=>PLEASE FORWARD TO FRIENDS, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES <=
Hi,
How’s it going?
Happy Easter if you celebrate it.
I hope you are doing well and have
a great day.
There other day, Thursday, I had
this situation.
I woke up and my feet felt really
strange.
It felt as if someone was taking
a pin and poking them. Then
as the hours went on, it felt like
the pins turned into knives.
Then my feet started to really
hurt. I thought it was kind of like
my foot was asleep for a while.
I thought it would go away.
It didn’t.
Then I start thinking about it.
The more I thought about it, the more
it seemed to get worse.
I started getting worried. I kept thinking
that maybe something was SERIOUSLY
wrong because it was so strange. Plus
it felt like my feet were cutting.
I thought maybe it will go away.
Then I though, maybe it won’t.
Then I started to wonder if it was
something really serious.
I know that “pins and needles” can
be a sign of diabetes. At least that’s
what I thought.
So then I went on with my day, kind of
ignoring it, hoping it would go away.
Then I thought to myself, “wouldn’t
it be hypocritical if I didn’t go
to the doctor and I tell people
dealing with bipolar disorder,
to take action immediately when
signs and symptoms are seen?”
Then I sat in the library parking
lot for a few minutes and decided
to go straight to the doctor and
drop everything.
So I went there. They asked lots
of questions and took blood for some
tests.
Since I am in really good shape, he didn’t
think it would be diabetes but I would
have to wait a few days for the results
of the test.
He felt that it was “foot trauma” possibly
since I went to NYC the other day for
that meeting I told you about. While
was there, I did a ton of walking, my feet
were soaking wet, and I didn’t have on good
walking shoes (obviously).
In addition, I started doing twice as much
walking on the treadmill. The doctor thinks
that this all combined may be the problem.
So we will see. The big bipolar lesson is
about taking immediate action when you see
signs and symptoms that aren’t right.
Many people do not do this—both bipolar
supporters and bipolar survivors.
In my courses/systems below, I talk about
how important this is.
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
If you see signs and symptoms and you don’t
take action, lots of bad things occur.
The bipolar episodes get worse and worse.
It’s MUCH easier to “catch” a bipolar
episode before it ramps up into an actual
episode or even like a super episode.
Not to mention when you catch the episode
early, all the normal bipolar damage doesn’t
occur—like destroyed finances, lost job,
lost friends, destruction, etc. You know
what I mean.
When I asked my doctor about people
who have to get their feet amputated because
of diabetes, he said, “Dave, the people know,
they just don’t do anything. You aren’t
just fine one day and then the next day your
feet have to be amputated because of diabetes.”
NOTE-I guess with diabetes your feet can get
really bad and have to be amputated. I am NOT
a doctor and really know little about diabetes and
I am not offering any medical advice. I am just telling
you want I heard.
Anyway, the doctor said, that people ignore all
the signs over a long period of time and finally
it’s really extreme.
I told him that I did “stuff” in the area of mental health.
He was surprised and of course knew someone who had
bipolar disorder.
I told him about how you have to “catch” bipolar episodes
before they get out of control.
He said there are many illnesses and disorders that people
can easily control if they catch them early enough. He said
however, unlike what I teach about taking action and
going to the doctor, people who it will go away by almost
magic.
I told him how with bipolar disorder, it’s the same thing.
I remember so many times over the years, my dad would
simply ignore my mom’s episode and hope that somehow
it would just fix itself. It NEVER did.
Don’t ever forget this important principle with bipolar
disorder. This goes for whether you are a supporter or
you are a bipolar survivor.
Does this make sense?
Let me know.
Your Friend,
Dave
===>> Great Resources For You <===
Get Your Own Subscription To This Newsletter
Want your own copy of these daily bipolar
emails sent to you for F.ree? If so, visit:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/register3
Get More Help On Bipolar Disorder
Don’t forget to take a look through the
different programs I’ve put together… each
one is designed to help you with a different
area of bipolar disorder whether you have it or
you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
View Past Daily Bipolar Emails For F.REE
Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
Get Audio Information On Bipolar Disorder For F.REE
Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can’t learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com
Hi Dave, Happy Easter to You.
As a nurse, I can tell you going to to doctor and treating your symptoms early is the best way to head off long term damage. Why wait until the problem gets worse?
