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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Caper on May 15, 2004, at 2:04:22
Hi everyone,
I'm pretty new to this site and I'm just looking to share experiences with meds and other things, and also to provide whatever encouragement or information I can.
I'm 31, female, and my diagnoses are Bipolar II, PTSD, and alcoholism. The depression has been since I was very young, then came the PTSD after a traumatic experience, then I was dumb enough to think alcohol could take away bad thoughts with no adverse consequences- pretty stupid yes?
Well, anyway, that's me. I'd love to hear from others with the same diagnosis (any of them!) and swap info on how well medications and different therapies worked.
Take care,
Caper
Posted by karen_kay on May 16, 2004, at 20:47:14
In reply to Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses?, posted by Caper on May 15, 2004, at 2:04:22
hello caper, i'm karen. i'm not very new, as i've been posting since september, but i wanted to welcome you to babble. i really hope you enjoy it here as much i as i do. i know that babble has really helped me to keep my moods stable (with meds of course) and the support and information is so helpful.
i'm really happy you decided to post. and please don't feel that you should only post here, on the newbies' board. there are plenty of other people on other boards that would love to hear your input and knowledge as well.
about your question, i'm dx bipolar I and also ptsd (as well as some other dx too). i know that before i was on proper meds (or even dx with bipolar disorder) i was put on several antidepressants that just weren't working for me. and while going through that 2 year struggle, i developed a quite nasty pill habit. i know it's quite common to self medicate when you aren't on the proper meds, or just not feeling well. and i think if you post this on social, you'll find many others who have done the same thing. (remember that only newbies and greeters can respond here, so if you'd like to get more answers, you can always post on a different board, where others are able to post)
my ptsd wasn't caused by my 'pill problem', as it stemmed from my childhood, but please don't beat yourself up for something that happened. it wasn't stupid to think that alcohol could take away bad thoughts without consequences. you were in pain, and tried to find a solution, and that's very common, i promise!
as for medication, i've been on topamax for almost a year and i call it my prince charming med. it works for me, but of course it may not work for you. and the funny thing is, i talked to my doctor aobut it when lithium wasn't working (the second time i tried it) and i read about it on babble. he said it was highly unlikely it would work, but that's what i take and it does work! however, when i stop taking it (as i had to do because of my screwy insurance) i did become depressed. but, i also had some other factors going on too. but, once i started it again, and at a higher dose, my depression went away! (knock on wood)
and i've been in therapy with my current therapist for a little over a year now. he recently (maybe a month or two ago) switched me to group (which i HATE!!) instead of individual sessions. therapy (cbt is what he does) has been a very important part in my ongoing recovery. it's funny to read some of my posts when i first started posting here, compared to now. i can honestly see the ways in which i've changed, and that's a huge reward for me. and mostly what we've worked on is uncovering past childhood trauma that i didn't even realize happened, which ultimately caused me to have memory loss today and severe anxiety. plus, i've worked very hard to love myself. and i honestly do.
so, if you want some more responses (other than just me, a few other 'oldies' and newbies) you can post on psycho-babble psychology, which is about therapy. you should get some hits there. or, if you have questions about certain medications in particular, you can post to psycho-babble (just plain psycho-babble), and there are a whole lot of knowledgable people over there too!
and, of course, i'll keep an eye out over here and keep chatting with you too :) again, i'm glad you stopped by, and i hope to see you soon!
Posted by Fallen4MyT on May 17, 2004, at 19:36:09
In reply to Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses?, posted by Caper on May 15, 2004, at 2:04:22
Hey Caper and welcome to Babble...I have PTSD from many years over the years..both as a child and adult of abuse and stuff...thus some call it complex PTSD..I take valium for panic and or anxiety attacks and Ambein and such for sleep...I hope you continue to post and read on the site and please do look at the whole site..Many post their meds and experiences on meds in the just Babble AREA....AND the psych and social areas are great too..we have a substance abuse area...also thats not as busy as the other areas...feel feel to just jump in or start a new thread ....What all did you want to share?
HUGS
Posted by Caper on May 18, 2004, at 2:36:48
In reply to Re: Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses? » Caper, posted by Fallen4MyT on May 17, 2004, at 19:36:09
I wanted to thank you for your welcome. I'm soooo glad I found this site and I will take your advice about checking out different forums here. As far as what I want to share, I'm really not quite sure yet- mostly I think I need information on medications that are suggested to me and to hear substance abuse success stories. Plus I like the opportunity to be able to receive support from others like me and to be able to try to offer my own support to others as well.
Thanks again and take care!
Caper
> Hey Caper and welcome to Babble...I have PTSD from many years over the years..both as a child and adult of abuse and stuff...thus some call it complex PTSD..I take valium for panic and or anxiety attacks and Ambein and such for sleep...I hope you continue to post and read on the site and please do look at the whole site..Many post their meds and experiences on meds in the just Babble AREA....AND the psych and social areas are great too..we have a substance abuse area...also thats not as busy as the other areas...feel feel to just jump in or start a new thread ....What all did you want to share?
>
> HUGS
Posted by Caper on May 18, 2004, at 2:40:49
In reply to Re: Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses?, posted by karen_kay on May 16, 2004, at 20:47:14
Thanks so much for your post Karen. Sounds like we have some things in common! I'll look into Topomax and also start posting on the psychology board when needed. (I actually have a college degree in psychology- kind of ironic considering all of my problems!)
