Snow! And other stuff.

[mousme]

It's snowing out. Again.

I have been sitting on my sofa all day with George curled up next to me. Every so often he rolls over and demands that I rub his belly.

I'm re-watching "Supernatural," because I am just that obsessed. It's still making me giggle and cringe and worry about the characters. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of shows that have been able to do that for me a second time around ("The Pretender" is one of them, for the record).

In short: snowy day, purring cats, good TV.

Yeah, life is rough.


In other news, in consultation with my very understanding psychiatrist, who puts up with me popping into his existence once a blue moon without too much complaint, has agreed that I should start up the St. John's Wort again. It used to help with the seasonal crap, and while the last time I took it (back in 2006) sort of turned into a hypomanic quasi-disaster, we're sticking with a lower dosage and seeing if that helps.

There are mitigating factors this time: I'm working night shifts and not getting nearly enough sun or sleep or anything. I'm actually thinking about investing in a proper full-spectrum sun lamp and seeing if that helps, too.

So far, the pills are helping. I'm not feeling nearly as crappy as I was before Christmas, before I started taking them again. It's been about ten days now, and I'm already starting to have the more intense dreams that come with the St. John's Wort, and I managed to spend several hours with people yesterday without turning into a jittery mess the way I was on December 23rd at karine and adamofeden's party. I like to think I mostly pulled off being sociable at that event, but I felt like I could have clawed my way out of my own skin.

So, yeah. Doing better. It's not exactly unicorns pissing rainbows and butterflies, but it's better.

Maybe later on I'll get around to posting the usual memes I do around this time of year, start making plans, which is what I always do around my birthday.

Good times.

Happy trails, all!

Comments

[catsarah.livejournal.com]

The stuff never worked for me. I'm very glad to hear that it does for you. And yes, you and me both needing to invest in the full spectrum light. I've been considering it for awhile...should probably do something about it.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

It's a really mild SSRI, is basically what it is. So... it's something I can use but I have to be stupidly careful about how much I ingest, especially since it's been a few years since I've taken any meds at all.

Let me know how the full-spectrum light works out for you if you get one? :)

[catsarah.livejournal.com]

SJW also can make you sensitive to light and easily sunburned. I know, not much chance of that in the middle of "OMGwhardidthesungo", but it can make your eyes light sensitive as well. I tried SJW for ages before I finally went to see a doctor to get pharmaceuticals.

Jenn has one, not sure if she's using it regularly though.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

Enh, I'm already super photosensitive, so no worries there. I have to avoid bright lights like the plague, dim the monitor brightness, keep the lights on when I'm watching TV, stuff like that. Nothing new.

It's good information to have, though.

[sassy-fae.livejournal.com]

I do have the light, no I've not been using it regularly over the holidays, or for long enough for it to work properly. I enjoy it though, it feels pleasnt to use, at least the one I bought. It's called the Daylight.

[blackmare.livejournal.com]

It's possible I ought to try taking a little of the stuff, myself. It might make me better able to handle the stresses I've been facing of late.

And it doesn't cost as much as a full-spectrum light, which I probably also need. I'm not really depressed but I know I'm not as up, as energetic and brave as I ought to be by nature, either. Mostly the result of long-term financial stress, but the bad thing is that the stress ---> mild depression ---> avoidance instead of dealing ---> worse finances and more stress ---> worse depression.

I'm very glad you're doing better, and have been there with SSRI overdose, too, the one time I took them.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

It can be helpful, although I'd recommend a chat with a doctor of some kind before you start —it needs to be managed like any other medication if you've got any kind of diagnosed condition.

Prescription SSRI's are a no-no for me, for instance, they're just too potent and send me into a rapid-cycling disaster zone, especially since 90% of the time I can manage the bipolar disorder completely med-free. St. John's Wort is just mild enough that I can handle it in reasonable doses (usually).

I hear you on the vicious cycle thing. Sometimes it takes an extra chemical kick in the pants to break out of it.

Isn't mental health fun? :P

[guruwench.livejournal.com]

I have a light box (Litebook brand is the one I have, which is Canadian-made), and it does make a difference for me with S.A.D. (which I have in addition to regular depression). It's very small, so you could take it anywhere with you and not have to lug a giganto-light with you.

I'm glad the SJW is helping. I am on SSRI meds, have been for years; the day will come when I need a med change again, which will be unfun, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.

I'm glad you're starting to feel better. I hope you have a wonderful birthday!! :)

[vureoelt.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Happy trails to you as well.

[serenitylioness.livejournal.com]

Hi!
I had been wondering ... I saw the occasional post regarding television show addiction, but not much else. I was getting concerned. Glad you decided to do something about it.
Hugs!

[luvenditti.livejournal.com]

excellent progress, and, by the way, you look incredible and all svelt and stealthy and stuff. go you!

[diggerlicious.livejournal.com]

I think you don't need to "bake" under a full spectrum lamp, it's just a few minutes a day. Sounds like it could be a good thing!!!!

[diggerlicious.livejournal.com]

And Happy Phnee day for tomorrow!

[whiskeygirl8.livejournal.com]

I miss The Pretender.

[mousme.livejournal.com]

So do I. Luckily I have it on DVD so I can watch it over and over.

FYI, if you haven't yet, DON'T watch the TV movies. They are TERRIBLE, and Michael T. Weiss basically phones in his performance. Just awful.

[whiskeygirl8.livejournal.com]

I saw the first one. It was long enough ago, though, that I don't really remember much about it.