HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

how rapid do you cycle?

Support Forums
>
Bipolar Disorder
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/14/2008 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
i cycle every 8 days (roughly), between depressed, and mixed (both depressed and manic).
Posted 12/14/2008 10:26 PM (GMT 0)

I am so glad you posted this....

I cycle daily a lot, which is awful.  The depressive episodes seem to last anywhere from a week to a couple months.  When I'm depressed there's no cycling, but out of the depressed episode I am up and down quite a bit.  The interesting thing is sometimes my shifts aren't too drastic and other times I can go from way low to complete hypomania.

I am interested to hear how others cycle.  Cycling is a big part of this illness, and for me it's really hard to deal with.  For example, feeling a bit high is such a relief from feeling depressed.  Sometimes I don't care how much I'm cycling, b/c at least when my mood shifts to the higher side I feel better than I do when I'm depressed.  On the other hand, I long to be stable.  Having the cycling is actually exhausting and I feel it brings on the depressive episodes sometimes.

 

Posted 12/15/2008 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mogli!

I'm so sorry you're cycling so much, both of you. It sounds exhausting. They still can't get your meds to stabilize you, huh?

serafena
Posted 12/16/2008 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
i actually had a euphoric hypomanic episode yesterday and boy did that feel good. still, i hate that it comes to pass and then the depression kicks in again. im going to a support group though so that'll pick my mood up. have you tried going to support groups? i think they help a lot by letting me feel less isolated. my meds haven't stabilized me but its on its way. I am on celexa and zyprexa.
Posted 12/16/2008 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
great message, to hear how people cycle, now i know i am not just loosing my mind. i feel like i cycle from hour to hour and day to day. i am looking forward to some happyness and mania. i just feel anxious, sad, and mad. it is tiering, i am waiting for a new pshych dr. maybe that will help. i pray i need some relief. i feel like i'll never feel just a steady carmness. thats what i dream of some carmness and serenity in my body. not this bundle of nerves waiting to fall again. Thanks fast 1
Posted 12/16/2008 9:22 PM (GMT 0)

I never had problems with rapid cycling until I had to change my meds so frequently, in between stopping one and starting another is when it would really kick in for me and you are right, it is down right mentally and physically exhausting.  I have been stable for almost one week with new med.  I pray every night that this med does it, so far so good.  Maybe you do need a med adjustment.  It seems to me that some meds do OK for a while and then it is like you have to start all over again.  I hate that part but I am very grateful at the moment that all is as calm as it can be for me.  I hope you find a way to calm it down soon.  When I was rapid cycling it would be so many times in the course of one day, day after day.  Good grief!

Take Care

BP Gemini

Posted 12/17/2008 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

You know, I my cycle varies, and when I cycle out of the depression to the mania, I never seem lucky enough to experience the euphoric type. Though it is a relief to come out of the depression, once manic, I have tons of energy and keep my house clean, but I am also irritable and snap quickly into anger. I usually find that I am severely depressed for about 3 weeks to 2 or 3 months, but then seem to cycle to manic for about a week or so. Again, it's hard to tell sometimes, because my mania doesn't necessarily leave me happy or euphoric, but I do have energy to spare and can go like the energizer bunny until something goes wrong, and then I snap. Once it starts to fade, I stop having violent mood swings and become depressed so much that I just don't care about anything. I do know that the depression ALWAYS lasts longer that the manic, but it's not always the same time lapse between.

Thanks

Living with BPD
Posted 12/18/2008 12:36 AM (GMT 0)

I've hit a huge episode of depression for sure. cry No cycling for me for awhile.  One thing is clear in everyone's posts...cycling is a part of being bp.  Some cycle more than others, I am glad we can empathize with each other.

I find constantly adjusting meds doesn't help the cycling, on the other hand there comes a point where it's necessary...I don't know if that made any sense.  I just kind of pay attention (mood chart) to see how bad my cycling is and then decide if it's time to call the pdoc.  If the mood changes are something I can ride out each day without it totally debilitating me, and after a few days I feel stable then I know it's not time to make med changes.

Anyway, I send a warm supportive hug to all of you.  Especially to those of you who are depressed right now like I am.  I am having a really hard time going to work right now.  Today I got done early and came home and had a nap for an hour.  I needed that.  I guess I can pat myself on the back for that.

OH!  about the support group thing...trying2getby, you really are going to benefit a great deal I am sure.  The support group I went to saved my life.  I live with my bp completely differently today b/c of that group.  That group taught me how to cope and manage my illness day to day, instead of just letting it consume me in a negative way.  Please let us know if you go and if it helps.  I recommend it to everyone.

Take special care of yourselves today, and tomorrow.....

Posted 12/18/2008 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Finding the "right" mood stabilizer certainly helps!  You need that is you are really bouncing around like a ping pong ball.  It has made a big difference in how I feel and how I react to otherwise stressful situations

Good luck, hope you find the right mix.

BP Gemini

 

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply