RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (Full Version)

All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Health and Safety



Message

dollparts85 -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 10:32:39 AM)

I had a full work up back in Nov...checked all my levels and stuff. Everything was fine cept my kidneys...some levels were a bit high. I get a pap every year in Nov too...my potassium should be normal right now b/c I'm not purging (very often, at least...few times a month) plus I eat an insane amount of fruit hehe



DragonEros58 -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 10:32:43 AM)

For a few years I worked in a group home with a Man that had several  mental issues, one of them was Bi-Polar disorder. He would go into rages and assault Staff, break things, punch holes in the wall, etc.  He was on Lithium, Seriquil, Depicote and several other meds. 
About a year ago His doctor put Him on Abilify, and began to slowly decrease the other meds.  The change was nothing less than remarkable. It helped Him smooth out the mood swings and He was more able to control His temper.

You may want to look into it.







dollparts85 -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 10:34:42 AM)

I'm actually stable mood wise btw...I just have an anxiety problem right now. I'm never even sad anymore.



MissAngelandsub -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 1:07:37 PM)

Well, I just started the tegretol and I know its a wait and see game with bi-polar. Thats the only bad part about trying new meds you always have to wait like a month before you know if the meds will work and if they don't usually you get an increase before they change meds also I am having to work with the 4 dollar prescriptions they have available at wal-mart because otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford the medicines if the tegretol doesn't work I will try my best to find someone at the clinic I go to that will trust themselves to montior lithium levels because I do know Lithium works.



midnightwench -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 2:37:15 PM)

I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems with the mood swings, I can understand those all too well. I have Cyclothymic Disorder and find that I have issues with them as well. 

Here is a really off way that I deal with them..and it works for me..
Do you enjoy any type of pain whatsoever in your play? + Do you have someone to play with?

I find that being dropped into subspace does wonders for me, and because I am a pain slut, the endorphins that are produced during a session work wonders to help get my mood back to what I consider normal.

I have found that I can be off medication as long as I keep an eye on my moods, and play on a regular basis.

I don't know if this suggestion will work for you, but in talking with many of my BiPolar sisters and brothers they have mentioned it worked for them also.

Whatever you find for a solution, best of luck!



Aswad -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 5:32:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mercnbeth

non-pharmeceutical, all natural substance


Would that be Dronabinol®, or Marinol®? [;)]

I think you mean to simply say "illicit pharmaceutical of unknown potency," which would be entirely accurate for said herb. Herbal medicine is the same as pharmaceutical, except nature has spent thousands to millions of years perfecting its toxicity by random trial-and-error, rather than designing it in a lab over a few years with systematic exploration and testing it to model interactions and toxicity in a manner that lets competent doctors use it properly.

Let's face it, rauwolfia, digitalis and deadly nightshade are all herbs, and absolutely lethal if misused.

Just because something is "natural" changes nothing; it still comes down to the doc (whether licenced or naturopathic).

The main difference is that a herbal drug is essentially an insecticide being used for its side effects (i.e. nature's failure to make it perfectly lethal), while an engineered drug is generally designed to be a beneficial drug whose side effects are undesired and weighed against the benefits. One may note how those who shout loudly about the dangers of engineered drugs also tend to be quite skeptical of insecticides. Odd how that does not apply to nature's insecticides, in my opinion.

quote:

it also has no toxic side affects.


Incorrect. While cannabis undisputedly has benefits, it also has side effects, some of which are toxic.

Anandamide and some other substances are the body's "natural" substrate for both the central and the periphereal cannabinoid receptor system, not dronabinol (Marinol®), CBD (Sativex®), acetaminophen (Tylenol®), or any of the other substances that we use to trigger it. In fact, we can increase the potency and binding time of anandamide, for instance, and thereby reduce the side effects associated with cannabis use. If the regulatory authorities could get their heads out of their asses and licence more researchers, we'd see far better medical drugs than cannabis in a few years.

