Today...
August 10, 2009 11:44am
Today I was suppose to have a doctors appt, but there was a mix-up. We all have been there before- it happens.. I just wish it didn't …
Goal Completed on May 1, 09
mystic5342 
1:20pm, September 21, 2009
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About Me
mystic5342
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About Me
I am 37, divorced, retired along with mentally and physically handicapped. I was born with mental challenges: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . And as I got older I was found with Depression which was later found to be Bipolar Disorder. In 2001 I was found to be physically handicapped due to domestic violence by my ex-husband. I also now have PTSD, severe anxiety, paranoia, nightmares/ night terrors, insomnia, temporary memory loss issues along with mild brain damage, added on to the Bipolar Disorder ( alot on my plate). My physical handicapps are Degenerative Disc Disease, Cervical Spondylosis, osteo-arthritis and throat/neck damage. When I was 12 I was found with Scoliosis and had to temporarily wear a brace. I have already had one back surgery back in '03 due to the DDD. I am homebound quite a bit, but i try very hard to not let it get me or keep me down. It doesn't help that I also suffer from food and environmental allergies along with Asthma. I am very involved with my family. I live in close proximity to my parents and their golden retriever Goldie. It's just me and my cat Lady-- who has been my best friend, my companion, a big part of my therapy... I have 2 brothers, one older and one younger- both of them are very important to me. I also have 1 niece and 3 nephews whom I love to spoil. I use to be very athletic, but now due to my limitations I can now only enjoy short walks and try hard to not overdo it (which with me I always am!!)... I am still full of and loving life. Again I try not to let anything keep me down; I try to take everything in great stride. I live by this belief- Everything in life is worth fighting for, no matter the challenge. I have fought hard for every achievement in my life and am damn proud of it!!!
I am 37, divorced, retired along with mentally and physically handicapped. I was born with mental challenges: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . And as I got older I was found with Depression which was later found to be Bipolar Disorder. In 2001 I was found to be physically handicapped due to domestic violence by my ex-husband. I also now have PTSD, severe anxiety, paranoia, nightmares/ night terrors, insomnia, temporary memory loss issues along with mild brain damage, added on to the Bipolar Disorder ( alot
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Website
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Interests
knitting, reading, writing, web surfing/playing on my computer, cooking/baking, geneology, research, learning new things, Wicca, magic, politics, dreams, dragons, dolphins, superstitions/omens, animals, movies/tv, playing games on my PS2
knitting, reading, writing, web surfing/playing on my computer, cooking/baking, geneology, research,
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Recent Activity
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Journal
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Chicks are Finally Complete!!!
May 1, 2009 11:15am
The chicks are finally done. I am so happy. I feel 100% energized. Last night Mom and I went to our knit night at the shop and I turned them in.The …
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A Beautiful Spring...
April 30, 2009 9:48am
Spring has finally come!!! I love it!!! I havenot been able to be out in it due to constant battles with swelling and back pain, but that's …
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Another day...
April 10, 2009 10:56am
Good Morning y'all. I woke up again extremely early, but it's all good. I am happy, positive.. Last night I went to a knit group with my Mom- …
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I can't do it!!!
April 3, 2009 2:23pm
I have decided after many tears to keep my cat Lady. I can't give her up, I jsut can't!!! We have been through so much together. She has …
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Hugbook
Little Love
You are welcome!! I am so glad it worked out that well. Glad I could help. Love you. XOXOXOXO
Mom
Shout Out
Hi I am so so sorry I have not sent you a long reply first I was ot 100% then I was working and falling in a heap after work please do not think your friendship is not important. Even though we do not know each other that well yet I still value your input and look forward to getting to know you better and for you to know me too. After being down for some weeks I am feeling more like the person I want to be..More balanced on an even keel a bit or housework a few meetings and some me time. Hope your getting out a little more than the last time we "spoke" even if it is to walk around the block as fresh air and even the slowest form of exersize is so bood for us with BP Take care my friendXXX
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Flower
Hi again thanks for replying so quickly I have just googled your home town looks really nice a bit cold for what I amused to I live in a place called Rockingham south of Perth Western Australia. I will send you a longer message giving you some background later on as I have a few things to do. I am looking forward to getting to know you better. I have Bipolar was in a very violent relationship have had back surgery and still have lots of problems with it like you I love a long hot shower also use weat bags...You unlike me sound like youhave a close supportive family lucky you...but then again I have a partner now that is emotionaly very supportive I have two dogs and a parrot (charley)Loking forward to hearing from you soon
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I’m With You
Except for the wicka and age difference we have a lot in common so I would like to add you to my list of friends and hopefully get to chat on line
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Hug
I'm so sorry you are in such pain. Here is a big hug for you. Mom
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Photos
mystic5342 hasn’t uploaded any photos yet
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Goals
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Support Groups
Close Back Pain
I've had back issues all my life- started out as Scoliosis at 12. Went through an abusive cycle and was later found with Degenerative Disc Disease with Arthritis and bone framents along my tail bone.On top of that I now have Kyphosis and Spondylosis. I'm not taking anything, doing it all on my own. The pain is excruciating sometimes, but I deal with it. Bad weather doesn't make it any better. I've already had one back surgery- now doctors are afraid to touch me.
