So, the long and short of it is i am still sober but i'm struggling like a * with what they call bipolar and i'm doing ok with going to lots of meetings however when it decides to rear it's ugly head i typically end up in the hospital and from what i can see i joined here back in April of last year and have been hospitalized 4x as a result of this illness, i have a great sponsor who cares ( i think ) more then he should , i have some great people in my life and i'm truly grateful and convinced if it were not for them i don't know where i would be, my poor wife is on her last rope , and can't take much more of my ways , i know this is an AA board but guys i'm really struggling with this marriage and bipolar thing if i dont take care of both i will drink again , my doc is very rigid and difficult to talk with , so i don't , have a good day because if i keep going i'll end up sharing specifics - God bless ---
Many of us have other medical issues unrelated to our alcohol disease ... AND this can be difficult to handle on top of everything else ... I have cancer issues right now and am going to radiation therapy every day ... I had to change doctors once in order to feel that I was in good hands ... maybe you should consider the same ??? ...
On the marriage bit, I discovered the more we 'talked', the better our relationship became ... I pray there is enough 'love' left in your marriage that your wife will listen to you and be patient for your recovery in both the alcohol AND medical issues ... hopefully she will by seeing your efforts to do the right things ... I'll keep you in my prayers ...
God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
So, the long and short of it is i am still sober but i'm struggling like a * with what they call bipolar and i'm doing ok with going to lots of meetings however when it decides to rear it's ugly head i typically end up in the hospital and from what i can see i joined here back in April of last year and have been hospitalized 4x as a result of this illness, i have a great sponsor who cares ( i think ) more then he should , i have some great people in my life and i'm truly grateful and convinced if it were not for them i don't know where i would be, my poor wife is on her last rope , and can't take much more of my ways , i know this is an AA board but guys i'm really struggling with this marriage and bipolar thing if i dont take care of both i will drink again , my doc is very rigid and difficult to talk with , so i don't , have a good day because if i keep going i'll end up sharing specifics - God bless ---
You're right to also concentrate on the other issues along with the alcoholism. Treatment for your bipolar condition has to come from outside AA and is a crucial factor in sobriety. Also, maybe a marriage & family therapist could be helpful for your situation.
Good luck with your struggle.
Keep consulting with your sponsor.
-- Edited by Tanin on Wednesday 17th of December 2014 09:34:38 AM
"my doc is very rigid and difficult to talk with , so i don't"
I have no idea what that sentence means except I can relate to it as untreated alcoholism "I'll show you !! I'll screw me". I tend to be that way too.
What meds are you prescribed for your Bi-polar disorder? Do you take them? What did your hospitalization team tell you to do? Do you follow their direction?
I was prescribed Lithium in the 1970's as I had manic-depression "symptoms" but the drug was of no benefit.
Applying myself fully to The 12 Steps (half measures availed me nothing) has addressed my "ISMs" quite well for many years.
I find HOW IT WORKS describes my alcoholism very well where it states : "There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest." (I hung on to my old ideas and the result was nil until I let go absolutely)
One of my AA friends said a while ago that there was only 2 things that he couldn't tolerate when he was in his alcoholism:
1) The way things were.
2) Change
It sent a shiver down me as I realized I often still "want my cake and eat it too".
I wish you the best. I hope your wife is attending Al-Anon meetings regularly.
I'm grateful i came back, you folks are very thorough with the questions, 2granddaughtersi take lithium , tegratol, topomax, propnalol, i take a bunch, i can't answer all of you i'm exhausted i was up all night i will try and stop by tomorrow and answer the question then, God bless you all , and thanks so much for caring !
