... years but never knew it.. Always very moody, cranky, lost jobs, didnt give a crap, didnt have alots of friends and DRANK alot. The dr said he was self medicating himself by drinking..He has stopped drinking now for 1 yr. This is when it really got worse. He has rapid hi's and low's .. He just started Lutada. A fast acting mood stablizer, alone with klonpin. ( it is like xanxa) Tonite he started depokete 500 mg.. We fill so along, no support. No one beside the dr to talk tooo.. sooo glad to find this support group. Anything you can tell me to help him, esp when he is a espiode, or what to say to him to calm him down. i would apperciate it...
Hello Everyone, My husband has Bipolar..We are new at this, he probaly has been having bipolar for?
- Asked
- 6 Feb 2013 by KeithnSheila
- Updated
- 9 May 2013
- Topics
- bipolar disorder
Responses (6)
I am truly sorry that you have been having these struggles with your husbands health. Bi-Polar is awful for the patient and their family and friends. I'm so glad to hear he has quit drinking because that only makes it worse. People with chemical imbalances need a lot of support (not enabling) from the people who love them, clearly you do. Self medicating is so common, so when they are finally get straight, they are finally feeling what they have been masking, and it's harder than you can imagine because they can't escape it anymore. Its so important that he realizes that mental illness isn't any different from any other illness, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, it's just that people do not understand it and they feel helpless. The first medicine you can give him is verbal support.
Watch your husband on the depokete it has very bad side effects. My sister was on it and became very violent. I know what your going thru, my sister was bipolar. Seroquel worked a lot better, but they all have bad side effects. All of these meds effects the teeth so it's important he goes 2 to 3 times to the dentist. Also did they give him a script so he doesn't get terrible dry- month or the shakes. They'll probably him cogentin and topamax. Also get him on disability and drinking/ drugs are big for people who are bi-polar. So keep a watchful eye.
Hi, a good website to check out is psychcentral. They should be able to answer all or almost all of your questions. I agree that many people with Bipolar disorder, BPD (as i have) and other mental health disorders turn to alcohol or other drugs as a way of self medicating as you have said. Mostly it is when a condition is not treated sufficiently, or not diagnosed correctly. I was diagnosed as having Bipolar in 2010, and was treated as such for almost a year before i was re-diagnosed as having Borderline personality disorder. It is likely that i have been trying to deal with these symptoms for much of my life without knowing what was happening to me. I also have a long history of alcohol abuse. Just getting the right diagnosis meant so much and understanding my condition has changed my life dramatically. Buying literature about Bipolar disorder and doing research online should help your husband a lot.
I was diagnosed in 2005 and have been on most of the meds out there. These meds have nasty side effects but can give relief to symptoms. I used to self medicate with cocaine. Once I came off of it, my symptoms got pretty bad. My husband has been tremendously supportive, but I would like to have someone who is going through it. I feel so alone most of the time, because most people have no idea what it feels like to be bipolar.
Hi, I don't completely understand what it's like to have Bipolar disorder, but I understand that having Borderline personality disorder, as I have, carries very similar symptoms, but has many more 'stable' periods. I have friends who have Bipolar disorder also & feel as though I have learned about their condition pretty well? Would you be interested in talking?
would love to chat with you. i dont have bipolar, my husband does... but im willing to chat and learn from anyone and i'm a great listener ...
Hello - I have been diagnosed with bipolar since 2004. The love and support you give him will go VERY far. When I am in a healthy loving environment I do my best with decreased episodes. Please know we are all here for you and support you and your husband. Best wishes to you!
Thank you for all the kind words.. I already feel much better knowing ya'll are here for me to talk toooo... Thanks again...
My sister was bipolar and she passed away from drinking and taking Opana er. She wasn't happy anymore and no matter how much meds they give you. It doesn't always help.
Hi Dear Ones,
May I presume you are Sheila and your husband is Keith? I ask only because when I pray I like to use a first name. Your message touched me in so many ways:
1) I was my late husband's caregiver for the two years he battled and lost his war with cancer. It held numerous decisions, responsibilities, loneliness, confusion and doubt. I want to envision celebrating when Keith's mind, spirit, and body improve.
2) Congratulations to him for kicking the alcohol. An upbeat book that removes all desire for alcohol and reaffirms the freedom, self-respect, and joy that results is: KICK THE DRINK... EASILY by Jason Vale. Instead of imagining oneself an alcoholic--doomed to a lifetime of self-denial needs to be replaced with feeling self empowered!
3. Klonipin (clonazepam) will reduce anxiety, promote sleep,and movement disorders. I don't know a thing about Lutada, but a quick mood stabilizer should prove helpful.

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Thanks for the info.. Its helps.. He has stopped drinking now for over a yr.. The dr just diagones him with bipolar about 6 weeks ago. So we are really new at this.. I tell him i love him all the time and we have a wonderful family of support. Also a wonderful boss.We have been married for 29 yrs and theres nothing i wouldnt do for my best friend.. I love hearing from everyone about their lives, it makes me feel like im not alone..
He is a lucky man. You are already on the roll... great! A boss is a good person too. I had to struggle with this alone for years, but this past weekend, I didn't know who else to call, so I called a close colleague, and she and my boss were at my house in as fast as 15 minutes. I wasn't expecting to see my boss. Now I am outed, but they promised to keep it between us, and instead of taking me to the ER, they took me to get some groceries (I had barely eaten anything in a couple/three weeks), and they provided me with telephone numbers from people who sought help and greatly improved. That is the first time I have ever had a someone truly care and be there for me, and it does make a difference. I am also so glad that they are not enabling me, but empowering me to help myself, and it actually is a huge load off my back now that someone knows. We can maybe help each other! I agree with the girl below, watch that Depakote... have a terrific day! (I told her yesterday that I gained 3lbs b/c of them, she just laughed and rolled her eyes). I am lucky too huh...