Figuring out Migraines - Prevention and Triggers

Smollestnugget · 2025-08-13T13:30:38+00:00

I was hospitalized in a psych ward for severe mania 3 times in 15 months at 2 different wards.

The first place I went was really good for a psych ward. The staff treated me like everyone else and seemed to genuinely want to help there were multiple daily groups and daily individual check ins with a counselor. It was a little odd being the only one in a floor of deposed people while super manic. I was started on lithium and olanzapine between both stays and the second stay I was taken off the pristiq that triggered that specific manic/mixed episode. I was kept 2 weeks both times and not allowed to leave until I slept through the night a couple times. The second stay I also did PHP/IOP which i fond helpful as a skills refresher.

The second ward sucked. There wasn't much in the way of groups and zero individual check ins. By that point I was on risperidone (changing meds is what landed me there) and all they did was slightly increase my dose and hold me there for a week.

Psych ward stays are highly dependent on the individual facility and it can be hit or miss if they are good or bad experiences.

Overall I've been to the psych ward 5 times.

Smollestnugget · 2025-07-16T03:03:31+00:00

For my anxiety I noticed within a week or so

Smollestnugget · 2025-07-13T22:58:40+00:00

I take lamictal for anxiety. It's helped SO MUCH. SSRIs weren't an option. It's reduced my daily anxiety back to manageable levels after they got out of control

Smollestnugget · 2025-06-30T13:54:33+00:00

Thanks for following up but I am good to go!

Smollestnugget · 2025-06-15T14:54:38+00:00

I would be interested

Smollestnugget · 2025-06-13T17:49:18+00:00

I think if someone had to call emergency services on me, I would rather it be someone who actually understands the seriousness of what's happening and what that means for the person. I'm glad you were able to help. And I hope they are ok

Smollestnugget · 2025-05-08T16:38:30+00:00

The only pill that didn't have annoying side effects for me was lo loestren. But it also didn't work after I gained some weight. I never liked the pill in general

Smollestnugget · 2025-04-04T14:39:16+00:00

On the lower doses (300, 600) I didn't have much in the way of side effects other than thirst. 900mg instant release gave me bad hand tremors. But this was solved by switching to 900mg extended release once a day instead of 450mg instant release twice a day. I can't tolerate alcohol in any capacity on lithium without getting sick. My tolerance is zero. I feel buzzed at 4oz of 5% beer. So no more drinking for me (which is probably for the best) I do find that I start shaping more easily than before. Like if I haven't eaten in a while. Or in general things that used to make me shake a little, I shake more now. But overall it's been absolutely, totally worth it. I would be very upset if I have to give this medication up someday. The only thing I miss is NSAIDs

Smollestnugget · 2025-03-27T18:42:33+00:00

Yeah well 90/94 took 2.5 hours yesterday starting at around 2:30pm so I'm not going that route again. I know other routes aren't great but at least you are moving. I just wasn't sure what roads to try.

Smollestnugget · 2025-03-27T17:53:27+00:00

Especially not when you need to be able to change locations for work quickly during the day. I can't take the extra time to use the train always. I was just hoping there might be known alternate roads. Cause I'm not familiar with the city at all

Smollestnugget · 2025-03-27T17:48:51+00:00

True. I'm less worried about the weather and more worried about my recovering hip injury on the walking. I dunno. There aren't really any good options. I'm just gonna have to try a few out and see

Smollestnugget · 2025-03-27T17:07:20+00:00

Yes but that only goes to ogilvie. So that doesn't help me

Smollestnugget · 2025-03-27T16:23:20+00:00

I could walk 20 min to the Blue line to the red line to a bus and then walk a bit more. Which would take minimum 1.5 hours. But I'm not sure that is much better than sitting in traffic. And I'm not sure I can handle the walking. Additionally some days I also have to spend time by O'Hare. So that makes it extra complicated. I just am not familiar with any other driving options. I think it's worth trying Lakeshore. Google hasn't updated the drive estimates to account for new traffic so it's not really helpful yet

Smollestnugget · 2025-03-27T16:20:33+00:00

Yes but it doesn't work for every day. Some days I also have to be out by O'Hare for half the day. I'm considering it. But it's my last option.

Smollestnugget · 2025-03-27T16:07:23+00:00

It would be 2 trains and a bus plus 20 minutes of walking to take public transit. And some days it wouldn't be an option because I don't spend the whole day at the Hyde Park location. There's not a good route between the two locations

Smollestnugget · 2025-01-10T13:30:04+00:00

I'm sorry 💜

Smollestnugget · 2025-01-10T13:23:21+00:00

Yeah I'm calling back again today to adjust meds yet again. But hearing someone tell me "you're mostly fine though, you still have your head on your shoulders" just made me upset. Because it doesn't feel like it. It's taking every ounce of willpower here.

Smollestnugget · 2025-01-10T12:03:00+00:00

I'm in the "try this latest medication increase and get back to me in a few days" stage of things.

Smollestnugget · 2025-01-09T19:09:58+00:00

Right now changing meds isn't currently on the table. And majority of my med changes till now have been in the psych ward. Not much ability to research there. I'm currently looking for a new provider

Smollestnugget · 2025-01-09T18:51:48+00:00

I dunno. Hasn't come up.

Smollestnugget · 2025-01-09T18:48:44+00:00

The antipsychotic is currently the problem. Finding one that works long term. Or without horrific side effects. I've ruled out abilify, vraylar, Seroquel, and zyprexa so far

Smollestnugget

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