latest update

Old 11-19-2008, 10:26 PM
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latest update

Here's the latest on my robbery-health-work stuff.

I have been going to the workman's comp doctors, who just kept telling me to see the neurologist. The anti-d my dr. put me on, finally kicked in and I got my brain back Concentration is back to normal.

Saw the neurologist today. He says I have "post traumatic migraines". I told him I was an RA, and he said "no pain pills" and I said "good...don't want them" and he just grinned. I was VERY impressed with him and he was very thorough.

He put me on Topamax and Treximet (for breakthrough headaches). The topamax will initially cause "brain fog", so there goes my brain again. I had just gotten my appetite back from the anti-d, but looks like it is going to go on vacation with my brain, so that's okay. I'd lost 20 pounds, and wanted to lose another 10-15, so I'm not complaining.

My dr. had given me samples of seroquel, as I have had major insomnia. The neurologist told me to increase the dose and gave me a prescription. Workman's comp is questioning this. Even with insurance, it would cost me $120/month and I don't have it. I will talk to my case manager tomorrow, as trying to function with no sleep just won't work.

Work is still lousy. I will lose my insurance the first of the year, as they are increasing the hours I need to work to qualify, and I'm nowhere near. I'm fed up with the job, but won't leave until I have another one, if at all possible, so keep applying for others.

Doing a lot of work with dad on the side, which means working 6 days a week. I called in to work Mon. and Tue. to help him drive to Omaha, Nebraska and we just got back this morning. I had 2 hours of sleep in 53 hours, so slept all day.

I'm still broke, but HP has managed to make sure I have just enough money to pay my bills when they are due...funny how that works, huh? School is going well, and I'm excited to be getting mentally challenged. I am also now able to help my niece, Brit, more with HER home-schooling and I think that's neat.

After being in the van with dad, all those hours, and having many conversations, I almost had a codie relapse. It's hard to take care of myself and not worry about him, but I know I can't fix his issues. I'm going to keep trying to lead by example.

My recovery is stronger than ever, as I know without it, I have nothing. I'm getting really, really good at the "left foot, right foot, and repeat" thing, and so far, it's working. I'm very grateful that, whenever I am stressed, my first reaction is "get on SR" You all have never let me down!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy
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Old 11-20-2008, 12:03 AM
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Neurologists are probably my favorite specialists. With every question they ask you just know they're seeing inside your brain, picturing all the neurons, receptors, and connectors firing. I'll go out on a limb and say they probably understand the science of addiction better than others.

I'm happy for you that you're getting answers and praying that relief comes soon
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Old 11-20-2008, 04:39 AM
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(((((((Amy)))))))

I'm so glad that things are working out for you.. You are living proof that God hears every prayer and he does answer them..

I'm praying about your job situation, the right one will come along right when it is supposed to.. I'm sure of it.

The Doc. just put my husband on seroquel about a month ago. It will for sure help you with the insomnia. My husband is out like a light 30 minutes after he takes this stuff. However, it is $$$$$$$.. My AH's script is 60.00 a months and thats with the insurance picking up the tab

I admire your strength and you never cease to amaze me girl.... You rock!!
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Old 11-20-2008, 06:11 AM
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Impurrfect - have you dont any research online for prescription assistance programs? i know there are many pharmacutical companies that do have assistance - i guess its their way of justifying their high prices by offering some help to those who cant afford it. I dont know what county you live in but Cobb has prescription assistance plans for their residents.

I see it as good news that its post traumatic vs. a physical problem causing the migranes - the physical migranes would probably never go away so lets pray that by the time insurance runs out these headaches will be subsiding. I have migranes and when first prescribed medications I couldnt afford them but I found many ways to stop the migranes before they started - it just came with understanding my body and noticing the signs of when one was coming on. they are easier to stop before they get bad. i learned to stop them with over the counter meds before they got bad and just saved the prescription meds for when i couldnt stop them. After 20 years of having them I dont even use prescriptions anymore - I know when they are coming on and I know how to stop them but it did take me many years to figure it all out. Understanding our own bodies and how we relate to food, medications and outside stimuli is very important to our overall health.

