Straight Talk on Managing Bipolar Disorder

Back from a Speech- and I’m stable!

I had a great time last night- I went to Eugene, Oregon for a talk sponsored by NAMI Lane County. I just can’t say enough about how great everyone was and what a pleasure it was to meet so many people.

Here is why I was able to travel and speak without getting sick like I used to:

– I was home early the night before and I went to sleep early.

– I actually had a books ready ahead of time. I don’t like merchandising- few speakers do!- but selling my books is essential when I speak.

– The event was completely planned by NAMI Lane County. I can plan or I can speak. I can’t do both. To be honest, I don’t do very well when it comes to planning, but I can always speak if an event is well structured.

I can go on and on here, but my point is that those of us with bipolar disorder CAN reach our dreams and work- as long as the situation around the work is very structured. I have made some difficult choices in the past year – such as not dating -that allow me to speak professionally. It’s a trade off for sure, but it’s working. I really believe that as I get better and my life is more structured, I will be able to date and have a relationship in the future. For now, I want to stay well enough to work!

Julie

the song that keeps on giving…

I’ve had a song in my head for over 24 hours. I can hear it now as I type. It’s definitely a stress thing. I happen to like the song, it’s by Crowded House, but this is ridiculous. I heard it all night and will probably hear it all day. I don’t need the radio!

I’ve always said that the bipolar brain has it’s own tape recorder. We can hear something and our brain will loop it for way too long. It’s always a sign I’m doing too much, worrying too much, eating poorly, etc etc.

I’m giving a speech tonight. I feel great about the speech, but don’t like the prep. That is probably why I’m hearing the song as I type. This is such an odd illness. I don’t think people with quiet brains have any idea what it’s like to have a brain that is so noisy.

Julie

Get Up, Get Out, Get it Done

I have an column due for BP Magazine today. All I have to do is edit it and yet you’d think I had 20 hours of work left to do. I put it off all day yesterday. I wrote my editor and said I would have it in today just to make sure I had a deadline I couldn’t miss. I woke up worried about getting it done. What is my point! It would have taken me maybe two hours to polish the article. It’s already written and looks good. It just needs a darn final edit! I’ve probably worried about it for triple the time it would have taken to do the final work.

Why do we do this! I wrote Get it Done When You’re Depressed to keep myself focused and productive! So, I’m doing the edit now and will have the column in on time!

I love BP Magazine. If you don’t have a subscription, you can visit www.bphope.com

You can read this column in the winter! It’s on dating… woo that is a tough one!

Julie

Newsletter: Debate night tips for staying calm and nice!

The US presidential debates started last Friday night. When all of this fighting between parties, and unfortunately fighting between friends started, I wrote a blog on how important it is to be careful not to let all of this upset you too much.

This comes from my own experience! Even this morning- after telling myself I wouldn’t get involved, I did.
There are a few reasons this is trouble bipolar wise.

#1. Arguments affect the brain negatively when someone is already in a down swing. I have actually had semi arguments with friends I’ve known for many, many years. We agreed to disagree and the tension eased. Actually, I was the one upset, so I agreed with myself to stop.

#2. Extreme emotion before bed affects sleep which affects bipolar disorder symptoms.

#3. Fear and worry can definitely exacerbate depression.

#4. Mania can absolutely make you do things politically that may affect your future in a very negative way!
So, if you’re political, be careful and think of how your current feelings could lead to mood swings. If someone without the illness read this they would probably think – gosh, just chill! But it’s not always that easy for us is it! Things are going to get more heated in the next month, so this is just a heads up to myself as well!

Julie

Bipolar Disorder and Exercise Ideas

Here are some tips that I’m using myself- gosh, does the need to lose weight and exercise ever end! 🙂

1. If you work at home, wear your walking shoes and go outside every few hours and walk around the block once.

2. Cable TV has an on demand section that actually has free exercise sessions. I did AM Yoga this morning.

3. Do weights in front of a DVD.

4. Don’t worry about what you’re wearing. It’s fine to walk in your street clothes. Sometimes I just get overwhelmed having to put on my exercise stuff- but in reality, it’s just a walk! Sweaty clothes can be washed just as easily as exercise clothes!

There is a lot we can do to exercise just 20 minutes a day instead of being guilty all day!

Julie

Reader Question: Lamictal dosage (lamotrigine)

I just received the following question from Janine:

Julie,

I was just prescribed Lamictal and doing a little research it seems most people are starting on 25 mg and slowly increasing. I have just started today…100mg a day for a week, and then I bump up to 200mg next week. Is this too much too soon?

Hi Janine,

My coauthor Dr. John Preston as well as many of my doctor friends say that medication dosing is a fine science. For many, it’s a shot in the dark when you start. There are definitely guidelines as to what drugs to use and at what dose, but so much depends on you and your background. Are you on any other drugs? Have you had trouble with drugs? Do you have more mania than depression? How well does your doctor know your symptoms? etc….

Starting at 25mg and then going up is called microdosing. Lamictal tends to have a lot of side effects which is why some prescribers suggest starting slowly. That’s what I did. I still had a lot of side effects, but I was able to tolerate a medication for the first time since being diagnosed. It is common to microdose with Lamictal.

200 mg is the average dose, but it can be very different for everyone. I’m on 500mg, my mother is on 75mg.

If you’re having too many side effects, then the dosage may be a problem. If you’re not, then the dosing may be fine.

Another big question is your mood when you started the Lamictal. If you’re in a serious depression, your health care professional may want to reduce your depression quickly which is why you started on a higher dose.

As you can see, there are many variables when it comes to meds. Lamictal has been a miracle for me, but it’s not without it’s problems. My side effects come and go. If I miss doses, I have bad withdrawal. It took a few years for it to work as well as it does now. I have no regrets. I love this medication like a best friend!

If you have concerns, it’s always fine to ask you medications professional for more of an explanation. It’s essential that you work with your doctor as a team- if you think about it, they work for you! Asking questions is fine.

Julie

PS: My coauthor Dr. Preston wrote a book called The Consumer’s Guide to Psychiatric Drugs. I can answer most of your psych med questions.