Tuesday, January 19, 2016

January update (170.2)

Tis the season for SAD. Yep, it's hit like a ton of bricks. I've been slogging through life since Thanksgiving basically. I was doing great before that (the mini boost from Rexulti was short lived).

I saw my nurse practitioner Friday and she's definitely not one to just throw up her hands and say "oh well, we tried! Sorry about your luck." She mentioned another anti depressant I could try but ultimately decided to put me on a stimulant. You heard me right. I'm now taking an ADHD med. A newer one, a non-amphetamine called Vyvanse.

So far I can tell a difference. I have more energy during the day. I'm less listless and more focused. I don't crash in the afternoon, and really I can't tell when it's out of my system. I do have trouble sleeping so I'm taking a Xanax to sleep (I sometimes did before so this is no big deal, it's a low dose).

I'm just excited there's something that is helping me through the last of this miserable season. I was seriously starting to lose it. Crying in the bathroom at random times and dreading going to work. It was the moving through mud feeling that I absolutely hate.

The plan is to take it during the SAD season and stop when the light is back. Or I can stay on it if I want, if it's what I need. She's pretty great about helping me do what's best for me. I see her again in a month.

So the big question. How's it affecting my food? I guess it makes me a little less hungry during the day. But my evening appetite is normal. It's not a diet pill, at least not the low dose I'm on.

I finally bought myself some new clothes (and a pair of shoes). I was tired of wearing the same things over and over and not feeling cute at work. We got a new Torrid at our Mall so I went there. It's for size 12 and up. They label clothes 0, 1, 2, 3. I'm a 0 since I'm in size 12 now and the clothes are loose. So it was the perfect place to go shopping. Everything fit and I was the smallest size. :) I got some great pants and 3 long shirts, which is what everyone is wearing so I feel fashionable now. It's all black though. Hopefully by spring I'll either be thinner and can shop for color at other stores, or Torrid will have colorful clothes I can buy and add to my expanding wardrobe. I'm tired of not dressing well just because I'm not my ideal weight.

Kids are good. Sophie got into the charter high school she wanted, which was determined by lottery drawing. It's the number one high school in our state (so they say--I don't know, it's a great school whatever the ranking). It's the only school she wanted to go to so we are fortunate her name was drawn. I'm thankful she was #10 so I didn't have to stress during the drawing!

Expecting snow again tonight so we may have another snow day this week. The kids will be thrilled if that happens. I can't wait for spring. Only a couple months away.

6 comments:

Jill A said...

Hmmm...there is a Torrid in Tulsa. I might have to make a trip over there soon!

I'm glad you have someone who is willing to work with you and find what works best for you! That's got to feel good. And I'm glad the meds are working. Do you still use your SAD light?

I saw Sophie's video on FB - she's so good!! And do you realize that when we first started talking, Luke was only 2 years old?!? Time flies!!

I hope you keep feeling better and better. Spring isn't far off - the days are already starting to get a little longer. :)

Vickie said...

Very interesting about the meds. I just had an increase in one of my meds and a third added. Thank goodness we live now and not 100 years ago. . .

(Interestingly, I think I have the opposite of SAD, I have been thinking about that fact, as I love this time of year and am churning thru projects.)

By any chance do you know what your blood type is? If you have a Red Cross donation card, it will say on there. It will be in your OB records. The reason I mention it is my hair stylist said certain blood types cannot be vegetarian without getting SAD complicated big time. She is prone to SAD too and vegetarian makes it much worse. (She is one to read up on things, so it is probably valid. I think she is type O.)

Also if you are eating carb heavy it will promote sluggish, dragging feeling, big time. Will make SAD worse.

I wondered when you last had your iron level checked. Your nurse practionter, in my opinion, should be doing finger prick test on you every time she sees you.

And do you take good multi vitamin? We three girls are now taking prenatal as they are free (Meijers here, I am sure somewhere there too) and a really good vitamin. Your nurse practionter can call that in for you. We take the ones without the stool softener.

Glad to hear about the high school; curious how many they take (10 out of ?).

Vickie said...

I was outside with our seven year old for a very long walk today. Really good weather over the weekend too. Have you been able to get outside?

Vickie said...

Nudge

Vickie said...

How are you? Things going smoother?

Vickie said...

Starting to get worried that you have had a catastrophe, before I was just thinking you were busy.