Julie A. Fast's Blog, page 67

Bipolar Disorder and sleep: I slept eight hours!

Well, eight hours of sleep is so amazing for me. I actually woke up and wanted to do a little jig. I’m what I call an undersleeper. I was actually talking with my friend Kristin yesterday- she’s the author of Bipolar and Pregnant, and we spent a long time talking about bipolar disorder and sleep. Here are all the ways bipolar and meds affect our sleep:

#1. Kristin talked about problems with Topamax. She has no idea if it affects sleep- but she’s pretty sure it affects memory. Kristin uses Lunesta to sleep.

#2. When I’m depressed, I have agitated sleep which means my brain doesn’t shut down at night. Bother! I now use Ativan to sleep.

#3. Of course, mania is the biggest problem. I rapid cycle a lot, so on the nights I can actually fall asleep normally and get 7-8 hours of rest is pretty great. Unfortunately, falling asleep without sleep meds is very rare for me.

#4 . Excessive tiredness from medications- especially some anti depressants. Whew, I used to get so tired my lips got numb and I slept 14 hours a day. I’m now on Lithium. The tiredness is tough and I sometimes have to take a few 30 minute naps during the day.

My coauthor Dr. John Preston says that regulating sleep is the #1 way to manage the illness. How is your sleep?

It”s ok to take sleep meds if you need them. I had a real struggle with my ativan until I realized I wasn’t sleeping enough unless I used it. So I use it.

Julie

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Published on September 25, 2012 04:05

Bipolar Disorder Medication Tips: Travel

Here are some tips on travel and meds:

- Put your meds in more than one place.

- Put meds in your carry on.

- Put meds in regular suitcase.

If you lose either one, you have to make sure you have enough meds to last the trip.

- Make sure your bottles have your name on them and the name of the pills. Don’t mix them all together.

- Talk with your prescriber and her to be ready if you need a prescription called in to your destination.

That way you will have meds no matter what happens.

Julie

PS: Your meds are gold- make sure you travel safely.

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Published on September 21, 2012 13:26

Are You Bipolar? Unethical Drug Company Hopes So.’ An article about Seroquel and Depression

I’ve added a link to an article at the bottom of this post that asks the question:

“Is It Really Depression or Could It Be Bipolar Disorder?”

There are reasons I really dislike drug companies sometimes. Have you seen the new commercials where a depressed person is asked if they need more meds to get better- and then the answer is add Abilify to your anti depressant!?

Say what? Abilify? The one used to treat PSYCHOSIS?

I believe the advertisements should be 100% required to say that this new drug ‘addition’ is a freaking anti psychotic! With huge side effects!

Then the consumer can make a choice. Depression almost killed me in 2010 and then tried hard again in 2011. Changing to new medications saved my life.

So I am not anti meds- most people aren’t- but I am against touting meds that you don’t clearly explain. I just gained 15+ pounds on lithium- but at least I knew what I was getting in to when I started the medication.

As you know, I am also not ANTI drug company. I just can’t stand the way they operate. It’s like using oil to heat a house, but disliking BP Oil . (AH! BP oil, et it!)

Soapbox!

Here the article on the topic: Are You Bipolar? Unethical Drug Company Hopes So.

Julie

If you want to ask a question on this topic or just say hi- please visit my Julie A. Fast Fan page on Facebook. I’m answering questions there almost daily!

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Published on September 17, 2012 16:30

Accepting New Family and Partner Coaching Clients

Writing books on bipolar disorder has been my career for over ten years. I enjoy writing and plan to do a lot more. (It can be a challenge when the mood swings are paying a visit, that’s for sure.)

Over two years ago, I started coaching partners and family members of people with bipolar disorder as an addition to my writing career.

I never, ever thought I would find work that I enjoy as much as I enjoy coaching. I feel at home with the parents and partners as I have been where they are- and I remain calm during the crises that many of my clients are going through while we are working together. Bipolar disorder is like a puzzle. It’s not always easy to find the right pieces on your own. It helps to have a coach as a guide.

My coaching practice has room for new clients. I take new clients about once a month-and then help them as best I can. It’s a partnership that saves relationships and often lives.

Coaching is not for everyone, but if you are concerned about your relationship with a person with bipolar disorder, it may be a good fit for you. The following link will tell you more. I look forward to talking.

Julie Fast Family and Partner Coaching

Julie

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Published on September 15, 2012 13:50

Get it Done When You’re Depressed Interview with Dolce Dolce

Hi! I was interviewed in a publication called Dolce- Dolce about my book Get it Done When You’re Depressed. The topic is on beating the blues. We all need tips on this topic.

Click here to read the article.

Julie

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Published on September 14, 2012 17:07

Newsletter: Tips to Improve Your Social Life!

Tips to add spice to your social life…

I get really lonely when I get sick. Even though I have a lot of friends, I still miss the company that comes with belonging to a social group. This happens because I work on my own. I think a lot about ways to get myself out in public and a part of a group. Here are some suggestions:

Toastmasters. Wow, what a great group of people. Toastmasters is a worldwide speaking organization. I was in a group for two years and still have friendships with the people I met years ago. If you’re thinking, OMG, I can’t speak in public! Well, that is what it’s all about. It makes you able to speak in public! It’s also a great way to learn how to run an executive style meeting and become a leader in the community.

http://www.toastmasters.org/

Boys and Girls Clubs- what a great place to volunteer! That is certainly a group!

http://www.bgca.org/clubs/

Study a foreign language. Here in Portland, Oregon you can study a language and then find a few places in town where you can actually go have a glass of wine and practice!

