No idea what ever help will help me

[MommytoB]

Counselors won't, natural medicine won't, regular ole doped on rx drugs and I go why why and what is 'really wrong with me ?

I have gotten dx with bi-polar, maniac depressive, in the past I was dx with adhd, i have a thyroid disorder my level is down, i have a explosive disorder it comes to make me over react at lil things - i don't know what i'm doing or am aware of what I'm doing - then i realize ' i over reacted and i go omg i'm so sorry in tears due to where the lack of impulse control' has entertained itself. It's definetly a 'very frighteninging thing and I hate it.

I tried 'stress managment', anger management , all different drugs and nothing worked. I have 'read books' filled out workbooks, i keep wondering what's making me like this, i don't like 'reactions' i have and I hate the way I feel during the 'reaction'. I don't want to spend the 'rest of my life apologizing always for the ways i react. I want to get help.

[carmelmel]

It is so hard to find the right match for people. With BPD, it's about finding the right medication. There are some good ones out there that seem to work. Also therapy is a hard thing because so many people beleive so many different things. the key is to try and find someone that beliefs are along the same as yours. That way you are more likely to keep with the program. If it's mainly chemical, the medication stabilization is the first step them work through coping with the disorder in therapy.
God luck.

[MamaChel]

I was that way for years. (I don't have ADHD, but I'm familiar with the others) I regulated my thyroid and boosted my intake of Omega Threes and that helped. Once I was a bit more stable, we started some behavioral modification and that helped as well.

If you use medication, it takes about 4-6 weeks to really notice a difference. It may take some time to find the right combo for you.

Hugs, you'll get there.

[MommytoB]

omega threes ? I been on medcine for 'every single ' psychotic drug, depression drug, even adhd drug out there was on the medcine in tenth grade and the 'rx drugs' make me sick or make me have scarier episodes as in 'turn into a very scary monster' or they either make me to sleepy or give me severe muscle aches.

Risperdahl- locked my jaw couldn't even talk or open it and that hurt terribly couldn't chew at all so i spent time drinking liquids' it was able too cool down my issues but i had a 'reaction to it' sigh

Lithium- did nothing except made me puke all the time,

tegretol- charlie horses every day and huge ones during the nite ouch. Continous soreness all through the day and when waking up .

zoloft- nauseau - did nothing just made me sick to my tummy

Depakote- puking reaction

Mellaril- puking reaction also

Paxil - did nothing - no help - no side effects

Ritalin in grade school - didn't help

I know I took all the other 'recent new ones out there - either had me 'crying maniacally all the time that I couldn't stop - or i was way to sleepy - or they gave me I'm gonna lose my temper even more easily reaction.

[kimkabob5]

It can take quite a while to find the right "cocktail". What meds have you tried? Have any of them helped at all? I take Lamictal, Abilfy and Wellbutrin. Klonopin as needed for anxiety.

The other drugs I tried were Zoloft, which made me hypomanic and obsess that the baby was going to be killed, that I would wake up in a pool of vomit, the baby dead next to me. Nix the Zoloft. I tried Prozac which made me manic. I was cleaning like mad, staying up all night, going on drinking binges (oh the Zoloft made me do that too) that would last for days. Then I crashed and became suicidal. It was at this point that I was diagnosed bipolar.

Then I was put on Depakote which did nothing but make me gain weight. I was finally hospitalized for suicidal ideation that lasted for several days. It was there that I was taken off the Depakote and put on Lamictal, which was a godsend. I was also put on Abilify, which got rid of the horrible thoughts. It wasn't until recently I was put on Lexapro, which made me hypomanic, so I had to stop that. Finally, Wellbutrin was added to the cocktail and I feel pretty stable now. The Nuvaring also stabilized my hormones and got rid of PMS and weepiness.

Good luck to you and don't give up! Do you have a psychiatrist? If not, find one. You deserve to live a happy life.

[Eli's_mommy]

I am a strong believer in natural medicine for mental challenges and I'm curious as to what you've tried. In my opinion, 5-htp is absolutely amazing. It can be used for adhd, depression, depleted seratonin, anxiety, the list goes on and on. It's mellow and calming.

What natural remedies have you used so far?

Also, people that are having mental disturbances are also generally low on B vitamins.

Sometimes it's just a simple fix and drs over complicate it with their drug cocktails. I realize that sometimes those drugs are necessary, but I think often times they're maybe not...

[kimkabob5]

Originally Posted by Eli's_mommy

I am a strong believer in natural medicine for mental challenges and I'm curious as to what you've tried. In my opinion, 5-htp is absolutely amazing. It can be used for adhd, depression, depleted seratonin, anxiety, the list goes on and on. It's mellow and calming.

What natural remedies have you used so far?

Also, people that are having mental disturbances are also generally low on B vitamins.

Sometimes it's just a simple fix and drs over complicate it with their drug cocktails. I realize that sometimes those drugs are necessary, but I think often times they're maybe not...