I appreciate your taking the time to welcome me, and your being so non-judgmental. It helped. I hope to talk again. Take care.
Caper
> hello caper, i'm karen. i'm not very new, as i've been posting since september, but i wanted to welcome you to babble. i really hope you enjoy it here as much i as i do. i know that babble has really helped me to keep my moods stable (with meds of course) and the support and information is so helpful.
>
> i'm really happy you decided to post. and please don't feel that you should only post here, on the newbies' board. there are plenty of other people on other boards that would love to hear your input and knowledge as well.
>
> about your question, i'm dx bipolar I and also ptsd (as well as some other dx too). i know that before i was on proper meds (or even dx with bipolar disorder) i was put on several antidepressants that just weren't working for me. and while going through that 2 year struggle, i developed a quite nasty pill habit. i know it's quite common to self medicate when you aren't on the proper meds, or just not feeling well. and i think if you post this on social, you'll find many others who have done the same thing. (remember that only newbies and greeters can respond here, so if you'd like to get more answers, you can always post on a different board, where others are able to post)
>
> my ptsd wasn't caused by my 'pill problem', as it stemmed from my childhood, but please don't beat yourself up for something that happened. it wasn't stupid to think that alcohol could take away bad thoughts without consequences. you were in pain, and tried to find a solution, and that's very common, i promise!
>
> as for medication, i've been on topamax for almost a year and i call it my prince charming med. it works for me, but of course it may not work for you. and the funny thing is, i talked to my doctor aobut it when lithium wasn't working (the second time i tried it) and i read about it on babble. he said it was highly unlikely it would work, but that's what i take and it does work! however, when i stop taking it (as i had to do because of my screwy insurance) i did become depressed. but, i also had some other factors going on too. but, once i started it again, and at a higher dose, my depression went away! (knock on wood)
>
> and i've been in therapy with my current therapist for a little over a year now. he recently (maybe a month or two ago) switched me to group (which i HATE!!) instead of individual sessions. therapy (cbt is what he does) has been a very important part in my ongoing recovery. it's funny to read some of my posts when i first started posting here, compared to now. i can honestly see the ways in which i've changed, and that's a huge reward for me. and mostly what we've worked on is uncovering past childhood trauma that i didn't even realize happened, which ultimately caused me to have memory loss today and severe anxiety. plus, i've worked very hard to love myself. and i honestly do.
>
> so, if you want some more responses (other than just me, a few other 'oldies' and newbies) you can post on psycho-babble psychology, which is about therapy. you should get some hits there. or, if you have questions about certain medications in particular, you can post to psycho-babble (just plain psycho-babble), and there are a whole lot of knowledgable people over there too!
>
> and, of course, i'll keep an eye out over here and keep chatting with you too :) again, i'm glad you stopped by, and i hope to see you soon!
Posted by anxious babe on May 19, 2004, at 14:43:25
In reply to Re: Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses?, posted by karen_kay on May 16, 2004, at 20:47:14
Karen_Kay
I am fairly new to these boards and I have made a lot of friend on social, but I have to say that you are so nice and consoling to other people especially the new ones - You were one of the first people to welcome me to the boards about a month ago and I can just tell that you are such a sweet, caring person so I just thought I would let you know that.
This is my first time on any meds for my anxiety other than xanax and it is also my first time ever on a discussion board - I have to say that at 33 I was very skeptical about writing to strangers and telling them my problems, but I needed to know that I wasn't alone in feeling what I feel everyday suffering from anxiety, so I decided to join the babble site and I am so glad that I did because it makes such a difference to know there are people out there who feel the same way you do.Anyway the point I was trying to make is it's people like you who welcome new comers to the boards and make them feel so welcome and right at home, so thanks again.
Posted by karen_kay on May 19, 2004, at 14:59:31
In reply to Re: Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses? » karen_kay, posted by Caper on May 18, 2004, at 2:40:49
anytime you need to talk caper, i'm here. and there are many, many wonderful people around too who have been very VERY helpful and supportive. they've honestly helped keep me afloat when i really needed it.
and caper, it's honestly my pleasure to be able to welcome you. thank you for posting and allowing me the opportunity to welcome you. i really look forward to learning more about you in the future and seeing your progress (not that i'm pushing you of course :)
take care dear!!!!
Posted by karen_kay on May 19, 2004, at 15:07:29
In reply to Re: Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses?, posted by anxious babe on May 19, 2004, at 14:43:25
hello babe!
thank you so very much for your sweet post, on a day when i very much needed it! it seems people on babble just sense these things, eh?
this too is the very first board i've ever belonged too, and i swear you guys know more than my therapist. (really now, i can't make his job too easy, can i?) and i've honestly met so many very amazing people here. it's truly wonderful. babble honestly has helped to keep me stable. and no, i'm not getting paid to endorse :)
thanks again sweetie for your kind words. i hope i'm doing an ok job of welcoming people here. i remember what it was like to be new. and honestly, do feel free at anytime to jump into any thread that interests you. if i hadn't done so, i wouldn't have met so many very amazing people! i guess having a big mouth comes in handy sometimes :)
and i really can't thank you enough dear... how about a hug???? ((((anxious babe)))))) thank you so VERY VERY VERY much!!! you made my day!!!
Posted by anxious babe on May 19, 2004, at 16:30:26
In reply to Re: Any other new members with same/similar diagnoses? » anxious babe, posted by karen_kay on May 19, 2004, at 15:07:29
You are very welcome! (hugs to you)
babe
This is the end of the thread.
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