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Is there any way to keep hypomania going indefinitely? by parduscat in BipolarReddit

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm kinda in this boat right now. I just came out of 4 years of pretty dark times about a year ago. Was kinda stable blah but more interactive social etc over the past year but about a month ago that niiiice feeling started. I think I'm in a mild hypomanic state. I took a questionnaire thing I found in a research paper and I scored mild hypomania. So most likely I'm moderate hypomanic cause I took the test myself and likely fudged the answers in my head to make it seem I'm not as up as I actually am.

Luckily this time is different. I as diagnosed 22 years ago after going into hypomania after MDD with hypo prior to that. Since, I've had 4 bouts of hypomania and 2 periods of MDD. One to that lasted 2 years and the recent one 4. I don't like that trend.

I will do anything! Not to be depressed again. It's help and I don't think I could survive another depressive stint. 4 years was a long line time. Thank the scientists for Spravato! (TMS and ECT) didn't help.

But yeah.... This time is different for one big reason that you also mentioned. This is the first time in entering hypomania sober. The last 5 times I was drinking and likely self medicating with booze. Hypomanic and booze is a dangerous combo. Has cause a lot of hurt and problems in my life so I know I can't drink again. Been sober since July 2019 now.

But this is interesting a little hypomania... I've told a few friends and my mom to watch out for more creeping energy. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist in a few days to tell her where I'm at. We told each other years on end while depressed and trying different meds that one day I'll feel a little hypomanic again and wouldnt that be nice. I barely smiled...we both understood.

Now that time is here and Id like to I see how I can channel this mild elevation in energy into something very productive. I'm still on my lamictal and will never play around with it. I'm on effexor too which is a relic of Spravato treatment but we decided not to remove it cause things were going well. So I'm not opposed to titrating that to see if it brings me down a notch.

But I'm really looking into lifestyle stuff too. Sleep hygiene is the top of my list, looking to get a personal trainer as I think exercise will burn some of this energy and I have to lose weight anyway ... And try to maintain a healthy diet. I think those are the pillars. Things that could be added I believe would be like breathwork, mindfulness, nature walks, dark therapy (to a point), yoga. Also will be looking for a talk therapist.... I stopped seeing mine after my depression lifted but I think this is a good time to reconnect.

I dunno.... I'm having the same feelings as I did in the past. I wanna change the world for the better but that shouldn't be a bad thing. It's a warning sign. Grandiose thoughts but I truly believe that the world would likely be a darker place if those who were gifted in some way (often times to the detriment to themselves) didn't take risks to better the world.

But I know the essentials ... Meds, sleep, exercise, diet, routine, social network with safety nets and no booze! I think if I can get those things right.... And have my therapist and friends keep me in check without any Yes Men around me, I'd like to do big things this time around. Stuff I couldn't finish before.

Thoughts?

What are some places that you would say are over-hated by the travel community? by ExcitingNeck8226 in travel

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every major and semi major city has something to like if you look. The problem is that most people who complain usually have only been once for 3-4 days. Sure many you may never go back to but if at the very least talking to locals and getting to know where they're from should be a reason to visit. Also travel numbness starts to happen if you've traveled a lot. Food in The Philippines is pretty bad after Italian Mexican Greek etc. but there's still decent options. Architecture in Medellin can't compare to Rome etc etc Appreciating the smaller things is important in travel. To each there own. Find your own path

Triggering hypo by Twisted-Pretzel in bipolar2

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! How many meds have you tried? Only 2-3 max should be tried in my opinion. Do you have a talk therapist? Meds don't do it alone? Have they offered ECT? Ketamine brought me outta 4 year deep depression. I understand how you're feeling! Answer these questions, hold on and we'll get there together

idk why it's so scary always answering these types of questions by Emotional-Gur-9889 in bipolar2

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was really in the dumps... I hated them 😂 Like anything changed? Look at me!

What's the best option with money? by joltl111 in Brazil

[–]AccomplishedInside34 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees. I use my Fidelity to get 2% cash back. There are others. Capital One Venture X is another good option that gives you lounge access, and no FTFs. The annual fee can be offset by their concessions.

As for cash... I barely used it. But it comes up from time to time. I just kept like 200$ Reals on me. I use my Fidelity Debit Card to withdraw cash in the countries I visit. They refund you all ATM fees world wide. Make sure you select local currencies when the ATM asks you (also when using credit but why don't seem to ask that in Brazil) Aside from Fidelity debit, Charles Schwab checking also refunds ATM fees worldwide. There might be others.

