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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 23 to 47 of 83. Go back in thread:
Posted by saturn on August 30, 2006, at 13:00:38
In reply to Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 29, 2006, at 20:13:13
Hi Jealilbeanz,
Is your babblemail purposely turned off? I'd like to send you a private message or if you'd like you may babblemail me. You are not alone...Saturn
Posted by jealibeanz on August 30, 2006, at 13:35:22
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life » jealibeanz, posted by saturn on August 30, 2006, at 13:00:38
I just turned it on.
Posted by jealibeanz on August 30, 2006, at 13:40:46
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life » jealibeanz, posted by saturn on August 30, 2006, at 13:00:38
BTW, you all are great for helping me and offering advice at such a difficult time in my life. I truely appreciate it.
If I ever have success with a med, I promise I write about it, not disappear.
Posted by exquilter on August 30, 2006, at 15:11:23
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 30, 2006, at 13:40:46
Have you talked to disabled student services at your school to see whether you can arrange to take a lighter course load? Maybe you can continue your career path at a slower pace instead of giving it up. Your MD may be able to help by a recommendation for this and by confirming your diagnosis.
Exquilter
Posted by linkadge on August 30, 2006, at 17:28:26
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by exquilter on August 30, 2006, at 15:11:23
I can relate, though in my case it was the opposite. Meaning that yes I did want to quit school, but it was the difficulty of school that caused the depression, not the depression which caused the difficulty of school.
Treatments just made the work harder, and subseqently made me more depressed.
It was stupidity that kept me going. Depression for me, was a normal sign that the work was too hard, and that I didn't have the skills. But nowadays, thats not the case. I was told I was depressed because I was "chemically imballanced", and sure that sounded great and I embraced that possibility, but it didn't have me facing the truth, which was I was in over my head.
Not trying to sound negative, but just thought I'd share my own angle.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2006, at 17:54:37
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by linkadge on August 30, 2006, at 17:28:26
Link was it math you were into? I feel strongly research is your passion. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on August 30, 2006, at 18:26:17
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by exquilter on August 30, 2006, at 15:11:23
That would be a nice option, but unfortunately in my graduate program, it's not an option. Each class of 30 students starts and ends together. There's no room for failure, deviation, or breaks. It's 15 months of coursework.
Posted by jealibeanz on August 30, 2006, at 18:32:10
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by linkadge on August 30, 2006, at 17:28:26
Hmm... it does seem that we are almost complete opposites. I can do any type of school work basically in my sleep with little effort. It's not too difficult in that way.
My problems stem in just plain old unhappiness... I could be doing horribly difficult, challenging torturous tasks, yet be happy at times. While during other times, I could be in the most relaxed and ideal situation and completely miserable about everything without reason.
Posted by linkadge on August 30, 2006, at 21:30:33
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 30, 2006, at 18:32:10
Well, I guess knowing yourself is the most important thing.
I regret having fooled myself for so long.
I wasn't doing what I wanted to do. I wasn't where I wanted to be. School imposed a great number of stressors that I wasn't emotionally prepared for.
Sure I was given stims, AD's, sedatives, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, but in hindsight who wouldn't loose concentration at the volume of work assigned to me. Who wouldn't become depressed at the demands, and the lack of slack afforded.
I am doing fairly well, but the work is still too hard!!
Sorry for my mutterings :)
Linkadge
Posted by Ts6639 on August 31, 2006, at 5:56:04
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by linkadge on August 30, 2006, at 21:30:33
I had similar problems dealing with my mental illness, while completing my Masters, while running the gauntlet of medications. I did have the luxery of taking a medical leave for a semester to try and get my act together. I feel for your struggle. I am now applying for law school and hope I don't find myself in a similar situation. I hope by the time I begin that I will have found the magical cocktail. Let us know how you do. I appreciate your sharing your personal experience. Depression and anxiety is wrecking havoc with me know. Gritting my teeth to just get through the day.
