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| Author |
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| 25 new of 170 responses total. |
jaklumen
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response 111 of 170:
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Aug 21 09:33 UTC 2002 |
Treating the depressive side of bipolar seems to be a trickier job. I
don't respond well to the common anti-depressants. I got addicted to
Prozac, Paxil made me aggressive, and Zoloft sent me to giddy heights
(I don't experience full-blown mania).
Currently, I take Depakote alone, but even that still has down sides--
still lethargic, and still fat. My med nurse hates it and seems to be
looking to transfer me to a new med soon.. something he and the
psychiatrist are looking at. Can't remember the name, but the sedative
side effect isn't there, and it gives a bit of a mood boost. I'll have
to look more into it (and it will be a while before we start it).
resp:109 I fully concur with what Scott says. *anyone* being treated
for any sort of mental health problem *must* be fully aware of the
treatment and meds they are receiving. It is sooo important, because
chemistry from person to person is so individualistic that this is a
black art in some respects. You need to be aware of how you are
feeling, and report this very clearly to your doctor.
Zyprexa drugs me out.
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bhelliom
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response 112 of 170:
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Aug 21 13:07 UTC 2002 |
resp:109 and resp:111 - That's what's so bloody irritating. I gave my
Dr. and psycholoist clearance to be able to speak, though I'm due to
sign another release in November. I confirmed the dosage with my
doctor a couple of weeks before this happened. I call to confirm again
if there's a dosage change, and normally I'm quick to notice if there's
been a mistake.
I know without a doubt that this dosage was, for now, the minimum
required dosage, given how I felt before adding the additional mg. for
one of the medications, and the lack of one of these prescriptions is
evident for me in how I feel, and the folks I see most often are aware
of it also. This is a great step for someone who was not always aware
of these things before.
It seems in this case that my Doctor's memory is worse than mine. I'm
trying to decide if this is my fault, or if this is a good indication
that I need to seek a new physician. I'm meeting with my therapist
tonight, so hopefully this wil be resolved before too long.
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jaklumen
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response 113 of 170:
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Aug 22 06:07 UTC 2002 |
It's difficult sometimes; don't let me kid you. You have to somehow
learn what your brain is saying. You have to trust your doctor
somewhat, but you also have to know when to give him/her the boot if
s(he) isn't providing you with the care you need. Same with counselors
and therapists too. You also get out what you put in. It can be a
dance.
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jep
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response 114 of 170:
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Aug 22 12:51 UTC 2002 |
Depression is difficult all around. It's hard to even *want* to seek
treatment; you don't have any hope and it's hard to want to bother with
doing something when you don't have any expectations.
It would be extremely hard for me to give up my current therapist and
go out to seek out another one. I'm going through overwhelming
turmoil. I don't want to change anything more than what I have to.
I have to get better. I have to go on with my life. For me, anyway,
the way I proceed is to pick a direction and try to keep moving in it.
I have to trust that my therapist and psychiatrist know what they're
doing, because I sure don't.
I'm doing better than I was 6 months ago. I believe that. I'll be
doing better yet in another 6 months. I *have* to believe that. But
sometimes, when I stop and think, it feels like I'm really just as
desperate and unmotivated and angry as I was at the start of the year,
but just masking it a little with the medication I'm taking.
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bhelliom
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response 115 of 170:
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Aug 22 13:17 UTC 2002 |
Well, as you've no doubt read already in teh Happy and Bummed items,
this bit seems to be taken care of now, much to my relief.
I agree, Jon, that it is a struggle to understand what your brain is
saying to you. I think the initial struggle is in making yourself
listen, as opposed to engaing in activities or behaviours that drown
out the "noise," so to speak.
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tod
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response 116 of 170:
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Aug 23 01:11 UTC 2002 |
This response has been erased.
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tsty
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response 117 of 170:
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Aug 23 04:54 UTC 2002 |
even less than 12 miles of rollerblading can help a LOT!
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bhelliom
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response 118 of 170:
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Aug 23 14:16 UTC 2002 |
Yes, they both can.
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bhelliom
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response 119 of 170:
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Aug 23 16:40 UTC 2002 |
I think one of the most irritating things I have to deal with are those
who don't know what this is like and assume you're not trying hard
enough. this has nothing to do with anyone here. Mooncat and I were
discussing this last night.
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jazz
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response 120 of 170:
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Aug 23 18:04 UTC 2002 |
It's true of any condition that people experience that isn't one
hundred percent visible and immediate.
Cut your finger badly at work and people will rush to your side; get
CTS or long-term spinal injuries from years of poorly designed office
equipment and people look at you as if you're trying to get out of work.
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tod
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response 121 of 170:
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Aug 23 19:17 UTC 2002 |
This response has been erased.
