If You’re Happy and You Know It, Thank Your Meds

Anxiety, Be Gone!

I saw Dr. Goodenough last Friday, and rather than the decrease in meds I’d been hoping for, we actually INCREASED one of them. But you know what, it’s OK; I’ve made up my mind that this is how it has to be, and every now and again the shit is going to hit the fan.Continue reading “Anxiety, Be Gone!”

It’s My Life

Well, another visit to Dr. Goodenough has come and gone (dear Lord, will I ever find a better name?) and he increased my Lamictal from 400 mg to 500 mg/day. I was concerned at first because that’s higher than the norm for bipolar, but he said people with seizure disorders can take up to 1000Continue reading “It’s My Life”

Something Old, Something New

Did I ever tell you Dr. Goodenough rocks? I called last Monday to change my February 13th appointment to a later date because I have no transportation at the moment (long story) and left a message with the receptionist that I was dealing with some depression. I didn’t really want to do that, but I’veContinue reading “Something Old, Something New”

Heavily Medicated For Your Protection

The Zyprexa is working. Dammit. I should have known how much I needed it. Like I said a couple of posts ago, I’d really hoped to come down or even off some of my meds. But the truth is, the higher dose of Vitamin Z is taking care of both my sleep and my racing thoughts;Continue reading “Heavily Medicated For Your Protection”

Note To Self…

…Never feel so great that you think you can skip your nighttime meds and not suffer the consequences. Yes, I was “up” last week. Yes, it made me want to try going without meds to see what it would be like. And yes, I was awake all night long and felt like I was going to freak the righteous hellContinue reading “Note To Self…”

Sticker Shock

Now I understand why psychiatric patients go off their meds. Some bureaucrat in his/her infinite wit and wisdom drew an arbitrary line that determines whether a person is poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. Well, my monthly income is about $30 too high, so I’m left to struggle with my medical care on my own…at least until Medicare kicksContinue reading “Sticker Shock”

The Medi-Go-Round

Well, if I ever wanted to be more involved in my treatment, I’ve got the opportunity now. My psych nurse practitioner, Sarah, is working on fine-tuning my program as I’ve become a little unsteady in recent weeks, undoubtedly because the Zyprexa’s been decreased. I’m not manic or depressed in particular; what I am is a little of both.Continue reading “The Medi-Go-Round”

So Far, So Good

I come bearing good news on the mental health front: I haven’t noticed any major mood changes since switching up my meds. I don’t sleep quite as soundly as I used to, but I’m also not quite as much of a slug in the mornings anymore. I like not walking around for the first hour after awakening feeling likeContinue reading “So Far, So Good”

Change Up

Here we go—my psych nurse practitioner wants to change up my med routine a little bit. We’re decreasing the Zyprexa from 7.5 mg to 5 mg, and adding a dose of Geodon in the morning. The goal is to eventually get off the vitamin Z and use it only as a PRN if/when I start gettingContinue reading “Change Up”

The Tribe Has Spoken

…loud and clear. I am NOT allowed to go off my meds, or change my hair (that’s the latest itch I want to scratch). Well, I can change my hair if I want to, but I probably shouldn’t until I get a handle on whatever’s gotten into me. I announced my thoughts to my family as well, and what theyContinue reading “The Tribe Has Spoken”