OK. So we were studying the legal/ethical consideration of Mental Health Nursing, and a lot of questions were raised. My instructor mentioned something very interesting (and kind of scary!) She said NEVER POST ANYTHING WORK RELATD ON FACEBOOK OR OTHER PUBLIC SITE.
This may seen like a nig DUH to some people - I mean with HIPAA and everything, I would never share anyone's information! BUT we discussed an incident (I don't know who or where this took place...) where a nurse was caring for a patient, and when her shift was over, the nurse went home. Like many of us, she checked her FB and updated her status. Said something like "So tired I can't think straight" or something to that effect. LSS (Long Story Short) - the patient dies later that night, and as often happens, there was a neglect/malpractice investigation. So guess what turns up as evidence against this nurse? YUP! The fact that she, with her own words she had implicated herself - just becasue she flippantly mentioned she was so tired she couldn't think straight! WOW!
I was really looking forward to maintaining this blog and sharing my personal experiences, but now I'm a little frightened! Is my Bipolar going to keep me from getting hired? Will anything written in this blog be used against me later? Hmmm.. I'm still deciding to be honest...
I'm thinking I will continue posting, but I may be a little more guarded than before.
Crazy litigious society!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
The chicken or the egg??
I mentioned to someone yesterday that I can't believe how many s/s of ADHD I have and we started talking about being Bipolar and having Narcolepsy, and what about being ADD on top of that? For those who don't know, I am Narcoleptic - this is a neurological (NOT mental) disorder that manifests itself as frequent unexplained bouts of uncontrolled sleepiness and/or loss of muscle tone.. look it up (https://health.google.com/health/ref/Narcolepsy) . This doesn't mean I just fall asleep and fall over, or anything like that - mine is not that severe. There ARE difinitive tests to diagnose this and I am so there. Anyway...
I take Adderall to combat the Narco, but this is contraindicated (not recommended) for people with Bipolar. Consuming a stimulant can throw a Biploar into a manic state, or can bring a depressed person just enough out of their depression to allow them to do something bad to themselves. I, however, haven't felt or functioned this well in YEARS! After the first day, I saw my life start to change. It was amazing to think how much of my life I had lost to Narco. I could get up and clean the kitchen AND do laundry without having to go back to bed. Taking a shower no longer wore me out. I was less irritable, and because when Addy wears off it causes a rebound sleepiness, I was actually sleepy at a decent hour like 'normal' people (insomnia resloved). I started sleeping at night, being more productive, and was a nicer person all around. I can't believe I had missed 30 years of my life! But what about the risk from Addy + Bipolar?
I was diagnosed Bipolar II in October 2007 (though I already knew for years that I had it) My current psych and my neurologist both question my Bipolar diagnosis, but I don't. They said I should be a lot crazier by now taking the Adderall. When I read the s/s of Bipolar and my diagnosis came out positive, it was like a weight was lifted! I was textbook! It solved a lot of questions for me and my hubby. Only since starting the Adderall have I felt like what I believe a non-Bipolar feels like. Also, difinitively knowing what I was up against gave me the artillery to work toward controlling it. I still have hypomanic tendencies, but I am better able to recognize them, remove triggers and change behaviours before they get out of hand.
But back to yesterday's converstation... So the question was this - Is my Bipolar so much better because I take the Adderall -> fewer, less severe sleep attacks -> not seeking out stimulants like food/sugar/caffeine, being more productive -> weight loss -> feeling better about myself and less stressed/again, less eating -> being able to go to bed at night with a calm mind -> less less daytime sleepiness, etc? (the Narco feeding into my Bipolar swings) OR ... The mania doesn't allow me to sleep at night -> extra sleep attacks during the day, inability to concentrate, feeling rushed all the time -> non-productivity, memory problems, pressured speech, concentration problems, etc -> increased STRESS -> overeasting and sleepiness as a stress response -> seeking out sugar/ unstgable glucose levels in the body (sugar highs and lows) -> increased Narco s/s? So which came first? Both Narco AND Bipolar begin to really show during adolescence (check and check) Both are helped tremendously by maintaining regular patterns of sleeping (check) Both are helped by eating a well balanced diet of nutritious food, and both are exacerbated (made worse) by eating large amounts of sugary, calorie-dense (fattening) food (check). For me, both are also made worse with increased levels of stress. It's a mystery I guess I'll never solve.
But what about the ADHD (which I have never been diagnosed with, but one of my children has and it tends to run in families...) IF THAT'S what the Adderall is helping, then WOW!! Like throwing a theird team onto the basketball court - now you've got a whole new game! So here's my non- medical explaination for it all - Adderall does (for me) as I explained in the above paragraph, so the lack of concentration, flight of ideas, sleep attacks, insomnia - all improved. Why hasn't it made me 'crazier by now'? Many Bipolars have what's known as paradoxical reactions to medications. I can take almost any pain med or allergy mad (including Benadryl) and it's doesn't make me the least bit sleepy, and caffeine makes me clam - not stimulated. A good explaination is here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradoxical_reaction.
