Update on My Anxiety Filled Daughter

 Anxiety, Bipolar disorder  No Responses »
May 062013
 

Happy-teenagerI wrote a couple posts recently outlining the issues my daughter was having with Anxiety. If you want to read the whole story start with Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety in a Teen, then read Anxiety Please Go Away, My Poor Daughter, this is the final update on her saga.

We finally got the doctor to listen and they gave her a new medicine (One I also take) Lamictal. Unfortunately she has taken trileptal for more than 8 years and they told her to stop it cold turkey. Now I knew that was strange but these are doctors right? NO don’t ever fall into that trap. You cannot stop taking Psychiatric medicines without weening off them or you will have serious withdraw symptoms. Certainly not a medicine you have take for 8 years. Yep the bells went off that isn’t right but did I listen to them, Nope.

So we start the new medicine and halt the other one, and what happened? My poor daughter got really ill, she was ill for days and we knew it was the trileptal leaving her system. She was over heating, nauseous,exhausted and unable to sleep at all. So did I call the doctor that had enough brains to tell me to stop the meds all together, heck no. I put her back on half a dose of the trileptal and continued the new medicine, with in a week or so she was feeling better. The anxiety and the feeling of being ill left her. Now when I say “left her” I mean it is tolerable. We all know if you have anxiety you have symptoms no matter what medicine you are on but they are tolerable.

I have my daughter back. She is happy, joking, smiling again and I am so relieved. It took some time but each day things seem to get easier for her. She had been very negative and crabby for months on end and I told the doctor on more than one occasion that her anxiety was increasing and she wasn’t doing well. She has bipolar and well moods shift and the meds either work or they don’t. They are now all at work again so we are relieved.

I will continue to ween her off the trileptal, later this week we will try a quarter of a pill instead of half and if that goes well hopefully in a few more weeks we can take her off it all together. I will not increase the dose of Lamictal at this time as the 12.5 mg she is taking seems to be doing enough for her. I don’t want her over medicated.

I am thankful that I am able to treat my girls for the symptoms that went untreated in me and I am proud of them for working through the problems I didn’t even know or understand at their age.  I just wish we had better doctors to go to, Kaiser does not suit our needs to say the least. If we have to stay with them I am going to have to get a medical degree so my kids can get the proper care.

Thank you all for your support and good wishes. You are all always so kind. I share these stories so it may help you all in someway, even if it is just to show you YOU ARE NOT ALONE.. Love to you all..

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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 Posted by at 8:38 pm

New Bipolar Drugs/Fewer Dietary Restrictions

 Becky W., Bipolar disorder  No Responses »
May 022013
 

Guest Post By Becky Wilcox

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness characterized by episodes of mania and depression.

During the manic phase, patients exhibit reckless behavior and poor judgment, excitability, and agitation. Patients could also experience emotional outbursts, extreme insomnia, and several other symptoms.

During the depressed phase, patients exhibit sleep disturbances, loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities, and loss of self-esteem. Patients can also experience suicidal thoughts, isolation from friends and family, and extreme sadness.

Many patients try to control their symptoms with dietary supplements, like omega-3 fatty acids, but bipolar disorder can’t be controlled by diet and supplements alone.

The best solution is a combination of diet, therapy, and prescription medication.Medicine-Bottle

Early treatments for bipolar disorder relied on drugs like lithium, Depakote (valproic acid), and a class of drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These early drugs had a lot of side-effects and restrictions that made taking them akin to playing Russian roulette.

People on lithium could not take ibuprofen because the combination would cause a toxic rise in lithium blood levels. Lithium also damages the thyroid, and prolonged use can contribute to thyroid disease.

People on Depakote, were cautioned not to take aspirin because the combination could cause stomach ulcers. And certain antibiotics would render the drug less effective.

People on MAOIs were cautioned to avoid several foods that contained a substance called tyramine, because they caused elevated blood pressure. These foods included aged cheeses, fava and green beans, soy products, and liver. Some sources also recommended removing yogurt, avocados, and raspberries from the diet. Many of these foods provide essential vitamins and nutrients.

Newer bipolar drugs still have side effects, but they don’t have nearly as many dietary restrictions. With some, like Effexor, the manufacturers recommend that you do not consume alcohol while taking the drug. With other drugs, like Abilify, the manufacturers indicate that certain drugs could intensify drowsiness. However, unlike lithium and aspirin, these are not potentially life-threatening contraindications.

If you have been living with a bipolar diagnosis for several years, chances are you were initially diagnosed one of the older medications. It is also likely that, over the course of your treatment, your doctor has adjusted your dosage, and even changed your medication to one of the newer drugs.

If you are still taking one of the older medications, consider talking to your doctor about changing. You can only buy Abilify, and other bipolar medications, with a prescription, so you will need your doctor’s approval to change drugs.

