I'm sorry that this is long, but I'm very worried about my little brother and my father...

My brother was diagnosed with BP about 2 months ago at 30yo after being diagnosed with depression and anxiety (same as me, but I was 29). He couldn't tell me whether he's type I or II tho. I texted him a couple of weeks ago, and he said he was having problems "self-regulating," and when I asked him what he meant by that, he said that he was going from 0-100 in 2 seconds flat. I asked if he told his pdoc and therapist, and he said yes. He's on Laminctal, but I think he's only at 100mg right now.
We had been texting about my father yesterday, and the subject of MJ came up. He said he couldn't get high anymore. I have to smoke A LOT to get high if I'm hypo/manic, so I wondered if his problems with "self-regulating" could be agitation. I asked him if he could be hypomanic and asked some questions...
Well, he's not hypo... he's CLEARLY full-blown manic, so obviously I'm very concerned. He said that his providers are aware of everything that's been going on, but I doubted that because his symptoms are severe.
Light dawned on marble head this morning... he had been taking Zoloft. I texted him this morning, and he's still on it. I guess only his therapist knows what's been going on- but not his pdoc. So, I told him to stop taking it and call her. He called and left a message for her immediately, and she responded that she thinks it is the Zoloft that is the problem, but is concerned that it may be the Lamictal because this episode coincided with an increase. So, she recommended cutting the Zoloft in half, and if he didn't feel better by this weekend, to stop taking the Lamictal, but keep taking the reduced dose of Zoloft? I'm not happy with that plan because he's totally out of control, but she is his provider. She is REALLY, and understandably, PO'ed at the therapist, who never reported any of my brother's symptoms to her. Maybe if she had, things would not have gotten to this point. He's not going to see that therapist anymore.

Corey said my father called him yesterday, but didn't leave a message. Corey was concerned that something may have happened to me because my father knows Corey F'ING HATES him and would never call him. My dad had called him by accident I guess, then called me and left me a message asking me to call him back as soon as I could, so I did. He thought it was my birthday. My birthday is July 11th. He didn't know what month or day it was. We talked for a while, and he just sounded VERY confused in general.
When I spoke to him on Father's Day he was clear-headed. He told me that he had weakness in all of his extremities, and couldn't even get himself off the toilet anymore (all this is new as far as I know). He has a history of falls, but that is not new. His health has been poor for a while, and all he has been doing for a LONG time is laying in bed, which couldn't help matters. I begged him to go to the doctor. He told me his wife had a doctor come over to the house a while ago, but said she was an idiot. That's why I texted my brother.
I guess that that doctor wanted to admit my dad for testing, but he refused. My brother wants to have him admitted against his will because he doesn't have the capacity to make the decision for himself. I think that would be a hard sell because of his wife, but my brother seems to disagree. I haven't seen my dad in about 3 years, and I HATE his wife and will not speak to her, so I'm going to have to leave that up to my brother. I will obviously agree/sign if they need someone else on board. My father has been showing signs of dementia for several years, and his health has been failing. He was a severe alcoholic his whole life. I saw a picture of him from 2 years ago from when my aunt went to see him, and he looked like a ghost.

I have been texting with my brother all morning, which is very rare. Some of the things he's been telling me he's been doing are just concerning me more.

My anxiety is sky high this morning. Corey thinks I should just detach myself from them because they have not treated me well in the past, but that is not how things work with me. I love them both, and am obviously concerned about their wellbeing. Family is family.

Kay

I hope things start to improve for your brother. And I hope he
gets to the bottom of the problems with your dad for you.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

there is now even more on your plate. I am so sorry.

I guess that my brother is going to talk to my father's wife today. I told him not to bring up involuntarily admitting him right out of the gate, and not unless he was sure she would be on board with that. I said that he should just say that he knows how badly that my father is doing, and ask if there is anything either of us could do for THEM (he should acknowledge that it must be taking a toll on her, too). Hopefully something positive comes out of the conversation.

I hate that this is falling upon him at this time, but there's no other way to do it.

Kay

That is a good way for him to take the approach. Hopefully
he will be able to handle that part.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Did you hear from your brother?
I am very sorry that this is going on...
please not another stressor in your life.
(((((HUGS))))
bizi

Thank you for listening, ladies :grouphug:

I've had some time to digest everything, and have calmed down.
I can't help my father right now, but I can help my brother to a certain extent, since I've had plenty of experience being Bipolar and manic.
As much as I would like to, I can't put them in glass houses. They are their own men, and are ultimately responsible for their own actions and behaviors.

I have not heard back from my brother yet. As far as I know, he may not have even talked to my father's wife. I hope if he did things went well. I hope he wasn't drinking...

I finally sucked it up and made an appointment with the NP at my PCP's office to get my asthma under control. I have been short of breath very often lately. I'm sure she'll prescribe something that will get me feeling better soon. I'm a jackass for letting it go for so long. I just didn't want to deal with another doctor appointment... I have 2 tomorrow.

After I see the NP, I have to get the grocery shopping done. I haven't even made a list yet tho :o

So sorry to hear of this most recent development.

It sounds like your approach is a good one. Do what you can for brother and "support" father from afar. Protect yourself. Prepare for what will likely occur if father stays on this path.

Sending strength to endure.

Thank you, Rain shower :hug::hug::hug:

I'm sorry that I couldn't finish reading and posting on the forum today. I got a call from my case manager from the insurance company, then had to rush to get ready for my appointment with the NP.

Today has been a s*** show. I'm waiting until it stops pouring out to do the grocery shopping... which will give me time to finish writing my list :o

I will try to catch up tomorrow, but I have 2 appointments. One with my neurologist, and one to get my Tysabri infusion if he says it's okay because my eosinophil count is so high.

Did you NP give you different meds for your asthma?
How are you doing?
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi