Why I haven't been around

Jeanne

Abbie's Human
Messages
4,090
Location
Tyngsboro, MA
So, I am sure some of you are wondering why I haven't been around much, well, this week has been a big time cluster - F*ck.

This past Wednesday I had, I guess you can call it a nervous breakdown. For the past couple of weeks I haven't been wanting to go home, it was getting worse and worse as time went on. On Wednesday I got home around 5:00 did a few things, I was sitting on the floor with Abbie, Bobby was there too, and all of a sudden I felt SOOO trapt, not just uncomfortable, but almost claustrophobic (SP?). I didn't want to be around Bobby or Abbie. I went to my room, cried for about an hour, I felt lonely, sad, scared, all at once, not just a little, but BAD. I knew something was wrong. I tried to call my doctor, but they were closed, I tried to call a Councilor used to go to, but I only got an answering machine saying that they weren't taking new patients. I waited a few minutes, but just felt worse and worse, I contemplated calling 911, because that is how bad I felt, but decided against that. I knew I couldn't be alone, and I didn't want to be with Bobby, so I got in my car and left, started to call my sister, and at that time I started to hyperventilate pretty bad, I never had a panic attack before but I've seen people having them, so I told my sister that I need to be with her, I couldn't be alone, so she said she would meet me at her house. By the time I got to her house I was hyperventilating so bad, my hands, forearms, and legs cramped up so bad I couldn't move them, I thought I was having a stroke! Her boyfriend got home before she did, he saw me and started to call 911, but my sister got there and told him not to call, she knew it was just a panic attack. She got me to calm down, and feeling better.

The next day I got to work, and knew there was still something wrong, I was still VERY sad-lonely-scared-crying (Almost uncontrollably), and VERY jumpy. I got to work and told my boss what was going on (My work is VERY understandable, not sure what I would do if I was working somewhere else), and decided that I should go to my doctors. I got there and they saw how I was and thought it best for me to go to Lowell General Hospital to get evaluated my the Psych (SP?) ward, so they called my sister and she brought me there. Well, when I got there, I felt SOOO much better, I calmed down, almost so much where I fell asleep. A councilor came in and saw me, we talked for an hour, and she decided I was ok to be released. She gave me a list of Therapists to call, and the # for the Domestic Abuse Hotline (Not because Bobby ever beat me, but because he yelled a lot, blah..blah..blah). So I left, 30 minutes later, I was on my way home to tell Bobby what happened, and to get some of my clothes (I was going to stay at my sisters house for a while) and I freaked out again, completely irrational, crying hysterically, etc. I called my doctors office, they were closed for lunch, I left a message (A semi-hysterical one) saying that Lowell General released me, but that I still needed help. Well, they called my sister back and told her that they won't help me because it's a Psych issue, and Lowell General released me so they won't do anything unless I admit myself again. So, I was screwed.

I got home, my sister followed me there. I told Bobby what was going on, as best I could, scared the crap out of him. I got some clothes and left.


Since then, Bobby has tried and tried to get me to come home, but I CAN'T. If I think of going back there, I start to break down. I almost ended back at Lowell General Friday night because I got hysterical and freaked out again, scared my sisters that time.

Bobby is trying everything to get me to come home, saying he will marry me, that he misses me, crying, saying that Abbie misses me, etc. I can barely take care of myself right now, never mind a dog. The more Bobby contacts me, the worse I get. I honestly don't know how much more of this I can take.

I have an appointment with a councilor on Thursday at 12:00, but am still trying to get a sooner appointment.

In the next couple days, I will be putting my (Almost) entire collection up for sale. I will be posting it here in the Round Room first. I need to find homes for them ASAP. The prices will be VERY reasonable, and best offers are welcome. There will be a few stipulations, I won't sell individual geckos, I don't want to be shipping 60+ separately.
 

Val

New Member
Messages
973
Location
York, PA
Wow Jeanne. I'm really sorry to hear that! I hope things get straightened out for you very soon and you start feeling like yourself again. If there's anything you need just let us know.
 

PaulSage

I'm baaaaaack!
Messages
2,590
Location
Texas
Wow, Jeanne. We have a lot in common.

You are going to be okay. You might be scared shitless and not believe it now, but you ARE going to be alright. Let your family and the professionals help you, but don't let anyone pressure you. You're stressed to the max and there will be some people who just can't understand. If Bobby is one of those people, you've just got to forget about him for now. Don't worry about anyone except yourself. You need to be self-centered for a while. Everyone else, including your geckos, will be fine. Focus on you.

