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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on July 22, 2009, at 23:50:15
But I think I need to add Risperdal to my nightly meds for a few weeks. For some reason, I'm having a lot of trouble holding on to mood stability.
Posted by friesandcoke on July 23, 2009, at 0:55:40
In reply to Well therapy does help, posted by Dinah on July 22, 2009, at 23:50:15
You know the expression 'you gotta do what you gotta do'. If the ris. is going to help you, take it. i take cymbalta right now and would love to go to a psychiatrist who could evaluate if i need something more. my family doctor gives me the cymbalta and he knows nothing about psych meds. around where i live getting an appointment with a pyschiatrist is next to impossible. one office i called had a waiting list and i would have been number 71 on the list to get in. that is, 70 people ahead of me. i did drive to a place an hour and a half one way to get an appointment but there is no way i could make a 3 hour trip (including both ways) as often as would be necessary. that is one heck of a long trip simply because there aren't any available doctors nearby. i live in the sticks! but back to you..take the ris. if you know it will help. i am sorry you aren't feeling like you wish you could. ((((hugs)))))
Posted by Dinah on July 23, 2009, at 8:29:40
In reply to Re: Well therapy does help, posted by friesandcoke on July 23, 2009, at 0:55:40
That must be hard! Is it hard to find therapists too? I'm so used to there being a wide assortment of therapists, but I can only imagine the difficulties if there weren't. Pdocs are a bit scarce here now (though not as scarce as where you are), but the one who moved after Katrina sent his clients to a handful of others. I've got one of them, and I figure I'm better off staying than trying to search again.
I see my pdoc four times a year now, but it was more in the beginning. Three hours round trip four times a year might not be that bad, but more often than that might be a problem.
I really hope it works. Not only have my moods been unstable, but I've been trying to self regulate with food. I'm eating everything in sight. If I don't eat until I'm stuffed, it feels like I haven't eaten for days. I can't afford to gain any weight, so I need to get this under control.
Posted by Dinah on July 23, 2009, at 9:15:12
In reply to Re: Well therapy does help » friesandcoke, posted by Dinah on July 23, 2009, at 8:29:40
I can't even believe I'm able to eat this much.
In general, despite my weight, I don't eat a huge amount. What I do eat is high in calories, but I don't usually consume mass quantities.
Posted by Nadezda on July 23, 2009, at 11:03:51
In reply to I have really got to stop eating, posted by Dinah on July 23, 2009, at 9:15:12
It's something I've noticed too, Dinah-- that when you're in a certain binging type mood, or state of mind, you can consume huge amounts of food. I've eaten a lot when I'm really anxious, and my mind is spinning-- and I honestly could eat several large containers of yogurt without noticing. Normally, I can only eat a cup or so. It's like the food isn't really food-- it takes on some other quality-- so the volume doesn't have the same effect on your body. I've never quite understood it--
But then I tend to eat large quantities of lower-calorie foods-- in general== sporadically-- and I seem to have a low-intensity mood like that fairly often. But when it gets bad-- it's really disturbing.
I'm glad you're taking the risperdal- I have no qualms about meds, if (and since) I need them. It's the right thing to do--for yourself and those whom you care about. Taking care of yourself is absolutely essential.
Equilibrium can be an elusive thing-- and it's so frustrating when you have a hard time with keeping things stable-- but I emphatically agree that that therapy does help. I'm sure this is a phase-- and, like many things, you'll work through it admirably. You've done that so many times in the past. It's something you have a right to count on in yourself.
In the meantime, though, I'm glad you're doing what you can.
(((hugs)))
Nadezda
Posted by Dinah on July 23, 2009, at 11:21:57
In reply to Re: I have really got to stop eating » Dinah, posted by Nadezda on July 23, 2009, at 11:03:51
I suppose if I've changed at all it's that I'm more self aware and can take steps to mitigate what harm I do to myself.
Risperdal has a paradoxical effect on me with regular use. Short term regular use anyway. It makes me less hungry, not more. So maybe that will help.
And therapy usually helps too. Though right now my obsession seems to be about abandonment and caring, so it seems like I leave therapy feeling more upset than when I came. But I suppose it's at least focusing those fears on someone who can take it.
I keep trying to focus on the fact that no one thing will fix this, but a lot of small things can ease it.
Unfortunately eating is one of those things. Eating really does have a sedative effect on me, and I know I overeat to feel sleepy sometimes. But this feels more like trying to fill an unfillable emptiness.
I wish I liked low calorie foods. :) Yogurt leaves me, even in the best of times, with a need to hold it down in my stomach with something bready.
Thanks, Nadezda.
How are you doing, by the way?
