For me it was a week full of therapy, but I got through once again so I give it a 5. I realized that I don't have asthma, which is a good thing, but I just can't seem to get out the door without having to dry heave and vomit. :( I was again painfully honest with my therapist(s) and this is helping. I addressed the issue of BiPolar disorder and found out that for me its depression, anxiety, and my therapist has asked me to read about codependency. She in my opinion is suspecting this also. We also delved into the issue I have with crossdressing, as I developed this situation about three years ago during a distressing time. Its taken me nearly three years to get comfortable speaking of this, but now the world knows, though in a round-abour kind of way. I did however elect to take some time away from Graduate School as I need some time to just not have to worry about keeping up my 3.75 GPA. I've realized I might not want to get the MBA but with the encouoraging of my therapist may look into becoming a therapist. She said who can help someone feeling down then someone who has been there. And three weeks ago I was there. Feeling so isolated and defeated I just wanted to go away. Yet they were just thoughts, though scary. I think too that it would be such a positive and engaging profession to help someone. Maybe its because the place I'm at (my therapist) really took the time to get to understand me. There is a log track to go, yet I feel I'm where I should be. And that is a great feeling. It is like this forum, I don't know anyone yet there seems to be magic in writing.

Merely Me, Health Guide

2/ 1/11 8:03pm

Hi Rick

 

It seems as though you are going through a process of self discovery and this is a good thing but it can be draining.  I am glad you have found support here and that you enjoy sharing and writing.  I hope this site proves to be healing for you.  Please keep writing and we look forward to hearing more from you.

Rick44

2/ 2/11 10:59am

Thanks for your kind words. I've always been the type of person to not want to get involved in sharing my innermost thoughts with strangers, but it is proving to be quite a positive experience.

merci bien for providing this type of forum for expression. You'll never know how glad I am to have come across it.

Rick

1.  How would your rate your week on a scale of 1-10? 7

2.  What were the challenges you faced this week?  How did you cope? I had my dinner knocked out of my hands when eating out (it was one of those places where they page you when your meal is ready and you take it back to the table yourself - as I was walking back a guy gestured wildly sitting at a table I was passing and knocked the plate flying). It smashed all over the floor and everyone looked and made sounds of astonishment... very embarrassing. I got a replacement meal though and just tried not to make a big deal out of it.

That same day I had tickets to see a performance that I booked online and when I got there they had no record that I had paid! Luckily the ticket guy had an iphone and I was able to show him my email confirming the transaction.

Both times I just tried to let things go as they would because I had little to no control of the situation. I was actually surprised I didn't get too upset or anxious.

3.  What were the highlights or the good aspects of this week? The show I saw was Eddie Perfect and he was really funny (he is a comedian and singer). I also saw a friend perform some theatre and chatted with a couple of people from the course I went to last year. I had some time to myself because I did some cat-sitting for a friend and stayed at her apartment for just under a week whilst doing that (there was a challenge there too cause the guy she rents the place from was there the first couple of nights so I had to be all social and deal with living in a place with a strange guy in his fifties... but he was pleasant enough, even if he did like to talk about himself alot).

Ricovring

1/29/11 9:57pm

Way to go lyrastorm. Nice to se you had a good week.

Merely Me, Health Guide

2/ 1/11 8:11pm

Oh hey...a 7...that is very good!

 

Sounds like you had an interesting week and that you rolled with the punches.  You sound upbeat and very positive.  Can't wait to hear more about the days ahead!

Hi Merely Me,

I haven't been visiting the sites as frequently as I used to, but I saw this post and thought I would catch you up. I went off the Citalopram prescription that I was on. (I took Citalopram for depression associated with PTSD, and I still take Propranolol for tremors associated with neurological problems.) I 've been off Citalopram for a month now and doing ok. I had a big dip in attitude about a week after quitting. I had some panic problems at night but, knowing that it was tied to going off the drug, I just worked through it. I think the Propranolol has a little bit of a calming influence so I guess I'm not completely "cold-turkey" though.

Take care

Merely Me, Health Guide

2/ 1/11 8:18pm

Hello KJ

 

Yes it has been awhile!  Did you ever get an official diagnosis of MS?  What made you decide to stop your antidepressant?  Are you doing okay?

 

Thanks so much for your update.  Don't be a stranger to the sites...we look forward to hearing more from you.

KJ

2/ 1/11 8:52pm

Hi!

 

I left the antidepressents probably for all the wrong reasons. I had the feeling that I was missing something by being on the medication. I didn't want to feel that I needed them to get by and I decided that I would risk a little pain and a few bad days for the sense of being more in control. I was separated from my wife and kids for a long time due to my work situation and we are all back together, so I feel I have a safety net now that I didn't have a year or two ago when I started on Citalopram. I was also having some sexual side effects from the medications I was on. I am still on Propranolol for tremors and between that and the antidepressents, things just weren't as good as they should be.

 

I have not been diagnosed with MS, but I have really been doing much better for about a year and a half. The tremors are sometimes bad (even with the drugs) and I still have many strange symptoms, but cognitively I'm doing really good. I have a new doctor who wants me to just monitor my symptoms. If there is a major change she will schedule another MRI, but there's just not enough happening that will help lead to a diagnosis. I frequently feel like posting to the Health Central MS page, but I feel like I'm just reporting on the latest weird twitch, sensation, visual quirk, pain, spasm (fill in the blank) and not getting anything more than a little sympathy and still no diagnosis. I'm at a stage with my health that I would rather not dwell on the limited bad stuff when there is so much good stuff.

 

I don't know what brought me to this page. I'm traveling temporarily and sitting in a hotel room with some time on my hands and just decided to check in on the pages that gave me so much support when I really needed it.

 

Thanks for being here.