Posted by Gracie2 on January 29, 2002, at 9:07:00
In reply to Re: Also...flb » jane d, posted by Krazy Kat on January 27, 2002, at 18:57:20
KK-
I can sympathasize with you. I have also been diagnosed as bipolar and agreed to do it "their" way with high levels of pyschiatric drugs, including Depakote, for long-term therapy. After six months, however, I was so lethargic that I could barely lift the TV remote. I was a mess, my house was a mess, and I had to quit my job. So I quit taking the drugs (warning: taper SLOOWWLLLY).I've been "clean" for a year now, but my bipolar symptoms have returned. In a manic phase, I can't sleep. I spend money we don't have, start a dozen projects I never finish, drink too much, play music too loudly and annoy everyone. My depressive phase has changed, however. Instead of being reclusive and uncommunicative as in the past, I've become angry. Everything irritates the shit out of me and I'm not very pleasant to be around. This isn't like me AT ALL. Usually I'm quite agreeable, if somewhat anti-social.
So here is my plan: new pyschiatrist (on Thursday) and no more drug cocktails. I'll agree to try one drug at a time, take it faithfully for the recommended period of time, and taper off it
slowly if it's not successful. Then I'll try another drug. I also intend to have much more input on the type of drug and dosage recommended,
although I'm aware some doctors dislike being "questioned". That's tough. The drugs I was taking before and the subsequent withdrawal put me through hell.
***
As for the second part of my question: I think you've been following my story about the black labrador that we recently lost. We had to put him down cause he was nearly blind and always in pain from arthritis despite the glucosamide, special food and painkillers recommemneded by the vet. Our lab was an excellent guard dog, and I'm so used to having him as "security" that I'm uncomfortable in the house without him.
We also have a 4-year-old golden retriever, a pedigreed dog with papers. I bought this dog for my husband when I became aware that our labrador was not going to live much longer, and I thought it would help to ease my husband's grief (it did).
Our golden retriever, Chief, is a beautiful male,
a loving, playful, dog, and an excellent companion. He also has the most expressive face I've ever seen on a dog - he "smiles" when he's happy, and his eyebrows move up and down in the most goofy way whenever he's perplexed. But he's not a guard dog. He doesn't bark at people, and all strangers are new friends to him.
But I'm worried about bringing home a Shepard. If it's a female puppy, I don't want Chief to be all over her. And he's so docile and submissive now, I'm afraid that if he we had him neutered, he would run in terror from the cat and never come from behind the sofa. Still, if we get an older Shepard, male or female, I'm afraid he might hurt the retriever. Doesn't one of them have to establish himself as the "alpha" dog?
Should I forget the whole thing and buy a shotgun?
Oops, can't, I've been in a mental hospital.One more question: would you suggest another breed? I'm afaid of rotweillers and pit bulls.
Thanks-
Gracie
poster:Gracie2
thread:16896
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020125/msgs/17441.html