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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by S. Howard on November 25, 2000, at 16:15:47
I just discovered that I am locked in my house. My husband is working and my son is house-sitting across the street. He left and took my keys with him and he won't bring them back. I guess they are afraid of me
a)driving and/or b)going to see my "druggie friends".
This is my husband's term for the people I met during my stay in the psych ward, he's convinced we get together and swap drugs. I can tell you, this only happens very occasionally. Anyway, this is upsetting because now my son (19)obviously feels responsible for me after my last hospitalization. I had no intention of making him "the parent", that is not his job. I guess only time and being *responsible* is going to help this situation. I sure blew it. -Gracie
Posted by Racer on November 26, 2000, at 16:30:15
In reply to Well at least you're not locked in, posted by S. Howard on November 25, 2000, at 16:15:47
At the risk of being forced to change my handle to Pollyanna, there is a good side to this: isn't it nice that your son and husband love you so much, and worry about you so much?
Now back to reality, eh? Sorry to think of what you must be going through, Gracie, because you're right on the mark about your son. He's taking on something he shouldn't. Still, he is doing it for love of you, so it's not all bad.
Hey, think of all the fun you can have at home! Someone, quick, get this woman some BEADS!!! Fimo! Quilting cotton! Fake fur for a new, neon jacket! Curl up in that quilt on the sofa, and let us know what's on TV!
Maybe this isn't helping much, but I wanted to let you know that someone cares. Here's a hug to you, {{{{{{Gracie}}}}}}
Posted by Noa on November 28, 2000, at 8:34:19
In reply to Re: Well at least you're not locked in, posted by Racer on November 26, 2000, at 16:30:15
Seriously? Did you agree to this?
I agree about your family caring about you so much, but I am not sure how I feel about this solution.
Perhpas you need a day program to go to for structure and support.
Posted by S. Howard on November 28, 2000, at 22:26:36
In reply to Re: Well at least you're not locked in, posted by Noa on November 28, 2000, at 8:34:19
Noa,
Well, here is another embarrassing part of the story. I'm not proud of this but, on the other hand, it's a relief to talk about it...I would never tell my family or friends ANY of these things. Also, I might prevent someone from doing the same, and that would make it worthwhile to me.I was not happy about being locked in and I called my son to demand that he return my keys.
He did this, but before he left, he sat down with me and said, "Mom, the night that you had a seizure, your head was against the wall at such a sharp angle that you weren't breathing, you weren't getting any air. And Dad wasn't home, and if I hadn't been there and I didn't hear you fall...you were out for such a long time, I'm afraid you would have died. I don't know how long you can go without air before there's brain damage."I said, "I think it's about four minutes." I was shocked, I hadn't heard any of this before.
He just said, "You were out longer than that."
Which was true. I didn't wake up until the paramedics had an oxygen mask on my face.OhmyGod! I love that kid more than life. Despite working full-time and not being particularly sociable, I was an avid soccer/baseball/hockey/
boy-scout mom. Part of my depression had to do with the fact that he was a grown man and it was time for me to let him go, but my OD was NOT a bid for his attention. I was horrified that I had put him through that. Not to mention my poor husband, who works with the same fire department as the EMTs who came to our house. The whole thing was mortifying all around.At this point I am determined to redeem myself, and I am willing to try anything. I wondered what you meant about a "day program", because structure and support seems to be what I need right now.
Thanks for your encouragement,
Gracie
Posted by Noa on November 29, 2000, at 12:09:49
In reply to Re: Well at least you're not locked in, posted by S. Howard on November 28, 2000, at 22:26:36
Gracie,
First of all, love the name.
2. What happened to you is really scary.
3. By day program, I mean "day treatment program", or "day hospital" or "partial hospitalization". It goes by different names in diffent places. A lot of hospitals that have good psych units have this option. Basically, you go there everyday for most of the day, and it is a structured place to get therapy, group therapy, and opportunities to work on what you will do next to help yourself.
4. Frankly, I am surprised the hospital discharged you without something like this. If your family feels you are still at such high risk that they must lock you in, you do need more intensive treatment right now.
Do you have a pdoc to help you locate such a program?
Posted by S. Howard on November 30, 2000, at 10:49:14
In reply to Re: Well at least you're not locked in, posted by Noa on November 29, 2000, at 12:09:49
Noa-
I am going back to work next week provided there are no more seizures, which I'm sure there won't be. However, this is a fair-sized city, there might be some kind of evening meetings... I will find out from my pdoc. I did attend one NA meeting but it was in a bad part of the city and I didn't feel comfortable going by myself. I also attended a couple of AA meetings but since drinking is not my problem, I didn't feel I fit in there...I admitted having a beer at the ballpark, and they were aghast. But I can understand how this is unacceptable for an alcoholic.
Well, me and the doc, we'll figure something out. Thanks for thinking about me!
Gracie
Posted by Noa on November 30, 2000, at 15:10:50
In reply to Noa, posted by S. Howard on November 30, 2000, at 10:49:14
Between now and going back to work, are there things you can do to get yourself ready for going back? It sounds like being busy will be good, but I hope it isn't too stressful. Can you start back part time and build up toward full time? Do you have any supports built in to help you adjust to work?
I hope you can find a meeting you like.
Posted by S. Howard on November 30, 2000, at 17:25:57
In reply to Re: Noa » S. Howard, posted by Noa on November 30, 2000, at 15:10:50
Noa-
Well at least I don't have to worry about clothes,
since I'll be wearing a uniform. That's very helpful for me cause I stress out over clothes when they have to be better than jeans.This should not be a difficult job for me, it's just meeting a bunch of new people that I dread.
Paxil hasn't done anything except make me gain weight (now I have an excuse).Hopefully I can start working part-time, like you suggested. I'm not really in a lather to go back to work but, besides needing the money, it will get me up and out of the house on a regular basis,
which I need to do before I lose all social skills completely.I did pull out my sketchpad today and started drawing, which I haven't done in months (these psych drugs are hell on creativity), so that made me feel pretty good...
Thank you for your advice and good wishes, Noa, I appreciate it.
-Gracie
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