Weekly Check-in 2/12

[olivegoose]

Since thedish just had a baby last week, I thought I would get this up! I hope you're enjoying lots of squishy snuggles! 
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Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status.



How is your week going?



Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share?



Any changes in medication or recent appointments?



GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax?

[olivegoose]

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status: ADHD, GAD, SAD

How is your week going? Really well!

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? I have been so productive this week! We are purging our whole apartment just because it needs it and hoping we can move in a few months as well. I am finally done with the kids room/toys. It took forever! We donated like 8 garbage bags worth of stuff. I figured out why it's so hard to keep this place clean- way too much stuff!

Any changes in medication or recent appointments? Yup! I saw my provider last week and started taking Adderall. It's amazing. I can't even describe how much of a difference it has made in my life in just a week. I feel like a better version of myself.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? I knit a LOT, and that is a huge stress reliever for me. Otherwise I enjoy hiking with my family and exploring new places.

[flcl]

thedish: hope you're doing well and loving your time with LO! @olivegoose: thanks for starting the check-in and glad to hear you're doing so well

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status: depression, anxiety, panic attacks

How is your week going? Surprisingly well but extremely busy. I'm definitely teetering on the edge of ok and being overwhelmed. A few signs have started popping up so I just need to keep an eye on things.

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? See above.

Any changes in medication or recent appointments? No... I still haven't rescheduled the appointment that I canceled with my therapist. I really should. I also need to decide if I want to seek out a new psychiatrist closer to where I moved or go back to my old one, who also moved... further away from where I'm at now.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? Doing absolutely nothing... I know, I sound boring...

[2kiddos]

How is your week going?
Eh I've been better. it's been rough but I'm looking forward to Saturday night. H and I are going to 50 shades and hopefully having alone time after! Ha, well now that my rash is gone, I just need the energy to stay up past 8pm.


Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share?

I just struggle with daily routines: getting up, showering, eating, working, then evening home stuff. I'm hoping this changes soon. Honestly I'm nervous how I will stay up late for the movies this weekend.

Any changes in medication or recent appointments?

As you may have read last week I developed a terrible rash to my awesome newfound med. so I'm on something new. It's been rough. But I received an email from my dr today just checking in on me and that felt good. Like he cared, so I feel he's definitely the right person to help me. It's just a long frustrating road to get there.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax?
Come on to this board.

[thedish]

olivegoose thank you for starting this! Sorry I missed it this week - will be back on track next week

[olivegoose]

flcl, could you ask your old psychiatrist for a recommendation for someone closer? It is always hard for me to get to appointments when I'm having a hard time, so it might be easier to get yourself to go if you don't have to trek it far away. I hope you feel better soon!

[snarkysparklefart]

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Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status.
Borderline PD, mainly.



How is your week going?

It's going okay. I'm wavering between totally freaked out because I'm actually ready for baby now, and an eerie sense of calm for the same reason. I had a great OB appt on Monday and that's been the highlight for me.. Other than finally being able to shop and feel so ready for baby!


Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share?
This time of year is hard for me. I am looking forward to celebrating Vday tomorrow morning with DD. DH& I will be celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary next week and I'm excited about that too. I'm trying to focus on the positives but this is just a hard time of year. My first pregnancy (ended in ectopic, was not with my husband) was due early Feb. and on 2/14/05 I was institutionalized for the first time at 15 years old. So I struggle a lot this time of year, but never want to complain bc it's also such a special time for H & I. These feel like the private struggles I can't share easily with others.


Any changes in medication or recent appointments?
None MW related. Therapy next week.


GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax?
Crocheting, watching Netflix, or online window shopping!

[Deleted]

Hope you don't mind me just jumping in here. I wasn't sure if intros were a thing or not. I've got schizophrenia, ADD, PTSD, insomnia, and anxiety.


How is your week going? My week is a bit chaotic and I'm having a hard time coping. But I saw my case manager Wednesday and that made it a bit easier.

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? I'm currently on Haldol and it's making me quite the zombie. I lay in bed most days just wishing I could care enough to get up and do anything. I see my psych next week to hopefully change that.

Any changes in medication or recent appointments? No recent appointments, but I go back on the 18th.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? I like to go for walks and when things get bad I have a vaporizer that I use with zero nicotine. Just replaces the desire for a cigarette.

[flcl]

Feb 13, 2015 1:46:58 GMT -5 olivegoose said:

flcl, could you ask your old psychiatrist for a recommendation for someone closer? It is always hard for me to get to appointments when I'm having a hard time, so it might be easier to get yourself to go if you don't have to trek it far away. I hope you feel better soon!

