Bipolar Check-In #76

I made it another day without pop and chips! The cravings came and went today. So that makes four out of five days that i have made it. An 80% success rate.

I was relatively active today doing a bunch of chores. Like Mountaindewed, i had to drag myself into the shower. Celebrating the small things sounds like excellent guidance. I perked up as the day wore on. I did laundry AGAIN. I noticed it's getting easier. It's not really a strenuous task and the time while the machines run passes quickly. I've got everything from here in the apartment done. I'll start on the bags on the balcony next.

Sunflower, i'm sorry to hear you fell in the shower. The heat there sounds wretched. Hope it cools off soon!

99 degrees was the high today but monday it is suppose to get up to 103.
The next 10 days of 100's, I don't remember a summer that has been this hot. It never gets as hot as they forcast. so am hoping that some storm comes up to cool it down.
bizi

Hi everyone! I'm newish here and am hoping to become a more active member (it's one of 3 goals I am starting).

Last week, my pdoc had to change my antipsychotic for the upteenth time (from olanzapine to risperidone) because of the level of anger and irritations I was having and the side effects I had from olanzapine. People here kindly helped me understand the side effects of this med a bit more more. Within two days of this med change, I felt so much better! And, the side effects seem to be going away-here's to hoping others don't kick in as the med gets more into my system. Since the med change, there are a couple of days I have felt like I've had some mild rapid cycling going on but I'm still learning to discern true emotions from bipolar symptoms so we'll see if that turns into anything.

bizi, I also live in an area with very high temperatures. It definitely isn't ideal. I hope you get that storm you're hoping for!

@June08Welcome June

hello june!

Welcome @June08 . If you are interested in learning more about bipolar I always recommend Psych Education The website is written by a psychiatrist who specializes in bipolar and there is a ton of information about all kinds of things related to bipolar.

Well the concert was fun until
A pop
Up lightening storm came. We had to walk
Three blocks in it bc they closed the concert early

@June08, it's so nice to see you back, and I hope you do decide to stick around here. It's a great community, and so nice to have new members. I'm also glad that your medication change so far seems positive. I think for many Risperdal is a bit more side effect friendly than Zyprexa. I also remember Risperdal being helpful for my moodstabilization.

@Sunflower123, please do get checked out if your post fall discomfort continues. Though you'll likely be fine after a day or so, sometimes unexpected negative stuff does happen. When my husband and I were having our new home renovated I requested that a shower bar be added. Even though I'm only 52 and still in reasonably good shape, I do worry about falls. It does get a little slippery in there sometimes so I'm glad I have it. I even bought a very pretty foldable wooden shower chair for it.

@bizi, I hope the temperatures ease a bit. I'm sorry to read that many are dealing with uber hot heat.

@Crazy Hitch, I'm sending positive vibes that your flu symptoms will suddenly ease significantly. Sometimes that happens at the end of long flues and colds. My last cold was a humdinger and went on for many days. Then one day it was nearly gone after the day prior still seemed a bit bad.

@MuddyBoots, I hope the naltrexone will soon ease your cravings better. Do you take the pill form or an injection? Long ago when I was struggling with alcohol cravings, an IOP psychiatrist prescribed the pill form for me. I'll admit that it did little for me, but obviously it does for many. Then years later a doctor said the injection form might serve my father well. He said in some ways its efficacy was even better than the pill form. Plus, there was no forgetting to take it as an issue, which applied to my dad. I think I mentioned that after the naltrexone that the IOP pdoc prescribed Campral (acomprosate) pills for me. That was more helpful for my cravings, but I believe its more strictly for alcohol cravings, than both drug and/or alcohol.

Today is quite rainy where I am. I'm so glad, as its been a bit of a drought here. No manual watering needed today. Plus, I always tell my husband how much plants prefer rain water over tap, due to chemical makeup of the latter. But the latter is always better than nothing. Though I wouldn't want all days to be rainy, a good rainy day is so relaxing for a change. Always enjoyed them.

Yesterday we went to a very old local church (1100s) and heard an organ and flute concert. So nice! Plus we got to see inside, which is not usually the case. There were faint frescos painted on the inside. Very old! Initially we sat in the church, but it was a bit hot there for me. We then stood at the entrance, as it was cooler outside. The music played started with pieces from as far back as 1200s, then 1400s, then progressively more modern, ending with pieces from Bach and Debussy.

