I lost an entire day today. That has not happened in a while. I’ve been traveling to see friends and for the most part, I’ve had a wonderful time. I was able to work with my friend Lorraine as we are both writers. When Lorraine went back to her regular job, my concentration and ability to work plummeted. I’m used to this. Yesterday, I made myself work using my normal techniques and ideas. I made sure I told Lorraine the projects I was going to get done so that I could show them to her when she got back. It’s a technique that works. When I know I have to show my work to someone, I can focus more.
Then today… I am in Florida, so I wanted to go to the beach. The plan was to drive there, walk on the beach and write [ Read More ]
I just read all the blogs and comments on Lamictal (and the generic Lamotrigine) and they really answered a lot of questions for me. First off, and I know you’re not supposed to do this, but my daughter had some left over meds when she tried it, so I used those up before I refilled my prescription. I noticed a couple of different things that happened to me while taking her prescription, but I blew them off not even thinking about them until I read the blogs. The first one was a twitch I got in my left hand when using the computer mouse and the second one is the rash that I got on my chest just above the breast. I am very thankful that you talk so much about Lamictal side effects. The only thing is these symptoms [ Read More ]
What a wonderful place with wonderful weather. I am certainly having a good time. My mood is stable and I look forward to each day. This has to do with the friends I’m visiting and … the weather. I leave next week and I’m literally dreading going back to dreary Portland, Oregon. It’s really a problem.
It’s not only seasonal affective disorder, it’s the gloom of it getting dark at three when I have to work on my own. Does this make sense? I will not leave Portland as its charms far outweigh my dislike of the weather, but I have to follow my own ideas and get ready for the inevitable. I just put a SAD article on the blog- you can read it a few entries below. I will follow what it says!
I’m actually teaching a class on how to prevent and manage SAD when I get back to [ Read More ]
Sorry guys, I am going to be a broken record for a few days about my travels and how they affect bipolar disorder. I’m on the East Coast and wow, I have had sleep problems. Last night I stayed up late (midnight) to watch the football playoffs and when I finally got to bed I had visions of Payton Manning (quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts) throwing the ball all night. Then I heard words from the game and words from the conversations with my friends. I really love being with people, but I easily get overstimulated. It’s not good for me.
This brain chatter is like having a train go through my head. It just won’t turn off. I have a section in my book Get it Done When You’re Depressed called Expect Brain Chatter. I just read that strategy again. It’s true- the running commentary in your head that keeps going even when you’re [ Read More ]
Well, I have been traveling for a week- first to Texas and now in Florida. It has been great, but I have had a lot of sleep and medication problems.
I am really uncomfortable as I write this- I have what I call the Lamictal twitches and I feel like I’m going to crawl out of my skin. I hate it. I’m pretty sure I took my dose this morning, so this is odd. It’s amazing how uncomfortable these side effects can be. It’s hard to live with sometimes- but the Lamictal is worth it for me.
Actually, I should say Lamotrigine as I am now on the generic. Who knows if the side effects worsened because of the medication change. I have not seen a change in my moods, so that is all that matters. There is a big discussion on the generic Lamictal on the blog- if you go to the [ Read More ]
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