Treatments
- Bedrest Somewhat Helpful
- It doesn't work all the time.
- Flexeril Not Working
- It worked for a while, but then my body got use to it and it no longer worked.
- Heat Working / Worked
- It only works when the swelling is really bad. Sometimes I'll even take a nice, long, hot bath.
- Hydrocodone Working / Worked
- I was given it after my surgery. It did what it was suppose to do, but it constipated me badly.
- Ibuprofen Not Working
- Didn't work. All it did was give me high blood pressure.
- Morphine Working / Worked
- I was on it after my surgery. It helped with the pain, but I got badly constipated.
- Naproxen Not Working
- Didn't help at all.
- Physical Therapy Working / Worked
- I have been to physical therapy 5 separate times since the surgery. It worked, but now there is nothing more to teach/show me.
- Relaxation Working / Worked
- This is the only thing for me to do. I have a tendency to overdo it whenever I get up and move around. Sometimes rest and relaxation is the best medicine.
- Stretching Working / Worked
- I do this on a daily basis. It works as long as you don't overdo it and you do it as a daily routine.
Close Bipolar Disorder
In '00 I was found with bipolar. I had difficulties my whole life. I also have other mental handicapps that add on to it. I was hospitalized when I was a teen because I was off the charts, my family couldn't control me or my episodes, after i was placed in a group home for challenged kids and teens. I have managed to stay out of hospitals for 15 yrs. now, and am currently on no meds- even though I should be. I am divorced and along with the mental challenges I am physically handicapped/disable.
Treatments
- Depakote Somewhat Helpful
- It helped a little, but the medication they put me on with it gave me really bad side effects so they had to taper me off of it. And then when they tried it on its own it didn't have as big of an effect.
- Group Therapy Not Working
- I don't do well in group therapy!!!
- Lithium Working / Worked
- I was on it for a while. It worked, but I gained an unsightly amount of extra unwanted weight so I took myself off of it to lose the weight.
- Risperdal Somewhat Helpful
- I don't really remember. It was a while ago. I took myself off of it for some reason. I think it was a side effect that was giving me issues.
- Seroquel Working / Worked
- It worked. It helped me sleep, but i would wake up every morning feeling like a mack truck ran me over. The feeling wouldn't go away until right before my next nightly dose.
- Tegretol Somewhat Helpful
- It helped in the beginning, but I had severe side effects. Dont rightly remember what they were, but the doctor took me off immediately.
- Wellbutrin Not Working
- I was given this to help me quit smoking cigarettes and then later on I was given it for depression. It didn't work on either count.
- Zyprexa Not Working
- It worked in the beginning, but as soon as my body got use to it it wasn't working any more. I have an extreme high tolerance.
- Verapamil Working / Worked
- No side effects no dosage issue. It is extremely therapeudic to me. It calms me it relaxes me. it keeps me occupiedbusy.
Open Degenerative Disc Disease
I was found with DSS in '01. It was brought on my a domestic attack by my ex. I have had surgery once in '03. I now have 5 more ruptures; 4 on top and 1 below near my tail bone. I have severe arthritis surrounding the area(s). I am homebound and, a lot of the time, bedbound/couchbound. I am always having to take care because of the limitations my doctor now has me with.. I live alone with just my cat Lady so it is mostly up to me to take care of the everyday duties.