Posted by antigua3 on July 23, 2009, at 12:09:16
In reply to Re: I have really got to stop eating » Nadezda, posted by Dinah on July 23, 2009, at 11:21:57
I could be way off base here, but you mentioned your current obsession is about abandonment and caring. Isn't the anniversary of Katrina coming up? (I'm sorry, I don't remember the date of when it hit). If so, it would be natural for these feelings to erupt at this time, given what you went through w/your T during this time.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming,
antigua
Posted by emmanuel98 on July 23, 2009, at 21:39:14
In reply to Re: I have really got to stop eating » Dinah, posted by antigua3 on July 23, 2009, at 12:09:16
This may not be your experience, Dinah, but I gained 12 pounds in one month on risperdal. I didn't eat any more than usual, I just started gaining weight uncontrollably. The same thing happened with abilify and zyprexa. The worst part is that I suffer from really severe, deep depressions and this class of drugs will pull me out of it within 72 hours. Nothing else we've tried works. But I get fat from these drugs. In the past three years, after multiple trials of these drugs, I have gained a net of 40 pounds. I gained weight, went off the drugs, lost 23 pounds, got psychotically depressed, went back on, gained all the weight back. went off, lost weight, went back on, gained it all back and more. Went off, lost weight again.
I finally forswore this class of drugs and am now trying and MAOI. So far it hasn't helped, but I only went up to the full dose a week ago, so we'll see.
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2009, at 12:02:17
In reply to Re: I have really got to stop eating » Dinah, posted by antigua3 on July 23, 2009, at 12:09:16
It's possible.
I'm so bad at time that anniversaries don't usually mean anything to me. I need other jogs to my memory. I'll always remember one dog's death because I sat up with her on Halloween. So trick or treaters and pumpkins bring it viscerally to mind.
And lovebugs splattering on the car windshield remind me of Katrina. I think they start splattering next month.
I suspect that whenever I get unstable, I start to cling. Clinging makes me fear that the things I cling to may disappear.
Also, my therapist doesn't do particularly well with clinging or the behaviors I exhibit when I cling. That makes me even more anxious.
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2009, at 12:36:27
In reply to Re: I have really got to stop eating, posted by emmanuel98 on July 23, 2009, at 21:39:14
I'm rarely on Risperdal long term, but the times I have been on it for more than a few days at a time, I find it makes me feel more energetic and less hungry. But in the long run, that would probably reverse itself.
I might be able to do away with my therapist if I could take Risperdal long term. I call it ego strength in a bottle. But I know that because of my diabetes, Risperdal has more side effects and is more dangerous to my health than therapy. Although when therapy isn't going well, I wonder. Therapy and Risperdal both serve the same function.
I'm sorry you haven't found any meds that are as effective. I've had the same experience you have. This class of drugs is the most effective for me, even on an as needed basis.
Posted by Dinah on July 25, 2009, at 12:41:36
In reply to Re: I have really got to stop eating » emmanuel98, posted by Dinah on July 25, 2009, at 12:36:27
And they weren't pretty. 9.8 I'm not even sure why they were that high, since for most of that time I ate less than usual and lost weight. It's supposed to measure the long term blood glucose levels.
I have to take a new medication now, and I'm really upset and depressed.
I called my therapist to leave a crying message on his machine, but I didn't ask him to call back, so he didn't. However, I did call earlier and tell him I didn't want to see him in the office I usually see him in anymore. He has too much trouble staying awake and focused. He's much better in teh other office. I considered that a request to reschedule, and I really thought that required a return phone call. Apparently he considers it something we can discuss in the office I told him I no longer wish to see him in.
Bah.
Why? Why? Why?
Why him?
Posted by softheprairie on July 28, 2009, at 2:56:23
In reply to My quarterly A1c numbers came in, posted by Dinah on July 25, 2009, at 12:41:36
> And they weren't pretty. 9.8 I'm not even sure why they were that high, since for most of that time I ate less than usual and lost weight. It's supposed to measure the long term blood glucose levels.
>
> I have to take a new medication now, and I'm really upset and depressed.
>
> I called my therapist to leave a crying message on his machine, but I didn't ask him to call back, so he didn't. However, I did call earlier and tell him I didn't want to see him in the office I usually see him in anymore. He has too much trouble staying awake and focused. He's much better in teh other office. I considered that a request to reschedule, and I really thought that required a return phone call. Apparently he considers it something we can discuss in the office I told him I no longer wish to see him in.
>
> Bah.
>
> Why? Why? Why?
>
> Why him?
I'll try to be supportive of you with such a foul A1c and uncooperating t, but I did have an appointment with a CDE (certified diabetes educator) Monday and saw my primary care dr. about a week ago, and I've been mopey that my diabetes is so well-controled that my dr. won't even let me try Byetta. I've been *so* heartily yearning to try Byetta since soon after my diagnosis of type 2 diabetes about a year ago, when my relative told my mom about that med helping my cousin easily lose 40 pounds, although for his dad, my uncle, the side effects were too negative to stay on it.
