1. < Depression & Anxiety

Downward spiral

Posted by twystd @twystd, Apr 10 11:35am

I have been on a downward spiral since the end of 2023 and it just continues to get worse and worse. I have Bi-polar II my weak link to say when it comes to bi-polar is spending money, most of the money I spend is on myself and for things I quite frankly do not need in the least little but. I have been talking about it a bit with my therapist but haven't been able to see them since the end of March due to a training that I have to take for my current job. Even when I talk to her about it, she's sympathetic and says she understands and in some aspects I feel like she find reasons for me to excuse my behavior. I don't ever have to be held accountable with her and quite frankly I think that helps me to feel alright for my shopping. That's not what this post was suppose to be about, I finally came clean to my psychiatrist about my spending/shopping and she wants to add a medication to what I already take and the medication is trileptal(?) It's an anti psychotic and I looked online at all the possible side effects and it scares me to take it. I stopped taking kolonopin because all I wanted to do was sleep, and that is one of MANY side effects of this new medication. I thought may e I was overreacting and looked at another medication I already take but the list wasn't nearly as long or severe as this new medication. I don't know what to do! Any help, insight or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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lizziel1 | @lizziel1 | Apr 11 10:28am

I would stay away from anti-psychotics. I’ve been on the in the past. All of them caused Tardive Dyskinesia, which is most unpleasant and can become permanent. Plus these meds really do a number on your brain. Fogginess, unreality, like you are stoned.
Seems like a heavy medication for your problems.

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1 reply
pvctom2021 | @pvctom2021 | Apr 11 10:54am

I agree … I was on Zyprexa many years ago for 2 days…and let me tell ya, it was horrible…like I was going to jump out of my skin, on a very bad LSD trip etc…I am suffering from morning anxiety 😥 and take a small dose of Klonopin for GAD…if you must, stay on your doctor’s recommendation for klonopin…my experience with anti psychotics is that they are very powerful drugs…to this day, I don’t know why this person who called himself a psychiatrist would even recommend an anti psychotic….hope this helps..🙏pvctom

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twystd | @twystd | Apr 11 2:16pm
In reply to @lizziel1 "I would stay away from anti-psychotics. I’ve been on the in the past. All of them..." + (show)
@lizziel1

I would stay away from anti-psychotics. I’ve been on the in the past. All of them caused Tardive Dyskinesia, which is most unpleasant and can become permanent. Plus these meds really do a number on your brain. Fogginess, unreality, like you are stoned.
Seems like a heavy medication for your problems.

Jump to this post

I appreciate the feedback! When she was talking about adding another medication she had mentioned a medication I had previously been on but stopped taking due to the fact it was affecting my sex drive and my husband was complaining about it, for the most part Vraylar was doing a good job. Plus it feels like they just want to add more medication instead of recommending to work through it in therapy, etc. But she came in hot with the anti psychotic! I started to immediately looking on my phone at side effects!

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twystd | @twystd | Apr 11 2:17pm

Yeah I have had that with other medications I've taken in the past before they had a name for it! Thank goodness none of them became permanent.

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sharing | @sharing | Apr 12 2:42pm

I’m so sorry you are on the never ending recommendations for new meds when the older ones that have been around for years are just fine. It’s just trial and error until you get the one that works for you. If you need something in addition, personally I have never (I’m 77, female), ever let doctors prescribe or talk me into the latest and supposedly the greatest.

I always say NO. The anti malaria drug, I considered recently because I was having a particularly difficult time with systemic lupus. Well, the side effects were the reasons I was considering it. So, no, I do not care for even more lupus symptoms than I have.

Just something to think about and don’t let anyone bully you into a medication the doctors are just promoting because they are new and sound good enough.

Make them take it…just once…and ask how it made them feel. Ha!

Hope this makes sense.

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1 reply
twystd | @twystd | Apr 12 5:28pm
In reply to @sharing "I’m so sorry you are on the never ending recommendations for new meds when the older..." + (show)
@sharing

I’m so sorry you are on the never ending recommendations for new meds when the older ones that have been around for years are just fine. It’s just trial and error until you get the one that works for you. If you need something in addition, personally I have never (I’m 77, female), ever let doctors prescribe or talk me into the latest and supposedly the greatest.

