Bipolar check-in #42

The vet said the surgery would increase his risk of UTI’s but that it would eliminate the life threatening chance of another urinary blockage occurring. That’s why I decided to go for it. The real kicker is that he needs prescription food for the rest of his life at $70 a bag. And he’s a young cat. So that’s an added monthly expense. But I don’t want to lose him so soon.

I’ll just have to make payments each month. That’s the only thing I can do.

I know what you mean. My uncle's old dog had colon cancer at the age of 3 or 4 and he couldn't bear to lose her. He had to get surgery for her and keep her on prescription food for the rest of her life. It was expensive as hell, but she was a happy, loving dog who got to live a full life with lots of doggie treats and belly rubs. He had no regrets.

Best of luck with your cat. I'm sure he is wonderful to be around.

What times of the day did you take your propranolol when you were on it 3x a day? Just curious.

Glad to hear it's working out for you really well.

When I was on propranolol three times a day I took it morning when I got up and evening when I went to bed and the inbetween dose whenever I remembered it, I eventually just told the doc to write it for twice a day cause I'm lousy at remembering meds. Even when I was on heavy duty pain meds my doctor gave me long acting ones that I only had to take twice a day.

My sleep is very interrupted I continued the same dream even though I woke up multiple times. Pretty cool blizzardary effects on hwy 35 in Austin TX while I sat on the first seat of a double decker bus with a glass wall and ceiling. Pretty cool. I was in my twenties again too, lovely to be so young and fit!

Hi bluebicycle. I have always taken my morning and evening medications at around 7 am and 7 pm, respectively. These times are either during or immediately after my breakfast and dinner, meals that happen at the same time every day. I keep my pill boxes in a pretty painted box on my dining room table. The ritual of taking my medications with these meals helps me to remember to take them. Plus, my husband reminds me if he thinks I forgot them. He takes his morning medications at the same time as me, so I give him his box at the same time I open mine. Taking my medications with meals has also been necessary because some of them require that I take them with a minimum number of calories.

As for the afternoon dose of propranolol that I used to take, I guess it varied, like Nammu wrote. Taking it with lunch was what I usually tried to do (for the ritual sake), but during the years I was still working, lunch hours varied. Plus, I was often so busy and muddled at work, that I forgot to eat lunch sometimes. Even after I went on disability, my lunch times varied (or didn't exist). That's why I eventually asked for twice per day (morn/evening) instead of three times.

In addition to the calories needed with some meds, I like to take my Seroquel XR earlier than later (meaning at dinner instead of right before I go to sleep). It takes about 3 or 4 hours for my Seroquel XR to make me tired. If I take my Seroquel XR as late as 10 pm or 11 pm, I won't be able to fall asleep until 2 or 3 am, sometimes. In those cases, I might wake up with a Seroquel XR "hangover" and not even be able to eat breakfast at my normal time (which may make me forget my morning meds). If I take it at dinner, I don't have the "hangover" and everything works out perfectly. I even take my Synthroid/levothyrozine with breakfast, even though they want you to take it 30 mins+ before eating. But I almost always forgot it (or couldn't wait to eat that long), so my doctor gave me permission to take it when I could (breakfast) and dose adjustments could be made. My TSH/T4/T3 results are fine with no symptoms of hypothyroidism. Strategizing medication rituals (and sticking to them) not only reduced side effects, but improved my stability.

Tim Gunn says "Make it work!"

I'm going to post while i'm still feeling good as it may not last. Today was sunny and mild and i got to sit out with my dog and take in the nice day. I feel a lot better for it. Many people stopped by to chat. I loved my dog today and gave her lots of snuggles.

And it's February 1st! Winter is on the run!

Hello all. I’m doing well today. I enjoyed a luncheon at a tea house with my bible study group and cleared a few things off my to do list. I’m going to relax tomorrow with some painting, reading and watching the Super Bowl (and of course the Puppy Bowl).

Warm regards to all for a peaceful Sunday.

Well, here we have it, folks... Some Chinese kid brought Coronavirus to Boston and was walking around for a while before seeking help. Isn't that just lovely?

Why the hell wasn't he quarantined when he came back??? Wtf. Now he's probably infected a whole bunch of people -- and who knows how many, considering he is a college student.

WHO and U.S. took way too long to raise the alarm and ban travel to/from China.