The CDE and PCP really harp on the behavioral changes being what I need to focus on, but I'm so much more interested in the easy ways (meds or the duodenal switch, which is the type of weight loss surgery I'm currently obsessing over and trying to get approved for. It has awesome rates of totally resolving people's type 2 diabetes.) :(
Anywho, if you haven't tried Byetta, your A1c sure sounds like it would be justified to try. And the bonus may be easy weight loss. Can that be a silver lining to the bad news? I know it doesn't help w/ t not being responsive, though.
Posted by Dinah on July 28, 2009, at 13:05:07
In reply to Re: My quarterly A1c numbers came in » Dinah, posted by softheprairie on July 28, 2009, at 2:56:23
Looking back over my numbers in the last year, I'm surprised he didn't add something a year ago. They went up and down a lot. Last quarter was 7.
We had talked about Byetta maybe a year ago, and I was surprised that wasn't what he prescribed given that I know the conversation was in his records. He was all set to prescribe it when my next quarter was lower. He went with Januvia instead, which also has weight loss claims. I haven't noticed anything, but I've only been on it two days.
I think I'm feeling a bit better about the whole thing now that I recall our discussing it a year ago. Apparently I can be good at forgetting.
Did you like your educator? I haven't seen one yet. I did see two nutritionists. The second one was ok, but the first one made me cry. Everything she recommended involved low fat yogurt and cottage cheese. It put me off anyone in the field, I think.
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this too. I admit that I am not a particularly good patient. :(
I suppose I'll have to dig up my glucose meter. My doctor sort of discouraged my taking detailed readings, since he considered my quarterlies ok.
Posted by softheprairie on July 28, 2009, at 17:41:07
In reply to Re: My quarterly A1c numbers came in » softheprairie, posted by Dinah on July 28, 2009, at 13:05:07
He went with Januvia instead, which also has weight loss claims.
Oh, you caused me to learn something new today. I had not heard that about Januvia.
>
>
> Did you like your educator? I haven't seen one yet. I did see two nutritionists. The second one was ok, but the first one made me cry. Everything she recommended involved low fat yogurt and cottage cheese. It put me off anyone in the field, I think.Yes, so far all 3 of the ones I've met I've liked. One I know socially, not in her professional capacity, and she is one of my favorite people, and the next one I had an appt. with around a year ago, and I found her very personable. I tried to get an appt. w/ her this year, but she is only taking appts. having to do with insulin pumps now, and my diabetes isn't bad enough to need that. So, I was sent to a new person the other day, and I found her good to work with also, although not quite as much as the other two. Maybe I'm still just sort of displeased with the truth of what she had to say, you know, the behavioral things that I don't want to do.
I am a little surprised I haven't broken down crying at a CDE appt, I often have ended up in tears at other medical appts, and this has only let up with my pdoc/t in about the last year.>
> I'm sorry you're having to deal with this too. I admit that I am not a particularly good patient. :(
>Thank you. I know I should keep in mind and be grateful that mine is still in just an early stage and things can be done to stymie it. It's just that I am miserable doing things like exercise and calorie counting.
> I suppose I'll have to dig up my glucose meter. My doctor sort of discouraged my taking detailed readings, since he considered my quarterlies ok.
I've never heard of diabetes advice to not keep good track of glucose levels with home testing. That just seems bizarre to me.
Posted by Dinah on July 28, 2009, at 18:33:53
In reply to Re: My quarterly A1c numbers came in » Dinah, posted by softheprairie on July 28, 2009, at 17:41:07
It seemed bizarre to me too.
Initially it was relayed through his nurse not to worry about the test readings as long as the quarterlies were ok.
It seemed so improbable to me that I repeated it back to him at our next appointment. I told him I hadn't been bothering with testing my blood because he had told me that it wasn't important as long as the quarterlies were ok. I don't recall precisely what he said, but it wasn't "Ack no! I didn't mean that! Please test your blood!"
So I was happy to have such an easygoing doctor and put it out of my mind.
However, Januvia and Byetta can both lead to blood sugars that are too low, so I guess I need to dust off my test strips and see if they are still any good.
I sometimes think I ought to seek out a specialist, but... I don't like doctors much in general and this one doesn't scare me senseless so I tend to let things ride.
I spoke to my therapist about all this today and he seems pretty easy going too, as does my husband. It would feel weird to me to care more than anyone around me cares.
Posted by TherapyGirl on July 28, 2009, at 19:45:14
In reply to My quarterly A1c numbers came in, posted by Dinah on July 25, 2009, at 12:41:36
We have the same T, just different gender. It's that thing they do when they're Ts unless it isn't convenient and then their office workers.
I'm sorry about all of it, Dinah. Please take care of yourself.
Posted by Dinah on July 30, 2009, at 0:45:20
In reply to Re: My quarterly A1c numbers came in » Dinah, posted by TherapyGirl on July 28, 2009, at 19:45:14
:(
Yes. I'd almost hate him if I thought he did it on purpose. The sad thing is that I know he wants to be there for me. But someday he won't be, and I'll be hurt.
I think the same is true of yours.
This is the end of the thread.
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