I have been med free with bipolar 1 for 10 years. Keto diet, loads of exercise including HIIT, cycling, walking and qi gong. Supplements are very helpful especially fish oil, magnesium and L tryptophan.
That’s how I survived, but then I had two back surgeries and ended up disabled.. so I can’t do the “intensive “ exercise that releases the endorphins. I walk as much as I can. I can manage the lows w coffee even. But the highs are unbearable. There’s nothing I can do it seems. Lithium was effective but I got a rash……. But I may have to try again or I eventually won’t survive w the rapid cycling etc
It’s so great to hear someone who is so far on with using metabolic therapies for bipolar. I have bipolar 1 (rapid cycling with mixed episodes) and for the last 4 months have been on keto and CrossFit - so a very similar mix. Also I have a dietician who has been advising on supplementing. My meds are down 75% from what they were and I have never been so stable for so long in my adult life. But I’m kinda permanently scared something is going to happen and the carpet is going to be pulled from under my feet. I really hope not
First of all, I'm glad to have you. Please continue your work. While I had a great job, home and friends, I lost them all during the hypomania period and was left with a lot of debt. The idea of suicide was always on my mind during depression, but after I started using Lamictal, I started to become balanced. However, 3-4 days of the month are at the level of depression and these can coincide with very important days. I hope a permanent solution can be found for bipolar. As long as there are people like you, it means there is hope for us. Thanks again. Enjoy your work.
Hi! You don’t know me, but your story really resonated with me. It pretty much what happened to me 2 years ago too. Would love to chat about your experience with bipolar if you don’t mind
Amongst other meds including ECT, I have been on lithium 800ms noct since January 1978. I am retired now, but have had a successful life as a business man. I miss my old psychiatrist, Dr O Riordan (deceased) as he was a great help to me for many years. Thank you.
- I have Bipolar 1, with PTSD. (and OCD) Lithium worked REALLY great for me, but I eventually had to go off of it due to creatinine levels in bloodwork. (Risk to kidneys.) Now, i’m on a very complicated combination of Rx. It took a few months for my psychiatrist to get the correct meds and dosages. (Depakote, buspirone, bupropion) It’s working well. (age 70) I’ve done DBT and EMDR, both are WONDERFUL! Never give up! Exercise! Eat well, sleep. Take good care of yourself!!! -
25 years on lamotragine. I’ve been off for 2 months. What they don’t tell you is there are pretty bad cognitive side effects long term, as well as mixed episodes, rapid cycling. Huge and lasting memory deficits. They don’t take into account the devastating withdrawals that disabled me and 2 months later still have days where my whole body hurts. Each step down, even 10 mg caused rage, irritability, horrible fatigue, fever, derealuzation, anxiety. . In my son he had all that plus psoriasis flares all over his face, sleeping 16 hours a day. Lamotragine saved my life. But it shouldn’t be forever. Doctors and scientists need to dig deeper into long term effects and microtapering.
I’m so sorry to hear of all the struggles. It’s not fair. I heard the ketogenic and carnivore diet fix your metabolic health, and allows the brain to run primarily off of ketones which helps your brain heal. Some psychiatrists say people’s bipolar symptoms completely disappear. It’s been the number one most affective tool in their practice. Just something to look into in.
Side effects of anti psychotics for bipolar depression gave me tardive dyskinesia and now I’ve been diagnosed with Parkinsonism. Drug induced PD? Beware.
@@BL-un2sz is Prayer going to heal alone ? Sometimes you religious people need to go somewhere else. Find some other thread to comment on not these ones please. 🙏🏿
Thank you for endorsing Lithium. I have been on it for 46 years treating Bipolar I. I am alive and credit lithium. I was hospitalized at 19 and 20. No more hospitalizations since starting lithium. No thyroid but I have my life.
18 months symptom free from a therapeutic ketogenic diet. Highly recommend as something to look into. Dr Sethi at Stanford. Dr Palmer from McLain. Thanks for your work, Michael.
