[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

This week keeps getting worse. I called my primary care doctor’s office to find out why no one had called me yet. I spoke to Linda. She said a referral was being done. I explained to her that a referral was not necessary that I just needed a name and number to a psychiatrist. Then Linda said some doctors only accept patients if they have been referred. I asked for the contact info and she gave it to me. I said “thank you” and she slammed the phone down. I called the psychiatrist office and introduced myself. I told the receptionist that Dr. ABC was my primary doctor. I asked her if her agency required referrals from a doctor? She said absolutely not insurance does not require that even. She took my name and number. Then said someone in the intake dept would call me. I called my primary’s office back and Linda answered. I asked to speak to a manager. I spoke to Barbara and she said, she does not know why a referral was even started. I simply asked to be called and given a name and phone number of a psychiatrist. Then I found the phone number to their HR. I filed a formal complaint with HR. I took a nap. Then I received a call from Diane. She was the director of my primary care doctor’s office. She said, she received the HR compliant on Linda. That she had also spoke to Barbara. That she read the notes that Linda took and gave to my doctor. That the notes were so confusing. That my request was so simple and her notes had my phone number. That she could have called me and gave me the contact info of the psychiatrist. I told Diane I have been dealing with social work and mental health for ten years. Seven of the ten years I worked for two insurance companies which is why I knew a referral was not needed. Plus I’ve had Medicare for two years. Diane said I really just do not know how I’m suppose to train some people. I have to discipline her as well. Diane was venting at this point and I did not know what to say. I thanked her for calling me and wished her good luck.

Very nice job!
You are very thorough!
It gets tiring to have to self-advocate so much. Good thing you are up for the challenge!



WC

[Wild Coyote]

I have met with my new pdoc for the second time.
We are going to meet weekly for awhile to get to know each other more.
Lots of stuff being brought up in the history taking. Having PTSD flashbacks.

I like her. She has a great sense of humor.
She also seems clinically very astute.

I hope I can get back to sleep soon.

Love to all.

WC

[Wild Coyote]

Originally Posted by liveforsummer

Life is a mish mash.

Hugs to everyone

Nice to hear from you, stranger!
I see you are going through a med change. I don't care for med changes; always concerned about side-effects. I love my Celexa (citalopram), which is related to the med you may be trying out. I hope the med trial works out for you.


WC

[Erti]

Hot damn I'm in need of some sex... Is this what mania feels like?

[Erti]

Not trying to make fun of mania but damn I can't sleep at all... My sex drive is wild and my mind is racing.

[maniccarousel2]

Originally Posted by Lavender.

Here is a brand new thread

Hi Lavender! This is my first post. I hope this is the right place to start. I have bipolar disorder 1-severe. I was diagnosed around 20 years ago. I have been unlucky controlling my bipolar. I have taken so many meds it's hard to remember them all. Recently, I have been suffering with depression. 6 months. It's hard to lose 6 months of your life to depression. I have been taking lyrica and something else (can't remember right this moment because it's a new med for me. Nothing is helping.

Went to Psychiatrist today and she wants to take me off lyrica because it is causing my tongue to move rapidly without cause. The meds aren't helping.

Wants me to try lamictal. I'm afraid of it because of the rash thing but I am too sick to not try it. Either that or ECT. Never ECT for me again. It was a horrible experience and it caused extreme mania. Plus I forgot a lot of memories that were special to me.

I have two sisters with bipolar. 1 Bipolar II and 1 Bipolar 1. Both are on lamictal so I am going to try it as a mood stabilizer.

I am unable to work and since being so depressed I haven't been able to do much cleaning and I am a clean freak when not depressed.

I used to hate myself but I got thru that mostly. Only when I am extremely depressed do I put myself thru all of that.

Right now, I am a counter. I count all the time. I also get song stuck in my head and keep repeating it. I repeat things in my head a lot as well.

I talk to myself out loud. Gets really embarrassing. Do it in stores too. People give me the "look" and i realize what I am doing. Geez.

