[Miss Laura]

Ok so I'm due to start the Abilify (Aririprazole) depot injection on Thursday 8th. I'm now freaking out. I don't think I can do this.

I'm waking up from nightmares re it. I'm profusely sweating. I have visions of me freaking out right when I'm getting it.

I don't think I have processed the fact that this is me being medicated. Instead of being medicated I have been off my meds for possibly 6 months and I'm now thinking I can't take the med.

Guys I could do with all your wisdom and wise words if you could I think I need reassured

[fern46]

Change can be hard because our mind comes up with all sorts of things that aren't true just to scare us. Taking this med challenges some of the beliefs you carry especially when unwell. Your fight or flight response is probably activating. It can cause all of what you've listed. That is normal, but it isn't a sign you shouldn't take the med.

Remember, you decided to do this for your health. You decided you would give it a try and see how it goes. It isn't forever and if it doesn't work you'll know it and you can work with your team to adjust it.

You heard from a lot of really wise users here that also take the same med. They told you how it worked well for them and helped them stabilize while making med compliance easier. You really need those two things.

If you're still unsure, go back and read your posts over the last three months or so. All of the evidence that you need is within your own words.

You can do this. Don't let your mind trick you out of doing the right thing. You deserve more than that and the chance to find stability.

[bpcyclist]

Hugs.

You are having the same response I did when Trump got sick. My brain went to--I a going to die alone and psychotic and noone will bury me or take care of my children and Albert. Terror. I believed this because I was worried Russia was going to send a missile to my psychiatrist's house in response to Trump's moment of weakness. When I stated that here and that I was scared, good humans informed that it was factually quite unlikely for Putin to bomb my pdoc's house, based on all available evidence. I immediately felt calmer and began to incorporate that information into my reality.

[Fuzzybear]

I completely agree with:

''Change can be hard because our mind comes up with all sorts of things tht aren't true just to scare us''

I think a flight response to this is normal. Given the evidence, I think it would be wise to take this med.

[Miss Laura]

I'm just worried I'm going to majorly freak out when I'm getting the injection. Make a fool of myself.

I know I have symptoms currently I wish I didn't but I do. I feel quite hyper ok more than that, I'm actually meeting a guy in under 6 hours I only started speaking to him last night lol, I'm very talkative, I was up most the night talking to myself and singing etc

But I don't know if the injection is going to help me. I'm still like I'm not taking meds yet here I am in 4 days time away to be bloody injected with an Anti-Psychotic med wtf is wrong with me

[MuddyBoots]

Honestly, I don't know if the injection is going to help you either. If you had less symptoms taking the pill form of Abilify, I'd bet that it would though, and the only way to know is to try. Perhaps you could come up with some sort of mantra to say to yourself how you're going to stay calm, the nurse will take care of you when she gives you the injection, you're doing good for yourself with this, or something along those lines?
I was initially given my risperdal consta in the hospital, I was nervous too, but I'm glad I went through with it because when I started it I had much less psychotic symptoms and went months without any manic symptoms.

[Jmayfair]

No, not so much.

[Fuzzybear]

I would certainly be freaking out too. I prefer to keep control of what I put into my mouth or body. This might not be a popular opinion (in fact it almost certainly won't be..) .. maybe you could give the meds by mouth another try? Maybe this could be the incentive to be med compliant? idk.. just a thought..

Originally Posted by Miss Laura

I'm just worried I'm going to majorly freak out when I'm getting the injection. Make a fool of myself.

I know I have symptoms currently I wish I didn't but I do. I feel quite hyper ok more than that, I'm actually meeting a guy in under 6 hours I only started speaking to him last night lol, I'm very talkative, I was up most the night talking to myself and singing etc

But I don't know if the injection is going to help me. I'm still like I'm not taking meds yet here I am in 4 days time away to be bloody injected with an Anti-Psychotic med wtf is wrong with me

Ah. Having symptoms has you backtracking on needing anything. This happens EVERY time you start heading up. Insight starts going out the window. This is when it's so important to listen to what people who care about you say. Sometimes we just have to lean into that support. Please do. We're there for you.

