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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 9/6/2008 10:11:24 PM
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agapetos
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I spoke to one of the psychologists last week. When I was initially referred I had an appointment to discuss and assess my needs from a psychologist and then placed on the waiting list. The psychologist that I spoke with last week was the one I saw initially. She said that she would like to see me to continue therapy with me, if I was happy with that. I was! There is still a wait and I'm not sure quite how long that will be. She's due to increase her hours and is waiting for the paperwork to go through and they are in the process of replacing the psychologist I was seeing who left. She has said that I can phone her if I need want to speak with her about anything and if I feel my mental health is deteriorating to get in touch ~ which is something my doctor and social worker will also do to.
I also saw my doctor. After speaking with my psychiatrist, I chickened out of reducing my meds, not sure if I was totally stable. My doctor was very encouraging and we discussed the pros and cons and I've started to reduce the first medication. I will be seeing my doctor in a couple of weeks so she will be able to assess how things are going for me. I also have another blood test for the end of this month to check my thyroid function again.
I spoke with my sister today. She was quite upset about a situation one of her daughters is in. My mother has mentioned her (my mother's) side, my sister's another and it's difficult to know which one of them is telling the truth. Even if I was there, I doubt I'd get the real story from either of them. The situation my niece is in is not good, but it's not something that I feel able to discuss here. Hopefully my niece will realise the situation she is in and get out of it.
I've been making jam and pickles this week. Not quite sure why, just felt in the mood to make some! I've quite enjoyed it, but think my house is a bit confused as to what it should smell like ~ jam or pickle! I've been in touch with someone I'm at school with and we were talking about jams, so I am thinking of sending her a jar that she expressed interest in, depending on how much it will cost. I don't think it's that expensive to mail. I haven't mentioned sending it to her, just in case it is. I made pineapple and chilli pickle today and need to leave it for at least 8 weeks for the flavours to develop. Right now, it tastes pretty good though! 
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Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 9/18/2008 4:40:20 PM
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agapetos
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I've been struggling the past week or so for some reason. I wonder if it's still thyroid problems. I saw a doctor this morning. It wasn't my usual one, but one I've seen and spoken with on several occassions recently. She confirmed that I had a boil and prescribed antibiotics  for me. Then she asked how I was (despite the fact she was running late with her appointments anyway) and gave me time to talk through a few things and make some decisions about what to do ~ including putting my meds up again for a while to see how things go.
I saw my social worker yesterday. I confess that I have mixed feelings about her right now. She said something to me yesterday which I felt a bit patronising, and when the doctor asked me how I was getting on with her this morning, I related it, and she felt the same about it!
I'm still in the jam/pickle/preserving mood and enjoying it. I sent my friend some caramalised apple jam and they really enjoyed it (she said). I'm giving another friend some too, together with some marmalade. I made a ton of piccalilli last week (for some reason more than twice the amount the recipe said it would make!).
When I was making the piccalilli though, I bent to get something out of a cupboard and felt and explosion in my knee. I ended up crawling across the floor and pulling myself up into a chair because I couldn't stand on it. While the pain remained, I was able to walk on it a little later but decided that I needed to check with the doctor about it. She said I'd ruptured a cyst (called a Baker's cyst) behind my knee (internally). It's much better than it was, but still uncomfortable at the end of the day.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 10/10/2008 6:26:37 PM
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agapetos
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Seems like a long time since I last posted anything and I thought I'd better do so before I forgot I had a blog! 
I saw my social worker this week and spoke with her about things that she had said and the way she said them. She took it quite well and apologised and I think we sorted a few things out. She needs to update my care plan the next time she sees me and there will be more opportunity to discuss things then, if necessary.
My father and stepmother are coming down tomorrow. We're going to the theatre. My stepmother did a spur of the moment idea about it and I didn't check into it. Having done so, I don't really like the sound of it.
Had a blood test last week and the lab didn't send the results through. Spoke with my doctor about it earlier in the week, then saw her on Thursday and she ended up phoning for them. My thyroid is still out, so my meds have gone up again. I've told her I was aiming to beat the highest strength she'd prescribed for anyone (she told me what it was!).
