Well damn, it's been a really long time since I've written one of these ! It's hard to know where to start. . I'm sorry I can't be bothered reading the last post and figuring out what has changed, probably not much. I'm working full time, still with my dearest Morgy, and gosh, what else. I don't really do anything except leave the house to work at the moment. That sounds sad, and I guess it is really sad, to be honest. I've been frightfully depressed, with varying degrees of intensity, over the past few months with perhaps only a fortnights hypomania in between. It's been very draining, and I've been lacking any kind of spark to write anything, or communicate with anyone at all, outside my family.
After an overnight stay in hospital, I declined to stay in an inpatient treatment facility, as I felt being separated from Morgan and my family for any amount of time would only be detrimental to my recovery from this relapse into depression. I did manage to get an appointment with my psychiatrist for a review, and he deemed that my migraine prevention drugs might be causing my depression, or prolonging it. So now I'm being taken off them, and so far, 1 headache already on the reduced dose. I'm worried about how I am going to go when I have to go off of them entirely as they've worked so well in stopping my headaches entirely, but my doctor assures me that there are plenty of other options we can try. If this fails to help my depression, I have to be put on quetiapine, or 'seroquel' as it's otherwise known, and hopefully that will be able to help me get back on track..
I bought some books today as it occurred to me that I've never actually done much reading on bipolar disorder, so hopefully when the books arrive it will be something to keep me busy and informed. . I can only hope it will help me understand my wacky brain just a little better. I've got nothing to lose, and something to gain, so why not ? I can't imagine what 'The bipolar survival guide' is going to do to help, but it certainly caught my attention.
A thought occurred to me the other day. . I think I'm too hopeful, and expect too much. I don't know what I expect too much of - life, maybe ? Myself ? My body ? Every time I get better I always think it's going to be permanent, and then when I relapse into depression (of course I don't so much mind the mania or hypomania) it's so much more crushing because I didn't expect it. As sad as it sounds, I need to give up hope. I need to learn to accept what I have, and go with it ! Of course I can fight it, I will never stop believing that life can be better, but I need to learn my limits, understand that this is the way it is and always will be. If by some miracle I get better, and I don't ever have to take medication again, and I only ever get sad when there's a reason to, then that's a massive bonus and yay for me ! But I can't keep doing this to myself. I need to put this here, in writing, as a reminder. . I need to stop lying to myself. I need to keep my mind aware and prepare for the next battle. Not dwell on it, but be prepared for it.And there's a difference.
It's just been a really rough time lately, especially the last few weeks, I cried at work (how embarrassing, urgh) the one place I thought I could hide. I haven't been seeing my friends as much - Ellana if you read this.. I miss you. Gemma, I'm sorry we don't see each other as much as we used to.. I haven't even been seeing my family as much as usual. It's just so hard. Because I know the people in my life genuinely care about me, and so when I see you, it's so hard to pretend I'm okay, and that life is okay. I can be a fraud to anyone but you. So please don't ask me how I am. I'll tell you if I need to. Just distract me from everything.
I just want to finish on a positive note - I WILL get through this. It's tough now. But I will be okay. My doctors and I have a plan in action and I believe it will work, but if it doesn't, that's okay. We'll try another. Thank you to everyone who has been putting up with me lately and have been supporting me.
<3
Sunday 12 August 2012
Sunday 25 March 2012
March 25, 2012
Today I realised just how long it has been since I've written a blog post, so here it is !
I was going through a couple of tumblr blogs of girls who I must admit I don't really know - I've only met them a few times or just know them over facebook or whatever. These girls suffer from bipolar disorder like myself, or other mental illnesses, and it made me realise just how lucky I am. These girls seem to struggle with stability in terms of relationships, work, sleeping, eating, etc. my heart truly goes out to them. Even though I went through a really hard time when I was diagnosed solely with depression and treated only with antidepressants, as soon as I got the correct diagnosis and put on the right medication my life improved so drastically. I do have to put up with horrible side effects, but I have gained so much that I would never consider going back to how I was before. I have an amazing boyfriend who I live with and have been with for over 2 years, and loves me despite all my craziness and I am forever grateful for that. I have an amazing relationship with my beautiful parents and siblings who don't even think twice about my silly moods and give me so many hugs when I'm sad. I am just about to start a full time job at a place that I enjoy working at, and work with awesome people, with a boss who understands I have issues sometimes. So to anyone out there that is suffering with a mental illness. . I know I always say this, but it is so worth taking the time to go to the doctor and trying to get help because life doesn't have to revolve around what mood your brain decides to put you in.
I guess the only really significant thing that I'm dealing with at the moment is migraines. . I am having them around 3 or 4 days a week and it's driving me nuts. The nausea, light and sound sensitivity, how walking making my head pound more. . Urgh ! I started a blood pressure medication a week or two ago to try and help but the side effects were too much. I became hideously depressed and tired and so I gave up after 4 days. I start a new medication this week which will hopefully help ! It's an anticonvulsant called topiramate, and one of the side effects is weight loss which I hope I have, considering I have put on a bit of weight due to the valproate I take :(
Anyway, if anyone has any topics they'd like me to write about - feel free to contact me ! I am running out of ideas.
