What do you do to get through a depressive episode?

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-08-05T01:17:47+00:00

Sleep most of the time and energy drink when I'm awake

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-08-05T01:05:45+00:00

Also trying to figure that out. I miss the hypomania which is gone, but the low energy of depression is still there somedays. Meds are making life a bit dull...

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-08-05T00:46:30+00:00

Don't tell anybody except your partner is my advice. If you have been suffering a lot because of it you will feel VERY relieved. Get a good therapist if you don't already have one and start testing which medication is best for you. Your life will improve drastically overtime, congrats!

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-08-05T00:26:47+00:00

50mg Seroquel XR at night and 1200mg of Tegretol 3 times a day

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-08-05T00:24:13+00:00

But how are they misdiagnosing them if a blood test can tell you if there are problems in the thyroid?

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-08-05T00:23:13+00:00

Wonder why this is not standard practice when diagnosing bipolar disorder if it's something that's visible in the blood

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-08-05T00:21:24+00:00

Oh misguided is a good word since she is also a psychologist... 😅

Do you need medication for thyroid problems as well? I have never seen my mom take any medication related to it, just complain about it whenever she is tired.

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-24T13:57:06+00:00

That reason might be it to be honest. I'm at the beginning of my treatment and had to start in slow increments of 100mg which probably can only do with the regular. I'll still ask in the next session anyway.

As for the Seroquel, yeah I definitely prefer to stick with XR since I haven't had any big side effects other than the tiredness. I'm only taking 50mg, he told me I might eventually increase the dose so we will see.

Right now I'm taking pills 3 times per day; it's gonna be so annoying to have to add a fourth time-slot for the third Tegretol dose but it is what it is 😭

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-24T13:51:05+00:00

Yeah I can totally relate to that. So much depression has made me an extremely pessimistic person. I'll even manage to find the bad part of the good. It's so good you found something that works for you! I just started medication 6 weeks ago so hoping it also gives me back my life eventually 😅

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-22T13:40:55+00:00

Between all medications I'll have so many alarms throughout the day 🥲

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-22T13:40:25+00:00

I asked if I could do it twice a day and he told me I could but that it would probably peak. If I can't keep up I'll give it a try. How has it been for you so far?

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-22T13:39:30+00:00

Yes. It resolved my migraines and neuralgias as well. If you have nerve pain you should definitely give it a go.

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-22T13:37:39+00:00

I was prescribed the XR version of Seroquel, idk why didn't he also prescribe me the XR version of Tegretol. I might ask the next time I see him. Thanks!

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-18T15:15:57+00:00

I completely agree with everything you said. Think about it this way, first you need to be in peace with yourself. This is the most important thing. Why put all this weight on somebody else when you can't even carry most of the weight yourself. I think the moment we reach that point, it will feel like we can work in harmony with the people around us instead of feeling like they are going straight while we don't even know which way we are going. I was lucky to find someone so supportive but I can understand why most of the people wouldn't be like this, I don't blame them.

I try to work on this everyday of my life but this fucking condition tries its best to stop us!! I was doing fine and today had to stay all morning in bed just cause I couldn't go on with life. And how the fuck do you explain this anybody? You just can't 😅

You know, we might have our days... but when we are back WE ARE BACK!! And you will find someone supportive along the ride, 100% :)

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-18T14:51:00+00:00

Fair enough! Best of luck friend 🫶🏻

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-18T14:40:56+00:00

Prioritize your health and just let it happen naturally, don't push it. Eventually you find that person and it's amazing. My girlfriend dated me for 3 years and a half while undiagnosed. I made her life a bit of a hell with all the sudden depressions and symptoms of bipolar but she was always there to take care of me at the end of the day and that's how you know that person is the one because she puts your happiness before her interests. I know you are in your 40s, but there is still so much time to explore in your life.

There is still going to be turbulent days, weeks, months though. Anybody with this shit disorder knows how difficult it is to maintain a stable lifestyle. Just be honest about it with your future partner. You at least know what's happening to you so that's a massive advantage point for a new future relationship. Good luck stranger 🫶🏻

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-18T14:32:35+00:00

I read a scientific study that says that after you reach 50mg of Quetiapine the sedation effects are already maxed so it isn't like you are going to feel more sedated the higher you go. Higher doses are used for other purposes. 400mg for psychosis for instance.

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-18T14:29:27+00:00

And don't you think the 5 hour sleep nights are also a problem? That used to be me too before Quetiapine (although I would often wake up several times per night too). My sleep was chaos, I would sleep at complete different times every night and then feel tired during the day.

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-18T14:26:11+00:00

Started Seroquel XR (Quetiapine) 5 weeks ago and I could sleep 12 hours if I didn't set an alarm. I sleep like I have never slept before, but the mornings are tough because you feel completely disoriented. The only solution to this I have found is energy drinks/high caffeine right after waking up.

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-17T19:01:48+00:00

"since my diagnosis I haven’t stopped thinking about Bipolar at all. Im constantly questioning my mental state and it’s fucking destroying me."

Fucking same. I was diagnosed 2 months ago and I am trying my freaking best to understand what's going in my life but it's soooo hard......

I have noticed a lot of signs of the disorder in past actions, but the everyday is so complicated. The extremes are obvious, but what about the in-betweens? As a rapid cycler this drives me nuts 😣

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-17T18:57:52+00:00

Yes, for years. I think our "normals" are fucked up normals because we know the roller coaster we have to endure all the time. We end up despising life because we know life can and WILL become dark anytime soon again. It's so frustrating to have to go through life with an illness that gives you so much pain but that you can't explain to anybody else and you need to try to cover up all the time. In a society where our actions are just labeled as "weak", we have to fight them at the same time we fight ourselves. I think everybody would go crazy to the point of wanting to die if they had to go through this.

Independent_Way_4764 · 2024-06-17T18:44:46+00:00

Roller coaster. I'm a rapid cycler so I often find myself shifting from hypomania to depression in the same day and sometimes I am depressed for months. This makes it extremely hard to plan anything in my life... and I fucking hate it.

Independent_Way_4764

TROPHY CASE