Just wanted to say Hi to all...........

[newsandi]

Just wanted to say Hi to all and let everyone know that I am sorry for not being much of a friend or support for everyone but just have had the worst year ever. I have quit my job and have been focusing all of my time and energy and whatever else I can muster out of me to help him and learn as much as I can on what has happened and what his future holds. I was there for awhile dwelling on his future and his life outside of being with me and now I have to do what we all are so familar with and that is the day by day thing. I have lots of pdocs appts, thearpist appts, appts for medicine, phone call after phone call to help get him financial aid and trying to gather all of his bills that he has accumlated thruout this mess he got himself into and get some kind of hardship where atleast they dont keep tacking on late and overage charges. Its been pretty stressful and scary to say the least.
But on a positive note, my son and I started walking the last few days on some trails and each time we walk we make ourselves walk more and more. I also get him out of the house most days and we will go for a drive in the convertible, lunch or to a movie. I am just doing what any mom would do. I just keep looking for a little bit of a improvement each day and I am seeing it. Its a slow process but I have learned to be patient. Which at first I didnt have. Thanks for listening and know that I appreciate you all and appreciate when you were all there for me thru my addiction problems. You are all a bunch of understanding folks. Love Sandi

[ccgirl2]

Thanks for checking in Sandi.


You know, I've been diagnosed some 20 years now, and I promise you, for the majority of bipolar sufferers, there is hope and relief. Just keep remembering that, OK?

[Impurrfect]

((((Sandi))))

Thanks for checking in! I'm glad you're seeing some improvement in Scooter, and that you are enjoying some time together. You 2 are always in my thoughts and prayers!

Hugs and prayers1

Amy

[newsandi]

Thanks Amy and CC. I think the bipolar can be treated well with the mood stabilizers but I think with the psychosis that came with it, was what my main concern is. They had me so freaked out saying that he had pscy. parnoid type and then schi.affective which also freaked me out. But after looking at the definitions of these types of mental disorders, you have to be without a mood disorder thru the psychosis and he has always had some type of mood going on along with it. He is still real flat and emotionless and slow to respond, avoids talking to friends or anyone out of the immediate family. We did go out walking today and after we walk he just likes to take a ride away from the normal places we see. He doesnt talk to much but I talk about different buildings or places that was once there or anything so the silence doesnt stay for too long. He is usually after around 3-4 hours out ready to go to his room and watch tv or movies. I have learned a lot thruout this major trauma in my life and I know that it doesnt matter who you are, where you come from, how educated you are or how much money you have, it happens and no one talks about it. I hate the stigma on these disorders and I actually lost a job a few weeks back because I had to tell my boss my son had a mental illness and I would have to go with him to the pdoc appt. I was real upset at first and actually call this man out on it and it felt good. But once I got my son home from the hospital, I knew that it was a blessing in disguise. I need to focus my time and energy on helping him and getting him better. I know meds can only do so much and his environment and staying some what socialable and exercising will help him get thru this. CC, a question for you, have you ever had any type of psychosis when you were going thru mania or depression. My son had some strange dellisions (sp) but nothing more then that. The doctors ask if he hears voices or hallicunates (sp) or see things that are not there and he doesnt. I have talked to my son enough about all of this, that if he did, I would be the first one he would come too. He was so sweet yesterday when I was giving him a pedicure, yes a pedicure, lol, that he doesnt know what he would do without me. Thats all I need to hear to know that I am doing the best I can to make his life manageable as it can be. Sorry to ramble and I know a lot dont know me or care to know but the few people that have been there for me, I want you to know that when my son overcomes this and begins again, I will hope to be of help to you all. God bless you all and pray for my son and me. The more prayers the better. Love ya guys!!!

[ccgirl2]

Hey, Sandi, I haven't had delusions, but I have the milder type II bipolar. My brother has schiz aff disorder and he had straight out delusions; no mood issues. Hope that helps.

[emmer]

Hi Sandi, I have to say I was worried about you. Im glad you checked in.

[newsandi]

CC, I think my son has bp1 because he doesnt experience a lot of depression like if I am not mistaken 2's do. Thank God yours is mild, I have read some real serious cases of bipolar. How is your brother doing? If you dont mind me asking.
Emmer, Thanks for thinking of me. I still come on here and there are certain threads I read and I am happy that you are doing so well.
Talk to you all soon.

[ksos]

Hi Sandi...

I don't know you, but thank you for a post which reminds me about how lucky those of us are who have Bipolar Disorder are, when we are able to negotiate our lives, our illness, and most of all, try as hard as possible to help a struggling family member out,,,,

[ccgirl2]

Hey Sandi. Bipolar one is worse than two; my father in law is I; but he does get the impression also. I think the biggest difference between I and II is the severity of the moods swings and the severity of the symptoms.

I'll just say it again, and I hope it makes you feel better. Even I responds to treatment once you find the right treatment. So, feel hopeful, OK?

[newsandi]

Yes, my son has had some serious mood swings but I truly believe the mood stabilizers will help him with that. I just think the depression part of the illness is scary because I have been on another forum and the depression that some people experience is just awful. With your being mild, you are very lucky. I am in the process right now trying to get this pdoc to understand that the meds that he has my son on is making him a partial vegetable. He is on a anti-psychotic med for the last 6 weeks and he sleeps all the time and has no desire to do anything. Day by day right???? Thats all we can all do. Thanks for your information and I am more positive with getting this under control now then ever before. This has been going on long enough and something has to give. Thanks to all that respond to my post and know that it is well appreciated and needed.
Love, Sandi

[ccgirl2]

Sandi, as bad as the depression can get, IMO the most dangerous time is on the cusp of a manic episode, going into a depression. I've attempted suicide then. Sometimes, during the depression, you're so tired you just want to sleep. Maybe he's in a depressive state. Or, if it is indeed the meds, that, when its adjusted, will get better.

[newsandi]

So do you have mania yourself? and does mania usually end in depression? Just trying to learn as much as I can. I know that my son is not depressed at all. He is flat from all the drugs, and I am being told that it takes time but from what I read, that feeling shouldnt still be there. He takes injections and the pill form also, so that is a discussion for his next appt. Thanks for helping me learn more, I need as much knowledge on this illness because it will be a part of my life forever. Thanks for being a friend.

[ccgirl2]

Hey, Sandi; I'm a rapid cycler. My manias (hypomanias in my case) are very short in duration, and end in a depressive crash. I don't know if that's common or not, but it's my own personal pattern.

As I've gotten older, manias are less frequent. I think I read somewhere, where that is not uncommon.

I hope this helped. Anytime you have any questions, I hope my experience can help.

[Jane63]

{{{{Sandi}}}} It's so good to hear from you and see you posting! I was away all wknd and just got the computer working so I apologise for not checking in sooner!
It sounds like you and your son are doing alot better and I am sooo happy you both are getting out for a walk everyday!! I am glad the weather finally broke too!!!
Your son is so lucky to have you! I hope you get all the info and answers to questions you have soon! Your son will eventually get used to living with his illness and learn to function better...it just takes time and with you by his side is surely the best medicene anyone could ask for!!
Keeping you and your son in my thoughts and sending you {{HUGS}}

Jane