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Posted 4/2/2014 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
G'day everyone, I'm new here and not really sure what to write, so I guess I'll give a bit of background and round it off with how things are now.

Firstly, my name is Simone, I have been diagnosed with bipolar I, anxiety disorder and BED (binge eating disorder). I have always been a pretty confident and together type of person, or so I thought, when in reality I was just very good at masking the pain of feeling like I never fit in. I always thought I was miserable because it was my job, or that I was lonely, or that I needed more 'stuff' to fill the void. Eventually I hit a point in my life where I realised something was very wrong. I came to the conclusion that it had to be me, cause the whole world couldn't possibly p*ss me off or be wrong 100% of the time could it?

I finally summoned up the courage to see a doctor and his reaction was, "Yes, you have the disease (meaning bipolar affective disorder), but I think your main problem is you need to be coupled. *he points to the door* There's the door, I suggest you go out and find someone." Then he hands me an Rx for an antidepressant, blows me off when I ask about side effects and them spiking me into mania (I did my reading before going in!!!) and I left his office my world turned upside down and disillusioned with the very person who was supposed to be my ally.

It took me 6 years of therapy (my own choice) and struggling med free to finally realise I needed help and my therapist, God love him, helped me get up the courage to go see a psychiatrist for a proper assessment. Thankfully the one he recommended was an absolute gem, and she is still my pdoc today. My therapist however retired last year (that was tough), but he referred me to another one who is equally awesome, but just a little different. He is helping me, along with my pdoc, to work through my binge eating issues which seem to be at the forefront of life at the moment.

The medications I am currently on are sodium valproate (Epilim) 600mg, quetiapine (Seroquel) 50mg (transitioning off it at the moment), asenapine (Saphris) 5mg & escitalopram (Lexapro) 10mg.

Medication has really been my saviour. I have finally got an awesome network of healthcare professionals looking after me, my new doc, my pdoc and my therapist are all incredibly supportive and caring and I realise how lucky I am. The change in me over the past 18 months has been a miracle. I still have a lot of work to do on myself but I am getting there. I feel as if I am no longer stuck on the hampster wheel of misery.

As well as the meds my other salvations have been photography, triathlon and mountain biking. I used to compete in martial arts but that became too difficult and I had to give it away. I still like to train boxing or taekwondo if I get the chance though.

Well that's about it. I guess I have written a small novel, sorry about that.

Oh before I go, I forgot to mention that I am currently in training to do my first Ironman event, Ironman Australia (2015). When I started triathlon I decided that I needed a really big challenge to prove myself to myself. I used to be one of those people who always finished what they started, but somehow that got lost during the darker years. So training for and completing Ironman is my way of getting it back. Wish me luck!
Posted 4/2/2014 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Simone,

Welcome to the forum :-).

I am happy that you joined us. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Firstly, please do not apologize for the length. I am happy to read it :-).

I am glad that you doing better and you have started back doing things that you once enjoyed. Ironman Australia is a big event but you can complete this. So keep on training. I'll be cheering for you from my little island yeah yeah yeah

I'm not good at photography but I do enjoy looking at nice photos people take. They can be a beautiful and calming and even interesting at times.

Finding a good therapist is important in our treatment. I'm glad you new therapist is good and you're comfortable with them.

Please feel free to post here anytime. I look forward to learn more about you.

Again, welcome...cool

Take Care

UA
Posted 4/3/2014 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi UA,

thanks for the warm welcome. I am looking forward to getting to know you also.
Posted 4/3/2014 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
Oh and here's a couple of my pics, I love land and seascapes, I dunno there's something about nature and its many moods that seems to appeal. I wonder why! :P

VIEW IMAGE
VIEW IMAGE
VIEW IMAGE
Posted 4/3/2014 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Oh wow! They are really beautiful and peaceful. I really like :-)

Thank you for sharing with us Simone.
I enjoy looking at them.

UA
Posted 4/14/2014 6:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there from a fellow Australian :) or actually ex-South African now living in Oz.

I am new to all of this and was diagnosed with BP 1 in Sept 2013. I was also on sodium valproate (Epilim) 1200mg, quetiapine (Seroquel) 25/75mg but I lost a lot hair and gained 5kg's in one month! I am petite and due to heart disease I can not exercise much - so I can not afford weight gain!

I am not managing without any meds and actually worse after I've stopped taking it (was only on it for 2 months) but I am seeing my Pdoc tomorrow and in a hyper/mix episode now with self-destructive thoughts :( so they are talking about starting me on Lithium.

It seems like you have your meds and life balanced now and I hope you find a partner that is really supportive and good to you.
Posted 4/14/2014 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there Ferncor,

it can be very difficult when you are first diagnosed. I'm so sorry you've had so much trouble from the Seroquel, I was lucky that the only real side effect I got whilst taking it was the sedation, which made it hard to do anything of a morning. I'm not sure what I would do if I could not exercise, so I feel for you there.

I hope that your pdoc can get you on the right balance of meds as it really does make a difference. I wish you all the best with your appointment tomorrow. I truly hope things work out well for you.
Posted 4/18/2014 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Kruzmeister, Simone....
UR image pic sharing gave me great peace. I am a picture person and I believe literally a picture is worth a 1000 words.

Your pics spoke volumes to me so beautifully. Thanks for sharing.

I will ck UR blog out.

I lov waterfalls and animals have many to share if I could. Anyone have a tutorial for IPad?

Simone...are these ur pics? They are so thoughtful and incredible...How do u get pics on this site? Ie: view image: click on above.

I have been here a few months UR the first to post pics. WOW :) ;-) PLZ give me a quick lesson...I have many to share. I firmly believe so much can be said thru sharing pics, what's in our hearts, minds & spirits thru the lov & joy of sharing nature or whatever pics moves us thru any point in time. To give to others with a simple pic is truly a gift. Thank you for UR gifts of relaxation,motivation for laughter & joy u gave thru simply sharing UR pics.

Welcome to this forum I am looking foreword to learning more about u and sharing pics. Can't wait for more pics from u !!!

THANX smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/18/2014 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
I made your link hotlinks Chotti...

Thanks for sharing! I like :-)

UA
Posted 4/18/2014 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hey that's Great.

Thank You so much UserANONYMUS... I need to figure out how u did that..

Have a Great Day!
Posted 4/19/2014 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
:-)
Posted 4/20/2014 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chotti, thank you for your kind welcome and thanks for the compliments re my images, to answer your question, yes I took them. Landscape photography is something I threw myself into when life threw me the bipolar curve ball. I have lots of images and will share more soon.

To answer your other question, to make a photo link just type in [#img]???[#\img] without the #s and put the images link where the ???s are.

I hope you have a lovely Easter.

Oh and thanks UA for helping out, wishing you a lovely Easter also! :)
Posted 4/24/2014 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
THANKX Simone ,

UR photography brings a smile to face.
The beauty u share thru ur eyes is truly a gift .

Excellent blog.... UR a busy lady. That's a good thing!

Happy tri training.. Howzit goin?

THANKX for the hot link tip. I wil give it a try..
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