Bipolar: question about caffeine and sugar

I'm assuming that therapists and pdocs won't directly answer this question because it's not scientifically researched or something? I just sort of wish they'd at least say something like "well this is something that worked for a number of my patients...." without actually recommending it if it's something they can't.

I'm trying to understand if caffeine and sugar should be limited or avoided?

The other night I had a piece of Tiramisu cake, and I was rather bonkers that night and next morning. I don't know if it was the cake, or if I'm still just getting used to the Lamictal. It is rather frustrating to have this happen:

Level Day. Level Day. Level Day. Level Day. Level Day. Batt shi*t crazy irritable. Level Day.

Just how strict should I be with caffeine and sugar?

I think it would be different from person to person. Caffeine and sugar don't have any effect on me. I drink soda here and there, but recently, I've been drinking a lot of lemonade and sweet tea which are loaded with sugar. I don't get manic or psychotic because of those, as far as I know.

I'm not familiar with Lamictal, but I know some psych medicine can cause brief periods of mania in some, although I think they're rare.

Coffee is healthy according to most research if you can tolerate it and still sleep well. Even 4 cups of coffee according to recent research. I think a serving or two of wine or spirits is okay too if you can tolerate it and don't drink more than that.
Many studies now are saying that sugar is terrible and probably flour and high carb foods as well. They spike your blood glucose levels. A higher protein/fat/low carb diet is very popular now: Atkins, Keto, South Beach, Paleo, Mediterranean, etc. I don't think these are fad diets either.
Managing your weight is crucial with the drugs we have to take.

This is my work in progress food list if you're interested:

Best (Eat Frequently)
Coffee, Eggs
Greens (raw or cooked)): Spinach, Chard, Arugula, Baby Kale, Bok Choy, Collard Greens
Salad with Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar
Green Veggies: Broccoli, Avocado, Asparagus, cucumber, celery, bell pepper

Okay (Moderation)
Meat, Cheese
Nuts: Almonds, Pistachios, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Pumpkin seeds
Berries
Very Dark Chocolate
Wine/Liquor on the rocks
Coconut Milk

Worst (Avoid)
Sugar/Candy/Dessert
Flour/Pasta/Rice/Bread
Processed Foods/Fast Foods/Junk Foods
Ice Cream/Beer/Chips/Cookies
Milk

Tyler wrote:I think it would be different from person to person. Caffeine and sugar don't have any effect on me. I drink soda here and there, but recently, I've been drinking a lot of lemonade and sweet tea which are loaded with sugar. I don't get manic or psychotic because of those, as far as I know.

I'm not familiar with Lamictal, but I know some psych medicine can cause brief periods of mania in some, although I think they're rare.

Thanks Tyler. I was curious if people with BP specifically avoided caffeine or sugar. I'll assume then it depends on the person.

That's very interesting about Lamictal. I'm sensitive to meds and I think that's why I had a few times of being hypomanic/irritable lately. I will discuss with my doctor.

-- Wed Jul 11, 2018 9:20 am --

z7z wrote:Coffee is healthy according to most research if you can tolerate it and still sleep well. Even 4 cups of coffee according to recent research. I think a serving or two of wine or spirits is okay too if you can tolerate it and don't drink more than that.
Many studies now are saying that sugar is terrible and probably flour and high carb foods as well. They spike your blood glucose levels. A higher protein/fat/low carb diet is very popular now: Atkins, Keto, South Beach, Paleo, Mediterranean, etc. I don't think these are fad diets either.[

I'm sensitive to caffeine and alcohol. I didn't know if that was common or not for people with BP or BP2.

True, sugar and white flour aren't healty in excess, but again I was curious if there was a correlation of some sort with Bipolar and these foods effecting moods.

I do agree higher lean protein, lower refined carb, higher healthy carbs, healthy fats is the way to go for anyone.

Managing your weight is crucial with the drugs we have to take.

This I didn't know. How so?

