Physical Check-In

Interesting question about Bipolar Disorder and tolerating disruptions.
I find disruptions like this can throw me off, especially when they start pounding away so early in the morning. I will not have use of a significant portion of the house.. It tends to throw me into some degree of disarray.

I also find the noise an issue, especially with noise sensitivities.

I don't do as well when my daily routine is interrupted.

Seven days with a young man painting inside of the house and it taking so long? I'd not be happy about it! Hopefully, this did not keep you from your kitchen?

I understand the noise sensitivities, too. More than ever, I also rely on daily routines to keep me as well as possible. I do think there is something to that. Even many of our most recent vacations are ones where the place has a kitchen, so I can cook, and living room. I like to do activities, but when an itinerary is very packed, moving from city to city, I lose it. Big time! Meaning mania, psychosis, accidental injuries, ranting in public, etc. Honestly, all of this is a major reason why I'm still on disability for bipolar disorder.

I sometimes wonder when/if I will ever really get off of disability. I have tried, numerous times, to add extra "new" things to my life, and I often fail, especially when they are outside of my house at set times I am obligated to. Hubby and I brainstorm ideas for how I CAN work in the future. It has to be a strategic plan. Getting some job in an office is likely no longer in the cards for me. That's very triggering. The last time I managed some regular evening activity (a Modern China lecture series), I think I only succeeded because, by chance, my psychiatrist attended it, too. I didn't sit next to him, but I could see him. That likely sounds pathetic, to some.

Funny story about that lecture series: The first lecture I was sitting, nervously, and noticed a man with bright red hair. It turned out he was my very first psychiatrist (who diagnosed me). That made me very nervous. I started to imagine that I would have a mental breakdown in the lecture hall. I remember thinking that I wish my current psychiatrist was there. About 10 minutes later, I noticed he WAS there. Imagine? Two psychiatrists in that Modern China lecture series with me? Really! It would be hard to make up this stuff!

Snacked again today! Not sure what my deal is! I bet it’s because I couldn’t smoke. Though the klonopin is definitely helping with that. I ripped up the pack I bought today. Smoked about six today. If I have them available I definitely will smoke them. So I plan on taking a klonopin in the morning tomorrow before work and then again when I get home. That will hopefully keep me calm enough. Hopefully I’ll only have to take it for a short while while getting through the initial withdrawals.

So carbs are about 115g net. Not too bad but not where I want to be.

Sleep is what’s desperately needed when you are sick yet that’s what seems impossible to find.

I hope tomorrow things start to ease if not ? I’d probably call my GP

Gentle hugs

And I knew you’d pay for it today

Force yourself to slow down

Well first rip the association a new one !!!!!!!

And yes ... book a vacation somewhere warmer

Yes!!!

Anything that disrupts my normal routine really throws me mentally into a hot mess.

I’m extremely sensitive to having people in my home.

Hugs to everyone in pain today. I know it is chronic and devastating for several members and you guys are on my mind often. I send out good vibes and hope that more effective treatments are developed to provide real relief one day.

In the meantime, maybe we can all take a big breath and let out a giant scream at some point today? I need that anyway. It has been nonstop here for days and my body just needs to release the stress. I got my workout in yesterday, so that helped a bit. Today's schedule is packed so I'm probably taking the day off. Maybe it will work out this afternoon for me to exercise, but it depends on how a few things pan out.

Sending everyone wishes of improved health today. Physical and otherwise. Also sending encouragement to do at least one nice thing for your body today. Love yourself and love to all!

I am really getting sad.. with out medication for my PsA all my joints are stiff and swelling and very painful it will continue until I can get back on a biologic, of course that all hinges on my breathing returning to normal.

I’m also getting a psoriasis flare thus far only on the back of my head along the hairline. I’m honestly terrified of it getting worse and in areas like last time being involved.

@~Christina I don't understand why you have to wait to start a new medication?
bizi

Humira is what caused this huge breathing ordeal, my Doctor and I assumed it was a typical asthma flare. But normal treatment didn’t help anything. Referred to Pulmonary specialist he said it’s the Humira that’s causing my breathing trouble not my Asthma flaring up.

So we stopped the shot , which I have gone 3 weeks with out now, so that is when factoring in the 3-6 month half life actually starts.

So the half life of Humira is 3-6 months which is huge. But my Rheumatologist doesn’t want to start me of a different biologic until my breathing goes back to normal. Biologics have there own set of side effects and there are some big risks.

So basically hurry up and wait. Pains increasing daily and not the psoriasis is beginning to flare, again.