The doctors will probably want to put you on an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication. Tell them everything, and listen to them. Psychiatric medications don't work instantaneously and adjusting to them might be a little awkward, but stick with it. Chemical imbalances in our brains are just like any other body chemistry issue, like diabetes, and are not something to be ashamed of or embarassed by. There is treatment, and just in the past five years doctors have learned a LOT more about mental health diagnoses and remedies.

Hang in there, it'll be worth it. I promise. Despite how suffocated you feel right now, you're going to look back on this when you're all better and it will be nothing but a memory.

If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'm here, and I've been "there".
 

Jeanne

Abbie's Human
Messages
4,090
Location
Tyngsboro, MA
PaulSage said:
Wow, Jeanne. We have a lot in common.

You are going to be okay. You might be scared shitless and not believe it now, but you ARE going to be alright. Let your family and the professionals help you, but don't let anyone pressure you. You're stressed to the max and there will be some people who just can't understand. If Bobby is one of those people, you've just got to forget about him for now. Don't worry about anyone except yourself. You need to be self-centered for a while. Everyone else, including your geckos, will be fine. Focus on you.

The doctors will probably want to put you on an anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medication. Tell them everything, and listen to them. Psychiatric medications don't work instantaneously and adjusting to them might be a little awkward, but stick with it. Chemical imbalances in our brains are just like any other body chemistry issue, like diabetes, and are not something to be ashamed of or embarassed by. There is treatment, and just in the past five years doctors have learned a LOT more about mental health diagnoses and remedies.

Hang in there, it'll be worth it. I promise. Despite how suffocated you feel right now, you're going to look back on this when you're all better and it will be nothing but a memory.

If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'm here, and I've been "there".


Thank You Paul! My family doesn't want me to take any kind of medications, but, they also don't know how I am feeling right now. I wish they could feel it for just a moment, then they will think otherwise. I've seen councilors before, and I DO tell them everything, nothing gets held back (God, I feel bad for them this time!).

I will keep everyone informed of my progress. I am going to look at an apartment tonight, a studio apartment near my work. Keep your fingers crossed for me. In the meantime I will be staying with my Mother, and i KNOW I won't be able to stay there for too long, she will be nagging me and telling me everything that I have done wrong in life. I know what I've done wrong, I don't need her to tell me.

Anyway, thank you all for your concerns!
 

PaulSage

I'm baaaaaack!
Messages
2,590
Location
Texas
Jeanne, getting a new place to live sounds like a good step. If your family is uncomfortable about medications, then that is their issue. You can't fault them for not understanding how you feel, but at the same time, you can't let them talk you out of what YOU need. They just don't know. It's scary for them too.

You haven't done anything wrong. You've tried things and have had experiences that you've learned from. There's nothing "wrong" with learning what's good and what's not good for you. The only thing that is the end of the world IS the end of the world. ;)
 

Golden Gate Geckos

Mean Old Gecko Lady
Messages
12,730
Location
SF Bay Area
If your family is uncomfortable about medications, then that is their issue.
Jeanne, I am so sorry you are going through this! I understand completely, because I have has chronic panic disorder and clinical depression since I was a teenager. Paul is right, medication may be just what you need right now... and a good support system. I am currently taking an antidepressant that is giving me tremendous results!

Please don't sell your gecko collection right now. This is probably not the right time to make a major decision like that. You are feeling trapped and overwhelmed, and like Paul said, "you WILL get through this" and feel the joy your geckos bring to you again!

I don't know if I told you when we were all in Texas, but I had just been discharged from the hospital psychiatric facility the very day before I flew to Dallas. I had a major melt-down, and felt suicidal. Getting together with you and all the gecko folks here on GF was soooo therapeutic...

