May comes before june lol!
 

Wanted to post this upfront:
This is how moderation looks:

my PDOC wants me to document my sleep hours and moods and she wants monthly drink numbers too.

numbers for the past week:

4-24 Mod 3 pints last day of festival!, mood= above baseline
4-25 AF, slept 7, mood= base line
4-26 mod 2 root beers, slept 6, mood= baseline
4-27 AF, slept 6, mood= baseline
4-28 AF, slept 7, mood= baseline
4-29 Mod 1 pint, slept 8, mood= baseline
4-30 AF
Units/drinks per week= 7 :)

Bizi, that looks good to me :).

It is raining like crazy here all sorts of flash flood warnings phones alarming etc.
The water in the back yard always comes up about half way to the house, nothing we can do about it, just watch it creep forward.
supposed to rain all day.
bizi

WE are safe and fine. lots of other folks with water in their homes.
I think it is time to get flood insurance.
bizi
we are in a no flood zone.

Definite moderation :):):)

I hope you can get flood insurance. It sounds like it's a good idea and shouldn't be a problem. I hope you stay dry.

Sounds good, and flood insurance always is too.

Its been raining and tornadoes last night. Around this area and Lafayette.

So its now raining again here.

Donna :hug::grouphug:

goals and stats:
7-10 drinks per week.
6-8 hours of sleep a night.
3-4 mood scale.

Mood values/numbers:

0=suicidal
1=depressed
2=low
3=baseline mood
4=a little above baseline
6=hypomanic
7=manic
8=psychotic or an episode requiring zyprexa

4-24 Mod 3 pints last day of festival!, mood= 4
4-25 AF, slept 7, mood= 3
4-26 mod 2 root beers, slept 6, mood= 3
4-27 AF, slept 6, mood= 3
4-28 AF, slept 7, mood= 3
4-29 Mod 1 pint, slept 8, mood= 3
4-30 AF, slept 7, mood= 3
Units per week= 7 http://hams.vbulletin.net/core/images/smilies/smile.png

5-1 Mod 3 pints, slept 8, mood= 3
5-2 AF, slept 7, mood =4
5-3 AF, slept , mood =4/2mixed mood extreme fatigue around 7pm
5-4 AF
5-5 AF
5-6 Mod 2 pints

bizi

Went to sleep earlier than normal last night 11pm, and I am up early today, could not get back to sleep.
slept about 7 hours including my nap, was awake about 5;30am , probably just missed mari....(got out of bed at 6)
It is frustrating to me. Jeff is such a light sleeper that when ever I turn over in bed this disturbs him and he turns over too. I snore so he wears ear plugs.
I have to get out of bed so carefully and open the door very quietly which is difficult or I will wake him up completely, and I feel bad. Hattie cries for treats when ever I get up early because jeff gives them to her first thing in the morning. She will cry right outside our bedroom door and wake jeff up too, so I have to close her off from the bedroom areas then keep her back when I go to get more coffee.
Which I need to get right now.
bizi

Your nap really doesn't count. I'm sorry you didn't get a lot of sleep, Bizi :hug:
It must be tough to have to walk on egg shells in the am. I always feel guilty if I wake my husband up, too. It sounds like Hattie isn't helping matters either.

My husband's alarm goes off between 3:30-4:30am during the week and somehow I've managed to block it out, but some mornings he's loud, and I have a hard time going back to sleep in the morning because my anxiety gets my mind going immediately. It sucks. On the weekends Rocky walks all over us and it's impossible to ignore him because he weighs 26lbs.

Rocky is a big cat!
he would definitely wake me up too, that is why we have a no cat zone at night. And they cry a bit when we kick them out at night but we read for half an hour before lights out and they are quiet by then.
So naps don't count????
bizi

last year I was having some extreme fatigue evenings for weeks at a time, having to lay down after dinner for 1-2 hours naps.
I chalk it up to perimenopause.
I am 53 and have been having some symptoms for years. Occasional night sweats that has been going on for approximately 3 years. They say we can start having symptoms and go thru the motions but not completely free just yet for 10 years.
sigh
I just want it to be done.
I think that is one reason I have been unstable, periods have been irregular.
sigh
I am sure I will be on my period in europe, wonder about bathrooms there, I flow heavy changing tampax every hour at times, hate it!
sorry friend if you are reading.:o
bizi

Naps are a temporary fix. The purpose of nighttime sleep is to recharge our batteries and undo the damage we've done over the course of the day.

I'm so sorry that you're dealing with such terrible symptoms from menopause. I wish it was over with for you, too. I looked up the effects of menopause on BP when I was researching mormon replacement therapy for you. The majority of patients experience increased depression, but the majority of BP patients are BP II. Hypomania and mania can increase due to the hormonal changes during menopause, it's just less common.