Among the side effects are weight gain (increased appetite and lipogenesis), altering the vasopressor response, and long term detrimental effects on the body's ability to absorb and use Omega-3 fatty acids, which is likely to worsen ADHD and a few others in the long term (high doses of Omega-3 are as effective as stimulants for ADHD) due to the resultant nerve changes. Since the effects of the DNA changes that cannabis is known to induce have not been completely mapped, we can't say what that will do over the long term.

I've not studied it well enough to detail the effects, but to say that it has no side effects is nonsense.

No doubt a wonderful and promising drug, but not a panacea, and not a free lunch.

Health,
al-Aswad.



MissAngelandsub -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 5:51:04 PM)

I do have someone to play with but pain isn't something that makes me go into subspace and would probably just piss me off more right now lol. The main problem I am having is getting frustrated very easily and just not being happy like I was before the meds...if that makes any sense bi polar is a tricky thing. I just know that I was having mood swings quite rapidly before the meds but now I just get to the end of my rope quicker now than before and its hard working with the public like this. I just wish there was a way to keep from getting so frustrated without having to take anything else besides what I have been taking just for the short amount of time it is before this side effect wears off.



Aswad -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 6:13:45 PM)

No idea how that sort of thing works over there, but have you considered a brief inpatient stay while it stabilizes?

Health,
al-Aswad.



MissAngelandsub -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 8:02:46 PM)

I can't afford a brief in patient stay and even if I could I would most likely lose my job and I can't absolutely can not lose my job. Otherwise I probably would have been there several times in the past two years been a wreck since my dad died and have had several break downs but having to support myself and my husband has kept me sane enough to go to work and not lose my self completely.



deliciousmorsel -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 9:41:14 PM)

Ok, I have read some BS here...

All this herbal crap- not with real Bi Polar dears. Na Uh. Not pot, not np's, and this refusal to let you see a real doctor is probably up into malpractice. Both you sick girls need a public lawyer to get you care.
The problem is that no matter how intelligent, educated, and competent you are a patient has no voice in the psych world and you will be blown off. You need an advocate. Your Dom is a good start, but a lawyer is always best ;-D Poor people can get free ones, ask around. The program has different names in different states.

Tegretol- generic or real? Generic doesn't actually work for 99.9999% of people who take it. You should feel the edge come off in a couple days. I found the generic was not worth the blackboard chalk they made it from..
(note- too much Tegretol can actually make you psychotic. First thing to do if symptoms is reduce the dose, not dump on more drugs)
Trileptal- safer, Usually better daughter of Tegretol. It's in patent so you might qualify to get it free from the company. No drug interactions, and it doesn't have that nasty make you psycho quality. They both cool your brain down VERY quickly, and both work for most people. Check your dose and I recommend the Trileptal. Excellent stuff.

Novel antipsychotics- these drugs exist to make money for companies, not to enhance your life. The 100 pounds or so, the diabetes, T wave interference, stupidity, arthritis and joint failure, suits don't care. If you're actively psychotic, you might take these for a few days, but not long term. Absolutely NO basis for using them long term other than the money the drug company pays your MD to prescribe them.
Anxiety is best treated with anxialytics, or Valium as they're called. Much safer drug. Rich patients get Valium because they refuse to pat $1500 a month for antipsychotics they don't need. Poor patients get the dangerous drugs, and too much of them, because if the state is paying the companies can milk the government for cash.

I get my information from current literature and my boss, a neuropsychopharmechologist. The short term is Psychiatrist who knows what he's doing.
www.psychotropical.com.au

Lizzy
Been there, done it, taken it, researched it, work in the field, Have the t shirts and geodon desk set- literally- seen plenty, desperately seeking any job with no psych involved...




