The Chronic, Part One....

I've looked at Bipolar as the same or similar as something chronic like Diabetes or Fibromylgia.  I've even tried to explain it as such to folks.  Still, where someone with Diabetes gets respect and understanding both in society and the workplace - Bipolar doesn't.

Someone with diabetes gets petted and all understand and are respected, someone with Bipolar gets isolated and if employers are aware are wiggled out of a job in some manner.  Happens more often than you think, even today.

Sue, I have never looked at it from the perspective related to other chronic diseases. My mom has cancer, stage 4. My dad has heart disease. My sister died from complications of diabetes. I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm just noticing how chronic illness runs in our family. I am blessed that my family acknowledges my illness is just like theirs. I think it began to be real to my family and friends was when I was hospitalized. Dad was hospitalized with his heart attack and Mom hasn't been hospitalized for her cancer, yet. My sister was in the hospital a few times.

We all need the same tools to be the very best chronics we can be: exercise, nutritian, medication and for us, laughter. We also nag each other about our compliance to what works.

Interesting perspective. Thanks for bringing it here.

--K

  Good post, Sue.  Someone who helped me first hand understand chronic illness of any physical nature need coping skills and adjustment to our perspective.  Kathlee Crowley puts it really good in her book

The Day Room, A memoir of madness and mending.  She is an example of chronic physical pain leading to her depression.

   The book The Power of Procovery in Healing Mental illness: just start anywhere was an awesome eye opener for me and beginning of vocabulary changing in way I share my story with others. 

   Chronic folks don't get to go backward to recovery(traditional sense meaning to a prior state of health - like your broke leg example)..

  They have to live with what they have and manage it closely.  Diabetes, arthritis, thyroid problems, heart problems, lung problems, kidney stuff ect. ect.

  Living well with Bipolar takes effort and sadly there are only a few dbsa groups or nami groups that truly help continue in a forward motion -sometimes the newest member has to have things revisted for their wellness to start and then the chronics who don't want to get better just want to keep reliving the past and can drag the group down for a little while. 

   Procovery circles continue in a forward motion and that has made all the difference to me.  when more folks manage depression and bipolar like any other chronic physical illness maybe some more breakthrough's will surface to make less suffering for those in the future.

  We are just starting to lay the pathwork and tie the pieces together to heal a nation.  When treatment center specialize in Bipolar and depression like they specialize in cancer or heart centers huge strides will occur.. until then - chronic a great way to explain to others this illness that we live with everyday. 

Sue, I had not thought much about this subject until now.  One would think I should have some expertise to share since I was diagnose bipolar 1 in 1976 and began lithium therapy.    In '95 I had an episode of lithium toxicity.  That was the year I began treatment for degenerative disc disease, scoliosis and severe pain as a result of a saggital imbalance.

I have been finding that a good regimen for bipolar is oftentimes a good means of pain control (I had a failed surgery in '96.) and vice versa.  Pain control demands mental focus, breath control and the ability to relax specific muscle groups.

  I have developed peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) and my doctor has taken me off lithium and replaced it with Neurontin (off label, of course).  The drug relieved an enormous amount of pain, and I have remained quite stable, only needing a moderate course of Cymbalta for depression.

The biggest message for people struggling with chronic conditions is adjust  attitude even as your doctor adjusts you meds.  A positive. "can do" attitude is the challenge that must be met.  It does wonders for self-esteem.