Graduating from College
Next Friday my son will graduate from community college with his associates in audio engineering. It has been a long and, at times, very bumpy road to arrive at this milestone. Chris was diagnosed at 12 and for five years, I battled his rages and violence (always against himself). He had to taken out of public high school because he was bullied and enrolled in a charter school a good 20 miles from home. I had to leave my job and stay home with him during this change because his tdoc told me that if I didn't he wouldn't live to see 18. We tried one med "cocktail" after another but it just seemed to get worse. Then in his junior year he tried to commit suicide and ended up spending 3 weeks in the phos while he was taken off his meds and started on Lithium. What seemed like my worst nightmare became the biggest blessing I've ever experienced. All of a sudden, he went from an angry, depressed and suicidal boy to one who could actually carry on a conversation. In school, he became a peer tutor, member of the student counsel and actually made friends.
Now he is graduating with his associates and planning on going on to ASU West for his interdisciplinary degree in Music Composition. He holds down two jobs, is in two bands and has been handling the stress of finals and working very well. He has is moments and then I still worry but everything is so much better then before. 5 years ago I never could have imagined life could be this good. But as I found, they do mature and life does get easier.
Emmy, Arizona
trans 2 co-mod with Becky & Roxy
Niki, 23, bp2, Lamictal
Chris, 21, bp, Lithium, Lamictal, Seroquel & Vyvanse
Liz, 19, add, Adderall
Jill, 18
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What a wonderful achievement for your son and for you, Emmy! Thank you so much for sharing and I hope your story will remind all of us to never give up hope, and to keep persevering until we find the right treatment for our child.
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Nanci Schiman, MSW
CABF Program Manager
nschiman@bpkids.org
WI Mom to:
S - 17; BP2, Lamictal, Lithobid, Synthroid, Seroquel
A- 15 Zoloft
L - 13; BP NOS, Trileptal, Amantadine, Lithobid, Synthroid, Lexapro, Niacinimide, Klonopin
DH - D, 50
Thank you Emmy for sharing your wonderful story. This makes me feel hopeful that my 12 year old son might be able to handle college someday as well. My oldest son is 22 and will be graduating from college next Spring. He hasn't had to suffer from BP like his younger brother, but I can see how much stress and pressure college life has. Your son has really made some excellent accomplishments. I've heard of so many gifted musicians/composers who suffered with BP as well (see list below). The BP mind can be extremely creative and can "express feelings" at such a depth that many people can relate to!
Ludwig van Beethoven, composer
Adam Ant, musician
Adrian Borland, British musician
Alohe Jean Burke, musician, vocalist
Vincent Crane, musician (keyboard for band “Atomic Rooster”)
Rosemary Clooney, singer
Kurt Cobain, musician
DMX Earl Simmons, rapper and actor
Ray Davies, musician
Lenny Dee
Gaetano Donizetti, opera singer
Mike Doughty, musician
Emilie Autumn, musician
Connie Francis, singer
Justin Furstenfeld (lead singer of band “Blue October”)
Peter Gabriel
Matthew Good, Canadian musician
Macy Gray
Ivor Gurney, English composer
Terry Hall (lead singer of “The Specials”
Jimi Hendrix
Kristen Hersh (musician from “Throwing Muses”)
Phyllis Hyman
Jack Irons (musician from “Red Hot Chili Peppers ad “Pearl Jam”)
Daniel Johnston, musician
Otto Klemperer, musician, conductor
Oscar Levant, pianist, composer, television
Ben Moody (musician from band “Evanescence”)
Phil Ochs, musician, political activist, poet
Sinead O’Conner, musician
John Ogden, composer, musician
Ozzy Osbourne,( lead singer of band “Black Sabbath”)
Craig Owens, singer
Jaco Pastorius, Jazz musician
Charley Pride, country music artist (autobiography: “Pride: The Charley Pride Story”)
Mac Rebennack (Dr. John)
Jeannie C. Riley
Alys Robi, vocalist in Canada
Axl Rose, (lead singer of “Guns N’Roses”)
Nick Traina
Del Shannon
Nina Simone, singer
Sting, Gordon Sumner, musician, composer
Devin Townsend, musician
Nick Traina, singer
Tom Waits, musician, composer
Scott Weiland (musician “Stone Temple Pilots”)
Brian Wilson,( musician, composer, of “The Beach Boys”)
Townes Van Zandt, musician, composer
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Tricia (co-moderator)
"M" - age 12; B.P., P.T.S.D., NOS Anxiety Disorder, A.D.D.
