Information and opinions on Bipolar from su1 at BipolarConnect.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/41643/discouraged Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:19:22 -0000 su1 I am discouraged at how long my recovery is taking.  I've been off for 3 yrs now.  I know I should be grateful for the progress I am making, but still, bottom line, I am not living a real life.  It's a disabled life.  Maybe there's a better med out there for me, but I look them up and get overwhelmed with all the possible side effects, having suffered so many already, over the years.  I've managed to come down on the... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/41643/discouraged http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/38295/antibiotics Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:08:52 -0000 su1 I recently read an article in the current 'Moods' magazine (it's Canadian) of a woman who developed bad acne while being on Lithium, so she was prescribed an antibiotic to beat the acne & this caused a big increase in her depression!  The magazine answered that yes, there is apparently a connection between symptoms of depression and anti-acne/antibiotic meds.  Now why isn't this connection common... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/38295/antibiotics http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/36926/physical-mental Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:07:59 -0000 su1 When in doubt, write it out.  LOL Yay, I can still joke, at least.   I feel hopeless.  I can't escape this illness.  I have 2 chronic pain conditions in addition to my Bipolar & when I get that perfect storm of all 3 acting up at the same time, it is SO overwhelming.  I had physical pain the last few days but thankfully it's toned down today, so I'm mainly dealing only with the resulting depression, which is... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/36926/physical-mental http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/36601/keeper Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:45:32 -0000 su1 Great fwd to send to those you love.   Best Wishes, Sharon   You're A Keeper     One day someone's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the> warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning> that> sometimes there isn't any more. No more hugs, no more special moments to> celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." > Sometimes... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/36601/keeper http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/36257/story Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:00:12 -0000 su1 Thought I would share 'My Story' if anyone is interested:   http://www.bipolar-foundation.org/index.aspx?o=4133     Sharon http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/36257/story http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/32005/topomax Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:48:01 -0000 su1 Does anyone have experience with Topomax?  I heard it generally is not so great as a mood stabilizer (though it does help one friend of mine).  It also helps people lose weight (true for 2 of my friends) & I am ALL for THAT! LOL  A couple friends even told me it helps for migraines and nerve pain.  Wow, sounds like a wonder drug!  Would love to hear others' experiences with it.   Cheers, Sharon http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/32005/topomax http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/31971/illness-workplace Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:28:26 -0000 su1 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/breakdown   One of our national papers has a week-long feature on mental illness.  There is one story of a man with BD and suicidal tendencies.    I really appreciate the article called "The Working Wounded", about mental illness and the workplace.  I especially like this quote:   "There's this attitude out there that if you come back from cancer, you're a hero, but if you come back... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/31971/illness-workplace http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/31951/screening-interview Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:36:20 -0000 su1 http://www.bipolarchild.com/ Scroll down to bottom.  Sign in for free (you do not have to check the boxes at the bottom) & there is both a questionnaire & then an 'interview' with pictures that you can do with your child. Printing the summaries is free, but scoring sheets cost $25 USD.  I would just print out the free summaries & bring to your doctor.     Here's another web site... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/31951/screening-interview http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/31742/screening-disorder Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:26:22 -0000 su1 I have recently been in contact with author Katy Sara Culling, of Equilibrium - The Bipolar Foundation (a UK-based org) - here is her write-up: http://www.bipolar-foundation.org/index.aspx?o=1030 (scroll down).   This org has been doing large-scale, worldwide research.  Its findings are that misdiagnosis is SO prevalent.  Better awareness & proper diagnosis of BD is... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/31742/screening-disorder http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/30595/increase-lamictal Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:38:18 -0000 su1 Just a quick note to update everyone.  I have plateaued in my progress for several months, so we tried to increase my Lamictal from 200mg to 300mg 2 months ago (since Lamictal has seemed to be the best med for me) & my condition actually got worse - I had a mild manic episode (I have heard this can happen with Lamictal).  Back to the drawing board...   I hadn't noticed any improvement from 100mg to 200mg a year... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/7061/30595/increase-lamictal