Introduction

Here is an introduction. I am having a difficult time making use of the site. I am new to using online support. Any help is apprecitated. Thanks Jim

I am a 38 year old diagnosed bi-polar. I have been to over 10 treatments for my addiction problems and have been in and out of Alcoholics Anonymous for 20 years. I have been detoxed from alcohol nearly 20 times in three years due the extent of my progression of alcoholism. I have several suicide attempts. Anyway, I have been sober for 2 months now and have came a long way. 2 months ago I was on a maximun dose of high blood preassure medication, on an inhaler, on 3 psyciatric medications, had high blood preassure and high cholesterol, had high white blood cell count and was looking at possible cancer, and was just trying to die. Anyway, I stopped drinking and stopped all medications except for my mood stabilizer. I have returned to church, joined the YMCA, attend Alcoholics Anonymous, and eat a much better diet. The doctors are amazed at my new lifestyle and my overall good health (Would you believe no high blood preassure). I have been doing so well that I started to think that maybe I wasn't bipolar. Well, I saw my psychiatrist 3 days ago and even though he agreed with discontinuing 2 psychiatric medicines, he doubled my mood stabilizer(DAMN!!). Anyway, my sister and everybody else tell me I need to accept that I am bipolar. I feel all alone now and don't want to lose what I feel God has given me---One more chance to live!!! I feel less than a lot of the members in Alcoholics Anonymous, so I have turned to this site in hopes of finding support and acceptance of the dual part of my illness--MENTAL ILLNESS. Thank You

I've had my moodstabilizer increased till I am at the top I believe, but it is what I have had to do to get as stable as I can be, what kinda medication does your doctor have you on? I am on one called Lamictal.

Thanks for the reply. It was encouraging to have people reply. Thanks for the support.

By the way, I take Depakote as a mood stabilizer. They just doubled it and you might understand that I am already having a hard time continuing it because it makes me TIRED!!!