I survived my husbands attempt on suicide
 

Today at two pm my husband is bipolar and had a really bad episode partly because he refuses to take his meds and partly cause he is having a rough time we all are. He overdosed on Tegratol 5 400mg pills. We had to call the EMT and the police in order for him to get to the hospital. He made it okay no bad affects (thanks God) but he is now commited to the psych ward at the hospital for observation and to get put forcefully on meds. It was so hard to keep it together but I did and plus i have severe depression (I take Celexa for mine) but I held it together and now I am home and had to talk to somebody. I am not telling anyone except my mom who made sure I got home from the Hospital after watching my husband to make sure he was okay. I get to visit tommorow for an hour he is being forced to stay there for a week. I need support advice, anything please!

Hi Tabby... I'm sorry about your circumstances and at the same time, am glad that your husband didn't succeed in taking his life. I commend you on finding this safe internet haven - you may notice that there are some posts at the top of the main page called "stickies"... and they are very useful posts in helping you understand the demon called suicide.

That said, I hope you are reaching out to your own doctor and/or therapist to talk about this life-rocking experience... its going to be a tough go, I'm sure.

Its coming to a long weekend so you may not find many folks posting here but please don't give up on us... just keep reading and learning all you can about what you're dealing with.

Why is it guys have such a hard time taking meds, I will never understand :(

I'm on celexa, too... and recently upped it because I was feeling that pull to leave this world... thankfully that and dear friends have lifted me up again. (under a doctor's care)

keep us posted and hang in there :hug:

Addy

Tabby Cat....:grouphug: You have come to the right place to talk about suicide...many of us here have attempted it, and consider it an option but by leaning on each other and sharing our pain, we have learned that it isn't the solution. I'm glad your husband is safe in the hospital.

There are several good books out there that offer help and understanding..try "Suicide, The Forever Decision" by Paul Quinsett. It's an excellent, paperback for those considering suicide and those who love them.

We have an active bi polar forum here that your husband might want to consider joining when he is back home...I assume he will be going to therapy and hope he will be more reasonable about taking meds.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this on top of your own depression. Please know that you aren't alone...come talk to us and let us know of his progress. :hug:

Hi Tabby

oh dear, i am sorry you had to go through that. i hope in the psych ward they will be able to help your hubby with his compliance issues, that can be difficult. it is good that you are helping yourself with meds.

i am bipolar and i also post in the bipolar forum here. whether or not your husband wishes to join, you are welcome to join us yourself. we have folks there who are bipolar, relatives of bipolar and also who just have similar difficulties (depression, anxiety) that post. here is the link:

Neurotalk Support Groups - Bipolar Disorder

meanwhile, this (Survivors of Suicide) forum is the right place to talk more in depth about suicide. it does come up as a concern in the Bipolar forum as well. feel free to participate in either or both forums to whatever extent you wish.

welcome to Neurotalk and hang in there.

~ waves ~

:hug: wanted to give tabbycat a hug . Sorry you are dealing with everything that you are right now.I am glad your hub did not succeed .
I have attempted in the past .now looking back honestly it was the only way I knew how to scream out for the help I so badly needed.
sending positive thoughts and wish for him to receive the care and help .and you my new friend what a great wife an angel to be there for him ..even tho you too have your issues. getting him to the hosp was /is the best thing one could do. listening and talking to a t-doc are at the top of to do list too I think.
a pro doc to talk to and help me figure my way threw my issues and learning coping skills is something that helped me a whole lot.
belonging to this understanding forum here is priceless too. glad you found us.
:grouphug:
let us know how things are going and try your best to get threw this...we are here for you.:grouphug:
PEACE
BMW

I talked to him for ten minutes this morning at 9:30 he was very upset. He kept saying how he wants to come home. I love him but I know whats best is for him to stay there for the week. He is sick and been throwing up cause of the pills he OD on but I am bringing his some clothes and pictures and a card. Any advice on what to tell him I got see him at 3 for my hour visit but honestly I am at a loss I just know I have to be strong for him and our marriage! I thank you all for your concern and I will keep you update thank God he is okay and I found this site. I cried for an hour last night missing him and I slept wearing his shirt and his boxers. I miss him so. Thanks all

Dear Tabby,

you are doing the right thing.

tell him you want him to be well and are on his side.

tell him you love him.

tell him you miss him.

tell him your slept wearing his shirt and boxers.

keep posting i will check for your updates.

:hug::hug::hug:

~ waves ~

gross detail / re: Tegretol OD/emesis & treatment
 

Tabby - regarding Tegretol OD - i've been there....

