Bipolar Disorder

Yeah I know this probably isn't in the right section but this is the only forum here I post in and I trust you guys, so that's why I posted it here. I am wondering if anyone here has bipolar disorder? I've suspected I may have it for a few months and I'm going to call my doc for a referal to a psychiatrist tomorrow. Any info any of you guys could give me on if treatment has been sucessful, etc. I'd really appreciate it. If you wish to not put this out in the open forum feel free to PM me with the info. Thanks, McBain

I don't have a Bi-P disorder, but I know this: you MUST be very careful about what drugs they prescribe you. Do your research.

I had a friend who had had a heavy blow to the head--a concussion. He was prescribed Welbutrin for his depression. Luckily, before he started taking it, I did research for him and told him that the manufacturers of Welbutrin clearly state that people who have had concussions may develop seizures from taking Welbutrin. He never took the Welbutrin. He went back and talked to his doctor--he was steamed cause the doc had not taken an adequate history.

Listen to your doctors, but do your own investigative work before you start popping stuff in your mouth.

Good luck with that, man.

Yeah I am very weary about any meds. I plan on researching anything they try to give me. If I do have it I hope that seeing the psychiatrist will be enough. Thanks for the advice bro, McBain

One other thing: AS can definitely take a latent psych disorder and make it manifest. It may be temporary. Make sure your docs follow your progress closely. Don't let them blow you off, or let you stay on meds longer than necessary.

I've heard of people getting terrible moodswings merely by using androgel. If you make your test levels fluctuate, you're gonna affect other chemicals (obviously) in your body.

Again...Good luck.

Thanks bro will do

what makes you think you have it??

I might not, I display some of the symptoms of it but others I don't so I really don't know. As of now from the research I've done it seems like the most likely explaination but it's definitely not a definite answer right now.

^

Quote:

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Originally posted by BASK8KACE
I did research for him and told him that the manufacturers of Welbutrin clearly state that people who have had concussions may develop seizures from taking Welbutrin.

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When you read the warnings for Wellbutrin, almost everything can cause a seizure with it. Seriously, there is about 4 pages of warnings about different ways you can develop seizures. Even if you take it for a few weeks, and stop for a few days, you can get them.

It made me think twice about taking it, but I got over it after reading up on it.

bump

So, did you see the shrink?

If you do have Bipolar it's very treatable, but you generally need to stay on the meds indefinitely.

what exactly is it and what are the symptoms ?

I've had manic/depression (bi-polar disorder) for the past 15 years and have been on lithium and was on prozac since then. I'm on lithobid and paxil now. I was 30 years old when I was diagnosed with it. I've had the same doctor for the past 12 years.
If you have any questions, e-mail me.


[email protected] :) :mad:

Most docs will first put you on an anti-depressant. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, etc. Wellbutren does have a good amount of side effects, but they all do. You will not have as many sexual side effects with the wellbutren as the Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil. Sucky disorder for sure, I know a lot of people that have stuggled with this. The key seems to be finding something that makes you happy and really spend time focusing on that activity. Talking it out will help too
Good luck

I don't really want to go into my symptoms publicly, I have to admit I'm a little embarrassed.

Thanks guys for responses. Jdawg, yeah I know what you mean about focusing on something you love. When I get in one of those "moods" lifting definitely helps a lot. I usually feel better afterwards but I can't lift everyday and sometimes if it happens at like 3am this isn't practical.

Ruba, I'm going to shoot you an email later tonight with a few questions, thanks bro.

If you truly do have bi-polar then you won't be able to focus on things that make you happy. It's not about being blue and being strong enough to look past it. It's about a bonafide chemical imbalance in your brain that makes it impossible at times to be happy and other times to not be happy. If you truly do have bi-polar then anything and everything you try on your own will fail. You will be doomed to days of not wanting to get out of bed or eat (if you get it bad enough).

Ask yourself these questions: Do you get physically sick when you get depressed? Is it impossible to snap out of your depression? How crazy do you get when the upside kicks in? How many friends aren't your friends anymore because of the way you act sometimes? Are you a normal person 90% of the time and then there's that 10% that you don't want anyone to remember? Is it wasy to make friends and even easier to drive people away?

This is just a general point about bi-polar for everyone who's interested.

McBain - check your PMs.

Thanks for the info bro

bump,

http://www.psychosissucks.ca

I have been diagnosed with slight bi-polar says my psych. I have been taking Depakote for it for about 2 years. It has helped in keeping my mood stabilized most of the time. The only side I've had is weight gain. And with me being into bodybuilding thats not a bad side at all.

I have been a bipolar alll my life,inherited from dad.I am using wellbutrin-lexapro-klonopin and seroquel.I am tired at times but am in control.The a.s . also acts as a mood elevator and helps with the depression.The test cyp. gives me the best results in this area.Study on the John Hopkins links and you can find all you need.

man I just love all the docs who tell people they are borderline manic depressive (bi-polar) I was diagnosed like this in high school and due to the fact my grandma had it I was placed first on librium and then on lithium at the age of 18. I was on over 1000 mgs a day because my bloodwork kept coming back normal and I was still reporting that I was getting fits of rage. I ended up gaining over 90 lbs from the lithium and lack of energy had caused me to not be able to work out. I was so damn lethargic. Please look into the symptoms of bi-polar disorder. if you feel you slightly show some of the charactheristics on there then think twice about getting on the medication. I am a natural hothead which comes from years of abuse and bullying. I am not manic depressive. as soon as I figured this out I was able to take the steps with a counselor to help me work through my issues. like hammerhead said, bi-polar people have a chemical imbalance. yes I can get extremely raging, and thena gain I can get extremely happy, but I didn't need the drugs to get control of myself. I just needed to understand me and the situations I needed to avoid to maintain a happy life. do your research!! can't be said enough.