Depakote, Prozac, Strattera, occasionally Risperdal;
Public school education, E.D. teacher for 5 classes, 2 regular classes,
Learning Disabilities, O.T., I.E.P., Calif.
Wife and Mother to 3 children, step-mother to 2 children. Age ranges: 9 to 22
hi Emmy,
My son is BP 1, dx 3 yrs ago. He's on combo of med, with all the side effects, such as tremor, weight gain, lethargy, difficult to wake up in a.m,cognitive dulling, unable to concentrate and has poor short term memory. He is graduating from his high school on June, but doesnt know what to do after HS. His passion is listening to music with his headphone and custome-made earphone, and is very critical to what he is listening. He wishes to pursue audio engineering but has no confidence at all as he always thinks that he wont be able to further his studies. He has been struggling in the past 3 yrs finishing his HS, with all his down-ward academic result. That makes him more frustated and depressed since he used to be a straight A student.
I was wondering if your son experiences these cognitive dulling as well due to his medication? It has been very difficult for me to convince him to be brave to fight his illness, but he seems to has lost his self esteem and confidence. He never cares to know about his illness. I told him him that he is not a lone, ther are many out there who get the same illness as he is but they survive and go on with their lives.
I hope that he will get the best combo of med soon.
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vivi, 46yrs
mom to ds, 18yrs, BP1, Bupropion SR 300mg, Propanolol 20mg, Valproic Acid 500mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Seroquel Regular 200mg, Lamictal 100mg, Nordic O3 1o00mg, Vit B, Volic acid, Vit E
Congrats!!!! I know how this feels! My girls are sometimes sad about how old they are now and I tell them life is not a race to the finish line. It used to be hard for them not to compare their lives with their peers. But now, I think they are just too busy LIVING their lives to compare (yay!)
I am happy for you.
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"Naomi"
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar: After over 13 years - stable off psych meds over a year. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD with disabling migraines since infancy. After over 15 years, is "recovered" for 4 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.
Hi Naomi,
glad to hear your DD is stable over the years and off med. I hv heard about EMPowerPlus, but do they prove the efficacy toward BP? My DS has been on med combo for 3 yrs now, but still gets the "spark" and depressed. He never feels "right" anymore after he was dx BP1 3 yrs ago.
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vivi, 46yrs
mom to ds, 18yrs, BP1, Bupropion SR 300mg, Propanolol 20mg, Valproic Acid 500mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Seroquel Regular 200mg, Lamictal 100mg, Nordic O3 1o00mg, Vit B, Volic acid, Vit E
Hi Naomi,
glad to hear your DD is stable over the years and off med. I hv heard about EMPowerPlus, but do they prove the efficacy toward BP? My DS has been on med combo for 3 yrs now, but still gets the "spark" and depressed. He never feels "right" anymore after he was dx BP1 3 yrs ago.
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vivi, 46yrs
mom to ds, 18yrs, BP1, Bupropion SR 300mg, Propanolol 20mg, Valproic Acid 500mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Seroquel Regular 200mg, Lamictal 100mg, Nordic O3 1o00mg, Vit B, Volic acid, Vit E
There is some research on their site: http://www.truehope.com and some doctors use it, but since it is not a prescription pharmaceutical, most doctors do not. I see that like most doctors never mentioned using niacin for people with high cholesterol - just Lipitor, Lipitor, Lipitor - until the niacin was sold as a prescription pharmaceutical (niaspan). Sigh.Anyway, I cannot say anything is proven efficacy towards any particular case of a "bipolar" diagnosis until and unless it works. How many children have failed on Zyprexa, or Abilfy? What is the "bipolar" being treated? Is a "bipolar" that responds to a diet change and not lithium really the same "bipolar" that responds to lithium?
