I am so glad that the in-laws are out of the house! I can tell you from personal experience that that will put stress on the best of marriages! I can imagaine the MIL trying to super impose her child rearing techniques on your W and it causing so much anguish on her. She probably took a lot of her frustration about her parents out on you b/c she couldn't do it on her parents. That may be why she was drinking, too. I am concerned about her drinking since her dad is an alcoholic.
Anyway, it sounds like things are really going well and I'm not just saying that to make you feel good.....it really is looking terrific. I know you are focused on your medication and how it is affecting you, etc. That is normal to be that way. But, it is normal to feel most of what you are going through, also. So, don't worry about not being on the right meds or having everything balanced out until the M is more settled. You are on such a rollercoaster right now that it would be almost impossible for your doctor to be able to balance your nerves and emotions. Working out will help with the nervous energy and maybe you should do that before you go to a special event, see your wife, or even go home to sleep at night. I would think it would help you rest a lot better and sleep.
Obsessing over the stitch is perfectly normal. You know that by reading all the other posts from LBS. Be thankful that your W does not have another man that she is involved with. I think the R was breaking down due to the stress level of having in-laws in the house and that you was not filling her emotional needs. As long as she has that, she will be okay.
Take a day at a time. Don't press her. Don't panic over little things. Everyone goes through this. Having your medical problem doesn't help, but it is not all due to the bi-polar and depression.....okay? You are being perfectly normal when it comes to these types of circumstances.
I do beg you not to drink any more. It is so dangerous while taking the meds you are on. And, I hope you will not go into an out-patient treatment as long as the meds are working this well. I am not an expert, but I just don't like the sound of that. Don't let the counselor talk you or the W into doing something you are comfortable with. Do what your medical doctor advises.
I think everything is going to be fine. Just give it time.
Take care of yourself and don't focus on negative thoughts.
Sandi
It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!