Thanks for reading :D
<3 B
I was going through a couple of tumblr blogs of girls who I must admit I don't really know - I've only met them a few times or just know them over facebook or whatever. These girls suffer from bipolar disorder like myself, or other mental illnesses, and it made me realise just how lucky I am. These girls seem to struggle with stability in terms of relationships, work, sleeping, eating, etc. my heart truly goes out to them. Even though I went through a really hard time when I was diagnosed solely with depression and treated only with antidepressants, as soon as I got the correct diagnosis and put on the right medication my life improved so drastically. I do have to put up with horrible side effects, but I have gained so much that I would never consider going back to how I was before. I have an amazing boyfriend who I live with and have been with for over 2 years, and loves me despite all my craziness and I am forever grateful for that. I have an amazing relationship with my beautiful parents and siblings who don't even think twice about my silly moods and give me so many hugs when I'm sad. I am just about to start a full time job at a place that I enjoy working at, and work with awesome people, with a boss who understands I have issues sometimes. So to anyone out there that is suffering with a mental illness. . I know I always say this, but it is so worth taking the time to go to the doctor and trying to get help because life doesn't have to revolve around what mood your brain decides to put you in.
I guess the only really significant thing that I'm dealing with at the moment is migraines. . I am having them around 3 or 4 days a week and it's driving me nuts. The nausea, light and sound sensitivity, how walking making my head pound more. . Urgh ! I started a blood pressure medication a week or two ago to try and help but the side effects were too much. I became hideously depressed and tired and so I gave up after 4 days. I start a new medication this week which will hopefully help ! It's an anticonvulsant called topiramate, and one of the side effects is weight loss which I hope I have, considering I have put on a bit of weight due to the valproate I take :(
Anyway, if anyone has any topics they'd like me to write about - feel free to contact me ! I am running out of ideas.
Thanks for reading :D
<3 B
Sunday 12 February 2012
February 12, 2012
Well just thought I'd write a new blog post to distract myself from how I feel right now. . A huge problem I've had for a couple of years now is restlessness - not just normal restlessness, but an intense feeling of crawling under my skin, kind of IN my knees and elbows, where I am often left jumping and running around to try and get rid of it (it sounds weird but it FEELS like it will work) and scratching my joints to pieces. My psychiatrist has been adjusting my medication a bunch (and by adjusting I mean increasing), but it only feels like it's getting worse. By friday afternoon I was ready to smash my knees in with a hammer, I just couldn't stand it anymore. I've had to take more valium than usual because it's the only thing that really works to help calm me down and dull the feeling which isn't something I really want to do.
Which is why I'd like to ask you guys - has anyone experienced this symptom, known as akathisia ? I have it in mostly my knees and elbows, and I'm currently on 1.5g of valproate, 20mg of paxtine and (when needed) 5mg of valium daily. If anyone out there has experienced it and had it treated, what did your doctor use ? I really, really can't stand this much longer.
HELP ME !
Which is why I'd like to ask you guys - has anyone experienced this symptom, known as akathisia ? I have it in mostly my knees and elbows, and I'm currently on 1.5g of valproate, 20mg of paxtine and (when needed) 5mg of valium daily. If anyone out there has experienced it and had it treated, what did your doctor use ? I really, really can't stand this much longer.
HELP ME !
Friday 20 January 2012
January 21, 2012
Hi everyone !
WOW. So much has gone on since I last wrote a blog post >.< I guess from the psychiatry side of things, I was feeling pretty god damn sleepy again for a while there, after christmas and over new years. When I say sleepy I mean physically tired, but also low on motivation, generally couldn't make myself do very much at all. Early january I met my new, permanent psychiatrist who is a really lovely man and he decided that while valproate is the best stabilizer for me at the moment, I need an antidepressant added to the mix. He prescribed me Aropax, which is an antidepressant designed to target panic attacks aswell as I suffer from them so frequently and without reason and I have to say, it's working quite well. I no longer take naps during the day and my appetite is surpressed which is good as valproate was making me gain weight D: I have to see him again monday to note my progress so I will let you know how that goes :)
Also in early january I saw a rheumatologist about the joint pain I was getting, and he ordered a bunch of blood tests + put me on some medication for lupus/arthritis called Plaquenil. The medication has settled my joints but it really hurts my stomach, unfortunately. . I feel nauseas for a few hours after I take it, and I'm meant to take it twice a day D: I have to see him again in february to get my results back and a proper diagnosis so hopefully he can change the medicine then because I don't really want to keep on taking it.
