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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on October 25, 2005, at 22:36:35
It left my husband's parents without power in Miami. After a charming, dark breakfast made with a can of sterno on a camp grill, not being able to wash or clean up, they packed up their freezer contents, emptied the fridge, and walked down their 7 flights of stairs to drive 5 hours to stay with us. They are 76 and 79 years old, and camping out in their apartment wore very thin very quickly.
The step daughter got bumped to stay with her boyfriend so the in-laws can use her room and bathroom. First thing they did was take a hot shower and use the toilet.
I cooked 3 meals' worth of food this evening with partially defrosted food from the freezer. We shall eat like kings for several weeks!
The evening was lubricated with cocktails and wine, of which I didn't partake. I was freaking out in my classic style. Eyes open like a deer caught in the headlights, all the stove and oven elements being used at full capacity for several hours, then storing the cooked food safely for later consumption. My husband was impressed with my organization. "It's my grace under pressure thing," I said. "Give me a true emergency and a problem I can deal with, and I'll get right to it, and not finish until it's complete." I had horrible anxiety knawing at me the whole night. Even after cleaning up the pots and pans and having my MIL chatter at me, I was still rigid with stress. My back protests these episodes, as it makes getting in and out of cars the next day a painful and drawn out exercise.
Plus my brain keeps spinning long after I've gone to bed. With the Relaxation and Sleep CD running, my breath is panting like I've run up all three stairways in the house at once, and my brain is spinning like a 45. So I got dressed and came to babble to relate my day's adventure.
I see my pdoc tomorrow and will speak to her about Life After Xanax. It hasn't been long since I weaned off completely, but I feel dreadful most of the time, with small oases of calm that randomly appear and stay for about 5 minutes. My heart's beat is usually being played quite loudly in my ears, and my blood pressure is testing normal - 120/80. So I know it's the anxiety and panic doing this to me.
We don't know how long the in-laws are staying. Husband says he thinks he will be out of town on business for the foreseeable future. Thanks, honey.
Posted by Dinah on October 26, 2005, at 19:00:25
In reply to Hurricane Wilma refugees, posted by ClearSkies on October 25, 2005, at 22:36:35
Oh lordy. My heart goes out to you. Of course your anxiety is sky high.
Was there any particular reason you stopped the xanax? I think I've decided that even with years of non-medication anti-anxiety techniques, I'm ok with being on medication for it for life. You seem like you have a similar biochemical makeup to me. Why are you deciding to tough it out? Did the medication have bad side effects?
And if you turn your husband around, I'll give him a swift reminder on his backside about whose parents are whose.
Posted by Damos on October 26, 2005, at 19:04:48
In reply to Hurricane Wilma refugees, posted by ClearSkies on October 25, 2005, at 22:36:35
Think Dinah pretty much covered my thoughts. Just glad you're all okay. You've got a special way of writing ClearSkies.
Posted by Annierose on October 26, 2005, at 21:02:01
In reply to Hurricane Wilma refugees, posted by ClearSkies on October 25, 2005, at 22:36:35
Even though this isn't fun, I liked reading your post, made me smile. And I admire your cooking skills. I would have been overwhelmed and burned something and tossed the remaining food. I'm hopeful my daughter will get serious with her love for cooking. Even at 11 (almost 12) I called her from the grocery store after work, "So what do we need?" ... and she rattles off a list.
Is your husband really going out of town and leaving you with his folks? He owes you BIG TIME! Hopefully they will get the power restored to Miami by the weekend.
Posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 5:39:44
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » ClearSkies, posted by Annierose on October 26, 2005, at 21:02:01
Yes - my husband has to go to NC for 2 days :-( it was not planned that way, but he looks so relieved!! The out-laws, I mean in-laws are going back on Sunday, as their condo's power is restored. They don't seem to comprehend that buying gasoline entails an 8 1/2 hour wait at the moment and the only stations that are operating, on the Florida Turnpike, are dispensing only $20 worth of gas to each customer. The pull of home and familiar things is too strong, and this disruption of their daily routines has been really difficult for them to manage.
And as for the cooking - it is such a luxury to have such a fully stocked pantry! I feel like Marth Stewart Junior, able to pull what I need from the fridge to "whip up" the next meal. Imagine not having to run to the store for that single ingredient you're missing!
Everyone is pretty content to have me do the cooking (as am I). Last night I asked my husband to make a salad to accompany dinner and it took 4 people and 45 minutes to do it! Great photos, though; and it was delicious...CS
Posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 5:45:26
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » ClearSkies, posted by Dinah on October 26, 2005, at 19:00:25
The taper from xanax was a leftover from my outpatient programme. The message was "no addictive substances or you'll end up substituting one for another", which I thought was a crock of doggy doo as I'd never mixed the alcohol with the benzo, not wanting to make any mistakes. But I complied (smile) as I'm a compliant person who bows to authority. it was such a bad move!
