CF and BI-POLAR

[blackchameleon]

Gday everyone. i am interested to know if anyone who suffers from
cf has also been dx with bi polar disorder or similar mental
health condition? most people i know with cf seem to have
"mania" phases, high and low.i wonder if because we have
cf our entire life is more intense than most? or maybe, just maybe
us Aussies are all a little nutty!! thanks 4 some imput guy's.i
know some peoples bi polar medication involves taking lithium, how
the hell can putting battery acid into your body help!!? sheesh.

 

[Jane]

We don't have bi-polar issues here but both my boys have anxiety and depression (which increases in severity depending on their cf health and related issues). From reading others on the forum, it seems like a lot of pwcf have such conditions. Its probably not gentetic as much as having a chonic illness.
Interesting.

 

[LisaV]

I think that prednisone and the other steroids are mood "destabilizers" that can lead to a kind of bipolar affect.

 

[kybert]

i havent seen/heard anyone with bipolar and i dont personally know anyone with serious depression either. although a few on this site have depression, to what degree i dont know. as jane said its not connected to cf in a genetic sense but just an 'i have a cruddy illness' sense.

aussies? nutty? nooo!

i agree with the pred thing lisa. crazy drug.

 

[miesl]

Yes, I know of a CFer with bipolar. However, it's much more likely it was a genetic kick in the pants, as it runs in that CFer's family.

 

[NoExcuses]

i know that stressful situations can interfere with the production of seratonin (if you're ill, if you're fighting an infection). Low seratonin can cause depression.

 

[Scarlett81]

I deal with depression, mostly b/c of actual events that happened in my life. (abuse, ect)
But, i can see what you mean about highs and lows. I got alot of highs and lows as a kid and teenager. I think its more related to environmental issues, and dealing with so much in life. Health problems cause so much stress. Also, it was always expected of me to be strong. To never cry, never show emotion when I sick or in pain. And maybe I showed highs and lows b/c of that. I would say that's more b/c of how my parents were than a genetic thing.

My adopted mother definately is a manic depressive. By blood she's my aunt. But as far as i know there's no one else in the family with it. I think there is a gene for impulsive behavior-not neccesarily as extreme as bipolar-but many many in my family show that. If I hadn't married who I did, I'd be the same way today.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I know that myself I suffer from undiagnosed depression every once and awhile - but its more so when I'm sick, which of course I think is normal. I mean look what we have to deal with on a daily basis. But I also suffer from anxiety and panic. So who knows.

 

[AmyKins]

I know I have depression at times. I have been diagnosed with anxiety so Im on prozac for it ( & atarax as needed) at first I was embarassed by this, but I think it totally goes with the territory of what we have to deal with everyday. I think its very normal for people with chronic illnesses to have it...

 

[treehugger]

I was recently diagnosed with bipolar II which upon reflection makes sense. My biggest problem is finding information on the potential problems medicines may have for cfers. My cf doctors don't have much experience with meds prescribed for mood stabilization. My sister is a pulmonologist and advised me that lithium would not be the best choice but for some it may be the only drug that works. The drugs prescribed for bipolar can seem pretty scary but for me they have really helped (lamictal, seroquel). Hope that helps.