Hi,


At the mdoc's office today I explained that I am extra-ordinarily sleep deprived. I told her that I was unable to fill out a simple form at Human Resources earlier in the day due to probable low brain function. I begged the girl in the office to fill out the form and date it for me.

Mdoc asked about meds that would help with staying alert in the daytime.
I told her that I used to be on Ritalin and found it very helpful except for the humungous hassle the state gov puts me through to get the med because it is a "controlled substance."

She thought I should be motivated to go through the hassle to take medication (ritalin) that helps me.
I told her I cannot deal with very much.

She is willing to write the prescriptions for me if I check with my pdoc (or her suggested neruo/ psych).

M

This would be good.

I have a interesting story for my son.

He was my hopper to the top of the wall and back down.

And now my headache guy. He would stay up all night, till a
dose of ritalin after 6pm. And then he could sleep at night.

It was a mistake that I gave that first dose after 6pm.

I wasn't supposed to. But homework was late that night.

Donna

well this is exciting to see if this helps you again, glad that you are willing to give it a try. I will be anxious to see updates about this.
This is huge!
((((HUGS)))
bizi

Donna,

I found Ritalin to be an amazing med!


Bizi,

I am optimistic. We'll see what happens. I wonder if it will help with depression without causing agitation.


M

Hi,


The results of the Cardiac CT for Calcium Scoring were good. My score was 0 (Zero).
I guess being on the Verapmil for 20 yrs works. Duh


Anyway, I asked her to ask me how I can tell the difference between chest pains due to heart issues and those due to anxiety.
She gave me a b.s. answer . . . . 'kept talking around in circles . . . . she said she can never guarantee, . . . asked for another heart test

Then we spent almost 40 mins going 'round and 'round about meds for sleep and then for staying awake in the day. She almost got upset it seemed and then at one point I started to cry. Spending time with her is exasperating.

In the future I should tell her to take a deep breath and get to the point so I can get out and go home.
M

Dear Mari

Happy your cardiac CT was good, and that Ritalin might help you with sleep and alertness issues.
I hope that pdoc is on board with that.

Sorry your mdoc was so exasperating. One expects to feel better - or at least not worse - when seeking medical counsel! It never ceases to amaze me just how unperceptive or even downright insensitive doctors can be to our state of being, when they get all wrapped up in their science. I am so sorry you ended up crying due to her carrying on.

You mentioned a few days ago that your mood had gone south. I am wondering, did that lift or... ?
How are you doing now, moodwise?

I send you lots of hugs and warm thoughts.
Let us know what happens with the Ritalin.

~ waves ~

Waves,

My mood was good enough yesterday and today. It is better than it was the day I said my mood had gone south but maybe it is still not all that good. I cannot account for the mood changes. They do not seem tied to my sleep.

I have felt that this mdoc is good --- better than any other doctor I have had. Also, I like that she is conveniently located.
I do feel that she is not taking into account the bipolar --- cognition, mood, and the whole thing about how very very hard it is to deal with being bipolar. My pdoc, tdoc are gentle. My sleep doc is very gentle.

Mdoc wants to write 'scripts for me and I tell her I have already tried them or others in their family and will not take them (Sleep meds for example).
We seem to have the same discussion every time. I tell her that 25 years ago my psychologist said that the sleep is a medical probablem and the psychiatrist I was seeing said sleep is a psychological problem. I tell her that the care givers I have now say the same thing.
Then she she wants me to see different psych care givers. Then she wants me to ask my pdoc better questions. I told her I value the relationship I have with the pdoc and cannot ask too much of him because I need to keep his trust.
She asks if I tell my pdoc the truth about my sleep and low ability to function. (I do.)
She gets frustrated that the sleep problem cannot be fixed.

When she recommends expensive drugs like Lyrica or Provigil, I tell her insurance will not cover them. She asked about the coupon for Lyrica she gave me. I told her activating the coupon involved too many steps that I could not manage.
She seemed to feel that I was not motivated to improve my situation.

I wish she would accept the sleep condition and move on to take care of my other needs.


M

Mari

I have to tell you, The last phrase of your post gave me a laugh.

Thanks it was a good laugh. It might help with my headache too.

Really is nice.


I hope the ritalin helps again.

Donna