Use caution, however, because not all bipolar drugs are the same. Different drugs work on different brain chemicals, and changing could disrupt your treatment. If your symptoms are well-controlled with your current medication, it would be best not to alter your routine.

But if your current medication is not controlling your symptoms, or if you are unhappy with your treatment for other reasons, you might benefit from changing medication.

Do not attempt to stop taking your medication without your doctor’s knowledge or supervision. Not only will your symptoms worsen, but some medications have serious withdrawal effects.

If you do change medications, you might have to wean off your current medication before you start the new. During the weaning period you could experience a worsening of your symptoms, including suicidal tendencies. If you notice any change in your condition, contact your physician immediately.

Image courtesy of Grant Cochrane / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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 Posted by at 12:31 pm

Anxiety Please Go Away, My Poor Daughter

 Anxiety, Bipolar disorder  4 Responses »
Apr 252013
 

Upset-teenager

 

I wrote a post the other day about my daughter and her anxiety, Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety in a Teen! Here we sit, with extremely high anxiety, tears, nausea, throwing up and the medicine they gave her didn’t even take the edge off, so they say take more.

She took two pills this am and what happened, her nausea was so bad she is home from school. Ugh, this child has a sensitive stomach so when we took 2mg of Lorazepam this morning she immediately started throwing up and couldn’t stop, 2 hours later she is still in pain and nauseated. I put in another call to the doctor and am currently waiting.

The problem with Lorazepam is that you take it as needed. My daughters anxiety is so bad 100% of the time that she is so sick when it turns into a panic attack she can’t stomach the medicine. I tried to tell the doctor we just need to change her daily medicines to counteract the constant anxiety so she doesn’t get into a panic attack but they just don’t understand that I know what I am talking about. They won’t listen to me, how could I know what I am talking about?  Hello Doctors, I have been dealing with this my entire life and for her since she was 5 years old. I think I know what works for her and what does not.. grrrr

So she is now laying on the couch with a stomach ache and nausea watching videos on her phone, when she should be at school.  She is to work today and although I don’t think she should work when she didn’t make it to school, the fact is that if she hadn’t taken the medicine I would have pushed her out the door and got her to school so she has to get out to work. I now that at her age I had a case of Agoraphobia that kept me from leaving the house and I don’t want her to get to that point. It was such a struggle to get out of the house, I would go through a lot of what she is going through, emotional, throwing up, diarrhea  had to force myself out but it took a good 30 minutes or more to just get out the door.

I left another message for the doctor today, same as I did yesterday and we are waiting, once again.. Just thought I would share her struggle so you out there having the same issues realize YOU’RE NOT ALONE.

Hugs and love to you all…

Image courtesy of marin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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 Posted by at 9:00 am

Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety in a Teen

 Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Mental Health  1 Response »
Apr 222013
 

Depressed-young-woman

I am sure I have shared that my oldest daughter and I share a diagnosis of Bipolar II. The last 8 months or so her anxiety has risen. I have talked to the doctors at Kaiser Permanante here in San Diego but they just want to wait it out. Really well thanks a ton because my poor 17 year old child has spent nearly a week a mess and Friday she had a major panic attack and it has not let go since.  Her anxiety is so high she has been sick, physically ill, unable to go to school or her job and well it seems Kaiser isn’t at all concerned about its patients on the weekends because we cannot reach anyone over the weekend when it increased in strength.

Okay so this post is not only about how useless Kaiser Permanente’s psychiatry care is, but more about my poor child.

This poor girl has had severe issues since she was about 5 years old. We have done well to get her mostly stabilized but the last couple years have been hard for her. With taking on more personal responsibilities we have increased her stress level, and stress with Bipolar = ANXIETY and depression. She has taken a part time job, goes to school full time, has just gotten her own car and will now need to pay for the insurance and this is all added stress for this teenager with bipolar.

She has been in a major panic attack since Friday and has been anxious for about 8 months prior. The doctors response is I will see you in 6 months unless you call. Her old doctor that was on her plan before her father put her on Kaiser (to save money of course)  would have been seeing her monthly at a minimum. Once she was not feeling well he would watch her like a hawk and see her every two weeks or weekly till she was better. I miss the ability to have a doctor that is not controlled by money hungry people, an HMO is what we have now. A big old waste of money but their Dad could care less, the court said he has to carry insurance for them but not good insurance is his answer.  Have to love those CARING DADS. Jerk!

So we are waiting on a call back from the doctors office. Hoping we can get into see the doctor or at least get an anxiety med called in. Wish us luck!!  Will keep you all in the loop with this.. If you have any suggestions, please leave me a comment.