I'm sure there's a way of looking up if they flush sanitaries over there or not, but you could always dispose of them in the trash. You may have to bring a couple of boxes… lord knows what they use in Europe and I know I'm prett particular about what I use.

It's unfortunate that you even have to factor this into your happy trip :hug::hug::hug:

(((HUGS)))

I need to bring euro coins to use the bathrooms!
bizi

That's so funny! Are all public restrooms over there pay toilets? If they are, does that mean that they are cleaner?

No necessarily cleaner.

1 http://rickzullo.com/bathrooms-in-italy/
Also this:

================
2 Rick Steve on Bathrooms:

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti.../toilet-tricks


He mentions women who work in the men's bathrooms:
================
3 New Toilets in Rome (underground?)

http://excuseme-whereis.com/Rome_Toilets_Overview.html
================

4 SOMETIMES if you buy water or something in a cafe, they will let you use the restroom.

Also, sometimes, bathrooms sometimes have tip jars
================

5 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...he.Locals.html

================

6 Or this American:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgTU-X-vKQE

these are great mari!
thank you for posting them.
bizi

All interesting Mari…

I'm sure a lot of people have a hard time because of the lack of restrooms. We all know people who have to pee every five minutes.

I can't see how it would be in the best interests of pub owners to not have bathrooms. When you drink you have to pee a more. People won't stay as long if they can't pee.

I loved those two adorable kids in the You Tube video :)

I think my pdoc just took a course on bipolar. This is the first time in 13 years that she has asked me to do a mood chart or talked about rapid cycling 3 or more episodes in a year. She wants data to kow what to do with me so am doing the best that I can documenting my days.How do I document my excitment over our trip with out appearing hypo?
bizi


Mood values/numbers:

0=suicidal
1=depressed
2=low mood
3=baseline mood
4=a little above baseline
5=hypomanic
6=manic
7=psychotic or an episode requiring zyprexa

4-24 Mod 3 pints last day of festival!, mood= 4
4-25 AF, slept 7, mood= 3
4-26 mod 2 root beers, slept 6, mood= 3
4-27 AF, slept 6, mood= 3
4-28 AF, slept 7, mood= 3
4-29 Mod 1 pint, slept 8, mood= 3
4-30 AF

Drinks per week= 7

5-1 Mod 3 pints, slept 8, mood= 3
5-2 AF, slept 7, mood =4
5-3 AF, slept 7, mixed mood=4/2 extreme fatigue 1 hour nap
5-4 AF, slept 7, mood=3
5-5 AF, slept 6, mood =4 planning trip
5-6 Mod 3.5 beers, slept 7 , mixed/mood =4/2 extreme fatigue, 2 hour nap
5-7 mod/dd 4 beers slept 6.5, mixed/mood= 3/2 extreme fatigue again, no nap

Drinks per week= 10.5

Goals for week:
5-8 AF
5-9 AF
5-10 AF
5-11 AF
5-12 AF
5-13 Mod 2

bizi

Bizi, your mood chart looks good to me - I hope that it will help.

I hope that you both have a great time on your trip :).

I'm glad that your pdoc is doing this NOW.

I can't believe this is the first time she's brought up rapid cycling… But she may not have been aware that you were a rapid cycler until you showed her the records you keep of your drinking. Sometimes it's hard to tell if you're hypo if you're drinking a lot and other symptoms are mild so self-reporting is an issue. I went through that.

Taking such great records of your drinking is going to pay dividends here. I hope that your pdoc is able to help you get better control over your BP and that should help you better moderate your drinking.

I think you're going to be able to differentiate between the excitement of the trip and being hypo is by pattern (things you start to do during past hypo episodes such as heavier drinking) and the emergence of new hypo symptoms. Where is #5 on your mood chart though?

You're doing really well moderating your alcohol use Bizi :):):)

#5 lol
have to change that!!!!
thanks for noticing.
bizi

I think my pdoc just took a course on bipolar. This is the first time in 13 years that she has asked me to do a mood chart or talked about rapid cycling 3 or more episodes in a year. She wants data to know what to do with me (she thinks I am under medicated) so am doing the best that I can documenting my days.How do I document my excitment over our trip with out appearing hypo?

goals and stats:
7-10 drinks per week.
6-8 hours of sleep a night.
3-4 mood scale.