Bipolar disorder cannot be treated without medications. Period. It's a structural disorder of the brain. That means the brains of bipolar people are actually different than non-bipolar people. It's not just a question of brain chemicals. It's that the brains are made differently. I don't remember now which part of the brain is bigger or smaller than normal.

It's a physical disease, it's chronic, and medication is almost always necessary. Omega 3's certainly help, sometimes tremendously. But most often, it is not enough. Please refer to www.crazyboards.org for more information.

I'm someone who doesn't even like taking pain medication. I was all about natural methods. I homebirthed. I extended breastfed. I avoided antibiotics. I don't vaccinate. It was hard to swallow the harsh pill, no pun intended, that I would need to take medication for the rest of my life.

Without my meds, I'd be dead by now.

[Eli's_mommy]

I was on the net after I posted and read that 5-HTP would be a good addition to lithium for bipolar disorder. Maybe?

[perl]

Probably not - 5-HTP is a serotonin precursor which can have an antidepressant effect. Could lead to exacerbation of manic symptoms or rapid cycling.

[MamaChel]

Originally Posted by kimkabob5

Bipolar disorder cannot be treated without medications. Period. It's a structural disorder of the brain. That means the brains of bipolar people are actually different than non-bipolar people.

Please do not make a blanket assumption based on your own experiences. People can and do successfully control and treat their bipolar without medication. Just because you need them, does not mean that everyone does or even that they work for everyone. Please PM me if you'd like to see my story, I've been off meds for almost six years now with no hospitalizations or severe acute symptoms and I have a much higher level of functioning than I ever had on meds. I've had multiple evlauations with psychiatrists who have repeatedly stated that as long as it's working for me, there is no need for medication. Most of the time, people with bipolar disorder do need meds in order to function, but not always.

In the almost eight years I was on medication, I had tried all the available meds and they caused my health to deterioriate, my symptoms to worsen or at best stay the same and cost me my functioning. I can just speak of what has helped me personally, for me the medications took my life, finding another way that worked gave it back to me.

[kimkabob5]

I am happy for you that you are able to function without medication for your bipolar disorder. I only posted what I did because I'd hate for people to think that natural treatments "usually" work and there is something wrong with them if they need meds. You have to be very careful with natural methods with bipolar; some can exacerbate the disease, especially ones that have or are the precursers to serotonin. SSRI's tend to send bipolars through the roof!

One natural treatment that is clinically shown to help people with bipolar disorder is fish oil. We're talking mega doses. Pill form is not recommended because of the amount of pills you'd have to take. Liquid form and two to four tablespoons a day is more like it. I took it while pregnant (this is before I even knew I was bipolar) and I noticed that my mood swings were greatly improved.

I just issue caution with supplements in lieu of meds if it's the meds you really need. It was very hard for me to recognize this for myself. Like I said before, I am anti pharma companies, anti vax, anti circ, you name it. And here I am on meds. Life is ironic sometimes, isn't it. LOL.

Edited to add that getting enough sleep is reallly important.

[lilysmama1124]

I know it is hard- I have been on and off rx many times. I have not had as severe of impulse control/ other symptoms as you but I do understand feeling like there is something wrong that you just can't figure out. I would say that it may be worth trying some RX again if there is anything you haven't tried or possibly some of the natural things mentioned in other posts. Also try to find a counselor that you at least like and trust enough to see on a regular basis even if you feel it is not helping. Having someone to at least vent to is helpful to me even if I don't feel that I am getting "better". Hang in there.

[MamaChel]

Originally Posted by kimkabob5

I only posted what I did because I'd hate for people to think that natural treatments "usually" work and there is something wrong with them if they need meds.

I see what you are saying. I have yet to find something that "usually" works for everyone.

I looked at the website you posted and it looks like a good resource. Thank you for sharing that.

Sometimes people need medication to keep them healthy, there should be no shame in that. That's what it's there for.

[perl]

Another amazing online resource (and he has a new book out, also, which is really good and patient-oriented) is www.psycheducation.org

Lots of evidence-based information from a straight-up psychiatrist and all around nice guy - I highly recommend it to anyone with mood disorders (esp bipolar which is his specialty). HTH!

[kimkabob5]

It's hard no matter how you look at it or treat it. Right now, despite meds, but because I just found out that my dh has done a search for "teenage porn" on the internet has led me to an episode and I am up this late. Sleep is esential I know. I am going nuts right now.

[talk de jour]

Originally Posted by MamaChel

Please do not make a blanket assumption based on your own experiences. People can and do successfully control and treat their bipolar without medication. Just because you need them, does not mean that everyone does or even that they work for everyone. Please PM me if you'd like to see my story, I've been off meds for almost six years now with no hospitalizations or severe acute symptoms and I have a much higher level of functioning than I ever had on meds. I've had multiple evlauations with psychiatrists who have repeatedly stated that as long as it's working for me, there is no need for medication. Most of the time, people with bipolar disorder do need meds in order to function, but not always.

:

DP has been off meds since August 2003. He went from being obese, STILL bipolar, suicidal, apathetic, psychotic, and grandiose (among many other things) to a healthy-weight, energetic, joyful, loving guy! The change is freakin' AMAZING.