[Miss Laura]

I called my CPN this morning. I told her my concerns and she has said she could do my injection for the 1st time without the nurse doing it.

I have actually asked if she can come with me and be with me just so I don't freak out abd embarrass myself. She has agreed.

So at about 3pm on Thursday I will be medicated

FFS what am I letting myself in for? I am really stressing out that I'm going to really resent it and tell them to stop it.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Miss Laura

I called my CPN this morning. I told her my concerns and she has said she could do my injection for the 1st time without the nurse doing it.

I have actually asked if she can come with me and be with me just so I don't freak out abd embarrass myself. She has agreed.

So at about 3pm on Thursday I will be medicated

FFS what am I letting myself in for? I am really stressing out that I'm going to really resent it and tell them to stop it.

When you get there, you'll find that it is much easier than you thought. All will be calm. Your CPN will tell you when she is going to do the injection and it will be over before you know it.

[bpcyclist]

You are going to be fine.

[Fuzzybear]

That's great that your CPN is going to be there

[Miss Laura]

Guys today is the big day.... the only thing I can say is I'm still freaking out.

I'm meeting my CPN in 2 hours 25 mins and I'm getting the injection in 3 hours and 25 mins.

Was up all last night crying and unable to settle. Got 2 hours sleep

[bpcyclist]

Be strong, Laura!!!

[Bipolarchic14]

I wish you luck Laura!

[MuddyBoots]

You'll do just fiiiiine. Let us know how it goes

[Miss Laura]

Never happened... they have to order it so maybe next week (who knows)

[*Beth*]

They had to order it?! And not until next week?! What the .......

[Miss Laura]

I know.... they have known for over a week I was going to take it.

Plus she dropped a bomb on me.... they want to discharge me from my Community Support Worker who I see weekly as I don't need her anymore??

[Moose72]

That makes no sense. Why would they have you come in if they knew they didn't have the shot? I hate when people drop bombs on me. Do YOU think you still need your community support worker?

[Miss Laura]

Hey Moose,

I know I was really annoyed as I was really agitated today and really nervous I got little sleep last night due to stressing.

Tbh I don't need her but I'm being a bit selfish here as I need her for my benefits interview that will be possibly Summer next year. She is very good when at the interview as its a face:face thing and she fought for me to receive benefits 3 years ago. I know I'm being selfish but I'm worried now I won't get or qualify for ANY benefit

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Miss Laura

Hey Moose,

I know I was really annoyed as I was really agitated today and really nervous I got little sleep last night due to stressing.

Tbh I don't need her but I'm being a bit selfish here as I need her for my benefits interview that will be possibly Summer next year. She is very good when at the interview as its a face:face thing and she fought for me to receive benefits 3 years ago. I know I'm being selfish but I'm worried now I won't get or qualify for ANY benefit

I hear you. Is there anybody you can get to replace her that might be able to do as good a job as she did? I remember when I had to get a new case manager I was upset because the one I'd had was so super good at her job and just friendly in general that I thought any replacement wouldn't do. But I like the new case manager. She's different, but she's good too. So maybe you won't have to do you interview alone??

[Miss Laura]

Originally Posted by Moose72

I hear you. Is there anybody you can get to replace her that might be able to do as good a job as she did? I remember when I had to get a new case manager I was upset because the one I'd had was so super good at her job and just friendly in general that I thought any replacement wouldn't do. But I like the new case manager. She's different, but she's good too. So maybe you won't have to do you interview alone??

I don't think so I will need to check. Cause she is part of my community mental health team (I don't get to chose anyone from here) so I don't know how they will help me in re to the benefits interview. The interviews are brutal. I was lucky I was pretty manic at mines and my community support worker stepped in despite not being allowed to talk in the interview, she wade in and made it clear I was manic and I don't have clarity in life when manic. Its thanks to her I got the high rate and I have a plus 1 bus pass due to my anxieties so I get help on the bus if needs be

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by Miss Laura

I know.... they have known for over a week I was going to take it.

Plus she dropped a bomb on me.... they want to discharge me from my Community Support Worker who I see weekly as I don't need her anymore??

That stinks I wonder why they think you don't need her? Can they see inside your head? I think not. I hate it when people drop bombs on me.