The weather is getting colder, but is still bright and sunny a lot. I still have tomatoes and strawberries growing and ripening! Not much else though.
I spoke with a lady at the WI last week and asked her what I needed to do to start selling jams and such. She gave me the forms today. I need some further info from her before I decide finally and I need to do a very simple course, which I can do online. Just need the money for that, but it's not too expensive.
Spoke with my mother last week. She started fussing at the fact her brother, my uncle never phoned her, and so didn't care about her. I pointed out that she very rarely phoned me and when she did, it was generally in response to my having sent her something.
Not sure what else I have to say... I need to go get some shut eye though!
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 11/4/2008 7:16:47 AM
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agapetos
Posts: 9760
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Another quick update.
Believe it or not, my (from today) beloved (NOT) former phone company used their automated service to call me yesterday am to inform me that they were going to charge me late payment fees ~ and yes, they're still wanting the full amount, not the correct amount! I spoke to someone yesterday (yet again) and told them that the reason I was switching service was because of their attitude and lack of customer service and I had no intention of paying the late fees.
My computer is still deader than a dodo and I'm actually thinking of scraping some money together for a new one, instead of getting the old one (it's 7 years old now) repaired. I had a quick look at new ones today and there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between repairs and replacement. It's something for me to think about though ~ and while money is tight right now, it'll ease up considerably in the next month.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 11/13/2008 5:48:03 AM
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agapetos
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Well I took the plunge and have ordered a new computer and sorted out an internet supplier. Will still take a couple of weeks to sort out properly but I'm getting there.
Still doing war with my former telephone company. I have written a formal letter of complaint now to them, and will await their response. My new telephone company has been very helpful so far!
I have been having some problems with my thumb over the past few months and whenever I made a doctors appointment, something more pressing to discuss came up, so I didn't mention it to her. However, finally a few weeks ago, I had the apppointment and she checked it and sent me off for an xray. I saw her this week and it seems I have athritis. I said that I'd begun to feel the same problems in my other thumb and had problems with my neck and shoulder too. She thinks that they're all connected and has prescribed a med that's been shown to have really good results ~ just look like horse pills! Will be a while before we know if it's effective or not.
Not much else to say that I can think of...
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 12/3/2008 5:35:42 PM
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agapetos
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I can't help but feel that I've neglected my blog recently. There doesn't seem to be a lot to say right now, but I'm consicious of having not posted for a while.
Something to say though... after receiving the letter from my last phone service company, I decided to write to the Chairman about the situation. I outlined the problems that I'd had and expressed my feelings towards their service. Within a week I received a phone call from someone who worked in the chairman's office. He started off by apologising and admitted their customer services had gone from bad to worse. No arguement from me on that one! He went on to say that he was removing the late payment charges and would send me a credit note to confirm this. He also said that he intended to do as I had suggested and waive the entire bill, given the problems that I'd had.
I asked for confirmation in writing. I had to laugh when the letter arrived because it said that they were sorry about the 'poor customer I had received'.
So far, my new phone service hasn't given me any problems.
The weather has turned cold here and snow is predicted for most of the UK. The area I live in generally misses a lot of it, but we'll get a frost and ice probably.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 12/22/2008 12:12:32 PM
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agapetos
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My grandmother died a few years ago and I was given an old photo of her and my grandfather (who died when I was small). The photo was a big one and had lots of background in it, so I scanned it and altered it and then printed it out a bunch of times. I also scanned a photo of my father and 2 of his sisters (one died earlier this year) and printed those out. All went to various members of my family. I thought I'd posted them last week, but when I was sorting some stuff out, I found the envelopes! They went in the post today. Not sure if they'll get there in time for Christmas, but they will shortly afterwards.
I decided to open another bank account to enable me to sort my finances out. I applied with one bank some weeks ago and hand't heard anything so called them today ~ to discover that they haven't any details on their system (despite having sent me something). I went into another bank today and saw someone and sorted everything out very quickly. I have my bank account and sort code and everything else will follow in the next couple of weeks. The bank I went to today was actually the first bank I opened an account with, many years ago.
