Hi. I have a friend who has Bi-Polar. The most important thing I can tell you is that it does'nt mean you are any less of a person. Surround yourself with people who accept you for who you are and do not judge you for your illness. Also do some research on your illness. It sometimes helps if you are able to recognise the signs.

Hi Bren! and everyone else. My name is Beka, a bunch of us had a private bipolar support group on the message boards before they changed everything. I even had to re-sign up since my username and password of three years has been disabled. I guess we will all meet here for now, or for-ever if they have deleted our group. Let's see, for those of you that don't know me, I am Beka, 33, with a partner, Matt, 35, and we have a 4 year old daughter. I have belonged to a bipolar support group for over 4 years now, they just keep moving around. I have bipolar II ultra rapid cycling, I am also borderline personality, and have a severe panic attack anxiety stress disorder. I am on disability for these reasons and am able to stay home with my daughter as well as try to make it through each day without the added stress of work. I am blessed with ssdi, and am so thankful for it. It is nice to meet any new people, and hope to get to know each one of you.;) B

Hi, in the days and weeks ahead we will be making more upgrades, one of which will include the O Groups (Private). They required a little more customization than we anticipated so we didn't want to hold back the launch and will release those as quickly as possible. Thank you all for your patience. Launching a new community is no small feat and we've got our best team working out any issues which may arise. Have a wonderful day and good seeing you all again. -HarpoBear, Oprah.com Community Producer

Peek a boo I see you Ok just read this thread due to you Beka, I am so happy everyone has included me in letting me know whats going on i know i havent been on in such along time and i am too tired as usual to go into details right now as its almost midnight here, But I am thinking of you all and maybe when our new home is open I will come back and visit. Love you all and forever in my hearts Storm P.S are the fuzzy books still alive ?

Thanks for your thoughts. They are appreciated.

Thanks for letting us know. We can't wait until the private groups are up and running.

I have been sitting at this computer all day!!! arg!!! Mich, it's so good to hear from you, but Indeed, I do not have to tell you how MUCH Lorelei takes over my LIVING ROOM with the giant Kanga you sent her, she beats him up, she rides him, and she dresses him up, all over the house. I think finally he has a tiny hole he is leaking thru. boo hoo. (NOT!) ALSO the fairy game, on the computer, the one you sent a long long time ago. She plays that almost every day and I never knew there was so much to do on it! I have been thinking of you, Michelle and wanted to thank you for those things which Lorelei adores. OF COURSE we would never leave you out. YOu are YOU! B

I sort of like this set-up and such. I am having a bit of a time with the yahoo.?:| I will def come back here, as well as the other places we meet online.

Hi,

I have bipolar disorder also. I was diagnosed about 2 years ago. I have tried to commit suicide several times over the times. Without my medication I hear voices. Tell me about your disorder and how it affects you.

Trena

I struggle with mostly the depressive end of the illness. The highs seem to be few and far between. Thankfully I haven't tried to commit suicide, but I often struggle with suicide ideation. My meds seem to help but I'm still not able to work. The smallest amount of stress sends my mood into a tailspin.

Hi Bren,
I struggle with bi-polar illness also. I am currently off my meds because of the side effects. I am use to it since I have never been able to find the right meds or doctor. I have a really hard time sleeping at night. Today I have to go to work and dread the thought. It is cloudy and foggy where I live and I feel like staying in bed. Lately, once I get to sleep all I want to do is sleep. I hope your day is going better.
Michelle

Hi Beka....
I felt compelled to reply to u cause we have so many things in common....I am BP, suffer from anxiety and sever panic attack, and depression.....It took my psy almost three yrs to get me stabilized and now from all the wt gain from the seroquel...and the lithium....need to have gastric bypass surgery very soon...

The ironic part of this whole saga...is that its my own psy who is going to do the psy evaluation for the surgery...hes the one who put me on all the wt gaining wt...is know the psy that has to find me psy fit for the surgery....

He will have to take me off the seroquel and lithium...and the roller coaster to find another set of meds will begin..I have gained over 100 lbs...had to have surgery on my right knee which isnt healing cuz of all the wt......and now my good knee the left one is starting to falter too....I truly hate this disease...and feel cheated of having a normal life..

Thank u so much for allowing me to share with u....have a blessed day...
Ali

Hi Bren,

I just wanted to let u know that u r not alone when it comes to having BP disorder...

Are u on any medications, and or under a psy care???...with the right meds, you can lead a pretty normal life...I am doing the best I have for almost 3 yrs..

Although its all about to change soon,,,, the meds I take I gained over 100lbs and now I need gastric bypass surgery...the ironic part is that its my own psy who will be conducting the evaluation to see if I am psy fit to have the surgery....

He will have to change all of my meds and put me on meds that dont cause wt gain....I am angry that he kept increasing the dose knowing that it was making me gain wt...

I have been making a list of all the meds the various women have posted to see if they will help me get re stabilized without any more wt gain..

I will keep u in my prayers...and have a blessed day...

Ali

i just have to say something about the show o did on bipolar..will watching the show my 7 year old son turned to me and asked me if i would ever kill him like that lady did to her son..do you know what that feels like to have your child ask you that question? thanks o....

when are the priviate groups going to be up??