biopolar and stay at home mom

Kimberly - posted on 06/07/2011

thank you i was waiting for some one like you to come on here and tell me your opinion lol. thats exactly how i feel. even my husband agrees with that lol. i just dont want to be compared to an unleashed animal you can trust him for awhile but sooner or later they will attack kind of attitude lol. i do understand though that it does happen where normal every day people just snap and go completly nuts and not in control. but i think since i have made it years and am fully aware of the situation and what could happen. and have a plan if it does start to look bad i feel i am ok.

Nayuribe - posted on 06/07/2011

FIRST OFF: i guess i a cultural thing, from what i've been reading, most moms in the US think 9 months of bf is enough? in latin america, the more u bf ur child, the healthier he or she will be. both my girls went straight from nursing to drinking water out of a cup. they weened themselves!
SECOND: i understand completely how u feel!!! i am also bipolar, and every now and then i have a bad day and feel like i'm going crazy. but, it's not too often, maybe every 2 or 3 weeks, we're all learning to live with it, cuz i can't afford meds. hang in there!!

Lisa - posted on 06/07/2011

Ok first of not all manic depressive states in bipolar lead to suicidal thoughts in a large percentage of patients, nor is having suicidal thoughts a requirement to get a diagnosis of bipolar. You obviously have no clue about a disorder you were supposedly diagnosed with so how can you claim to know if you don’t have it since you obviously know nothing about it.

And for your information it is a very common trait for those who suffer from bipolar to think they don’t need their meds, to go off their meds, lead a normal life for months, even years before they start to self destruct. This is basic info on bipolar disorder (Bipolar 101 if you will).

So you are not convincing me you do not have a mental disorder.

If at one time you did have the symptoms and they got better with meds that means they were working, just because you stopped for a few years and you "THINK" you are ok don’t mean you truly are....that is the point I am trying to make.

You keep trying to rationalize this for yourself which again is classic bipolar behavior...

Instead of trying to get me to change my view or get support (for this maladaptive thinking you have) on a public forum you should be seeking professional help and letting the doctors determine if you (1) were misdiagnosed (2) have other issues that need to be addressed (3) that you are indeed bipolar and are slowly sliding back into the previous patterns discussed and need to be back on your meds or (4) perfectly sane like you think you are. Neither you nor I can say 100% what is going on with you; only a true professional can determine this …. So again please go speak to a professional.

Kimberly - posted on 06/07/2011

i am just saying though that obviously it is not biopolar. if i dont have any of the other things that go with it. biopolar is more than just mood swings and if i have gone more than 2 years with out meds and your saying its impossible. then it cant be because its a mental disease you dont grow out of. and there would be way more cases of me doing other things. there would be points of depression to the point of suicidal. and manic episodes where i wouldnt be able to sleep for days and on the go. there was a point i had every symptoms. these are all the things i have been thinking of since we started this conversation. i am an extremly open minded person i love opinions. and points of views and more knowledge i just dont feel i should take medication that makes me worse than the actual illness.

Lisa - posted on 06/07/2011

Well if all you state about the medical help you have received is true than you have several great cases for malpractice suits and would be entitled to a healthy settlement. You have to admit though, you are aware that not all doctors, therapist or clinicians are neglectful of their patients, and that you could seek out new ones if you feel your current ones are not providing you with the care you feel you need.

Seriously though I know there is nothing I can say that will change your maladaptive thinking and you will continue to say and do as you see fit, which is your right. They way you describe one thing and then change it when someone tries to address it and it is not the way you feel it should be done truly concerns me.

I hope you don’t think I am looking down on you because I am not. I am just a concerned person who has a full insight to the damages untreated mental disorders can bring into one’s life. I wish you the best of luck. Take care.