I'm going to stop typing now because my very supportive loving husband tells me people won't read this because it's too long. Good-bye for now.
I take Adderall to combat the Narco, but this is contraindicated (not recommended) for people with Bipolar. Consuming a stimulant can throw a Biploar into a manic state, or can bring a depressed person just enough out of their depression to allow them to do something bad to themselves. I, however, haven't felt or functioned this well in YEARS! After the first day, I saw my life start to change. It was amazing to think how much of my life I had lost to Narco. I could get up and clean the kitchen AND do laundry without having to go back to bed. Taking a shower no longer wore me out. I was less irritable, and because when Addy wears off it causes a rebound sleepiness, I was actually sleepy at a decent hour like 'normal' people (insomnia resloved). I started sleeping at night, being more productive, and was a nicer person all around. I can't believe I had missed 30 years of my life! But what about the risk from Addy + Bipolar?
I was diagnosed Bipolar II in October 2007 (though I already knew for years that I had it) My current psych and my neurologist both question my Bipolar diagnosis, but I don't. They said I should be a lot crazier by now taking the Adderall. When I read the s/s of Bipolar and my diagnosis came out positive, it was like a weight was lifted! I was textbook! It solved a lot of questions for me and my hubby. Only since starting the Adderall have I felt like what I believe a non-Bipolar feels like. Also, difinitively knowing what I was up against gave me the artillery to work toward controlling it. I still have hypomanic tendencies, but I am better able to recognize them, remove triggers and change behaviours before they get out of hand.
But back to yesterday's converstation... So the question was this - Is my Bipolar so much better because I take the Adderall -> fewer, less severe sleep attacks -> not seeking out stimulants like food/sugar/caffeine, being more productive -> weight loss -> feeling better about myself and less stressed/again, less eating -> being able to go to bed at night with a calm mind -> less less daytime sleepiness, etc? (the Narco feeding into my Bipolar swings) OR ... The mania doesn't allow me to sleep at night -> extra sleep attacks during the day, inability to concentrate, feeling rushed all the time -> non-productivity, memory problems, pressured speech, concentration problems, etc -> increased STRESS -> overeasting and sleepiness as a stress response -> seeking out sugar/ unstgable glucose levels in the body (sugar highs and lows) -> increased Narco s/s? So which came first? Both Narco AND Bipolar begin to really show during adolescence (check and check) Both are helped tremendously by maintaining regular patterns of sleeping (check) Both are helped by eating a well balanced diet of nutritious food, and both are exacerbated (made worse) by eating large amounts of sugary, calorie-dense (fattening) food (check). For me, both are also made worse with increased levels of stress. It's a mystery I guess I'll never solve.
But what about the ADHD (which I have never been diagnosed with, but one of my children has and it tends to run in families...) IF THAT'S what the Adderall is helping, then WOW!! Like throwing a theird team onto the basketball court - now you've got a whole new game! So here's my non- medical explaination for it all - Adderall does (for me) as I explained in the above paragraph, so the lack of concentration, flight of ideas, sleep attacks, insomnia - all improved. Why hasn't it made me 'crazier by now'? Many Bipolars have what's known as paradoxical reactions to medications. I can take almost any pain med or allergy mad (including Benadryl) and it's doesn't make me the least bit sleepy, and caffeine makes me clam - not stimulated. A good explaination is here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradoxical_reaction.
I'm going to stop typing now because my very supportive loving husband tells me people won't read this because it's too long. Good-bye for now.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
What means Deciduous?
de⋅cid⋅u⋅ous /dɪˈsɪdʒuəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [di-sij-oo-uhs] –adjective
1. shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
2. falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc., as leaves, horns, or teeth.
3. not permanent; transitory.
Origin:
1650–60; < L dēciduus tending to fall, falling, equiv. to dēcid(ere) to fall off, down (dē- de- + -cidere, comb. form of cadere to fall) + -uus deverbal adj. suffix; see -ous
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wasn't sure if people would understand my blog title or not - it is me on so many levels. I love deciduous trees - these are the trees that lose their leaves in the winter - not pines or other evergreens (which I really don't like, but I'm surrounded by them so I guess I better get over that, huh?) There are so many more analogies to being deciduous and the seasons of life ~ not enough room in one post. I will give a short breakdown of what each stage reminds me of... (by the way, any of these could apply to a season of life, a
Spring: new life, hope, relief from the winter desolation, coming out of hiding, longer days and more sun, the leaves drawing more energy through the branches from the vine to grow and be revived.
Summer: the leaves are in full bloom and all is static. Leavs are simply maintaining, giving back to the tree much of hte energy they used up in thier short growth period. Leaves also offer shade and protection to others, asking for little more than a little water to refresh itself and continue to prepare for the fall ahead.
