Unfortunately, an additional medication was pretty much forced on me today by my psychiatrist. I was honest and told him how I've been struggling with some irritability and agitation, lately, and a kinda sorta type of anxiety. Not the "fear" type of anxiety, but sweating and racing heart type where you feel like you're skin is covered with potentially biting spiders. All of this is not 24/7, but seems to show up at times throughout most days. I told him I was taking Ativan (lorazepam) prn a lot. His idea was to prescribe a medication that I've heard of, but never tried. Lyrica (pregabalin). I know I've read of people with bipolar disorder taking this med. I guess not so much for moodstablization, than for this anxiety type irritability/agitation. I looked it up and it seems to be an anticonvulsant, perhaps something in the realm of gabapentin (Neurontin)? In any case, he only prescribed 50 mg per day. We'll see. I told him I was reluctant to take another med, but promised to ask my husband what he thought. Hubby said to try it. So I am. If anyone has taken Lyrica (pregabalin), please do share any experiences.

When I went to the pharmacy to have the Lyrica filled, I pulled out my wallet, but the pharmacist said "It's free." No copay. What????!!!!!! I had Hubby act why it was free, thinking maybe it's a "free trial". But the pharmacist said that the Czech national health system is still struggling to figure out how to enter it into their system (or something like that). In the meantime, it's free. Good deal! My psychiatrist said they also use Lyrica for neurological pain. I'm not sure if my sore left foot, these past three or four months, has been neurologically-induced, or more some other kind of inflammation. But it would be nice if the Lyrica helped that, at the least.

Today after my therapy, we went to a Czech museum of gypsy culture and history. It was interesting. We were the only people there. Then we went to a lunch. We had a 1,000 czk ($47) gift coupon for the restaurant. It was a gift from the Optical shop that I got my two pairs of glasses from. Glasses are HUGELY expensive here. They cost 27,000 czk ($1,257) for the two pairs. They are extremely nice ones, and have multifocal lenses. I guess the least they could do was give us a nice lunch. Then on to my psychiatrist's office. He was late by 25 minutes. I confess I was very irritable when he finally took me in.