post so I hate to be repetitive but imo Hepatitis C is a life changing event that has changed the course of some our lives forever. That in itself can be a major stressor. Ditto with treating and wondering every day if the meds are even going to work.

I encourage you to this soon since sometimes these feelings can snowball if left to their own devices. I am not saying that is going to happen to you but if there is a way you can feel less stressed than I encourage you to try :)

Feel better ♥

[Mmorgan854]

Add on from first post.  Please be careful with throwing in another mood elevating drug on top of the mix.  Bipolar meds are very potent drugs changing the chemistry of the brain an obviously the HEP-C  drugs are very potent also.  Stay away from anything over the counter stuff such as St. John's Wort,  that's a definite no-no., interferes with most bipolar meds.  You probably know that already, just mentioning. This treatment IS doable with your other diagnosis.  Wishing you the best.  Mary

[Mmorgan854]

Hello,  I'm close to EOT. I too deal with bipolar disorder 2. My main concern starting treatment was the mood swings an irritability, I have been stable on meds for approx. 9 yrs with no "swing episodes".  You an I both know how deadly a crisis depression can be. I don't know what's your being treated with, but I can tell you so far, no hospitalizations from the treatment cancelling out the bipolar meds.  Everyone is different, of course.  The irritability has been pretty rough an I warned my close friends they need to grow a thick skin for 12 weeks till I get through this, an it does end, I'm being told.  Try to keep yourself out of stressful situations. Lots of sleep when you need it seems to keep me calm. BUT, if you feel that your heading to the dark side, please tell your M.D. I know your probably concerned they would stop treatment, but  you need to get a crisis under control immediately an not try to deal with it on your own, you know that can be impossible sometimes.  So, I'm wishing you the best, an I have almost made it through treatment with the same diagnosis, an I'm hoping you do o.k. An get to SVR. TAKE CARE. MARY