Medication Update
Back from weekend in New Haven! Will provide details on the events after a good night’s sleep, but wanted to provide an update on the medication as its effects were really evident for me this trip. (See http://autumnlotusyoga.omblogger.com/2010/01/14/outing-myself/ for establishing post.)
Really noticed that I was far more open & relaxed this workshop than I’ve ever felt in a relatively intense group situation – the FYCET a few weeks ago felt better than previously, but this was better than that.
It’s not 100% perfect or symptom-free, just noticeably improved. Over the past three-plus weeks of the Neurontin & propanolol, I’ve still had a few panic episodes & periods of irrational dread to work through. Physical side effects have been very minor… drowsiness at night *yay!* and my balance is a little more rolling in the morning. Not worse, per se, just different, more of a freeform sense of balance, like sealegs that fade within an hour of waking.
The dominant effect – and this is HUGE — has been that it is simply infinitely easier to be me. What a relief. To both myself & to Beloved Husband, who, bless his heart, was worried only that I’d stop being myself. Sweet man. 
It’s not a fight against my own mind anymore to do simple things, including yoga or neti or taking a hot bath.
Okay, workshop news tomorrow after classes!!
February 8th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Glad to hear that E!
February 8th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
happy to hear you’re feeling well!
February 8th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
great to hear meds are being effective. i’m also open about being on psychopharmaceuticals (that’s just a good word to spell). neurotin and effexor for about 12 years now. i went on and off anti-depressants a couple of times first, of course; eventually one doc labelled me bipolar type II. I’m happy being highly functional and feeling mostly light & spacious rather than full of misery, pushing through heaviness day after day, barely accomplishing even basic tasks. there is no doubt yoga, meditation, prayer, exercise, eating well, cultivating healthy relationships help a ton, too! but for me it still wasn’t enough to deal with a chemical imbalance. so brava! we are fortunate to have access to excellent resources and options. wxo
February 9th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Thank you all for the support. It really does matter.
Wendy, thank you for sharing & I’m very glad you’re also open about things. I think it’s part of being the change we want to see in the world – if we want to see mental health issues treated with respect, we gotta speak our truth. xoxo