Five Bipolar Mood Swings in One Day! from 2008

 

 

I wrote this post three years ago.  It's hard to read something from that long ago and realize it still happens today! But that is the nature of bipolar disorder. My mood swings are more rare than they used to be. I've made a  lot of lifestyle changes- such as not dating or going out at night, etc that have helped. (Boring, but more stable. What a trade off!) But I know that thought the ilness may stay the same,  I can change as much as I want. And I will continue to change in order to stay stable!

2008…..

Five mood swings in one day!

I doubt that is a record, but it sure wears me out. In that past week, I've had at least 20 mood swings. They are mild, but certainly strong enough to chart. Yesterday I had three distinct upswings. The day before that, I had a few upswings and an intense hour long downswing where I immediately started crying. I've also been twitching a lot which means there is something not right with my Lamictal dose.

What is causing this rapid cycling? Though I'm glad it's on the manic side instead of being constant depression, I know it's not good for me. I can feel my adrenaline pumping and I feel like jumping out of my skin.  The chemicals are racing through my brain much faster than they normally do. I feel like talking to strangers

So, what's going on?  I have to be a detective to figure this out. Here are my ideas:

- The fall weather here in Portland, Oregon has been exceptionally beautiful and sunny. We had a dark summer, so this is fantastic. But it's mania inducing.

- I wrote about a guy thing that was happening at the library where I write that got me a bit flustered. Though the whole thing could be a manic fantasy in my mind.  We have all been through this. The mind gets racing even we have never talked to the person.  (Odd)

My Lamictal isn't working correctly.

I'm sure it's a combination, but I'm leaning towards the Lamictal problem. This has happened to me in the past. I took some extra last night to see if I could calm down and stop the Lamictal twitching. I may have missed a dose.

I had to take Ativan to sleep.

I will keep you posted.

 Julie

PS: So, it's 2008. I actually saw the guy from the library last year. Interesting.  I've had trouble with Lamictal since, but am now on 700 mg and it's working. 

We have to keep going no matter what!

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