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lynne
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response 122 of 170:
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Aug 23 19:34 UTC 2002 |
I occasionally forget to take my zoloft for one or two days. I tend to notice
the effect pretty quickly--certainly after one day, often after two. I get
quite sad and unmotivated. Taking it again after forgetting is also likely
to lead to mini-mood-swings, which is mildly annoying.
Isn't motivation and lack thereof a fascinating problem?
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bhelliom
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response 123 of 170:
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Aug 23 21:02 UTC 2002 |
<grins>
resp:120 - That's pretty much the conclusion we'd come to. Sorry if it
sounded as if I was whining.
I've actually been very good about not forgetting. In all, I've done
so maybe once or twice. The last week simply reminded me of what life
was becoming before I started taking the Wellbutrin and Celexa.
Unfortunately that means I *do* have to take them, but that doesn't
mean I'll have to take them forever. I'm simply thankful that I had an
inkling that something was wrong, and that I took the steps to confront
it.
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anderyn
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response 124 of 170:
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Aug 23 21:19 UTC 2002 |
Actually, cutting ones' finger at work doesn't mean that folks will leap to
your side. (Speaks the voice of experience -- I cut my right index finger
badly enough to need eleven stitches last August, and I was in a brace for
six weeks, and in rehab to learn how to move it again for another two months.
It was NOT something that everyone understood -- it looked like such a little
cut, but I'd nicked the tendon.) I've had more luck with people understanding
depression, but our awareness may be heightened by the fact that we have had
one coworker suicide and two family members of another coworker suicide, as
well as a few attempts by even other coworkers.
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bhelliom
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response 125 of 170:
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Aug 23 21:20 UTC 2002 |
Wow. An honest question, Twila. What kind of environment is it in
which you work?
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jep
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response 126 of 170:
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Aug 23 23:09 UTC 2002 |
My co-workers have been very understanding about my depression, and
quick to offer help (mainly to listen) if I wanted to talk about the
divorce. It seems like everyone has been through a divorce.
I've had countless 1.5 hour "lunches", just driving around or going to
therapy. Lots of days when I just sat staring at my computer, or
pounding angrily away at the keyboard; no one objected and they've
pitched in and carried the load for me a lot.
I work at a great place. I strongly recommend working at a great place
when you're divorcing and depressed.
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tod
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response 127 of 170:
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Aug 23 23:33 UTC 2002 |
This response has been erased.
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drew
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response 128 of 170:
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Aug 24 02:48 UTC 2002 |
Re #126:
What place is this? And are they/might they be hiring soon?
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jep
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response 129 of 170:
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Aug 24 03:34 UTC 2002 |
I work at Sterling Commerce. To answer your question about hiring
soon: we're owned by SBC. (It's part of the telecom industry, so I do
not see hiring coming in the near future.)
There are rumors SBC wants to sell Sterling Commerce, which could have
the effect of getting us away from the problems of the telecom
industry, but would much more likely be preceded by downsizing.
SBC employees got an e-mail today about "voluntary unpaid time off".
It doesn't apply to Sterling Commerce, but nonetheless, I didn't see it
as a positive indication for the immediate future.
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edina
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response 130 of 170:
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Aug 24 16:13 UTC 2002 |
I wholeheartedly agree with John about being in a great work environment when
going through something stressful, whether it divorce or whatever. Because
of the graciousness I got, I am a very loyal employee.
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anderyn
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response 131 of 170:
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Aug 24 18:09 UTC 2002 |
What kind of environment? It's an office for a non profit publishing
organization. About 75 employees here in Ann Arbor.
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bhelliom
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response 132 of 170:
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Aug 26 15:43 UTC 2002 |
I was just curious, as you mentioned the suicides.
I agree with Brooke and John. My boss is very supportive. I decided to
tell him as I was concerned about job performance, and wanted to assure
him that this was not willful on my part. I was glad to learn that
none of this was noticed as having an affect on my work, especially
since I was improving at my job the entire time.
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anderyn
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response 133 of 170:
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Aug 26 20:35 UTC 2002 |
Actually, it's kind of surprising to me that we have had so many. Because it's
such a low pressure place, with a lot of support.
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bhelliom
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response 134 of 170:
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Aug 27 14:07 UTC 2002 |
Well, I'm sure it may have made the burden somewhat easier, or at least
one can hope. It's good that you *do* have a supportive environment in
which to work.
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clees
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response 135 of 170:
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Sep 3 21:01 UTC 2002 |
Yup.
One of my colleagues recently suffered from a breakdown. She is on sick
leave now for the time being. As I understand it she is currently
spooked by skeletons from the past. What kind of past she hasn't hasn't
revealed yet, but I dread it has to do with over affectionate daddies.
Although I am no therapist I sympathise with her. At least I know what
she has been through. What complicates the whole thing is that she for
now refuses to seek professional help. She is scared what it will
bringto surface. It tried to explain that letting things keep on
festering doesn't help either. Certainly as she is affected by it now.
To make things worse she has had a burglar in her house.
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