Question:
How common is it for someone with bipolar to no longer be able to work?
How hard is the process of proving you are unable to work, and then
collecting disability payments? How long should we wait before we
consider this as an option? (meaning, how long do the work problems
continue before we can't afford the lack of income)
How long can it take for a persons' meds. to be at the right dose, and
is it possible they never will be?
Can we expect the meds. will be changed many times along the way?
Answer:
What meds is your
husband is on -- the anxiety part may have
a number of unmedicated causes;
It's typical that most people do not get cured through medication (IMHO).
Mood stabilizers make the rollercoaster dip less. Antipsychotics do some
wonderful magic only case studies can verify. A garlic necklace seems to
have the same effect leaving me a bit lightheaded and annoyed. SSRIs help a
lot and take a toll with some pretty significant side effects. Basically, there are a lot of compromises that make it near impossible for a
bp'er to be 'normal.'
On the other hand, a lot of people get pretty close to a cure. I've had
terrific luck with lithium, lamictal, and cylexa. The side effects are very
mild.
I'd say stick with any new prescription for at least six months. I've
tried about 10 medications myself. It's taken five years to find a
combination that works. And more importantly, it's difficult to define
"what works." Only until your husband has tried two medications can he
compare which is better. Then there might be a third that doesn't rip apart
the stomache, etc. There's an individual preference on which side effects
are tolerable, etc. It's very trial and error.
Is it bipolar disease, or bipolar disorder?
can be called either, one is defined as a loss of normal functioning
and the other is defined as abnormal functioning...so either is
appropriate....
How common is it for someone with bipolar to no longer be able to work?
While i dont have the exact statistics, it has been very common among
the many people ive met thru bipolar/mental health chat rooms and email
groups...the prevailing pattern seems to be a getting diagnosed and
continuing to function in the work place for one to five years after
this...i made it 5 before going on disability...
How hard is the process of proving you are unable to work, and then
collecting disability payments?
you will need your husbands psychiatrist to determine if he is unable
to work...then the fun begins..follow this link for further info on the
process and time lines...http://www.bp101.com/bp101ssissdi.html
How long should we wait before we
consider this as an option? (meaning, how long do the work problems
continue before we can't afford the lack of income)
this is really a decision that is unique to every case...for
me...missing so much work finally got me fired...at that point i had
struggled for years and knew it was time to accept that i could never
be a part of the work force...if your husband is still able to work
then planning for the time when he cant would be great right now...pay
off bills or put back as much cash as you can to help you thru what can
be a long process from applying for disability and getting that first
check...
How long can it take for a persons' meds. to be at the right dose, and
is it possible they never will be?
it is more likely they never will...or should i say with me, that is
the case...while im stable now and have been for over a year, i know in
10 years ive been here before...i build up a tolerance to the meds
eventually and they stop working...so i switch...this constant change
in my meds is just part of me so ive accepted that it will happen again
no matter how stable i may be at the moment...having said that, ive
known people that the first combination of meds they were put on was
not only effective but has continued to work for years...so as you can
see, with meds, its an individual thing...