Posted by bassman on August 31, 2006, at 10:36:10
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by Ts6639 on August 31, 2006, at 5:56:04
I dropped out of grad school for a year because the depression/anxiety was so bad I just didn't make the classes I needed to, plus my mental processor was mighty slow. I went back a year later and got my Ph.D. during a little rest from mental illness. I was lucky. Best of luck...
Posted by llrrrpp on August 31, 2006, at 10:59:13
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by bassman on August 31, 2006, at 10:36:10
Jeali,
I'm a student too, and it's so hard to try to maintain a high level of performance when those around you seem to have it much easier.Are you getting any kind of counseling/therapy to help you deal with the lifestyle/environmental issues that are getting you so down?
And, perhaps taking a semester leave of absence is not a bad plan, or take your classes pass/fail if that's an option. Take care of yourself, and your passions will return. you can do this.
Write a list, or an e-mail. Tell pdoc how miserable you are. Your pdoc sounds very sympathetic, and you guys have a good relationship. He will definitely try to help you.
In the meanwhile, figure out where you want to be when you are recovering. Do you want to be in a safe place, where you can take a walk in the afternoon and not worry about the homework that you are presently neglecting? Do you want to have a freezer stocked with healthy organic frozen entrees for you to pop in the microwave when you have no energy to cook? You can make these things happen for yourself. Cut down on some of your obligations, and spend an afternoon stocking your place so that you can feel at ease, comfortable and nurtured. Buy yourself some fresh flowers, and some bubble bath. Make your bed and put some light reading material nearby for when you just want to chill out.
Trust me, if you want to be taken care of, home is the best place to start. Make it your comfort pod.
Your psychosomatic spa.Best of luck to you- sending you some healing vibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<><><><><><><
-ll
Posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 11:35:52
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by llrrrpp on August 31, 2006, at 10:59:13
This is my situation in terms of school... I either go non-stop, for 15 months with a predetermined curriculum, maintaining an 80% in every class, or I'm out. There's no way to stop or take a shorter load.
I have a couple days to think about it. I was questioning whether I should tell my doctor about my decision to leave school, but I think I should. It's important piece of information.
I appreciate the comments on making time for myself. That's very kind and helpful.
Posted by llrrrpp on August 31, 2006, at 12:00:46
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 11:35:52
Jeali,
Have you looked into the possibility of a medical leave of absence? Do you have an advisor, or a dean, or a counsellor that can help you make this decision? I just would hate for you to make a hasty decision because your mind is not in the right place to consider all the possibilities. At the very least, speak with your pdoc. He (she?) might be able to contact someone in the administration of your program, or perhaps he can help you figure out what is best for you right now and for your future.(((((Jealibeanz)))))
I hope your appt. goes well. I'll be thinking of you
-ll
Posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 14:09:09
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life » jealibeanz, posted by llrrrpp on August 31, 2006, at 12:00:46
At this point, I'd have to drop out and reapply. It's very tough to get into any school and the admissions process is terribly intricate and time consuming when dealing with multiple schools. So, this would mean changing directions, career wise. I don't know, maybe it wasn't meant to be.
Posted by llrrrpp on August 31, 2006, at 14:27:34
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 14:09:09
Jealibeanz,
this sounds like the beast of depression is talking for you. It's cruel. It saps your dreams and passions, and makes you wonder if you ever had any. I think you DID have this dream, but the beast of depression is not letting you access your dream.((((((((Jeali)))))))))
Don't give up on yourself yet. Please wait to see what pdoc says. You've made it so far, and you are smart and capable enough to do the work, if you can convince the beast to let you free. Hoping that a medicine tweak will do the trick for you, and that a conversation with pdoc, who cares what happens to you, will momentarily distract the beast, allowing you the freedom to realize your real future.
-ll
Posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 16:49:40
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life » jealibeanz, posted by llrrrpp on August 31, 2006, at 14:27:34
Thanks... yeah, it is the depression making me feel this way. My doctor (actually not a pdoc, a DO) would recognize this based on the enthusiastic conversations we've had together aboutour mutual interest and passion. Me claiming to have no desire to continue would evoke a double-take, no doubt.
