Prayers for my wife

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith

ilmarinen - MODERATOR
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Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Aug 20, 2004
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I have been just lurking here lately.

The main reason is that my wife has developed serious mental problems. She went off her meds and became delusional, and then psychotic. I finally had to move out for my safety,and eventually this all culminated in her being taken to the hospital against her will. She became lucid after she crashed ( you can't stay manic forever) and agreed to voluntary hospitalization and medication. She is just starting to get back to something that could be considered normal. She has a way to go still, though.

She is a very intelligent and caring person who has seen this behavior in others and had to deal with it legally herself. Anyone who has been there knows how hard it is to rationalize with an irrational person - YOU CAN'T. This was a combination of her symptoms worsening, some medicine mis-matches ( one canceling the other) ,and her deciding to stop medicating herself ( never happened before). She has done fairly well for years on her meds, but recent stresses have probably made the need to change them, and she didn't.

In the process of all this ( the worst has been over the past six months) I have had to shut down my shop and removed all the knives and swords to a large storage unit. Sadly, many of our valuable things in the house were destroyed ,and the question of many mysteriously disappeared things has probably been answered, but my most precious thing - Judy - was finally saved from her own destruction . The other things are stuff, and stuff can be replaced or forgotten.

I have already made an appointment with a counselor for myself, as this has been quite a roller coaster ride.

I will be back into hammering soon, hopefully, but right now my free time is pretty booked taking care of Judy. I make miniatures at work to keep myself in shape.I bought a nice laptop computer ( one at home will need some repair, and files recovered, hopefully) and am finally getting used to it, so I'll be back in the forums being my curmudgeonly self again soon.

Please pray for Judy and her recovery.

Stacy Apelt
 
I can't imagine what you must be going through right now. You and Judy will be in our thoughts.
 
Best wishes for you and your wife. I can't imagine what you are going through (and hope I will never be able to!)
Stay well

-page
 
Stacy:

I know what you are talking about. My mother-in-law (18 years) is bipolar, and is currently on a 3 month manic episode. She too was hospitalized, and in the past has been so bad as to have shock treatments to "reset" her brain so to speak. She has gone through many cycles of mania and depression over the years.

This last episode of mania began when we found her completely naked and having basically destroyed the inside of her house. People who don't experience this kind of stuff have a hard time grasping how bad it is.

To make matters worse, her kidney function is diminished so she cannot take lithium, which is the best mood stabilizer for her. So her psychiatrist is experimenting with other less effective meds.

She is currently living with us, though this can't go on forever. Either she eventually will get stabilized, or she will go into a care facility of some sort.

You may wish to look for a local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), which has various help groups for folks like you. Mrs. Powernoodle used to be on the board of NAMI and has taught classes for family members. Something to consider.

Good luck!
 
Stacy, my prayers are with you and your wife .Search out any help that you can get and don't give up hope .
 
Hang in there Stacy, this has to be one of life's most difficult tests to deal with. Mental health issues are an ugly scourge. My thoughts are with you both.
 
Prayers for both you and Judy. I'm glad to see you too are talking to a counselor, it can't be easy.
 
Stacy, I'm very sorry to hear about your wife's problem. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope and pray your lives return to a happy normal center. Take as much time as you need, and if you need help from any of us I think you know all you have to do is ask.

- Greg
 
[QUOTE ..........

This last episode of mania began when we found her completely naked and having basically destroyed the inside of her house. People who don't experience this kind of stuff have a hard time grasping how bad it is......... [/QUOTE]

This is the exact scenario, plus a bit more.
 
You've lived through one terrible nightmare; I hope it's over now ... permanently.

I'll say my prayers for your wife and for you.:thumbup:
 
Stacy, sorry to hear about this and I wish you both the very best in your futures. I know you are a good guy and she must be a great woman when well.
 
Stacy, I just saw this now, I am sorry. I cannot comprehend what this must be like for you and your wife and family and friends. If there is any way I can help in any little way let me know.
 
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