Posted by Cyleilo on April 22, 2004, at 17:07:21
In reply to Re: Does Homeopathy Work for Bipolar? » Cyleilo, posted by BarbaraCat on April 22, 2004, at 15:23:48
BarbaraCat, it's been interesting to read your posts. I'm new to Psychobabble and have read a lot of old posts, and always got a lot out of yours in particular. Plus, your writing is so beautiful. My story is kind of the opposite of yours, except for the suffering. Long story short: been trying to get well for many years. 27 years ago, age 24, realized I was an alcoholic, (a "periodic" and got it before that disease had progressed very far), went to AA and have been following that spiritual, substance free life since then, practicing a lot of what you talk about (living in the now, going through the emotions, praying, meditating, realizing my powerlessness over most of life, getting out of "self.") It helped enormously, saved my life, and yet, there was always a struggle, big ups and downs. 17 years ago I was diagnosed with Bipolar II. I tried Lithium but it didn't do much, didn't like the side effects (hair loss, having to take thyroid) so after 2 years, I got off it. Some years later I tried Prozac for 2 months, but that was a disaster - it precipitated mania, so got off that. I tried mightily to heal without any meds, hoping I could heal with the power of mind, and also scared as hell about drugs. And I've done fairly well, with very good periods, although always there's a struggle. I've been through having a baby at age 42, chronic sleep deprivation for one reason or another since then, breast cancer treated with chemo and radiation which precipitated instant menopause with all its ills, and all sorts of other family/life stresses. Last fall, the straw that broke the camel's back was learning my son is on the autistic spectrum (after going through many years of difficulty with him), and I've been severely depressed ever since. I opened my mind to the possibility I might need drugs (AAAAAHHHH). The psychiatrist recommended lamictal, but said I should try Omega-3's first, which I did for many months with no success. Then someone suggested homeopathy. I have a bottle of Lamictal on the dresser, none used, and I'm going crazy trying to decide whether to try yet another thing (homeopathy) in order to avoid the dreaded drugs. I have located a wonderful homeopath. But I feel I don't have the strength anymore, even to make the appointment, or the patience. So I'm on the precipice. I've been basically drug free for 27 years, except for the brief Lithium/Prozac experiments, and now I feel like I need help, need a break, needs meds, but I'm so scared of drugs. I don't even know why I'm writing about this, maybe just trying to work out in my own mind which path to follow. When you say you think homeopathy is a great adjunct, do you mean adjunct to meds? The research I've done on homeopathy seems to indicate it doesn't do much for mood stabilization, but it does help a lot with the depression. I was so interested to hear about the success with your cats. Anyway, now I'm just psychobabbling. Thanks again for your reply and good luck with your path. It sounds like you're doing so well, working through so much, in spite of "it all." One day at a time, eh?, rather, one minute at a time.
poster:Cyleilo
thread:338064
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040418/msgs/338913.html