Hey Sue,
I have been diagnosed as being Bipolar too and I take a lot of pills to get to sleep and I take a stimulant too. I have found that exercise helps me. Doctors...
Last week was a rough yet exciting week. I did get into the Peer Counselor Training class & though it was a week full of information overload, I survived, met some wonderful people, and now am trying to get caught up on a few things.
Looking around my humble abode, I've noticed it's in a VERY sad state of disarray!! lol I'll have to do something about that one of these days just as I recoup. For now, I just thought I'd pop in and say howdy, but will try to share some other cool stuff in the near future.
Love & Hugs,
Sue
Things seem to be going rather well lately. I'm getting out & walking twice a week with a friend, which is one of them things I SO dislike doing on my own.
Started volunteering at the Mental Health Clinic near me a few weeks ago 1 day a week, and have added a 2nd day as of yesterday.
Have found lots more good stuff on the internet, which always amazes me... Got a problem, type in one word, or what it has to do with in google & you'd be surprised how much you could find to help!!
I'm feeling better than I have in a LONG time overall... God is good!!Wishing each of you an absolutely wonderful day!!Hugs,
Yesterday was a pretty good day. Started off with an appt with my neurologist. She seems to believe the ongoing problems that I was having with dizziness was indeed a side effect of the medications I'd been taking, coupled with my blood pressure getting to low. I had been taking blood pressure medication because it had been elevated 130 -160 over 70. Over these last months I've had days where my blood pressure was under the 100's.... the lowest I've seen was at 76/55. After the recent med changes, I thought about stopping the blood pressure medication and just monitoring it (have a blood pressure taker thingy at home), so last week I did just that, and it hasn't ventured above 118/72. My pulse rate had also been 'up', and since stopping the blood pressure med, it seems to stay in the 60-70 range... it had previously gotten as high as 90. I shared all that with the neurologist, and she believes I did/am doing the right thing.
After my appt, I went for my first official day of volunteering in the resource room at the mental health clinic I go to. The gal in charge of the room shared some of the stuff I'd brought in with me with a co-worker and said ' Can I keep her? ' She seemed pretty impressed with my 'information gathering' skills & at how much help I was. She looked at me at one point and said 'WHERE did you come from?!' I laughed & responded 'Mars!' I can already tell she's gonna be a hoot to work with!
Last nite I went to Dinner & Karaoke with some friends, one of which is from my Bipolar Support Group. Tho she's come to Karaoke with me a few times before, last nite was the first she saw of my 'hammin it up' side. My other friend, has known me for a few years & is quite used to my antics of silliness. Anyhow, as she was leaving she said to me, 'I wish I'da bought a camera with me, when I first met you I thought you were this quiet, reserved, prim, proper, kind of person, but as I've gotten to see tonite I was so far off the mark ~ I couldn't help but laugh, You're a riot! I'da loved to bring a picture of this side of you to group!!' That just tickled my funny bone somethin fierce! What a great day!!Hope all is going well in the world of each of you!!Hugs,
For the third day in a row, the sun is shining BRIGHTLY here. It's just after 10 am, I have both of my fans going, and my windows open yet it feels like it's about 100 degrees in here!
My daughter Diana and grandson Davian spent the night last nite & she is working today. I took her to drop him off at the sitter & her to catch her bus, it was SOOOOOOO much cooler outside I wanted to just stay outside but I'm exhausted as I was up til 3am waiting for her to get back from a memorial. I was quite proud of myself when I told her in the future my limit is 11pm. I would have gone to sleep, however she has been known to have seizures, and as she was planning on taking the bus back to my house, I was rather worried!! :: rolls eyes :: children, ya just gotta love 'em.
Had hoped to make it to church today, but as I haven't had a shower yet & it starts in just a few minutes, I KNOW I'm not going to make it!
Aside from that, all is well in my world. My grandaughter Karina will be here later this afternoon. She LOVES Veggie Tales! I just realized the other day I THOUGHT her favorite was 'Lord of the Bean'. It seems she has another, tho I'm not sure which is the more favorite. She seemed to know 'Dave & The Giant Pickle' maybe BETTER than Lord of the Bean.... she actually repeats some of the lines and Sings along with the songs quite well!!
Wishing each of you a wonderful day!Hugs,
Things have been pretty crazy around here, However, this past week has been a REALLY great week and I haven't checked in lately, so I thought it was about time...
I've been hoping to attend 'Peer Counselor Training', had submitted my application, it was accepted and I was put on the waiting list. People who were working or volunteering already in the mental health field have priority. My case manager had told me about a volunteer opportunity at our clinic and I've been trying unsuccessfully to get in touch with the contact. I FINALLY got through to her voicemail last Friday and left a message as she hadn't been in on the days my case manager told me she would.
