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Can it be something else if it only happens once?

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Bipolar Disorder
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Posted 11/11/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
A couple years ago, I had a major depressive swing and had suicidal ideations (no attempts). I also started self-injuring, which I hadn't done since a teen (15 years ago). After a few months, I became manic. Shopping like crazy (put us several grand in debt), wanted sex all the time (but never cheated), drinking every night, had tons of energy. So I was diagnosed bipolar. It's the first time anything like that has ever happened. I've been completely stable (on Saphris and Zoloft) for over a year now. No swings in either direction whatsoever.

So, is it possible that something just went wacky in my brain as a one-time thing that resolved itself? If I forget to take my Saphris (has only happened twice), I am irritable the next day, but not really depressed or manic. I just hate to take medication when it's unnecessary. My pdoc thinks it was an obvious diagnosis and is very against me stopping any meds. But what if she's wrong? Do I just maybe have a very mild case that's easily controlled?

Posted 11/11/2011 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe it is possible that something went wacky in the brain that one time. But now the brain knows that pattern and will tend to, when under adverse condition, go back to that pattern. It is great that you have been stable for over a year. Don't you want to stay that way? Suicide idealization and self injury can be a short step to death. And as fun as mania can be, it can destroy your finances and relationships. I hope that you to have a mild case. Keep it that way by taking your meds. Read everything you can to learn about this disorder. That will give you more ammunition when it comes time to change your meds.
Posted 11/11/2011 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
nope, this is a chronic illness that progresses with each episode. You feel good, normal in medication-induced remission. 90+ % of bipolars that get stable on meds relapse within 2 years. If you enjoy remissions of a few months, you are a lucky person!

I do identify with your point of view. I believe it is a step on the path of acceptance. I had to go off meds twice - with disastrous results - before I was able to accept the disease and the treatment.

I advise to get out pencil and paper and begin writing. You have some issues to work out. Fears. Resistance. Grief. Address them directly rather than making yourself dangerously sick by going off of medication.
Posted 11/12/2011 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
 

  All good advice up above. Now i am med free. But here is what i had to give up to get there. 

  In no particular order.

 My Marriage,

 Most dating.

 TV

  Internet

 As many bills as i could shed.

  Excersise alot.

  And like a diet of the mind, i do not allow myself to get to high or to low. (easier said then done alot) smilewinkgrin smilewinkgrin

  I still keep my meds handy. I stll talk to my P-Doc regularly. I keep a very close watch on my mind, looking for any indication that i am slipping over into bad behaviors.

  But for me, i live with alot of it. I can have thoughts of sex, as long as i dont act on it in a destructive way.  I still get spending urges, but mostly i can walk away (or if not, keep reciept so i can return at a later date)(this helps break the cycle of destructive "is suck" mindset)

   I have accepted that this is with me the rest of my life. THat i may have no choice but to go on meds as i get older. But i have found that the love of a dog does alot to help ease my problems. Dogs, unlikle people are wonderful, stable influences in our lives. I believe that every BP person should have one.

  Good luck, and keep posting. But remember this desease thrives on complancicy. YOu give it an inch and it will take a mile.

  Bill

Posted 11/12/2011 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Stay on the meds if you can. Talk to your doctor if your meds aren't working for you. It's such a long process for your body to get used to the medications. So stopping them can also set you back.

I don't know about you, but I didn't recognize when I was in manic or hypomanic states. I just thought life was fantastic and so exciting even though I was doing very dangerous things. No one could reason with me either. I had answers for everything and was good at arguing with people until they left me alone.

So it might be harder to get you back on the meds if your relapse is a manic episode.

I'm interested to know about the relapse rate for mania. I know certain meds can trigger manic episodes. But seroquel has had such a huge impact on my moods that I can't imagine relapsing and feeling manic on seroquel. I'd have to go off the meds for that to happen.

Anyone have any experience with mania relapse while on meds?
Posted 11/12/2011 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think I could stay awake long enough on Seroquel to become manic. I guess that's a good thing.

When I was super depressed, the Dr upped my citalipram, sent me right into mania, even though I was on a therapeutic level of Lithium. Weaned off of citalipram while upping Seroquel. It is a puzzle. I don't really like being on Seroquel. But I am just trying to stay healthy.
Posted 11/13/2011 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
@ Camano - my pdoc tried citalopram fro me during a depression. 5 mg was destabilizing. whoops. That one didn't work, lol.
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