My personal life has been yin and yang lately. The part of my anatomy to which I refer above is (appropriately for a Kossack) my right knee. In April I felt a pop in that knee, followed by excruciating pain. Several weeks later I had the knee x-rayed, and the doctor told me there are mild osteo-arthritic changes in that knee. And since then the knee has either not hurt, or has hurt to varying degrees. But to play it safe I always carry a cane along because when my knee hurts it'll really hurt and I need the cane for support. It seems I've discovered the sure-fire way to make the knee really start hurting--leave the cane at home!
Now for the new leaf. Earlier this year I posted a diary on our local Human Service Center. It's now moot. About three weeks ago I was at a doctor's appointment where he suggested for the 3rd or 4th time that I call the Human Service Center. Because of my previous experience, I'd been holding off on calling them--but it seemed this time that with my income it would be the only way I'd be able to see a psychiatrist, which I knew I needed to see because I wasn't happy with the way my meds have been working and with side-effects.
So this time I called them--making sure to mention that I'm under treatment for bipolar for which I was taking Depakote and fluoxetine, and the name of the doctor who'd refered me. I was told I'd get a call back, but didn't--so I called again the next day, giving everyone I spoke to the abovementioned information. Then I heard from Bill, the intake guy, answered his questions, and he gave an appointment for the following morning! Because of what I'd been told back in February about there being a long waiting list, I was surprised and happy to have gotten in so quickly.
Bill gave me a detailed explanation of the program, telling me that now that I've been diagnosed with bipolar, I am part of their "target population"--which I'd recalled that Ed had told me when I was previously there that I wasn't a part of. I mentioned that I was surprised to have gotten in so quickly and he said there'd been changes at the Center. Bill said I'd have to attend orientation, which consisted of five "Start Now" classes, which I've just finished--and made me an appointment with a psychiatrist. When I talked to the psychiatrist Monday I told him I was experiencing fatigue, and sometimes light-headed and gastrointestinal stuff, and he changed my anti-depressant from generic Prozac to generic Celexa. He said at the next appointment he'll look at changing the Depakote because it's not a good idea to change all the meds all at once.
Now that I've "graduated" from "Start Now," I'll be seeing the psychiatrist every couple of weeks (at least at first) and will also be assigned a "recovery specialst" (sounds like something having to do with FEMA, doesn't it?) who's actually a caseworker who's supposed to help me with how the rest of my life is going.
Because I do need help--I've been trying to get by on $466 in unemployment (plus food stamps) per month. And I didn't get disability, so I'll be appealing that (just waiting a while so my psychiatrist can provide them with more info.)
So wish me luck! And have a safe and happy 4th!