aposey’s Profile

Open Anxiety

I have had GAD for probably the past ten years, but was not dx'd with it until about 2 years ago. Presently, I'm being treated for it with Lexapro (5mg), but that is not working. Prior to that, I "self-medicated" with marijuana & alcohol, but that became a BIG problem for me, and I've now been "in recovery" since 8-23-01. I'm also bipolar, and am 39.

Treatments

Acupuncture Working / Worked

It works while the needles are in, and for a short while thereafter, but has shown no long-term benefit, thus far; I'm going to stick with it, though.

Klonopin Working / Worked

It works very well in calming my body down, putting me and keeping me asleep (my favorite part of life), but I cannot take it during the day, as I would be a zombie.

Chiropractic Adjustment Working / Worked

I do this about once a month and this is where I get my Folic AcidB12 whose ingredients are highly absorbent by the body.

Lexapro Not Working

Open Dystonia

I've had dystonia for almost 2 years now. I am 39, am bipolar with GAD, and was referred to an "Abnormal Movements" neurologist by my pdoc in July of 2007. This neurologist dx'd me with tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia, and cervical dystonia. I couldn't handle the side effects of the Clozaril he put me on for the tardive dyskinesia/dystonia, and received my first round of Botox injections for the cervical dystonia in 11/07. They take at least a month to take effect.

Treatments

Clonazepam Working / Worked

3mg/bedtime stops the movements & puts me to sleep. it does cause dry eyes, however.

Acupuncture Somewhat Helpful

it works while the needles are in and for a short while thereafter but thus far it has shown to be of no longterm help. I will continue to pursue it however.

Chiropractic Adjustment Working / Worked

I go about once a month for an adjustment and for a bottle of Folic AcidB12 whose ingredients are highly absorbent by the body.

Open Brain Injury

I had an MVA in 1987 that left me comatose, for about three weeks. I was on life-support, my jaw was broken, and my mouth was wired shut. I later went to rehab for about a month, where I learned to talk, write w/my left hand (r is paralyzed), and eventually, walk.

Open Phobia
Type: Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces)

I have agoraphobia, & social phobia (to an extent), & have a lot of anxiety when presented w/both situations, esp. when around the unknown.

Treatments

Acceptance Working / Worked

when I practice it/use it on a daily basis

Hypnotherapy Working / Worked

it didn't work in the past (@ 10 or so yrs ago), but now I have an excellent therapist, who makes audio tapes for me, that I can listen to, again & again.

Acupuncture Working / Worked

I have a very gentle loving experienced acupuncturist who is very sensitive to my needs treats me very well hugs me after each visit.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I have been seeing a very loving accepting therapist probono for several months now. Shes great at listening giving me positive affirmations suggestions etc.

Open Stress Management

I become very easily stressed & overwhelmed; it affects my bipolar disorder, my anxiety, my dystonia, & others...I'm virtually never calm & relaxed, except when I'm able to sleep. I'm very emotionally sensitive, & the stress heightens this. I'm just looking for help, & support.

Treatments

Music Working / Worked

it can calm & distract me (temporarily)

Meditation Working / Worked

I try to meditate when I first get up then at bedtime but its not always possible. I have about 20 great meditation tapes...

Acupuncture Working / Worked

I see a really warm loving acupuncturist who was a nurse for several years. She sees me on a sliding scale and charges very little she just wants to help.

Melatonin Working / Worked

helps to regulate my sleep schedule 1mgevening more than that can give me strange dreams

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

my therapist is very loving accepting compassionate calming has good advicesuggestions for me.

Open Hypothyroidism

I'm exhausted al of the time; I was inpatient in the Spring, & they did a blood test on me there, showing I had hypothyroidism, & they gave me Synthroid (25mcg), but it just makes me not eat; I'm already underweight...

Open Diabetes Type 2

Hi, I am not diabetic (thus far), but have several friends who are diabetic type 2, & I would like to be part of this group to help them.

Treatments

Insulin (Regular and NPH) Working / Worked

Insulin Pump Working / Worked

Open Chronic Pain

I have a lot of chronic pain, from my cervical dystonia, generalized dystonia, & other health problems.

Treatments

Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful

I do this about once every month or two; it helps somewhat, especially by putting me "back in balance" from falls, etc.

Lyrica Not Working

Does not help my neck pain; I'm not currently taking it.

Meditation Working / Worked

I try to do this every morning & evening; I have about 20+ meditation tapes that I listen to.

Neurontin Not Working

I cannot handle this anymore, so have d/c'd it (w/dr.'s supervision & consent)

Physical Therapy Working / Worked

It's starting to help.

Acupuncture Working / Worked

this really helps but only in the short run. My acupuncturist sees me on a slidingscale thats the only way I can afford it.

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Sibling

I put "loss of a sibling," but I have also experienced the loss of a parent, two dear friends, & a companion, plus the use of my right arm.

Treatments

Crying Somewhat Helpful

it has seemed to help somewhat, but in a way, it's been never-ending.

Grief Counseling Working / Worked

I have a very good therapist/social worker, who helps me work through my thoughts & feelings of loss, & who affirms my right to have these feelings, etc.

Helping Others Working / Worked

it gets me outside of myself; I can always find people who are as bad off, or worse off, than I, and they are sad & lonely, too; we can comfort one another.

Music Somewhat Helpful

Pets Working / Worked

I had a cat for a long time, who stayed with me & comforted me. We were very close, but then I lost him, too.

Poetry Somewhat Helpful

Prayer Somewhat Helpful

Remembering Somewhat Helpful

Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful

It's sort of rare, but is SO comforting when I can get it. Some of my friends are really too young to have lost that much (yet), & many of my older friends have severe health problems, & I do not feel that I have any right to impose my problems on them.

Support Groups Working / Worked

It's really good to find "real time" support w/those who are having the same struggles.

Time Working / Worked

this has probably been the most helpful, in coming to terms with/accepting all of the loss.

Meditation Working / Worked

I have meditation CDs cassette tapes that I listen too mostly at night before I go to sleep.

Open ADHD / ADD

I was diagnosed with ADD at age 21, but at the tine, the only tx available was Ritalin, & my psychiatrist felt I had the potential of abusing that, so he would not treat me w/it. Now, 18 yrs. later, I found out that Strattera is on the market, & I want to pursue treatment.

Open Loneliness

I tend to avoid intimacy out of a fear of being hurt, but now, it's been nearly a decade since I was in a relationship (where I DID get hurt), I'm nearly 40, & I'd like to find a way to explore healthy relationships, & to support others, who are feeling isolated/lonely.

Treatments

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

Open The 2008 Financial Crisis

I am SO WORRIED about the economy. I don't really know about how the rest of the world is doing, but I do know that we're slipping into a depression, & I'm SO worried about that, It's gonna be really bad for years to come, we're spending A TRILLION $$$ om being involved with the civil war in Iraq, & soon, we'll no loner be a "super power." The upcoming election scares the tar out oif me!

Open Insomnia

Treatments

Ambien Working / Worked

I don't know if it helps

Counting Sheep Not Working

Meditation Working / Worked

Yes; I have a lot of guided meditation tapes, but my tape recorder isn't working, & I can't get a new one right now.

Music Working / Worked

somewhat helpful.

Clonazepam Working / Worked

it definitely worked at first for a long time thereafter but Ive built up a resistance to it...

Melatonin Working / Worked

I take 1 or 2 mg more gives me freaky dreams that wake me up. Im out of it right now. Also it makes me wake early even when I dont need to.