Posted by oskarsmom on March 14, 2004, at 11:11:13
In reply to Back from the hospital, posted by Ilene on March 12, 2004, at 16:19:28
Hi Ilene,
I'm glad you found the hospital to be a restful place. Getting away from it all is the best part for me, and also meeting other people. I'm sorry that you didn't like the formal activities. The art therapy sounds bizarre! I've had three hospitalizations and I went into a "partial day program" after two of them. I found it helpful. And I know what you mean about transitioning back to the real world. It's really hard. I think that group therapy sounds like a really good idea. It is so helpful to know that you're not alone. My husband, who is also bipolar (long story) and I go to a support group twice a month. We've been going for a few years now. The organization is called DBSA (Depressive and Bipolar Support Alliance). Here's a link:
It has been a life line for us. And I've made some good friends there too.
I'm really sorry about your blood pressure. Maybe the lithium could act as an augmentation to the Marplan. Is that why they put you on it? I'm glad they caught the low thyroid. That could also be part of the problem.
I'm on 50 mgs of Marplan now, will go up to 60 in three days. No more of those "lifts" I was having. Just back to depression all of the time. However I do have more energy, so I'm actually able to do some house work. I'm also having some side effects now. I'm having that "orthostatic hypotension" (low blood pressure when standing up). Kind of unnerving.
I'm glad you're feeling a little better now. I missed you while you were gone, but I think you did the right thing and am glad that the hospital turned out to not to be as bad as you thought it might be.
Love, Oskarsmom
poster:oskarsmom
thread:315567
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040313/msgs/324242.html