Join a sports team. I would do this in two seconds if I didn’t have a bum shoulder!

Go to an evening community education class- or teach one! I can’t believe how many friends I made the last time I taught a writing class.

And if you just like to go out and have fun, I suggest www.meetin.org

Find a place you like to hang out and become a regular.

My college had an alumni association meeting in Seattle and I missed it. Duh!

My high school crown from Hawaii gets together here in Portland. I just have to find them. Duh!

Put an ad on Craigslist and start your own group.

There is a group here called Love Tribe. Wow. It’s huge and people love it. Another community is the Estatic Dance Community. This is very much the Burning Man crowd- but whatever floats your boat!

It’s hard to do this stuff when you’re depressed, which is why it’s good to set it up when you’re well. I have a few rules when I start with a new group. I make a commitment to go to meetings which means I still go even when I’m depressed. I always feel better after the meeting!

Have fun!

Julie

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Published on September 13, 2012 21:23

Will Kindle Sales Surpass Hard Copy Sales?

Here is some amazing news:

Amazon Now Selling More Kindle Books Than Print Books

Amazon began selling hardcover and paperback books in July 1995.

Twelve years later in November 2007, Amazon introduced the revolutionary Kindle and began selling Kindle books. By July 2010, Kindle book sales had surpassed hardcover book sales, and six months later, Kindle books overtook paperback books to become the most popular format on Amazon.com.

Today, less than five years after introducing Kindle books, Amazon.com customers are now purchasing more Kindle books than all print books – hardcover and paperback – combined.

I started my writing career with e-books in 2002.

I sold the Health Cards Treatment System for Bipolar Disorder, Bipolar Happens! and Tips for Talking with Health Care Professionals as e-books from the very beginning.

I knew that e-books would take over eventually. I know, many people still want books and that is fine, but the future is in products that take up limited space Just think of the possibilities. You can read books you don’t want anyone to see. No one to ask questions when you read books on bipolar disorder in the break room!

Even teenagers can read bipolar books in private.

What do you think about this?

Four of my books are on the Kindle: Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder, Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder, Get it Done When You’re Depressed and Bipolar Happens!

Click here for a special deal on Bipolar Happens! It’s a great book for anyone who is affected by the illness-and teens tell me they love it.

Julie

All available on the Kindle! Take Charge, Loving and Get it Done are available in paperback on amazon.com as well.
Happy Reading! Yes, the books can make you happy because they are so hopeful.
The Health Cards are only available off the website as of now!

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Published on September 10, 2012 15:48

Bipolar Disorder and Medications: Lithium, Zoloft, Celexa, Lamictal

Here are some stories that illustrate a fact: bipolar disorder medication efficacy can change over time.

- Lithium: My dear friend Sherri- who has bipolar I- took Lithium successfully for over eight years. Two years ago she had a severe manic/psychotic episode without a major trigger. My coauthor Dr. John Preston calls them breakthrough mood swings. She spent the past two years on Lithium and Zyprexa. It was a tough two years, but she is doing SO well. I just talked with her today and I said, “It’s so great to have Sherri back!” She said that her husband feels the same. People do get better!

- Zoloft: Another friend was on Zoloft for ten years. It stopped working effectively. She then tried Celexa. It worked for a while, but not as well as Zoloft. So she’s going back on the Zoloft! It’s an art to find out what drug works for you. It is a lifelong process for most of us.

-Lamictal: As many of you know, I made a huge mistake a year and a half ago- I reduced my Lamictal because I thought it wasn’t helping enough with my depression. I didn’t realize it was helping me in so many other ways. When I finally got back up to my normal dose- the drug worked better. No kidding. It helped my depression a lot more than in the two prior years. I now find that I am struggling again with my Lamictal. It’ always a challenge!

Don’t give up on your bipolar meds. The right meds can change your life!

Julie

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Published on September 08, 2012 22:47

Normal Worn Out vs. Bipolar Disorder Worn Out

I did a presentation this week on the topic of parents of children with a mental illness. It was amazing to speak with Don Moore, a man whose daughter has schizophrenia. I learned so much from doing the event.

I am simply worn out- It’s about 8PM and all I can think of doing is going to sleep. I am SO not used to this that I’m not sure if it’s even normal. Bipolar ‘worn out’ is so different- when you’re depressed or have just come out of a mood swing, there is tiredness weariness and unhappiness.

This is just feeling tired I think. There is a difference between tired from reality and tired from an illness.

Does this make sense to you? Now that I can work so much more- I am experiencing things that are unfamiliar.

Julie

PS: I love to find pictures that fit a topic. When I typed in ‘worn out’ in Google images, I saw a lot of worn out shoes!

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Published on September 06, 2012 03:11

Hello Blog Readers!

Thank you so very much for all of your comments and kind words. As you can tell, I’m not able to answer each comment individually- though I want to! I read all of them- every day.

My new meds regime is still working- the depression has been cut by about 75%. Yes, that much. When I do have a down day, it’s pretty severe which is interesting. I just wrote about it. But I’m so thankful that I finally have some relief. This is my nephew David being silly. I am astonished at how much more emotional energy I have now- I can just hang out with him without feeling miserable. He says he can notice the difference.

If I can get so much better at age 48, there is hope for everyone. I mean that.

Once again. Thank you so much for your kind words. They have kept me going for many, many years!

Julie

PS: Feel free to answer any comment- we all have so much information and can help each other in many ways. I like your advice as well!

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Published on September 05, 2012 15:54