I have a crazy cat laying on a storage unit staring at me. I woke up very early this morning and so fed her pretty early ~ and I suspect she's hoping for her supper early now. Poor kitty. I have a beautiful photo of her sitting on one of my window sills ~ and I printed that out when I was printing the family photos. I've put that in a frame. Despite printing it out on the wrong side of the paper, it looks good. One day I may get round to printing it out again.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 1/5/2009 11:22:42 AM
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agapetos
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Well, I finally heard from the first bank I applied to for an account. They wrote to me last week and confirmed that I could have an account and would send me all the stuff I needed in the next few days... haven't heard anything yet. I'm happy to let that one go though and stay with the new one I do have and have everything set up for, with money in it, and am using!
I think most of my family received the photos that I sent them. Not sure if my mother did. The last time I spoke with her, she said she hadn't received anything, so I'll perhaps have to do that again. My sister got hers though and my father saw them and he really liked the one of him and his sisters so I told my sister to tell him that I'd sent him and his sister one each. My father also has some photos of his parents and (for some reason) my parents wedding album so I'll be able to get copies of those.
My social worker has been helping me claim for a benefit that I receive, but she thinks I should get at a higher level. We filled in forms to ask them to review my case and they responded that they didn't see any need for a change, so we need to appeal it. I find it very difficult filling forms in and telling someone just how bad things are for me. Not only do I feel vulnerable, but I feel guilty about asking for money in this way.
I have a blood test tomorrow and a health check next week with my GP ~ that's an annual thing they get paid for when they see patients with certain health problems ~ but it's worth going to discuss things that don't always come up in a regular appointment. I also need to take Munchie to the vets so the nurse can give her a pedicure.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 1/9/2009 5:54:52 PM
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agapetos
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I had a lovely letter from my aunt this morning, thanking me for the photo I had sent her at Christmas. She said that she would treasure it always. I'm so glad that she took the time to write to me, her words meant a great deal to me.
I ordered Munchie some necessary supplies today. Normally the company is very fast, but they are out of stock on one of the items so it could be a week or so before I receive anything. I've got a voucher that I can use off my next shop from the company so that will help with some food when I next need some.  While I can get everything that she needs locally, it's easier for me to have it delivered ~ carrying a 5kg bag of food isn't fun, nor is carrying larger bags of cat litter! 
I've been busy setting up direct debits and standing orders with my new bank account. I think most of them are now done. I'm hoping that it's going to make my life easier! Right now, I seem to have a job staying warm.
I'm trying to work out if I have a cold or something at the moment.... felt a bit off colour for a little while, but it could just be the weather. Rumour (the tv weather forecast!) has it that it's going to get warmer in the next few days.
Towards the end of last year I began meeting a friend for coffee on a Tuesday. The bistro we go to was shut over Christmas and New Year and we were due to meet this Tuesday just gone. I managed to make myself an appointment for a blood test then so cancelled ~ and for next Tuesday, I've managed to make a doctor's appointment ~ though that's earlier than we usually meet, so shouldn't be a problem. It's much easier though if I don't plan to do everything on one day!
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 1/15/2009 3:27:51 PM
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agapetos
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Well, I saw my doctor and the appointment lasted longer than anticipated so I was a bit late to meet my friend. Doctor's appointment was a yearly health check (because of my bipolar) and she has come to realise has it's used (though I'm still working on that one!). Didn't spend too long with my friend as I wasn't feeling brilliant. Spoke to the doctor again today and told her that I thought I'd given myself food poisoning. She says if I'm not recovered tomorrow I'll need to take a sample in to see if I have salmonella! I am feeling better, but still have symptoms but hopefully will be better not to have to be tested.
My thyroid has finally slipped into the normal range.
