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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 7/3/2006 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

I am not new here, but have been a stranger for a few months due to a lack of access to the internet after recently getting married. This sight has always been a great resource to me, so i had a few questions I was hoping one or a few of you can help me out with.

I am a BPII patient, diagnosed about a year ago, but the illness has been suspected in me for about 6 years now. I have never managed it without medications -- until I found myself pregnant last month and made the quick decision to not take my questionable meds during a pregnancy. I then miscarried, but have not gone back on my meds because I have found how many side effects are associated with the medications. The other major problem I am having is my lack of insurance...and therefore managed care....I know that that is BAD...i know, i know...big no no....but my husbands insurance wont take me with a pre-existing condition, and I myself cannot get insurance through work, and alternative means are not working as I recently moved to a new state and cannot declare myself a "resident". Anyhow...heres to the question.

My husband and I are trying to find alternative means to manage this illness. My poor husband is so patient with me, and is dealing wonderfully with my unmanaged mood swings. However, I really am hoping to find another way around this. I dont enjoy taking medications, I dont know that i really believe that it is the only way, and I would prefer to try and do this on my own. Right now is really a good "fresh start" for me, and I figure its the best time...

Have any of you been treated with other methods? Any counselor i go to will not treat me without the help of medications, and other than that im out of ideas. Any answers would be great. Thanks!

Also, just as a side note, I may not respond quickly, as I will only have access to the internet over the holidays. After that, I will only have occasional access. Still, any answers would help me greatly.

Thanks a ton. Happy 4th all!

Rock 

Posted 7/4/2006 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com/articles/aminobipolar.htm
Posted 7/4/2006 3:35 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you so much for giving me this article. Im continuing my research, but so far this really seems to match up to me with some of the other health difficulties. Thank you so much, i really appreciate it.

Rock

Posted 7/4/2006 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
No problem im glad to help. Right now im just starting another anti-depressant. I hope it works cause so help me as much as I appreciate the life I have, the ability to breathe and such, I cant and wont keep living my life like this. I just feel so disconnected from everything... it sucks. My hope, is to get feeling better on this evil chemical, im going to take the supplements that counter mania with this ant-d and hope no mania occurs. I need to go back to school.. I just dont have it in me, people think im lazy, but im just messed in my head and it sucks, time I cant even explain it... im lost in time, every minute is eternity. If this anti-depressant works, I will take it until im done school and then try alternate therapies once im done school. Here is to hope. good luck. If yuo look online all the stuff this girl is taking youll see they do match up with different articles online, everyone is different though.
Posted 7/5/2006 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Therapy, exercise, pilates, and yoga. Those were key for me when I was in denial. I'm totally not saying you are in denial. But when they told me I had BP II I didn't want to believe them...so I occupied my time with lots and lots of exercise and pilates. But I have seen a therapist forever and day, and I think that helps as well.
Posted 7/6/2006 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed BPII in 1974, been through all the meds, beginning with lithium and continuing with everything new on the market to date. Have been on a carefully monitored cocktail of topomax, prozac and trazadone for 3 years. With weekly therapy, healthy diet and quiet life style, I have been calm, content and happy for the first time in my life. I truly believe it is a combination of all of the above. My life was horrendous prior to this last change.
Posted 7/7/2006 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
Just for kicks I whent out and bought some l-taurine and Gaba, to take along with my anti depressant im hoping it works as a good mood stabilizer and I dont end up manic again. I would try natural anti depressants but I really need to try and get myself in order right now, and cant afford to play with alternate therepies on that end.
Posted 7/7/2006 2:56 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you all for your support and suggestions. I would hope im not in denial, sometimes i think i am, but the true fact is that without insurance i cant get help from any doctor for this, and the whole reason i dont have insurance is because of my BPII, and that is why i need it. Oh well...

I think i have been doing fairly well without it, although the constant cycling is driving me insane slowly and surely. I am looking into options for therapy, but currently i cant even afford that or supplements. In anycase, its good to know that things like regular sleep, and excercise may help some.

I hope to find success on my own, Im not happy on meds, they just make me feel as though I am worthless without something that a RX company is feeding me for money. I guess it takes away my slef worth in a very odd way.

Anyway, I apologize for this long post of...nothing. Im very manic tonight. Go figure. Thank all of you though. I will keep you posted on the things i am doing and if they are helping. Any suggestions are worth trying at this point.

Thanks.

Rock

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