I know most people here praise pdocs, especially over GP's, but I'm not so comfortable with the idea. This is partly based one bad experience with a pdoc, and actually bad experiences with other GP's, so I guess I biased just because I prefer my own doctor on a personal level.
Anyway, I like that he can treat my body, not just the emotional aspect of the disease. He can do physical exams. He can run tests. I actually should have another thyroid test done. I don't care that I've had it done twice before in my life. If I'm anywhere near the low end up normal, I bed it wouldn't hurt to try some augmentation, especially considering my fatigue even while rested. He's probably more capable of prescribing medications to counter physical side effects than a pdoc.
Posted by Phillipa on August 31, 2006, at 18:42:57
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 16:49:40
True but I have low thyroid and the numbers for normal have changed . Now between l-3 is normal. And the docs like them low. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 19:54:48
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on August 31, 2006, at 18:42:57
Yeah, I am aware that normals have changed, and also that many haven't completely adapted their practice to new standards. Plus, what's optimal for an individual may not actually be within the normal range, so it's difficult to correctly diagnose and treat thyroid disorders.
Posted by bassman on August 31, 2006, at 20:16:03
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 16:49:40
I've had MUCH better experience in terms of being effectively treated by my personal internists through the years as opposed to pdocs, so I couldn't agree more. All the pdocs I've gone to were crazier than I am.
Posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 20:37:27
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by bassman on August 31, 2006, at 20:16:03
Yeah, GP's tend to have very good people skills. They interact with all kinds of patients with differing ailments, so they have to be very flexible and open minded, and various colleagues. A lot of mental health practitioners just seem to isolated and narrow minded. It's an entirely different method of practice. Their approach, in general, just seems so cold and accusatory to me. I'd rather go to a caring and inviting doctor any day, over an unapproachable pdoc with vast knowledge of psych meds. The attitude is more important to me and my progress.
Posted by Phillipa on August 31, 2006, at 20:57:08
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 20:37:27
Very good point. And they say pdocs choose that specialty to solve their own problems. Love phillipa
Posted by nickguy on August 31, 2006, at 21:35:30
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on August 31, 2006, at 20:57:08
> Very good point. And they say pdocs choose that specialty to solve their own problems. Love phillipa
It took me a while to find a good Pdoc and now I have the most laid back, caring, smiley-type guy who wants to try all kinds of treatments to do whatever gets me feeling better. I had 2 HORRIBLE pdocs before this, so don't give up on them even after 2 or 3 bad ones. The advantage is that they do have a much wider knowledge of the meds, and experience with using them on different types of people.
Posted by jealibeanz on August 31, 2006, at 23:27:56
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by nickguy on August 31, 2006, at 21:35:30
I'm trying to write up a script/list of issues I want to bring up. If anyone want to hear or critquw just babble mail me!
Posted by llrrrpp on September 1, 2006, at 7:35:27
In reply to Re: Last Ditch Effort to Save My Life, posted by nickguy on August 31, 2006, at 21:35:30
Yes, and two further advantages of pdocs is that 1)They often have more experience dealing with people in acute psychological distress. So, they often have the ability to do some talk therapy too, just to make sure that you are getting to the bottom of the issues, rather than treating some biochemical consequence of one's lifestyle.
2)The drugs in their toolbax don't come with very good instructions, so experience is SO important- so that they can tell you whether your side effect is typical, or troublesome, and give you good advice on withdrawal effects, augmentation strategies, and side effects with one's lifestyle (e.g. alcohol abuse...)BUT
I'm often frustrated that my pdoc doesn't treat my whole body- no monitoring of my b.p. or blood sugar or any of that stuff. So, I have to get that done on my own. Not a big deal, because I'm basically healthy- but what if I had complications from some other condition? I'd want my mind and body treated as one, not as two separate systems!
-ll
good luck today jeali. If you want to post your script, go for it. Psychology board is a good place too, for practicing how you're going to tell your doctor about your suffering. Nice people over there.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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