This is my work in progress food list if you're interested:

Best (Eat Frequently)
Coffee, Eggs
Greens (raw or cooked)): Spinach, Chard, Arugula, Baby Kale, Bok Choy, Collard Greens
Salad with Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar
Green Veggies: Broccoli, Avocado, Asparagus, cucumber, celery, bell pepper

Okay (Moderation)
Meat, Cheese
Nuts: Almonds, Pistachios, Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Pumpkin seeds
Berries
Very Dark Chocolate
Wine/Liquor on the rocks
Coconut Milk

Worst (Avoid)
Sugar/Candy/Dessert
Flour/Pasta/Rice/Bread
Processed Foods/Fast Foods/Junk Foods
Ice Cream/Beer/Chips/Cookies
Milk

[/quote]

Impressive.
I also eat 1 square of very dark chocolate at night.

Personally I don't completely avoid your "worst" foods listed here because I've been orthorexic in the past. I also have fruit, though, and beans. I do focus on your "best" foods here except for coffee. I have 1 cup half caf a day and sometimes I'll have a cup of decaf later in the day.

I was curious if others were told to make dietary changes when diagnosed with BP or BP2.

SelfCareIsNotSelfish wrote:

z7z wrote:

Managing your weight is crucial with the drugs we have to take.

This I didn't know. How so?

Many threads on here about being overweight due to medication. It's not entirely the person's fault. Both mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics are a problem for the dreaded diabetes. Most people with bipolar also have impulse control problems and turn to drinking and comfort food.

z7z wrote:Many threads on here about being overweight due to medication. It's not entirely the person's fault. Both mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics are a problem for the dreaded diabetes. Most people with bipolar also have impulse control problems and turn to drinking and comfort food.

This I didn't know. So mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics cause an increase in appetite?

I also didn't know that most people with bipolar have impulse control problems and turn to drinking or comfort food. Hmm. So I guess awareness is the first step with this.... My pdoc did say to go exercise if I feel that "energy" from irritability. I can definitely see that helping.

SelfCareIsNotSelfish wrote:
This I didn't know. So mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics cause an increase in appetite?

I also didn't know that most people with bipolar have impulse control problems and turn to drinking or comfort food. Hmm. So I guess awareness is the first step with this.... My pdoc did say to go exercise if I feel that "energy" from irritability. I can definitely see that helping.

Here's an article discussing anti psychotics and weight gain / diabetes. There's more to it than appetite it seems.

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publicati ... -diabetes-

Caffeine can affect different people in different ways. I'm fine with it. I drink diet drinks, diet tea or coffee with sweet and low. I'm ok with the caffeine. Sugar for me is bad because in excess of it, can cause hyperglycemia. I do have diabetes Type 2. I blame getting it on the antidepressants I took many years ago before being diagnosed and my appetite where I was hungry a lot and then how the food was metabolized. I put the weight on. I've not been able to lose most of it. I can't say much about the sugar and bipolar for me. I seem ok.

Here are my 2 cents as a person on lamictal as well as someone who's affected by certain foods...including the ones you listed.

For starters though, you've mentioned this happening once. Never before?

I rapid cycle. It causes me to have high highs and bad crashes very quickly each being in the realm of about a week between one another. When I get into a high cycle I compulsively want all the dopamine and extra energy from these and other foods to keep it up. When I no longer am consuming I crash hard. Irritability. Psychosis. Suicidal thoughts. You name it.

The extra dopamine then revs up my brain making me crave it more. Problem is that to top off the crash too much dopamine causes anxiety and paranoia.

Level Day. Level Day. Level Day. Level Day. Level Day. Batt shi*t crazy irritable. Level Day.

Just how strict should I be with caffeine and sugar?

I'm hoping this was a one time thing with you. I got a weird addiction to eating for the temporary high and in turn would make my cycles even worse.

My mood is now seemingly stabilized with lamictal. I've never had issues with lamictal but I did have a couple of difficult to deal with random very depressive cycles. That's no longer a problem since I stayed on the meds long enough for 'em to work.

When those episodes happened I was far enough in that my psych had them upped to a higher dosage and all was ok.

I however, have never had a reaction to lamictal and food.