Rose RN
Hi Dave:
Thank God it is probably what your Doc told you and although you are in good shape and probably fairly young (I based this on how active you always are) you have to keep in mind that every second that goes by you get a little older, you don’t go from 24 to 54 overnight, but 1 second at a time. So you need to pay attention to yourself as you are aging or there will be small things that you may not notice at 1st but these small things get more and more intense as time goes by and the next thing you know: You got Hypertension or something else equally as bad. Hypertension is called the silent killer because, while there are symptoms indicating Hypertension, most people are not aware of them and typically blame the symptoms on something else. I do not know how stressed out you are (I kind of get the feeling that you typically experience a very unhealthy level of stress) or how you handle your stress, but I can be certain when I say that stress kills more people than any other thing because stress usually brings on the hypertension that leads to heart attacks and so on. On to another medical topic: My sister-in-law is a type 2 Diabetic and guess what! She weighs well over 300# and she is about 5′ tall. She eats all the wrong food, doesn’t and never has exercised to try and loose the weight she had before she went over the borderline to become an insulin dependent diabetic. Basically all she does to maintain her diabetes is Dr. visits, blood sugar tests, and insulin injections at the scheduled times she is to do these things. I bought her book, while I was still able to work and had money to buy it, it was everything she needed to know to maintain and perhaps reverse the diabetes. It was a waste of time and money. I really think I believe would rather be dead than to have to poke a hole in me to get blood for the meter to tell me how much insulin I need to use a NEEDLE to sustain my bad eating habits because I hate needles. I am glad that you realized you learned a very important BPD or any other disease lesson and passed it on to the rest of us. Thank you for all you give, but take some “you time” too and I do not mean the gym! By the way, enjoy your Easter and relax.
Hi Dave, Be carefull when you were describing your symtems I was thinking wow it sound like what my arms did before the 8 surgeries. I had the pin and needles and burning in the begining, then when my ulnar nerves were in pinged it was electrical pain that would damn near make me pass out. That was caused from me working on unsafe equipment. Make sure you figure it out, it will just travel if you dont handle it.
Take care,
Karen
To Helen, Happy Easter as well.
I just wanted to drop you a note about your sister in-law that weights over 300lbs.
You know Helen eating disorders and obesity are a great problem in this country. They are diseases like any other. I weighted 275lbs at one time. I tried everything in the book to lose weight. As a RN for many years I have delt with a lot of obese patients as well. It is very hard to break the cycle. When all else failed, I had a gastric bypass. While I realise its not for everybody I felt I needed the help. Now it has done wonders for me. My blood pressure is down, my weight is down, my sleep apena is under control. Most importanly my diabeties is under control. I don’t use any medications to control these problems. I do have to watch my diet. Excersize would be the best way but that is a lifestyle change I haven’t quite mastered yet (lol).
I never realized I had a eating disorder until I could not (physically) eat the way I was used to eatting. It was a eye opener for me. Anyway your sister in-law may benfit from some counseling as well as surgery. There are resources out there to help. Many insurences and medicaid are now paying for the surgery. And yes just for the record her diabeties is being caused by her weight. The body just goes heywire when it is overburdened that way. I wish you guys luck. Overeating is a hard habit to brake.
Rose, RN
Dave,
Happy Easter to you.
Your communication today was of great usefull.The acceptation and knowledge is very important in relation BP.I had been reading your studies and I have learned different behaviors of high and low, and so don’t answer to the provocations of the “high”, and so to avoid fights.Imagine that only now I am understanding.About the possible therapies I think that ” Cognitive behavior therapy” is very good, because it was a learning, but for a person in “high” mabe is not possible.Found the exactly physician is another history.The best wishes. Lilian P.
Happy Easter, David!
Don’t eat too many chocolate Easter Eggs!
Take care,
Sue and all the animals from Cardiff, Wales, UK!
my comment has already been posted.
Dr. Leon W. Bleiberg
Happy Easter, The poor bunny got soggy at my house since it is raining cats and dogs here. Another bipolar lesson worth repeating, a doctor who listens to YOU and how important that is. He allowed YOU to ask all sorts of questions. Show us how by example, you have a dr that listens and allows questions, and we ought to have the same. Kudos to you and your doctor!!!!!
Dear Dave,
Thanx so much for this well written, mind engaging email full of common sense!!
