My life partner has Bipolar ii

Will have to look into budget @Determined @outlander. Hoping 3 day week will be a possibility. Hoping you get to slow down too

@Shaz51

Hi Tigz

My wife has bipolar 2 and been diagnosed last year after 7 yrs of manic and depressive episodes. How do you cope with the giggles and fast talk. I end up getting scared as I know what is coming up. Your words gave me encouragement.

Hello @Tryingtostaystr

Hello👋 Come and meet some other BPii partners.

Mr D has never really had the classic fast talk of bipolar I - does Bipolar bear get this @Tiggeroo

or Mr Shaz @Shaz51?

You do have me intrigued though - what happens after your wife (can I call her MrsTTS) has giggles and fast talk? Does MrsTTS engage with any sort of treatment?

@Shaz51 - our mower is back in the repair shop. I suggested Mr D he get a ride on. He recently got a small inheritance from his Dad - enough to buy one - but he is not sure. We really need a push mower and I think we will get a second one so we have a back up.

(PS @Tryingtostaystr I have tagged Tigz so she sees your message to her in the preceding post@Tiggeroo)

Hi @Former-Member, thanks for your support, after the giggles, comes the paranoia, posting items on Facebook which damage her reputation, the spending sprees and super confidence. She would generally have lithium and calming meds, but on some days it doesn't help too much.

@Tryingtostaystr

Having med tweakage when needed can be helpful but this does require a patient sticking to relapse prevention plan and may involve a visit to pdoc (which they may not be amenable to). Are you able to contact treating team if you notice MrsTTS ramping up?

Can be frustrating at times @Tryingtostaystr. I have been very proactive in ensuring that appropriate follow up and routine monitoring has occurred in relation to regular blood tests etc. to ensure all is steady.

3 days a week sounds good to me, @Former-Member, @Determined

Hello @Tryingtostaystr and welcome to the forum

No my Mr shaz has never really had the giggles and fast talk,-

he tends to go quiet, too quiet and then he starts thinking and saying that people have something against him

and then he zones in about something over and over

Hello @Determined, @outlander, @Tiggeroo, @Faith-and-Hope

Mr D had pdoc appt this week, I came out of it feeling reactive again after I felt that the she would not engage with me in relation to matters I had put forward. I had been speaking to my own counselor the day before about this and I recognise what is happening but I do not know how to manage it - this is the topic for our next appt.

There is now a structured plan in place for a med discontinuation, (which I fully support - it will be wonderful if Mr D can go without it). There is risk of relapse and the pdoc feels this risk is low.

Perhaps my biggest fear is that if relapse occurs, it could be indicative that the alternative diagnosis that was tendered (that of schizophrenia) is more likely. I don't know why,* but the thought if Mr D requiring long term AP therapy makes my heart sink.

*I actually do know why