MissAngelandsub -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 11:22:45 PM)

been on trileptal didn't work can't afford name brand only generic. I am going to my GP because I can't afford a mental doc. And I will never ever let any one prescribe me valium. I seen my bi-polar dad coming off valium and oh my God my parents almost divorced over that shit I will not let myself get on that. I am only on 100mg of tegretol last I checked that was a very low dose they actually recommend starting someone out on 200mg but my doc wanted me to go on 100 for the first week to get my body used to the medicine. Sorry I may sound rude in this post but currently not in a good frame of mind. Being married to someone that is also bi-polar doesn't always help the situation.



bookworm966 -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/18/2008 11:44:32 PM)

Another bipolar opinion weighs in...
I take a 'cocktail' of Trileptal, Lexapro, Zyprexa, and Klonopin.  Having been through a lot of meds, I'm finding these work for me.  I do therapy biweekly, since I'm going through some life changes right now (recent family deaths, breakup of my marriage).  But I also find my biggest mood modifiers are making sure I get the right amount of sleep, maintaining a reasonable schedule and talking to those who care about me most when I'm feeling a bit wonky.  I see my psychiatrist for med evaluation about every 3 months and have complete bloodwork about every 6. 

From a pharmacological standpoint, the only difference between name brand and generic drugs are the binding agents.  Per FDA regulations, the primary 'drug' contained in each must be the same, and in the same ratios.  And a medication is only available in generic form once the proprietary right has expired.  



dollparts85 -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/19/2008 4:51:34 AM)

Trileptal makes birth control less effective....which is why I went off it...plus the wonderful side effect of CONSTANT itching...which was driving me insane LOL



tsatske -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/19/2008 7:48:39 AM)

Dollpart,
You probably feel that sometimes people here do not believe you or take you seriously. It is because you tend to share alot and that can happen sometimes when you give near strangers a lot of personal info to use on you.
However, I have seen enough of the indigent care system that I do believe you are experiencing exactly what you say you are.
Now I am going to teach you some magic words. 'Ombudsman'. If you are being seen in a clinic that accepts medicare, they should have an ombudsman. Go to the front desk and ask for the ombudsman phone number. Sit down and make a list of what you are having problems with. Your medication concerns are not being addressed. Your therapist is not comfortable talking about sex. ect, ect.
Call the ombudsman. Tell him/her you have asked to see the doctor and the NP refuses, and explain the problems you are having.
You may get an answering machine to leave your number to be called back. In that case, you might never get called back. The one time I had to call an ombudsman at a mental health clinic, I never even got to talk to the ombudsman. The next week, my therapist asked me if I called and I said, 'yes, because of xyz' and she said, 'Its not a problem anymore. XYZ are handled.' (in my case was that they didn't want to treat me because I had insurance, and they were the indigent clinic, but my insurance did not adequately cover my mental health care needs.) Be prepared with your list of what you need to talk about.
I understand. In the mental health care community, many want to just prescribe drugs and everything will magically be okay. Many mental health care professionals are not happy when mentally ill people want an active say in their own treatment. As I say all the time. I am diabetic. If I am well informed and well educated about diabetes, have strong opinions about diabetic care and am active in my own treatment, that makes me an excellent diabetic patient. If I am well informed and well educated about my mental illness, have strong opinions about my recovery plan and am active in my own treatment, that makes me a drug seeker and a bad patient. Not every professional feels this way, however, and it is worth the search to find those that do not.
While trying to fight against your clinic, also consider looking for another therapist. I believe you that this is the only clinic in your area that accepts medicare. But start calling private offices in the phone book and asking if the private docs accept medicare. Start calling churches and asking if they can refer you to free counseling. You may or may not find anyone, but it is worth looking.



tsatske -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/19/2008 8:08:29 AM)

MissAngelssub,
Actually, I do have some pretty specific advice on this, since I am mentally ill. I am occasionally on meds, when life warrants it, but manage to be non-medication managed most of the time. I do see a therapist that I trust and have an excellent rapport with. Unless anyone is thinking that managing to be non-medication managed means I'm slightly mentally ill, trust me, I am very, very bi-polar. my diagnoses is Bi-polar type I (that means I can go on manics where I quite eating, sleeping, or doing anything except burning a hole in the credit card), with pschzephrinc effects (that means I see things that you might not see). I am not advocating non-medication management. That is not the right choice for everyone, it is a choice that should be made individually by doctor and patient together.
However, the things that make it possible for me to be non-medication managed also help medicated people to be more stable. The cute little list is my own, however, there are good research studies on individual portions of it, comparing a study group of mental health patients doing just ONE of these things, and usually a highly specific one, (like running every day, or painting, ect, ect), to patients on meds, and they seem to do equally well.
These are the things that I believe a mentally ill person must try to do everyday, to be more stable:
1. Endorphin producing activity. (Like exercise. If you are a maso, getting beat works well here. (and, yes, I have said that exact line to my therapist. He is comfortable with that).
2. Serotonin producing activity. (Listen to music. Do something that makes you happy)
3. Right brain activity. (Art. writing. creating something.)
4. Alpha brain wave producing activity. (meditation. Yoga. Worship. Witchcraft. ect.)
5 social phobia fighting activity. ( go somewhere where there are people, and socialize. Yes, I know, it's hard. It's scary. Do it anyway.)
6. Get outside. Get sunshine. breath fresh air.

