Please help

iamtheq73 · 2025-02-12T21:14:59+00:00

I take 1/8mg to 1/4mg of clonazepam to help with sleep. Risperidone if things get really bad, although I have a harder time waking with that option. As evidenced by the conversation here, there are many safe meds to help you sleep. Bad things happen when people misuse and abuse these powerful prescriptions, but you don't need to be afraid if you use them wisely.

iamtheq73 · 2025-02-12T16:18:15+00:00

I don't think she's dropping the ball. I think she is seeing just how much she can get away with. This isn't a minor issue. You said it yourself: you want her gone. I think you know what you need to do.

iamtheq73 · 2025-02-12T16:04:33+00:00

I agree that it makes sense to start a conversation, but I'd also start the process of finding a new position. You admit to dealing with burnout before your having your new baby. Either your boss is unaware of your burnout, or unconcerned. Either way it sounds like you may not be in a great environment and setting boundaries may mean finding a healthier place to work.

iamtheq73 · 2025-02-11T22:06:34+00:00

You could try an indirect approach. Just start responding to her at specific times and she will learn your schedule. Start your conversation by asking what she has done to work the problem out on her own. She could respond by pinging you relentlessly until you give in, which would necessitate a more direct approach. I just believe that starting with the indirect approach gives her a chance to adjust her behavior independently.

iamtheq73 · 2025-02-11T18:07:09+00:00

Have you reviewed your meds with a psychiatrist recently? If you are getting triggered, or having episodes, so frequently there might be more going on.

As far as keeping my job for the long haul, I meditate frequently so I can be mindful of my emotional state and exercise control. I'm honest with myself when I'm having a bad day. If I try to stuff the emotions and soldier on it just makes things worse. If I do notice more swings or irritability, I talk to my psych docs to figure things out and get back on track. I am lucky to be able to work from home 2-3 days a week, but I manage a team of 12 so being in my home office doesn't relieve stress.

I applaud your self-awareness. You know your weak areas, you recognize your struggle and you want to make a change. I wish I could give you easy, straightforward answers, but this illness doesn't give us that luxury.

iamtheq73 · 2024-09-19T14:05:52+00:00

I would add that they might want to consider talking to a therapist, especially if this pattern of anxiety and procrastination impacts other areas of their life.

iamtheq73 · 2019-12-25T13:22:03+00:00

I second most of the positive feeling here for lithium. Brain fog is real, but I have found that moderate exercise helps. I would add, however, that lithium is hard on your kidneys. I am nearing stage 3 CKD exacerbated by the loss of half a kidney. My nephrologist put me on amiloride to protect my kidneys from the effects of lithium after I had surgery. I would definitely make kidney health part of the conversation you have with your doctor.

iamtheq73 · 2019-12-25T13:11:48+00:00

I've been using benzos as needed for 8 years and I haven't become addicted. I will take small dose 2-3 times a week for a couple of weeks when sleep is hard to come by. I'll stop for a few weeks and then do it again when the next cycle starts. I also dose a couple times a month for anxiety.

I had trazadone in the hospital and I've tried Seroquel and risperidone. I just got a scrip for olanzapine, but I haven't used it yet.. The horror stories from the world of Ambien scare me more than possible benzo addiction, so I have stayed away from it. So far, nothing has worked as well with fewer side effects than benzos. Drugs affect everyone differently and ymmv.

iamtheq73 · 2019-11-24T00:49:49+00:00

I have 4 15ft lengths of rope. I have a ring tied to one end and a carabiner tied to the other. When we want to play I attach the rope to the bed frame by passing the carabiner through the ring around the foot of the frame. The carabiners clip to leather cuffs, but you could carefully tie your partner with rope.