That's a lot to disclose. But this is me. I look forward to sharing and reading on this site. I think it will help me be honest what I am going through. My son helps me a lot when depressed. He vacuums, goes grocery shopping and helps me not feel bad when I need to sleep. I love him so much. He's going to be a doctor. Maybe he can finally enjoy his life now. I hate he has seen me at my worse but what can I do?

Wish I could sleep. It's 4:20am. Goodnight.

Originally Posted by Erti

Not trying to make fun of mania but damn I can't sleep at all... My sex drive is wild and my mind is racing.

I can join you on the no sleep, can't sleep either (or rather couldn't)

why would I want to sleep at 2 PM in the afternoon

mostly feel good, just feel a bit gross because I showered this morning

[Moose72]

I can join in the want hot sex camp.....

[Blueberrybook]

Doing OK this morning. I slept in until 7:30 AM (late for me), especially considering I went to bed at 9:30 last night. But I was up at 3 AM yesterday morning, so I needed the sleep. I'm starting to like this Adderall I'm on as long as it doesn't turn me manic. It is giving me enough energy that I don't have to lie down and nap every afternoon. Now, it's down to maybe one afternoon a week, and that is when I've had a lot of stress in the morning.

I went for a run/walk this morning, but it was a bit late. I do live near Houston; summers are extremely brutal and hot. There was not a lot of shade and not many clouds in the sky. I went 4.18 miles but stayed on the the block going around my house. Roughly 1.5 miles around the block equals 1 mile. I stayed close because I had no clue how far I could go in the heat. I think I definitely overheated myself, but I really wanted to complete my MapMyRun app scheduled exercise for the day (and I did), but I've decided I will not run after 9 AM again until the weather cools down, or it's evening.

My daughter finished another level in her summer reading program, so I think we will be going to the library to collect her prize. I think that's why she was up so late, so she could get the minutes to finish the 5th level. They can collect prizes for minutes read for 6 levels in all until the program ends in mid-August. My daughter & I may go out for lunch, the 2 of us. Hubby wants to mow, and I have a gift card to Panera Bread, which both my daughter & I like, but hubby is not crazy about.

We'll see. The day has been good to me so far other than the brutal run.

[Cocosurviving]

This morning I received a call from a lady in the intake dept at the place my primary care referred me to. After speaking to the lady they do not provide psych evals for adults. She was trying to schedule me with a physicians assistant haha! That damn Linda at my doctor’s office can not do crap right. The lady gave me two names of PhD doctors that did adult psych evals. I checked online and one had bad reviews. The other only had one review. I called the Diane, the director of my primary care doctor’s office. I explained the situation. She said, she would speak to my doctor and come up with some doctors later today.

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

This morning I received a call from a lady in the intake dept at the place my primary care referred me to. After speaking to the lady they do not provide psych evals for adults. She was trying to schedule me with a physicians assistant haha! That damn Linda at my doctor’s office can not do crap right. The lady gave me two names of PhD doctors that did adult psych evals. I checked online and one had bad reviews. The other only had one review. I called the Diane, the director of my primary care doctor’s office. I explained the situation. She said, she would speak to my doctor and come up with some doctors later today.

Good luck! I have mine tomorrow to test for schizoaffective (or schizoprenia if they don't think I have a mood disorder... but I've had repeated depression, so likely schizoaffective if anything.)

I hope you find someone who can do a good job. Consider asking about neuropsychologist vs psychologist. They both can do evals, but they're slightly different in what they can do.

[Moose72]

Been so busy today again. Got more done for my cpap! Actually went into a building instead of just called. I hope it goes through! Cross your fingers for me. Also got my tire fixed and picked up my scripts and went out to lunch with friends.

[Moreta]

Originally Posted by Cocosurviving

Oh on top of the crap week I’ve been having. I went to my primary doctor last week. My stomach gets upset all the time. She had me go to the lab. The nurse called me Tuesday and said my doctor recommended based on my labs that I start a gluten free diet. I’ve been doing better eating healthier. I never planned on doing gluten free. I’m so stressed right now. I’m trying to relax and use my coping skills. I had a nice shower.

