Thank You

Mary Lou, thank you so much for writing. You have shown a lot of courage and strength throughout all that you have experienced. It amazes me to read about people who go through such difficult times, but keep on trying and pushing ahead - step by step. I am glad that your medications are working the way you had hoped that they would and that you are no longer as fatigued. Boy, sometimes doctors give us meds that put us half asleep (or sound asleep) and then we wonder why we don't feel as good as we'd like...
Way to go, Mary Lou, for accomplishing all that you have and for encouraging us all!
Jess

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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” - Dr. Seuss

Life as a Bipolar

Hey, I'm manic-depressive. I started in the manic. They put me on Haldol, and then added Lithium. I tried for a nursing job, and they told me I had to have my Doctor take me off of it, if I wanted to keep my job. The Doctor wouldn't do it. So I went 2 years without a job. Finally I moved after I foun a job in Georgia. I stayed on that combination for a long time. Talk about being tired and doped out !!!! Then I got changed to trazadone. I was able to express myself more because I was off the Lithium. But I was still quiet as a mouse. They also had me on Depocote.
Finally I switched Doctors and I was swithched to Zoloft and Abilify. Finally I could do something besides sleep over 12 hours a day.
I started setting goals, and doing things. I started going to groups. Also I moved into a studio, pushing my way by getting my Doctor to write to where I lived and after the second letter and after applying to 4 places for another apartment, I finally got the staff to okay me to move from a 4 bedroom quad to a studio.

Plus I heard about Peer Support. And I pushed my way into it. I had to get an okay from my Doctor and my group leader and the Mental Health Director. Finally because they were not progressing me fast enough, I went to see the leader of the Peer Support and became an assistant teacher starting the next Monday. So going on Zolott and Abilify really helped me. I was doing pretty good but my platelet level was too low, so I got permission to get weaned off my Depocote. It took months, but I finally got off it. They increased my Abilify before I got off the Depocote. Plus that same Doctor had taken me off another psych drug that I'd been on for over 10 years. One that took over a year of a decreased amount [one half]. I really appreciated that Doctor because I wasn't doped up like I had been.
So now I only have 2 psych drugs Zoloft and Abilify. I'm doing pretty good. I still have depression, but I also have manic episodes, too. Luckily the manic [happy and high] moods only last a day or two. The first time my husband saw me in one, he thought I was drunk. And he told a couple of our friends that I had been drunk. It may have been because I drank alot of Eggnog that had Southern Comfort in it, but it did say it was not alcoholic. I am a diabetic, so it could have been high because of all the sugar. So I am better now.
Now I've been sick for a few weeks. But after going to the Doctor yesterday and being told what to stay off of, I'm in a great mood I really appreciated all the comments I got from writng about gratitude. That helped me feel good. Plus today I've been able to eat a number of sweets and my blood sugar has been low most of the day. So maybe I'm high because of that. So I have had a long time being doped up too. I'm glad I can be more alive and be happier and also NOT sleep all the time. Mary Lou

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I'm new to computing. . .Be gentle

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Thanks Walteslady for sharing your story with it us . I know it hard at times to open and it took me a while to tell some of my story , but we are all friends here , i am glad to hear that you are doing much better , and that the meds are working

sending hugs to you for a great holiday season

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Sassy_sandy