Monday morning the gal called, and I went in to meet with her, and then Wednesday afternoon, went in to meet with her and her boss. Turns out she had been gone to the same training!! lol ANYWAY, I officially start volunteering next Wednesday. I updated the people in charge of the waiting list, and was told if even ONE person that was already sent an invite doesn't respond, or decides the time isn't right for them, I'm IN!! The likelyhood of that happening, I was told, it pretty good!!!
In addition to this I met with my psych doc today and due to the fact I'm seemingly able to keep myself afloat, he didn't add anything to replace the Geodon. So for now, I'm keeping Stratterra for ADD, and the Seroquel. Though I've had some depression, it hasn't stayed with me enough to make life unbearable, and I've been able to pull myself out. I've also noticed that I haven't felt as numb as I'd felt when taking Equetro (similar to Tegretol/Carbamazapine) It feels good to feel.... even when I've had the depression, tears... I haven't felt in SO long.... pretty cleansing!! My motivation seems to have been better too, which I started noticing when I started my rearranging! Although dishes, still seem to be my downfall!! lol
We talked about antidepressants and he said if I truly have Bipolar disorder (which he is now questioning) there's a possibility taking one without taking a mood stabilizer could cause a manic phase. So for now, it's just keep a close eye on things, and see how it goes.
I feel hopeful for the future, things are looking up!Hope all is going well with each of you!Hugs,
Just had a new entry written & it disappeared. Think I'll take a nap & re-write later! Hope everyone is havin a great day!Hugs,
So last week or so I rearranged my living room and it felt SO good, I decided to tackle the bedroom yesterday... No easy feat let me tell you, it was disaster city. Halfway thru, my vacuum cleaner decided to break it's belt, so I had to borrow a neighbors vacuum so I could finish the main part.
I did my laundry & remade my bed this morning, but still need to do some major work on my bookcase, and put my clean clothes away. Aaaand straighten up my computer desk & dresser.
All in all I'm pleased with the progress thus far. I'll be happy when I can breathe an all done sigh of relief. Once I get my bedroom completed I think I'll tackle the closets.... That in itself is a job!
Hope ya'll are having a great day!Hugs,
I think I overdid my rearranging the other day! lol That or I need a new mattress! Woke up an hour or so ago, sore all over... mainly my arms and legs. I think NEXT time I decide to do some heavy duyty rearranging, I'll get someone to help me. The best part aside from my living room looking better, is that I don't have a headache!! lol Just a leg ache & an armache, and a backache!! lol Go figure!
Cleaned my bathroom yesterday, That's another one of them chores I just hate to do!! Took my grandaughter to McDee's & then to the park to play for a bit! She was quite happy! Came back & she took a good nap while I watched a movie... "Sydney White" was a pretty cute movie, I liked it. All in all a great day! Hopefully today will be more of the same. This afternoon I'm going to take my grandaughter to the Library I think. But before she gets here, I might just see what I can do about the shape of my bedroom... It's a disaster!
This evening I'm going to go Karaoke for a bit with some friends. I had planned to go this past Wednesday but was in a weird mood.... Went thru KFC Drive Thru, ordered a 'Chocolate Creme Little Bucket Parfait" & came home instead. Was asleep by 8:30-9:00pm!
Have a great day everyone! Hugs,
For the last several months I've been wanting to rearrange my living room. My plan was to wait for someone, perhaps one of my daughters to help, since there were some big changes I wanted to make that would be easier to do with 2 people. However this morning when I woke up, I was bound and determined that today was d-day, and thus I set forth, moving and shoving, and tilting and grunting... until it was all done. I'm quite excited at how it turned out!! I think I'll probably sleep like a ton of bricks tonite!! Next I think is going to be my bedroom. It really needs a major overhaul! lol But I think I'll wait at least until I've recouped from this feat!! Hope ya'll have a wonderful day!Hugs,
I've been a real lazy bones the last few days. Semi-sorta tired, don't feel like doing much although this mornin when I woke up I thought... 'I oughta rearrange my room'!
'I oughta clean the bathroom' I oughta... (fill in the blank), The funny part, is I still feel incredibly lazy. Hmmmm I wonder which will win, Motivation or Laziness... Tune in tomorrow for to see what happened! Have an awesome day!Hugs,
It's Friday By Golly! What a wonderful day! Had my next to last Physical Therapy appt today. I'm so glad that is almost over, especially considering it's a half hour drive to get there. My physical therapist however, is great, so I'd say it's a wash.