Great, well done❤. I dropped my meds in november last year, went full on keto, got a stable sleep schedule, had a few bad days, but all people do that. We can't be happy happy every day, in this world. Oh and walk a lot. Lost 37 kg now.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m four months in on keto and everything is going well , like too well which is scaring me… good to hear someone is further down the line with success
@@jonintorunto7708that's great to hear. Hard to believe it is almost 2 years since I started this treatment. It's a lot of work but well worth it. Cheers, Michael
What ketogenic diet are you doing? There are many out there. I’m just curious to the one you are using. Please share if you could. I’m interested in possibly starting a keto diet.
very high fat low carb. It eventually morphed to carnivore. I had some serious GI issues this year, and have been eating SAD since April. I am doing quite well today. That's not universal, some people can't eat differently 10 years in. Recommend Metabolic Mind as a good resource. Be well!
At 36 minutes "I'm not sure people are going to get back to their usual self". What is usual? Is usual a state of apathy and acceptance of normality? To quote Jiddhu Krishnamurti on this matter "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
valproic acid was brutal...lithium has way too many interactions and things you cant take along side..ie.._you can literally only take paracetamol for any pain issues...tremor..issues with hydration..issues if you need to have any kind of anaesthetic ...but it saved me in the end
Question Homeless human beings that are mentally ill who get picked up by the police for breaking laws often times get admitted into a 72 hour hold mental health facility AND during their short stay are administered a psychotropic Rx often times are given a prescription to take with them when they've been released. Q) Isn't this inhumane? The Dr doesn't have a relationship with this human being no history of their health and administers a drug that will do who knows what to this individual and then gives them a prescription to continue that won't be able to be maintained nor managed under regular Dr's visits.. Q) isn't this inhumane treatment of a humane being who has no stability whatsoever and now has been fucked with by a so called Dr and put back in a societal environment without any care or concern. Isn't this inhumane?
@@angelarich8455 It's due to the fact that mental health care isn't taken seriously enough. Who care about mental illness if it's not them. They don't feel our pain.
Very interesting conversation. Unfortunately most of questions we still can't answer. Would be really great if someone could provide us more information with co-ocuring (comorbid) conditions. BD often for instance comes with ASD. I can't find this topic being discussed anywhere. Also there's no much either research or data on using psychiatric medication for treating BD while someone is also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. And those are very different brains. One more topic I'm really interested in is using thyroid hormones in treating BD (especially rapid cycling or treatment resistant). It would be great if you can have a chat on that, as again almost no one ever mentions it! There are research and data supporting that it's extremely effective as standalone treatment or together with one antidepressant or antypsychotic (usually Quetiapine). This I would suggest to either have proper conversation or at least try to ask questions to the experts in the field what's their view on that unusual way of treatment.
is bi polar really worth medicating? im not treating my bi polar... and yes its hindered my life alot.... but i dont see what the point in treating it anymore.... ive taken some of these combos before and they just make me completely non functional.... i feel brain dead and unable to do anything creative or productive.... wouldn't taking ketamine and psychedelics be way better for you than anything else?
@@MittyFresh how about not blowing up your life, not dying at 60, not being completely awful to be around for your loved ones? But no, it feels bad to take the meds you tried so you gave up.
I describe my life having atypical bipolar disorder as living in a bottomless pit of sadness. It's a state that never really ends. It's always there in the back of your mind, even when things are just fine. Lamotrigine does help, but the only things that have been effective on making me cope with major depressive episodes is mindfulness and meditation. Recognizing when the episode is about to start and keeping present and conscious through it is the only way to not sink into a comatose state of depression.
I have a bipolar disorder,my father also has a bipolar disorder. Me and my wife were planning for a baby. Is there any treatment available so that the bipolar disorder does not pass on to our baby. Pls help?
I would personally adopt or foster children rather than pass on my bipolar genetics. Even if your children don't have bipolar, their children may have bipolar disorder. And for how severe my bipolar manic episodes and suicidal ideations are, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
@@kitlitmitt I have to agree w you. I love children and wish I had my own.. but I can’t imagine passing this to someone. I’m a “red blooded” male, so to speak- and I have more suicidal ideations than I do thoughts of sexual nature.. even w meds etc
@@ImperatorZed are you kidding? It absolutely does not do that. I am a TM meditator and it has helped tremendously. I don’t know where you’re getting your information.
