Comments for Julie A. Fast

Comment on “Bipolar Happens” is a Kindle Best Seller! by Karina M.

Karina M. — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:58:13 +0000

Martha: You don’t have to give it up ! Bipolar disorder can be treatable with medications, teraphy, and support for family and friends; and if you don’t have that you can go to a church, they have groups there, that can help you a lot!
At this time 1 in 7 people have Bipolar disorder, as you can see, you are NOT alone.
I have 42 years old, and being Bipolar for the last 30 years
Talk always with your Dr., about how you feel, about any side effects.
And let me tell you that hypothyroidism, can came alone or for Bipolar medications, so you need a Lab. test at least once a year.
Thank you and I hope you can feel better, step by step

Comment on Crying by Holland

Holland — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:29:58 +0000

I have given myself permission to cry over the loss of my dear mother anytime I need to. I really has helped. It has kept me from locking those feelings inside and not dealing with the feelings. Although I know it has been hard on my kids when I start crying while buying mixed veggies. But that is when the sorrow hit, so that is when I cried.

Comment on Generic Lamictal (lamotrigine) for bipolar disorder by Robin

Robin — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:38:46 +0000

I am so happy to have read this! I have been on lamictal for 10 years and it is a miracle drug for my bi polar. However s couple of years ago I was forced to go on the generic by my insurance which I receive thru the state. I had horrible mood swings and other patients in my drs practice experienced similar side effects. I was given samples of the orally disintegrating tablets which worked beautifully, especially bcuz I had a gastric bypass years ago and the absorption was better. My provider has sent over 10 PAs to masshealth requesting that I be put on the odt form, and they continue to deny me. The dr runs very low on samples so I am stuck taking the generic and feeling mentally horrible. Sometimes I feel as though I should just stop taking the med all together!

Comment on What Does Mania Feel Like? by Wendy Love

Wendy Love — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:40:48 +0000

When I read your list of mania I feel like I got the easy kind of bipolar, for it doesn’t include most of those things. I do like the part of mania that is the total opposite of depression, to feel good about life once again, to feel like participating in things, to feel motivated and inspired. But since I have rapid cycling bipolar, I know it won’t last long at all and the longer I let it last, the worse the crash will be. It is a double edged sword. The constantly moving moods are exhausting and yet I am thankful too for the mania, for the break from feeling down. Your list however is honest and insightful and I appreciate the contribution that you have made to the bipolar world.

Comment on I left my meds at home.. not good by Julie Fast

Julie Fast — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:01:53 +0000

Hello Heidi! You make an extremely important point. It’s the same at an airport. I keep my Lamictal in its bottle- but I know I have added a few other pills in there! I will be more careful. I love the idea about the prescriptions. I will get on that!

Your comment will prevent a lot of troubles! julie

Comment on I left my meds at home.. not good by Heidi

Heidi — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:33:50 +0000

I think your suggestion about having some doses of meds in your car or in your bag is a great idea. However, if you are going to carry them outside of their original pill bottles, you may also want to carry a copy of your prescriptions for them. This is especially true if you take a controlled substance. Some anti-anxiety medicines and pain killers are controlled substances. If you’re not sure you should check with your pharmacist. While I doubt having a mood stabilizer or anti-depressant pill is going to send you to jail, it might raise suspicions that could be avoided if you have some paperwork to go with it, or perhaps you could save the older RX medicine bottles and store your pills in those.

Comment on What Does Mania Feel Like? by Anne

Anne — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:41:16 +0000

I love mania. Well, up to a point. You know the point. The one that gets you into trouble. The small dot on the very fine line that you don’t even see as you step over it. There is nothing quite like the feeling of mania though. If you have never experienced it, you have missed out on something amazing. My husband helps me to monitor my mood and he says that he will always tell me when I am heading up…eventually…after he has reaped some of the benefits of having a happy wife for a little while (isn’t hypersexuality wonderful). Unfortunately things always head either too high or too low. In terms of mania/hypomania, and some of the things you talk about Julie, I say ‘make hay while the sun shines’. It is my reward for having bipolar disorder. Euthymia is extremely boring. It is a shame that I can’t live in the ‘slightly hypomanic’ stage forever. But what goes up must come down, and so I take my meds religiously and do what I can to have a healthy lifestyle. Relinquishing the delights of mania is the price I (unfortunately, but happily) pay for my sanity.

Comment on My BP Magazine blog: I am not a SCROOGE! by Anne Naylor

Anne Naylor — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 07:40:51 +0000

Hi Julie,
I live in Australia and have just now subscribed to the BP Magazine. I really liked your article in it.
Anne

Comment on Anxiously Waiting for an Email Reply: Let People Move on Their Own Schedule by Cee

Cee — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:58:16 +0000

This post hit home. The only difference for me is that the emotional fix I’m looking for is my weekly therapy session. If I have a bad day, invariably I say to myself, “How am I going to wait (enter a number) more days to have my session? I need it RIGHT NOW!” Of course, by the time I get there the episode has usually blown over and I wonder what all the fuss was about.

Now that I think about it, I do have another time when I can’t wait for that fix. I belong to a site for artists where you can upload your art and then people can make comments on it. They have a rule about no negative comments ( you can give a helpful critique though) so most of the comments you get are really wonderful. I am always so anxious to get online and see if I got a comment. I check the site several times a day and am kind of let down if there isn’t a comment on my art. Luckily, I like writing comments myself, so usually the visit to the site is not a total loss. I wish I didn’t feel so anxious about the comments every time I get online. Being on that site is a double-edged sword. The comments help build my self esteem, but when I don’t get one it is hell.

Comment on Julie Fast Radio Show Downloads by Anne Naylor

Anne Naylor — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 07:17:56 +0000

Hi Julie,
My name is Anne Naylor and I live in Australia. I am 51 years old and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder six years ago. I have recently discovered your website and blog. I think you are absolutely amazing. I would like to start a small blog myself, as I love to write. I heard your interview with Terri Chaney on memoir writing and was really inspired.
However, despite having a Master’s Degree, I am completely uneducated about blogs and blogging. Would you have any advice or tips for me? I don’t want to make a complete fool of myself. (PS. This is the first time I have ever posted a comment on a blog). Thank you. Kind regards. Anne