Gluten free isn't that bad. There's a bunch of alternative products out there now to use. Most supermarkets now tag things that are gluten free on their shelves as well. My issue is that I became allergic to like 13 things last year as well as becoming lactose intolerant. I eat very little processed foods now and feel a lot better. I had a gluten free brownie from a bakery downtown and broke out in hives the other day There's still some on my arm. i swear i can't eat out anywhere anymore. life be lame, but you get used to it.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Good luck! I have mine tomorrow to test for schizoaffective (or schizoprenia if they don't think I have a mood disorder... but I've had repeated depression, so likely schizoaffective if anything.)


I hope you find someone who can do a good job. Consider asking about neuropsychologist vs psychologist. They both can do evals, but they're slightly different in what they can do.

Thanks....

[Blueberrybook]

Had a good time out with my daughter, ended up with a super late lunch though.

I have to check on a few chores, and then I'm determined to get through reading my book club selection for the month, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I am enjoying it and have actually made it past page 100 in a book for the first time in nearly a month! I love to read, but I've had the worst problems with concentration the past few weeks.

[Scooter9]

Originally Posted by Moreta

I had a gluten free brownie from a bakery downtown and broke out in hives the other day There's still some on my arm.

Maybe there were nuts in it, or a kind of nut you haven't had before or in a long time, and maybe you're allergic to them.

[Unrigged64072835]

I've been having low back pain all day. Ibuprofen didn't touch it. If I still have it by August I'll tell my pain doc about it. I may have to have the nerve block done again. I was hoping it would last at least a year.

PT was hell. My arms and shoulders hurt from the workout.

I did some more updating on the desktop and now it's good to go.

My daughter is waiting until this evening to practice driving with her friend. I hope she also practices parking since she didn't do it this morning. She didn't sleep well and had nightmares again. She really needs to discuss this with her T. She literally cannot afford to fail her driving test. So much rides upon it. (No pun intended)

Other than that it was a quiet day. I finished the dishes and dinner is cooling off in the fridge.

Mood is nervous, but okay.

[Scooter9]

Still low today, slept alot (almost 11 hours). I didn't over or under eat, which is a good thing. I visited a friend for lunch and am going to the nursing home again this evening.

I've been looking into increasing my dose of Latuda again before going on something new. I think the max dose is 160 so I'm thinking of going to 120 again (I was on 120 but when I was on lamictal and I'm on lithium and 80 now).

I had an argument with my wife about my driving, but of course it is more than just about that. I did do something bad no doubt but I was only responding to her interference at the time. We'll settle it somehow but I'm tempted to tell her she can do all the driving of her own car from now on.

[Cocosurviving]

Well I just made it back. I had an appt in the next county. Then I thought my 12 year old had an appt. We went only to find out it’s next week. We stopped and picked up chicken teriyaki while in the other county. There’s a store that has the best. I ate a little then walked my dog. I’m feeling much better today. I’ve been so stressed. First I was trying to find a GRE prep course. I called all the surrounding counties and no community college, tech school or college offers one. In Tennessee this was offered. Then my apartment was flooded by my upstairs neighbors washing machine. My carpet has been shampooed. Maintenance started repairing my ceiling. The school I planned on attended. I have a contact person in student services. On Tuesday I called her and left a message for her to call me back. Then yesterday I decided to send her an e-mail. I told her I was looking for a GRE prep course. I’ve been out of school for over the years. I need a great score. Hopefully next week things will get better. My primary care doctor’s office did not call me back either. Whatever happen to people being professionals.

[Moreta]

Originally Posted by Scooter9

Maybe there were nuts in it, or a kind of nut you haven't had before or in a long time, and maybe you're allergic to them.

