zazzers’s Profile
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About Me
Looking to love life again. Wonderful career in television. Was on a medical leave 8 months ago, trying to find my way to physical and mental balance. I was put on many anti-depressants and anxiety meds to help me out of a tailspin caused by a low thyriod. The meds only made things worse (Cymbalta) and when it came time to get me off of them, well I suffered such sever withdrawal syndrome that i had to be hospitalized. This is a tailspin that seems to have no end. I first found myself on DS while on medical leave last summer. I am back at work, but everyday is a struggle and I fake a smile the whole time. It is exhausting. I have wonderful friends who support me the best they can. I had many loses as a child including my Brother when I was 1 and my Mother when I was 6. I have pushed through and created a wonderful life for myself past many road blocks (including cancer when I was 25 yrs old), but I am currently losing the battle a bit. I am also obese, but have finally started to swing the scale in the right direction with the guidance of a wonder Doctor in NY. I am on a low glycemic diet.
Interests
Photography, singing, friends, New York City, gardening and life....but only when I am not depressed or disconnected!
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Journal
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Hugbook
I’m With You
Hi, You haven't been on DS for some time now. Hope you are feeling ok. Please let me know. Elaine
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I’m With You
thinking of you and hoping you're doing well.
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Hug
Thinking of you, hope u r feeling well. Have a great weekend!
Hug
Just saying hi.How are you?I hope you are good..
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I’m With You
Thinking of you and hoping you are feeling well. I'm here for you any time. Elaine
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Photos
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Support Groups
Close Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism (may have been caused by radiation 12 years ago, but it also runs in my family). Synthroid caused hypomania 3 years ago. See...it all ties together, the cancer, the bipolar and the thyroid. Bipolar was always there, but was seriously unearthed by the Synthroid.
Treatments
Close Obesity
It all started when I was 11 years old. I THINK it started out of anger. I am currently 125 pounds over weight. Weight Watchers has worked in the past, but mental and physical health issues have cause me to spiral downward for over 3 years. I am not ready for the next WW battle, but hopefully will be soon. Trying to resolve a medication issue for depression/bipolar.
Treatments
- Physical Exercise Working / Worked
- I used to power walk at least 4 days a week in New York City. Lost 40 pounds. was loving life.
- Weight Watchers Somewhat Helpful
- Worked in the past - got me half way there...but had a medical road block. Kept weigh off for over 2 years.
- Group Therapy Too Soon to Tell
- I am in an intensive Day Program which is all kinds of groups. General mood disorders, anxiety management, CBT, Depression Mang and Eating Disorder. The structer is great and it is nice to be with other people like me while I am healing.
Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) DepressionMy depression now seems to only part of the story - after 18years of being diagnosed with depression - it turns out I am actually bipolar. The SSRIs always lead to a disconnected high speed state for me.
Treatments
- Lexapro Not Working
- The nightmares caused too many sleep issues. INTENSE.
- Prozac Somewhat Helpful
- Would help the depression (especially when I was 18 years old) - but always caused what seemed to be anxiety.
- Psychotherapy Working / Worked
- Need it. Makes a big difference.
- Cymbalta Working / Worked
- Helped with the depression. Not a good drug for bipolar - make sure you have the proper diagnosis. Withdrawal Syndrome caused hospitalization. Nightmare!
- Writing Working / Worked
- I have to get it on paper when things are tough. Get it out of my brain so I have peace.
- Wellbutrin Considering
- Maybe added to my treatment in a few weeks.
- Cymbalta Somewhat Helpful
- Helped with the depression - but caused my "unknown" bipolar 2 to flare up! Had MAJOR WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME! Gained a ton of weight!
- Group Therapy Too Soon to Tell
- I am in an intensive Day Program which is all kinds of groups. General mood disorders, anxiety management, CBT, Depression Mang and Eating Disorder. The structer is great and it is nice to be with other people like me while I am healing.
- Abilify Too Soon to Tell
- Starting on 10/30/07
Open Anxiety
Anxiety has been a part of my story for at least 18 yrs. My hands and feet feel odd. I now have difficulty with large open spaces outdoors, crossing the street and escalators. I have not driven a car in over 4 yrs due to this biochemical reaction that is a part of my bipolar.
Treatments
- Prozac Not Working
- Helped many years ago...would be great if my only problem was depression. This drug cause mania in me, which shows it's self as anxiety.
- Abilify Not Working
- terrible fit for me
- Ativan Not Working
- Too sedating - freaked me out
- Breathing Exercises Working / Worked
- must do some everyday!
- BuSpar Not Working
- caused an even worse panic attack.
- Clonazepam Working / Worked
- For sleep or ACUTE anxiety. Can't take it during the day.
- Lexapro Not Working
- Extreme nightmares
- Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful
- need to really work on this.
- Prozac Not Working
- Helped many years ago...would be great if my only problem was depression. This drug cause mania in me, which shows it's self as anxiety.
- Trazodone Not Working
- too much serotonin in my system at once - got sick.
- Xanax Not Working
- Made me too sleepy
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Snapshot
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