Archive for May, 2008

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Bipolar Disorder Medications: Mood stabilizers

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

I’m going to do a blog series on the meds used to treat bipolar disorder. I’ve done something similar in past entries- but this time, I’m going to talk about side effects and withdrawal possibilities.

 I have a friend who had a reaction to Abilify and is now having pretty severe withdrawal symptoms to Zyprexa. This doesn’t mean the drugs are bad. It just means that getting off them has to be done very carefully!

 I recently wrote about missing three doses of my Lamictal in one week (stupid!)- I had a week of bad withdrawal symptoms and I only missed a few doses. Imagine what your body is going through if you reduce the meds!

 My first topic will be mood stabilizers- here is  quiz- what is a mood stabilizer?

The only true mood stabilizer is lithium. There are three others used as mood stabilizers- though they were not originally created for bipolar disorder: Depakote, Tegretol and Lamictal.   Lithium, Depakote and Tegretol are basicall anti mania drugs. Lamictal works especially well for depression, psychosis and rapid cycling.

 If you are familiar with my work, you know how I feel about Lamictal. It changed my life.

 I will write more soon.

 Julie

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Bipolar Manic/Psychotic Talk

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

Manic/Psychotic Talk

“He blew a glass jacket. The walls were mayo and I was chewing all of the dirt off of the vegetables.”

The above is known as a word salad ( no pun intended!) – the sayings are close enough for us to understand them – but overall, they just make no sense.

A psychotic friend of mine said the above during an episode.

Psychosis is a fascinating topic- it’s horrible to experience and horrific to see someone go through it- I have been through both.  But after it is over, you can certainly be fascinated by what was said.

Julie

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Posted in About Julie, psychosis | 1 Comment »

Things are going well….

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

I’m so thankful for my life these days.  I often wake up cheerful and ready to get on with my day. I was just reading my last entry- about the thoughts that come with depression. When they aren’t here is a darn gift. I want to be normal- work, see friends, plan for the future. My brain is letting me do that today! Yes!

 I’ve definitely found that going to sleep earlier helps- this means less karaoke, but more ability to work.

 Julie

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Bipolar Depression

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

I’m Miserably Unhappy

I woke up with this thought the other day- I’m miserably unhappy. Just great. Things have been going so well, and then the depression thoughts started to creep in. The first one was – Everyone in Portland is doing fun things. I had this thought as I was WALKING TO A DINNER PARTY! Then I got the feeling that I would never be rewarded for all of my hard work. Finally, I had a down swing yesterday that lasted a few hours.

So, the signs were there. I was ready for the downswing as it was obviously on its way!

I hate them.  They are especially hard to take when things have been going well.

I have an illness and I can never forget that. If I remember it always, I can prepare and not be so shocked when I get sick.

Julie

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Posted in Bipolar Treatment Tips, Depression, Mood Swings | No Comments »

Radio Show Press Release

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

HI All, I just received this from my radio station- it has a good explanation of my mental health radio show.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AM 910 KTRO WELCOMES THE JULIE FAST SHOW TO ITS WEEKEND LINEUP

(Portland) – May 9, 2008 – AM 910 KTRO welcomes The Julie Fast Show to its weekend lineup.

AM 910 KTRO is please to announce the addition of The Julie Fast Show to its weekend lineup! The Julie Fast Show which airs on Sunday’s from 3pm-4pm PST, offers straight talk on mental illness through education, inspiration and lively conversation. Guests include health care professionals, writers and people who are affected by mental illness in general. Host Julie Fast, shares her experience as a person with chronic bipolar disorder and gives her audience insight into ways to manage all mental illnesses more effectively.

Topics include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, multiple personality disorder, PTSD and war, borderline personality disorder, child and adolescent psychiatric disorders, romantic relationships, friendships, mental health memoir writing and more. The Julie Fast Radio Show openly talks about the reality of mental illness, from the struggling stories to the triumphant.

Julie Fast is the bestselling author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder and Get it Done When You’re Depressed. She is the recipient of the Eli Lilly Achievement Award and the Mental Health America Journalism Award.

Justin Mansfield, Programming Director for AM 910 KTRO states “We are thrilled to make to our programming lineup! I really think that Julie’s knowledge and experience will benefit many people in the Portland area.”

**

If you click on the radio tab to the right, you can hear a few of the shows from this blog. They will be on Itunes soon! I keep saying that, but it will happen!

Julie

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Bipolar Disorder Drama

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

One Bipolar Drama After Another!

I used to have a lot of drama in my life. Much of it was due to my own choices, some of it was due to bipolar disorder causing me to make stupid choices, such as when I get manic.

I have changed completely in the past few years. I’m no longer willing to make decisions and then just hope they turn out ok.

I get too sick when I do this. I have goals in life that I want to reach-  speaking to large groups on mental health, reducing the suicide rate in this country, financial stability, physical health- big stuff for sure!
The only way I can accomplish my goals is to examine every potential decision for disaster (drama!) from sending an email to saying yes to a request. I’ve learned to ask myself the following questions:

Will it make me sick?

Has it made me sick in the past?

Am I manic?

Is depression clouding my judgment?

How will my decision make me feel tomorrow, next week and into the future?
I also have a lot of people in my life who will ask the questions for me and really make me mad! But I need their judgment in case I’m making a decision when I’m sick.

This is a constant exercise- I’ve learned to slow down a bit. I’m at over 75% success right now in my decision making. Considering that I used to do everything blindly, this is pretty good!

I have almost no drama in my life these days.

Julie

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Posted in About Julie, Relationships | 1 Comment »

Tips for better sleep!

Thursday, May 29th, 2008

Everyone I know with bipolar disorder has some sort of sleep problem- it’s normal. It’s a bother.

Sleep Tips

- Sleep in a cool room- this can make a huge difference. If you get too hot, you will wake up more.

- Turn off lights one hour before bed and listen to a book on tape by a really low watt light- not a daylight bulb!  I actually turned off the light last night and listened to a show on my IPOD.
- Have a noise machine such as a humidifier to block out sounds from outside.

- Keep your TV in the living room and definitely don’t watch TV right before going to bed. Not only is it overstimulating, it also emits a bright (blue spectrum) light that is stimulating.

Sometimes when I write these lists I think, this is just all so ridiculous. Why can’t I just be like my friends!
They can go out until 1AM and just sleep a few more hours the next day to make up for it.

Well, I can’t. So I make these lists and do things the best I can.

My friend Dr. Jay Carter- an expert on bipolar disorder treatment says- regulated sleep is the best and least expensive way to naturally reduce mood swings.

Julie

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