My mother (when I last spoke with her) is doing a lot better. She sounded far brighter than she has, so that's really good. We talked about ways that she could keep warm, without running her electric bill up ~ she has decided to get some brushed cotton sheets ~ like me she's never really liked them ~ but she's behind on me, because I bought some last year! (edited to add this) I've just spoken with my mother to make sure she received a letter that I sent her. She did. She said that she'd received the exact same photo from my Uncle (her brother) at Christmas! I told her that it was from me, not him, so now she has 2 copies. I told her to send a spare one to him. She said that a couple of local kids found a Jack Russell yesterday and she ended up with it. She phoned the dog warden who collected it to return to the owners (someone stole the owners 2 dogs from their garden and dumped them separately). She did make a comment about how she would have kept it though if it had been dumped. The other dog was found by another lady and both are safely home now.
Munchie's supplies arrived yesterday ~ or most of them ~ I bought her a new bed, but she is a bit dubious about it at the moment! Took her a while to get used to her old one though, so it doesn't suprise me.
Haven't done much this week because of being ill and spending most of the time asleep.
< Message edited by agapetos -- 1/15/2009 4:41:26 PM >
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 1/26/2009 7:12:46 PM
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agapetos
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Haven't been doing a great deal recently. I haven't felt like doing too much since I had food poisoning a few weeks ago. I'm not sure if that's because of the food poisoning, not being able to take my meds, not having regained my appetite (both because of the food poisoning) or just a general downturn in my mood. At least I know it's not my thyroid!
I'm meeting my friend tomorrow for our usual coffee. She called last week to say she'd been accepted for a house (she and her husband are divorcing and she's living with her mother at the moment) she'd seen was up for rent. They specified no children (she has a 1-year-old son) but she saw the house, liked it and asked about her son. They called the owners who agreed as long as she paid an extra deposit, which she's happy to do. Not sure when she's moving in, but I'm sure that I'll hear tomorrow. I know that she's found it difficult with being at her parents so I'm glad the owners agreed.
Munchie is still getting used to her new bed. She's gone into it, turned around and got out, though she could sneak into it when I'm not around! It's very smart! When I placed the order, I received the offer of some money back ~ and took it. I received a cheque for that last week, which nearly covers the amount I paid for the bed, so I'm pretty ok with her not using it yet!
I cancelled my appointment with my social worker at the beginning of last week (well, I knew she would come to my house from her home without going into the office so put a note in my letterbox) because of having not been well and so sleeping a lot (and at odd times). I caught her in the office later in the day and we rearranged for Wednesday.
I want to go into one of the nearby towns sometime this week. I may go in on Wednesday, before I see the social worker. It's been weeks since I last went to either town and it will make a pleasant change from my own town, which I love, but is limited in what it has.
I bought a toaster last week (because I'd been ill). I love toast and my grill doesn't work very well so checked my local shops and managed to find one at a reasonable price. I've put it to good use and made use of the wonderful local bakery in my town. Not sure if I'll be able to toast my barley bread in it, but I shall try ~ I'll just have to slice it carefully!
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 2/1/2009 6:15:03 PM
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agapetos
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Well, it's February and it seems that winter is hitting us. The cold and snow are coming from Russia ~ my sister is a couple of hundred miles nearer Russia than I am so she's experienced snow in the past day or so ~ I haven't. Yet.
Didn't speak with my sister for too long, but it was nice for her to call me (she doesn't very often). She hasn't sorted a landline out yet and I was talking about the company I am with and how much it cost etc. As I flipped through the leaflet that I had I noticed that I could receive £10 credit for recommending someone. She told me that she would go with the same company and agreed that I could phone them to find out more. I did so and they told me that we would both receive £10 credit and told me what she needed to do when she applied. I phoned my sister back and she said she would call them ~ not sure if she will or not, but she has all the info!
Also spoke with my father this evening. He hasn't had snow yet, but said that his wife had decided to go to the flat in the town she stays in for the week today, instead of tomorrow morning (it would be too far for her to commute daily so she stays there Monday-Thursday normally) and phoned my father to say that the snow had started to come down heavily as she entered the town. My father says that if it snows he wouldn't go out until it cleared ~ it's unusual for him because despite needing walking sticks he generally walks a couple of miles a day.
I ended up cancelling my appointment with my social worker again. She was fine about it, but it frustrated me. She was going to try and fit me in next week but I asked if we could make it the following week as I need to try and see my doctor next week and I didn't want to see them both in the same week. I think that made things easier for her.
