(posted by ange)
I saw my psychiatrist the other day. I was a little hesitant about what his reaction to my trip would be. Given that I've just come off the antidepressants and we are now waiting to see what happens, and that there may well be more adjustments to be made to my other medication, I wasn't sure if he would be pleased that I was flying off to Europe in the middle of it. I also had concerns about the fact that I cannot get medical insurance to cover me if anything goes wrong regarding my illness (save all the suggestions - I've researched it thoroughly and until I can prove I've been stable for at least 6 months, nobody's taking the risk). Although I'm pretty confident I'll be fine - I haven't been hospitalized in over 2 years - and pretty much know how to manage things (what's the difference if I'm having my usual mood swings here or in Portugal?), you never know. AND, I have read that transatlantic flights can trigger mania in people with Bipolar Disorder.
So with all this in my mind, it was with some trepidation that I announced my plans, waiting for some sort of… I don't know what. I was pleasantly surprised and relieved when his response was "Wow, that's great" and then a million questions about my trip and a long discussion about travelling in Europe, in which he provided me with all kinds of information based on his experiences (at one point I began to wonder if he had become my travel agent and forgotten I was there regarding my medications, etc). Regarding my health concerns, he said he had no reason to think I'd be anything but just fine, that it was good to be living my life and that should anything go amiss, I could call him for instructions over the phone to avoid seeking medical care in Portugal.
We discussed the flight and precautions to be taken to avoid precipitating a manic episode. Nothing too complicated - I just have to sleep on the flight so that when we land in Frankfurt in the morning, I am waking up, as if I had gone to bed and woken in Frankfurt time and then I have to spend the first 2 -3 days relaxing (how hard can this be - I'm on vacation!). He'll provide me with a heavy sedative for the flight, which I will take a couple hours in, and then hopefully I'll pass the time passed out beside Dave. Unfortunately I will have to miss all in flight entertainment such as delicious airplane food, bad movies and counting the hours until the flight lands. What a shame.
Once again, I can only be grateful to be crazy… otherwise my life would never have taken this path that has led me to be, in a nutshell, unemployed, slowed down, living with Dave and travelling to Portugal. A reminder to everyone: there is ALWAYS a silver lining, sometimes it just takes a while to show up.
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3 comments:
WOOOHOOOOO! Excellent for you my dear!! When you were talking about Mexico previously, I thought you were on your way there, and was disappointed to hear that Dave was going on his own. But Mexico Shmexico, you're going to Portugal!!!!!!!!! How exciting!! And so great to hear that your doc is being so supportive.
WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
xooox
Well I saw my shrink too, and he suggested, no he highly recommended that I spend a few weeks relaxing some place sunny, in fact, if I recall correctly he suggested Albuferia during the end of Feb./early March.
Now, where exactly was it that you were staying again????
cathyemily...see current post for details as to where we are staying. I believe dave and I reserved the last available apartment at Cerro Mar during that time frame, but perhaps I could have my travel agent suggest another place for you to stay. Maybe we could meet you for dinner one night. Or something. I hope you aren't taking this mental health vacation alone and that Bruno will be going with you. Can he take all that time off work? And what about Corey? Surely you aren't leaving him home alone for a few weeks! Hmmmm. Have you discussed all the details with your shrink? Are you certain he thinks this is the best course of action???????
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