[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by yellow_fleurs

Hi all. I am a bit stressed as some family members (adult and kids) have been exposed to Covid (and the person who likely has it is also someone I know and care about). I am glad that my mental health is overall stable so that I can not totally panic. They are in good health and not too old, but still.

Actually, in general I have felt weirdly calm lately. I don't understand, but I wonder if my emotions are blunted or something. However, I am taking Wellbutrin and lo loestrin for my moods and I am not sure that either would cause this? Like I used to be super high stress and now I am relaxed? I am not depressed so it is not that, either.

I got an interview for a job scheduled for next week. I am happy because I want this job and I also need a job so I am not unemployed come January.

Take care!

What scares me about covid is the "post-covid" disorders that some people get. Blood clots, lung issues, strokes, etc.

I hope & pray that every one of your family members will be okay.

I'm always hearing about Wellbutrin being "activating", but so many people say it's calming. Loestrin is a contraceptive pill? Do you feel like the calmer feeling is a good thing, or is it too blunting?

Good luck with the job! Keep us posted

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Sapien

You’re right. It just sucks that other people are able to function and their successes are getting degrees, landing jobs/getting promoted, and getting married and my successes are “I haven’t done anything that has a high probability of killing me in a week and I remembered to eat a meal today.”

Guess I just gotta remember I have disorder(s) that make my little successes matter as much as others’.

I know. I'm there, too. All of the friends I grew up with have "normal" lives. My life is not normal, it's weird. If nothing else, meds cause life to be abnormal. I have a bunch of childhood friends who regularly run marathons. If I walk around the block it's a success, because meds make me feel so off-balance and tired.

All those reasons make it so, so important to have 24/7 support. We really need it.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Pdoc is calling me day after tomorrow at 1:30. Dunno what to tell her- yet again.

I'm watching a documentary about Crownsville Maryland's mental hospital. Lots of horrible things went on there over the years and even into the 90's! It's called "Crownsville Hospital: From Lunacy to Legacy" It's on Amazon.

Ooh, thanks. I'll watch it. The history of mental illness treatment is hard to know, but it's interesting.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Moose, that sounds like it might be a kidney stone. If it still hurts tomorrow it might be a good idea to get checked out. That hurts so badly and goes from the kidney around the side and down the back. When I had mine I hated having to sit up or roll over because it hurt so much.

Ugh. I had a kidney infection when I was 9 months pregnant. Was that ever painful.

How's it going with your medical situation, Rainbow?

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Moose, that sounds like it might be a kidney stone. If it still hurts tomorrow it might be a good idea to get checked out. That hurts so badly and goes from the kidney around the side and down the back. When I had mine I hated having to sit up or roll over because it hurt so much.

It doesn't hurt as bad now. It hurts a little when I move a certain way. Nothing like earlier. Earlier, I didn't want to get out of bed because moving hurt so much and I ended up going back to sleep hoping it would go away with some more sleep. I had slept an okay number of hours already so I didn't need to go back to sleep and i got up at 1:30, still in pain. I thought, at first that I might have reflux since I had it as a kid. But, I grew out of it eventually in my childhood so that's not likely. Does the pain come and go? Right now I'm not feeling anything but twinges of pain that come and go when I cough or sit up.

[*Beth*]

Today I cooked a stew. It's been such a long time since I've cooked anything because my apartment gets too hot. The stew turned out nice. It makes me sad, though, because I used to cook for my husband and children...seems like the years went by way too quickly. I wish I wasn't sad about so many things.

[Moose72]

I found the following:

Symptoms
Some kidney stones pass on their own when they are small before causing any symptoms. Larger stones block urine flow and cause painful symptoms -

Renal pain which is intermittent and severe radiating to groin, and testis in males is the most striking feature
Pain worsens during movement
Blood in urine
Pus in urine
Fever
Difficulty in urination, feeling of urgency, frequent, painful, burning micturition
Nausea, vomiting, chills and fever are seen in case of infection
Urinary retention
Causes
The formation of kidney stones cannot be attributed to a particular cause, but several factors increase the risk.

Risk factors include:

Dehydration: Consuming inadequate amounts of water regularly for prolonged periods of time greatly increases the risk. People living in hot and dry climates and who sweat a lot are also at increased risk
Family history: People who have an affected family member are more likely to develop the disease
Certain foods: High sodium diet, oxalate and foods that increase acid levels
Obesity
Diseases/surgery of the digestive tract- Inflammatory bowel disease, gastric bypass surgery
Certain medical conditions- hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, urinary tract infection, some cancers

I think I am dehydrated. My kidney function was sub-par last month- twice! I don't have any signs of infection. I have been peeing a lot, but I thought that was from the coffee. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, I guess.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Today I cooked a stew. It's been such a long time since I've cooked anything because my apartment gets too hot. The stew turned out nice. It makes me sad, though, because I used to cook for my husband and children...seems like the years went by way too quickly. I wish I wasn't sad about so many things.