I always say NO. The anti malaria drug, I considered recently because I was having a particularly difficult time with systemic lupus. Well, the side effects were the reasons I was considering it. So, no, I do not care for even more lupus symptoms than I have.

Just something to think about and don’t let anyone bully you into a medication the doctors are just promoting because they are new and sound good enough.

Make them take it…just once…and ask how it made them feel. Ha!

Hope this makes sense.

Jump to this post

It makes total sense. I just don't know where this stops. I used to be so responsible with my money and my accounts and now I'm like throwing it in the wind, not that I'm rich or anything, I just can't seem to stop

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2 replies
brandysparks | @brandysparks | Apr 13 7:25am
In reply to @twystd "It makes total sense. I just don't know where this stops. I used to be so..." + (show)
@twystd

It makes total sense. I just don't know where this stops. I used to be so responsible with my money and my accounts and now I'm like throwing it in the wind, not that I'm rich or anything, I just can't seem to stop

Jump to this post

@twystd - in the interest of helping & sharing: I have a card from a Professional Organizer I did Zoom sessions with over the past year: OrganizationRules.com, Vickie Dellaquila.

She sent me this TradeMarked card, which I share here (I strongly recommend her services - she is credentialed, has 20++ years of experience, and is a very calming but insightful presence - especially since we did it via Zoom):
"Pause Before Purchase" [TM]:
1. Do I need it?
2. Is this a want?
3. Do I have cash for it?
4. Where will I keep it?
5. How do I feel?
6. Can I pause before purchasing?
_________________________________
I keep it by my computer, which I am on a lot through the day, and it has given me pause, but also thanks to her services, I got over a hump. But there is always more to deal with, and soon I will work with an organizer who can travel to my location (kind of $$$, but hard to find someone who will work confidentially in-home in my area). Will see how that goes, but I just need hands-on help getting through some of the things I really have accumulated and can donate / consign / remove to others who could enjoy them too. Seems it's an ongoing process - for me - but, with help, I am optimistic I can get "through -- beyond -- and over!"

Best wishes. I understand! 😉

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1 reply
marjou | @marjou | Apr 13 9:09am

@twystd I used to do the same thing, but I would turn around and return the items. Then somehow my brain somehow made the connection and eventually I stopped because I felt so bad. Suggestion when returning items, put the credit into a savings account as a positive boost to your brain.

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twystd | @twystd | Apr 13 8:55pm

That does sound like a good idea, the downfall to that is I would have to ship them back and I would probably talk myself out of it by the time I made it to UPS/USPS/ FE EX. I will definitely try it next time! Thank you for your suggestion.

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twystd | @twystd | Apr 13 8:58pm
In reply to @brandysparks "@twystd - in the interest of helping & sharing: I have a card from a Professional..." + (show)
@brandysparks

@twystd - in the interest of helping & sharing: I have a card from a Professional Organizer I did Zoom sessions with over the past year: OrganizationRules.com, Vickie Dellaquila.

She sent me this TradeMarked card, which I share here (I strongly recommend her services - she is credentialed, has 20++ years of experience, and is a very calming but insightful presence - especially since we did it via Zoom):
"Pause Before Purchase" [TM]:
1. Do I need it?
2. Is this a want?
3. Do I have cash for it?
4. Where will I keep it?
5. How do I feel?
6. Can I pause before purchasing?
_________________________________
I keep it by my computer, which I am on a lot through the day, and it has given me pause, but also thanks to her services, I got over a hump. But there is always more to deal with, and soon I will work with an organizer who can travel to my location (kind of $$$, but hard to find someone who will work confidentially in-home in my area). Will see how that goes, but I just need hands-on help getting through some of the things I really have accumulated and can donate / consign / remove to others who could enjoy them too. Seems it's an ongoing process - for me - but, with help, I am optimistic I can get "through -- beyond -- and over!"

Best wishes. I understand! 😉

Jump to this post

I will definitely have to print a copy of that. Thank you so much for wanting to help.

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