Last weekend Morgan, my beautiful sister Shelby and I took a road trip to Melbourne to see our friends, Harry, Ned and Mikhail for a couple of days. It was an awesome time to just hang out and relax, get away from work + stress and have a good time. I got lots of rest which was good as I've been suffering from a lot of stomach related side effects from Plaquenil. We also had a mini party on saturday night and it was super fun ! I can't wait to go back and hang out with them again :)
Finally I guess I should mention what has been happening over the last few days. I had a small surgical procedure on wednesday morning, and I don't really want to talk about what procedure it was or why, because while I am very open on this blog, it's not really related to my mental health and it's just very personal. TOO personal. In any case, it was just meant to be a small day surgery and I was meant to be home that afternoon. My fear of needles made getting the drip put in the most disgusting, awful thing ever but I survived and was knocked out straight away anyway. The surgery went well and my parents picked me up with a big plush elephant for me, which was so cute of them ! Unfortunately the few hours I was home for I lost a huge amount of blood and eventually collapsed on my way to the area of the hospital I had to go, which was really scary. I was whisked away and taken straight to a bed with another huge drip put in me, blood taken, fluids given, etc. I had to stay overnight because the doctor wanted to operate again the next morning but when the time came he decided the bleeding had stopped enough for me to go home with no further surgery, thank god.
I guess the main point I wanted to make was, I really thought I was going to die in a hospital corridor.. It really puts things into perspective. Not only do I feel so much more appreciative of everyone in my life, but god, they have been so good to me. Everyone has been running around worrying about me, my family have been making sure I've had everything I need, it's been so sweet. The afternoon I was admitted to hospital and they put this giant drip into my arm I was crying so much and my mum was hugging me and stroking my hair.. I could have never done it without her there. And as soon as Morgan finished work and found out where I was he rushed over to see me with doritos and trashy magazines, what a catch he is ! So yes - don't wait until something bad happens to tell people how much they mean to you. Appreciate all the amazing people in your life every second you can !
<3 B
WOW. So much has gone on since I last wrote a blog post >.< I guess from the psychiatry side of things, I was feeling pretty god damn sleepy again for a while there, after christmas and over new years. When I say sleepy I mean physically tired, but also low on motivation, generally couldn't make myself do very much at all. Early january I met my new, permanent psychiatrist who is a really lovely man and he decided that while valproate is the best stabilizer for me at the moment, I need an antidepressant added to the mix. He prescribed me Aropax, which is an antidepressant designed to target panic attacks aswell as I suffer from them so frequently and without reason and I have to say, it's working quite well. I no longer take naps during the day and my appetite is surpressed which is good as valproate was making me gain weight D: I have to see him again monday to note my progress so I will let you know how that goes :)
Also in early january I saw a rheumatologist about the joint pain I was getting, and he ordered a bunch of blood tests + put me on some medication for lupus/arthritis called Plaquenil. The medication has settled my joints but it really hurts my stomach, unfortunately. . I feel nauseas for a few hours after I take it, and I'm meant to take it twice a day D: I have to see him again in february to get my results back and a proper diagnosis so hopefully he can change the medicine then because I don't really want to keep on taking it.
Last weekend Morgan, my beautiful sister Shelby and I took a road trip to Melbourne to see our friends, Harry, Ned and Mikhail for a couple of days. It was an awesome time to just hang out and relax, get away from work + stress and have a good time. I got lots of rest which was good as I've been suffering from a lot of stomach related side effects from Plaquenil. We also had a mini party on saturday night and it was super fun ! I can't wait to go back and hang out with them again :)
Finally I guess I should mention what has been happening over the last few days. I had a small surgical procedure on wednesday morning, and I don't really want to talk about what procedure it was or why, because while I am very open on this blog, it's not really related to my mental health and it's just very personal. TOO personal. In any case, it was just meant to be a small day surgery and I was meant to be home that afternoon. My fear of needles made getting the drip put in the most disgusting, awful thing ever but I survived and was knocked out straight away anyway. The surgery went well and my parents picked me up with a big plush elephant for me, which was so cute of them ! Unfortunately the few hours I was home for I lost a huge amount of blood and eventually collapsed on my way to the area of the hospital I had to go, which was really scary. I was whisked away and taken straight to a bed with another huge drip put in me, blood taken, fluids given, etc. I had to stay overnight because the doctor wanted to operate again the next morning but when the time came he decided the bleeding had stopped enough for me to go home with no further surgery, thank god.
I guess the main point I wanted to make was, I really thought I was going to die in a hospital corridor.. It really puts things into perspective. Not only do I feel so much more appreciative of everyone in my life, but god, they have been so good to me. Everyone has been running around worrying about me, my family have been making sure I've had everything I need, it's been so sweet. The afternoon I was admitted to hospital and they put this giant drip into my arm I was crying so much and my mum was hugging me and stroking my hair.. I could have never done it without her there. And as soon as Morgan finished work and found out where I was he rushed over to see me with doritos and trashy magazines, what a catch he is ! So yes - don't wait until something bad happens to tell people how much they mean to you. Appreciate all the amazing people in your life every second you can !
<3 B
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