AF= Alcohol free
Mod= 1-3 drinks
DD= 4 or more drinks in a setting

Mood values/numbers:

0=suicidal
1=depressed
2=low mood
3=baseline mood
4=a little above baseline
5=hypomanic
6=manic
7=psychotic or an episode requiring zyprexa

4-24 Mod 3 pints last day of festival!, mood= 4
4-25 AF, slept 7, mood= 3
4-26 mod 2 root beers, slept 6, mood= 3
4-27 AF, slept 6, mood= 3
4-28 AF, slept 7, mood= 3
4-29 Mod 1 pint, slept 8, mood= 3
4-30 AF

Drinks per week= 7

5-1 Mod 3 pints, slept 8, mood= 3
5-2 AF, slept 7, mood =4
5-3 AF, slept 7, mixed mood=4/2 extreme fatigue 1 hour nap
5-4 AF, slept 7, mood=3
5-5 AF, slept 6, mood =4 planning trip
5-6 Mod 3.5 beers, slept 7 , mixed/mood =4/2 extreme fatigue, 2 hour nap
5-7 mod/dd 4 beers slept 6.5, mixed/mood= 3/2 extreme fatigue again, no nap

Drinks per week= 10.5

Goals for week:
5-8 AF
5-9 AF
5-10 AF
5-11 AF
5-12 AF
5-13 Mod 2

bizi

Bizi,

When I first read that I was delighted that she is paying attention in a different way than she had before
and that maybe she had finally caught on to your specific struggles and how they manifest. :Scratch-Head:

But this morning, when I read it again, it makes me laugh.
:ROTFLMAO:

She is is helping you with the charting I believe.
And you are doing well. :)

M

Kay is right. If your fours start increasing, that means there is cause for concern.

M

oh well, I guess I over did it tonight.
Bought a couple of big cans of mikes hard lemonaide, 24 ounces each.
Did not realize it when I bought them they were the extra hard ones.8%
So if I do my math right,
one can is equal to 4 drinks.
I had one can to drink and was very sedated.

Took a walk around the neighborhood with my friend after a big dinner. We had ribeye steaks and asparagus/squash and mushrooms stirfry and fresh fruit: red bartlet pears, strawberries and blue berries and raspberries, with a splash of mango syrup.
(I spent $60 for steaks and fruit at whole foods).
Delicious!
I am ready for bed now. Feeling very full.
It is almost 10pm so I could start getting ready.
hmmmmm
good night all.
bizi

Take care, Bizi,

The steaks were probably good. :)


M

It sounds like a nice evening and an excellent meal :)

The meal was delicious!
my scale was not happy this am
156
what did i expect after eating a pound of beef last night?
bizi

really hard to be AF today. My car needed an oil change and they said I needed 2 new tires....sigh
So..... I even went so far as walking to the shinto sushi place next door to have some wine in their bar and talked myself out of that and order a crab roll instead which was quite yummy and cost less than one beer would have been I might add. But the best part is that I did not drink and drive and that I did not drink during the week. and did not have to come here and confess that.
so
goals still met for the day!
whew
bizi

Well done bizi :) !

It must have been hard to resist that glass of wine after such a bad day… I'm proud of you! :):):)

yah,

Donna :hug::grouphug:

Jeff is away this weekend, vacationing with the 4 musketeers. His colleagues from work.
they rent a condo on the beach in galveston.
Fun for them, I am happy he has friends to go do this with. They have done this for many years now right after graduation ceremonies.
Soooo
that leaves me alone for the weekend.
sigh
I just ate peanut butter on sprouted bread which is chewy and very filling.
I am feeling rather antsy and sleepy at the same time. Took my evening meds as to make sure I am getting the full dose of geodon. I may need to take a nap.
I have to work tomorrow out of town, new iberia.
I am doing 2 loads of laundry so may go to bed early tonight.
Or maybe have a cup of coffee....
bizi


I just took a nap and woke when the dryer alarmed, perfect timing.
It was long enough to perk up a bit....she says while yawning, lol

It is way too early to go to bed I would be up at 4am. So I will hold off a couple of hours....
Maybe do some charting. or maybe go to bed then get up early and do charting then which is easier.
I will resist drinking my mikes hard lemonaide that is in the refridgerator. It is equal to 4 beers, think I will dump it out so as not to be a temptation. If it is open then I will drink it all.
I want to stick to 2 beers at a setting and I already had 2 beers last night.

I just fixed some organic spicy noodles am hoping they are good.
bizi

edited to add:
hey were just fair but only 200 calories about half of what ramen noodles are usually.

AM tired , think I will go to bed now that it is 10:30pm
nite nite

I know you don't like it when Jeff's gone, but it sounds like you had a nice quiet night. I hope you had a good night's sleep :)

