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xaos Posts: 2
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I was diagnosed BP1 1.5 years ago after my first break and moved from CA to recover with my family in NC. I recovered very quickly and found another job in CA and moved back to start working. Like an idiot, I stopped taking my meds because I didn't think I was really BP and almost exactly a year later I had another break only this time it was worse. So again I moved back home to recover. Now I've been through a great program that educates as well as medicates and I now understand that I have to take meds for the rest of my life. Now I have fully recovered and am searching for jobs again. The problem is that my specialty seems to be concentrated in metropolitan areas which are higher stress environments and there is nothing near my family. One of my friends who knows I'm BP heard I was thinking of relocating again for work and basically called me a moron and said she wouldn't be a part of my life anymore. That I should "accept" my condition. I'm curious if anyone else has ever been in this position. Part of me is afraid to leave my family's support. That if I go somewhere else it's just gonna happen again and I'll have to move back and be in a worse place. The other part of me is hopeful that I can continue to live a somewhat normal life. I know I will have to do things differently like not drinking alcohol, eating well, exercising, maintaining a support network, etc. I'm also afraid of government healthcare or career change as I have other more expensive health problems. |
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Zin
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Hmmm...it sounds to me like your friend is really scared for you! I had to go onto disability for my bipolar, so I can't really help with the job relocation; however, I think it's up to you as to whether you relocate for another job or not! The fact that you're still up for working is fantastic!!! Maybe if you can find a place that's within driving distance of your family. Maybe you could go home on the weekends or once or twice a month! That might help, if you're not sure, yet, about leaving. Just take a few 'baby' steps to see how you react. And I can tell you from my short experience with this group...they will be here for you! They're human...like all of us, and have their bad days, their furious days and their amazing days. And through all of it...they care, forgive, forget and love. I'm sorry I can't offer any more suggestions. Welcome to the group! Zin |
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Joy75 Posts: 15645
Group Leader
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That's harsh of your friend to say that she won't be a part of your life anymore. I think probably you would have been okay if you hadn't gone off of your medications. It's too bad that you can't find a job close to your family. You have to work though. I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do. I think you are taking a positive step in the right direction accepting that you will have to take medications for the rest of your life. That is a big step for you. We are always going to be here for you too, so you always have us to turn to. Welcome to the group!! Joy, 37 years old
Blog:
http://www.joylepley.blogspot.com
Email:
simplyjoyful75@gmail.com
Bipolar type 2 and ADD
300mg Wellbutrin
200mg Lamictal
40mg Viibryd
15mg Abilify
I AM NEITHER A PSYCHIATRIST OR PSYCHOLOGIST. I AM HERE FOR THE SAME REASONS YOU ARE. TO GIVE AND RECEIVE SUPPORT. WHAT I SAY IS PURELY MY OPINION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.
Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It’s a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life. – Carrie Fisher |
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youngfilly Posts: 3066
VIP Member
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Hi Xaos, I have just relocated for work which I have done a few times before. I wont lie, it is tough and you miss your comfort zone. Personally I feel that if you keep taking your meds and find a Dr in your new area that you can trust, you will be ok. You will always be able to call your family and as suggested previously you can go visit them as often as you can. You will also create a new support base in your new area. And there is always us  At the end of the day it is your call but I think from personal experience you will be ok I am not a Dr and therefore are not able to provide medical advice, the opinions I express are mine and based on my experiences and should not be taken as anything other than my opinion.
You awake as if from a nightmare to find yourself standing in front of a blank wall, dazed with no idea as to how you got there.
You feel something in your hand. You look down to see you are holding paint brush, you are confused. Out of the corner of your eye you see a table, on that table is some paint. The colours make you feel happy and safe, you look to the other side, and there is another table with paint. The colours are dark and remind you of your nightmare, a chill runs down your spine at the thought of it.
You look back at the canvas and see something you missed before. Now you understand. you chose a colour, and begin to paint.
Above the wall was written,
Your life
*Youngfilly*
Inspiration i found in the shower a few yrs back :) |
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momto4boys Posts: 60
Member
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First, welcome to the group. As others have said, you have to do what is best for you. I think if you can get something somewhat close to your family, where you can travel on the weekends to see them that it may help you. Also, you have to remember when you moved back to CA you were unmedicated. Now that you are medicated and doing well you are less likely to have the same thing happen again. Good luck with whatever you decide. We'll all be here when you need us. Gabby
Bipolar With A 6 Year Old Bipolar Son
Me:
Lithium 1200mg
Abilify 20mg
Celexa 5mg
Ambien 10mg nightly
Son:
Abilify 6mg AM
Focalin XR 10mg AM
Focalin 5mg Afternoon
Abilify 5mg PM |
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bpjourney Posts: 484
Member
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Welcome to the group xaos!!! I can certainly understand that you have a hard choice to make. Especially considering what has happened in the past. However, it sounds like you are much healthier now and since you know now that you need your meds you will probably do very well. You can make great effort to stay in close touch with you family (support system). I know it's never the same as having them right there, but maybe a bit of independence would be good for you as well. I use video chatting to stay in touch with my out of town family. It's the next best thing to having them in the room with me. You can also lean on us for anything you need!!! Feel free to come here for support, venting, sharing your experiences, etc... This is an amazing group of people who truly care and come from all different backgrounds! Best of luck with whatever you decide to do! Post edited by: bpjourney, at: 03/05/2011 05:54 AM Anna
You don't get over it, you just get through it. You don't get by it because you cant get around it. It doesn't get better, it just gets different.
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Diagnosed Bipolar I Jan. 2007
Alcohol Free since February 2010
Meds:
Oxcarbazepin (Trileptal) 1500mg
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) 200mg
Topiramate (Topamax) 125mg
Trazodone 50-100mg PRN
Alprazolam (Xanax) 2mg daily / 0.5 4xday
Please note that I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist. My opinions are personal only. |
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uppitywoman Posts: 42362
Group Leader
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Welcome to the group, xaos. First of all, you made the all important discovery that you can never go off your meds and you will never do it again. That alone will help keep what happened from repeating. As others have suggested, perhaps trying to find something as near as possible to home would be the best course of action so you could make frequent visits home. Finding a good psychiatric and therapist wherever you may end up would be a big help as well as finding a support group, which in a city would probably be possible. You could get skype to see your family, too. This a fantastic support group and we will be here for you as well so you won't be alone wherever you go. The decision is yours, but know that if you go away from your family there are ways to find support to help you stay grounded. With God, all things are possible
My blog:
http://uppitywomantwo.blogspot.com
Bipolar I
10mg Abilify--400mg Lamictal-90mg Cymbalta--25mg Ambien CR--200mg Topomax--30mg Temazapam--1mg Ativan as needed.
Please note that I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist. My opinions are personal only. This site is not intended to be a substitution for professional care, nor is anyone here qualified to make diagnoses. |
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TeriNY
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Xaos, Welcome, it's great to hear that you are at a point where you are considering working again, sorry that it's not available anywhere near your family - Could a compromise be that you move somewhere closer than CA?? perhaps Charlotte or even DC? Hope you are able to figure this out. I don't live near my family and had to rely on my unsupportive husband... until I found MDJ and I thank God that I did. The members here are wonderful and GL really care. Hope you continue to post!! |
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xaos Posts: 2
Member
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Thank you for your warm welcomes and replies I am learning that there are ways of finding support outside of my family which I know will be critical should I have to move away. |
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