Information and opinions on health from animal princess at HealthCentral.com. 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/profiles/c/606991/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/606991/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/606991/index http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/114867/rediagnosed Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:20:04 -0400 animal princess  Hi everyone. I haven't been on in awhile.  Probably since I felt I didn't need the support. But obviously I was fooling myself. I have been "upgraded" from Bipolar II to Bipolar I.  I have been in a manic state for about 4 weeks now and am literally feeling like I'm going nuts!!! I have been put on Lithium 1200 mg, and my Lamitical has been upped to 250 mg, and Zoloft of 100 mg. And so far my mania hasn't subsided. My fiance has... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/114867/rediagnosed http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/108027/conversation Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:49:50 -0400 animal princess Hi everyone. So as some of you may know, my fiance' and I are thinking about starting a family. We have to talk to my pdoc about switching my meds to a medication that is the "safest" to take during pregnancy. My fiance' says it depends on what my pdoc says. Because he wants me to be stable. I told him, I will never be stable, since I am bipolar, and when I'm pregnant, I will be emotional, because of the normal emotions pregnant woman... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/108027/conversation http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/106202/therapy-quitting Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:26:50 -0500 animal princess Hi everyone,                 So I'm doing therapy once a week and almost want to quit because I feel it is almost a waste of time. I usually feel worse after I leave. But then there are days that I feel better and am glad that I go. The times I feel that it is a waste of time is when I really don't have anything to say and just sit there. I guess maybe I'm going to much... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/106202/therapy-quitting http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/105317/changing-fiancee Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:04:45 -0500 animal princess  I am going to talk to my pdoc on the 15th and switch my Lamitical to Lithium since, after reading up on the side effects and birth defects that Lamitical can pose on the fetus, I want to get switched to Lithium since they have less proven birth defects. I am nervous, since I am somewhat stable at the moment on my meds. But I also want to start a family fairly soon. I'm going to be 34 and I don't want to wait anymore!!! Getting old and... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/105317/changing-fiancee http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/104680/giving-quiet Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:45:26 -0500 animal princess Hey everyone. So I have been not myslelf this past week. I am SO thankful I have my pdoc appt. tomorrow. I think my meds need to be either upped or maybe try different meds. I have been extremely irriatable and so not myself. I have been really upset and depressed. Partly I think this is due to the therapy and dealing with the past and trying to heal and move forward in my life. My nightmares are more intense and when my fiance wakes me up,... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/104680/giving-quiet http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/104164/therapist-today Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:51:06 -0500 animal princess Hello all.               I am feeling very anxious today as I have my therapist apt. For my "homework" she told me to pick up the book The struggle for Intimicacy. It's about children of Alcoholics. I was so amazed how most of how I deal with things are a result from my mom being an alcoholic. If anyone hasn't read this book and has had an alcoholic parent, I highly recommend... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/104164/therapist-today http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/103769/nightmares Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:10:21 -0500 animal princess Hey everyone,                        I have been dealing with nightmares for as long as I can remember.  They are always of the abuse that I dealt with growing up, physical and sexual. I am SO tired mentally and sometimes physically from always reliving my past. When I am dreaming, I am not aware that they are just dreams, as some... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/103769/nightmares http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/103312/emotionally Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:54:22 -0500 animal princess Hello group,                 I started counseling today and spent the full hour dealing with issues that I had tried to stuff away when I was younger, and over the years. I used to drink alot and do meth and coke. To medicate myself so I wouldn't have to deal with the pain. But now, I am ready to deal with my issues and learn to love me again. It will be a long road and... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/103312/emotionally http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/101884/effects-zoloft Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:39:32 -0500 animal princess Hi everyone!!! My meds make me want to move all the time. Like even when I'm sitting down, I feel like I have to shake my foot, or tap my fingers on my leg, or just move around!! Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do or how they move without annoying or drawing attention to yourself???  I know this may sound weird but this is what I've been dealing with lately. I think it's the zoloft that makes me feel antsy.  I guess the... http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/101884/effects-zoloft http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/100692/waiting-night Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:38:31 -0500 animal princess Going to my pdoc tomorrow and excited to get meds to help me sleep. I am tired of having nightmares every night. I would rather stay awake. But that would only make me worse in the long run. Lack of sleep only increases my mania. Any suggestions on ways to calm the mind to sleep besides meds? Just curious to see what people do to relax at night. Maybe something might work for me also. Thanks and hope all are doing okay   http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/606991/100692/waiting-night