Feeling ok and the tide has turned

[Airies]

A year ago I was a mess and for 8 months I was in a dark dark place. Numerous hospital visits, medications, supportive family and lifestyle choices and I'm feeling ok.Being bipolar type 1 I tend to do things to extremes. I'm starting to string a number of good days together... I'm starting DBT in a few weeks which will test me somewhat. I'm putting one foot in front of another, not making any huge decisions and part of me is thinking I could be lulling myself into a false sense of security...I'm expecting a fall... I don't want to go where I was.. I don't know whether I could survive another bad episode.. It was scary and I was over it. I continue to have nightmares at night.. I sleep in some sort f medicated bliss but I have my moments.

cheers Len

[Lost_Girl]

Hey Len,

We have to keep these Medical professionals on their toes. Can't make it too easy for them. I hope the specialists are about to puzzle through for you.

I have done much the same with my diet. No bread, Potato, very little red meat. I have a very small steak on occassion less the fat. Mainly sticking to small amounts of white meat or fish, veg and fruit. A little cereal in the mornings and a cruskit with tomato here and there if I crave carbs or chewing lol. That may sound wierd but sometimes I feel like I just need to chew so the steak or a cruskit or raw carrot seem to help.

I think our pooches would get along splendidly. The playdate mentioned in the killer thread is a top idea my friend.

I can feel that summer revival coming on. Bring on the sunshine.

Carol xx

[Airies]

Hi Carol,

Havent seen you here for a while and hope you are doing ok. Please drop in when you are ready. What a year for all of us.All I can say folks is thanks for being there for me and hope that my posts do the same for you. In my darkest moments and also the now more better moments I draw inspiration from all of you here.

Cheers Len xox

[Lost_Girl]

Happy New Year Len!

I am very happy to put 2016 behind me yet ever grateful for finding BB and the wonderful people here like you Len.

It's a new year my friend. Time to make changes, to keep striving forward to improve our conditions. Time to master the harmonica!

I am improved in that I am now medication free and is a little less pain than I was. I have a good medical team that have a way forward for me. There's a bit of pressure in that respect causing a very uncomfortable anxiety that I am learning to manage. Turns out my central nervous system is not only affecting my pain but also messing with my emotions and causing anxiety. There is a plan for that too though. Just call me action girl this year. Jumping into action to try and heal the body and mind.

How are things going with you Len?

Thankyou for being here too Len. You are indeed a brightly shining light in the dark. You're a good egg 🙂

Looking forward to chatting xx

[Airies]

Happy New Year Carol,

you are a good egg as well. That's a great saying Btw. 2016 was a dozie and that's an understatement.That's great news Carol, medication free and a little less pain free. Thankgod for the medical profession is all I can say.Im doing ok, trying to keep busy and using distraction quite a bit. The days are getting easier and it's great to make tentative plans for the future.i would like to be medication free in due course, I see my psych in the New Year and will be guided by her.

i recently met some friends in the city and really opened up to someone as to the illness I have and the journey thus far. He could tell I wasn't my usual self but could tell I was pretty close to Normal if such a thing exists anymore and was genually concerned with my welfare and didn't make any judgements. I'm doing more and more,pottering around the yard, riding my bike 2-3 days a week or walking or rowing on my row machine. If I don't do a certain amount each day I can feel the tension in my body and by the day's end I'm rather uptight to say the least. Not the most ideal but 2017 is full of new frontiers. Thanks for bring there Carol. You and a number of others have been a breath of fresh air.:) like I've said before your blood should be bottled.

Action girl you go girl your positivity is infectious. Small baby steps. I've got it in my head to loose 20 kgs in 20 months. I've lost about 10 kgs since July with moderate excercise and cutting out a few food groups. The important thing it's working for me and I'm acutely aware of when I've overdone it. Being over 50 has been rude awakening and I just can't do what I could when younger.

You are really kicking some goals Carol. Well done .Give yourself a gentle pat on the back. As much as we are a gift to the medical profession when push comes to shove it's left to the individual to claw there way out of the mire. It's been a tough gig for all of us.

im glad you are back here and full of good news!

Looking forward to our ongoing yarns

cheers Len xox

[Airies]

Hi people's,

hard to believe almost 2 years since I joined here. I've clawed my way out of not a very nice place.The right interventions at the right time, a bit of luck, various hospital admissions, treatments, meds and changes to, supportive family, and the BB family have made a difference.As my psych says life goes on. I am so lucky to be here. It's hard for me to show emotion these days( Thanks to the meds), but I teared up a bit yesterday seeing my son off at the airport. He gave me the best hug. My family mean the world to me. Each day brings a new battle. I'm winning more and more. I hope one day to be medication free, this is unlikely in the immediate future. I'm more accepting of my lot in life and grateful to be here,

cheers

LM

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hey there Len,

You're sounding pretty positive in your reflections, and realistic in your expectations. It's good to see. Glad you're seeing so much improvement in general. I have likewise improved a lot since we met, though there's a long way to go. It's been an interesting and educational journey, hasn't it? Thanks for the update, it's always encouraging to see improvements and recovery in those we know have been through a lot. Kind thoughts to you.

Blue.

[Airies]

Hi Blue,

youve brought a smile to my dial thankyou. Glad things are improving for you as well. It's certainly been one hell of a ride. Agree there's a long way to go. And we are both better people for it. You have such a beautiful way of articulating things,

cheers LM

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Hi Len,

Glad I could make you smile. Thanks for visiting my thread, too. You may find some particularly good news over there, now. 🙂

Blue.

[Airies]

Hi folks,

just an update. In final module of DBT .Almost a year but it's been so rewarding. Started a Trauma group early days, challenges ahead,. Cutting back on my medication, so far so good. A tad more alert. I keep busy , posting here, gardening, excercising, eating very healthily and trying to get a good night sleep. My wonderful wife and 2 children and my dog are my world.

With medical intervention, an ounce of luck, and I guess sheer dogged determination I'm moving forward. Will I be my old self - I doubt it very much. I've changed, my circumstances have changed and I'm going to start the process of trying to get a disability allowance based on my mental health. My psych believes I am more then eligible. Anyway whether I do or not remains to be seen. Not a fan of forms, phone calls and having to justify myself.Anyway what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'm determined to fight. Life is worth living. I consder myself extremelly fortunate to be here. There are so many understanding, considerate , non judgemental people here ,

cheers LM