tom2687

Open Alcoholism

I've been in AA for 21 years and find it to be a fulfilling lifestyle. Due to some other issues I'm very depressed at the moment but as I've learned in AA this to shall pass. I've recently lost 2 brothers and have had some medical problems of my own. I trust in God and all will be better.

Treatments

12 Step Program Working / Worked

Extremely helpful

AA Meetings Working / Worked

Wouldn't do without them.

Cold Turkey Working / Worked

wouldn't do it again

Outpatient Treatment Program Working / Worked

If I had to do it over again I would choose an inpatient

Open Depression

I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder when I was in treatment for alcohol in Mar 1987. I'm currently severely depressed due to some health issues and the loss of 2 brothers last year in Aug and Oct. Today I was prescribed oxygen so that will be coming in a few days and should help some.

Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Working / Worked

i try.

Electroconvulsive therapy Working / Worked

didn't work

Meditation Working / Worked

short term

Paxil Working / Worked

somewhat

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

for a day

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

Absolutely necessary

Trazodone Working / Worked

used for sleep works well

Wellbutrin Working / Worked

didn't work

Open Pulmonary Fibrosis

I have been having trouble breathing and had been diagnosed as having COPD and Emphesyma. Yesterday I had a CT Scan that showed alot of scar tissue that the Dr told me today was Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He already has me on oxy and now has ordered an open lung biopsy.

Open Other Eye Problems

Blindness in the left eye due to scar tissue on the back of the retenae. Unknown cause, suspect cause from firing M-16 in Viet-Nam.

Open Essential Tremor

I was a heavy drinker to the point of alcoholism (age 42) when I quit and I was diagnosed with being bi-polar. The docs tried 16ECT treatments to no avail except that I started with hand tremors. Today the tremors are so severe that I need 2 hands to sign my name or write anything also I use a cup with a lid so I don't spill. I also use weighted utensils when I eat. I've also been prescribed a mild tranquilizer that didn't work.I'm 63 now and the tremors seem to be getting worse as I get older.

Open Bipolar Disorder

I was dxed 21 years ago with bp and cycled sometimes a couple times a day to several times weekly. I had 16 ECT treatments that didn't work. Over the years I needed to change meds about every 2 years as the ones I was oon would quit working. The med I'm on now seems to be working ffairly well the rollercoaster is like a soft ride. I do have depression tho'.

Treatments

Celexa Working / Worked

Works

Open Circumcision

I was born during WWII and not cut but when I was 23 and having some problems in the USAF with some unwanted extra growth of skin I had to be cut. I regret today being cut.

Open Chronic Pain

I have pain in the ankles knees back and chest.

Treatments

Meditation Working / Worked

when I get into it it seems to get my mind off the pain.

Neurontin Working / Worked

been taking 1000 mg 3x a day for 8 yrs and it seems to be working some

Topamax Working / Worked

500mg 2x a day seems to be working

Open Stroke

I had my first stroke when I was 37 a small bleed in the cerebelum. Had the second stroke last year at 62 when my left side went numb and severe headache.. Went to the ER and bloodtest showed I had a stroke. Need to change lifestyle. Lose weight and control cholesterol.

Treatments

Aggrenox Working / Worked

Taken morning and at night seems to be working

Aspirin Working / Worked

taken in the morning seems to be working

Open Bereavement

My brother Bill (caretaker) passed away suddenly from a stroke Aug 1, 2007 and my brother John passed away from brain cancer Oct 10, 2007. It has been very difficult for me to get over.I'm now the oldest sibling and oldest in the immediate family. I have 1 brother and 1 sister.

Treatments

Crying Working / Worked

Crying just happens I don't know if it works

Getting Angry Working / Worked

I get angry but then feel guilty

Keeping Busy Working / Worked

Works

Prayer Working / Worked

I pray morning afternoon and nights and seems to be working

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

seems to have helped some

Reading Working / Worked

can't seem to focus it works better if I get "books on tap/CD"

Remembering Working / Worked

helped

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

it's brought my siblings closer together

Talking Working / Worked

brings on tears

Open Incest Survivors

I was sexually abused by my father from the age of 7 to the age of 14.

Open Loneliness

I'm by myself and haven't had a relationship since my fiance passed away since 1986.

Treatments

Humex Working / Worked

none

Open Tinnitus

When in the military I was subjected to rifle fire without the use of earplugs and have since have a loud roar in my ears. The VA has me on disability for having tinnitis.

Treatments

Neurontin Working / Worked

I'm using Gabapentin for another problem but, it helps with the noise

Open Sexual Abuse

From the age of 7-12 I was abused by my Father. It finally quit when I got big enough for me to tell him no more.

Treatments

Talking Working / Worked

Went to a therapist

Open Senior Health & Aging
Type: Memory Loss

I'm 64 and don't really all the time feel my age until I try to do something. Then I remember. I suffer from the usual ills of the aged and a few more.

Open Sleep Apnea

My late fiance noticed that I quit breathing 30 years ago but, I wasn't DXed with sleep apnea in a sleep study until 3 years ago. I was having a terrible time falling asleep during the day and having headaches.

Treatments

CPAP Working / Worked

Works well

Open Blindness & Visual Impairment
Type: Partially Sighted

I'm blind in the left due to scar tissue on the back of the retina and have cataracts and glaucoma in the right eye. I can still see pretty well out of the right corrected with glasses.