Thank you for your work to try and learn more about bipolar and hopefully we come to a resolution for those with it. I would like to see more attention to Bipolar Disorder as a combination of lived experience resulting in the disorder and chemical imbalance through a unified approach to harmonizing our thoughts, habits and behaviours with the temporary treatment using medication. I do believe medication has a role in helping somebody heal but that ultimately should be a blip in the long term goal not prolonged treatment of the illness. Evidently using it as a treatment continually loses its efficacy anyway. You may need it to help achieve stabilization initially but then how can we progress to continued euthymic states without reliancy on medications. I don't believe the road to healing this disorder ends with medication. With the slew of side effects that come with medication I am not content with tolerating those for a timer we cannot define of when you will lose that stability again. There needs to be more I respect where we are now in progressing with handling the disorder we need to dig deeper.
@@ImperatorZed transcendental meditation is perfectly safe. You don’t know what you’re talking about. And if you did this and it happened, then there’s something wrong with your brain not the technique of transcendental meditation.
@@ImperatorZed the technique transcendental meditation is as safe as safe can be. It does not cause psychosis. That is ridiculous. I’m bipolar too. I’ve been doing it and it has helped tremendously. Stop spreading the wrong information.
My daughter is on Celexa. Seroquel, abilify, depakoye. Recently requested to go off lithium. She still having a very rough time. Ses manic almost nonstop and also speaks suicide frequently. I feel lost and broken
She is also being g treated with Suboxone for OUD. Some meds react with it. She has not been able to take a couple of drugs because of it and it takes SO long to detox
I understand. It’s so hard. I have been through the wringer with prescription drugs. I feel like a guinea pig. I live in Taiwan and they don’t know very much about psych drugs. I will pray for you and your daughter. I was just diagnosed with bipolar, and it’s so scary.
At about 10 minutes the discussion moves to meds losing efficacy. Surely this is the same like how most stimulants work in the human body, in that over time there will feel the need to have more in order to have the same affect, or adjustment with other meds. It's like with alcohol, for someone not used to it, 1 drink could bring on a slight buzz, same amount daily will no longer bring that same buzz and the body will require more. I could be wrong though so many medical professionals and proponents of supplements rarely see this. Can a body builder or an athlete keep a strong healthy body without regular work, not really. Surely, the same goes with an unbalanced mind. From the basic research I've been looking into for about 20 years, every successful, and balanced person has some kind of daily practice, especially a morning practice. Meds and supplements may indeed balance the emotional ups and downs - what about quality of life? For me personally, everytime I went on meds my quality of life was mediocre at best, twice my life was nothing more than merely existing.
I have been med free with bipolar 1 for 10 years. Keto diet, loads of exercise including HIIT, cycling, walking and qi gong. Supplements are very helpful especially fish oil, magnesium and L tryptophan.
Well done,,, I do the same, added tai chi
That’s how I survived, but then I had two back surgeries and ended up disabled.. so I can’t do the “intensive “ exercise that releases the endorphins. I walk as much as I can. I can manage the lows w coffee even. But the highs are unbearable. There’s nothing I can do it seems. Lithium was effective but I got a rash……. But I may have to try again or I eventually won’t survive w the rapid cycling etc
@@sebastianbillings7807oh, maybe look into qigong, gentle for body and mind. All the best.
@@sebastianbillings7807 the lithium caused a rash, I’m not a doctor but have you considered lithium orotate?
It’s so great to hear someone who is so far on with using metabolic therapies for bipolar. I have bipolar 1 (rapid cycling with mixed episodes) and for the last 4 months have been on keto and CrossFit - so a very similar mix. Also I have a dietician who has been advising on supplementing. My meds are down 75% from what they were and I have never been so stable for so long in my adult life. But I’m kinda permanently scared something is going to happen and the carpet is going to be pulled from under my feet. I really hope not
First of all, I'm glad to have you. Please continue your work.