In any case, I encourage you to read the posts on the CAM board. Also, check out YouTube for Truehope or micronutients. Here is a news video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDEvuovCRts
I have one daughter who remained on the EMPowerplus, and one (with bipolar) who has "healed" and no longer takes it (nor meds).
Here are some links: Bipolar and Off Her Meds Getting Better and this interview .
Hi Naomi,
I did go thru their site and read the personal stories of their success who are taking EMPower and has been off med for months. You are right that it is indeed difficult to say the efficacy of it untill we try it, same with all med. If you dont mind me asking, how long have your daughter been using EMPower? And what do you mean by "healed"? Do you mean she is stable and no up and down moods?
I realize it is difficult to find a pdoc who want to monitor patient who is taking what is not prescribed by him, especially if it is not even FDA approved. Do you have any names who want to monitor?
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vivi, 46yrs
mom to ds, 18yrs, BP1, Bupropion SR 300mg, Propanolol 20mg, Valproic Acid 500mg, Seroquel XR 400mg, Seroquel Regular 200mg, Lamictal 100mg, Nordic O3 1o00mg, Vit B, Volic acid, Vit E
By "healed," I mean she (my older daughter) no longer has psychiatric symptoms, and she is no longer taking EMPowerplus, either. She is on Armour thyroid (prescription). She healed her gut. She avoids foods that she is sensitive to. She also did therapy. After the stuff we went through with the younger daughter, her case was "simple." You may want to read this about gluten & casein from GPL: http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/peptide.asp She absolutely does not eat those - neither can my younger daughter.
For lots more ... look at the CAM board on this site. Other parents have contributed their stories as well.
CABF Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
--"Naomi"
Sorry, wrong spot.
Emily congratulations. I know how you must feel. I am experiencing some similar success with my son, who is finishing his first year in a liberal arts college. It is amazing to see these kids emerge from this horrible illness strong and able to take on the world.
Pat yourself on the back as well. For without your advocating for him and support I doubt your son would be where he is today.
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Jistac
Mother of 3 (21, 19, 16) with a variety of mental health issues. Been involved with using Empower as a treatment since 2003
Our DS is graduating from HS this month, but he is not sure what path he is going to take. He actually wants to go for Audio Engineering. His passion is listening to music and is very critical to sound, but he is also very good on computer. What he worries most is his poor memory, concentration and cognitive dulling that would effect his studies. That's why he always asks me which is is easier, audio engineering or the computer science?
Should it be wise for people effected by BP take the study based on what he likes and what interests him the most? Because he is worried not to be able to earn good money in audio engineering major in the future, that's why he is thinking of going to computer science.
Any suggestion?
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vivi, 46yrs
mom to ds, 18yrs, BP1, Bupropion SR 300mg, Propanolol 20mg, Valproic Acid 250mg, Seroquel XR 200mg, Seroquel Regular 200mg, Lamictal 125mg, Nordic O3 1o00mg, Volic acid, Vit E
Congratulations on your son's success! It's very encouraging news!!! My son has just started college and I never thought I'd see the day. He has been away for 4 weeks and has done an amazing job of managing his mood, medication regimen, sleep and studies. Here are some strategies that we found helpful: 1) Medication compliance - he has 4 medication trays clearly marked for each week. When he comes home, he brings them with him and we replemish them. He has a nondiscriptive pill container attached to his key chain with an emergency back up dose in it. He sets his phone alarm as a reminder to take his meds and I text him twice a day reminding him to text me back after he takes his meds. His roommate is 100% aware of his illness and also reminds him to take his medsl. 2)Lethargy/cognitive fuzziness - He takes a nap every afternoon and we are exploring the use of Provigil for increase daytime cognitive alertness. 3) Academics - He has disclosed his mood disorder and his processing issues with the university's office of disability services and received accommodations for time and a half testing. They are also trying to see if his schedule can be moved around so that he doesn't have any first or second period classes. He meets with a learning specialist who helps him manage his time. And we are working on possibly reducing his course load for the fall semester. 4) Psychotherapy - He arranges phone sessions on a weekly basis with his psychiatrist and psychologist. So far, so good....I keep praying!!!
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Mary D.