Posted by KaraS on March 10, 2005, at 1:44:42
In reply to Re: Kara, my turn. How you are doing? » KaraS, posted by TamaraJ on March 8, 2005, at 22:17:26
> > Hi,
> >
> -- I have found that too - when I sleep too much, I feel groggy, foggy and down. And yet, sometimes extra sleep is just what the body and mind need. My mom is a firm believer in sleeping to heal. When she is stressed, she sleeps. When she is depressed, she sleeps. When she is sick, she sleeps. Growing up it was quite stressful in our house because of my dad's volatility and raging temper, so my mom slept a lot. But, it was her way of coping. When the storm died down, she was usually somewhat productive again. I think sometimes we just have to set some early morning goals for ourselves to get into a routine, but realize that it can be easier said than done. I am glad that I have a dog because she gets me out in the morning. One thing I have tried to do as I have struggled with this bout of depression and anxiety is to make sure I got up every morning and took her out for a walk, even if it was only for 20 or 30 minutes, and then again in the evening. Some days it was a struggle, but a good one I think. Maybe you could find a walking buddy and arrange an early morning walk for one or two mornings a week to start with.Yes, I think it would have to be an outside obligation to keep me getting up on time and out of the house. Your dog is a good influence on you. Unfortunately my cats refuse to walk on a leash (and I have tried!).
> -- He probably has other views on that ;-) I just like doing things for others. I have been like that since I was a kid. I prefer to do for others than for myself. Now don't laugh. When I first starting earning my own money (babysitting when I was about 11), I would go christmas shopping in about October. I was always so excited to pick out gifts for people. Anyway, I would get so excited with my piddly little purchases (back then, a babysitter was making about 50 cents to a dollar an hour :-)), that I would wrap everything up, and give everyone in the family their presents in October. Then I would go through the same thing again in November. And, finally, the December purchases went under the tree. I have been a weird and warped individual for quite some time. Ah, the innocence of childhood.
That's such a sweet story about your Christmas shopping. I was very touched by it. I think your whole family is very lucky to have you as a member!
> -- No, I wouldn't give up yet. The practitioner I saw said that it can take a few sessions to tap away some of the really troubling and persistent problems. And even then a person might need to do some follow-up or re-focussing tapping. The nice thing about meditation and yoga is that they have been around for a long, long time and can really be seen as tried and true forms for relaxation for many people. It takes practice, but I think once a person manages to perfect their technique, it can be quite beneficial and soothing. And, yoga is a form of exercise, so if nothing else, a person can tone up and improve their posture :-)
Another good thing about meditation is that it is a lot easier to do - not so many different instructions as in Lambrou's tapping book. I did more tapping last night. I didn't see any benefit from it then or now. I'm still not ready to give up on it but I think one might need more information or instruction than is possible in a book. Either that or it just doesn't work well for me.
> -- I have read that some people can actually become addicted to their exercise regime and make themselves sick. I taught aerobics when I was in my mid 20s (so that is quite a few years ago) and I was quite obsessed about working out. I would get to work about 1.5 hours before my shift so I could work out with free weights and the machines. Then my shift would typically consist of teaching 3 45 minute high impact classes. I loved it, but my shins had taken a beating by the end of the week. But, I was becoming obsessed with working out. I toned it down after a while and now, because of my hours at work, my exercise regime is long brisk walks with my dog and some floor exercises with hand and ankle weights (when I have the time and energy). I want to get back into going to a gym. But, I first want to try the yoga. Hopefully within the next week or so I will be able to try a class or two.
I guess there are worse things to become addicted to besides exercise. I wish that would happen to me! Yoga is great exercise for flexibility and for the mind but it doesn't take the place of aerobic activity. Unfortunately there aren't enough hours in the day to do all of the things we want to do and to go to work as well.
> -- That's good that you are not experiencing troubling side effects from the Doxepin. I don't know about you, but I found the orthostatic hypotension the worst. I know what you mean about the increased appetite. It's nice for a time after having not been able to eat for a while, but then it's like "where's the off switch". Did you have a chance to try the chromium? Apparently it is supposed to help with sugar cravings and maybe even appetite suppression. I started using it when I was trialing Anafranil, and I found it helped with the sugar/carb cravings.
