Posted by tdaneen on October 19, 2000, at 19:52:45
In reply to SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT US ALL, posted by GLYN on October 19, 2000, at 18:52:29
Welcome!!
Well, I know for sure that MY writing skills are not in the level of those you were refering to, but that is ok. :^) I think you brought up some truly interesting points.
>We are all morbidly fascinated with our problems so much so that they appear to be as much a hobby as they are a burden - no offence intended as I am the worst for this.
>Almost all of you (I dont include myself in this just yet) are more informed about our meds than most docs are.
I for one do not feel as if I suffer from any kind of "morbid curiosity," when it comes to the illnesses described on the PB board. I approach this venue as a learning/theraputic tool. I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II, PTSD, and Anelima (an eating disorder that crosses between Anexoria and Bulemia). I find that the best thing that I can do for myself, daughter, family, friends, coworkers, and yes, even my P-Doc is to become as educated as I can be about my illnesses. This includes watching how others react and interact when they (P Babblers) are in an episode whether it is manic or depressive. It gives me ideas on instruct the people in my life pertaining to situations relating to me.
As for medications again, the best thing is to be educated. I know my body and metabolism. I am one of THOSE people who have trouble switching meds. I get all the weird side effects that only the smallest percentage get. Let me relate a story to you.My Pdoc and I were getting ready to add a mood stablizer to my antidepressant. At this time I had not done any research on my illness, what treatments were offered, what could be expected or anything. The doctor prescribed Lamictal. It is a wonderful drug, for some. I however became horribly depressed. So much so that my coworkers noticed. I had not told anyone that I had been taking any medications, or was under a doctor's care. When I finally did go and see my doctor, we got online and searched as many websites as we could. We finally found one that showed a study that had a tiny portion of the patients who took the drug became severly depressed. This happened with only one other drug. I learned my lesson, and I now research medications in advance when my doctor wants to switch my medications. That way I can choose a few I feel comfortable trying. It works really well for me. I have a great doc.
>Despite all of our travailing, very few of us seem to have been "cured" or feel satisified by the meds we are taking.
Well, the terrible truth is sometimes our bodies change and the medications which may have been a super cure months, or years before can stop working. OR they may stop working at the same effective level. It stinks. I know that I will have to change meds again soon. I'm unhappy about it. I have been on Celexa for over a year now and it has worked like a charm, but in the last few months it has not worked as well as it once did. I have been through a battery of other medications ot help boost it, but I believe it's time is running out. :^( poopy
My doctor believes I'll have to stay on mood stabilizing medication for the rest of my life. So, no. I don't believe there is a "cure" for the bipolar aspect of my illness. I sure wish there was.Geesh, I always write too much!! I hope this was the kind of response you were wanting.
Welcome to the board (or is that bored??)LOL
tdaneen
poster:tdaneen
thread:46800
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46810.html