Adjustments

So I saw my doctor today, and I requested a few adjustments. The doctor listened to me, and one of the first things she said was "I'm reading [the other doctor]'s notes, and what he is describing and what I am seeing...WOW. Things are really getting better."

Because I was able to articulate what I was experiencing in great detail, and my reactions to different meds at varying times and in varying doses, my doctor pretty much agreed with me on everything I talked about regarding med adjustments. All of the changes I requested? I was given every one of them.

All of the adjustments were minor, but they were based on my experiences. For example, my antipsychotic knocks me out, so I take it just before bed. But that means I can feel it fading just after dinner, and that is when my symptoms tend to flare up. So she added a very small dose for me to take at 3 pm.

I am very happy with the meds and with the small adjustments that were made. I got a small dose of the stimulant back to perk me up and help with focus, the other ADHD med got adjusted a little to help even more with focus, and I got a small antipsychotic pill to take at 3pm.

I will still be going to therapy for a while, because I will still have symptoms here and there at times, and need some coping skills to remain in a good place. I have already added some things to my coping strategies.

One thing I have started doing is forcing myself to  lay in bed for at least 7 hours. If I wake up after 3 or 4 hours, it's a sign that I am experiencing some manic symptoms. Getting out of bed and allowing the symptoms to control me is not healthy. So I have been forcing myself to lay there, trying to relax. I have also been attempting to force myself to not sleep TOO MUCH, which can be a symptom of depression. Setting alarms, going to bed at a decent hour, and getting into a habitual bedtime routine will help me cope.

Another thing I have been doing is taking breaks when I need them. I used to use smoking as a tool to escape. Since I quit smoking, I need to recognize when I need to take a step back, and maybe go sit on the porch and play a game on my phone for a few minutes. My therapist reminded me to do this both at home and at work. Take a break, take a breath, and step back for a moment.

So I would have to say that today was a very good day. Symptoms are minimal. My meds got some minor adjustments to minimize the symptoms that I am having. And already, I am learning more coping skills.