Open Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
I am a survivor from Domestic Abuse. My ex husband violently attacked me, I was lucky to have survived. I now because of the abuse am physically and mentally disabled, have night terrors along paranoia and anxiety (and of course ptsd).
Treatments
- Art Working / Worked
- I am an avid knitter. It works still. It calms me, keeps not only my hands but also my mind occupied, and it relaxes me.
- Music Working / Worked
- still use it- meditation and relaxing.
- Paxil Not Working
- I am bipolar along with the other so this medication did the reverse for me. I got more anxious, more depressed, more everything.
- Psychotherapy Working / Worked
- it worked for what it was suppose to do, but I would always go back home more depressed and more upset. So in some ways it worsened the cause.
- Reading Working / Worked
- still read, but I tend now to read more crime-novelly, more violent novels whereas I use to read happy romances.
- Seroquel Working / Worked
- it worked, it helped me sleep. but the aftereffects were too much. I always woke up with a hangover feeling that never really went away.
- Serzone Not Working
- It didn't have any effect on what all was happening and going on with me.
- Supportive Care Working / Worked
- my family and friends are there for me on a constant basis.
- Talking Working / Worked
- It worked really well in the beginning, but now I don't like to talk about it to others because they feel pity for me and that tends to make me feel worse..
- Zoloft Not Working
- Didn't work- had opposite effect.
Open Adoption
Type: Open AdoptionI was adopted as an infant. I have been given a wonderful family, but I am different, always have been. I was born mentally disabled- ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Effect with mild brain damage. I grew up always being on the outside looking in- or at least feeling like it. My older brother was also adopted when he was a baby.
Treatments
- Psychotherapy Working / Worked
- Due to my mental challenges my parents thought that counseling was the right step for me to learn and understand my adoption. It worked but I still didnt fully comprehend that I was adopted until I was age 12. Counseling started at age 8.
Open Lactose Intolerance
When I was a baby my Mom had to feed me soy milk due to the lactose intolerance. I was fine during childhood and teen years and then during my early 20's all of a sudden it was back- no more milk or milk products. It made me sick!! It sucks!!
Treatments
- Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked
- I now have to pay attention to everything I eat. Anything that contain lactose and/or milk I have to avoid.
- Lactaid Working / Worked
- This is the only milk I can drink without getting sick or any ill effects. I don't care for soy!!
- Lactose-Free Diet Considering
- It is difficult to change completely on your diet so this is still a work-in-progress.
Open Breakups & Divorce
I have been divorced more than once. The last time I made a vow that that was the last time, the last one. It was very violent- I was severely beaten. I now tend to stay to myself. my cat is my companion. I have family and friend support.
Treatments
- Forgiveness Not Working
- It was tried and it failed!!
- Leave Working / Worked
- I ended up leaving, moving and that was the best thing i ever did!!
- Love Not Working
- Me having a big heart was the problem. I loved too much and in the end it got me hurt!!
- Music Working / Worked
- relaxing and meditative.
- Pets Working / Worked
- My cat Lady is my constant companion, my best friend.
- Psychotherapy Working / Worked
- still in it- too many issues to resolve..
- Reading Working / Worked
- I read every night before I go to sleep. It helps a lot..
- Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked
- always, always, always...
- Support Groups Working / Worked
- It worked directly afterwards, but then eventually the newness wore off and I would go home afterwards depressed and/or angry. now I don't go- it's better that way.
- Talking Working / Worked
- my friends and especially my family don't want to hear all the pain and torture I went through. They want me to leave it alone and move on. I feel the more i talk about it, the better i feel.
- Time Not Working
- time was my enemy- time is what turned the marriage against me. The more time I put into it, the more hurt I got.
Open Dry Eyes
I went to get an eye exam last yr. and was found with not only dry eyes but a degeneration in the muscle behind my left eye. I use Refresh Plus every day to help relieve the dry eye.
Open Food Allergies
Type of allergy: Other FoodsI had a flu shot 15 yrs. ago and I had a severe allergic reaction to it- it made me deathly ill. I am now, because of this shot, highly allergic to eggs and egg products.
Treatments
- Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked
- I have to avoid eggs and egg products. I can use Egg Beaters, but not a lot at any one time otherwise i can feel sick (have flu-like symptoms).