I agree with Chino - I love the study of the human brain - its a bit of an obsession to me - I watch documentaries on this all the time and have learned more about my sons addiction through this study then any other research - I need things to make sense and this research explains so much more than anything else i've seen. I hope that in time insurance companies start taking this research more seriously and start covering mental health as it does other illnesses. Addictive natures and behavior issues do have physical basis in the brain. The good news is that we can retrain the brain and I think that will be the future of recovery.

I know this is getting long - sorry but its a topic i love. Sleep is another interesting area that we are learning more about. Whatever happens to us during the day is hardwired into our long-term memory while we sleep. If you go to bed mulling over all the bad things that happened during the day that is what you will dream about - hence nightmares and things that startle you awake during sleep. When you go to bed you will sleep better if you can clear your head and put some positive thoughts in your mind. We can control what is hard-wired during the night by keeping more positive thoughts in our mind then negative - through reading, writing, relaxation techniques, music. The old theory of dont go to bed mad takes on whole new meaning when you think about this.
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Old 11-20-2008, 07:03 AM
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Not to get OT, but I wanted to let winnie12 know that a law recently passed with the $700 billion bailout in Sepember. It's called the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.lockton.com/Docs/Complian...chellesLaw.pdf

Basically, it says if your insurance covers mental health and substance abuse, then it has to cover it as any other illness. This doesn't take affect until January 2010.

I discovered this last month as I was frantically researching why my insurance coverage didn't cover residential rehab, but did cover "inpatient".

Kathy
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Old 11-20-2008, 08:45 AM
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When my daughter was being treated for PTSD I learned a lot from her psychiatrist, who is married to a neurologist. PTSD is caused by physical changes to the brain. When trauma happens the brain is flooded by hormones/steroids and certain areas change not only in function, but size too!

Amy, if I win the lottery I'm sending you to neurofeedback. It retrains the brain and dramatically speeds up the entire process. I wish this stuff was covered by insurance! If you have a psychologist or psychiatrist with your insurance who practices EMDR, if might be a good idea, too.
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Old 11-20-2008, 09:30 AM
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Amy, thank you for the update.

Please, please remember H.A.L.T. and do not let yourself get any of these

H ungry
A ngry
L onely
T ired

As anyone of them can set that old python of addiction slithering around in our heads, and more than one can be a real bummer.

You are doing good, but remember, balance, balance, balance, lol

Take care. The job for you is out there, you just haven't found it yet.

Love and hugs,
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Old 11-20-2008, 09:43 AM
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((HUGS)) to you Amy as you are dealing with so much - but yet still Happily Trudging the Road. That is a Great Blessing to me.

As you know I take Topamax - There were a few adjustments in the beginning of taking the meds but starting out with a low dosage and the gradually moving up to the prescribed dosage helped. (Dr recommended) Also in the beginning - soft drinks did not taste good at all.

Little things like trying to remember names of things was the thing I struggle with the most - but after a couple of months my body adjusted and it was ok.

It was like a "This Too Shall Pass" - Hmm wonder where we have heard that before?

Love & HUGS,
Rita
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Old 11-20-2008, 09:45 AM
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Amy, I *love* when you come to update
I am glad that things are coming along, and I am always happily reminded by you, of how good recovery should go....so strong and hopeful you are
I am glad you have got your brain back and you have a good neuro man... and getting better sleep will help *everything*
you have such a wonderful faith and I l know your HP will continue to bring you what you need.
prayers for further good neurological care and prayers for *jobs*, oh, and lots of hugs, Grateful
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Old 11-20-2008, 09:51 AM
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Hang in there, gal! I started on the Topamax a couple of weeks ago, 50 mg and the 'fogginess' is finally starting to lift

:ghug :ghug
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Old 11-20-2008, 09:57 AM
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lagrute - i was aware of that and really excited when i first heard about it. then i read the fine print and saw how small business employers could get around it. i was totally bummed because my company doesnt have to comply with that and even though i know my boss would like to he cant afford to right now. Rates will go up considerably for this as well which means unless your employer pays 100% of your insurance premium, you will have to pay more just to get the coverage. I believe that health insurance should cover mental health and there should be no different designation between the two. But it is a start and in time this will not be an issue.
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Old 11-20-2008, 10:04 AM
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Amy! You continue to be an inspiration for me! Thank you.