*everyone/anyone* this is going to be gross - re puking, so if you are sensitive, don't read it.

i do not understand why your hubby is still throwing up!!!!! :(

I OD'd on Tegretol too, by accident, once.......

i puked my eyes out ... could not stand, could barely crawl, quadruple vision... had to call 911.

by the time they got me to ER i was beyond stomach contents i was puking bile. they gave me an antiemetic to stop the puking and put me on fluid replacement to get the carbamazepine level down.

maybe you could ask the doc what they did/are doing to help him, and whether they have given him an antiemetic... (maybe they already did and it was of limited use. :o) if not, maybe they'd be willing to give him one.

poor thing i feel for him, that was a horrible experience. :(

~ waves ~

From what I know they just told him to rest. They didn't even pump his stomach cause they said they didn't need to but I think they should have he took alot of them. I am going to see him about half an hour will post when I get back and I told him I sleep in his clothes and I love and miss him. At least they are letting me bring him a card and some clothes so it can be a little easier on him. I love him so much! thanks all for your support!:grouphug:

Hi Tabby


pumping the stomach only helps if it is done almost immediately when the stuff is ingested. once the stuff is absorbed pumping the stomach does no good. the throwing up is not, in the case of carbamazepine, the result of stomach irritation. it is an effect of drug intoxication.... the stuff was already in his system when he got there. :o

bizarre no fluid replacement... i was hooked up to one of those big liquid bags for 24 hours, they said they had to put minimum 3 of those things through me... and then redraw my levels! :o AND during that 24 hours, they were collecting/measuring my "liquid output" as well! plus i was on all kindsa monitors, O2 monitor, heart...

:confused:

maybe he is less acute than i was ... i'm sure they drew his levels.... you probably don't need to worry. the XR will take time to flush out though, that's the only thing, and they can't really speed it up. i am sure they are making sure he drinks water. i passed out after a while, so probably they had to do iv fluids on me as i couldn't drink.

see, the best we could figure, in my case, is that i took a defective 400XR and it delivered the full amount into my blood immediately.

i hope you have a good visit with your hubby. you are a trooper. ;)

~ waves ~

Tabby it's way too early in his hospitalization to know if he will cooperate, take the prescribed medicines and go to group therapy...assuming they do group at this hospital. This is so scary for you...I'm glad your mother is in the picture and is a support for you.

How long have you been married if I may ask and is he working? You know that you cannot let him hold you hostage with the threat of suicide...that won't work for either of you. None of us can be responsible for another persons life...it is and must remain their responsibility...I understand that you love him and want him to come home and be well. :hug:

Paul Quinnett, in the book "Suicide The Forever Decision, talks about a bug being trapped in the bottom of the cup. He says,

"While human beings are bigger and supposedly smarter than bugs, I am not so sure of that, when it comes to getting ourselves out of the cups we find ourselves in, we always do a better job of it. Once we are into a particular set of problems, I am not so sure all of us can think our way out of them - at least by ourselves."

**************
And that's why I am glad that your husband is safe for now, in the hospital, getting professional help. He might not like being there but it's where he needs to be.

Please know that we are here for you. :grouphug:

The visit went well, He was very sick when I got there and he had been woken up in order to visit with me. I talked to him for fourty five minutes till he asked me if he could go to bed cause he didn't feel well. He had been throwing up (four times). they have him monitered every four hours drawing his blood and urine tests. He also started his meds for getting better. Tonight i just talked to him he is no longer sick they have him on a nicotine patch in order to keep him from having withdrawals from cigarettes. He also now has clothes, some pictures, two cards and a teddy bear from me to sleep with. I love him and he is doing so much better. Great news is he said that if he keeps on the track hes on he might be able to be released monday instead of thursday of next week. He is hopeful. I am too. He is doing so much better. okay so now a list of the meds he's on
Acydonir-400 mg twice a day
Abilify-10 mg at bedtime
EffexcrXR-150 daily

He is much more mellow! I love him and will keep you updated I get to call him in the morning and then I get to visit him everyday this weekend keep him in your prayers and hope he gets better. he is starting counceling the moment he gets out he is willing to continue medication too. I love him and thanks for all the support

Tabby

Dear Tabby

thanks for checking in.

it sounds like your husband is being well looked after. i am glad he seems well-intentioned about meds and counseling when he comes out. it is a good start.

he is lucky to have you at his side.

you take care of yourself now too. get yourself some rest. baby yourself a little. wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a hug. (physically do it, it feels good.) :hug:

~ waves ~

Thanks I will post again tommorow he is improving a ton he even said it was good i did what i did

For Tabby
 

Really good advice Waves!

Tabbycat, it was SO wonderful to meet you in the chat room tonight. You are incredible--do you know that? As someone else said, you have enough on your plate with your own depression--but I am so thankful that your husband has you. I hope he continues to get better and that his mental health state stays stable. Hopefully now that he is back on the medicine, he will feel a bit better. Keep on loving him and doing what you're doing... and if you ever want to chat, feel free to message me. Take care! :hug::hug::hug:

This is just the best news Tabby...I'm so happy that he's progressing so well. :hug:

thanks so much Sarah Mae it was great talking to you I wouldn't have rushed off but I was gonna call him one more time to check in. I am so excited I get to see him today. I slept great last night knowing he is doing better and he loves me so much and isn't mad at me! well I will keep you updated!

