Genetics suck.

CurveControl · 03-14-2006, 11:20 AM

My DD2 has been Diagnosed with Bipolar2. I feel like total crap. It runs on my side of the family, and I never ever wanted my kids to have this horrible thing.
I am very sad about it, and feel like I should apologize to her, or something. But I am trying to be very supportive. The meds he wants her to start make her nauseous and she threw up 2 times so far.
I guess I just feel very guilty.

turbotex · 03-14-2006, 12:56 PM

Oh, I know how you feel (sort of) I have a 5 yo DS and since both my brother and my grandfather were diagnosed w/ BP and I believe that my grandmother and aunt were/are undiagnosed I am terrified that I have pased the gene on to my son. All I can do is offer you {{{HUGS}}} You sound like a wonderful mother!

CurveControl · 03-14-2006, 02:16 PM

Thanks Turbo. I am concerned about my other 2 also. DS has terrible insomnia- has since he was a toddler, and my Oldest has some rcing thoughts/ insomnia too. She is quite a drama queen!
The DD who was Diagnosed is very NOT drama. (At least by teenage statndards) I have read up on it a lot, but onest age seems murky. I guess I will have to ask the psych about it.

JoLi · 03-14-2006, 07:19 PM

I was diagnosed as bipolar 2 when I was about 31 years old. There was no family history of it in those older than me that any one wants to admit to. I have had two cousins commit suicide, they self medicated, may have had problems that were not diagnosed. My neice is diagnosed bipolar, was diagnosed at age 19ish.
The meds are a crap shoot at times. It takes time to find the right ones and the right doses. If the side effects just cannot be tolerated then move onto something else. Sometimes taking a single dose at night can allieveate the vomiting from the nausea. Some of the meds I'm taking are topomax, lamictal and geodon. All help with the mood swings. Two of them are anti seizure meds being used as mood stabilizers. Geodon is an anti psychotic, to help with the racing thoughts and mood swings. I also take wellbutrin for the depressive side. I've been on these meds for about 3 years and it seems to be a good combination. I've also been in therapy continously to learn new behaviours to help with some of the problems associated with bipolar. You'll want to discuss these things with your childs doctor. Getting the kids to stay on their meds is going to be the hardest thing, especially when they are feeling great and don't think they need them. Trust me I've been there and I've tanked badly. I know I need these meds and I'm going to keep taking them.
I too worry about my kids. The only thing my therapist said I could do is to teach them good coping skills now and see what happens later.
Let me know if you have any questions about what I've done or my meds.

CurveControl · 03-15-2006, 11:34 AM

JoLi- Thank you so much for your practical advice!! I also have people (aunts, Uncles Parents and grand parents) who will not accept that they are Bi Polar. I have had 2 Great aunt's die as scuicide, and the rest self medicate with alcohol. She (DD2) made the decision to get diagnosed and heped. Thank God! The Trileptal has made her throw up, but we are going to stick with it at least a week, as it has not happened every time she takes it. Seems better if she takes it with Toast or crackers. So far I have seen no change in her, but her BF says she is a little calmer- not as irritable.

Wellbutrin is the anti D my D.O had me on, But I quit Because it made me mean and really increased my irritability. Like a continious mixed state. DD's Psych told me that Wellbutrin is a No No for most Bi Polars. ( I have not made time to establish a relationship with a Psych since we moved here-over 1 1/2 year ago

) So, All I am taking is Xanax and Ambien. I am starting into a Hypo Manic state right now, but rarley progress into full mania- I am more likley to have a sharp drop into a big depression or a mixed state. So, YES, I am seeing her Doctor the first of next week. But I really dont like to lose the energy the hypo mania gives me, and only want meds if it gets too out of control KWIM?
I have to set an example for DD, so I know I will have to take the meds, even if I don't really want to. (What hypo manic WANTS to go back to baseline???)Of course I will never tell her that!!!
We have a book from the library that says Medication and exersize is vital to success with maintaining good health (mental and physical) so she has been working out almost daily. That is a very good thing!!!

gettingstrength · 04-06-2006, 09:09 PM

landis · 04-12-2006, 11:44 AM

Oh man, I don't know much about bipolar but I DO know about guilt! I feel like a lot of my DS's problems come from my poor choices when he was growing up. Hope you don't mind if I bring God into this. Remember, He is the Creator, He created you and me and your daughter exactly the way He meant to create us. My son also inherited my allergies, should I feel guilty about that? He has a really bad ADD problem, is that my fault? Did you sin to cause this? It is great that you found out early so she can get treated! Also, it is wonderful that she has a Mom who loves her so much that she will help her learn to deal with this! We all have our crosses to bear, there is no way around it. If we never had to deal with any problems, we wouldn't be human! So forgive yourself, let go of the guilt and move on. It does neither one of you any good kicking yourself over and over. Your daughter is in very capable Hands!!!

