Bipolar check in #39

yeah. If I were to describe how it felt, it'd be like taking a plastic straw and dragging it across your arm, except the scope has rounded ends unlike a straw, so it doesn’t scratch you. (The drs say the scope "may scratch you and irritate your throat," but nahhh, I was fine. Throat felt perfectly normal. I think they just have to say it for legal reasons, in the very rare event you do get scratched. But the tip of that thing was smooth, round, and soft like a squishy bouncy ball, so idk how it could scratch you. lol.)

Even if everything went to sh_t during the procedure, the whole thing still takes maybe 5-10 mins, and that includes going into the small intestine.

My concentration improved for sure with the extra Ritalin.

Good idea about setting up goals with my therapist. I could do that.

Thanks

Supposedly my dr paperwork was filled out correctly and faxed. I will call tomorrow to confirm. Hopefully it really was bc I don’t feel like driving a half hour to the dr office then another hour down to the occupational health then another 45 minutes home. Really really don’t feel like it.

I’m going to be bored tomorrow. I have to clean and pack for our trip, and get cat food. But that’s about it.

I got more Christmas decorations today. I’m happy with them. RS is going to put lights up after thanksgiving. We don’t have any outlets outside so we are just going to be putting them up in the porch windows. But that’s ok.

My grandma and I discussed thanksgiving today. We are making so much food! I’m excited for that too. She’s a good cook. I’m bringing green bean casserole and stuffing. And three kinds of pies! Apple, pecan, and pumpkin. Pumpkin is my favorite.

Unfortunately she has had to put my grandfather in short term care so she could get a break. He has dementia and can’t get around very well. She needed a break from taking care of him. So it will be strange not having him there. But I completely understand her viewpoint. She’s 82 herself, and had major back surgery just a year ago. She needs a break!

Well I’m not sure how much internet I’ll be able to get in the mountains so I hope everyone has a good weekend! Take care of yourselves and practice self love!

Thanks for this! I too will most likely have to have an endoscopy (if I ever get to the dr for my stomach pain) and I was very nervous. You made me feel better.

Whoa, lots has happened in this thread. I've read almost everything but it's hard to respond to so much. I did get a good laugh out of @BirdDancer's comment about her parents life magically improving after she left for college. Haha! I am also cozy in my apartment as some mentioned. I have an exquisite mirror-frame faux fireplace and a super ceramic heater going at the same time and am warm and toasty.

I found the funnest light-up Christmas sweater at Walmart today! It's soooooooooo cool! Just like the ones on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon. I can't wait to wear it tomorrow to Overeaters Anonymous (OA). I start celebrating Christmas early because my mood often doesn't make it to December 25th and our building Christmas decorating is at the end of November and our party in early December -- my two main Christmas events. Looking forward to Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiistmas!!!

I went to OA last night and the sweetest young woman sought me out after and engaged me in conversation. She was just a delight and tuned right into my concerns about the OA text book being fat-shaming. She said it is really outdated and has a lot of prejudicial old-school health ideas and to just ignore stuff that's offensive and obsolete and take what i want and leave the rest. I don't think i will read the book anymore. It just pisses me off. I so enjoyed talking to a young person tho! So bright and excited and urgent and charming and passionate and positive!

I took public transit to the meeting last night and even took the subway for the first time in about four weeks. I was expecting a challenge as it was a new address and new station and i encountered one but it's not the end of the world and it's a mistake i won't make again. I'm glad to have figured out the route to this Wednesday meeting as it's more young women and not all tiny senior women raised by Twiggy who think thin is the only way to be beautiful.

I colored my hair lavender today! It looks great! I'm trying to ally myself more with young people as i am just 53 and feel so dated by my hair, tho it is a nice silver-white shade, but i still look like a senior when i am only 53. A young man complimented me on it already!

Be well my friends!

Yes thank you for Ideas. It’s kind of a hurry up and wait right now , I don’t wait well

Love you bunches

I hope you can find a good place for your Dad

Dang those cookies look amazing

Welcome to PC

So glad you are seeing M !!!!!

Oh eekkk bed bugs ! Every trip to Florida I go in the hotel room first and look everywhere in the bedding etc.. just the though freaks me out.

I’m sure others will be bring side dishes or even turkey or whatever meat you all will have.

Kids sure grow up so fast ! My daughter is 27 and I swear seems like last year she was 6

I’m so glad you got to see him sucks you need a scope, but you néed answers. Metabolic, ugh... You know my experience with Latuda. Seems I hear more and more problems about is as time goes by.

Stupid psych meds !

Oh boy , yes Birth control pills but that child needs to use condoms every damn time. Glad you got ahold of her Mom !’n Lot of young girls out there trap guys by getting pregnant. One of Amanda’s friends back in high school did that to her boyfriend. Sad

I wish I had advice but I’m struggling with these things too. Know your not alone.

Call and go see your Pdoc. Catch this sooner rather than later

Trust me he will be happy to see you being proactive.

We so often get overcome with Bipolar and limp into there office a beaten bloody train wreck and that’s so much harder to recover from.

Have a fantastic trip

Still struggling with pneumonia (I sound like a broken record) - but the Prednisone is really doing a number on my mood.

