Am i cured from bipolar Disorder

[speedyfood]

Hello

From 2000 to 2005 i was diagnosed for Biploar Disorder and was treated with Tegrital 200 with 600 Mg a day
The reason for detection was that i had a week of high and a week of low , in the week of high i could do a lot of work with confidence , but this high was not that high that people could judge my behaviour, in the week of low i would be indecisive , loss of memory and loss of concentration and also sucide thoughts with high level of anxiety



When i took  tegrital i had sight affects of sleepness ( i would sleep during driving) , loss of sex drive (erection problem) , after leaving Tegrital i overcame these problems


Now , i feel that i have a week of low and high (one week high and one week low) , but this time the low is much better no sucide thoughts , no anxiety , If i walk or take deep breaths i get normal , If i leave ofiice work during this period and go for vacation i again feel better , I donot want start medicines again ,

Please advice

[cowgirlnerd]

Did I spaz out and write this?  MAN, that sounded like me.  Of course, I still very gladly take my meds - but the background.  ....GEES that was spooky!

(  I take Lamictal.  )

[Venora Moonwind]

Amen Sis!!!

I feel the same way.  that is why I come here to offer support and my experience as a bi polar.

I too have been bi polar all my life but only diagnosed in 98. It took 3 different episodes with no meds  to realize I was truly bi polar and needed my meds.
( I call them episode 1, 2, and 3 like starwars.Lol)

Bi polars can lead stable lives. I have held my current job for 10 years and that is a record for me. I intend to keep it for anothe 10 years as well so I will have a nice retirement

I take zyprexa and celexa at the lowest doses now and it has been agreat combo for me. I am also thyroidless  and I am of the opinoin that getting my synthroid tweaked just right finaly helped me to lower my doses of head meds.

Welcome to the forum.
Love Venora

[kathy434]

Hi:  I have lived with Bi Polar disorder for a good 47 years although it had only been diagnosed within the past 10 years.  As with many of you, I struggled with a very crazy life of highs and depressions and a few nearly successful suicide attempts.  I have been in hospitals galore as doctors tried to put some kind of diagnosis on this crazy lady.  Life was so difficult and discouraging and my behavior was embarrassing after the facts, that it was hard to show my face to the community much less make or keep friends.  I have been blessed with a loving and loyal husband who dispite his going through confusing hell with my moodswings, is still by my side.  I have two grown sons who also wittnessed my illness but still have managed to create very successful lives of their own, and dearly love me no matter.  This speaks well for the resiliency of families that we may not have given them proper credit for.
While in total desparation in a locked ward, I met a psychiatrist who was brilliant and willing to treat me.  In one session he put together a coctail of medications that immediately put me in a state of normalness, and he literally saved my life.  I took this pile of meds for 10 years.  I was able to attend school, hold down several jobs, become a member of the community and bring great relief to my family who atlas knew I would be ok.  I was able to teach myself how to laugh again.
As you well know, being bipolar is a very lonely illness, and even with caring family around I felt like an awful dangerous burden.  My emotional pain was excruciating and I felt very ashamed to tell anyone about it.  Even with my medications, my personality was dulled.  I was not bubbly and fun anymore.  I had little energy.  The meds, Depakote in particular, caused me to gain a lot of weight too that also made me unhappy and less attractive.
As well as medications, I have had 25 years of psychotherapy.  As a child through adult, I lived in an abusive home.  I had no ability to defend myself and my parents failed to protect me.  It is obvious to me today, just how much I was despised, though no fault of my own.  Through psychotherapy I learned I am a good person, deserve love and happiness, and eventually I let go of my past, mentally and physically. I have become a genuinely happy individual, and now like and love myself.
Depakote and perhaps other meds created physical conditions that made it necessary to work with my doctor in withdrawing all but one med, Luvox, which I take for OCD.  He is giving me some time without medication because I am feeling so well emotionally.  I am aware that bipolar is a lifelong illness that will have to be managed like any other chronic illness and I may or may not have to return to medication.
One thing I want to impart to all of you, is that while you may not see a light at the end of your tunnel just now, believe me, there is hope for you to regain your health mentally and physically.  Work with your doctors and psychotherapists like your life depends on it.  Take your medications as prescribed every day regardless of whether you feel like it or not.  If you are having problems, work with your doctor in tweaking the meds so they are more beneficial.  Absolutely DO NOT use illegal drugs or alcohol to numb your pain.  It will only complicate your life that much more, and you don't need or want that with bipolar disorder.
I am a success story right now.  I have been to the bowels of dispair and mania so I know what you are also suffering.  If I can offer you my hand, please feel free to take a hold and I will be your friend.  Kathy

[paranoid_cataclysm]

Bipolar Disorder is indeed long term.  There is no cure.

[Venora Moonwind]

There is no cure for bi polar but it can be controled with meds, therapy, diet and exercise.Being bi polar is no different than having diabetes. Its a life long thing.

Educate yourself as much as possible about bi polar, the meds used to treat it and talk to your caregiver about therapy. There are group and one on one therapies.

Keep coming here. too. This is great place .Nobody understands a bi polar like another bi polar.

Love Venora

[ILADVOCATE]

There are many varities of bipolar disorder and as bipolar is by its nature cyclical it tends to wax and wane and could be in remmission now but come back again easily. Tegetrol is not a first line medication these days and not so easily tolerated. There are many other options. You could speak to a psychiatrist about them. We have some websites linked up for informational purposes.

[Bluetwo]

It's really up to you.

You might feel okay now but the disorder will come back with vengence.
It's important to take your medication all the time even when your days are good.

This illness will sneak up behind you when your not looking.