While I had a great job, home and friends, I lost them all during the hypomania period and was left with a lot of debt. The idea of suicide was always on my mind during depression, but after I started using Lamictal, I started to become balanced. However, 3-4 days of the month are at the level of depression and these can coincide with very important days.
I hope a permanent solution can be found for bipolar. As long as there are people like you, it means there is hope for us.
Thanks again. Enjoy your work.
Hi! You don’t know me, but your story really resonated with me. It pretty much what happened to me 2 years ago too. Would love to chat about your experience with bipolar if you don’t mind
Amongst other meds including ECT, I have been on lithium 800ms noct since January 1978. I am retired now, but have had a successful life as a business man. I miss my old psychiatrist, Dr O Riordan (deceased) as he was a great help to me for many years. Thank you.
-
I have
Bipolar 1, with PTSD. (and OCD)
Lithium worked REALLY great for me, but I eventually had to go off of it due to creatinine levels in bloodwork.
(Risk to kidneys.)
Now, i’m on a very complicated combination of Rx.
It took a few months for my psychiatrist to get the correct meds and dosages.
(Depakote, buspirone, bupropion) It’s working well.
(age 70)
I’ve done DBT and EMDR, both are WONDERFUL!
Never give up!
Exercise!
Eat well, sleep.
Take good care of yourself!!!
-
-
PS:
bipolar runs in my family, on my father’s side. This is VERY obvious!
It’s not good, but it is survivable.
-
Ketogenic diet is great .
I dropped m'y Lithium to 400 from 800mg after I read that Lithium contrôles more thé hypomania .
25 years on lamotragine. I’ve been off for 2 months. What they don’t tell you is there are pretty bad cognitive side effects long term, as well as mixed episodes, rapid cycling. Huge and lasting memory deficits. They don’t take into account the devastating withdrawals that disabled me and 2 months later still have days where my whole body hurts. Each step down, even 10 mg caused rage, irritability, horrible fatigue, fever, derealuzation, anxiety. . In my son he had all that plus psoriasis flares all over his face, sleeping 16 hours a day. Lamotragine saved my life. But it shouldn’t be forever. Doctors and scientists need to dig deeper into long term effects and microtapering.
I’m so sorry to hear of all the struggles. It’s not fair. I heard the ketogenic and carnivore diet fix your metabolic health, and allows the brain to run primarily off of ketones which helps your brain heal. Some psychiatrists say people’s bipolar symptoms completely disappear. It’s been the number one most affective tool in their practice. Just something to look into in.
@@SylBeB-wp1gg yes agreed
Ketamine-you said the down side is that you have to keep taking it? Equally true of all drugs for bipolar, yes?
Side effects of anti psychotics for bipolar depression gave me tardive dyskinesia and now I’ve been diagnosed with Parkinsonism. Drug induced PD? Beware.
😢same for someone I know.
I'm terribly sorry. 😢❤
Have you tried prayer?
@@BL-un2sz is Prayer going to heal alone ? Sometimes you religious people need to go somewhere else. Find some other thread to comment on not these ones please. 🙏🏿
Thank you for endorsing Lithium. I have been on it for 46 years treating Bipolar I. I am alive and credit lithium. I was hospitalized at 19 and 20. No more hospitalizations since starting lithium. No thyroid but I have my life.
18 months symptom free from a therapeutic ketogenic diet. Highly recommend as something to look into. Dr Sethi at Stanford. Dr Palmer from McLain. Thanks for your work, Michael.
Great, well done❤. I dropped my meds in november last year, went full on keto, got a stable sleep schedule, had a few bad days, but all people do that. We can't be happy happy every day, in this world. Oh and walk a lot. Lost 37 kg now.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m four months in on keto and everything is going well , like too well which is scaring me… good to hear someone is further down the line with success
@@jonintorunto7708that's great to hear. Hard to believe it is almost 2 years since I started this treatment. It's a lot of work but well worth it. Cheers, Michael
What ketogenic diet are you doing? There are many out there. I’m just curious to the one you are using. Please share if you could. I’m interested in possibly starting a keto diet.
very high fat low carb. It eventually morphed to carnivore. I had some serious GI issues this year, and have been eating SAD since April. I am doing quite well today. That's not universal, some people can't eat differently 10 years in. Recommend Metabolic Mind as a good resource. Be well!
