Last post Fri, Oct 03 2008 5:27 AM by poetdowns. 12 replies.
Hi, I am new here and I can't believe I am actually doing this, I have been isolating for months. I came across this site and felt comfortable, there seems to be some real nice people here. I am a single dad dealing with the big "BP" and sometimes it just seems like there will never be a normal for me. I'd love to make some friends, laugh a little, maybe flirt a little too...lol. I was diagnosed in 2006 and so far no meds have helped, my Psych is recommending ECT, has anyone had this? I'm a bit leary about it myself, haven't decided. Anywho, I hope to hear from ya'll ! Paul
Hi Bigdaddy-
First, I admire the efforts of all single parents so thanks for sharing that with us and congrats for jumping on board here at Disaboom. I don't have alot of experience with adults with bipolar but work everyday in a adolescent/children's psych unit....many, if not most, of our patients struggle with bipolar. It's tough! I hope you find something that works for you soon.
You are right-this is a great place for friendship and laughs so stick around:-)
~Kara
hi paul I'm just sitting knowing how you are feeling both my daughters and I suffer for bipolar one on meds two with out. Its so hard to find someone who really cares. I thank the lord for this site people are nice and will talk to u. try and find me have a good day hun.
I am disabled by 5 strokes and I too spend most of my time alone. My wife & youngest daughter (20) and my son (23) " live " here but never have time for me. I am depressed most of the time about not being able to work & drive like I used to.I walk a little with a quad cane and get tired real easy. I am on Cymbalta for my depression,but sometimes I think its not working. My oldest daughter ( 26) emails me about 6 times a week and calls 3-4 times a week. I would love to have some new freinds also. Write back if you are interested. Bruce
My regular email is eng32061@yahoo.com
HI PAUL ! PLEASURE MEETING YOU ! I DO BELIEVE WE MET IN THE CHATROOM, I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW FRIENDS MYSELF ! AS THEY SAY WE CAN NEVER HAVE TO MANY FRIENDS !!!!!!!!! RAINEY XX
Hi jpaul! welcome! im new here too. i mostly post on the amputation board.
i had a depressive period that lasted a few years. they kept giving me different meds to try and nothing was working. i wans in and out of the hospital. i had ect and don't really know if it worked. i had several rounds of it with each round being maybe 6 treatments. this went on for 3 years. i finally went to a different dr. and he prescribed some new meds. the new meds finally worked and my depression just went away. i really don't know if it was the new meds the ect or just time that actually helped me.
the one thing about ect is that you can lose some memory. i have around 5 yrs or so of memories that i lost. it is very strange to not remember events that happened to me.
I do know that ect works for alot of folks. if your depression is so bad that nothing is working (and you tried aot of meds throughly). if you have been suicidal and you basically need to save your life then prehaps its worth a try. that decision is up to you and your dr. some people do lose memory some don't. Sometimes the memories come back. some of mine did. but not all.
Anyway, this site is excellent. the people who come here are very nice and positive. espiacallly in the amputation threads. i've learned alot.
betsy
Hi Paul,
I am also Bipolar, Type 1, mixed right now. I can't speak about ECT myself but a housemate of mine has struggled with major depressin for years, including suicide attempts. She has had ECT done and it has really helped her a lot. She is now stable with meds, no longer suicidal. Her memory got a little foggy for a while but I think most of it has come back.
I've never had to consider ECT, I am still trying drugs. I've had a depression diagnosis for years but didn't have much success with antidepressants. More recently I had a bad mixed episode and now have a BP diagnosis.
good luck!
Joan
Hi Paul a couple things struck me sort of close to home. First being a single father, I've been there and done that long before such things were known to be done by men. Second I have a good friend that now is rasing his kids alone. This my friend is a huge adjestment and raising children dose take it full time which as my friend now understands excludes him from many of the activities he was used to doing like hanging out with co-workers after work, ah going fishing and just about any activity most men like. Mind you I go out of my way for my buddy including making sure it's a kid friendly place we meet for lunch and or maybe a beer or two. So consider that in your moods I know you love the kids but you do also need a break now and then so always take a bit of time for you. Yeah I know how hard that is and how guilty it can make a man feel but it does not remove the love you have for the kids so love your self as much.
So you wonder if there is any man out here ever done what you have done the anser is yes and that was back in the late 70's into the 1980's. Everything turned out fine he's a dad now calls me up tells me now I understand dad and I laugh. Post me any time and yes I took anti depressants a number of years as a single father and BTW I'm older now and I am still growing up.
hi paul, it is nice to meet you and welcome.
Welcome to Disaboom Paul, glad to have you with us.
Salut,
If you're seriously considering ECT, i highly suggest you visit "ect.org". I think about it a lot for my own self so (as is my wont) i've researched it quite thoroughly. The site i mentioned is the best single resource i know.
I can tell you this much, as a quick bottom line: No one can predict what the side effects will be for you personally; they're just unpredictable.
anon,
Poet