Kimberly - posted on 06/07/2011

when i was diagnosed with biopolar i was in intensive inpatiant treatment after coming back from the war. i had wanted to get out of the millitary, and they asked me if i wanted to get out. in order for me to get out they had to diagnose me with something. yes i did have classic signs of bioplar no its not 100% perfect. but it is a proven fact for me to have chrildren i can not be on them. i am too sensitive to any type of medication. i had five misscarrys while getting off the meds. and had several specialists looking into why i lost five in a row. they found out that it took two years to get the medication out of my body and for those 2 years of being on it and another two years to get it out of my body were the 4 years i misscarryed. and with the fact that yes i did show classic signs of bipolar just 3 years ago. since then i only have the mood swings i am not impulsive, i am not extreme at all. i can make plans and keep them, i am able to work at a steady job and actually do better than staying at home all day. i get a full nights rest and i have 24 hours worth of a mood swing before each monthly. i didnt realize that this last mood swing problem i had was only a few days before my menstral and my last mood swing before that was right after i gave birth to my son for three weeks. and then all i did was cry and brake down on my husband because i never thought when i chose to breastfeed that it would be that hard. i understand your consern i was so scared to death i would end up like my friend. she was perfectly healthy emotionaly normal, the second she had her kid a month after wards she got so depressed she was in the closet trying to cut herself with her baby screaming in the other room. i was there holding her child. i knew that since i already had mental issues to be aware and i know when to call and ask for help. she didnt, she waited till she was screaming and confused before getting any help. i dont wait that long i know the first signs of needing help. and i dont have a pride issue of asking. but i know that the medication they put me on is not the right kind of meds for me. i would not be able to take care of my son if i was on them. and i am sorry i have had the worst of luck with any docter, therapist, anything of that nature. i mean i had a tubular all the signs were there, they still didnt pay attention till i was 11 weeks along and my tube burst. i had a cyst, that grew each day, they said it would go away on its own, one year later they find its a tumor that has to be surgically removed and tested for cancer. at 16 months of age they finally found the blockage of my intestines, telling my mother she was killing me. when in fact she saved my life i should of not lived past 3 months. so its not anything against you but i hope you can understand why i dont really take profession into consideration.

Lisa - posted on 06/07/2011

BTW I don’t know where you got your information that your medication will prevent you from being able to have children. I have two children, yes I had to stop my medication once I got pregnant, and it was the worst time of my life, but I was able to return to my medication after my sons were born. Behavioral therapy is a great tool (working on recognizing triggers, how to work through these triggers, etc) but 20 yrs of scientific research has proven that cognitive-behavioral therapy alone does not cure or treat bipolar disorder effectively. The best treatment is a combination of medication and behavioral therapy.



It has only been one week since you stated your mood swings were in “total chaos” (your words not mine) and now you’re trying to convince me and yourself they are perfectly fine... This is a classic sign of maladaptive thinking seen in people who suffer from bipolar disorder, so I tend to not think you are 100% ok or handling your disorder as effectively as you think you are. So again please talk to your doctor and follow their medical advice.

Lisa - posted on 06/07/2011

Kimberly, were you actually medically diagnosed with Bipolar disorder or just clinical depression?? These two disorders are two very different things. Instead of just assuming a diagnoses and treatment plans for yourself you should seriously consider speaking to your doctor. If the medications you are suppose to be on currently are causing side effects that are making you to function ineffectively in your daily life than your doctor can address this by trying to find other medications that will treat your disorder and allow you to function in an effective way. I come from a family of all types of mental disorders, have bipolar disorder myself, and work in the substance abuse field and have seen dual diagnoses of addiction and mental disorders. It scares me to see people make their own diagnoses and treatment plans without consulting a doctor and getting real medical feedback. Please seek medical advice on this subject and don’t try to handle these depression symptoms on your own.

