kay thank you for posting.
What took the mania away?
bizi

Mari,
I agree- and am trying to live in the present as well.

"Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard."
-Anette Funicello, describing how she deals with MS

Bizi,
My memory is pretty poor, but I'm pretty sure it was a combination of starting lamictal, reducing effexor, and time.

It wasn't the first time I experienced mania while seeing the former pdoc. My psychologist wrote in the notes that my symptom history seemed to point to BP, but the x-pdoc seemed to think it was only anxiety? There were suicidal thoughts and symptoms of mania already, but she still increased the effexor, and never added anything for anxiety?

My meds were redundant at that time: effexor AND zoloft AND buspar.

Dear Kay,
That was an amazing mix of meds!
I am speachless.
WOW.

M.

Kay

I enjoy reading your writings. I think you will do well.

Sending you lots of hugs and things.

Donna

Thinking of you Kay.. You have been in my thoughts often. Hope you do well with the new med mix. Please take care!!



Coffeegirl

Thank you all!

I'm definitely still depressed, but the s/s thoughts are on the downswing.
It's hard to get me going to do anything and pain hasn't helped.
I feel like a scumbag because I can't keep up with the laundry, cleaning, and (especially) the dishes. It's important to do all that regularly because of physical and energy restrictions.

I did do some sedentary work, though.
I'm eligible for medicare in February (through SSDI), and I was hoping to find an option to decrease my health care costs....
Such a headache, so much time, and no such luck.

Mari, it was quite the drug cocktail, wasn't it? Not only did it not make any sense, it didn't help either.


Kay

don't beat yourself up!!!!!!!!that is lesson number one two and three.
glad about medicare. that is what i am on. I joined an advantage hmo whose premiums are low to give me more coverage. glad that the ss ideation is lessening...it is such a bummer.............I have been listening to religious lectures on the net and while i listen to them i get some relief and some hope which quickly dissipates but still.
don't beat yourself up!
bobby

I know I shouldn't beat myself up, and give that advice to others, but it seems easier said than done.
I'm making short lists and am trying to chip away at the household stuff. The lists may look short, but I'm carrying stuff over from one day to the next.

Right now, it doesn't look like any of the medicare options will help me save any cash. It's all my prescriptions and the coverage gap. I haven't made a solid decision yet, tho.
I'm trying to find out what kind of changes in costs and benefits my husband's company will make to medical insurance in 2011 before I decide.

Thanks Bobby!
Kay

yup yup yup! that's my problem

basically just wanted to pop in and say hi and let you know i'm thinking of you.... wishing you well. glad to hear you are pulling through the rough spot you went through recently.

i hate how in our world our heathcare is all tied up in the economy and specifically what "caste" (i did not pick that word at random either) we happen to be in....

sending you some hugs Kay you're a great gal. i enjoy having you around here.

~ waves ~

I've been trying to roll with the punches, but I guess there have been too many punches lately...

1st: I went to fill my prescription for lyrica (for neurological pain) and couldn't because my insurance wanted ANOTHER prior authorization. So, I was off this med for several days... my doctor's office sent in the request immediately, but the insurance dragged it's feet resulting in:
- a withdrawl from it including sleeplessness, restlessness, nausea and dizziness
- a painful reminder of why I need this med in the first place- PAIN that's of neurological origin, but different kinds
- another painful reminder of how my MS has progressed as far as the above pain

2nd: I went to Panera for lunch with my best friend. When I went to fill my fountain soda, an employee who was mopping, mopped me into a very small area. I panicked because I'm SO afraid of falling. Also, I couldn't even lift my "eat-in" tray and had to have my BFF wait on me again. I was sorry I even went out.

3rd (THE WORST, and EMBARRASSING for me): I haven't been checking the mail very regularly, but went to the box this evening. I recently had a pap smear and got a letter that I had abnormal results that require a colopscopy. In over 10 years I have never had an abnormal result, and I get tested every year.

Just to let you guys know, my mom had cervical --->uterine cancer before she died of lung cancer (she also had squamous cell carcinoma). I smoke, too, as most of you already know.

I know that most cervical cancer is caused by HPV. I can't help feeling like I have some kind of -please excuse my expression- crotch rot. I know this is irrational because HPV is very common & I have never seen any symptoms (not that all people do). Also, women with HPV who smoke are at increased risk for cervical cancer.

I've had problems with heavy bleeding and clotting for a while (I have no concept of time & don't know how long), and I don't handle estrogen-based birth control well. At the beginning of the year, I had a progesterone-only birthcontrol implant put in. I had some spotting at first, then several months period free, some spotting again, then a month-long period, and now I am bleeding heavily again 2 weeks later.

I have to call to schedule that coloposcopy tomorrow. I want to know what I'm dealing with, like immediately. I'm hoping that someone can explain the type of my abnormal result to me over the phone. I deal much better with things if I have facts and can adapt ASAP to the situation.

I can't even hope for a good result from the testing- I'm not lucky & I already have multiple medical problems. MS-wise, I was disabled by age 28, and my prognosis isn't good.
Hope, a positive attitude, etc. can't change whatever's going on in my vadge already. Also, I don't think I'm in any mood to be a cheerleader lately.

Pleasant or not, I laid this all out plainly. This is just how I'm feeling. I'm okay right now, but I think #3 may put me over the edge.
I was supposed to see my psychologist tomorrow, but her office called to cancel yesterday. The timing couldn't be worse. I'm call there tomorrow and tell them I need to see her ASAP. I have a pdoc appt. this week, too.

Waves, I think you're pretty great, too. Thanks for checking in.
In fact, I think you're all pretty great. I really get a lot out of reading and posting here.

Kay