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Posted 10/17/2009 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
Well, first, I wanted to know if anyone has taken this and what happened...

Next, I have only taken it twice and I can tell a big difference. I took it yesterday around 5:00 because I couldnt wait to try it....I didnt even mind staying up so late, I had things to get done and I was so focused I didnt want to go to sleep. I got about 4-5 hours of sleep before I jumped up and got some things done and was off to class. I actually went!!! I have missed Chemistry for a week straight and I finally went back. He is even going to let me make up my quiz that I missed! And I was able to focus ALOT better of what he was saying.. I even took notes and didnt pay so much attention to what people were wearing or all the sounds around me. I actually felt like it was all important. And I took notes in my other class also. I was able to focus more. It was strange for me.. because I can remember how I have always felt and it was a way different experience from what I am used to, but it was different in a good way!

I suppose its working fine for a start. Today I got up, did some work, went to school, went shopping and eating with my mom and sister, then went to a high school football game to hang out with friends and my gf.. and picked up my brother and his friends! I have been on the go nonstop from 9 a.m.-11 p.m.!!! Thats really weird for me but Im actually in a good mood for the first time in 2-3 weeks...

*phew*  Off to a good start.... lets hope it only gets better from here! Take care everyone and have a great weekend!

Posted 10/17/2009 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
I told you you like it Tennis. Yup you sound like Tennis again!!! I am so happy for you Christi. I am glad that it is working for you. But you will want to take them in the morning so that you can get rest at night, It will turn into a productive cycle for you. And as you get use to it, it only gets better. This is what you deserve my friend. So happy for you.

Best wishes for a good night and a wonderful day tomorrow. Talk to you again soon.

Luv and hugs, Karen
Posted 10/17/2009 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
smilewinkgrin  tennis, EXCELLENT!!! ps. what is focalin? keep strong and good on ya!! jamie. turn tongue
Posted 10/17/2009 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Jamie,

Focalin is like ritalin. Methelphenidate. Just a new name I think.

Hope that you are having a good day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/18/2009 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
thx karen. you too. a little all over the shop. will post a thread later. be good, jamie :-)
Posted 10/18/2009 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
I have to be good Jamie, I am too old to do any different. haha... Take care my friend. Thanks for your continued support.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/18/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Christi.  I am so glad that the new medicine is making you feel better and more like the old you!  Despite all the challenges you have been facing I know that you are capable of catching back up in school.  Just make sure you keep communication with your instructors going.  I wasn't always good with that myself and they kept telling me that it shows you are trying when you do this and they will be much more willing to work with you.

You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!  Sending lots of hugs your way.  I know you can do this!  yeah   smilewinkgrin    turn    wink  

Cass

Posted 10/18/2009 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys!

I dont think this new med could have come into my life at a better time. The past 2 weeks have been the worst ever and have involved lots of crying and crazy thinking. I was lower than Ive ever been before. I didnt care about my life anymore. And thats not what I like to think because I know there is so much out there for me and SO much I want to do!

Since I started taking the med I had a full day at school Friday and hanging out with friends. I also surprised my gf by kissing her in front of quite a few people, but I didnt care so she was happy... Our first kiss was awkward so this one went smooth and it was all ME! I didnt even think twice about it so Im really proud of myself!

I was asked to go camping last night by my best friends... and it was around freezing for the first time overnight this year and well..... despite my parents saying I would get sick and despite my high anxiety about it... I WENT! So, a group of us drove an hour to our friends house and went back in the woods and camped out! We had a great time... although, I am going to do a seperate post about an issue that came up during this trip....

Anyways, I have had a really good time and I dont feel AS stressed and overwhelmed as I did... Luckily, I dont have any exams or anything this week so Im happy about that. I have an appt with my therapist Tuesday... Im kind of proud that I have some stuff to tell her..she will be shocked to hear I have actually been social! lol... Usually, I dont tell her anything because I dont know what to say so... she will be glad to not be bored the whole time.

Next week I have an appt with the nurse to check up on my new med and see how things are doing... Also, I know yall said to take it in the morning so I could sleep at night, and I take it as soon as I wake up, but I can stay up a lot later than I used to and still get up early and feel okay! I can focus in the early hours and still get up feeling like I slept so it is also helping me have more time to do things I need to get done so... Im happy about that.