CurveControl · 04-13-2006, 09:01 AM

Thanks Landis. I Know God gave her to me, and I treasure every bit of her, but sometimes my heart hurts thinking about the pain she can suffer from this disease, I have seen it take such an awful toll on my family, and I want better for my kids. She is already bucking the meds. I know that all I can do about anything in this world is give it to God and trust Him to handle it, but part of MY Bi Po is a huge dose of control freainess! Something to work on, I guess! I am visiting my Oldest DD (in Illinois-College)right now and I am swearing she is Hypomanic at the very least. She swears she is just busy with school and work, and maybe it is true, and I will see Bi Po because I am looking for it, KWIM, But I will be waching her too!

03-14-2006, 11:20 AM	#1
CurveControl Formerlychubchick Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 42,465 Blog Entries: 8 Gallery: CurveControl Stats: 200/ 186.0 /135 WOE: moderate carb, 30-60 grams Start Date: 3/25/08 sigh	Genetics suck. My DD2 has been Diagnosed with Bipolar2. I feel like total crap. It runs on my side of the family, and I never ever wanted my kids to have this horrible thing. I am very sad about it, and feel like I should apologize to her, or something. But I am trying to be very supportive. The meds he wants her to start make her nauseous and she threw up 2 times so far. I guess I just feel very guilty.

03-14-2006, 07:19 PM	#4
JoLi MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,225 Gallery: JoLi Stats: (253 3/03)209/166/150 5'7" WOE: South Beach/phase 2 Start Date: Restart 1/2/08	I was diagnosed as bipolar 2 when I was about 31 years old. There was no family history of it in those older than me that any one wants to admit to. I have had two cousins commit suicide, they self medicated, may have had problems that were not diagnosed. My neice is diagnosed bipolar, was diagnosed at age 19ish. The meds are a crap shoot at times. It takes time to find the right ones and the right doses. If the side effects just cannot be tolerated then move onto something else. Sometimes taking a single dose at night can allieveate the vomiting from the nausea. Some of the meds I'm taking are topomax, lamictal and geodon. All help with the mood swings. Two of them are anti seizure meds being used as mood stabilizers. Geodon is an anti psychotic, to help with the racing thoughts and mood swings. I also take wellbutrin for the depressive side. I've been on these meds for about 3 years and it seems to be a good combination. I've also been in therapy continously to learn new behaviours to help with some of the problems associated with bipolar. You'll want to discuss these things with your childs doctor. Getting the kids to stay on their meds is going to be the hardest thing, especially when they are feeling great and don't think they need them. Trust me I've been there and I've tanked badly. I know I need these meds and I'm going to keep taking them. I too worry about my kids. The only thing my therapist said I could do is to teach them good coping skills now and see what happens later. Let me know if you have any questions about what I've done or my meds. __________________ YOU'RE A MUDERER OF LOVE Dan in Real Life