We are all friends here, and part of being a good friend is being supportive, encouraging, and a good listener. You can call me ANYTIME, Jeanne.
 

robin

New Member
Messages
12,261
Location
Texas
i agree with everything paul has said he writes it so much better than i ever could though. i remember when i first went on my meds however many years ago. my friends told me dont take that shit, you dont need it blah blah blah blah and for the longest time i would stop taking my meds and stuff like that. well i knew how i felt inside and i knew when i was on them things were better. i had to stop listening to what others would say andrealize i knew how much better i felt when i was on them. meds alone wont make you better. there are three parts of a pie all three of equal importance. YOU, YOUR MEDICATIONS and YOUR DOCTORS AND/OR THERAPIST. you have to be self centered and think of yourself and whats best for you. don;t to what others want but do what you want and what you feel is best for you.. i know it doesnt seen it now but things do get better but sometimes it takes time and patience (which is hard i know)
hang in there hon, if even by the tips of your toes. if you would like to call don't hesitate *hug*
 

Jeanne

Abbie's Human
Messages
4,090
Location
Tyngsboro, MA
Unfortunately, I have to sell my Gecko collection, not all of them, but the majority of them. The apartments around here won't let you have pets (Although I plan on sneeking 2 to 4 in and keeping them there). I am not selling them because I lost my love for them, I still love geckos and plan on keelping it up, but, at a much smaller level for now, until I can get a place that will allow them.

Also, Abbie needs to go to the vet again, she hasn't been eating much lately and is throwing up, so she needs to have x-rays done to find out what's going on, so I need to sell some geckos to pay for that, and surgery if she needs it. I don't have her, Bobby has her, I can't even keep her anymore. That is breaking my heart. So, I need to get some money so he can take her to the Vet for X-Rays.
 

Jeanne

Abbie's Human
Messages
4,090
Location
Tyngsboro, MA
Thank You Robin! I probably will give you all a call, but it will be on the weekends, I have a BAD habit of going over my cell phone minutes lately :main_lipsrsealed:
 

robin

New Member
Messages
12,261
Location
Texas
jeane weekends or nights are fine for me. well anytime really. i am here whenever you feel like calling even if it is 3 am in the morning *hug*
 

Jeanne

Abbie's Human
Messages
4,090
Location
Tyngsboro, MA
robin said:
jeane weekends or nights are fine for me. well anytime really. i am here whenever you feel like calling even if it is 3 am in the morning *hug*


Thank You Robs! I will take you up on that!


You too Marcia! You would be proud of me, I went to church on Saturday and the roof didn't fall in! The preist there is awesome, Father Bob. I talked with him a little after Mass. I even cried on him, the poor guy. I am glad we all helped you that weekend! I could REALLY use one of those weekends right now, so you all need to take a trip out here to Boston to be with me!
 

dragonflyreptiles

Resident PITA
Messages
2,135
Location
Winston Salem, NC
Jeanne, Im sorry to hear about this, I kinda know how you feel, I was crying out of control for amost 3 weeks a few weeks ago. I have been off an on meds for I guess 13 or 14 years and its just cycled back through for some reason.

Things will be OK, it just takes time with getting the right meds and talking helps, to be honest if it weren't for that trip to TX and having you guys to talk to Im not sure what would have happened to me.

Poor Kelli and Paul and Marcia had ro hear alot of tears and bad bad things from me but Im doing better this month.

My parents never believed in meds that is why I went off of them so much but then my dad had a breakdown a few years back and went on meds and now they understand.

Hang in there! Im not on line much now but Im home most of the time if you to call 336 793 4317
 

Jeanne

Abbie's Human
Messages
4,090
Location
Tyngsboro, MA
Thank Wendy! I have actually been on and off of a generic Prozaq (Fluoxetine) for quite a few years. I started taking it back in 1999 when my father got sick and passed away and I went into depression. It doesn't seam to be working for what I'm going through now, so I hope the councilor that I will be going to will prescribe something different. I can't take the mood swings that I have been going through, it's killing me!
 

dragonflyreptiles

Resident PITA
Messages
2,135
Location
Winston Salem, NC
That seems to be my problem, one drug will work for a few years, some only a few months then I something will happen and it doesn't work anymore and I have to get new meds and go through all of the it takes a few weeks to start working thing again.

This last one I got is celexa with depakote and rozerum and so far so good, I cry sometimes but not for no reason.
 

robin

New Member
Messages
12,261
Location
Texas
wendy most times the meds will work for a certain amount of years and then stop working. the doctors dont know why but it happens quite frequently. sometimes if they only work for a couple months the dosages need to go up or down, weird things these meds are. i have constantly been taking meds since i was 20, so almost 14 years. if i go off them i go ummm crazy. aint fun
 
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Jeanne

Abbie's Human
Messages
4,090
Location
Tyngsboro, MA
dragonflyreptiles said:
I cry sometimes but not for no reason.

I HATE when that happens! It's not so bad when you know why you are crying, because you can work through the emotion, but when you cry and don't know why, there's no way to try to fix it.
 

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