Bipolar Support Group

Hi. My name is Toni. I have had bipolar illness for 30 years. This is my first time using an online support group. I have been in the hospital for the last week and today was my first day home. I am tired. I can't believe how tired I am. My big accomplishment for the day was eating breakfast. My husband made me eat it because I need 500 calories for the Geodon to be effective. I take Geodon twice a day so that means I have to eat 500 calories later. When you have no appetite that is really hard. My husband is woried about me and has not left my side all day. This makes me feel sad for him. I don't want him to waste his life taking care of me. He has been doing it for 30 years and he should be able to stop worrying for awhile. But the truth is, I would die without him. He takes care of me when I can't. Anyway-enough about this. What I really want to know is how to make the adjustment when you come home from the hospital. How do you go from "not functioning" to "I have to function". I'm having a hard time. I expected to feel better. I expected to be able to do something. On the way home yesterday I told my husband I was going to bake bread today. I slept all day instead. I volunteer at a soup kitchen on Wednesdays. I have already called and told them I would not be able to be there tomorrow. Tomorrow is ash Wednesday and I'm not even sure I'll be able to get to mass. I thought I would be able to function but I'm not. Can someone help?

Dear, it takes time for the meds to work. Your ability to function may improve slowly. The longer you were non functioning, the slower it will be, I think.

They say that it takes around 4 months to recover from a mood episode under normal conditions, but 11 months to recover if it is preceeded by a life stressor.

Please be patient with yourself, but set very small goals each day. Even if it is only I took a shower today, it is a start.

Your husband wants to see you well too. I'm sure that he loves you and just wants the best for you.

Hi Tonisea & welcome this is a very supportive group with caring people. You've just come home from the hospital and it is going to take time for you to get back into your regular routine. Be easy on yourself and things will come together for you.

In itself being Bipolar with the many diverse ways and situations is daunting. I read and am so thankful I can make it. I read the articles that have been put up and cry. You are all so young. I am 66 years old and have spent all of my life but 6 years dealing with something I wasn't aware I had. I look back now and understand why it had to be so hard to live and appear normal. Now that I know what I am dealing with, I am not a kid anymore. I watched my husband die from Alzheimer's so I consider myself a very strong person and am capable of doing most things. This can be controlled with medication but we have to face that our lives will never be the same.

auntie60

It's amazing how our loved ones can be so strong for us when we can't do it ourselves. My advice would be take it one day at a time although thats easier said then done. I too am going through a rough time right now but I have hope that eventually I will find what works for me so that I can be truly happy again. This is a great place and I think the support you'll get from here will help you as well!