It was nut free and soy free as well which is why I got it cause I'm allergic to nuts and soy. I forget to ask about my 20 million other allergies sometimes cause I just assume they're not in things, which apparently I can't do. My money is on that there was damn coconut oil in it. Allergic to that as well. Unless I'm allergic to chocolate. I sent them a FB message asking what was in it but they haven't gotten back to me yet. I'd like to know before I start chompin down on this chocolate bar that I got as well. Fun times. I guess if the hives are still there monday I should call my dermatologist. The worst part is that I know I have some prescription strength hydrocortisone cream around here somewhere for something else that I get by **** if I know where the hell it is. Can never find anything when you need it.

[yellow_fleurs]

Stressed out about my financial situation today. I just graduated from grad school and am trying to find a job, but didn't take out enough loans to get me through this period. I meant to, but was not really functioning and just, didn't. Then for some reason I decided it was a good idea to spend the little money I had on stuff that I should of waited to buy. What was I thinking? Now I am worried about my credit which isn't great due to these loans and things. I need to find a temp job ASAP. I think the schedule will be good for me, but nervous because this Lamictal is giving me some side effects I think including not being able to focus on anything. It's making the thought of work daunting. I almost want to talk to my pdoc about stopping it. I don't know what else I would try, though.

[yellow_fleurs]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Good luck! I have mine tomorrow to test for schizoaffective (or schizoprenia if they don't think I have a mood disorder... but I've had repeated depression, so likely schizoaffective if anything.)

I hope you find someone who can do a good job. Consider asking about neuropsychologist vs psychologist. They both can do evals, but they're slightly different in what they can do.

We'll be thinking of you!

[Blueberrybook]

Originally Posted by yellow_fleurs

Stressed out about my financial situation today. I just graduated from grad school and am trying to find a job, but didn't take out enough loans to get me through this period. I meant to, but was not really functioning and just, didn't. Then for some reason I decided it was a good idea to spend the little money I had on stuff that I should of waited to buy. What was I thinking? Now I am worried about my credit which isn't great due to these loans and things. I need to find a temp job ASAP. I think the schedule will be good for me, but nervous because this Lamictal is giving me some side effects I think including not being able to focus on anything. It's making the thought of work daunting. I almost want to talk to my pdoc about stopping it. I don't know what else I would try, though.

So sorry. We're struggling financially too. Because of my BP, I can't work, and my husband lost several high paying jobs as a scientist as the government continued to cut and cut financing for NASA (he has a Ph.D. in physical chemistry). He is over-educated for most jobs. No one told him in graduate school that the manufacturing plants around here want chemical engineers (he says it would have been a change of just a few courses in grad school to get this degree, and he is super-smart; he could have done it). He got a Ph.D. from a Nobel prize winner (Rick Smalley, discoverer of the Buckey Ball, and big when nanotubes were first being engineered in the lab). But Smalley wasn't a great advisor, made his grad students compete for first author publications (in the university world, the publications other colleges care about are only 1st and last name publications, they don't care about the names in between). Even so, his grad school (Rice, in Houston) let him get a Ph.D. without a single first author publication. My graduate school (the University of Houston, much less prestigious than Rice) even made me have 1 first author publication on top of the thesis to get an M.S. For a Ph.D. you had to have 2-3 first author articles.

So now we're stuck in a situation where we can barely afford the mortgage (and our house is hardly extravagant as it was built in 1964), we've both got old cars, and God knows what is going to happen this year. Financial stress is AWFUL. My husband is a high school physics teacher; they pay him peanuts, the insurance sucks, I had a medical hospitalization, trauma surgery, hospital stay, numerous followups with a pricy gastroenterologist.

Yet...because my husband is a teacher (puts our income above poverty level) and I've hardly worked (other than the 2.5 years in grad school as an RA/TA), we can't get any financial aid. Sucks.

[Cocosurviving]

I laid down and took a nap. Then I had a surprise Diane the director from my primary doctor’s office called. She gave me a list of names the counselor in their office referred. I thanked her. I’m going to text my oldest daughter and check on her. She was feeling low earlier this afternoon. I’m a little hungry and thirsty too.