These things, and the active use of the 12 steps in my life, keep me sane.
Also, as my therapist says, be careful to HALT. Do not allow yourself to be hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Recognize if you are these things, and do something about it. If you get all four at once, because you were really not taking care of yourself, the order to fix them in, is: hungry, tired, lonely, angry. Eat something, then go take a nap. Then go seek out another human being, and talk through what you are upset about.

A couple of good books:
Dr. David Burns book: Feeling Good therapy
(there is a workbook and some other asseccorry books with this one.)

also, if you are not in a 12 step program and have no addictions leading you to one, but would like to use the 12 steps as part of your general life or recovery, there is a book called '12 steps to happiness' for that purpose.

Good luck. I hope you find yourself better, and more stable feeling, soon.



MissSCD -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/19/2008 8:13:58 AM)

Greetings dear:
 
I have bipolar and yesterday was a terrible day with mood drop issues because I have not had a day off in forever.  Rest is a must.
It takes about three weeks for a new med to stablize for me.  I am level two, but it could switch to one easily depending upon what triggers me off.
For me, customers get me through this mood.   I work a register.  I am dealing with people all day.
Most of them know me, and can tell when I need a lift. 
All I can suggest is try and concentrate on humor.  Watch a funny movie.   Try to get away from violence a day or two on television.
Turn the tv off.
Believe in yourelf.
Go one day at the time.

Regards, MissSCD



MissAngelandsub -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/19/2008 10:34:17 AM)

well I read my medicine info again last night because I can't remember awhole lot like that unless I read it over and over again. The mental mood changes is a sign to call the doc immediately so I called and talked to the nurse and she is going to talk to the doc then call me back. Don't know if they will up my meds or not but I hope they will. There for awhile I was doing great on not having to be on medication but I noticed the problems I was having and didn't know that the medicine would make them worse for awhile. I told the nurse also about how the lithium did the same thing to me on a low dose as the Tegretol is doing so maybe they will either up the medicine or they may change it I have no clue.

And a note on the social phobia thing I work a cash register there is no way that I wouldn't be around people lol the wal-mart in my area is always packed during the times I work. But I only work during the busy parts of the day. Hard to actually get a sleep schedule because of my work schedule keeping me out most times til 11pm and when I get home it takes me a few hours to actually wind down and I seem to be on a very wacky sleep schedule I go to sleep about 2 or 2:30am and wake up about 11am lol today I woke up at 1pm that was a surprising change. But if this mood swings keep happening I don't see myself being able to go to work tommorow. And I don't know how to handle that either.



masamichi -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/19/2008 12:08:30 PM)

honesly my switch in religion as just as much of a root in mental well being as it does in overall well being. Buddhism teaches me acceptence and love... and most of all peace.
before i found that i had to have hugs all the time.



MissAngelandsub -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/19/2008 4:56:26 PM)

Well personally I won't switch my religions for any reason as my religion helps me when I need it. I do beleive I found a way to control my mood swings and it was quite my accident lol. Having a loving husband and a bedroom makes all the difference sometimes.[:D]



MissAngelandsub -> RE: Any Ideas on handling mood swings? (3/20/2008 11:04:23 PM)

Well went to work today and didn't take any meds last night and had alot better day than I did Monday. Still haven't talked to the Doc I seem to be gone or asleep when they call [8|]



Page: <<   < prev  1 [2] 3   next >   >>

Valid CSS!




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy
0.046875