I hear you. I have times when I think my kids grew up to fast or that I wasn't there enough for them. That I should've stayed home all the time so I didn't miss any part of their childhoods. But, I realize they are still here and I can make the best of TODAY with them. Last night I called N3 and we had such a nice talk about his schooling and how his calculus class is going and what his new classes are going to be next semester. We also talked about some things about radiation since I'd just watched a documentary with it in it.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by BethRags

How's it going with your medical situation, Rainbow?

I'm having another mammogram and an ultrasound assisted needle biopsy Thursday or Friday. I have to have another mammogram thanks to my local hospital losing the first one I had done. I am not pleased and will be writing a complaint letter about this and the fact they've delayed this whole thing by 3 weeks.

I really liked the person I talked to, who I hope is the doctor.

I'm just over this. Hopefully the needle biopsy is it, although my family doctor made it sound like I'd need a surgical biopsy as well. That would be lovely to avoid. I think they know less than they thought they did/would because of the missing images.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Originally Posted by Moose72

I found the following:

Symptoms
Some kidney stones pass on their own when they are small before causing any symptoms. Larger stones block urine flow and cause painful symptoms -

Renal pain which is intermittent and severe radiating to groin, and testis in males is the most striking feature
Pain worsens during movement
Blood in urine
Pus in urine
Fever
Difficulty in urination, feeling of urgency, frequent, painful, burning micturition
Nausea, vomiting, chills and fever are seen in case of infection
Urinary retention
Causes
The formation of kidney stones cannot be attributed to a particular cause, but several factors increase the risk.

Risk factors include:

Dehydration: Consuming inadequate amounts of water regularly for prolonged periods of time greatly increases the risk. People living in hot and dry climates and who sweat a lot are also at increased risk
Family history: People who have an affected family member are more likely to develop the disease
Certain foods: High sodium diet, oxalate and foods that increase acid levels
Obesity
Diseases/surgery of the digestive tract- Inflammatory bowel disease, gastric bypass surgery
Certain medical conditions- hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis, urinary tract infection, some cancers

I think I am dehydrated. My kidney function was sub-par last month- twice! I don't have any signs of infection. I have been peeing a lot, but I thought that was from the coffee. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, I guess.

I hope it's all better tomorrow!

[BcotOTG]

Hello, I just joined this forum and found this daily check in feed. I’m grateful to have this new to me platform to try. It is 3:42am where I live. I woke up at 2am and since I couldn’t sleep, I fixed a Chamomile tea and then checked messages on my phone.

I was diagnosed as Bipolar 1 in October 2010. This summer, our family relocated overseas. We will be expatriates for two years. The international move in the middle of a pandemic and on the heels of two and a half years of acute stress has been challenging. I met today with my new psychiatrist for the second visit. He has recommended an electronic encéphalogramme. I have taken Lamital for 10 years, and he wants to see how my brain waves are connecting to determine if there may be dysfunction secondary to Lamictal (antieleptic drug originally developed and marketed to treat seizures). I also have atypical migraines regularly and extreme sensitivity to unnatural light sources, especially overhead lights and light from screens

Each month, I have periods of a depressed state with brain fog and the desire to withdrawal from life because it all feels overwhelming when my brain isn’t functioning optimally. I also have periods of insomnia and sub mania each month, directly following several weeks in the depressive/frozen state.

I realize this post is a bit choppy—that’s my brain flitting from thought to though without finishing my original train of thought or purpose for initiating communication. I struggle to keep my communications relevant to a specific audience and succinct.

Can anyone relate? Has anyone had an electric encéphalogramme?

[Bipolarchic14]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Today I cooked a stew. It's been such a long time since I've cooked anything because my apartment gets too hot. The stew turned out nice. It makes me sad, though, because I used to cook for my husband and children...seems like the years went by way too quickly. I wish I wasn't sad about so many things.

You are inspiring me to cook. Not tomorrow but maybe the Thursday. Is there a way for you to ground yourself to enjoy the present moment. Let the soup warm your soul.

[Soupe du jour]

Originally Posted by BcotOTG

Hello, I just joined this forum and found this daily check in feed. I’m grateful to have this new to me platform to try. It is 3:42am where I live. I woke up at 2am and since I couldn’t sleep, I fixed a Chamomile tea and then checked messages on my phone.

