Information and opinions on Bipolar from LifeontheIsland 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/81961 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961 http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/61191/husband-rampage Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:03:44 -0500 LifeontheIsland About every three months my husband goes on a rampage and says very hurtful things. This morning before he went to work he was at it again. I'm so used to it that it doesn't even make me cry anymore, but it does hurt me and make me feel very insecure.   I certainly don't need this now, especially since I am having my back surgery in 9 days and will be layed up for a while. My back and left leg pain are so terrible that it makes living... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/61191/husband-rampage http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/60962/sort-frustrated Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:48:57 -0500 LifeontheIsland I just got back from my appt. with my psychiatrist. Last time I saw her was two weeks ago and she said then that she wanted me to cut down on the Abilify and wean myself off of it, which I did.   I started to feel slightly manic when I was off of it for only a few days (shakey, anxiety, no appetite), so I was wondering if it was the right thing to do.   Well, today and she said that she didn't want me off of the meds,... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/60962/sort-frustrated http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/60062/questions-lithium Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:20:42 -0500 LifeontheIsland This is a sundress that I sewed. Sewing helps to keep me sane.   I just started taking Lithium a month ago and I have a few questions about it. I know about side effects and so far I have none, thank goodness.   Is Lithium for depression AND mania? Or is it only for depression? Does anyone know how it works?   My depression is slowly improving, and I have not had any manic episodes since I started Lithium. But I'm just... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/60062/questions-lithium http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/56156/frustration Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:05:48 -0500 LifeontheIsland Not a lot of snow, but we did eventually get a foot of the stuff. Lasted for two weeks!   My husband is becoming frustrated with me. Not only is it because of my BP, it is because I need a back surgery, for the second time. I should be scheduled for surgery by March/April. A herniated disk is compressing my sciatic nerve and my leg is so weak and painful that I'm now using a cane to walk. It is hard to do chores around the house and... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/56156/frustration http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/55851/lithium Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:40:01 -0500 LifeontheIsland         I am finally changing my meds to try something new. I'll be taking Lithium. Does anyone have experience with it? Any nasty side effects? How does/did it work for you?   Thanks in advance for your reply!   ~Cathy http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/55851/lithium http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/53214/dreading-xmas-eve Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:45:00 -0500 LifeontheIsland Xmas Eve is the anniversary of my father's death. I dread it every year. I wish I didn't.   I'm all ready for xmas, but am dealing with grief. I hate the meds I am on, but Dr. insists that they will 'eventually' do some good for me.   Am also in physical pain with a bad back - need a disk replacement at L5/S1.   HOw can I enjoy the life that is being stolen from me through BP pain and physical pain? I'd rather be in physical... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/53214/dreading-xmas-eve http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/50638/husband-abusive Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:59:14 -0500 LifeontheIsland Winter is almost here. Sure feels like it here in Seattle.   My question is this: Are many woman with BPD abused by their non-BP partners? Are the statistics of abuse higher for BPD women, than women without mental illness?   I know that long term abuse leads to mental illness, and I was abused by my ex-husband for 11 years. Even though we've been divorced for almost nine years, he still knows how to get to me. I avoid talking... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/50638/husband-abusive http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/49789/back-sq Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:59:54 -0500 LifeontheIsland This is a flower in my garden last summer.... oh, how I miss summer...     I feel like I did before I got diagnosed with BPD; depressed, nervous, can't seem to "get over" my thoughts, envy people brave enough to try suicide - I never would because of my kids and husband and my mom...but sometimes I wish I could, I feel 'keyed up' all of the time, but at the same time I'm down, I only feel happy and 'up' around other... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/49789/back-sq http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/48953/end-friendship Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:55:16 -0500 LifeontheIsland Yesterday I went to the funeral of a friend. All of us that went were experiencing some anniversary grief, based on our own previous losses. Some people were hurting more than others, and some drank WAYYYYY too much. A woman who I have concidered a friend was very nasty to me toward the end of the evening and accused me of sleeping with her boyfriend. PAH-LEEEEEZE! She was kind of drunk (not that 'drunk' is an excuse) and she was very cruel and... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/48953/end-friendship http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/48752/somedays-things Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:28:17 -0500 LifeontheIsland This was an up and down day. Went to my back Dr., for my herniated disk, thinking we were going to schedule surgery, but no. He's got a bad bedside manner and forgets our previous conversations about how I have to have the surgery before the end of the year, or I won't be able to afford it (because of insurance). I left crying. He even has to MAIL me my disabled parking form (for a disabled parking placard), instead of taking a minute and... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/81961/48752/somedays-things