HI kay! good morning.
I last posted friday night.
Yesterday was a work day for me....and a busy one after that:
I got up early and went out of town to see 5 clients at this assisted living home. It was all very nice and pleasant except for one client who refused and was quite nasty about it.
So I went on to the next one who was as pleasant and talkative as could be. I love my job( minus the occasional refusal that is). So that will put me down to 4 clients there, hoping to pick up another client or two there, nice to se them all in one day with out having to travel around and they pay me on the spot so I don't have to fool around with billing etc.
I go and work there one saturday a month.:)
After work I was going to go to art walk with my friend susan but she never called me back then when I called her again she said she had to work. sigh
anyway, I ended up going shopping for clothes for our trip at kohls, I had 2 gift cards. So I spent some time trying clothes on and found a pair of capris and a pair of leggings so that puts my pants count up to 4 including the ones that I will be wearing. I also bought about 7 different solid colored tops For the entire trip I will be wearing bright neon colored running shoes, I don't think I will have any room to bring other shoes so that is it. I will definitely look like a tourist! I saved a bunch of money because their clothes are always on sale and they gave me a 15% discount which was nice. They also gave me $10 coupon to spend in a couple of weeks and I have some $ left on a gift card so I will go back that day to redeem the coupon. After kohls, I went to target and impulsively bought a new rain coat, big and bulky, it would have taken up a lot of space in my suit case. So talked with a girlfriend and she suggested that I just get those disposable little ones for a $1 and buy 4 of them and carry one with me in my fanny pack. So I took the coat back got my refund. After which I went to chipoltle for dinner which was quite good pulled pork bowl with black beans and corn and sauteed onions and peppers, sour cream and cheese. Yummy! I try not to eat shredded lettuce at restaurants due to the high percentage of food contamination associated with eating shredded lettuce.
After dinner I went to academy sporting goods store to buy a new fanny pack, a bigger one and was some what happy with their choices, either black or brown or floral. I picked the floral one.
I went back to target to use gift card and bought some groceries.
and went home to put them away. Then lastly I went to walmart and bought a toiletry bag to hold my personal stuff, with little 3 oz containers for shampoo etc. even a 3 ounce tube of tooth past and foldable tooth brush.
I came home and packed my bag and filled all of the bottles and packed most of my emergency meds( allergy pills, antibiotics in case I get a sinus infection, zyprexa if I get manic), small first aid kit, some supplements for GI health/regularity.
Anyway, it was a very productive day and I feel much better getting all of that sorted out/organized. I made a list of the things I needed to do and buy which is manageable. I went to bed at 11:30 and slept pretty good.

Yesterday was definintely a 4/5 day. But I got a lot done with jeff gone and the freedom to do what I wanted to do.
I am going to work on my list today, not sure when jeff gets home this evening. I think that I will make a pasta dish. Have not had pasta (I give up on dieting)in forever. I bought some grass fed beef at target yesterday...I have not been buying beef for a while now because it is not good for us and beef is the highest user in the carbon foot print ethically speaking, if that makes sense. Uses lots of resources to grow one cow.

Having a third cup of coffee and still in my jammies, will get the paper and read some of that. Sallys beauty store opens up at noon. I need more little bottles of polish, i give one per client, don't believe in sharing. They only have so many of the colors that I like. (I don't use all of the rage ones: blues, greens, black or sparkly) I buy a beauty club card that saves me money on each item and they sent me a 20% off coupon which is perfect timing.
Anyway.
Have a nice sunday!
bizi

Bizi,

You are well on your way!

Walmart is a good way to get what you need.

Check with the person who did your tours about any rules about what you
allowed through security arriving into Italy and France.

There is a chance that they are slightly different from U.S. laws.

I remember reserachign for a friend that England (or was it Ireland) did not allow pornography. (Stuff that you probably do not have, but it it does not hurt to check).

M

What a busy day!!! I'm impressed at how much you got done!!! :)

I've had productive missions like that when I've been hypo and when I haven't been. Sometimes going on these missions can be activating…

I'm glad you got so much done. You have a very good reason to be excited, and plenty of reason to start making preparations, but you need to start watching the 4's and especially any 5. You don't need to cross everything off your list right now…

Can you try to slow down for a couple of days to see if your elevated mood is due to excitement/prep or an episode?

I guess my numbers are related to my activity levels., not necessarily my mood per say. Does that make sense?
bizi
I had 3 pints of beer last night with jeff home and ate at the whole foods salad bar: curried chicken salad, asparagus and portabella mushrooms salad. yummy and then a piece of chantilly cake which is my favorite cake!
jeff brought me home some really delicioius dark chocolate mint truffles from galeveston and coered espreso beans, they are just heavenly.

We will have the pasta for dinner tonight.
after the beers i could not sleep so at one I got up and took another klonipin which allowed me to get to sleep I slept 7 hours and felt drugged. need to keep my drinking to 2 pints.
I accidently posted my drinking stats for the week along with my sleep hours and moods on facebook yesterday....sigh
I belong to a private closed group called Hams for drinking moderation. andthought I was posting there.oops.
oh well, at least my numbers were good!
now everyone knows it is an issue with me. :(
sigh
bizi

Yikes!
 

Bizi,:hug::hug::hug:

If you post to that group again, make a new email and a new facebook
account.



M

I realize some people have already read the post on Face Book and you can't unring the bell, but can you delete the post anyway?