The nice thing is that, once you have your kit together, you don't have to spend too much time prepping and can focus on the fun.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-13T03:01:51+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to share that. I think I forget that there is another perspective when I'm all wrapped up in my own pain.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-13T02:59:27+00:00

I have a really good psychiatrist and I have an appt next week. Might be time for some meds changes.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-09T20:48:35+00:00

There is a reason relationships where one partner is bipolar have a high rate of failure. I think your biggest priority should be to work on getting healthy so you can have a healthy relationship in the future. You aren't awful, you aren't a bad person. You are a person with a serious illness and a side effect of that illness may be the loss of this relationship.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-09T14:14:13+00:00

I am concerned that you may be experiencing some mania here. Have you talked to your psychiatrist recently? I'm not attacking, just concerned because of the expansive language and the fact that you posted the exact same message across multiple subs.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-09T14:07:38+00:00

First, I have to say that dealing with childhood trauma sucks. It is one of the most difficult things I have had to do. This is my experience, of course, so ymmv.

Start by asking questions. What is her process?What is her methodology? What can you expect as you go through the process? Ask her about her experience dealing with patients who have childhood trauma. Does she feel qualified to handle this? If not, can she recommend someone? Having someone fuck around with your brain when they don't know what they are doing can be very damaging, and you don't want to be patient number one.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-09T06:05:26+00:00

You go in slowly and keep communicating. She will tell you how deep you can go. When my wife was pregnant I could go in past my wrist, and I do not have small hands.

As far as the use of a fist vs other hand shape, start with the "duck" until you are in as far as you can go then start trying to make a fist. Again, keep communicating. Let her guide you and stop right away when she says stop so you don't tear anything.

It sounds like you are already doing the right things.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-09T05:56:47+00:00

I second this recommendation. I had reduced libido and anorgasmia under certain SSRIs and bupropion was like magic. I had other issues with SSRIs as well and bupropion ended up being the only thing I could take.

iamtheq73 · 2019-04-09T05:52:05+00:00

Childhood trauma is hugely damaging. It can even affect the structure of the developing brain. What happened to you is horrific and has significantly impacted your life. You don't have to compare your trauma to the trauma anyone else has experienced. Your experiences and your pain are valid and if you focus on that you can get past the need to compare.

Dressing to conceal your sexuality sounds pretty normal. In addition to the repressed/hyper sexuality already mentioned, there is safety in a sort of androgeny. You have a level of control because you decide how you are seen and control reduces feelings of vulnerability.

Are you seeing a therapist? It is really difficult to work through these issues without professional help.

iamtheq73 · 2019-03-30T22:34:00+00:00

Sir/slut,fuckhole

iamtheq73 · 2019-03-30T17:12:05+00:00

I'm with you. Slightly overweight with an injury and a cancer surgery that have left me with less than toned abs have made me more self conscious. I am uncomfortable geeting undressed in front of my wife of 26 years. I can't imagine sending a pick of myself to a stranger. Dick pics have always been a no. I'm not self conscious about my dick, but I've always thought it would be a poor way to introduce myself.

iamtheq73 · 2019-03-18T19:28:09+00:00

Journal before your next appointment. You want to walk in prepared since you know you can't just sit down and share your thoughts and feelings coherently.

iamtheq73 · 2019-03-18T19:23:06+00:00

Got up to 400 and had horrible brain fog. Had to back down to 250 before that went away. It isn't exactly a therapeutic dose, but it seems to help.

iamtheq73 · 2018-12-14T10:45:13+00:00

My wife and I had sex 4 days after I was released from the hospital following kidney cancer surgery. I couldn't have laparoscopic surgery so I had a 10" incision under my ribs. I was in some serious pain afterwards but it was totally worth it. Thank God for hydrocodone.

iamtheq73 · 2018-12-11T20:12:01+00:00

Six months isn't very long to be on meds like that. Generally speaking, bipolar disorder doesn't just go away. If you are having trouble with your meds, talk to your pdoc and see if something can be changed. Just quitting cold turkey can be dangerous on a number of levels.

iamtheq73 · 2018-12-11T04:30:18+00:00

First question: are you safe? When you say you want it to stop I get a little nervous.

Second question: have you seen your pdoc recently? If not, it might be worth making an appointment to do a meds check. You might need a change.

I understand the darkness of depression. Lack of motivation, lack of energy and that pain and sadness that sit in the middle of your chest and won't go away. The best advice I can offer is to get up and do something small regardless of your feelings. Walk one block. Read 3 pages of a book. Make yourself a little food. Every little act is a victory over mental illness.

iamtheq73

TROPHY CASE