A few things I also wanted to mention... since I changed my major to Social Work... I have really opened up more and released my feelings for the well-being of others. I went into Wal-Mart with my mom and left with 4 big bags of Halloween candy for a project where we make goodie bags and give to kids who would otherwise not have a Halloween. I have been looking into more volunteer opportunities like I have done once before... the only difference is I finally feel able to do more that I really want to do. Also, I should be getting my college leftover money back soon and I have finally decided what I want to do with most of it. We have the Angel Tree here were you adopt a childs name off the Christmas tree and they have a list of things they need and want and you sponsor them by buying whats on there list etc.... I have decided that I want to adopt as many as I can and go buy a bunch of stuff for those kids using my school money. These kids would otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas and that makes me very VERY sad because I have always been blessed with a great Christmas morning and I know the best feeling is waking up to presents under the tree and I want to give that to as many kids as I can. I have been thinking about things I want. On the top of my list is helping others.... but then I want an iPod touch... and a Wii and everything... and I could use my money for that, but I have decided I want to do the Angel Tree project. My favorite thing about Christmas is buying presents for other people and it would mean SO much to me if I could allow others to have a Christmas. Otherwise, they wouldnt have anything... so I am going to try to adopt as many names as I can... usually people get 1 or maybe 2 so I am going for that.... but if possible Im going to try to catch all the sales and use the money wisely so I am able to buy more and support more kids for Christmas. And I cant wait to do it!!! Im so excited about it cause I love giving to people who need it and I only wish I could be there Christmas morning to see the look on there faces!

Well, I need to do a seperate post before I leave... more running around to do lol... thanks for all the help and support because I never could have done this without you all. Seriously, you guys mean SO much to me! Take care

Posted 10/19/2009 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Christi,

I am so happy that the focalin is working for you. I knew that you would do well on it. It helps with the fibro and all the way around. I am really, really happy.

Maybe you could get yourself one of the things that you want and still sponsor some of the children. You do deserve to have something nice. And I think that you could help them too. Kind of be moderate about it. Really, you do deserve something nice too.

I am glad that you are being able to concentrate more and being able to socialize more. It kind of sounds like a miracle. It was to me. I don't take focalin, but I take adderall, which is similar. It has kept me working this long.

Anyway Christi. Enjoy. You are lucky to have found something that helps you. And I do know how you feel. It is such a blessing I think. We are fortunate. Fortunate to be able to live again. It is like a new beginning. And the more that you move around, the better you feel. And these meds make that capable of that. But take it slow. Don't over do it. Because you will have pain from the fibro. Go slow and work youself back up to where you were before. It can be done. Or atleast close to that.

Hugs to you,
email me,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 10/19/2009 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yes.... I have been over-working myself ALOT... and my Fibro is on a high alert level right about now... I have been hurting more than ever... more than I can ever remember hurting at once. My entire body, not just a part of it. Especially at night when I am sitting watching tv or on the computer. Everything starts to hurt very bad and I try to move around but it doesnt help AT ALL. I may be seeing my orthopedic doc here soon about a knee problem I am having. I can tell its different from my fibro pain cause its my knee not just the muscles and I have had problems with it a while since I had a snowboarding accident. Also, that knee bows backwards and I think its causing the pain some also when I walk... Last time I saw him about my knee he said the next step would be arthroscopic surgery on it because I have had so many injuries and probably have a lot of loose stuff around inside my knee. So, I dont know what he will say this time... but whatever works as long as it will stop hurting like it does... I live with the fibro but I dont like to deal with extra stuff lol

We'll see I suppose...
Posted 10/22/2009 9:21 AM (GMT 0)
sorry about ya fibro flaring, my diabetic nuropathy in my feet has been and still is unbearable, last 3 or so days and esp today/tonight. all the best with ya knees, the other news is fantastic. so pleased. jamie. yeah!!!  smilewinkgrin   tongue   tongue   tongue   scool
Posted 10/25/2009 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Question: Is it possible to be TOO focused?

It is like I am zoned out all the time. I get focused on one thing and I will not stop until I am done or until I am forced too. I have an internet addiction anyways, but now I will get on to check one thing and before you know it I have a million things listed in my head that I want to look up.. and one things leads to another.... before I know it, it has been 6-7 hours and I have NOT moved, spoke, eaten, drank, or went to the bathroom.

I dont even hear my cell phone go off! I am a text-oholic and I used to text text text....now my phone sits and beeps every 2 minutes to remind me to check it and I rarely even hear it or pay any attention to it...

I get busy cleaning or doing something and time just seems to fly by. I end up staying up really late or forgetting to do other things.

This is a good thing, but I suppose there are also negatives. I need to be focused on my school work and everything... Ive always been in my own world anyways, but now its like Im in my own totally different world...
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