I’m bipolar type II and have lived with the problem ever since I remember (probably adolescence). My father and uncle were in healthcare (and were also bipolar themselves) and they could NEVER see what was happening to themselves and some of the young in the family. If my problem had been dealt with earlier, I would have been spared all the grief, the embarrasement and the shame, not to mention the risks.
However, I learned the lesson well, and decided to take care of myself in other areas, and was able to successfully manage some other issues, including a rampant thyroiditis in my 30’s that left me infertile… but the “enemy within” (ie. bipolar) was to be dealt with successfully in my early 40’s.
To cut a long story short, we can’t go wrong if we catch up with our doctor early, and if we strongly encourage our loved ones to do the same.
Thanx again, Dave, and keep up with the good work.
I’m not religious, but I’ll wish you all a Happy Easter anyway, because it’s the season of resurrection and regeneration.
PS: Dave, again, take care of your wonderful self.
Hi, Dave
Thank you for the reminder, I am guilty at times of ignoring health related signals. Your advice is very insightful and necessary!
Dave,
Happy Easter! I appreciate the analogy and the potential application to various situations.
Thank you,
Erin
how do you help a spouse catch a episode before the downwatd sprial? What do Drs do about this? I dont believe my husband is on the proper medications, but we are seperated at this time and his dr does not think its a good idea for me to be involved in his therapy, hense i am told I am his biggest stressor, yet I am the ONLY one who accepts his diagnoses, and does NOT enable him. Yet i want to help him get better??????????? i love him yet, will not be physically or verbally abused.
Would love to have some support from other bipolar supportors of a loved one with bipolar. flg314@aol.com
Hi Dave, I go to the doctor when things are wrong I hate to go because the medical doctor always thinks it a mental health issuse. this past week he even presribed Ablify? My other sysmtems were not a issuse. because I told him that I don’t sleep at night. I told him I taught it was something in the house but nothing. I think I have low levels of C.O. again he didn’t think to check.my white blood counts are going up and no reason yet. so when you say go to the doctor at first sign when you know somethings wrong well I’ll take my chances.I’m tired of switching Dr’s. I’m sick of the whole health care system.
Hi Dave….
I learned of you through my sister Maramis in Las Vegas, who reads you quite regularly.
I enjoy & get a lot out of your daily posts.
I was wondering if you ever heard of Lucinda Bassett, and what thoughts you might have about her “teachings” .
Thank you in advance for your comments.
Regards, Cathee in NY
Hi vicjakfel…
My name is Cathee & I have bipolar disorder, going on 11 years now. My husband is my #1 supporter.
Unfortunately, W (as I will call him) has a hard time dealing with his OWN feelings about my highs & lows, & this can sometimes cloud his ability to operate that much needed support system smoothly.
He does not believe in traditional talk therapy, & I find that so unfortunate, as I myself & so many others know how truely good it can feel to “let it all out”.
I am sure that in chatting with a fellow supporter who probably shares many of the same stories of happiness, sorrow & the process of dealing with both, could possibly ease a little stress as well as benefit you both in so many other ways.
I myself am not only a victim, but also a SUPPORTER, of a few very dear friends & family members who are fighting their own battles against BP. I have always wanted to start my own support group, but as you & I both know about those afflicted, my grand delusions shift quickly to procrastination before things can actually manifest themselves. Who knows, maybe I’ll still get that started, oh maybe somewhere around… I don’t know, say…. 2028? (lol) One can only dream!!
Please feel free to email my dear husband, myself, or both of us at: ILLUSTRATION@optonline.net
If you could address the subject as (FOR CATHEE) it will not be ignored or deleted, otherwise I’m sure it will quickly disappear.
I hope today finds you & your loved one in good spirits & may God bless you both.
Regards, Cathee
Hello Dave and Hope your holiday was pleasant.
It is a wise man who follows through with his own advice.