That's a good suggestion... thanks!

[olivegoose]

Feb 13, 2015 21:54:02 GMT -5 @giamia923 said:

Feb 12, 2015 18:21:00 GMT -5 olivegoose said:

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status: ADHD, GAD, SAD

How is your week going? Really well!

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? I have been so productive this week! We are purging our whole apartment just because it needs it and hoping we can move in a few months as well. I am finally done with the kids room/toys. It took forever! We donated like 8 garbage bags worth of stuff. I figured out why it's so hard to keep this place clean- way too much stuff!

Any changes in medication or recent appointments? Yup! I saw my provider last week and started taking Adderall. It's amazing. I can't even describe how much of a difference it has made in my life in just a week. I feel like a better version of myself.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? I knit a LOT, and that is a huge stress reliever for me. Otherwise I enjoy hiking with my family and exploring new places.

I feel like I need some Adderall! However I used to abuse it in the past so it's a big no no for me now... glad to hear that you are doing good!

Do you have ADHD? You shouldn't take it unless you do. It's not for recreation use and is heavily regulated.

[olivegoose]

@giamia923, if you think you could have it you could ask your psychiatrist about it. It will make anyone feel like they have more energy/more productive. It's just the nature of the drug. I'm pretty certain my depression and anxiety issues are secondary to ADHD. 

[thedish]

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status. General anxiety/depression.

How is your week going? It's good. We have officially been home from the hospital for over a week now (just gave birth to a little girl last Tues) and things are going well, I think. I had a major breakdown last weekend, but since that I've been back on track. Prior to her birth, my anxiety was thru the roof and I was having bad panic attacks again. The original plan was to wait and see on starting medication post partum but due to the increased anxiety we decided to start up right away. I'm on a low dose of Zoloft right now. It's still too early to tell if it's having an effect, I think.

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? I had an amazing birth experience and I had been so anxious about it. It's amazing what your body can do.

Any changes in medication or recent appointments? Started up the Zoloft.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? These days I put on soothing music, dim the lights, and snuggle with a bunch of blankets. Being really hot calms me and really helps me fall asleep... something I need to do at random times now!


@giamia923 We had a beautiful baby girl Thanks for asking!

[Deleted]

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status: anxiety/depression

How is your week going? Mixed, as usual.

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? Struggling with DH. I swear if DS is being an angel and I'm not fighting with him, DH is being an ass and I'm fighting with him. I had a panic attack today while trying to talk it out with DH. I have only had a few in my life, but I feel like my anxiety has been slowly amping up over the last few.. months.

Any changes in medication or recent appointments? I probably need to talk to my psych about changing or adding a medication for the anxiety.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? Yoga! I go to an awesome studio about once a week and I wish I could do it every day.

[Deleted]

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status.
BiPolar Disorder, GAD, Narcolepsy w/o cataplexy.    


How is your week going? I'm so sad it's already sunday. My week was so hectic that I had to go into the office on saturday just have peace and quiet. Casenotes were due and I have loud mouth rude coworkers.


Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? I was on time for almost all of my appointments and meetings this week.



Any changes in medication or recent appointments?
Med change is still discussion. Recently saw psych on 2/12 and Gyn is scheduled for 2/17


GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? Sitting in front of the tv and tuning out. I usually don't care what's on. I just like the background noise.

[2kiddos]

Feb 13, 2015 22:02:51 GMT -5 @giamia923 said:

2kiddos I struggle with daily routines too. It's a good day if I can get a shower in! lol I'm also slacking on housework, laundry , cooking etc. My house is a disaster and is really bothering me but I have zero motivation to do anything about it Hope things with the new med get better soon! I hate the merry-go-round of trying to find one that works!

thedish hope you and LO are enjoying your time together! What did you have?

@alleykat05 Welcome glad you were able to feel comfortable to talk about your struggles!

snarkysparklefart it's hard to focus on the positives especially during rough times. Sounds like you are trying your best! Also sorry for your loss!

@led Welcome hope you get a lot of support here!

I just want to say thanks to all you ladies for making this a safe place and welcoming me!!!

Thanks! The last 2 days haven't been so bad. So I think the double dose I've been on since Tuesday is helping. I find myself "thinking" about cleaning/bathing/exercising. That's a start. I just need to actually do it now!

[icequeen]

Yay for a great week, olivegoose!! thedish, I'm glad you and your LO are doing well, such an exciting time! @led, it's nice to see another familiar face, welcome!