Thanks Alffe me too I can't wait to see him today and give him some deodorant I love him so much! I know its great news hopefully there is a happy ending in my husband and my story!

LOL! Can't wait to give him some deodorant?! LOL :D

Great to "hear" your happiness! :grouphug:

Dear Tabby

relief and joy. glad he appreciates you, too.

i am happy for you and your husband. :hug:

~ waves ~

Thinking of you Tabby
 

Hi Tabby:grouphug:

You are so brave to share your story here with us on NT. I am really hoping that you and your lovely husband will be back together again and that your husband will find peace. Will be thinking and praying for you.

Lovely chatting with you too

Jackie :hug:

Tabby
 

Praying much for you and your husband as you go through this episode of LIFE. You can both survive this and be the stronger for it.
Prayin,
Mark56:hug:

Deodorant..... :)
 

.....and wearing his boxers.......
What more could a husband ever ask for?!! :p
Tabby, you are one special lady... it was such a pleasure getting to meet you in the chat lounge this morning!

http://dl2.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...iq0xsnzz0y.gif

Rae
:hug:

He is doing great got to talk to him going to see him now I thank you all for your support and I will be on later to tell you what he says the doctor said thanks so much Tabby

He is doing much better high chances of him being released on Monday. He was in a great mood and happy to see me and he said he loves me!!! get to see him again tomorrow yay!:D

Yea
 

Hi Tabby- Rejoicing in the progress being made here for you and your hubby. May you just hold one another in growth as, surfacing from this episode, your young lives take on the full richness of a growing life together. You have much to experience together, the good Lord willing.

Praying, of course,
Mark56:hug:

I hope so Mark and I am so thankful talked to him again tonight to say goodnight and he is doing terrific. Hopeful that he will get out he sounded much better than he did originally but I am glad he is getting better. Our visit was great I was so Glad I got to see him in his own clothes wearing the deodorant I brought him,He smelt so much better. He misses his cigarettes and his wife though he said and the intimacy we have as a husband and wife! I am glad you all are so supportive and thanks Mark!

Tabby

God Bless:grouphug:

I am SO happy that he is doing so well.. that is wonderful news! :) Will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers... and will keep checking for updates. I can tell you are very excited! :) :hug:

alright well I will keep you updated :hug:

Wonderful news
 

Hi Tabby

What wonderful news to read today that your husband is doing great. You sound so upbeat its fantastic. I CANT believe you are both so young and dealing with this issue. Its heartbreaking. You should be SO proud of yourselves. May you both have a long, happy and healthy married life together.:hug:

Jackie:grouphug:

Thanks so much Jackie and yeah it does suck we are so young and have to deal with this but I believe we will make it through and it will make us stronger. I thanks you all and I love my husband very much and I know I am not the only one who has been having a rough time with such a situation as this so I hope that my story will give them hope!:grouphug:

It will give hope TabbyCat...I'm so glad you are sharing here. :hug:Let us know how todays visit goes. :grouphug:

Thankful
 

I am just so glad you happened into Chat yesterday early when Rae, Jackie, and I were there goofing off. You brought your precious family into our lives and openly shared. What bravery and openness you displayed.

You have the strength and more now that each of us is praying for you and your husband as his release approaches. Getting on schedule with the follow on meds and psych visits to help you both manage his future condition as survivors will be key. The psych may even invite you to participate some as your husband's wife and caregiver to offer perspectives from time to time, all of this is if your husband agrees of course.

Praying for you even more so,
Mark56:grouphug:

I think he would welcome me into his counseling and such he lets me ask about his medical condition and all and listed me as the only one to get information on him. i saw him today and he was so happy to see me and he was joking and laughing man how i miss him. It so hard still not to have him here but they said he will let me know tomorrow if he is released and can come home and then we are gonna cuddle and cry for happiness! I love him so much thanks again Mark for everything. I am just dealing with a lot and you guys are so great! This has become my support since I don't have much!

thanks Tabby

Such good news Tabby...sounds like his attitude is positive and that's such a good sign. :hug:

It is better and he looked like he was feeling better. No bags under his eyes. Hes been sleeping everyday all day since he's been there. He also was joking about things. It was great!
Thanks Alffe

Tabby:hug:

So pleased
 

So pleased for you Tabby :) I hope he is home where he belongs with you very soon

Jackie :hug:

They told me the doctor on duty today would not release him could not give reason. they read me all the notes (all positive things) but they said his regular doctor will be on tomorrow and he should be released as long as it all goes well. I am upset by him not going home tonight so much that I had my first cigarette in three months just as I came out the door of the psych ward. I am barely holding it together but I held it together for him while in visit. I have a counseling appt. tomorrow at 9 am will let you all know if he is released tomorrow. WIsh us luck I need it....thanks all
Tabby
:hug:

I understand your impatience to have him back in your arms but we have to trust the professionals. Sending you some hugs and some positive thoughts for a peaceful resolution. :grouphug: and indeed, wishing you luck!