Kimberly - posted on 06/07/2011

i am just saying for over two years now i have lived my life functional and in the working community with no medication. there are people who feel you cant do it, i am. and i have been told that it is possible, i know my triggers that make me into a depression, which does prevent me from going into a manic. i had one set of mood swings and i got them under control i have a therapist who even tells me that since i can recongnize the signs faster and know how to put them under control that is how i have managed with out. yes having a kid did change my horomones and breastfeeding during my post partum, was hard but it didnt last long. if i go back on meds i cannot have kids and i woud never be able to breast feed i know i was always ment to be a mom and the meds that they put me on take away that ability. and when i am on the meds i am not fit to handle my son. i wouldnt laugh with him or show him the amount of love i do now. i become a zombie. so i am declining from taking meds it makes me happier and my child. and plus i dont think that i truly am bipolar i think at the time i was yes i showed every sign but now that i am older i only have one symptom of biopolar and thats mood swings other than that i dont have any signs any more. i dont understand it. but thats the facts lol

Lisa - posted on 06/07/2011

I have never met a person who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder who did not need to stay on their meds. Every physician, psychologist, etc I have talked to via my own personal treatment, college classes, seminars, and in my job field has always stated that bipolar disorder is not a condition that can be cured, or managed without the assistance of medication. I have many times tried to live my life without medication, because I was doing so good and would stop taking my meds, and would be good for a long time, but that's what the disorder does, it fools with your mind and makes you think you can handle the disorder your way. You cant. Herbal remedies dont work for mental disorders, and not being on your meds is not good for you or your child, please reconsider getting back on your medication, it is the only workable solution for this mental disorder. Believe me when I say such treatments like herbal therapy or behavioral therapy doesn't work with out the assistance of medication. I am speaking from concern and personal experience.

Kimberly - posted on 06/03/2011

thats what i plan on doing and finding its mostly relaxation tips. meditate, different scents and i have no more mood swings since my menstral started lol.

Julie - posted on 06/01/2011

Skip the meds and go natural with herbs. Most herbal stores can show you which ones are good.

Kimberly - posted on 05/31/2011

no i have gone off my meds for several years and i have done intensive inpatiant treatment to learn how to control it. but its only been in the last month that its really affected me out of the blue.

Lisa - posted on 05/30/2011

As a single mother who suffers from manic depression mood swings I can tell you the best thing for you and your child is for you to be medicated. Speak with your doctor, there are medicines out there for bipolar that can be taken while breastfeeding. Even if there wasn't you still need to be on your meds. Bipolar does not go away, and one of the biggest issues for those who suffer from bipolar is the fact that we tend to go on and off our meds when we feel good and bad. In order to maintain a functioning role as a mother you needs your meds for your mental disorder.

Christy - posted on 05/30/2011

It is SO important for you to be at your best and not have to worry about this. For the safety of yourself and your child you really should do something about it right away. Talk with your doctor about what options you have. There may be options that are safe for you to continue breastfeeding. If not, it will not hurt your child at all to switch to formula.

Even with your sister living with you, it is going to be difficult for you. I've been taught to take care of yourself first so that you're well enough to take care of those around you. You'll feel so much better!

Kimberly - posted on 05/30/2011

thank you for all your support it really means alot to me

Bridgette - posted on 05/30/2011

Think about your kids - which way is more of a risk for them? I think you being on your meds and there for them 24 hours a day is way more important than being able to breastfeed, especially since you did it for as long as you did. That is just my opinion, and you know better the real risks and rewards of your situation, so just go with what you think is best!!

Kimberly - posted on 05/30/2011

very true

Katherine - posted on 05/30/2011

And you can always talk to a nurse at your doctors office too.

Kimberly - posted on 05/30/2011

oh my god thank you. cause the meds i was on i could have kids and they made me misscarry and i was not allowed to breastfeed. thats awsome there is meds that i can take

Katherine - posted on 05/30/2011

You need to go to www.kellymom.com because a lot of meds you CAN take while BF.
I thought the same thing. There is no reason to stop. Check out the site!

Tasha - posted on 05/30/2011

BTW GOOD LUCK

Tasha - posted on 05/30/2011

I would start to ween him. i know its hard to do, I just stopped nursing my last and final baby a couple of weeks ago because he is allergic to milk products, including those that I was eatting. Start by adding a bottle once a day then upping it each day. You need to do what is best for both you and your family. The way I had to look at it is I got him through the flu/cold season so i did what i really wanted to do. Its not easy, but like I said weighing your option what is worse, being home alone and having a mood swing, or not nursing....