I still haven't had the orthostatic hypotension yet. I probably will if I increase my Doxepin dosage or start on Anafranil. I did start taking the chromium again. It may be helping. I'm not sure.
> -- I will probably have to fight for it. I am so embarrassed to say this, but I have found after the past number of months of being physically ill and experiencing the depression/anxiety, I am worried about doing certain things - like travelling by bus to go downtown (where I work). I feel like a fool, but when I think about getting on the bus and going to the mall near where I work, I feel a sense of dread. Does that make sense? I only had one episode that could be considered a panic attack, but it was on the bus and I got off the bus at that mall. I have been back on the bus and to that particular mall, but with much discomfort. I am hoping that something like Klonopin will quell the inner turmoil I experience and the "what if" ruminations so that I can get over that hump. And, it is those feelings that have me worried about my return to work. Phew, I have held that in for a while. Sorry to unload. I am embarrassed about those feelings, and my pdoc just keeps saying - do it, it will get easier. But it doesn't. So, I may have to put my foot down and tell him that I need to function and if I am going to be able to work on making it easier, I need something to at least allow me to do that.
That's not wierd. It's very standard to be afraid of going to the place you've experienced a panic attack. I was so stressed a couple of weeks ago that I was becoming afraid of going out anywhere. I was much too stressed to drive as well. I understand completely. I bet that Klonopin or another benzo would help you over that hump. Once you start replacing the bad memories with good ones, you'll stop being afraid of those situations. The other thing you can do is mediation with visualizations. You visualize yourself in those situations and handling them well and the while you're calm from the meditation.
> -- May well be. I think I have a chart that says what some of the TCAs metabolize to. I will see if Imipramine is there and let you know. At least you know that despiramine is an option if your pdoc will agree to a beta blocker. So, that's something to definitely keep in your back pocket. I think that the nice thing about the TCAs, at least as I understand it, is that they all work a little differently. So, if a person doesn't respond well to one, there are others to try.
I'd definitely have to get a new pdoc for the beta blocker. If I did go that route, then nort. or desipramine would be my first choices. It's amazing how different I felt when I tried those two before versus how I feel when I take doxepin.
> -- Your mom is very progressive. I agree with you that there are advantages and disadvantages to living together first. For some, it reinforces the couple's compatability and, for others, it may illuminate the striking differences that would sabotage a marriage no matter how hard the couple tried to make it work. That's nice about your sister's marriage. I like hearing about the lasting marriages. It is unfortunate that it does not work that way for everyone. I think some problems are just not fixable and it is in everyone's best interest that the marriage end.
My mother is really different from most parents. I remember when I graduated from college, I really didn't want to go to the graduation ceremony. A lot of my friends felt the same way. I attended a huge school so the whole thing was so impersonal. I had no interest in going. My friends' parents all made them go because they wanted to see them graduate. My mother said, "Must I go to that? You know how I hate those things." She often takes a view that you wouldn't expect. One of her other strange traits is that she always thinks everyone is gay. She has her doubts about me as well. She cracks me up.
> -- A short walk is good. Like Larry always says - "start low, and go slow" :-). The same principle can apply to exercise. Each day, do what is comfortable, then slowly increase and build up. You sound like me with the coffee, and it does not sound silly at all. I had given up coffee over 8 years ago (after many, many years of 12 or more cups a day - I was an addict). Last August I had a few cups. But, since about mid-January, I have started drinking coffee again. Like you, I was worried about increasing my anxiety, but felt it was a good sign if I was able to drink a cup or two. I had forgotten how good coffee was :-) Yum! Yum! Half a cup is a good start, just to see how you react. I have found that having a cup or two of coffee does have a positive effect on my mood. I over did it today and had four cups, which left me feeling a bit wired. So, tomorrow, one or two cups only.
I once gave up coffee for a couple of years but that's it. 8 years is very impressive! How did you ever manage to get up and go to work all of those years without coffee in the morning? I've never drank as many as 12 cups a day. I just couldn't tolerate more than a couple of cups a day. It does help with mood and concentration though I would think it would become counterproductive when you drink too much of it. I just love the taste of it too.
> -- That's true. I am thinking that I may be able to make a distinction by changes to my physical well-being (less fatigue, less bruising, etc.). I will have to pay close attention though for sure.
So did you take the 50 mg. of nort. last night? Still going well?
Take care,
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:456548
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050305/msgs/469101.html