I've been struggling for a little bit mentally recently and in comments I made to someone else, I realised that I'm dealing with a lot of fear ~ of the unknown. I've lived (mentally) as a cetain person and while I've changed a lot, there are a lot more changes that can be made to improve my mental health. These changes aren't always easy to accept ~ it can very often be easier to stay the way I am than to change. I'm glad that I've realised this because it means that I can deal with that fear and move on ~ though it still won't be easy
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 2/26/2009 2:12:18 PM
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agapetos
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Sigh... what a saga... had a phone call from my mother to tell me that my father's neighbour's niece had called looking for my sister (my parents are divorced, my sister used to live in the same house as my mother until towards the end of last year). Apparently my father had a fall and was in hospital. My stepmother is in Latvia, visiting her son and his family and my father doesn't want her told (he's like that!). My mother and sister (I spoke to her later) both told me that he'd broken his shoulder, but it's actually his wrist. The hospital don't want to discharge him because he isn't steady on his feet and he can't be left to his own devices, so they're looking at him going into a community hospital in the next day or so.
My sister and I decided that we should at least try and phone our step-mother and I said that I'd do it. Tried her mobile but had no joy (it was turned off and I didn't want to leave a message, not even sure if she took it with her) and I tried finding my step-brother's phone number online but couldn't find it. She's (my step-mother) isn't due back from Latvia until next week though. The hospital say my father should have someone around for around 3 weeks, though it could be longer.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 2/27/2009 2:15:10 PM
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agapetos
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Ok... my father is home. He didn't break anything. He's fine and steady on his feet and the hospital were happy to let him go home. He is really good friends with a neighbour and the neighbour's niece bought some ready meals for him and even took her microwave to his house. My step-mother is due home tomorrow, though the chances are she will have to go into work on at least Monday, if not all week. He's had help from one of the departments in the hospital regarding aids around the house to help him and is going to get in touch with them about the step at the front door (which is what he fell on) to see if they can put in a ramp for him too.
Anyway, he sounded well and pleased to get home.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 3/9/2009 3:26:20 PM
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agapetos
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Spoke with my step-mother yesterday. She said my father was pretty recovered from his accident. I told her that I had tried to call but didn't want to leave a msg on her mobile incase she got too worried. I also said that my father hadn't wanted her contacted. Anyhow, she's going to make sure their neighbours have her mobile number and will keep her phone on when she's away so she can be contacted!
My step-mother and father are coming to see me for the day in a week or so. I haven't seen them since before Christmas, so it will be good to catch up. Not sure what we will do yet ~ I guess it depends on the weather which seems to change on a daily basis!
Saw my doctor last week because my ears were still bothering me. She gave me a prescription for some antibiotics but said that she would leave it to my judgement as to when I took them (I'd said that they hadn't been really painful). The became painful on Friday so I had the prescription filled and started taking them on Saturday.
My friend has moved into her new house. Each room is very tiny (even smaller than the rooms I have) but has a 2nd bedroom ~ and the kitchen is much bigger so she's able to put a dining room table in it.
I went back to the gym last week for an induction. The instructor was one that I knew from when I was going to the gym before, so it was good to catch up. Not sure if I'll be able to go tomorrow, but I'll go on Wednesday if I don't and then get into a routine of going 3 times a week.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 4/1/2009 6:12:06 PM
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agapetos
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I saw my father and step-mother. He's fully recovered from his fall and we had a great day in one of the nearby small towns. My sister had expressed concern about him having been unsteady on his feet when he visited her at Christmas but he seemed fine when he was here. On the other hand. as we were walking beside the river, I nearly lost my footing and took a dive!  While it was a beautiful day, it was way too cold to go swimming in the river!
I was shopping with a friend last month in the next town and saw a little breakfast table (with 2 chairs) in a store that I'd seen online ~ but it was much cheaper in the store! I asked about it and they offered to order me one, but couldn't say when it was going to come in. Finally, last week, it arrived and I was able to collect it today. I've put the table and one chair together and am pleased with the way it looks. As long as I don't invite more than one person for a meal at a time it will be fine!