Image courtesy of Jeanne Claire / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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 Posted by at 9:55 am

Physical Health and Mental Health

 Bipolar disorder, Health in general  2 Responses »
Mar 012013
 

Strawberrys-on-a-plate

Where am I going with this.. Well honestly this last two years my energy level and mental stability has been on the decline. :(   I have a great doctor now so when I finally went to him (I am terrible about going to the doctor) he did a large amount of blood work. He checked some vitamins and well just about everything, and found my Vitamin B and D were “pathetic” as he put it and wanted me to take those two specifically.

Now you would think since I take numerous pills every day I wouldn’t have a problem adding a few vitamins and fish oils (all of which I own) but have I taken them on a regular basis?  NO! I went back recently and he reran blood work and did some different tests and well I am still not in any better shape and my energy level has declined drastically.

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So Now What?? Stuck in the mud again?

 Bipolar disorder, Depression, Mental Health  4 Responses »
Feb 262013
 
Stuck-in-the-mud

Don’t worry they aren’t really stuck just swimming in it.. :-)

Well here I am once again doing nothing. I am fully exhausted for no reason, not sure if its a depression or a health issue to be honest. I feel a bit depressed but my level of exhaustion is ridiculous. Where is my energy?

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Looking back at my Bipolar past

 Bipolar disorder, Mental Health  No Responses »
Feb 172013
 

Sad-ballerina

I have been doing some reflecting on my past, prior to treatment to getting into treatment and the years of counseling, doctor appointments and medicines. I have to say there were many years that were rocky at best especially prior to treatment, when I had no idea what was wrong and why I was such a bitch sometimes. There is no other way to put it sorry!

I remember that lost lonely, angry, sad, hopeless feeling that I had day after day after day. The out of control emotions, the anger, the screaming (for no reason), the abuse I put my family through (verbal).

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Between Moods, Good, Bad, Indifferent

 Bipolar disorder, Mental Health  2 Responses »
Jan 152013
 

Moods

This post is about the symptoms that come with mood changes for me and how they affect my daily life. Not only the mood changes but the confused thoughts and other things…

At times I am happy, laughing and joking and other moments I am indifferent. My thoughts race and then will slow so much I lose my words. I stop mid sentence on a word that I just can’t get out. I don’t mean I stutter around it, I mean I open my mouth and nothing comes out. The word is floating in my head but not making its way to my lips. I say um as many times as it takes and it eventually comes out. It is strange but I can actually visualize the word but can’t get it out. I am not sure how often others deal with this symptom but for me it’s pretty frequent these days.

Continue reading »

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Being Honest with My Bipolar Brain

 Bipolar disorder, Mental Health  2 Responses »
Dec 292012
 

Sad Woman Sitting Alone

So I am sure that most of you have watched me struggle this past year or so with the ups and downs of my illness. I was stable for a long time but that day has come and gone and its time to be honest and fully accept and admit I am not feeling very stable. Such is life with Bipolar Disorder!

I have truly struggled with being honest with myself about how stable or unstable my moods really are. I finally decided it was time to stop struggling and reach out for some real help. I met with my psychiatrist last week after having to move my appointment several times due to being sick, and we are starting on an additional medicine. Continue reading »

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Self Monitoring, Can you over do it?

 Bipolar disorder, Mental Health  2 Responses »
Dec 102012
 

stressed-woman

I am a firm believer that it is my full time job to self monitor. Meaning I need to know what is going on with me at all times, any changes must be noted. But do they really?  Should we just have a few things we are looking for? If we over monitor do we obsess? Do we cause symptoms by over monitoring ourselves? Does it increase our stress? Continue reading »

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Time for a Bipolar Update

 Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Fear, Hypo-Mania, Mental Health  8 Responses »
Nov 192012
 

If you have read my other posts you know that I have been in a deep depression for a while now.It took me a while to realize it but I finally did and had posted a couple times about it. It is time again to update you on how things are going and how I am dealing with it.

Since I just published a post about my taking on a new blog, I am sure some of you are wondering if I am in a manic or hypo-manic state. The answer to that would be Yes. When I came out of the depression I headed directly into hypo-mania. Actually a bit of it overlapped each other, I was taking on loads of  new stuff, started a new blog, and even more at home while still feeling depressed. Then I came out of the depression fully and popped right into Hypo-mania.  Continue reading »

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I Can’t Stop…. busy busy

 Bipolar disorder, Depression  No Responses »
Nov 122012
 

Over worked and stressed

 

I realized there is an additional side affect of me being depressed and not resting. I seem to also overload myself. I am sure you have noticed all the posting of giveaways and blogger opportunities. Yep if it is a free link I sign up for it. lol  I do this when I am hypo-manic as well as when I am depressed. I feel blank and I just keep taking on things, helping others and huge amount of giveaways for others.

