Oh my, the socialite has changed. That’s me. I made two huge goals this year regarding health and wealth. They take a great deal of concentration, planning and wellness. To stay well enough to work the 20-25 hours a week I know I’m capable of working, I had to make great changes- in many ways they require a lot of sacrifice. Here are a few…
- I go home early instead of hanging out, talking and drinking with friends. I’m home by 10PM on most nights and try to have lights out by midnight. This is hard when I get slightly manic, but I still make myself get in bed. I always need sleep meds, but they work a LOT better if I take care of my ‘sleep hygiene’ first!
- I can’t listen to anything too stimulating before bed such as loud music, conversations, DVD’s etc. I listen to calm sports radio shows or Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me from National Public Radio here in the States. I know that if I go to karaoke and stay past 11, I will have trouble getting to sleep. It’s fine to hit karaoke once or twice a week, but more than that messes up my schedule!
It’s not as boring as it may sound. I still go out at night- I just don’t stay out late and I’m always sure to hang out with people who make me feel GOOD about myself!
How do you manage your sleep?
julie
Hey Julie,
Keeping the same routine as often as possible really helps me. But if I do have to get off schedule, I remind myself it’s just temporary and adjust my mindset. I find that tv is not good for me. I need the lights down and some ‘quiet’ music to calm things a bit before I can sleep. Loud noises bother me all the time so I try to keep things quiet especially when preparing for bedtime!
Goodnight! debbie
Hi, Julie!
I set a goal of losing 25 pounds by my November birthday. As of last Saturday, I’ve lost eight pounds already. Hurrah! My pants already fit better! I can’t wait to ditch my size 16’s for smaller sizes.
That’s what I’ve done for my health. As for wealth, I’m paying with cash or my debit card, not credit cards. That helps a lot! My boyfriend also pointed out that when I get paid, I’m likely to purchase items for other people (like carseats for his daughter’s children). He said that while this is nice, I really cannot afford to continue doing this. I agree wholeheartedly! One thing I need to insist upon is that my children get jobs of their own this summer to help with their “luxuries”, such as lacrosse. I had jobs when I was their age, it’s time they enjoy the same thrill of earning their own money. 🙂
Sandra
Hi Julie,
I switched from brand to generic and didn’t notice much except that my chest stopped hurting. I do notice that I have more racing thoughts than I did on the brand, but the payoff is to be able to breath without feeling like I’m having a heart attack. My generic pills are small white diamond shaped pills with a “39” on them. I was scared that they weren’t the real generic lamotrigine but I’m sure they are. I’m going to go to Walgreens to make sure though. Only reason I say this is because i’ve had a few days of feeling blue and negative and I want to make sure i have the right meds. The brand Lamictal worked right off the bat. I didn’t know I was bipolar. I’ve struggled with depression all of my life but I thought it was normal to avoid social situations and not have much motivation from depression. I finally got off my meds last year and went 6 months until I could really tell my doctor how I felt. Not suggested for anyone, but it was a life saver. Now i’m really hoping that lamotigine is right for me. I may have to take Abilify if it isn’t. I’m so tired of med changes and not being stable. I’m 44 and would like to really learn who I am and how to live. I am so glad I found this on the internet. You are a true blessing. Thanks
My sleep pattern really isnt good, but its the best I can seem to schedule for this present time, I cant get to bed before 1am if I do, its every 2hrs im awake, but if I go after that, either 2 or 3 am I will get 6hrs straight off the trott, without any interruptions, so I maintain the latter schedule, but I also find that throughout the day, when Im either on a bus on in the car as a passenger, or in church, I fight to keep my eyes open, Ive lately began trying a nap in afternoon to see if this combats the fighting eyes open periods but it doesnt really help.
I take 30mg of Baclofen a muscle relaxant for RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) which helps with that, but Im wondering if that is the reason for the sleepiness during daytime at these ‘quieter’ periods.
I am having a big problem with loosing hair though, its due to the Dapekote im taking as its a side effect, its now giving me very much concern, anyone else had any experience with hair loss due to med?
My doc has wrote to my Psychiatrist about this to see about a change, or I’ll end up baldy, the Dapekote seem to be a good med to, I would be happy to remain on it but not at the expense of loosing my hair.
I would appreciate any response please from any of you regards this, thank you.