Yesterday my p-doc put me back on it, and I went back to my .25 mg daily dose, as needed. Just that little bit is all I need to be comfortable. Also we're bumping up the Lamictal slightly, to 150 mg in a split dose, to see if that helps.
Posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 5:47:24
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » ClearSkies, posted by Damos on October 26, 2005, at 19:04:48
> Think Dinah pretty much covered my thoughts. Just glad you're all okay. You've got a special way of writing ClearSkies.
Damos, you have no idea how it warms my heart to read that! I've always prided myself on writing shopping lists (i try to organize them according to the layout of the store, hello OCD!) but I like to try to write here even more.
Posted by Damos on October 27, 2005, at 16:46:27
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » Damos, posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 5:47:24
> I've always prided myself on writing shopping lists (i try to organize them according to the layout of the store, hello OCD!) but I like to try to write here even more.
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! That's what I do too.
Well I say unleash that inner story teller CS.
Posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 19:58:47
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » ClearSkies, posted by Damos on October 27, 2005, at 16:46:27
> AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
Wow... that is the word of the day! Were you peeking as I knawed on the tablecloth at lunch today?
Posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2005, at 21:36:48
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » Damos, posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 19:58:47
Clear Skies where in NC is your husband going. On business I guess. Is it Charlotte as we'll be moving there next week. Closed on the house no mortgage yesterday. That's because we made so much money on Beach property. But neither of us have jobs yet. But before the closing the mortgage processor offered me two jobs. One was taking care of her mother dying of terminal lung cancer. Said she would pay me under the table. And the other job was they're starting a new development for elderly and they need help with decorating and I now have connections with all the furniture stores since I had to fully furnish the house. And although I have no training in decorating I seem to have a natural knack. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on October 28, 2005, at 5:47:06
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » ClearSkies, posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2005, at 21:36:48
Yes, he's in Charlotte on business. What a great opportunity to have 2 jobs offered to you out of the blue! I agree, the decorating job sounds really promising. You see, you never know where good things are hiding for us :-)
I hope you settle in quickly. Moving is so traumatic, packing up lives and shlepping them around.
Posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2005, at 18:21:03
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » Phillipa, posted by ClearSkies on October 28, 2005, at 5:47:06
Clear Skies it's a small world. One day I'm in Florida and the next in Charlotte. It's getting cold up there now especially at night. Hope he brought a coat. But the one difference I've noticed from the beach is the air is dryer and I seem to feel better. It would be a fun job referring clients from Pulte homes to a place called Furniture Row and special people I've dealt with there while purchasing new furniture for myself. I've learned which stores carry differnt sorts of furniture. There is a store for Ethan Allen, Drexil Heritage, my favorite Boyles[carries a lot of manufacturers high dollar], and Ashley the one they decorate the models with but not good quality, down to Rooms to Go for starter homebuyers. Just imagine standing in a model home and someone says hey where do I get lets say I want Lazy Boy and I can call a salesman I know and set up a meeting for them. Maybe special discounts as well. And help them coordinate carpet, tile, wood floors and which model is best suited to their needs. Bonuses from the store contacts I send them to. Sounds very nonstressful to me. Right now the stress is so high one car being towed and the other? No answer to that one yat. Bringing a dog and cat. The poodle loves the car but how do you transport a cat with bathroom needs? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on October 28, 2005, at 19:30:06
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » Dinah, posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 5:45:26
I'm glad you're doing what's right for you. No cookie cutter approach is right for everyone. If you're staying at a low dose, and it's continuing to do what you need it to do, you're not abusing it.
I am soooo prone to anxiety, and when I don't treat it I'm more likely to get depressed - not to mention all the fun physical symptoms. I'd have a hard time letting anyone come between me and my antianxiety agents.
Posted by Damos on October 30, 2005, at 15:41:31
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » Damos, posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 19:58:47
> Wow... that is the word of the day! Were you peeking as I knawed on the tablecloth at lunch today?
>Nope, but I hope you got a picture! Tried chewing on the tabletop once, but boy those glass tables EEEEYYYYYAAAAHHHHH :-)
Posted by AuntieMel on November 2, 2005, at 15:56:25
In reply to Re: Hurricane Wilma refugees » Dinah, posted by ClearSkies on October 27, 2005, at 5:45:26
I just got back from out-of-town.
I've heard that "let no drug pass your lips" phrase many times myself. And for some people, it's true.
But I take an occasional ativan, and I'm now on adderall. Possible addictions both, they say. Do I care? No.... it is what I need now to function, and if I can't function I may as well be drunk every day.
Using and abusing are not the same.
This is the end of the thread.
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