I am so going to be overwhelmed in a few short days but I can’t stop signing up for things. I go to Facebook blogger groups I am part of and I will see a giveaway open for bloggers to join and I argue with myself. You have too much going on now, you are not going to sign up for another one, this blog is not meant to be a blog full of giveaways, and I leave the page then soon I find myself back there filling out forms. :-( Continue reading »

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Moods, A Roller Coaster of Life

 Bipolar disorder, Depression, Mental Health  4 Responses »
Nov 072012
 

Hi Everyone!!! Just here today to talk a bit about Moods and how quickly they can alter with Bipolar or Bipolar II.

Faces of Moods

Moods!

I am Bipolar II per my diagnosis many years back now, I tend to rapid cycle which if you don’t know what that means here goes my best description; In any given moment my mood can change for the better or worse and sometimes where others don’t even notice it but I never miss it as most of the mood shifts are internal. Your mind races and your moods do the same. One  moment you are depressed and having that lonely dark feeling and the next your cracking jokes and dancing around playing with your kids, then you can loose that feeling and depression kicks back in or maybe anger, frustration kick in. Sometimes a mood can last days, or moments you never really know and don’t always spot it either.

Lately, for me, I am back on the rapid cycle roller coaster, and I dislike it very much. My already disorganized life just gets Continue reading »

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The Parenting of Teens, Drama

 Anxiety, Bipolar disorder, Mental Health, Relationships, Self Esteem  No Responses »
Oct 292012
 

♥♥♥

Mother-Daughter-Hugging-a-heart

Image courtesy of DigitalArt/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I love my two girls, both teens, they are special people. They are kind to others and loving beings but the teenage know it all, you don’t understand bologna is getting to me. I noticed a big change in my older daughter when she turned 16. She got her license and is doing well with the driving, but her attitude, wow, way out of line all the time. I know she has no clue what she is doing or saying to me and her sister but she can really make you feel badly. She plays the guilt game rather well and I spent last night eating until I went to bed because her and I got into a fight, I was telling her to stop being so nasty all the time. I know over eating isn’t helping either of us, but it is what I do! Continue reading »

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Is your pain management leading to prescription addiction?

 Bipolar disorder, Blogger Opportunity, Drug Addiction, Guest Post  No Responses »
Oct 292012
 

Guest Post

Everybody deals with physical pain, but not everybody goes about treating their ailments the same way. If you take medications for your aches and pains, you may be at risk. Even if your medication comes from a doctor’s prescription, it’s easy to fall into the unsuspecting throes of drug addiction.

Falling Prey to Addiction

Prescription Drug use

Image courtesy of Victor Habbick / FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

Most people think that prescription drugs are safe. After all, if a doctor writes a prescription for a painkiller, it must be okay to consume, right? The reality is, any painkiller, whether it’s prescribed or not, is a controlled substance. That means even taking the recommended dosage can lead to addiction.

It’s easy to understand how these situations play out. You get hurt in a car accident, and your doctor prescribes two painkillers per day. After taking the two per day for a while, you feel like you’re not responding to the medication anymore, so you take three per day. Sooner or later, you’re used to the three pills per day, and you add even more to your dosage. That’s just one way addiction to pain medication takes hold. Continue reading »

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I have a way you can donate to Mental Illness Research, Interested?

 Bipolar disorder, Charity  2 Responses »
Oct 262012
 

♥♥♥ I have a question to pose to you all!

Here goes, Would any of you be interested in a green (the color for bipolar) wristband (bracelet) that says Bipolar Disorder Awareness??

Bipolar Awareness Bracelets

This is the color and the printing on the bracelets!

Would you be willing to pay $7.00 per bracelet if 4.00 of each purchase went to charity for mental illness research??

I am looking at NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) as the place I would donate the money. I have roughly 40.00 bracelets. I would have to take the cost of postage out of the 3.00 left over and then any remaining would go to the running costs of my blog IE. Hosting costs, URL renewals things like that.

I would have to limit it to the United States so the postage wouldn’t be too much but as a trial and since I only have 40.  It would be $160.00 USD that would be donated.

My girls and I are all wearing bracelets as well as some of their friends and a couple of my friends.

I am interested in what you all think so please leave me a comment or email me at [email protected]. I would really like to do something to help raise a bit of awareness and some money toward research.

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Bipolar and Friendship

 Bipolar disorder, Friendships, Mental Health  2 Responses »
Oct 252012
 
Image of teens gossiping

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

 

I have to say that over the years I have found friendships difficult. I am very loyal, honest, deeply caring, and protective of my friends. I am offended when someone is speaking ill of them, even if insinuated, and I can’t help but get angry. I want to see them stand up for themselves but most of the time they won’t. I would almost rather not have friends if they won’t stand up and be heard.

Continue reading »

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