Autumn: Leaves die - their chlorophil (the phytochemical that produces glucose from sun and O2) is pulled back into the tree for safe-keeping - the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good of the whole. As a result of this, the leaves are their most breath-taking and landscapes burn with brilliant orange, red, gold, green and brown... Only after they lose their life do they gain it.
Winter: Wind and cold beat on the leaves and they fall to the ground, only to be swept away by more wind or trampled on by passers-by. In their stead, valuable nutrients are deposited, absorbed and used to fuel the birth and growth of next season's foliage.
OK. So I ramble. I love to write - and living in a hypomanic state most of the time only fuels that fire of fluency. Have a GREAT DAY!
1. shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
2. falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc., as leaves, horns, or teeth.
3. not permanent; transitory.
Origin:
1650–60; < L dēciduus tending to fall, falling, equiv. to dēcid(ere) to fall off, down (dē- de- + -cidere, comb. form of cadere to fall) + -uus deverbal adj. suffix; see -ous
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wasn't sure if people would understand my blog title or not - it is me on so many levels. I love deciduous trees - these are the trees that lose their leaves in the winter - not pines or other evergreens (which I really don't like, but I'm surrounded by them so I guess I better get over that, huh?) There are so many more analogies to being deciduous and the seasons of life ~ not enough room in one post. I will give a short breakdown of what each stage reminds me of... (by the way, any of these could apply to a season of life, a
Spring: new life, hope, relief from the winter desolation, coming out of hiding, longer days and more sun, the leaves drawing more energy through the branches from the vine to grow and be revived.
Summer: the leaves are in full bloom and all is static. Leavs are simply maintaining, giving back to the tree much of hte energy they used up in thier short growth period. Leaves also offer shade and protection to others, asking for little more than a little water to refresh itself and continue to prepare for the fall ahead.
Autumn: Leaves die - their chlorophil (the phytochemical that produces glucose from sun and O2) is pulled back into the tree for safe-keeping - the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good of the whole. As a result of this, the leaves are their most breath-taking and landscapes burn with brilliant orange, red, gold, green and brown... Only after they lose their life do they gain it.
Winter: Wind and cold beat on the leaves and they fall to the ground, only to be swept away by more wind or trampled on by passers-by. In their stead, valuable nutrients are deposited, absorbed and used to fuel the birth and growth of next season's foliage.
OK. So I ramble. I love to write - and living in a hypomanic state most of the time only fuels that fire of fluency. Have a GREAT DAY!
So what exactly is "normal"?
Normal, in my definition, means able to function in activities of daily living. This includes not only basic hygeine and nutrition, but to be able to hold a job, meet challenges, and perform critical thinking tasks. Normal is being able to maintain relationships with people on all levels - not just the people who love me and are willing to tolerate me, but to be able to carry on a conversation without the other person walking away all freaked out.
In my past, I have had acquaintances who try to avoid me because my (manic) pressured speech was over-stimulating to them, and the fact that I ran around like a rabbit on coffee with only a consistent 2-3 hours of sleep scared them. What planet was I from anyway?! There are a whole slew of other behaviors and poor decision-making I engaged in that I won't go into detail about here. Those are between me and God, and He's forgiven them all, so I don't see any need to glorify them by hashing them out for all to see. Just know that some were annoying, some were bad, and some were very bad. Thank God He had His hand on me for so many years - I would probably be lying in a ditch someplace - dead. Wow - if that had happened, I wouldn;t have the opportunity to share my experiences and possible encourage someone else who may be going through something similar. Praise the Lord!
In my past, I have had acquaintances who try to avoid me because my (manic) pressured speech was over-stimulating to them, and the fact that I ran around like a rabbit on coffee with only a consistent 2-3 hours of sleep scared them. What planet was I from anyway?! There are a whole slew of other behaviors and poor decision-making I engaged in that I won't go into detail about here. Those are between me and God, and He's forgiven them all, so I don't see any need to glorify them by hashing them out for all to see. Just know that some were annoying, some were bad, and some were very bad. Thank God He had His hand on me for so many years - I would probably be lying in a ditch someplace - dead. Wow - if that had happened, I wouldn;t have the opportunity to share my experiences and possible encourage someone else who may be going through something similar. Praise the Lord!
Hello.... anyone here?
Sooo... This is my first post on this new blog, and I'm not really sure what to say yet. I would love to say I will be posting on a regular schedule, but I can't guarantee that. What I can promise is that everything I post here will be from the heart. I can also promise that you will probably see some typos since I'm not a very good typist. Another tidbit about me - I am a nursing student and I anticipate graduating in May 2009. The semester is about to start and our first 8 weeks is Mental Health Nursing. I am (for obvious reasons) looking forward to this unit. I have a heart for people with mental disorders, and I'm hoping one day to minister to those who live in bondage to their disorder. The God of all order brought me out of my disorder, and I praise Him for that! No - Bipolar is not cured or gone, but with His help, I am able to live every day as near to my idea of what normal should be as possible.
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