Bipolar check-in #44

I don't understand... What about rain makes your fibromyalgia flare? My aunt says the same thing about rain and her fibromyalgia.

From what I understand, she can barely sleep on rainy days because the pain wakes her up. So, she gets like 3-4 hours of sleep a night when you consider how many times she woke up and stayed up.

I hope you don't catch the flu or coronavirus.

Did you stock up at the store? (Sorry, I'm not up to date with everything.)

Can you bring your dogs to an animal shelter if need be? I used to volunteer at one 4 years ago, and people who were sick and needed to go to the hospital would drop off their dogs for a little bit until they recovered. They explained that they had no one to care for the dogs and didn't have the financial means to go with a dog sitter or an animal daycare that takes care of them 24/7. And if necessary, the animal shelter would find foster "parents" for you who could take care of them for the time being. It's worth asking about if you need to.

Last night my husband called from work saying he wouldn't be home until 8:30 pm. He wouldn't elaborate. He got home a little before 9 pm and told me that nine people in his department were laid off yesterday, luckily not him. He and some workmates went to a pub to sort of console each other about losing the nine colleagues. A couple of the workmates laid off had worked there for decades. It's really so sad! Lay offs were sort of expected to happen in the future, given the company's issues, but hubby said that Covid 19 likely made some happen now, as some issues pertain to China (and other parts of Asia).

Those laid off employees from my husband's work will surely need to pay the expensive fees for Cobra for health coverage, and then that will end. If my husband eventually lost his insurance, we'd be up the creek. I am covered under his insurance, but do have Medicare from my SSDI, but at this time I only elect for the hospitalization benefits, which haven't been used while being covered by my husband's private insurance. Of course when Medicare open enrollment comes, I could elect for part B, C, and D, too, but that would mean less money in the bank AND the likely necessity for me to change many (or all) of my doctors. I don't expect to lose my SSDI in the near future, but what if I did? Obama Care would be all I could hope to use. But what if Obama Care is gotten rid of? That would be a sad sad situation for many many people. It can happen, depending on what is done in November. But even the current Obama Care is not exactly ideal. Far from. friends. This is serious stuff!

Luckily, my car only needed a new battery, so the charges weren't that bad. I'll walk to the dealership in a little while.

The stupid "mafia" pharmaceutical management organization associated with our private medical insurance (for profit $$$$$) out of the blue said that the brick and mortar pharmacy we've been going to (small mom pop business) for some medications (ones that can't be ordered mail order) is no longer "in network", so we'll need to switch to one of the monopoly mega giant brick and mortar ones (i.e. CVS or Rite Aid), where you're just a number and not a human being, and the lines are halfway out the door. What's next? Will our "Out of Network" benefits be taken away? If that would be the case, I'd have to either leave my beloved psychiatrist or pay the full amount, which he'd hopefully discount.

At https://worldpopulationreview.com/co...al-healthcare/ you can see a map showing the countries of the world, in 2020, that have universal health coverage. You'll see that the USA is joined only by countries like Mongolia, many (but not all) countries in Africa, India, and similar countries as not offering universal health coverage. The rest of the civilized world believes that all of their citizens should have health coverage, which very often even includes dental and vision. My husband is from a European country. They love their universal health coverage. They are NOT jealous of what people in the US have (or rather don't have). If my husband and I moved to France, as an example, after three months we would be included in their basic universal healthcare coverage. That's one of the reasons my husband wants us to move to France. For our safety. We are vulnerable people.

There are some people in the US, that after reading the above, would say "Get the F out of the US, if you feel this way, BirdDancer! Good riddance!" Well, all I can say is that that is mighty sad. Mighty sad!

For the record, I'd like to say that my venting above was quite well restrained.

Update: I'm unwell. I need my prn! I just got off the phone with the stupid pharmaceutical mgmt mthrfkry and told t hem they are abusing people and that we are human beings and should be treated like human beings.

Thank you.

My central strategy is distraction. And physical distance from the tool my mind is telling me to use.

I think about you often throughout these days as I read the news. I hope that you can effectively navigate your community and your needs without catching this new virus.

Just had an in-person interview for my food stamps application. It went well. There was just one proof that I didn't have so I went home and brought it back up there. I hope that's all I need and my application can be processed quickly.

Hi BirdDancer,

I am sorry you are feeling unwell.

Your post makes perfect sense to me. I agree with you.

I admire your ability to share your opinions and your knowledge on such important issues. Thank you for sharing!

I hope you can access the prn you'd like to have available.
Much Love and Admiration

Good job! These requirements can sometimes cause such headaches..

HI!

I have heard of people not willing to call the hotlines for the same reason.
I don't know what to think. I understand they are wanting to keep people safe. At the same time they are driving people away.

I am glad yo are seeing your T today.
I hope you will check in and let us know how you are doing?
Stay safe!

I thought I had already turned in that same proof, though. So I hope that doesn't mean they don't accept it. The worker this morning just said it was missing, not wrong.

I just got up from a nap. I laid down at 10 and its now 2. A little excessive! I didn't think I'd sleep that long. Now I don't know what to do with myself. Laundry, I guess.

Moose72- been there! Usually my naps are 1.5 hrs long, but the other day I think I slept 11 to 2 and there have been a few days where I take 2 naps, like sleep an hour, wake to potty, then sleep another 1.5hrs. :P

Decided against putting this one in my journal as it's not news to me, unfortunately, and I could share some love with the group.

I'm cramping and it hurts. Mood is okay. Will be great if hubby can bring home dinner. Right now I'm a bit anxious waiting for his response and worried about stressing him more since I know he's been having long days lately. Ok, now I'm a bit sad...but hopefully we'll get some food, maybe Chinese??!! And then it's Nancy Drew night, so thats always fun!