I'm feelin kinda tired today. Perhaps I'll take a nap here in a few. I watched Ratatouille last nite, that was a pretty cute movie!! If ya haven't seen it, I'd recommend that ya do. Another movie I watched this week was called "Canvas", the Mom in the family had schizophrenia.... It gave I think a pretty good portrayal, of anyone dealing with a mental illness. Although my favorite, in that realm would STILL be 'A Beautiful Mind'. I cried after watching THAT movie.
Well, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!Do something fun, enjoy the sunshine, especially if it's sunny where you live. Hugs,
Does it ever seem to you like the week just started & now the weekend is upon us? lol I think I've had one of those weeks! This week just seems to be flying by!!
Still all in all, it's been a pretty good week... No complaints here.
Hope ya'll are havin a great one!Hugs,
I'm doin pretty well all things considered, Geodon is History. I'm now only taking seroquel for Bipolar disorder, and tho my doc wants to increase that, I'm a bit hesitant. It makes me sleepier, and I already feel as though I sleep alot. lol Ah meds, kinda like men, can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.
Tommorow nite is my last Wednesday class. It's called 'WRAP' for Wellness Recovery Action Plan. It's a really neat way of plaining ahead for those 'not well' times, and is sponsered by NAMI. You might want to see if it's offered in your neck of the woods as it is really a good class (and FUN) to take and best of all, it's free!
Despite the med snafu, my lovely little abode has been staying to a rather nice shade of clean. I've been doin great at keeping things picked up around here, with the exception of my bedroom, which is where all the clutter seems to congregate! However I've been really good about keeping my bed made, and my laundry picked up. That in itself is a major victory!!
Gotta run for now, headed to BP Support Group. Have a great day everyone!Hugs,
The last few weeks have been a bit hectic it seems. Returning to my semblance of normal has been a bit difficult since the nose surgery and the preceeding medication changes.
I've been going to a 'Wellness' class for lack of a better term, on Wednesday nites. It's an awesome class sponsered by 'NAMI'. Prior to all my surgeries, I used to Karaoke quite regularly and have been super sporadic since due to one thing or another. Anyhow, last nite after class I decided to swing by & Karaoke, just for fun. I was kinda tired leaving class and thought sleep sounded wonderful, but the thought of getting out and doing something I really enjoyed, won over. I'm felt a renewed sense of energy as I left from there last nite & am really glad I went!!
Hope yours is a great day!Hugs,
It seems as tho it's been weeks since I really slept well, and I gotta tell ya, that was getting old real fast. The last couple of nights however, have been much better & I think I'm starting to feel semi-sorta normal again.
Normal to me, is not something I compare to others. It's more of what is the usual for me. I find that when I try to compare myself to others, one of us loses, (usually me). If I compare myself to how I usually am, I can accept myself, my strengths and weaknesses, etc., as just another unique child on this planet. I don't end up with as much internal negativity that way.
Have a wonderful day!Hugs,
Today I'm rather frustrated. I haven't been getting a whole lot of good sleep lately. The new med I've been taking for a few weeks makes me feel agitated, and is really getting on my nerves. I'm generally pretty positive, but today I feel anything but! lol I KNOW I will get through & past this, but it sucks to know just how much I HAVE gotten through, only to find my world turned upside down by a medication. MUST be Murphy's Law. I will Smile, I will Grin
Despite the sorry shape I'm in
For if I'm silly as this passes by,
I know for certain I'll eventually fly!
Hugs,
Grrrrr!!
I just had this long journal entry written and now it's all gone. I clicked to add an image and poof! Just like that it disappeared. I think I'm going to have to remember to save stuff BEFORE I add anything, or copy it to word before I hit post or somethin! Dumb 'puter anyhow - lol
Well, I'm going to TRY to get some sleep. Will see if that works.
Have a great nite everyone & stay safe out there!!
For the second time this week... err that I'm aware of, we've had snow. This being my first day driving since my surgery, I was glad it had just barely started. I was only just minutes from home. I love snow, grew up with more than I've had my share of these last 20years, but around here the roads get icky & I'd rather NOT be out driving when everyone is slip slidin away.
I had, what feels like the longest day ever!! Went to visit a friend in the hospital, came home for an all too brief nap & then had to leave again to meet up with some very dear friends for dinner. It's very hard to get them both to commit to a time to get together, so I couldn't/didn't want to just sleep on thru. I'm exhausted but in great spirits.
Thanks to everyone for being so very welcoming!Wishing You a great day!