I was diagnosed as Bipolar 1 in October 2010. This summer, our family relocated overseas. We will be expatriates for two years. The international move in the middle of a pandemic and on the heels of two and a half years of acute stress has been challenging. I met today with my new psychiatrist for the second visit. He has recommended an electronic encéphalogramme. I have taken Lamital for 10 years, and he wants to see how my brain waves are connecting to determine if there may be dysfunction secondary to Lamictal (antieleptic drug originally developed and marketed to treat seizures). I also have atypical migraines regularly and extreme sensitivity to unnatural light sources, especially overhead lights and light from screens

Each month, I have periods of a depressed state with brain fog and the desire to withdrawal from life because it all feels overwhelming when my brain isn’t functioning optimally. I also have periods of insomnia and sub mania each month, directly following several weeks in the depressive/frozen state.

I realize this post is a bit choppy—that’s my brain flitting from thought to though without finishing my original train of thought or purpose for initiating communication. I struggle to keep my communications relevant to a specific audience and succinct.

Can anyone relate? Has anyone had an electric encéphalogramme?

Welcome to Psych Central, @BcotOTG! I relate to a lot of what you wrote.

I have had five EEGs in the past. Two regular ones, two "video" EEGs, and one they call a "sleep deprived EEG". The doctor wanted to know if I had seizures in addition to my bipolar disorder. I take two anticonvulsant mood stabilizers (carbamazepine ER and lamotrigine) and an antipsychotic (quetiapine ER), plus a little benzo. EEGs are not, in themselves, uncomfortable tests. If you are getting a regular one, it's not a big deal at all.

I can imagine being an expat at this time has its stressors. I will soon move overseas, as well. I have lived with my Czech husband in the US for over 20 years, but in less than maybe a month we will move to his native country of Czech Republic. I could really benefit from your suggestions about adjusting to life in a new country. We could support each other. I am looking for doctors and a therapist there and hope the transition goes smoothly.

I see that you are now living in France? I love France and may possibly move there someday. Je parle mieux le français que le tchèque.

My husband and I were in France and Czech Republic just this past September. We were scoping out possible places to move to in France, but decided we'd first move to Czech Republic. We'll travel to France many times again, and decide on our final home destination later down the road.

Good luck with the EEG and I hope your migraines are quickly relieved. I have had migraines in the past, too, but they seemed to stop a while back. I had light sensitivity with them, as well.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I'm having another mammogram and an ultrasound assisted needle biopsy Thursday or Friday. I have to have another mammogram thanks to my local hospital losing the first one I had done. I am not pleased and will be writing a complaint letter about this and the fact they've delayed this whole thing by 3 weeks.

I really liked the person I talked to, who I hope is the doctor.

I'm just over this. Hopefully the needle biopsy is it, although my family doctor made it sound like I'd need a surgical biopsy as well. That would be lovely to avoid. I think they know less than they thought they did/would because of the missing images.

Lost your mammogram - that is appalling! A complaint letter at the very least!

[Moose72]

i woke up this morning in pain again but I've decided its just muscle aches. It only hurts when I move and then not even that much.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Bipolarchic14

You are inspiring me to cook. Not tomorrow but maybe the Thursday. Is there a way for you to ground yourself to enjoy the present moment. Let the soup warm your soul.

Aw, thank you!

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Moose72

i woke up this morning in pain again but I've decided its just muscle aches. It only hurts when I move and then not even that much.

Hopefully that's all it is. In my experience with kidney stones and kidney infections, the pain was extremely intense. It was in my upper back and radiated down toward the middle of my back. It wouldn't stop, no matter what I did (lying down, sitting, standing). There was no doubt in my mind that something was very wrong. As in, I had to get to the ER right now.

[Fuzzybear]

Ugh. It's ''that'' time of day.

Hugs and respect to all

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by BcotOTG

Hello, I just joined this forum and found this daily check in feed. I’m grateful to have this new to me platform to try. It is 3:42am where I live. I woke up at 2am and since I couldn’t sleep, I fixed a Chamomile tea and then checked messages on my phone.

I was diagnosed as Bipolar 1 in October 2010. This summer, our family relocated overseas. We will be expatriates for two years. The international move in the middle of a pandemic and on the heels of two and a half years of acute stress has been challenging. I met today with my new psychiatrist for the second visit. He has recommended an electronic encéphalogramme. I have taken Lamital for 10 years, and he wants to see how my brain waves are connecting to determine if there may be dysfunction secondary to Lamictal (antieleptic drug originally developed and marketed to treat seizures). I also have atypical migraines regularly and extreme sensitivity to unnatural light sources, especially overhead lights and light from screens

Each month, I have periods of a depressed state with brain fog and the desire to withdrawal from life because it all feels overwhelming when my brain isn’t functioning optimally. I also have periods of insomnia and sub mania each month, directly following several weeks in the depressive/frozen state.