Hugs to all who need or want them! *hugs

@giddykitty Nancy Drew? Is this the original series or have they remade it?

I met with my T this afternoon. She and I talked about four ways to combat depression and distract myself. She even wrote them down in both general and specific terms. I feel so much better equipped with her guidance. She gave me physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual coping strategies.

That's great Daonnachd! I'm glad you're feeling better.

I think I'd consider that one 2 1/2 hour nap.

I should go read. I've been on PC for hours now. Be back later.

I am a walking Barometer.. If we have a front move through whether it be rain, cold or hot.. It effects my FIbro and pain gets worse. I can tell 90% of the time a front is coming before my weather man tells me.

People with Fibro have extremely over active nerves , our bodies and more often than not is in "fight or flight" mode.. So chronically on high alert is exhausting. When any person is on high alert Fibro or not we have our muscles tensed.

So any weather change can set off a flare.. My pain level is a consistant 6-7 a couple weeks ago we had a high of 72 and by morning we were at 18. I literally could not take a deep breathe due to the pain for days.

Even some foods can start a flare, for some its spicy foods for others its comfort foods like carbs..

My Fibro feels like I have a very nasty flu. To the bone muscle aches, throbs. I get white hot stabbing pains out of the blue, Its hard for me to take a deep breathe because my rib cage just aches. Sleep is so hard to get. If your entire body is in such pain trying to find even a semi comfortable position is often impossible. I get horrible headaches, I have cognitive issues when in a big flare. Water can just freaking hurt so bad it can be the pressure and/or the temp. sometimes hot water feels good, Other times hot water can actually feel freezing cold..

Having your whole body zooming with over active nervous system 24/7 is just torture sometimes.

The virus is nowhere near my town but my church is changing communion. Normally the minister gives you a wafer and a blessing and you dunk the wafer in the cup held by the assistant. But now they are going back to the minni glasses of wine. Mum said they have plastic ones now but when I was last at communion they were glass. The tiny little cute glasses that were in a silver holder. Mum talked with my aunt that's how we found out that though the virus is nowhere near its affecting things very close to home. There were 5 articles in the newspaper tonight on the subject of the virus. Including one that was written by an infection specialist doctor who has been all over and delt with lots of deadly desease including Ebola. He is afraid of the fear that this virus is causing, he is concerned for the aged but otherwise not worried about it. But the fear mongering greatly concern him. The news tonight started out with stories of the virus too. I'm getting mighty tired of hearing about it.

That's the best description I've read on it. I'm so sorry

Suddenly lots of precautions starting in my area regarding COVID-19:

* My father's assisted living is restricting visitation.

* My husband's company is allowing all employees, who can, to work from home until further notice. My husband will be. Apparently someone at his company's nearby main headquarters tested positive for COVID-19.

* The university cancelled all upcoming concerts through at least April 6, including a couple pretty major ones. Hubby and I do have a concert to go to at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 6. That hasn't been cancelled, but we'll see if it eventually does. They did send him an email about precautions. I told hubby that we should drive into the city instead of take the train. NY Penn Station and the subways (or even taxis) don't seem appealing places to be. We'll park near the concert hall and walk there. Maybe the hall won't be overly crowded, but the performer is a big draw being one of the best pianists in the world.

* My hair salon sent me an email outlining all of the safety precautions they are taking. I have a hair appointment and eyebrow wax tomorrow.

My psychiatrist is supposed to leave for a trip to Europe in about four weeks. He's going to Germany, since his wife is likely from there, and then he said they plan to take a cruise around Sicily. I think the Sicily cruise is a bad idea, since Italy has the most COVID-19 cases in Europe right now. Plus, who wants to be on a cruise ship given the nightmares surrounding some? I hope he rather stays in Germany or goes somewhere else near there. I'd like to think he'll return in a timely fashion. I talked to him today. He increased my Seroquel XR to 700 mg. I'm taking 100 mg of it in the morning, and the rest at night. I have to curb what's happening to me because of his trip coming up. Plus, he always goes away to Martha's Vineyard for six weeks in the summer.

I’m not doing well. It’s tough because my mental health clinic is really in demand so I can’t always get ahold of anyone. So I have to deal with things on my own. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

There is no help like for free in this rural town unfortunatly.. They could go to our vets they do boarding .. But its 20.00 a day per dog.. No way can we afford that

Yes I am stocked up food wise 6-7 weeks... I have been building up food stuff just incase we have a car repair needed or something.. So none of the extras i have bought over the last 6 months will go to waste any way..

I’m not sure about medication. I’ve been on the same bipolar combo for two years now. But I’m not sure when the mild tachycardia started. I do know I took a **** ton of Sudafed and Advil three weeks ago for that miserable sinus infection so I’m not sure if that made things worse. I mean, Sudafed IS a stimulant. But I haven’t had it in over a week. So I’m not sure. I’ll just have to wait for the cardiologist opinion.

I called a different cardiologist today and got in for Monday! Yay! I have to take a half day from work but so be it. I still have time to put in the paperwork. I won’t get paid but my health comes first.

I still have my pcp appt tomorrow that I’m going to so I’ll let him know all of this. I can’t trust the home bp monitor I got. Sometimes it’s high, sometimes it’s normal. I trust it for my heart rate though.

Thanks Yes we are just being careful..

Im glad distraction is helping you Have you found a provider yet?

I'm glad you're being careful.

I got the blood draw and EKG at the other hospital this morning, missing only a little bit of work. The important one, ECT, is ok because it's at a hospital that's already cleared my insurance. Of course, it's 2 hours away. That's just the way it is.