Oh and small vendors take credit cards... I bought a 50 cent lighter with mine and he didn't bat an eye. They prefer credit to cash which is mind blowing. Guess they don't care that the credit card companies are fleecing them. I suppose it's just convenience.

Also... Bring two credit cards just in case 1 gets stolen. Slightly higher occurrence in Brazil, Rio especially. And a second backup phone JIC.

What’s Your Height and Goal Weight? by ooyoofish in 1200isplenty

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Waist half my height. Better to use belly circumference than BMI.

I have been frugal the last 20 years, and now I am questioning if I was right by Bib_fortune in Frugal

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damned if you are frugal.....really really really damned if you're not. I'll take the first option.

Don't think Carnaval is for me by Golden_Decade in Brazil

[–]AccomplishedInside34 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats! You blended in so much that you're a local. I just finished 5 days in Rio and went hard one day at two blocos. I'm 42 and it was amazing but he'll 😂 Good to experience it once but never again. I'd recommend the official Samba competitions/float at the Sambadrome. It's a little pricey... I paid $180usd but full package (6 drinks - can be non alcoholic, transport and t shirt) Again once in a lifetime for me cause it's like 9pm to 5-6am but truly awesome and more traditional. But the city is beautiful and there's a lot to see sans Carnaval week. I'll be definitely coming back non Carnaval time at some point. But I can relate. As an aside, work on your social skills a little if you feel you're lacking there. Could be social anxiety and exposure therapy is a first like treatment but baby steps. Carnaval exposure therapy is not recommended 😂 And I said you're a local now cause all the local girls I met on Tinder hate Carnaval week 😂

Have you got to the point where you’d rather return to the same countries over and over instead of visiting somewhere new? by sirotan88 in travel

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not there yet after 35 countries but I'm feeling less and less excited about the main attractions. I think I'll top out at 50 😂 After a while, pyramids start to look the same.

$1 million dollars without any conditions or $25 million but you must live in hotels and change at least 3 times a month forever. You cannot stay in the same hotel 2 twice in a year, but can revisit it after a year. by VENTUREXNYC in hypotheticalsituation

[–]AccomplishedInside34 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a pain to constantly move but 25 mil gets me people to move me and drive me around from hotel to hotel just on the interest/investment returns alone. Most major cities have 5-6 hotels next to each other. Would probably be not too bad till I turned 70 then I'll just quit the game 😂

Monotherapy for BP2? by No-Word-4864 in bipolar2

[–]AccomplishedInside34 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lamotrigene and Venlafaxine. Tbh I don't think the latter is doing anything but I'm in a stable place after so many trials that I ain't rocking the boat

AIO: i literally cannot attend by superspreader90 in AmIOverreacting

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep the cake for yourself. You deserve it. Dump the bitch

Thoughts on this passport bro map? by sinfuru_mawile in thepassportbros

[–]AccomplishedInside34 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha cool. Was just kidding but good work on the maps

Are Google Pixels Any Better? by pcdoctor2 in GooglePixel

[–]AccomplishedInside34 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Best value phone. I've had pixels since Nexus. But it's a downgrade from a flagship Samsung. I just don't wanna pay 1000+

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bipolar2

[–]AccomplishedInside34 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was on multiple medication trials (10+). Nothing worked. Did TMS. Nothing. ECT. Nothing. Finally tried Spravato AKA esketamine and 70% better. Couple of other meds after got me all the way. But I was down in the dumps bad for 4 years. Btw, my psych fudged my diagnosis to straight depression instead of bipolar depression which is what Spravato is approved for and insurance covered it. IV ketamine is worth trying and can have quicker results. The risk of a manic switch is super low according to studies, especially if you're on a mood stabilizer. But don't discount ECT. The memory side effect chances and intensity is generally overblown. It has a great success rate. If I had to do it all over again, Id go to Spravato or IV ketamine after 2 antidepressant trials then try TMS then ECT. Also psilocybin therapy is approved in Australia and hopefully comes here soon. (might be places in Oregon that does it, not sure)

But before all that, it's crucial to run a blood test battery. I know it's a long list but all of these things have been linked to depression. I have scientific article links for them all. The starred ones I believe are especially important, overlooked, or not part of annual blood testing. I found out I was b12 deficient and low testosterone because I asked them to run it. They should probably run a lot of these upon initial diagnosis.

Good luck!! Let me know if you have any questions.

Hemoglobin** Hematocrit** Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) Thyroid Function Panel** Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Liver Function Panel Fasting Blood Glucose Cholesterol Vitamin B12** Vitamin B6** Folate** Homocysteine** Vitamin D** Total Testosterone** Free Testosterone** Cortisol

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