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status.
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, GAD


How is your week going? It's going pretty well. I am really working on establishing normal eating habits even if I have a designated "ED" day. I recently started eating breakfasts every morning, no matter if it is an ED day or not, and this week I will work on adding dinner. I had 3 perfect non ED days this past week, which I am super proud of. I did all my homework for therapy this week and feel ready to take on some new challenges this week. I am going to try to continue eating breakfast and have 3 non ED days. A new goal would be to add dinner and to do 2 non ED days in a row, which I chose to be Tuesday and Wednesday.


Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? Keeping down my meals is huge, any day. I didn't think that was ever possible for me.


Any changes in medication or recent appointments? YES! I saw a new psychiatrist last Thursday and she is fantastic! So much better than any other psych I have ever been to. She and I agreed to start a combination of Topamax, Prozac, and Naltrexone to manage all of my symptoms. I am not good with taking meds routinely, so that will be something I'll have to be super vigilant about.


GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? Going to the park or the playground with DD, or watching a funny movie with DH.

[olivegoose]

Congrats icequeen! That sounds like amazing progress!

For the medications, I set two alarms for each time I take my meds (I take them twice a day). One when I want to take it and one 30 minutes later in case I forgot the first time. I also keep a small medicine bottle with a couple doses in my purse in case my schedule is off and I'm not home when I normally am.

[venyia]

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status.

Depression, anxiety, currently undiagnosed

How is your week going?

I like to think it was a good week, and on the surface, and outwardly, it really was, I think. Inwardly, I am having serious spikes of anxiety, and they are only getting worse. Next week is going to be a real bitch, I am afraid.

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share?

My anxiety struggle right now has a specific trigger, a person, who compounds many of my generalized worries. I had an okay grip until this person showed back up in my life this last week. And what gets me is, I was just letting go of my issues with her, because she hasn't been around for almost 6 months now. Maybe that is a long time? The problems she caused were not small, though.... and so having just talked through there being no "other shoe" to drop in regards to her... here she is again, and I am trying to get a handle on the meanings behind her current behaviors. I feel like that is a fast track to insanity, though. Heck, I don't know. It is hard to even talk about her, because something in me just screams, wordlessly, when I think about her.

Also, there are some financial and legal things coming up that are stressing me the fuck out. I hate the levels of uncertainty in some aspects of my life right now. We are almost through a lot of it, but life has a way of throwing more stuff at us as soon as one hurdle is cleared. The joys of adulthood.

Any changes in medication or recent appointments?

Nothing for now. I have DD's 9 month checkup next week, so I plan to ask for a referral to a mental health professional for myself at the same time. I keep almost talking myself out of it. I still have trouble believing that help exists for me.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax?

Sleep, as someone else mentioned upthread! Otherwise, diving into a new book by a favorite author. I miss the days when I could read, uninterrupted, for hours or days, even.

Eta: thanks to all you patient folks, reading this stuff each week. It makes me feel a little ill trying to justify spilling things out there, but it does help.

[lulu]

Feb 14, 2015 18:24:25 GMT -5 thedish said:

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status. General anxiety/depression.

How is your week going? It's good. We have officially been home from the hospital for over a week now (just gave birth to a little girl last Tues) and things are going well, I think. I had a major breakdown last weekend, but since that I've been back on track. Prior to her birth, my anxiety was thru the roof and I was having bad panic attacks again. The original plan was to wait and see on starting medication post partum but due to the increased anxiety we decided to start up right away. I'm on a low dose of Zoloft right now. It's still too early to tell if it's having an effect, I think.

Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? I had an amazing birth experience and I had been so anxious about it. It's amazing what your body can do.

Any changes in medication or recent appointments? Started up the Zoloft.

GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? These days I put on soothing music, dim the lights, and snuggle with a bunch of blankets. Being really hot calms me and really helps me fall asleep... something I need to do at random times now!


@giamia923 We had a beautiful baby girl Thanks for asking!

Just wanted to say congrats again thedish
It's amazing how giving birth can make you feel so strong and awesome!!! I definitely had that feeling after giving birth to DS, despite all my worries and anxiety. Our bodies are super and remember - god designed women to give birth to babies because men could never in a million years manage and cope as well as we can. You just need to remember and draw on these memories of awesomeness whenever you are feeling down.

[lulu]

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status.
Depression and anxiety



How is your week going?
Alright actually. I started back at work and was dreading it. Do feel that people at work are judging me and have caught a few people looking me up and down every now and again which has made me feel really self conscious about my appearance and my ability.
Looking forward to DH coming home this week - it will be nice to be a family again for a while.



Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share?
Haven't been as tired as I thought I would be now I'm back at work which is a bonus.
Struggles - starting to stress about how I'm going to manage with work, the house and the kids. That "perfect wife" image just never goes away and I can never get close to what I want to be.


Any changes in medication or recent appointments?
No - my medication is settling down and seems to be a good fit.



GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax?[/quote]
Cuddling in on the sofa with DH once the kids are in bed, with a lovely glass of wine. Bliss.

[lulu]

Feb 15, 2015 21:25:29 GMT -5 icequeen said:

Yay for a great week, olivegoose!! thedish, I'm glad you and your LO are doing well, such an exciting time! @led, it's nice to see another familiar face, welcome!

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status.
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, GAD


How is your week going? It's going pretty well. I am really working on establishing normal eating habits even if I have a designated "ED" day. I recently started eating breakfasts every morning, no matter if it is an ED day or not, and this week I will work on adding dinner. I had 3 perfect non ED days this past week, which I am super proud of. I did all my homework for therapy this week and feel ready to take on some new challenges this week. I am going to try to continue eating breakfast and have 3 non ED days. A new goal would be to add dinner and to do 2 non ED days in a row, which I chose to be Tuesday and Wednesday.


Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? Keeping down my meals is huge, any day. I didn't think that was ever possible for me.


Any changes in medication or recent appointments? YES! I saw a new psychiatrist last Thursday and she is fantastic! So much better than any other psych I have ever been to. She and I agreed to start a combination of Topamax, Prozac, and Naltrexone to manage all of my symptoms. I am not good with taking meds routinely, so that will be something I'll have to be super vigilant about.


GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? Going to the park or the playground with DD, or watching a funny movie with DH.

Well done icequeen I know what a great achievement that is and I'm really proud and pleased for you. You are a tough cookie!!!

[olivegoose]

venyia, can you remove this toxic person from your life? She doesn't sound like someone you need to be around.

[lulu]

Feb 16, 2015 17:03:01 GMT -5 olivegoose said:

venyia, can you remove this toxic person from your life? She doesn't sound like someone you need to be around.

I agree. venyia - you need to get rid. I'm a big believer in avoidance as a brilliant coping strategy. It's maybe not facing up to the issue as our therapists may advocate, but sometimes, we have enough worries and struggles in our lives without adding to them.

[venyia]

Feb 16, 2015 18:53:06 GMT -5 lulu said:

Feb 16, 2015 17:03:01 GMT -5 olivegoose said:

venyia, can you remove this toxic person from your life? She doesn't sound like someone you need to be around.

I agree. venyia - you need to get rid. I'm a big believer in avoidance as a brilliant coping strategy. It's maybe not facing up to the issue as our therapists may advocate, but sometimes, we have enough worries and struggles in our lives without adding to them.

Unfortunately, I can't remove her from my life. I am trying to minimize her contact and influence on me, but she is a customer, and a well-spending one at that. If she tries anything, her ass is grass in a heartbeat, but for now, it is literally just her presence that scrapes at me. And I am trying to pull up my big girl panties and just deal with the situation as it is. Just, the last time, I was nice, and I just let things go, and it blew up on me hard. This time... zero tolerance.

It is taking a toll on me, though. I lost my shit in front of another customer today, had to go cry in the back room because I could not deal right at that moment. And I never lose it like that, not where it can hurt our bottom line. It worries me. I normally face better than that. Just can't today, I guess. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Oh my goodness. I have my little girl in baby jail while I take a few minutes for myself, and I popped her down on her butt... she started hollering at me while I was typing, and I looked over to discover she managed for the first time to pull herself to stand in the pack and play. She is getting so big, whimper....

[snarkysparklefart]

Big hugs venyia , I have no advice to that situation but I imagine that would be very upsetting and stressful.

icequeen hooray for such progress with the new psych! I personally had some great success with Topamax and I hope the new combination is helpful for you.

thedish, I, so glad you had a great birth experience. It's giving me a bit of hope to hear you share that

[emmaswan]

Please briefly describe your diagnosis/status. Dysthimic disorder (In the new DSM it's called persistant depressive disorder), GAD, SAD



How is your week going? Bad. Just, not good.



Any struggles or accomplishments that you would like to share? I woke up in a funk today. I can't seem to shake it. I am just all sorts of moody and depressed. I'm not sure what the trigger is...usually it's PMS but AF was last week. I also slept really well last night.



Any changes in medication or recent appointments? I see my therapist tomorrow. DD just went to her last therapy appointment last week and is doing really well now...I'm so happy for her



GTKY: What's your favorite way to relax? Binge watching shows on Netflix!