I truly wish that our bipolar loved ones would stop trying to do without medication. I know that everybody wants to be healthy and avoid the” have a problem take a pill” issue. But bipolar people seem to forget the lesson learned before medication. As a supporter I try very hard to get the message across. It is as if they believe that they are some way or other being totally controled by medication. That suddenly they will be in control. I do not believe that is ever true. There must be some learning that goes along with the meds. Bipolar Disorder does not go away. Medication does not make bipolar disorder go away. It does, however, allow an individual to be more in control most of the time. Medication never means that there will not be episodes. Life happens, surprise changes and situations occurr. Learning the trigger is key to avoiding major upsets. When episodes do occurr get help, make necessary changes, and get back into the business of living. Each day without an episode is a gift. Many days without episodes do not just happen. It means that medication is being taken, Doctor appointments are being kept. And as a supporter I am doing all I can to help make each day a success story. My bipolar child has a problem with spending time with others. She gets a little moodie when the rules are different one place than another. She knows the expectations at school and knows what is expected of her at home. And in these areas she is fine and her moods are pretty even. She is most uncomfortable when her routine is changed or altered. Her dad and other family members just cannot seem to understand. So they decide that she is just being bad. She is always glad to get back to me. She is learning copping skills. She is only 8 years old but is bright and learning how to deal with the upset that comes with changes. She is one who must be able to plan her day ahead to avoid as many surprises as possible. The school has a morning class that allows her to do just that. We work together to plan each day and I make no promices that I cannot keep. I am learning and making changes in the way I think and feel about dealing with the disorder. She is learning and changing the way she thinks and feels. We will continue on this road and become better able to handle the rough times.
HAPPY EASTER, DAVE!! Hope everything is under control in your household for this holiday…
Last week, I was as close to a hypomania as I have been in a long time. A lot of it is “situational stress,” but a lot of it is physical.
I have a $24K IRS debt, I can’t afford to live in my condo in about 6 months, I’m in the process of suing someone for $25K, am swallowing down my windpipe, have excruciating pain in my lower right side, and the surgical procedure they did for my back is a failure. So – I’m faced with financial ruin, as well as several undiagnosed physical symptoms.
I have treated ALL of these situations proactively, however. I have employed a tax attorney to reduce or eliminate the IRS debt. I have gone to Legal Aid for the possible lawsuit (which, if I get my money back, I can live in my condo for at least two more years, and pay back my mortgage with a reverse mortgage), am waiting for my doctor (who just returned from Argentina) to see me on April 4 about the swallowing problem, as well as the back and side.
Since I have always been a “major, minor, medical miracle” (meaning, if some new symptom pops up out of nowhere, I make it a point to see my doctor AT ONCE, as it ALWAYS turns out to be something negative). My Nurse Practitioner doubled my dose of Valium for the next 3 weeks, in order to alleviate some of the anxiety I’m feeling right now.
However, both my therapist AND my shrink are NOT sympathetic. My therapist thinks that once my doctor “reassures” me that there’s nothing seriously wrong with me, ALL my problems will be solved. She’s a great believer in my close mind/body connection, and that stress is the cause of ALL my physical ailments. My shrink thinks at this point, if I just “make good choices,” all my problems will just fall away.
I guess, at this juncture, I’m just supposed to “heal myself” through the “power of positive thinking!”
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. Please pray for me as I navigate the choppy waters!
SuzanneWA:
I just read your blog and I wanted to let you know that you are always in my prayers. God does love us all and he will answer all our prayers when the time is right. Take care that you don’t get stressed out because you know what will happen if you let your stress level get too high. Take care and thank God for Valium too.
If my spouse refuses to learn or says and demonstrates no want to learn…. what then? i am so tired of trying to explain.
so tired of this curse.
ps. i wrote you here cause i had no idea how else to get a hold of you.
Meghan
I have an ex-friend who seems to have bipolar disorder. He got fired from his job as choir director of a big church for stealing. Then he stole from me.
Is this common, that the bipolar patients steal?
Is this common, that the bipolar patients steal?
Hi Lilli…
Well, not 2 my knowledge, however I really can only speak 4 myself & 6 other people that I know who suffer from the disorder. Perhaps he also has cleptomania, or just such low self esteem that he feels the need 2 validate himself in some way by seeking attention, whether good or bad. I am sorry that u were violated by a friend, but more importantly that he was dismissed from his job, especially since working 4 the church & being closer 2 God was probably the best place he could have been. Did YOUR relationship w/him end because of the incident? If u were once close, maybe u could find it in your heart 2 reach out 2 him & suggest subscribing 2 Dave’s newsletter. It is a step in the right direction 4 him, & God will grant u favor 4 helping him out. “Forgive us our trespassers & we forgive those who trespass against us.” God Bless you, Cathee