I see the Pulmonary specialist on the 16th for a follow up from my Pulmonary functions test. I’m “ hoping” he will have some idea of when this might clear up, but potentially this could drag on for 3-6 months which if it happens to take that long I’m really going to struggle both mentally and physically.

I feel so sorry for you. Not breathing well and now flare ups....
wish it were quicker.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Thanks Bizi

I've sort of lost my appetite during my current illness (bronchial infection/cold). In addition, I'm just so tired that I don't have it in me to go downstairs and make anything. My husband has been making his breakfast, lunch, and most dinners for several days now. I do push myself to go downstairs to get water, though I probably haven't been drinking as much as I should. My PCP told me to double the amount of water I usually drink, which is a lot. I don't believe I've been drinking that much. We do have a dorm fridge upstairs in our spare room. There are some seltzer cans there, but mostly beer, which I don't really drink.

Physically a couple days of very high blood pressure and chest pain dealing with a cluster F regarding drug plans for my husband and I.

I hope by morning my blood pressure will finally stay at my normal low.

I had a really busy week and I'm dragging a bit. Today will be busy as well. We've had doctor's appointments, vet appointments, taking care of a recovering dog, Christmasing, and the general nuttiness that comes with having kids going on. I've tried to keep up with my exercise and eating well and did a good job most days.

I posted an update a while back that the psychiatrist Dr. Marks mentioned the Mediterranean diet has been shown to be effective towards battling depression and that she was implementing it in her own life. She posted an update yesterday. She believes she has finally gotten over her sugar addiction. That's quite a feat. Also, in just a little over 90 days she has lost 20 lbs. Even more interesting she is reporting her cholesterol has dropped below 200 for the first time ever. Apparently she has struggled all her life with it. I thought this was a great update.

Edited to add... Here's a link to her website. There is a download on this page for the particular version of the diet she is following. I just reviewed it and it seems pretty doable. I'm considering it. I found this breakdown with the suggested number of servings and serving sizes helpful. Enjoy!
http://markspsychiatry.com/the-depression-diet

I really like the idea of the Mediterranean diet. It's so real and reasonable, and healthful, in my book. That's definitely a type of eating I want to strive for and I know it isn't the cheesey weazy eating that is American Italian pizzeria food.

I once followed the old Weight Watcher's Core Plan and even Hubby liked that. That was sort of an even lower fat form of the Mediterranean diet. These do require cooking. I love to cook, but even I sometimes settle for convenience when my mood is in a certain place. I can say that when I do eat the Mediterranean way, my mood is usually good, but like many ways of eating, the getting back to it after stopping is the hardest part.

Agreed! I also followed the Weight Watchers plan you mentioned when I was trying to drop baby weight. It was successful for me. Yes, I also agree getting back on board after months or years of eating refined sugars and processed foods is a bit of a shock each time. It always feels great though after you get going.

I plan to talk to my husband about this. I think he would benefit from it as well and I'd like his help planning meals. I might implement it in phases as there are some Christmas treats I'm not willing to give up this year

I got my butt and legs (and waist) into a pair of Gap size 30r today (equiv. size 10). Yes, they're tight, but I decided to wear them today for at least a little while. Maybe that will keep me from eating too much again. I would REALLY like to lose enough to be firmly in this size. I have five pairs of brand new (or almost new) jeans this size. I haven't worn them for over two years. I've been a 31r for the two years, and at times, the 31r had been getting tight. My 31r jeans are in bad shape. The choice is to buy more 31r or lose the stupid weight and have a whole jeans wardrobe happily there for me. Even my bras are fitting a little better this week. Rather than buy bigger bras this past year, I had been actually wearing camisoles. I actually have about 10 almost new bras in my drawer, but they are likely smaller than I'll ever fit into again. I think I have Risperdal and Invega to thank for that.

I ate high carb the past two days and paid for it. 2.6 pounds gained and incredible pain in my stomach. I never realized how much low carb was helping my stomach pain. I smdont know why. But I’ve been fine except for little twinges here and there. Now the last two days it’s been crippling. Apparently lower carb is good physically for many reasons for me, though losing weight is not one of them.

Back on the lower carb train today. Ate my new favorite breakfast again, pork roll omelette. So good. Those of you who don’t have pork roll are missing out lol. I’m going to continue to eat low carb straight through the holidays if I can. It’s difficult with all those high sugar high refined carb treats around! I know at least one Christmas party I’m going to will be ok as the hostess eats keto. Not sure about the rest!