red lightning: you say "there are no wrong decisions." You are stating there is nothing wrong with taking the innocent life of an unborn human being. You say "having a baby will change your entire...
Courtney: my sister was in your same situation many years ago. She got pregnant, was only about 21 and in college (was in nursing school). She learned she was pregnant while studying in Madrid,...
quick effexor withdrawal update: i'm having very vivid dreams full of detail and emotion. It's like being in a movie theater with feelings, thoughts, sights, people, memories. No nightmares yet. I...
thanks for your input. well, I'm just tired of being on this drug. I've read so many bad things about it (but, I know it does help people that need it). I was down to 150 mg, but I just stopped cold...
living well: thanks for sharing your feelings with us. I have similar problems with friendships, but I didn't suffer the abuse you did. I had some very close frienships growing up all the way until...
has anyone successfully weaned themselves off effexor? I've decreased my dosage from 300mg to 150mg and I can't stop sleeping. I'm so drowsy it's frustrating. I've noticed the sleepiness since I cut...
Tortoise: I can't thank you enough for your response. That's all I needed, an outside objective insight. Your advice makes sense and helps me be more compassionate about my wife's interest. Maybe she...
I need some quick advice about my wife. I'm BP II, taking meds, etc. But my wife has problems too. We have 3 kids (boys 7 & 5 and girl age 1). My wife has a severe obsession about taking...
Eric: I'm a 38 yr old guy except I'm the one with bipolar & my wife is "normal." Well, we have small kids too (ages 7, 5, and 1)! Believe me, I completely and totally know how extraordinary...
Lynn: you are crying for help, that is a good step and is proof you want to get better. BP people that don't want to get better never bother asking for help. I'm Bipolar II & work in a...
living well: you've started a great thread! I'm 38 male (Bipolar II on meds); living in apartment separated from my wife of 9 yrs b/c I was emotionally & verbally abusive before I started Lamictal;...
ebonyknight: your analogy about putting on your oxygen 1st on airplanes is exactly what my bipolar sister told me! She's on about 5 meds I think. She was encouraging me to get treatment for my...
mt4: meeting him in a public place is a very good idea. I know how intimidating and threatening men can be towards women. You need to keep you and your children safe. Will the public place have other...
ang77: thank you for your example of putting your faith in God for strength. I need to do that more & make the effort to attend church too. I'm so proud of you for standing up for yourself. From what...
Bmm1980: I'm bipolar myself, we have 3 kids and my wife & I are now temporarily separated but are working things out. I was verbally and emotionally abusive to my wife for years and counselors...
lynnstarhawk: I understand it can be intimidating to discuss bipolar in our intimate relationships, but I'll give you this gentle advice You are so young. Do you want to get married & have children...
I second what tortoise says. I've been on Lamictal for a year now (300 mg, a pretty high dose). I've had little side effects and it's really helped my mania and depression. Like you, I'm bipolar II....
mt4: I've been reading your posts for a while now. I'm glad your trying to take care of yourself and small children. Have you considered divorce? I think you need to face some reality in regards to...
I'm sorry for your losses. I understand the pain and regret you describe. But, think about all the things you've learned from your past. Everyone with Bipolar has damaged our close relationships &...
Tortoise: thanks for your input, I really appreciate it. I'll keep this in mind when I see my psychiatrist soon!...
Listen, just try to calm down. Don't go out at night alone to a bar or club. You're starting into a manic phase & you might get involved in risky sex that will hurt you & your husband. It's not worth...
EmmaBee: I second what Tortoise says: please take some time for yourself. Go to a park or a hike, watch a favorite movie, anything to get your mind off these problems. You need a break from all this...
hey everyone! I was on fluoxetine (Prozac) 40 mg for about 5 yrs. During the 5th year, I became extremely irritable, anxious, and would blow up into rages that really hurt my wife & marriage. My...
I've got 2 things: First for mt4: my wife told me she felt exactly how you felt (to the tee). The emotional roller coaster, not knowing what I'll say/do next, the peace she and my 3 kids have in our...
remember everyone, we can only control our own behavior, not someone else's no matter how close we are to them. Be giving to others, but we really need to take care of ourselves first....
lakemanjoe: thanks for your update. According to your 1st post, you're now 45 (wife 52)? Why have you waited so long to take care of yourself? It seems like you've given her more than enough years to...
Serentiee: I have Bipolar II as well and have your exact same symtoms (agitation, rage, negative/harsh voice tone and words, anxiety, irritability). Whenever I find myself in a situation that's...
thanks for your post. You really have a lot on your plate. Your wife has all the hallmark characteristics of bipolar. I'm not a psychiatrist, but she is probably bipolar I (the most severe type). The...
I'm in the midst of a prolonged separation from my wife and 3 small kids. I'm bipolar II. Today was really hard. I called my wife while I was at work & we discussed the separation. She says the...
I understand how difficult it is for the spouse of a bipolar mate (seeing what my wife has gone through with me). Communication is huge & must be maintained b/w spouses in a bipolar marriage. I...
I second what Bill is saying. She must be open to treatment. She clearly needs to be on meds. Have you considered a separation for a while? I'm bipolar II and I'm separated from my wife and 3 kids....
No, that's not too much to ask of your husband, that's what he should do. Keep working on yourself, like you say, you have 3 beautiful children to live for and get better for....
what happened to break her heart that she can't trust you? I'm going through a separation (although more serious). I've been married for 9 yrs with 3 kids. My wife & I have been separated since...
Serenitee: I'm also Bipolar II. For me, it manifests as depression, then irritability, emotional outbursts (yelling, saying cruel things I don't mean), and anger (hypomanic states). Keep in mind,...
Dear Helpmehelpyou: I just want to give you word of caution; I'm bipolar; when I met my wife 10 yrs ago, our dating/engagement was eerily similar to yours. I was displaying manic & depressive...
Tortoise: do you & your wife have any children? I'm glad the bipolar has had overall positive effects on your life. For me, it has almost destroyed everything I've worked my butt off for, a nice...
Hey everyone, current research is showing bipolar is partly a brain dysfunction. MRI scans of bipolar brains and non-bipolar brains are different. Remember, bipolar is a medical diagnosis, not...
I need input from those of you who've lived with bipolar for a while. I met the woman who'd become my wife July 2001 (right before Sep 11). I was in the military & had plans of becoming a...
Drew: you are extremely encouraging. How is it being on the receiving end of a bipolar spouse? What is it like to have a bipolar wife? My wife would tell me I'm like Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde. an...
Several years ago, I suffered from bingeing and purging too. It was worse in college. I would eat so many cookies, junk food I'd get very nauseous and end up vomiting for almost 3 hrs straight. I...
what's the advantage of getting off meds? I honestly don't know b/c I've only been on lamictal and effexor for a year. any input is welcomed. thanks everyone...
M: I'm heartbroken to hear of your struggle. you said your husband takes his meds & attends therapy, but I don't think it's helping (or maybe he'd be worse without them). Like Gem says, you have to...
thanks for everyone's encouragement. It's comforting to know I have a place here where people understand; most people in the world have NO CLUE what bipolar is like & how it impacts marriages...
Do you two have any children? If not, I would strongly advice waiting until she is stabilized. Of course, she would have to check with her obgyn about getting pregnant while taking meds. You may not...
Is she on medication? She clearly has Bipolar I disorder, the most severe type. She must absolutely get treatment. If not, your son may not have a choice but to leave her. He's only 20 and is too...
I'm new to this forum. I'm a man diagnosed with Bipolar II. My dad, brother, uncles, and cousins have bipolar as well (strong genetic links). I've known my wife for 10 yrs, married for 9. We have 3...