i have had bipolar for aprox. 12 years now but was diagnosed only 7 yrs ago. anyway i have always had asthma and allergies but since the disease onset i have developed: acid reflux migraines cysts of several of my sinuses and have gained 70 lbs. a lot of the weight gain was from certain bp/antipsychotic medications such as lithium and seroquel. as with many ppl on lithium there is also adult acne but i have been managing that with a product called acne free (the orange stuff you can get from drugstore a lot like proactiv. ) sometimes especially while depressed nearly my whole body hurts (esp back and neck) and muscles are easily pulled. a good chiropracter can help as well as daily stretching. if you can learn to crack your own back then more power to you. i also have tmj and it has wrecked havov on my jaw teeth ears and of course head. i have found that klonopin is helpful for this type of pain. this could have to do with anxiety causing the tmj. my vision has also changed. i have met many individuals with bipolar and i would say 90% have a substance abuse problem. they turn to alcohol and certain drugs bc of their uncomfortable symptoms. as a general rule the hard drugs should not be touched b/c they can induce a psychotic episode right away.
what illnesses often co-exist with bipolar disorder?