Hi all,

My name is Kim and I am bipolar but I am also on my way to bandland. For me, like most people this is a new beginning but unlike most anyone else, from what I can tell, I am bipolar. If you are bipolar I would love to share support with you buddy or just friends.

Kim:thumbup:

I am bipolar (type II with rapid cycling to be exact:-) and was banded almost 3 months ago now.

BTW...I LOVE Nightmare Before Christmas.

I am also a rapid cycler although years of medication have slowed my cycles and also made them less intense. Anyhow a little about me: I am 25 years old, I am married to a wonderful, beautiful man, who is the love of my life. I have no children but want some after I go to and get through with nursing school. Instead of kids we have 2 cats that go crazy if you don't love on them all the time. Anyway I'd like to know more about you too.

Kim

Hi all out there in Bandland!

I too have Bi-polar, I was banded on the July 29th of this year, it's been 3 months and everything was going good, I've lost around 30lbs so far have alot to go.

Last week was a rough one for me as I started having horrible mood swings, flying off the handle over stupid things, I hated myself for behaving that was I was. I've called my Dr. concerned as I've been stable for over 4 yrs, and was wondering if my weight loss might have anything to do with it. Anybody have any suggestions? I'd love to hear from anyone else out there that might have some input on the sensitive subject.

It sounds to me as if you may be going into a manic episode. When I start to lose wieght it is easier for me to have them too. Just make an appointment with your doc and see if he can give you something to ease your irratability. I would also mention to him any other symptoms you have been having and the fact that you are banded and trying to lose weight as several of the mood stabilizer meds can cause weight gain.

The amount of medication right for you depends on a lot of variables, your weight is one of them. Lose enough weight and it will through that balance out, meaning your medication won't be working properly. Going into a manic episode most likely means you are now having too much medication. Definitely give your doc a call.

I've not been diagnosed with BP, but with SAD, which is fairly similar to BP. It just means my episodes are controlled by weather. This year was a tough one for me and I was mood swinging at one point, almost daily. I will be going to see a psyche soon, to see if I'm not BP after all.

Hi again,

thanks for all the replys, my moods have been more on the stable side (thank God) my dr. has me taking more of the klonopin 3 times a day 1/2 mil, but there is NO way I'm doing that as I have kids to take care of and drive around and I'd be crashed on the couch, so I've just been taking a half a mil just once a day and it's improved a lot! I go and see him in about a week anyway.

Hey there...I too am a bi-polar bandster . I am 22 and the mother of a disabled special needs 19 months old. I started having crazy low mood swings...mostly low not high....I started crying and screaming at my poor husband for no reason at all! Sometimes I feel so bad, but I feel like I can't stop them. I have to go in next week to get my meds tweeked again...fingers crossed. I hope it helps so my hubby can relax a little. I am so happy that I got banded Good luck everyone.

Ok, it's Sunday a week ago I was hiding in my closet not wanting to talk to anyone for fear I'd say something to hurt one of my family's feelings. I'm feeling MUCH better this Sunday, we are all getting ready for church, I'm dressed up, I put on a pair of dress pants that were skin tight the last time I wore them only to put them on this morning and they are almost too big to keep on. !!!! Thank the good Lord for my BAND!!!

Happy Sunday to everyone!

Welcome rodriguezequal !!!

WTG on the pants and the feeling a little better :rolleyes2:...I understand the hiding in the closet thing...sometimes I'll go stand in the shower until all of the hot water is gone just so I'm not yelling at my hubby lol... Wtg again and keep it up!!!

Hello,

I'm also bi polar and have been for most of my life. I'm suppost to have my lapband in December 2008. I'm ready for it. I'm tired of being fat. I have alot of mood swings myself. I love my wife and she is very understanding. When I start mouthing (mostly it's about nothing), she just lets me get it out my system and then tells me how much she loves me. I haven't worked since 2004 and I've been on disability until they took it away from me this past September, but I'm trying to get it back.

My doctor at first was kind of leary about the band, he was thinking about my depression, but then he said it might do me some good. I'm just waiting on my insurance to give the ok.

Johnny

Hey Guys,

I too am newly banded and bipolar. I was diagnosed almost a year ago and FINALLY was put on the right meds for me last December. So far everything has been fine in terms of being a BP bandster. I do tend to sometimes get irritable when I really want to eat and I can't bc it will make me sick. Part of that may have as much to do with me adjusting to the band as it does with my BP. BTW, I had to change up some of med dosages bc the pills were too big for my band. I take lexepro/wellbutrin in the am and depekote/serequal in the pm. Thanks for starting this thread kmcoolone. Losing weight used to be a big manic trigger for me before I was diagnosed and put on the right meds. I will keep an eye out but I am losing very slowly and it doesn't feel like that all consuming feeling I used to have w the thought like when I am skinny I will be sooo fabulous everyone will love me etc...

I was banded april 08 and have bipolar and experience severe mood swing when cut back on calories. I take mood stalbizers(lithium) and this helps very little. Does anyone else experience this and wondering if going up on lith would help make cutting back more smooth or be risk for weight gain? Anyone at goal weight, or close, taking heavy meds? Im having wloss, just slow:)

maddy

I'm Bi-Polar as well and will be banded hopefully in July.

I'm brand spanking new to this website and will be having my surgery in June. I am starting to get really worried about how the eating restrictions will effect my mood. I've been taking medication for 20 years and am stable right now, but one of my favorite, life-long low-mood cures is caffeine. I am told that caffeine will be totally off-limits. And then there is the fact that when I am depressed I eat. I'm getting scared about what I will do with my feelings once I am banded. Can any of you speak to this? How bad is it in terms of coping with mood swings, especially depression?

Caffeine was not off limits for me, only during my pre and post op diets. It does however increase your appetite. I will have caffeinated tea or a coffee drink. At first I was grouchier than normal, but I learned other things to do to help me with my depression. I took up cross stitching and crocheting...reading. Something to replace that old "friend" food :thumbup:. You need to have people you can talk to when you're depressed...someone you can turn to that will talk you through the tough times and help you overcome that kickstand in your life that always made you feel better when you were in a mood :eek:. You'll see what will work for you and what will not! Good luck to you. If you need to talk/vent I am always around