Hi
Is there anyone else out there with a diagnosis of bipolar (like me)? Mine only started postnatally. In truth I've found it quite hard to gave up to / it feels worse than the pp and I hate the idea of drugs (& the stigma & side effects ) for the rest of my life. I've had a little look at bipolar uk and beating bipolar and they seem brilliant. It would be lovely to hear from you if you are further along this journey with bipolar than I am and any ideas.
Spaghetti x
Hello spaghetti
I'm sorry I don't have any experience of bipolar but if you put 'bipolar' into search here you will find a few posts and helpful replies with links.
Best wishes.
Hello Spaghetti,
Great idea to chat on here with others with similar experiences.
I was diagnosed with Bipolar nearly 20 years ago following PP.
I was almost recovered from PP and I went back to work too soon and had my contract terminated on the grounds of ill health as I was working for a new employer after moving nearer my family.
I then got very depressed and was referred to a Consultant Psychiatrist in the new area I had moved to.
I was put on antidepressants which were not helping, I was severely depressed. My Consultant kept increasing my antidepressants and then I became manic. To cut a long story short I had severe highs and lows for over a year and was diagnosed with Bipolar.
I understand about not wanting to be on long term medication but I see it that Lithium Worked for me and within weeks I stabilised. Before starting on Lithium I thought I would never get better and I did so I've been happy to stick with it as it gave me my life back
The way I see it now is that if I'm well, I'm happy to stick with it.
I know what you mean about not wanting to be on medication but for me personally it keeps me well.
If there's anything you want to ask, please feel free.
Take care, Sarah x
Hi. I had pp in March 2014and was diagnosed as bipolar last month. Looking back over the last 12 years, I've had mild mood swings, caused by stress, I'll go hyper for about 1-2 weeks & I recognise it & calm myself down (go sick off work, avoid social activities, do relaxing things), on the other hand I'll have mild to moderate depression lastimg weeks to short months.
I'm pregnant again so can't take meds. Consultant us keen for me to start lithium but I've managed for 12 years without so I'll carry on. I will take antipsychotics on delivery though.
Take care. Sally
Hi Spaghetti,
It sounds like such an emotional journey after being diagnosed with bipolar. I'm sorry to hear that you've been finding it so hard.
I've also heard great things about bipolar uk, do they also have a forum where you can talk to others that have been through similar experiences when being diagnosed? I hope some of the previous posts on this forum help too.
It sounds quite common to feel uncomfortable about taking medication, but staying well is so important. Sarah's post above is a really great case.
Wishing you all the best, and do keep us updated.
xxx
Hi there, yes, I do. I was diagnosed about a year or two after PPP. I was never really well after it.....and maybe before it but I am not too sure.
I am very sleepy just now but I will come back tomorrow.
Bipolar UK have helped me immensely.
Hello, I was diagnosed with Bi-polar after having PPP in 1990. I have been on medication for 25 years (Prozac and Lithium mostly). The early years after Joseph was born I has a couple of hospital stays, only 2 weeks each time. Since then my medication has kept me stable. My G.P. was brilliant and explained to me about how bi polar affects the brain and how the medication replaces the missing chemicals in the neural synapses (like diabetics have to take insulin). I have been well for over 20 years now and am happy to take my medication to keep me that way. I am sure your G.P. or whoever it is you see about your bi-polar will answer any questions or queries you might have (I always used to write mine down). Get all the information you can from all the different resources here. I will talk to anybody about PPP and bi-polar and not feel any different to anyone else - they are illnesses, just like diabetes, but in a different part of the body. I hope this is useful to you and if I can be of any more help, don't hesitate to reply. Take care.
I was diagnosed bipolar 8 years ago and lithium really helped. Been off all meds for 3 years and have a 2 year old and 18 week old. My little one has been poorly so in hospital every week for 16 weeks. He wakes every 2-3 hours and i have finally crashed. On sertraline diazepam propranolol zopiclone. For a week have been so anxious I can't eat or sleep and took 4 and still nothing I am not sure what to do. Hubby taken kids and have escaped to friends but can't switch off. Hearing music and last night people talking and seeing a little at night but I thibk its just tiredness. Careworker said try and sleep and ring crisis team if bad but reluctant any help x
Hi Polarbear44
I'm so sorry to hear that you are really struggling at the moment, and that your youngest has been ill. We are here for you.
Do not feel bad at all about ringing crisis team if you feel really bad - it is OK that you need help and support, don't hesitate to ring them if you need to, or if you feel really bad to go into A&E. Be really honest with your care worker or the crisis team about everything you are feeling, then they will be able to help you.It is OK that you need help, and you will get better.
Is there anyone you can call who can stay in the house while you try and sleep so you're not alone?
Take care, write whenever you need to X
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