03-15-2006, 11:34 AM	#5
CurveControl Formerlychubchick Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 42,465 Blog Entries: 8 Gallery: CurveControl Stats: 200/ 186.0 /135 WOE: moderate carb, 30-60 grams Start Date: 3/25/08 sigh	JoLi- Thank you so much for your practical advice!! I also have people (aunts, Uncles Parents and grand parents) who will not accept that they are Bi Polar. I have had 2 Great aunt's die as scuicide, and the rest self medicate with alcohol. She (DD2) made the decision to get diagnosed and heped. Thank God! The Trileptal has made her throw up, but we are going to stick with it at least a week, as it has not happened every time she takes it. Seems better if she takes it with Toast or crackers. So far I have seen no change in her, but her BF says she is a little calmer- not as irritable. Wellbutrin is the anti D my D.O had me on, But I quit Because it made me mean and really increased my irritability. Like a continious mixed state. DD's Psych told me that Wellbutrin is a No No for most Bi Polars. ( I have not made time to establish a relationship with a Psych since we moved here-over 1 1/2 year ago ) So, All I am taking is Xanax and Ambien. I am starting into a Hypo Manic state right now, but rarley progress into full mania- I am more likley to have a sharp drop into a big depression or a mixed state. So, YES, I am seeing her Doctor the first of next week. But I really dont like to lose the energy the hypo mania gives me, and only want meds if it gets too out of control KWIM? I have to set an example for DD, so I know I will have to take the meds, even if I don't really want to. (What hypo manic WANTS to go back to baseline???)Of course I will never tell her that!!! We have a book from the library that says Medication and exersize is vital to success with maintaining good health (mental and physical) so she has been working out almost daily. That is a very good thing!!! __________________ *Molly* http://www.myspace.com/molly67 I'm too Blessed to be Stressed ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~ BiPos Take heart~ We have Special Brains, and Cool Thought processes, and Like any Superior Performace Creation we need special handling and additives to run at top performance. I have never ever met anyone as creative, and fun as a (properly medicated)BiPo.

04-12-2006, 11:44 AM	#7
landis Boss of Me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the shelter of His arms Posts: 31,801 Gallery: landis Stats: Not where I'd like to be..yet. WOE: God's Start Date: Jan 2004	Oh man, I don't know much about bipolar but I DO know about guilt! I feel like a lot of my DS's problems come from my poor choices when he was growing up. Hope you don't mind if I bring God into this. Remember, He is the Creator, He created you and me and your daughter exactly the way He meant to create us. My son also inherited my allergies, should I feel guilty about that? He has a really bad ADD problem, is that my fault? Did you sin to cause this? It is great that you found out early so she can get treated! Also, it is wonderful that she has a Mom who loves her so much that she will help her learn to deal with this! We all have our crosses to bear, there is no way around it. If we never had to deal with any problems, we wouldn't be human! So forgive yourself, let go of the guilt and move on. It does neither one of you any good kicking yourself over and over. Your daughter is in very capable Hands!!! __________________ January goals: Exercise 4 times a week Log everything into fitday Keep up Bible study Last edited by landis : 04-12-2006 at 11:45 AM.

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03-14-2006, 12:56 PM	#2
turbotex Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Longhorn Country Posts: 5,049 Gallery: turbotex Start Date: 8/13/03	Oh, I know how you feel (sort of) I have a 5 yo DS and since both my brother and my grandfather were diagnosed w/ BP and I believe that my grandmother and aunt were/are undiagnosed I am terrified that I have pased the gene on to my son. All I can do is offer you {{{HUGS}}} You sound like a wonderful mother!

03-14-2006, 02:16 PM	#3
CurveControl Formerlychubchick Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 42,465 Blog Entries: 8 Gallery: CurveControl Stats: 200/ 186.0 /135 WOE: moderate carb, 30-60 grams Start Date: 3/25/08 sigh	Thanks Turbo. I am concerned about my other 2 also. DS has terrible insomnia- has since he was a toddler, and my Oldest has some rcing thoughts/ insomnia too. She is quite a drama queen! The DD who was Diagnosed is very NOT drama. (At least by teenage statndards) I have read up on it a lot, but onest age seems murky. I guess I will have to ask the psych about it.

04-06-2006, 09:09 PM	#6
gettingstrength Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,523 Gallery: gettingstrength Stats: 184 / 170 / ? WOE: atkins Start Date: 6 / 1 / 2002

04-13-2006, 09:01 AM	#8
CurveControl Formerlychubchick Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 42,465 Blog Entries: 8 Gallery: CurveControl Stats: 200/ 186.0 /135 WOE: moderate carb, 30-60 grams Start Date: 3/25/08 sigh	Thanks Landis. I Know God gave her to me, and I treasure every bit of her, but sometimes my heart hurts thinking about the pain she can suffer from this disease, I have seen it take such an awful toll on my family, and I want better for my kids. She is already bucking the meds. I know that all I can do about anything in this world is give it to God and trust Him to handle it, but part of MY Bi Po is a huge dose of control freainess! Something to work on, I guess! I am visiting my Oldest DD (in Illinois-College)right now and I am swearing she is Hypomanic at the very least. She swears she is just busy with school and work, and maybe it is true, and I will see Bi Po because I am looking for it, KWIM, But I will be waching her too!