The gym has been more miss than hit as I was hit by a UTI. Doctor gave me antibiotics for them and after I'd taken 3 tablets, I discovered a rash, so it was back to the doctors (via the pharmacy and a phone call to the doc) to have them changed. Feeling a bit better now. I did go back to the doctor yesterday though because I've felt a bit concerned about my mood. She's noticed it's been fluctuating quite a bit and said she didn't know how I would be (moodwise) when I walked through her door. I told her that my old manager had said similar way back when ~ and that was before I was taking any meds to stabilise it! She wanted to make sure the UTI had cleared up because that can affect mood (though she accepts that my mood has been fluctuating since before than) but suggested that we pack me off to see my psychiatrist. I phoned and spoke to my psychiatrist's secretary today and she's going to send an appointment through.
While I was picking up the table, I had a quick look round the store I was in because I wanted to buy my friend a moving in present and have a quick look at the plants they had. I found the present for my friend and wandered on to look at the seeds and plants ~ and found some horseradish. I was delighted because I was looking for some fresh horseradish last year in supermarkets, but couldn't find any. Now I can grow it myself! I was just looking online for growing tips and found this, which I found quite funny!
quote:
I once had a problem with horseradish in a corner of my garden, and I solved it, by planting mint over it which then strangled the horseradish, but now I've got a quarter of an acre of mint. Link
< Message edited by agapetos -- 4/1/2009 6:54:36 PM >
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
My blog
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 5/10/2009 4:19:29 PM
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agapetos
Posts: 9760
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: This side of the lil duck pond!
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Loooonnng time since I posted!
I'm just getting over a cold.
I spoke with a psychologist last month (in person, not over the phone) and we discussed what options I had. I spoke with her on the phone last week and I will be starting another course of therapy from the beginning of June. Because of my cold, we didn't go into a lot of detail, but will do that when we meet. I'm aprehensive about starting more therapy and would rather not need it, but I've been so blessed to have had such good therapists in the past who have helped me untangle some of the problems in my life, and I'd like to think that this new course will help further.
For a little while, I've also felt as though some of the work I'd done with my last therapist had gone, but I've realised that it's still there, simply a little masked by the issues I have going on right now ~ and hopefully the new course of therapy will help that. It was encouraging to realise that.
I realised after seeing her that I needed to see my psychiatrist to adjust my medications but to see her (the psychologist) to deal with some issues. I still intend to see my psychiatrist again with him, to look at my medications. It would be nice to cut back on them a little, even for a short period of time.
My social worker is going to be off for at least 6 weeks from now, for an operation (and recovery) so the timing is good (for seeing the psychologist).
I am due to go to the hospital on Tuesday for an xray on my knees as I've been getting some pain. The doctor suspects arthritis but wants confirmation of it. I'll probably wait for a couple of weeks before getting the results as I've got a few appointments next week and the week after and don't much like being inundated with medical people!
I haven't done much in my garden this year, but I do have some seedlings growing and I've got a bunch of strawberry flowers on my plants. I've ordered some more plants, together with some tomato plants (they were free) and am looking forward to getting them.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
My blog
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 5/22/2009 6:10:42 AM
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agapetos
Posts: 9760
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: This side of the lil duck pond!
Status: online
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Cancelled the dentist appointment. Saw my psychiatrist on the Tuesday. It wasn't a good day. He suggested antidepressants, I suggested coming off my medications. He agreed to try it my way, though he wasn't happy about it. Wednesday and Thursday were much better days. Saw my GP yesterday about something else but did fill her in about my psychiatrist appointment. I said I felt I would probably end back up on the meds before long, but I needed to know if they were actually doing something, because it doesn't seem like they are. She seemed a little more accepting of my decision. I have to see my psychiatrist in a fortnight.
When I was at the GP's recently, I saw a notice to say you could register for some online services, so I picked up the form to fill in. I returned it yesterday. I'll be able to pick the details up next week. It should make some things much easier to arrange (appointments, repeat prescriptions etc) and save on phone calls (to book appointments) I hope.
