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  • Image of Meekacat

    About Me

    I could hide the bipolar disorder but not the Lupus too. I've been sick with Lupus 7 years and not worked for nearly 3. I have 1 daughter, divorced, and 1 grandson. Before Lupus I was an independent successful professional single woman, working 50-60 hrs/week. I suffer from severe depression and anxiety and I have developed social anxiety and tend to seclude myself from people. I don't like who I am now, I'm a shell of the person I once was. I'm working on trying to develop a life without the structure of the professional business world. Starting over to make a life for myself!

    Interests

    I have a degree in decorating...I love nothing more than redecorating for a friend. Love to scrapbook, garden, read, oh yes...and cook with a friend! MOSTLY THOUGH, I treasure the time with my daughter, Stacia (she's 27) and grandson, Tristen (terrible two s LOL)! PICS BELOW...

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    • Get Well Soon!

      From nectar Today

      Hello Sandra, sorry about your cold. I hope the lupus hasn't flared up too. Take good care of yourself, and feel better.* Chicken soup, vitamin c, lots of water and soft tissues are in order.* xx

    • Hug

      From crzychic Yesterday

      Hello you! Just a hello hug for you...

    • Flower

      From dancingd Yesterday

      Hope your feeling better soon..lots a hugs and love dd

    • Hug

      From emeila Yesterday

      I was just wondering where you were. Feel better, vitamin c and fluids. hugs miss you

    • Get Well Soon!

      From tedibear Yesterday

      Hope u feel better soon! hugs,tedi

    Read Hugbook

  • Goals

  • Support Groups

    • Close Bipolar Disorder

      I tend to seclude myself, letting everyone think it is the Lupus, ashamed of being bipolar. I kept the BP disorder a secret since I was diagnosed at 31. But now the physical pain of the Lupus along with the mental demons is many days unbearable. I keep in touch w/my therapist and take my meds. However, some days they don't seem to work at all. There's a lack of joy along with the absence of energy and creativity. The constant pain has left me a shell of the person I once was.

      Treatments

      Ativan Working / Worked
      I think I took Lorazepam years ago.
      Group Therapy Somewhat Helpful
      I don't do well in groups, I'm private about my mental health ans had to protect my professional career. I have an individual psychiatrist.
      Haldol Somewhat Helpful
      However, after about 6 months we made another change.
      Holistic Health Working / Worked
      Worked for about a year and then I started the gradual spiral into the dark hole. I went back on western medicine because I could not jeopardize my professional standing.
      Lamictal Working / Worked
      I suppose it helps. I feel pretty flat. The drugs have managed to take the mountains out of my life and I try to dodge the valley's.
      Lithium Working / Worked
      Took away the suicidal thoughts.
      Tegretol Not Working
      Made me feel "flat" numb. No longer taking.
      Topamax Not Working
      I've taken all of these for months at a time until I start to get worse again and we change to another drug.
      Wellbutrin Not Working
      Didn't work, then went to Effexor, which worked well for over three years.
    • Close Lupus

      I've been dealing with Lupus for 6 years now. It's been very dibilitating. I had to quit working over 3 years ago because my flares became so frequent and the pain and fatigue are extreme. As much as I want to be and as hard as i try...I'm not happy. I want to be happy again. I want to WANT to see people and socialize! I WANT to LIVE more of my life.

      Treatments

      Azathioprine Not Working
      no longer taking
      Azathioprine Working / Worked
      no longer taking IMURAN, it helped a lot but current $$ has eliminated this drug.
      Celebrex Working / Worked
      Helps my joint pain a great deal. I have been on it since diagnosis.
      Plaquenil Working / Worked
      I assume it helps. I'm worse when I am off of this drug.
      Prednisone Working / Worked
      I have been up to as much as 80mg a day, currently on 10mg. I have gained 60 lbs. since I went on this drug. I've cometo realize it causes mental side affects as well.
    • Open Anxiety

      Treatments

      Breathing Exercises Working / Worked
      along with meditation
      Xanax Working / Worked
      Works great1 I have used for years!
    • Open The 2008 Financial Crisis

      I have Lupus and Bipolar Disorder 2. I'm living with my daughter, who was recently divorced. Her gross income is $1250/mo and mine is $600. I'm working on getting SSDI. Have not worked in over 2 and a half years.

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