I had my bout at the ER, was diagnosed as bipolar. I am on 50 mg of seroquil and starting on Lamictal. I feel better than before my manic episode. I feel like running, going to yoga, and I even went to a neighbors for dinner so I was a wee bit social. I went to my rinky dink job and performed so my question is what can I expect from here? Do I sit around and wait for the wheels to come off again or is this the new norm?

Of course with my TBI I am still forgetful, bothered by noise, ignorant people, I still feel clausterphobic and paranoid too and oh yeah, the Meds are making me crave things to eat that I wouldn't have craved before.

I love reading this board and appreciate input.

Thanks,
Hilary

Hi, Hilary,

I am glad that the psychiatrists at the hospital straitened you out.

Coming home after being inpatient is like coming home after surgery. You have gone through a trauma and need to recover. Take it easy on yourself.

Some meds make people crave sweets and carbs --- I think I read that right --- can't remember exactly -- I will look for a link later.
. . . . Anyway, stay active, sleep regular hours, minimize stress,eat healthful foods, and keep away from carbs.

The Lamictal helps lots of people. It will take a while for it to start working.

The claustrophobia and paranoia can be treated better. Maybe after the Lamictal dose is higher, the pdocs can tweak your current medications.
They might be able to get things better for you.

Do you keep a mood journal? You can keep an electronic one on line -- Google Mood Chart. Or you can keep one on your own computer. Basically you keep a daily chart of your
1 sleep
2 mood
3 symptoms
4 side effects
5 whatever else is going on

The mood chart helps you communicate with your pdocs and helps you see your own history.

Mari

Hi, Hilary,



This is a free mood chart: https://www.moodtracker.com/


This links to some other mood charts:

http://www.psycheducation.org/FAQ/iCharting.htm


M

Hi TBI/PTSD It's hard to expect what will happen from here. It's best to live one day at a time. I to am on seroquel,and it can cause weight gain. It can help with claustrophobia,and paranoia.

It's nice to meet you. I'm brokenfriend.

yes the seroquil will help with the mania, lamictal will not. it has anti depressant qualities. and can be activating.
I take it along with an antipsychotic, geodon.
bizi

Oooowwwiie that mood tracker is great. Thank you. I have been keeping notes on my phone but this is superior! I really appreciate it as well as all your other info. I have weight issues so I am really worried about gaining weight. It has been hard to exercise with the heat. I will keep trying to resist my cravings and exercise. My sister is severe bipolar and gained about 100 lbs and I am petrified of that.

Thanks again for your posts. I hope you have a good day today.
Hilary

How is it going hilary?
bizi

Thanks for checking. I have been feeling like I am getting consumed by life again. I am worried about things that I can't effect like getting out of the military. Will I have to get another job? Can I work? I am worried about maybe having to sell my house. I wouldn't mind having something smaller but going thru the motions is daunting. I am worried about gaining weight but am depressed and don't feel like doing anything about it. The check engine light came on on my dash for my car. I feel stuck in one place but I am buzzing around in that small place around and around. Oh my service dog growled at a nice lady that came up to us very animated. I think she was afraid of dogs and was trying to cover it up and Trip, my dog picked up on it. My dog shouldn't have done that but he was soooooooo tired because I pushed and pushed us to do too much as I generally do. I can't sit still and relax. I feel guilty leaving my service dog home but I think I need some time to myself, probably sounds cookey but it is how I think. So....today....I am going to an AA meeting, yoga, and maybe for a run if I feel like it. I will go to the pool too.
There are things that I should do....clean out the garage, get rid of things I have but don't really like (I'll donate them or make a garage sale pile). But I have no desire to do things, I want to sit around in a heap and complain of boredom.

I am really rambling here, sorry. Thanks for asking.

I was wrong about my Meds I guess, I am building up my Lamictal but not peeling back on seroquil.

Hilary

Hi, Hilary,

The worrying seems to be part of depression and maybe anxiety.

For now, take care of one thing at a time -- like the engine light.


You have a full productive day planned. Remember to spend some time with yourself if that works for you as well.

M

Thanks Mari and everyone. What do you mean when you say "spend some time with you" meditate? Pray? Cook? I feel depressed and anxious. I went to my meeting, went to yoga but couldn't relax because the dog thing from Costco was on my mind and lunch too. So after yoga I went to Costco to see if she was there, she wasn't. I wanted to apologize. But instead I asked to speak to the store manager and asked him to sit down with me. I explained the incident, that I felt awful, that I made some mistakes too in the situation. I took a handout on service dogs and explained that I have TBI and PTSD, neither are visible which makes it hard. I explained that her super enthusiastically scared me and the dog weren't into protect mode. The manager was great, I was shaking with anxiety and I told him that I will always be villigent (hyper villigent....LOL!) about my surroundings but that it may be helpful to explain to his staff about invisible injuries. We shook hands and I feel I did the best I could. Now I am home and may cook or may not. I think I will try some meditation for sure. Thanks for the guidance and support.