Stop the Coaster, I want OFF!

[25yearsmlc]

9

just checking in to say hello and that we're thinking of you. Also, I did some reading on the new meds out for bi-polar, if that's all she has. I mean

often there are dual diagnosis and or a mix with alcohol, nicotine (did you know nicotine actually DOES reduce the amount of "overload stimuli" for many people, particularly the mentally ill. They smoke A LOT. (It helps there symptoms but now there are ways to get the nicotine without cancer...I digress)

Anyhow, several medications have been developed in just the past 5 years that my mil never got around to trying. Some of the meds were developed for other mental illnesses but are now prescribed more often for bi-polar, as an "off label use" (Doesn't mean it's "illegal", just not as formally studied).

I want to tell you the names but I'm not sure it's cool with the moderators. Anyhow, ask around where you live. Some of these are pricey and new so if you can't get them there, (that will stink) maybe you can down here.

My mil self medicated with alcohol and a heavy smoking habit (and died a gruesome death from lung cancer).

I couldn't help but notice your w smokes and drinks and from the sounds of it, kind of a lot. Sounds like self medicating to me...and hey, I'm a "doctor"....(that's my intro into the "But I'm doctor of law!" joke)

Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about your sitch and didn't want you to think it's hopeless. Neuroscience is growing faster than any other area of medicine. My British bil had a brain tumor diagnosed at the age of 32. Where he lived in England they told him to return in 7 months for an MRI to "check its' growth" (meaning they'd treat his symptoms...-yeah don't get me started on what I thought of that)

Instead, he married my sister and got on her ins plan. They went to Johns Hopkins and 2 other hospitals for opinions. At Hopkins, in the first month he got brain surgery and then had radiation and then chemo...he lived, pretty 11 years. 10 of those years he held a full time job and another 6 months a part time one. Not bad for a guy originally given 1-2 years to live. Just in the time he had his tumor, the treatment changed!

I mean it when I say neuroscience is rapidly evolving...there IS hope.

((( )))

PS

if it matters, my sister said they paid about $2500 in total, out of pocket, over the 11 years...