Thank you for such a intresting video. I have BP2. Hello from Norway
At 36 minutes "I'm not sure people are going to get back to their usual self". What is usual? Is usual a state of apathy and acceptance of normality? To quote Jiddhu Krishnamurti on this matter
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
I agree: the informative platform you've created here is invaluable. Thank you.
valproic acid was brutal...lithium has way too many interactions and things you cant take along side..ie.._you can literally only take paracetamol for any pain issues...tremor..issues with hydration..issues if you need to have any kind of anaesthetic ...but it saved me in the end
When I'm manic I have no desire to self medicate with drugs and alcohol. It's only when I'm depressed that I self destruct.
Thanks so much! Great info. I was turned down got TMS because I’m bipolar, don’t have mdd. So annoying
Question
Homeless human beings that are mentally ill who get picked up by the police for breaking laws often times get admitted into a 72 hour hold mental health facility AND during their short stay are administered a psychotropic Rx often times are given a prescription to take with them when they've been released. Q) Isn't this inhumane? The Dr doesn't have a relationship with this human being no history of their health and administers a drug that will do who knows what to this individual and then gives them a prescription to continue that won't be able to be maintained nor managed under regular Dr's visits.. Q) isn't this inhumane treatment of a humane being who has no stability whatsoever and now has been fucked with by a so called Dr and put back in a societal environment without any care or concern. Isn't this inhumane?
Happens here in Jamaica all the time
Happens in USA constantly , hard to access consistent care. It’s horrible and inhumane
@@angelarich8455 It's due to the fact that mental health care isn't taken seriously enough. Who care about mental illness if it's not them. They don't feel our pain.
Very interesting conversation. Unfortunately most of questions we still can't answer. Would be really great if someone could provide us more information with co-ocuring (comorbid) conditions. BD often for instance comes with ASD. I can't find this topic being discussed anywhere. Also there's no much either research or data on using psychiatric medication for treating BD while someone is also diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. And those are very different brains.
One more topic I'm really interested in is using thyroid hormones in treating BD (especially rapid cycling or treatment resistant). It would be great if you can have a chat on that, as again almost no one ever mentions it! There are research and data supporting that it's extremely effective as standalone treatment or together with one antidepressant or antypsychotic (usually Quetiapine). This I would suggest to either have proper conversation or at least try to ask questions to the experts in the field what's their view on that unusual way of treatment.
is bi polar really worth medicating? im not treating my bi polar... and yes its hindered my life alot.... but i dont see what the point in treating it anymore.... ive taken some of these combos before and they just make me completely non functional.... i feel brain dead and unable to do anything creative or productive.... wouldn't taking ketamine and psychedelics be way better for you than anything else?
Those things cause psychosis. Get real treatment.
@@ImperatorZed treatment for what? to be monotone and zombieish? lol thats what it does.... makes me feel dead inside.
@@MittyFresh how about not blowing up your life, not dying at 60, not being completely awful to be around for your loved ones?
But no, it feels bad to take the meds you tried so you gave up.
@@ImperatorZed 100% correct. either accept me as i am or carry on my wayword son.
@@ImperatorZedok what’s real treatment DR. Zed?
Lamotrigine for type 2
I describe my life having atypical bipolar disorder as living in a bottomless pit of sadness. It's a state that never really ends. It's always there in the back of your mind, even when things are just fine. Lamotrigine does help, but the only things that have been effective on making me cope with major depressive episodes is mindfulness and meditation.
Recognizing when the episode is about to start and keeping present and conscious through it is the only way to not sink into a comatose state of depression.
Good interview. My question....is there a difference between using brand name drugs and generic drugs??
My understanding is yes, there is a difference. And when using neuro-toxic drugs it can make significant difference. 🙏
What would her reaction to someone be as an outpatient for the first time if they were 60 and just diagnosed?
I have a bipolar disorder,my father also has a bipolar disorder. Me and my wife were planning for a baby. Is there any treatment available so that the bipolar disorder does not pass on to our baby. Pls help?