My sister and I hadn't communicated for a number of days. The last contact had been me emailing her a strongly worded response to a most horrible email she sent. This morning she finally responded. I confess that I was too nervous to read it. I asked Hubby to read it for me and let me know what I might expect, to ease and/or manage any possible additional stress. He said that it was actually a response I'll welcome that my sister finally "heard me". It's noon now in Central Europe (6 am in New Jersey), yet I've still not read it, despite. I feel very sensitive and vulnerable right now...raw...but will read it in a little while.

I'm on the pill form. The thing is it IS helping me not drink because it keeps me from getting drunk, like when I drink on it I just get sloppy I don't get any buzz or good feeling or anything so why bother, but the cravings are still there. I was told the injection's better too, but I already need an injection every three weeks I don't want to have to have to get another every four!

Congrats @JaneOnceMore on going another day without the soda pop! One day at a time

This has been the most humid summer I can ever remember. Last year was hot, but this year is WET and hot. We're in flash flood warnings at least on a weekly basis and just got over a heat wave.

Welcome June! Hope to see you around

That old church sounds lovely. Good luck with the email

I dyed my hair purple this morning!!

Welcome June08!

Sending rays of courage.

@MuddyBoots

Cool!

I can't stay awake today. I'm so tired. Its really bad. I can't keep my eyes open much. I've been dozing off and on all morning. I ate some ice cream around 1AM but I've just been sleeping mostly. I've eaten enough though and I have watched my caffeine intake. My stomach and my head hurts. I just want to sleep all day.

I fell into a deep sleep for an hour. I still can't keep my eyes open much and I'm still tired. My head feels better though.

I am sorry you fell in the shower. bath mats are suppose to work. Did you throw it out and get a new one?
I would not take an shower until you do that.
Can you call about getting a new refill of your welbutrin?
It sounds like a mixed mood episode.
be well
bizi

Sorry you are still struggling with the flu. Isn't that contagious?maybe you can take a break from work and try to get some real sleep. Do you have some cough syrup are you taking an antihistamine?
sorry you are struggling.
bizi

I made it another day without pop and chips. So that makes five out of the last six days. Today i wasn't tempted at all. I've been too nauseous. Still not getting good results in the bathroom. No more blood so at least that's good. But quitting pop has not had the miraculous results i hoped for. I tell myself to be patient, but i'm not very good at that.

Maybe i DO have an intestinal parasite? I go for my blood test on August 10 and they'll give me the stool sample collection kit then. I guess nothing to do for the moment but stay the course. Quitting pop and chips is still a good idea even if it's not having the results i hoped for.

@June08:

I have problems with anger too (off meds). I'm also on Risperidone as part of a cocktail and i can control my anger on meds. Hope it works as well for you!

Anxiety is in full gear. I hardly slept last night. This impending court date has me so nervous, and to top things off, my roommate shared that she wanted to move out. I had to take the Treasurer's position away from her because she was forgetting the deposits and wasn't paying the bills, and now she's butt hurt. I am tired of this Oxford House life; I just want my own place already.

Middle Tennessee don’t play around because when we get hot we freaking melt . Triple digits

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I plan on getting a buzz cut tommorow. I've never gone that short except when I get high top cuts. Where the sides of my head are buzzed and the top is just cut short and then its all blended together.

I'm asking my sister and bil what they think.

I chugged 2 20oz Mountain Dew zeros half an hour ago. 226 mil of caffeine total

Woof

what kind of food are you eating?
bizi

I'm trying to improve my diet.

Today I had some measured out ice cream, a protein bar, a couple pouches of apple sauce, a toaster grilled cheese, a small thing of cottage cheese, and 3oz of London broil.

I also had a Mcdonalds sweet tea. But everything I eat is measured or weighed or counted.

New week coming! Now that all of immediate aftermath of my friend's death and funeral is behind me, I get to address my medication issues. My new insurance starts on Tuesday and I definitely want to hit the ground running. So far, it's looking like Amazon is still my best bet on meds. I'll be getting the final estimate on everything tomorrow.

As far as the GoodRx situation is concerned, I'm still resolved to contacting the FTC over their likely fraud. And I do mean fraud in the "Title 18 of the US Code" context. I've done my due diligence. Time to lay it all out and see what Uncle Sam thinks.