Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 107696

Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Redirect: Here I am Angel Girl, over here

Posted by Ron Hill on May 27, 2002, at 1:53:22

>Ron

>I know your post was addressed to Dinah but how you described her is how "I" would describe myself. May I be so bold to ask you what meds have allowed you that thicker skin that "I" so desperately need???

>I apologize for intruding on this discussion.

>Angel Girl
------------------------------

Angel,

No intrusion at all. What works for me might not work for you and vise versa. But ya already knew that, huh?

Here's my deal. I'm bipolar II and I take 600 mg/day of Lithobid. Primarily Lithobid stabilizes my mood, keeps me out of hypomania, and eliminates (almost) ruminations. It also helps to thicken my skin, to a certain degree. I also take a small dose of SAM-e on an as needed basis as an antidepressant.

Like most of us, I have tried many meds over the years. The meds that helped me the most with my insecurity and defensiveness were as follows:

Ritalin initially caused me to feel incredibly comfortable with myself as a person; not arrogant (if I don't say so myself), just comfortable. I had rhino skin to the max on Ritalin. It was not a power harshness thing but, instead, I could roll with the punches and make lemon aid out of the lemons of life. The glass was always half full, never half empty. Problems were merely solutions waiting to be found, I just had to be smart enough to find the already existing solutions. However, Ritalin (and SSRI's) pushed me into mania, and then eventually pooped out (quit working).

SSRI's initially improved my social skills and gave me a quick wit (which I do not have without the med). Prior to medications, I tended to be a little anal (almost a mild OCD kinda thing). The SSRI totally got rid of the anal thing. I was comfortable with whom I was and, as a result, I put those around me at ease. Therefore, it took a lot to get under my skin. But, after a short while, I get SSRI poop out (anhedonia and anergy) real bad.

I've read a lot of your posts over the last couple of months, so I know that life is very hard for you at times. I'm on your team and I care what happens to you. If I can help, let me know!

-- Ron

 

Re: Redirect: Here I am Angel Girl, - Ron Hill

Posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2002, at 2:02:49

In reply to Redirect: Here I am Angel Girl, over here, posted by Ron Hill on May 27, 2002, at 1:53:22

Ron

My diagnosis is severe depression coupled with BPD. I am taking Effexor XR 267.5mg and Xanax as required for anxiety.

What would you suggest that I could try to develop a tougher skin. I am EXTREMELY sensitive.

I am pleased to see that you remember my posts, I feel so invisible here. I do have a rough life and if I could significantly decrease my sensitivity, I think half of my battle might be won. I thank you for noticing my existence and for your concern.

So, what would you suggest for me? And thank you for taking the time to try and offer me some assistance.

Angel Girl

 

Re: Medications: Borderline Personality Disorder » Angel Girl

Posted by Ron Hill on May 27, 2002, at 2:40:48

In reply to Re: Redirect: Here I am Angel Girl, - Ron Hill, posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2002, at 2:02:49

Angel Girl,

Boy, from the little I know about the disorder, Borderline is a tough one. The worst part is that most of the people around a BPD patient simply blow off the patient as a cantankerous SOB, and therefore, the BPD patient ends up alone, isolated from the friendships they need to find some mental health and stability.

Angel, I do not know enough about BPD to even suggest what medications might help. I wish that I had the answer for you, but I don't. However, there are answers out there; you just need to find them. As you know, BPD is one of the more difficult disorders to treat. Therefore, you are going to have to work all that much harder in looking for your answers. What does your pdoc say? Do you have time to conduct extensive searches for BPD issues and treatment on the internet? Maybe people who know more than I about BPD will post on this thread.

-- Ron

-------------------
> Ron
>
> My diagnosis is severe depression coupled with BPD. I am taking Effexor XR 267.5mg and Xanax as required for anxiety.
>
> What would you suggest that I could try to develop a tougher skin. I am EXTREMELY sensitive.
>
> I am pleased to see that you remember my posts, I feel so invisible here. I do have a rough life and if I could significantly decrease my sensitivity, I think half of my battle might be won. I thank you for noticing my existence and for your concern.
>
> So, what would you suggest for me? And thank you for taking the time to try and offer me some assistance.
>
> Angel Girl

 

Re: Medications: BDP - Ron

Posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2002, at 3:32:40

In reply to Re: Medications: Borderline Personality Disorder » Angel Girl, posted by Ron Hill on May 27, 2002, at 2:40:48

Ron

I currently don't have a pdoc and I dumped my therapist this week. So, right now I'm not getting any help other than my GP, who will no longer change my meds. I'm in the process of trying to get into a program that specializes for BPD. You're right about the friends. I have very few left that will have anything to do with me. I feel so alone.

Angel Girl

 

Re: Medications: BDP - Ron » Angel Girl

Posted by mair on May 27, 2002, at 9:24:19

In reply to Re: Medications: BDP - Ron, posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2002, at 3:32:40

Angel Girl

I'm like Ron in my ignorance of BPD. I know there are people here who know alot about it because I've seen threads that deal with this, but I haven't followed them very well. - You should check the PB archives. They might be very helpful and help you identify people on the Board who share this problem.