No it’s somewhat genetic so…
I would personally adopt or foster children rather than pass on my bipolar genetics. Even if your children don't have bipolar, their children may have bipolar disorder. And for how severe my bipolar manic episodes and suicidal ideations are, I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
@@kitlitmitt I have to agree w you. I love children and wish I had my own.. but I can’t imagine passing this to someone. I’m a “red blooded” male, so to speak- and I have more suicidal ideations than I do thoughts of sexual nature.. even w meds etc
😂😂😮😢🎉🎉🎉🎉@@kitlitmitt
@@sebastianbillings7807I understand exactly how you feel.
Transcendental meditation 🌹🌹❤
This causes psychosis and is very dangerous for bipolar people. Please stop putting people in danger.
@@ImperatorZed are you kidding? It absolutely does not do that. I am a TM meditator and it has helped tremendously. I don’t know where you’re getting your information.
This was so interesting. I would love a chat with Trish . Gave me some answer’s to some thoughts I have . Thank you
Thank you
Thank you for your work to try and learn more about bipolar and hopefully we come to a resolution for those with it.
I would like to see more attention to Bipolar Disorder as a combination of lived experience resulting in the disorder and chemical imbalance through a unified approach to harmonizing our thoughts, habits and behaviours with the temporary treatment using medication.
I do believe medication has a role in helping somebody heal but that ultimately should be a blip in the long term goal not prolonged treatment of the illness. Evidently using it as a treatment continually loses its efficacy anyway. You may need it to help achieve stabilization initially but then how can we progress to continued euthymic states without reliancy on medications.
I don't believe the road to healing this disorder ends with medication. With the slew of side effects that come with medication I am not content with tolerating those for a timer we cannot define of when you will lose that stability again.
There needs to be more I respect where we are now in progressing with handling the disorder we need to dig deeper.
TM meditation ❤💖
No
@@ImperatorZed transcendental meditation is perfectly safe. You don’t know what you’re talking about. And if you did this and it happened, then there’s something wrong with your brain not the technique of transcendental meditation.
@@ImperatorZed the technique transcendental meditation is as safe as safe can be. It does not cause psychosis. That is ridiculous. I’m bipolar too. I’ve been doing it and it has helped tremendously. Stop spreading the wrong information.
Ketogenic diet.
My daughter is on Celexa. Seroquel, abilify, depakoye. Recently requested to go off lithium. She still having a very rough time. Ses manic almost nonstop and also speaks suicide frequently. I feel lost and broken
She is also being g treated with Suboxone for OUD. Some meds react with it. She has not been able to take a couple of drugs because of it and it takes SO long to detox
I understand. It’s so hard. I have been through the wringer with prescription drugs. I feel like a guinea pig. I live in Taiwan and they don’t know very much about psych drugs. I will pray for you and your daughter. I was just diagnosed with bipolar, and it’s so scary.
@@suesjoy sending you love and prayers as well. I understand this struggle.
At about 10 minutes the discussion moves to meds losing efficacy. Surely this is the same like how most stimulants work in the human body, in that over time there will feel the need to have more in order to have the same affect, or adjustment with other meds. It's like with alcohol, for someone not used to it, 1 drink could bring on a slight buzz, same amount daily will no longer bring that same buzz and the body will require more.
I could be wrong though so many medical professionals and proponents of supplements rarely see this.
Can a body builder or an athlete keep a strong healthy body without regular work, not really. Surely, the same goes with an unbalanced mind. From the basic research I've been looking into for about 20 years, every successful, and balanced person has some kind of daily practice, especially a morning practice.
Meds and supplements may indeed balance the emotional ups and downs - what about quality of life? For me personally, everytime I went on meds my quality of life was mediocre at best, twice my life was nothing more than merely existing.
ECT without the informed consent of the patient is barbaric and damages the memory very badly.
I disagree. I’ve met people who’ve gone through ECT and they don’t have a huge memory loss. It’s short term memory loss and it’s slowly comes back.
Bipolär , seek för the parents if they where alkoholic