Letters to the Editor
Heron23
Published Letters: 55 Editor's Choice: 2
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one more question for NYCGrrrl (or anyone in her situation)
[Read the article: I'm an exhausted caregiver on the point of collapse]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]NYCGrrrl, I thought of one more thing: Are you being clear and considerate about what you'd like others to do for you? Have you tried saying to the appropriate people, "I'd like a break from my caregiving now and then. Could we set up a movie night once a week?" or "I would like someone to watch my parents for this amount of time every week. Are you willing to watch them, or chip in to pay someone else to do it?"
If you're expecting people to drop everything whenever you need a break, you may have unrealistic expectations. This would also be the case if you believe they should be able to read your mind about how hard a time you're having. Give them advance notice about what you'd like from them, acknowledge they've got their own priorities, and you may get more time and/or help from your friends and family members.
Good luck to you. I can imagine things aren't easy for you, especially since you're in a caregiving profession. I hope you'll get some time off from everything this summer!
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for jotadavida
[Read the article: I'm an exhausted caregiver on the point of collapse]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Jotadavida, I feel for you. I have epilepsy, and I know my (mercifully few) seizures have been far worse for the people who've witnessed them and dealt with the resulting uncertainty about what will come next, than they've been for me.
I don't want to pry, but did your partner have a seizure as a result of a stroke or other brain injury? Is your partner seeing the best neurologist in your area? I'm worried about the both of you.
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for jotadavida
[Read the article: I'm an exhausted caregiver on the point of collapse]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Jotadavida,
I had to take a crash course on seizures and epilepsy after my own diagnosis, and I may be able to help you by linking you up with information and/or support. If you wish to, please email me: avshopping AT yahoo dot com. You're in my thoughts.
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Made some serious mistakes? Yes! "A total disgrace?" No!
[Read the article: My business trip ended with me in four-point restraints!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"You are a silly disgrace. Bye-bye! Life goes on without you. You will feel foolish soon, but it will be too late."
--timbuktom
Timbuktom, what an offensive thing to say. I usually agree with your posts, but not this one!
How can you read about a series of (admittedly serious) mistakes a LW made, and say he or she is irredeemable? The LW probably has brain chemistry problems that could be better controlled if (s)he were to consult a competent, understanding psychotherapist, along with a neurologist who's up on the latest antiseizure medications, and get on the right mix of meds.
A cognitive behavior therapist could help him/her figure out how to make a living without having to fly, too, and help him/her cope better with everyday stress. It's probable a different career, or at least a different workplace, would be a better fit, but that's not an irrreversible decision, either. How's the LW going to be able to afford to get this help without working? Would you rather your tax dollars went to help pay for his/her care?
If the LW chooses to keep on self-medicating with alcohol, and mixing and matching his/her psychotropic drugs willy-nilly, (s)he may find herself looking back on his/her life with much regret someday. Right now, though, from where I sit, the LW can turn this around.
Did this letter touch a nerve for some reason, timbuktom?
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drug-alcohol warnings, learning more about drugs
[Read the article: My business trip ended with me in four-point restraints!]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Some medications must not be taken with alcohol. No ifs, ands, or buts.
Others, though, may be taken with alcohol, as long as you drink in moderation, stay hydrated, and aren't one of the people who will have a bad reaction if you combine a medication with alcohol. These drugs carry warning because the drug companies don't want to be sued by the people who find out the hard way that they can't wash down their pills with a vodka tonic and go about their days. The lawyers told the drug companies to cover their asses with a general thou-shalt-not warning, so that's what they do.
If you want to know the difference between the two categories of drugs, and possible outcomes of social drinking while taking a medication you're on, ask your doctor. If you have a good physician, he or she will play it straight with you.
Rxlist, the WebMD medication webpage, is a good place to find more general drug information--particularly if you have developed a new symptom, and you want to know if a drug you're taking could be causing it.
For more exhaustive information about psychotropic drugs, visit crazymeds.us. (Note the ".us"; there are copycat sites out there.) The guy who designed the site and keeps it up-to-date isn't perfect, but he's knowledgeable and has a sense of humor.
I'm no doctor, but I've had to learn how to do my own research, since doctors are so pressed for time, and I have so many health conditions. If you're careful about vetting your sources, it's amazing what you can find online nowadays.