I will say that I can be very hyper-sensitive. There is a recent book about "HSPs" that is interesting. My therapist thinks I'm pretty much wired that way but I would also have to say that when I'm less depressed I'm less easily hurt. So maybe if your depression were being more effectively treated, you might find yourself, not less sensitive necessarily, but more able to roll with things. It's awful to be so alone when you're depressed since it's such an isolating illness to begin with. It sounds like maybe a lousy time to be firing therapists, although maybe you felt you had no choice. Also although I know depression saps you of any energy and motivation you might have to get out and do things, nothing feeds a depression more than having nothing to do and noone to do it with. Would you be able to handle a parttime job? How close are you to getting in the program you're talking about and what will it involve time-wise?

Mair

 

Re: Medications: BDP » Angel Girl

Posted by Ron Hill on May 27, 2002, at 11:53:39

In reply to Re: Medications: BDP - Ron, posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2002, at 3:32:40

Hi Angel Girl,

> I currently don't have a pdoc

Not good. Wouldn't it be best to try and find a good one ASAP? It is possible for you to get well, but you need the help of a good pdoc who understands BPD.

>and I dumped my therapist this week.

I hope he (or she) landed right side up. :-)

>So, right now I'm not getting any help other than my GP, who will no longer change my meds. I'm in the process of trying to get into a program that specializes for BPD.

Yes! I encourage you to do all you can to politely invite yourself into the BPD program.

>You're right about the friends. I have very few left that will have anything to do with me. I feel so alone.

Angel, try hard to give to others (even strangers) without expecting anything in return. Look for opportunities to be kind to others without wanting anything outta the deal for yourself. This week, if you can, please volunteer at a nursing home or hospital or some place similar for just twenty minutes. By the measure you give, it shall be given back to you. This is not always true in each individual case, but in general and over the long run, I've found this to be a valid axiom.

These are just my suggestions. Do I come across overly simplistic? Does it sound like I'm trying to tell you how to live your life? Does it sound like I think you never do nice things for others? Does it sound like I'm suggesting that you become a door mat? If so, please forgive me 'cause none of these is my intent. Instead, my sole thesis here is that, if you want friends, be friendly without wanting anything in return. As human beings, we find this kind of selfless love very attractive.

You sound like a neat gal. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy having you as a friend.

-- Ron

 

Re: Medications: BDP » Angel Girl

Posted by NikkiT2 on May 27, 2002, at 16:00:48

In reply to Re: Medications: BDP - Ron, posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2002, at 3:32:40

I'm dx'd BPD and I have found Zyprexa a god send.. It hasn;'t lifted all the depression but it has really helped with the wierd thoughts and the suical side.. and made me less sensitive.

I started at 2.5mg and even at that dose I felt relief within hour of starting it. I'm now on 10mg but thinking of cuttting down and seeing what happens as it makes me so tired.
I know alot fo BPD people (I'm ivolved in a charity for BPD in the UK) and the anti-psyhcotics are what seems to help best.
I've also heard very good reports of geodon... its another antipsychotic, but not avilable inthe UK yet so I haven;'t tried it.

Hope that helps

Nikki

 

Angel Girl

Posted by terra miller on May 27, 2002, at 22:28:17

In reply to Re: Redirect: Here I am Angel Girl, - Ron Hill, posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2002, at 2:02:49

I am also very sensitive for reasons too difficult to explain here :-) but besides meds. that help (i use wellbutrin and xanax, but everybody is different) i have had to learn to take care of myself. for example, only recently have i been able to read posts that might contain conflict or straight talk about difficult issues. i just couldn't handle reading them before, and it took me a while before i realized that i just couldn't read them at all. it took me a few years to build up a little skin.

i do other things, like i don't see movies that aren't rated G because i can't handle them. i also take time every evening to unwind and really really relax. not adult kind of relaxing, but kid kind of relaxing- watching cartoons, reading to my kids, i sleep in a super warm and comforting quilt. anyway, i've found that nurturing myself intentionally helps me to be tougher later at other times when i have to be the responsible adult.

it's important not to overwhelm yourself. it's good to keep talking. and i think finding a good therapist or pdoc who can listen to you will do wonders for your selfesteem. if you know you are vulnerable, take care of yourself and only let into your mind those words that are encouraging until you are strong enough to listen it. the less you panic, the less likely you are to fall into self destructive urges and behaviors. now is the time to allow yourself to care for you.

i hear how tough it's going for you. it's good that you continue to write here. try to keep fighting.

~terra

 

Re: Redirect: Here I am Angel Girl, over here

Posted by jeanette on November 20, 2003, at 21:51:22

In reply to Redirect: Here I am Angel Girl, over here, posted by Ron Hill on May 27, 2002, at 1:53:22

angel~ i am 27 and was diagnosed with dysthymia(chronic depression) and borderline personality disorder. i started 20 mg of prozac and then after a month added 600mg of lithium. i'm feeling better right now but i'm not in a relationship at the moment- that will be the true test!


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