Changing of the Guard - Whoops, I Meant Meds!

Today I had an emergency appointment with my therapist as well as my psychiatrist. I must tell you all that after all the years of trying to find people who honestly care about my health and well-being, I finally found two men who fit the bill. I explained my constant feelings of exhaustion and need to sleep up to 14 hours a day. I expressed my resentment that I am gaining so much weight while taking two anti-psychotics. My therapist said that since I stopped smoking cold turkey 10 weeks ago that could be a big part of me being so tired - no nicotine, no stimulants to my system. He wrote everything down and I then saw my psych. I said can I stop taking some and decrease the anti-psychotics? He said stop taking the Luvox immediately, drop to 400 mg of Seroquel a day, and he wrote me a scrip for 150 mg of Wellbutrin, which will be increased to 300 mg in a month. He echoed my therapist's thoughts. They were both ecstatic that I quit smoking. Now I have to change my diet and exercise more. Will this ever end? I mean, it took me YEARS to stop smoking and I'm still reveling in the glow of my accomplishment - can I just have some time to say YAY ME!? Just a little bit of happiness? I am happy that I'm changing meds; I was on Wellbutrin before and I did lose weight. We are just very concerned that it will make me manicky, so I must be vigilant and careful of mood swings. Hope y'all are having a good day ~ it is sunny, bright and in the 60s here ~ thank You God for the blessings!!!

I would like to get into the topic of exhaustion and bipolar disorder. I take no less than ten medications daily for my bipolar disorder, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. A couple are anti-psychotic meds. I have gained a LOT of weight and am planning on speaking to my psychiatrist and therapist when I see them next week. The reason(s)? I am sleeping almost constantly. I go to bed at 11 pm and fall asleep within ten minutes. I sleep until approximately 6 am. I wake up, get dressed and putter around the house. Within an hour I am exhausted and go back to bed. It is not uncommon for me to sleep until 3 pm. That's 8 more hours of sleep. I stay up about an hour then go back to bed. I feel so listless and drugged I cannot begin to explain it adequately. I will get back up around 7 pm, watch some TV, then go in for the night at 11, and start all over again... Do I have chronic fatigue syndrome? Am I depressed big time? Have I contracted mono? Perhaps I am bored. I have no idea. I saw my cardiologist yesterday and he thinks it is the amount and types of meds I take. He also increased my blood pressure medication as my BP is on the elevated side. Any comments would be helpful; thanks for listening!

In Memory of Dick Clark, 1929 - 2012

April 18, 2012 is now a very sad day in the entertainment industry. The legendary Dick Clark died of a massive heart attack at the age of 82. I had the great fortune of meeting Mr. Clark in Hershey, PA back in the 80s. I asked him to confirm if Barry Manilow got his "big break" on American Bandstand back in 1975. He said it was true and he was pleased to be a friend of Barry's. Mr. Clark is a legend in the broadcast industry and got his start as a disc jockey in Philadelphia, PA. He became host of the wildly popular "American Bandstand" music show. I remember every Saturday afternoon I would watch to see what the new styles in clothing were, up to date hairdos, and of course new dance steps were. He will also be forever known as the "New Year's Rckin' Eve" host. The show began in 1972 (when I was 9) and it was my "babysitter" for many years until I was old enough to go out New Year's Eve and party with friends. Still, we would turn on the TV and sure enough, there would be Dick counting down the final 30 seconds of Decembers gone by, Mr. Clark, you were a part of my musical life and for this I thank you. As you said, "Music is the soundtrack of your life." Amen. And may you rest in peace. God Bless.

Happy Easter - Happy Passover - Feliz Pescoa!

I would like to wish all my Christian friends a Happy and Blessed Easter and to my Jewish friends, Happy Passover. Feliz Pescoa to my Hispanic friends! If you don't fall into any of these categories - have a GREAT day! Happy Spring!