I'm sorry the fall-out of the robbery continues, but your responsible actions in taking care of yourself as a result are a shining tribute to your work in your own recovery.

Thanks for sharing your journey!
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Old 11-20-2008, 11:22 AM
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You passed a big test! Congrats on saying you didnt want the pain pills. That would have been so easy for you. THAT IS HUGE!!!

Everything in life happens for a reason Amy. I believe you are pushing down these barriors and they are making you stronger for it. Keep doing what you are doing.

This to shall pass. You are so inspiring to so many of us here at SR. To know your story and see the courage you have to keep fighting for your life and a better you is amazing to see. I'm really glad things are finally starting to fall into place for you.

I often have looked back at circumstances in my life and have really been in awe at GOD working in my life. We have what we need when we need it because HE sees to it.

Thanks for being here for all of us. Thanks for being someone I can call on for help or advice. Thanks for being you.....
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Old 11-20-2008, 11:25 AM
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Amy, thanks for this "update". You've inspired me look at my own recovery in a different way. I tend to withdraw and isolate when I meet with disappointment. I have struggled with PTSD symptoms, on my own, for two yrs, (the worst of which are anxiety and insomnia), because of a unsympathetic Dr. I chose when I first sought help. It's time to risk asking for help again. Good to hear you sounding so confident and well!
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Old 11-20-2008, 01:09 PM
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Good for you Amy for refusing the pain pills. My daughter is on Seroquel for her anxiety and to help her sleep. The only problem I see with the Seroquel is that you need to increase the dosage after a while as it stops working. It is a weight gainer too but the Topomax should even that out. Many people on Seroquel take the Topomax just for that purpose. Hugs and take care, Marle
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Old 11-20-2008, 03:48 PM
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Thank you all!

My neurologist, and his staff, are definitely on my gratitude list today. After talking with my workman's comp case manager, and explaining the seroquel was for insomnia, she said that if my dr. sent her a letter, saying it is indicated for work-related-injury stuff, "of course" she will approve it.

Called the dr's office and spoke with his nurse. She thought I'd been on the seroquel before the robbery, so I explained about how workman's comp didn't deal with the real problem, so I went to my own dr. She called me back, read me teh dr's response, and he said, no less than 3 times, that the seroquel is indicated for insomnia which is a direct result of the work-related injury. She then called me back, and told me she was leaving samples at the front desk.

I tried to call workman's comp back, but couldn't get hold of her. It's just nice to finally have a dr. that is workman's comp approved, standing up for me! I told the nurse, I'd felt like I was banging my head against a wall, all this time, which isn't a good thing when you've already been whacked in the head!

Got plenty of sleep last night, made sure I ate today, and did stores for dad. He said something very hurtful and inappropriate to my niece this morning and she told my stepmom she won't forgive him. When she comes back home from her friend's house, I will talk to her about forgiveness and how it helps us. Dad feels really bad about what he said, but he's apologized to her, and I told him the best thing he can do is not let it happen again.

Wow, this recovery stuff works in ALL areas of my life, huh?

It was absolutely gorgeous here, today...sunny and in the 60's. If I were to write a gratitude list, it would be a mile long and all of you would be at the top!!!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy
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Old 11-20-2008, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Chino View Post

If you have a psychologist or psychiatrist with your insurance who practices EMDR, if might be a good idea, too.

I am an advocate of EMDR. You remember the trauma but are not engaged in it. Insurance will cover it and the best parts, there is a begining and an end to it and no meds are involved.
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Old 11-20-2008, 05:16 PM
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The EMDR sounds great. Unfortunately, I am about to lose my insurance because they are changing the hours required to work to be eligible. Right now, I couldn't even afford a copay, but if I can somehow figure it out, I will definitely check it out.

Thanks!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy
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