I don't know if I want to go to the Chinatown area on Tuesday anymore... I mean, yeah...

That's scary.

Has anyone heard from Christina? It's been a while since she posted here? She was going to start a new med.

I was thinking the same thing, yesterday. I hope she is OK.

Her current status online says she is private messaging (as of 3:35pm ET). So I'm guessing she has been messaging people rather than posting? At least, I have done that sometimes because I was not in the mood to post.

Hopefully her new med is working out for her.

A warm hello!
I am just seeing the mention of Christina.

She is just taking some time out. She is doing okay on her new med, last I knew.
I'll bet she cannot stay away from us for very long!

Hello to all!

I have not been as active here lately. Life has been very, very demanding. I am trying desperately to keep up with even a portion of what is at hand.
I try to keep a sense of humor!
I have been retiring earlier at night lately; yet, I do not sleep more. Nor do I have entertaining dreams like Nammu!

You are all on my mind and heart throughout each day.

Be well.

Much Love to All!

I've had a few afternoons now that were not miserable with depression and anxiety. I'm almost afraid to say it, but it seems Latuda is working for me!

Besides that, there's an energy in the air 'cause the 49ers are in the Superbowl tomorrow & this part of the world is very excited!

Hi, all. Christina told me she needs a break from PC. She'll be back relatively soon I bet.

It's great to hear you are starting to feel better on Latuda.
I had such an amazing boost from Latuda initially, it gave me hope I had not experienced for many years!

I hope you experience a helpful boost and for a very long time!

I'm just home. Spent several hours at starbucks reading today. Peter showed up. I haven't contacted him for at least two weeks and have avoided him. He was really wearing me down mentally and triggering me. So today I was reading at sb totally engrossed in my book when I heard a laugh- his. He was at the counter ordering a drink. I ignored this and tried to continue with my book. I didnt look up but I think he stood next to my table for a moment- probably hoping I'd look up- then sat down in a chair a few feet away. Next thing I know he was gone. I was afraid he might just sit down at my table. I really have zero time for people that play games and especially who purposefully try to trigger me.

We've proven to be a very resourceful group!

I'd like to ask for your input. A good friend of mine takes care of her mother. Her mother is in her 80's and is relatively frail.
Her mom has Medicare coverage, has COPD and needs her inhalers. I've suggested she look on the sites of the manufacturers to see if they might offer some assistance.
I did not get the names of the inhalers.

Do you know of other programs which might be helpful in getting help with the costs, outside of GOODRx?

Thanks for any/all feedback!
Much Appreciated!

Patients - Rx Outreach may help but I'm not sure because inhalers are not generic. That makes them more likely to have patient assistance programs and it is always good to apply for those even if you don't meet all criteria. Just apply and include a note explaining that you don't meet the criteria but can't afford the med. I've never been rejected. If rxoutreach does have them they usually are very good pricing.

Hi everyone. I don't feel so great. I feel totally apathetic and like my brain can't even process a simple thought. I tried to explain to my mentor, my brain just is not working and I can't figure out this project that's due tonight. It's like I am stuck in molasses. Sorry to be a downer. I just feel so lethargic and blah. How did I ever feel so good last month? I am sure it'll get better soon. Sending compassion.

Thank you so much!

Her mom is in the donut hole of Medicare and needs help. Breathing is quite important!

I so appreciate your assistance!

I am sorry you aren't feeling well.

Please don't feel like a "downer." We are all here for one another and especially for anyone in need of support/not feeling well.

I have had times of feeling similar to what you are describing. It's such a helpless feeling! I am hoping something simple will help tremendously. Maybe a good night's sleep?

I hope you feel much better asap.

Thank you WC! You are right, I need to remember it could be something as simple as a good night's sleep that could help. It's often hard to see past the current mental state, but this will pass.

• I still find myself staring into nothing
• racing thoughts have calmed but I’m still experiencing symptoms
• I have exhibited some odd behavior as told by my wife and daughter
• I was up last night until after 2:00am wiring a room we remodeled.
• haven’t stopped moving all day today. Finished the wiring from the night before
• audio hallucinations are happening again
• overall, I feel kind of peaceful. I’ll continue to take it and keep an eye on my symptoms.

I'm trying to fight the urge to return to the abusive man. I'm focusing on letting him go but think I became addicted to his abusive ways. I need to wean myself from him. It is really hard but I am fighting hard too. Please wish me luck!