Depressed---Scared

I think it sounds like you do need a med change. Even if you don't want to. What kind of mood stabilizer are you on? I take abilify. I use to take risperdol, but it caused weight gain for me. The abilify did a little, but not much. I am losing a little at a time. But very slowly.

I am happy that you have been two years sober. That is something to celebrate with non-alcoholic beverages of course. I don't drink much. I have had a six pack of beer in the refidgerator for two months. I give them away to company. lol... It is good to be sober, you learn to appreciate so much more than when you drink. You overlook a lot when you are drinking, I think. That was the way it was for me anyway. But I wasn't attentive to things that were important.

I really hope that you feel better soon. I hope that the doc and therapist can help you. A new car would make me very happy. I am sorry that you aren't enjoying it. Make sure they know that you appreciate it though. It was a fantastic jesture. I hope that you can be happy again soon.

Hugs, Karen

Thank you both...what a tremendous support you are!

Getting By...maybe I do need a med change, much as I don't want to. I
think I'll wait and see how things go until I see my Pdoc. on the 18th of Jan.
I used to be on Abilify but gained 50 lbs. so I went off of it because I can't be
happy when I'm fat. I am on Lamictal and Celexa which has worked great for 4 months.
My meds seem to work well for about 4-6 months and then stop. Then I have to go through the
dreaded med change. I am letting go though and trying to change my negative thinking. I am
trying to turn this around.

It's Genetic...you're right I have totally blown my protein/vegetable diet. I have gone back to
3 cups of coffee every morning and 'red' Cokes. I am starting my new food regeime today. I think
I will switch to 1 cup of black tea every morning until I get off the coffee; then try to eliminate that too.
I will stop drinking Cokes today. i will have a salad for lunch. I have only today to start over. I am the only
one who can change my life.

Thanks...feelin' better.

You are right on target. I know about the caffiene, I drink it too and I know that I should go back to my lemon water. I use to drink a hot cup of lemon water every morning and lemon water on ice all day long. It detoxifies the liver and is giving you vitamin C. I think the eating change will do you good too. You would be surprised what food allergies can do to a person. And gluten in general. IG had some good information for you there.

Keep up the good thinking process. It must suck when your meds stop working. Do you think an increase would help. I had to up my abilify and my pristiq after a few months, but now they are working fine. and it has been quite a while since I have changed the dose. I would discuss it with the doc when you see them. I think going up would be easier to deal with than switching. Switching is hard to do at times. I did okay going off of effexor and on to pristiq. But I went really slow and took both at the same time for awhile.

I am glad that you are feeling better. Your post was hearwarming and inspiring. Take care.

Hugs, Karen

They do, momentarily, Red, but they both cause a let down following
several hours after use.

Alcohol has a calming effect initially, but it soon turns into depression, irritability, desire for more, etc. It's like saying things look good on the surface, but watch out for what's hidden: the loss of feeling tone later.

The use of caffeine and chocolate is just the substitution of one drug for another.  They both are addictive and both can cause headaches, irritability, even nausea upon withdrawal.  I wouldn't touch them except very rarely and then only in small amounts.  If you want something really calming, try lemonade freshly made and with only a little sugar (no sugar substitutes, please).

IG

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 1/23/2011 7:31:37 PM (GMT-7)

Would that a good cigar were just a smoke, Givinguponit24, but that's not the case, as you know. Tobacco use causes cancer of the lungs,
throat, mouth, etc., not to mention damage to many other parts of the body.

Believe that? Read the 1963 Attorney General's Report on use of tobacco and its hazards. That book stopped me from smoking. Thank heavens.

I. G.

Hi, Brian,

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your posting on the problem with alcohol. I agree with you 100% that it may be the most destructive habit there is.

It is considered such a social must, when in reality it's anything but social. As a matter of fact, it's just what you suggest: it is highly anti-social. I have a difficult time convincing people that the use of alcohol is so extremely detrimental, not only to oneself, but also to others exposed to it, as well (not to mention the damage that it can do to unborn children of parents who drink heavily).

Our society is geared to consumption--everything included, practically.
It takes a quiet, almost solitude-like thinking to begin to see the damage alcohol does. I think scientists may discover one day that alcohol may play a big role in gene damage that contributes to inherited bipolar illness. One doctor years ago wrote about the role
that grains play in bipolar illness. Many patients have a severe grain allergy. (And from what else is alcohol derived? Grains (recognizing that it may be derived from other foods like potatoes, etc. ).  I will keep repeating this every time I recognize an internet friend who sees the real truth about alcohol ingestion.

Take care; keep advocating the omission of alcohol in the diet, please.

It's Genetic

Post Edited (It's Genetic) : 1/24/2011 9:14:58 AM (GMT-7)

Alchohol is terrible for you. Even though it increases appetite, and depresses you, it is good for you're blood but toxic for the brain. Alcohol is a drug and should be used in moderation at age 21 or past that.