The plants that I ordered arrived. I've got to deal with them in the next few days. I did some gardening the other day. Haven't done a lot for a bit and there were are lot of weeds everywhere, but they were pretty easy to deal with.
< Message edited by agapetos -- 5/22/2009 6:32:06 AM >
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
My blog
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 6/28/2009 3:02:02 PM
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agapetos
Posts: 9760
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: This side of the lil duck pond!
Status: online
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Well following my psychiatrist's instructions, I've reduced my medication and been totally off for a little while now. It is nice to not have to keep taking medication (still take thyroid meds though) for a while. I have good days and bad days, as before, but if they become progressively worse, I shall start taking some medication again, though not necessarily what I was taking before. I don't really need to see my psychiatrist for a while.
I've started to see the psychologist now. She seems to have her head screwed on right, which is always reassuring. The last time I saw her was on a bad day for me. She did draw me out on some things though, so it wasn't a total waste of time ~ and (she said) it was good that she could see how bad things could be for me at times (instead of hearing it second-hand). It's helped that I've been able to see someone while my social worker is off (following an operation).
I've been doing some work in the garden and it's coming along. I bought a sweet pepper and a chilli plant last week (both have fruit on them!) and they have been planted, along with some herbs (in a different bed) and some flowers. The flowers I bought yesterday and are blooming now, so they add colour to the garden ~ I've also got some other flowers in hanging baskets. Most seem to be doing well, though one looks more dead than alive ~ I'm hoping that it will recover. A friend is giving me some tomato and courgette plants (hopefully), though I do have 3 tomato plants (they were very cheap and looked as though they had some life in them!).
I've also started weeding the path. I only started yesterday and have done some down each side of the garden ~ I guess that I'm about one third of the way around. I'm hoping to get round to doing some more tomorrow and Tuesday. What I've done isn't perfect and I'll need to go round again, but at least the path is getting clear (instead of being covered with some spreading plant that seems to grow on anything) and this initial work isn't really backbreaking.
My doctor has told me that I have carpel tunnel to go with the the arthritis in my hands. While neither is particularly bad, my hands tend to hurt after I use them a lot, as I have been doing the past few days in the garden. I'm going to see my doctor tomorrow to discuss what options there are. I've heard that wearing a light splint will help, but I don't want to invest money before checking with her. I may also try a medication I was on a while ago again and see if that helps. I wasn't sure if I was having side effects from them but I think it's worth trying again.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
My blog
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RE: Dancing to a different drummer - 9/6/2009 7:05:58 PM
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agapetos
Posts: 9760
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: This side of the lil duck pond!
Status: online
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It's been over 2 months since I posted!
I am still off my medication. I'm enjoying the break from taking so many tablets so often (though I am aware there are many people who need to take far more) though I'm not sure whether I will stay off them.
My garden hasn't been very successful this year. My tomatoes died and slugs and snails ate my carrots, beetroot and even onions. I have had some peppers, strawberries and raspberries and I'm holding out hope for my horseradish, though I can't dig that up until after the first frosts, towards the end of next month. I have a good collection of herbs now which are slug and snail resistant and am looking to increase the variety.
I have been continuing to see my psychologist. She has suggested some intensive therapy for me, which will begin next month (I will see her on Friday, then she is on leave for 2 weeks and she didn't want to start it and then for us to have a break). The therapy will be weekly and is likely to continue for 12-18 months. My psychiatrist thinks that I may have traits of borderline personality disorder and the therapy my psychologist has suggested is supposed to be of enormous help to people. So, the next year or so is going to be challenging for me.
I do have to talk more to my psychiatrist about what this all means for me, though I'm not rushing into that right now as I feel I have a full plate.
I've been busy rearranging things in the house. I'm liking what I'm doing, but there's a long way to go yet. I bought some new bookcases to replace the very unsuitable shelves that I had. They look so much better ~ and I even managed to put them together without once going wrong!
My social worker is back at work. I shall be seeing her less (so not to overdose on health care workers) as I'm seeing my psychologist on a weekly basis. It has been nice to see her back though.
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Stovie, Stovie, what am I going to do with you!
Maggie
September 09
My blog
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