I recently had my second manic incident which resulted in 3 weeks involuntary hospitalization. My first one was 6 years ago resulting in about the same.
The first time around, I didn't get a doctor psychiatrist afterwards and was completely off lithium within a month. I self medicated a little bit here and there for the next 6 years at 0-600mg a day.
This time around, I want to manage it with the doctor instead of by myself. I'm currently on 1000mg Depakote and 1800mg lithium a day. During my last two months since the hospital, she's taken me off 25mg Zyprexa, and Klonopin. I'm doing great with work and family and everything is smoothing out it seems.
A couple sessions ago, I mentioned that I was at a party drinking to my psychiatrist though and she flipped out. She said that I need to quit all drinking now and brings it up near the beginning of every session. At the last one she sort of threatened that she wouldn't lower my meds any more unless I quit drinking. I think it was just a threat and she kind of left herself an out so we'll see how it goes.
I don't ever drink alone. My wife and I don't drink together. I don't have close friends that I drink with regularly. My work has functions about 1-4 times a month with alcohol and I usually have one beer. If it's an after hours function or 4 hour event, I'll have about 1 per hour. But telling my doctor I had 4 beers last Friday after work freaks her out.
I also drink when camping with family during the summer about 3-4 weekends where typically I'll drink 1-2 6packs over three nights. My wife and I also throw about 3 parties at our house a year and I have about 2 *****tails per party. Most of all this drinking happens in the summer months.
During the 6 years between hospital visits, I've been drunk numerous times; most of it during a 4 year period where my wife and I were split up and I had more time to hang out with friends. Since I've been back with my wife the last two years, it's very rare that I get drunk and not at all since this last hospital visit.
I don't want to quit drinking so I guess I'll just keep track of each drink and report it to her every two weeks at our visits. What do you think?
It doesn't seem to me that you have a drinking problem. I cannot see the point of your psychiatrist. Why don't you ask her why she reacts like that? Is your episodes related to drinking?
I am BP too and I am on zyprexa and tegretol. I drink occasionally and I cannot see which is the big deal with it. Does she think that you drink a lot?
I think that you should ask for explanations because she is either an anti-alcohol enthousiast, in this case I do not think that you should take her seriously, or drinking makes real damage to you, and in this case you should listen to her advice. But I think that she has to argue about this, relating your drinking to your episodes.
At the end of the day it's your choice how much you drink but you know how harmful and disruptive those hospitalizations can be so do what's right for you and your relationship
She didn't mention it the last session or two. She also lowered my Lithium to 1500mg/day. So I'm happy again for now. I just want to keep the medicine levels going down. I don't mind if it takes several months or even years, but I want it to keep going in the right direction. Nine pills a day isn't fun. Now that the summer is over, there's way fewer opportunities to drink too so that's also good.
Hey Ray, I've just made the decision to cut down my drinking as I can see that it effects my recovery. However, I don't consider that you have a problem. I wish to cut down my consumption to 1 -2 beers rather than the 12 - 15 on a binge night.
My doctor also wants me to quit drinking. They (my doctor and therapist) say it's not because I drink too much, but it's because I drink while on medication. That could be why your doctor is so adamant about your not drinking. I understand your frustration, because it really makes you feel like you're not normal. Not only do you have a mental illness, but on top of that you can't engage in normal social activities such as work parties or going out with friends (in your case something so benign as camping).. it is really a difficult subject.