Open Other Eye Problems
Type: OtherLast year I went to have my eyes checked. I have severe dry eye. But when I went I was found with a degeneration happening in the muscle/lining behind my left eyeball. It's not macular, thank goodness- but I have to go back yearly and wear glasses due to it.
Open Insomnia
I have suffered from insomnia all my life. I have learned to live with it- it helps too that there are meds to take for when sleep is heavily needed...
Treatments
- Counting Sheep Not Working
- This never worked, but it was fun to try..
- Meditation Working / Worked
- It sometimes works. It all depends on my concentration level and what mood I am in to begin with.
- Music Somewhat Helpful
- I love music and it helped a bit, but not for long term.
- Pamelor Working / Worked
- I was only on this temporarily. It had an effect, but not what my doctor was looking for.
- Reading Working / Worked
- I have been reading before bed since I 1st learned how. It is a good and constant routine. It doesn't always have the effect to help me get to sleep, but it is relaxing (depending on the type of book).
- Trazodone Working / Worked
- It worked a short time, but as soon as my body/system got use to it all of a sudden the dosage kept being raised-- it just didn't have a good effect anymore.
- Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulator Working / Worked
- This overthecounter med is effective but I wake up with a hangovertype feeling. And because of the longtime effect this will have on the liver and kidneys I dont take it nightly. I only take it when I really need the extra help.
Open Environmental Allergies
Type of allergy: PollenI have always had severe allergies. I am allergic to pollen, grass, dust. It doesn't help that I am asthmatic..
Treatments
- Allegra Working / Worked
- It worked, but for some reason that I can't remember I am no longer on it...
- Clarinex Working / Worked
- It worked but for some reason I am no longer on it.
- Flonase Somewhat Helpful
- It was somewhat helpful, but the side effects were really hard for me to live with. I got sores in my throat even when I rinsed it directly afterwards.
- Nasal Irrigation Not Working
- I have problems with my nasal passage being to narrow so this wasn't even contemplated by me and my doctor(s).
- Nasonex Not Working
- I had worse allergies to this medication so I wasn't on it long enough for it to show it's full potential..
- Singulair Working / Worked
- It worked but for some reason I am no longer on it.
- Sudafed Working / Worked
- It works when it is really bad with the constant nasal drip happening..
Open Asthma
Type: OtherI was found with Bronchial Asthma when I moved to the big city when I was 18. Too much pollution I guess.
Treatments
- Advair Somewhat Helpful
- It worked somewhat but I had side effects that were making things worse.
- Albuterol Working / Worked
- Good for an emergency inhaler.
- Azmacort Working / Worked
- It worked for my attacks, but the side effects were horrendous.
- Breathing Exercises Working / Worked
- It worked temporarily, but if i did them for too long I would have an attack.
- Flovent Not Working
- Surprisingly this didn't help all that much.
- Inhaler Working / Worked
- It worked for emergency attack purposes.
- Serevent Working / Worked
- It worked as long as it was doubled with another inhaler.
- Singulair Working / Worked
- This worked with the inhaler but for some reason I am not on this anymore.
Open High Blood Pressure
I was found with hbp when I was 19. The doctors couldn't figure out what was causing it- my heart and the areas surrounding it was in perfect health.
Treatments
- Atenolol Not Working
- It didn't work at all. I had found out about 6 months later that I should have never been put on that med because of the side effects that messed with my other health issues.
- Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Not Working
- I already did that so doing it was no problem. It didn't help- food and drink weren't causing the problem.
- Lisinopril Working / Worked
- This is what I am currently taking and it works great. Finger's crossed- I haven't had an issue yet..
- Physical Exercise Working / Worked
- I am extremely limited on what i can do and for how long but... I try to go for even a short walk every day and that helps.
Open Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
I was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, have always had mental issues/problems due to it..
Treatments
- Writing Working / Worked
- I started keeping one when I was a child. It has helped tremendously through the difficult times..
- Keeping Busy Working / Worked
- I am always needing to keep my mind and hands busy. I knit for this reason alone I knit all the time and love every minute of it!!!
Open Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
I was found with Hypoglycemia about 10 yrs. ago and have recently started paying real attention to it...
Treatments
- Independent Living Skills Working / Worked
