Bipolar DUers, how are you doing?

[Ellen Forradalom]

Me, cycling like Lance Armstrong. Boredom, loneliness and depression have lead me to some really strange unpleasant behaviors. I can only hope I'm coming out of it now. Concerned about my anti-depressant Paxil, afraid it may be destabilizing me into a rapid cycling pattern. But Depakote is still a very useful drug for me.

How 'bout you?

[jeff30997]

1. Only depression for me.Taking Paxil too.

[lanparty]

2. Oh I'm fine ...

Feeling wonderful ..

[lanparty]

3. Fuck OFF ...

It's none of your goddam business!!!!

[HarveyBriggs]

9. But the good news is, lanparty ...

In a few months, you'll be feeling just marvelous!

And to think, there are people who actually pay to ride the roller coaster, when we get it for free.

Harvey Briggs

[lanparty]

10. Actually, I'm not bipolar ...

... I was just making a little joke.

I do have a bit of depression and ADD though ;-)

[Beware the Beast Man]

4. Anxiety. And I'm feeling alright lately.

Lately I've been taking a B-complex supplement, and I think it's actually doing the trick. Or it's that placebo working its mojo.

[Gryffindor_Bookworm]

5. Been very stable for 18 months.

Fully aware that could change at any moment.

One day at a time, my friend.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

6. I was on Paxil and it didn't help me at all

I think it was more harmful than anything. I don't have bipolar, just a major depressive disorder (recurring). Thank God it seems to have evened out. Although I'm absolutely pissed because today this new doctor I just met (she took over from my old doctor) completely changed my meds within about 10 minutes of meeting me. I was fine before but she had to go and change everything and I feel Im helpless to argue. I tried to tell her I felt fine, but she kept cutting me off. It's so hard to "get in' with a doctor, I don't know what Im going to do.

Paxil was horrible for me, but it might work for you. Check out this website though first. http://www.prozactruth.com/paxil.htm

[liberalmuse]

7. Lexapro for me...

I did a short 3-month cycle a few months ago. My anxiety and depression got out of hand, and the past few years with Bush in office has not helped at all. Now I am able to deal with very stressful situations and feel like a new person, yet myself again, as I was years ago before life kicked my ass. I was very apprehensive about going on anti-depressants, but believe this jump start to help boost serotonin production levels has been one of the best things I've ever done, healthwise.

[HarveyBriggs]

8. Off the meds completely

The meds were doing more harm than good.

All the docto''s monitoring, the time off work, the side effects, some of the things you're talking about -- and getting caught by co-workers and them finding out I was a ... a ... a ....CRAZY PERSON, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

I'm aware of the manic depression, and live with it. I use exercise to control the peaks and valleys.

I'm not a doctor, but there are more more of them that I'm talking to who are beginning to understand there is a relationship between strenuous exercise and manic depression.

Endorphin -- created to mask the pain of extreme exertion (runner's high) is considered by some a self-medication for manic depression.

I've found that if I don't over-indulge, that it moderates the cycles better than any drug I've been prescribed (Zoloft, Paxil, Lithium, Trazedone, and one or two others).

Been totally medication free for over five years. You might want to talk to your doc about this.

A very large number of bicycle racers and basketball players are manic depressives. My doc said it might have something to do with the combination of extended aerobic activity mixed with short bursts of anaerobic activity that boosts the endorphins so high in these sports.

Harvey Briggs

[frylock]

11. yep.. using exercise to combat my bpd

I'm all over the map though thanks to being unemployed, politics, my broken down car, etc.

[Ellen Forradalom]

14. that's a very interesting thought

I'm aware of the relationship between the two and have noticed that when I swim, bike or run regularly, I do feel a lot better.

[LDS Jock]

12. I'm super.. thanks for asking

Doing pretty good right now. Been stable for a couple months. Depakote and Lexapro combo seem to be doing the trick for now. But of course, that could change at a moments notice.

Bombs are flying.
People are dying.
Children are crying
Politions are lying too.
Cancer is killing.
Texaco is spilling.
The whole worlds gone to hell,
and how are you?

I'm Super!
Thanks for asking.
All things concidered
I couldn't be better I must say.
I'm feeling super,
no nothing bugs me
Everything is super when your...
Don't you think I look cute in this hat?

I'm so sorry Mr. Cripple
but I just can't feel too bad for you right now.
because I'm feeling so insanely super
that even the fact that you can't walk
can't bring me down

People:
He's super!
Thanks for asking!
All things considered
He couldn't be better he must say!

Big Gay Al:
I'm super!
No nothing bugs me!
Everything is super when your...
Don't you think I look cute in this hat
these little pants
these matching tie that i got at....

Big Gay Al:
I'm Super!

People:
...

Big Gay Al:
Stick 'em up

People:
...

Big Gay Al:
Skittles!

People:
Yes, he's super and
he's proud to be gay

Big Gay Al:
Okay!

People:
Everything is super when your gay!
When your gay

[bookfreak]

13. Had a bout of depression in June

But things have stabilized since then thankfully.


Now if only I could get these freakin' migraines under control!