Stresshead - Meds not helping

 

sorry guys couldnt find my other post - been on avanza and this new drug escitopram or something - supposed to be a mood stabilizer

recap

married , 2 kids - lost a 3rd to early complications

my oldest has aspergers - which has been a very trying time

my youngest had craniofacial surgery when he was 18 months old - they took his skull off and reconstructed it due to his skull fusing too early, never wish this on anyones parents - we were on a waiting list to have it done and yeah its too much seeing your own child - almost 4 now showing signs of aspergers, apparently more common in boys but he just seems so smart.

working more days now than before, they want to downgrade our area which means picking up more work to be able to sack the 4th person - they dont say it but thats exactly what they are doing.

kids both have ipads they seem to be in there own world on those things - i try and take them all sorts of places but they just are never happy, out of the wife and kids nothing is ever good enough, thats the way it feels anyway .

i am struggling day to day doing the worst rotating roster, trying to be the family man and still stay sane, a lot of times i feel like packing in my job and maybe relaxing a bit, but i know i cant do that so i keep plodding along.

the new mood stablizer i got seems to make me think more actively, the other day i was just doing things - sorting out stuff in the house making things a lot neater, dunno if thats a side effect but after i do these things i am once again drained thinking i have done too much.

i have adjusted my lifestyle as much as i can - been on the right diet, cut out 95% of alcohol, havent had a drink in atleast 2 months, only has 1 or 2 on the rare occasion now, been trying to get the sleep i need, doesnt always work out but i am trying. i have been jumping on the tread mill quite a bit, going to the supermarkets , they relax me a bit.

i am constantly drained, i could sleep for 12 hours i dont feel refreshed, apart from my anxiety attacks and stress levels i am still aching all over, neck and back sore everyday, when i sit at work i am always getting brain zaps

lately i have been having these epsisodes where i will feel something come on while i am asleep and i will wake up and not feel right/disorientated and my head is sore and i feel nauseated, i instantly jump off the bed fearing the worse and i put on the air con it seems to cool me down and usually i scare the crap out of my wife all the time telling me i am having another attack and that its ok.

its not fun being me right now and i have 40 hours work over the next 4 days to look forward too

 

Hi Stresshead.

I am sorry that you are going through so much at the moment...raising kids is not for the faint-of-heart! I have a student who is undergoing the same surgery as your son had, and I must say that it sounds terrifying for the parent. My heart goes out to you, as it is a challenge to raise children who need extra medical and/or emotional care.

Are you involved with a support group for parents and kids affected by Asperger's? What kind of resources do you have to help you? You should not have to carry the weight of another diagnoses alone...if you are not already involved with a group, maybe that is something to consider looking into?

I know that is is hard to manage all of this, and try to also deal with anxiety..as it all feeds into one cycle. Is there anyway that you can fit in some self-help work? There are some great programs (DVD's) and books that may be able to help you lower your over-all stress levels. Once you start to do this, all aspects of life start to look less overwhelming and bleak.

If you would like more recommendations for this, post back...I and others would be glad to point you in the right direction.

Either way...know that we are listening and care! Sending well wishes and thoughts out to you and your family. Hang in there and do your best...they are the most important thing, and you can do it...it is tough, but it is the most critical job and you are doing great!:)

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

Good Morning,

Wow, you have had a lot going on in your life and much of it stressful.  I am glad to hear you have started on the Lexapro and remember this med may take up to 6-8 weeks for the full effect to kick in.  Anxiety and GERD are closely related so do take the time to read through the GERD forum and post if you choose too.

I have a granddaughter with Asperger's so I understand a bit about this disorder.  We also have some members here in the forum that have Asperger's and I am sure they will be along to share with you. Here is a link you may find helpful: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aspergers-syndrome/DS00551

Meditation does work if you practice it every day and more then once a day is good.  Keep an open mind about what will work as when things are really bad we have to work with the tools that are available to us and breathing exercises, therapy and meditation are at the top of my list.  I take meds but they are not the cure all however they help me.

Keep us update as to your progress and post anytime.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Meditation does work if you practice it every day and more then once a day is good. Keep an open mind about what will work as when things are really bad we have to work with the tools that are available to us and breathing exercises, therapy and meditation are at the top of my list. I take meds but they are not the cure all however they help me.

Post Edited By Moderator (tortoise11) : 4/22/2012 12:13:59 AM (GMT-6)