"Brain Tissue Loss Linked With Manic Depression"

Hi there.

Some information suggests that with each major episode, either mania or depression, some brain function is impaired that may or may not be recovered.  I don't know about you, but this scares me into taking my meds all the time.  But meds can also mess with the brain function as a side effect, but not permanently.  Many bipolar people have had substance abuse problems that may have caused some brain functioning problems that just add to the over-all problem.

My biggest memory/brain function problems come from too much stress.  I tell people I am allergic to it now.  And I used to be a solid rock; could handle any emergency (I am a nurse), and loved excitement.

I have to keep my schedule consistent, especially my sleep hours and meds.  Plan what I have to do for the day, then plan what I want to do.  I am looking for a way to have some excitement without upsetting the balance.  Safe gets boring, but that's for another topic.

Let me know how you are doing,

Angie 

Hello Sister!|

I have been bp for 20 years now!  I 'practiced' until nearly 10 years ago when I had an OJI-L3/L5/ S1.  I have found the stress of that unsucessful surgery and the last 10 years were the beginning of mine.  Also, I discovered Muscle Relaxers and Narcotics together add to it! At my worst, I could only remember a short phrase. Going to church was greek to me! This totally sucks!  What hurt the must is that I HAD to retire unwillingly I might all!

Currently i am in tlhe middle of another 10+

[10 count as I call it] and I can take no medic- ation for it what so ever. 

My bp combined with hypomania almost has been out of control for nearly 8 months with numerous med changes!  When under stress like 22 of us forced out of our trailers, and our move 3 weeks ago!  Yeah, I guess stress could do it!

I really don't think I will get my memory back!  When we saw the house, I had a blue print type image of what the house was.  The move in after the worst of the hypomania, was like christmas!  I at the beginning has several breakdowns as they termed it.  D/T thyroid levels too low and Estrogen. 

All this time I thought I was going nuts, or had Alzheimers!  Thanks for reaffirming my bp sanity!

Your info is a god-sent, anymore sent it. 

fortin360@comcast.net