I realize this post is a bit choppy—that’s my brain flitting from thought to though without finishing my original train of thought or purpose for initiating communication. I struggle to keep my communications relevant to a specific audience and succinct.

Can anyone relate? Has anyone had an electric encéphalogramme?

[Daonnachd]

@BcotOTG - welcome. I get electroconvulsive therapy every 4 weeks and part of that is the electroencephalogram. It's hardly something I notice. They just put some stickers on my head with wires attached to the monitor. It's nothing to be concerned about.

My day is playing out to be quite normal. Nothing to comment on. It's just difficult being a father to three lads now. Although our house guest is respectful, communicative, and helpful.

[Mountaindewed]

The doctor thinks I may have a kidney stone that’s not passing. He did more blood work and gave me some equipment to try to catch anything. I need to set up the ultrasound for tomorrow hopefully. Last night I felt like I was dying from the pain.

We also have to take our cat to be put to sleep today. I feel awful about it. But he’s been sick for awhile. Just lethargic and stuff. Not moving much and not using the litter box. The other cat has been by his side for a couple weeks. Which makes me think the other cat knows too. It is so heartbreaking for me. With this health issue and the mental health stuff and now the cat I’m not doing too well. I talked with my therapist last night and she doesn’t care if I’m having health issues which are impacting my mental health. She does not want to see me if I don’t complete the program regardless if it’s something physical or not. She says my risk taking and med manipulation that have been going on for awhile just warrants a higher level of care. I wasn’t even trying to get out of the program. I was just updating her.

[*Beth*]

Mountaindewed, Your life sounds really ***** right now. I'm wondering why you have to wait until tomorrow to get the ultrasound. It seems you should be getting it today.

I am so, so sorry about your cat. To me, there is no worse grief.

[Mountaindewed]

I set up the ultrasound and the earliest they could fit me in was Monday. Dumb Covid. It gets everything all screwy. But if I just eat a little bit instead of actual meals the pain isn’t terrible and I can always go to the ER if it gets too bad.

But the good news is my program is going to be free because it’s virtual. They called today. I start tomorrow at 8:30AM. If it was in person I’d be paying $40 a day. And even if I cut out my runs to Sonic and Panera and go without therapy, it would still be tough to pay. It will go between 2 and 4 weeks depending on how motivated I am. Even if I have to do the full 4 weeks that’s less then I expected. I thought it was a 6 week program. Now that that is free and and I don’t have to pay anything for my surgery I’m a bit more relaxed now that my finances are secured.

[Blue_Bird]

My anxiety and panic attacks have been really bad lately so I started doing yoga again. And cut out coffee for now to see how that impacts it.

It's snowing today, I love it! It makes everything feel so cozy. Especially while listening to Christmas music with the lights off and my tree on.

My mood has been bad too. Depressed, sui thoughts. I'm trying to pull myself out of this. though. And I've needed to go grocery shopping for over a week now and I haven't been able to get myself to go even though I don't have much to eat at home. I'm going to push myself to go tomorrow because I really have to but it's been hard. Agoraphobia has been flaring up.

Still need to get the bloodwork done that my psych requested. Will try to get it done on Friday. I'm sure everything will be fine except my cholesterol. I had a physical recently anyway and the dr. said I'm really healthy based on the physical he did and my medical info/history so that's good.

[Soupe du jour]

@Mountaindewed, I'm so sorry to read about your kitty. I know how hard it is to lose a beloved pet. I agree with you that your other kitty likely knows. I believe animals are far smarter than many people give them credit for. I hope you and your other kitty can be a great comfort to one another. I also hope your physical issues can be resolved, quickly. As I wrote yesterday, I am also getting an ultrasound done to investigate something likely related to my kidneys. I am also worried the radiology place won't get me in expeditiously, because of covid. I don't believe my issue will be kidney stones, but my sister has had many and they were resolved. I hope you won't worry too much about that possibility. As for your therapist, I think she needs a bit of bedside manner training. Who knows, maybe her behavior is affecting many of her clients. Either way, you deserve and need support. I'm sorry she's not been giving you enough. I hope the IOP will be very helpful for you. Will you be seeing other IOP participants via video meetings?

@Blue_Bird, I'm sorry you've been battling panic attacks and experiencing agoraphobia. It is so difficult, with this covid pandemic! I know that getting out (for exposure) is hard enough as it is. I'm sending positive wishes that it will become easier, soon. This whole pandemic is a white knuckling event, but the fist will be able to relax in time. And it is snowing where I am, too, but just light snow...not enough to really stick. It was smile-inducing all the same. I'm glad to read that you are healthy, despite some elevated cholesterol.