My therapist asked me today if I thought I should be hospitalized - I have no idea if she meant because of the pneumonia or the bipolar - LOL. I'd give almost anything for a tank of oxygen now. My birthday is coming up so I am trying to stay home and sane and not IP for any reason.

Financially, not working is going to wreak havoc on the bills (I am on SSDI and only work very part time but it makes a huge difference) - I will figure something out but I absolutely cannot go back to work until I can walk without becoming short of breath.

Hugs to all those struggling

Well my rheumatologist agreed that Humira can cause the breathing problems. So for right now he doesn’t want me to start another med until my breathing goes back to normal, but if I get a psoriasis outbreak we will have to start something.

I have the Ultrasound on my liver tomorrow.

My Brothers Doctor is working to try and get something figured out. He truly needs the 24/7 antibiotic through a IV port. I’m still pretty frantic over it.

My sleep is really terrible think maybe 7-8 total hours in last 10 days.

I always tell my husband if he asks how I’m doing “ you don’t need to know it will just stress you out” well last night for a few reasons I told him a couple things and now he’s tripping the F out !

I really don’t need this and I flat told him “ this is exactly why I don’t tell YOU my Bipolar stuff” ugh I’m super annoyed and kinda rage-y about it which I really don’t need mentally right now.

But on a happy note.... my hair is now my natural white silver and has grown long. I can’t figure out how to change my pic on here ( clueless) but I get compliments all the time. My rheumatologist office staff are always so kind and fully admit they are jealous lol... It was nice to hear I needed something positive today.

Hugs and cookies ~ ( mine are boring unlike BirdDancers scrumptious looking ones )

It feels like things may be coming together for you medically, in that a plan was put in place and is being carried out. :

I hope your US tomorrow goes well, with an excellent out come.

Wonderful hair! Sounds beautiful!!!

Love ya!

Thanks , one day I might get on my laptop and try to figure out how to change my pic.. I honestly don’t know how I put one up on the day I signed up here, way too long ago lol

I just hope the tech doesn’t have to grind me to the spinal column to get the right views of my liver, had a heart echo once, I was like ... are you trying to break bones or just crush my heart til it explodes ??! LOL.

To change your picture (avatar, the profile pic is something else). At the top left go to My profile, scroll down to edit avatar (which is under settings and options). At the bottom of the page it tells you how to upload your new avatar and then I assume you have to select it at the top and then you're good to go.

Are you still awake?
I am glad to "see" you! I have been wondering about you!

Yeah, it sounds scarier than it actually is.

They give you a "bite block" to bite down on. If you don't know what that is, it looks like this:



Yeah, looks kinky. But obviously that's how they keep your mouth open to prevent you from biting down on the small scope (which, btw, is twice as thin as a pencil).

Now that I think of it, though... I think my throat *was* a little sore because the GI dr applied some pressure when she put the scope down my throat (causing it to stretch a little), but my throat wasn't scratched/cut at all. My stomach and large intestine didn't hurt one bit, either. And believe me, I've had a nasal endoscopy FOUR times, and my nose hurt like a b**** from getting scratched every time. I know what getting scratched from a scope feels like.

The soreness of my throat went away in about 30-40 mins, I'd say, so... not a very long lasting effect. It just feels like you've coughed a bunch of times and have a sore throat. You may actually cough, too. But it goes away so fast that you forget about it.

Sounds pretty humanitarian. All this info you're sharing is very reassuring.

I can't sleep so I'm up, watching The Advengers and lurking on PC

I was scrolling through this thread and saw Blue's name ... and then a blue contraption! My first thought: "oh no! Blue's gone manic!"

It's very nice of you, Blue, to share your knowledge and your experiences!

Thanks for the laugh, Blue!

Not sleeping great, still/yet. Even if I am tiired, my mood is better. At times, I do feel on the edge of depression. I want to avoid depression, mine are do severe and last so long!
So far, i've been brought out of depression by Mirapex. I have had to observe myself and make quick med adjustments with Mirapex. I also must watch for any obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

These behaviors may be just fine, depending upon the effects upon one's life. I'd like to become an obsessive housekeeper! Lol!
I have company coming over the holiday. I need to get some things done/ready/etc. I have a guy coming this morning to shampoo the (white) carpeting in the front staircase and related hallways.
I will have more done with carpeting after the holidays.

I have found a "handyman!" He seems like a very nice guy! A little expensive, but it is the going rate around here.

"Just say NO!" Many of you may recall how strung out I was over the holidays. You might recall I was doing a lot of work without help from any of the 28-32 guests. I was feeding. I was fed up long ago; yet, had kept doing it for my mother. My mother has never gotten an invite from her other children on a holiday.. Many know my mom turned 80 y.o. this year. She also has some additional health issues. this year. I have put my foot down and have finally said I am done doing this for everyone. I have had a rough year myself, on top of assisting my mom.. I have compromised so my mom will get to see her grandchildren, I hope. People are invited to stop in for dessert and fun and games after 2 PM.

If you plan to stop in, just let me know 5 days ahead, if possible. I must give Bird Dancer a count so she will have some idea as to how many deserts to make.

I remain hopeful for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Keep rocking that beautiful hair Christina! Mine is blonde/brown and the gray is starting to show. I don't like coloring my hair. I can only hope mine turns out half as lovely as yours sounds.