From Hell to Here and so Grateful

My name is Louie. I am a 54 year old sculptor living on Whidbey Island, WA., and up until last year, suffered horrendously from undiagnosed (or misadiagnosed) BP II.

I am very candid on my web bio about my struggles with mental illness and have helped bring a seed of hope to those suffering. I am happy to share my path. My path of insanity eventually led to a 3 year solo cross oountry walk across America, among many other 'coping' type behaviors.

http://rochonsculpture.artspan.com/mbr_bio.php

Hope to hear from some of you.

I am so grateful to be alive and that I didn't give up before the miracle happened.

Post edited by: uswalker, at: 01/26/2008 20:08

Post edited by: uswalker, at: 01/26/2008 20:09

RED

Glad to have you here. I think it's neat that you did the walk across america. I also know that many bipolars are very creative.

Godbless, Gypsy

I never really wanted to commit suicide. I wanted the pain to end and it wouldn't. There was only so much torture you can endure. Like I said, I can only be grateful that I stumbled across a solution. Believe me, I am no more brave than the next guy and my threshold for pain in minimal (especiallly being a guy) ... guess I was just lucky and had a grain of faith.

Hey, it's still no picnic. Today, I am struggling hard to avoid goinig full scale boogey into a manic depressive episode as I've been yanked off of Tegretol a week ago due to a severe reaction.

Left defenseless, and with the shakes from sudden withdrawal, believe me, I'm workinng hard at staying calm. I feel the beasts breathing down my neck, yet I'll be damned if I'm going to let those SOB's take me again.

Today I fight hard, because I do know, I mean I KNOW that feeling good, for prolonged periods, is possible, because I've experienced it firsthand and I'll stop at nothing to get the help I need. I'm not ashamed these days. I'm just sick.

God Bless You.

We share the same optomism and appreciate your concern.

Mine reminded me today, that if I have any side effect to stop taking mine right away, I will tell you what, I am saying prayers I don't ever have one..

Unfortunately, no. They don't want me on anything until they are sure that the rash is gone. I am still on Lamictol - Thank God. They gave me a little Clonazepam, kind of zones me down and I have to be really careful as I am an alcoholic. They help a little but don't like being drugged. It's OK to be uncomfortable. I'll be OK

Thanks again.

Louie R