My Journey With:

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) ~ Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) ~ Focal Impaired Awareness (Complex Partial) Seizures ~ Fibromyalgia ~ Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) ~ Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) ~ TMJ Dysfunction ~ Bipolar Disorder Type I Rapid Cycling With Psychotic Features ~ Migraines ~ Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) ~ Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) ~ Keratosis Pilaris (KP) ~ Complex-Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) ~ Panic Disorder ~ Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) ~ Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) ~ Self-Harm ~ Bilateral Piezogenic Pedal Papules ~ Hashimoto's Thyroiditis ~ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) ~ Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) ~ Specific Phobias ~ Chronic Daily Headache ~ Eczema

Friday, April 1, 2016

Dry mouth, fatigue, and New Year's Resolution update

Once I take my night medicines, I will have been on Depakote ER for three days. So far I've taken two doses, on Wednesday and Thursday. Today is Friday. Today I started experiencing my first two side effects of Depakote. The incredible thirst, more so than any other dry mouth I've ever encountered, is a huge side effect of Depakote and Lithium, at least for me. Some people even lose their teeth on Depakote or Lithium because their mouth is so dry. I constantly drink huge amounts of water. When the dry mouth gets really bad in your sleep it feels like it's so dry your throat is sticking together. Obviously it isn't really sticking together, but my tongue and teeth do get stuck together because they're so dry. I refuse to ever take Lithium again, and I will never consent to ECT (electroconvulsive therapy), but if you are in a psychiatric ward, you often have no choice on what medication or treatment you will receive, and that includes taking Lithium or getting ECT against your will. That's really scary. I plan to do a blog soon on what it's like to be in a psychiatric hospital, and it will not be a positive story. DH has a Healthcare Medical Advance Directive on my and I have one on him, so if one of us aren't able to make a healthcare decision, the other can. However, when it comes to psychiatric hospitals they actually don't have to listen to the patient, or who the person the Advance Directive put in charge. I don't think that should be legal, but it certainly is.

The second side effect I started experiencing today is sleepiness. I have been falling asleep sitting up or lying in bed sleeping most of the day. It's very annoying, but it's still not as bad as tremors, stomach pain, or the constant insatiable hunger.

Me being on Depakote means that we are having to put a hold on trying for a baby. This really depresses me a lot. I think because of my PCOS my hormones are very badly off, but I've got hope that they can fix them. I don't see a reason to go to the doctor about my hormones being off until I'm more stable and I can go off the Depakote, which can cause severe birth defects. Depakote can also mess with your menstrual cycle.

Once my moods level out, I will be better at exercising, because lately I've just been too fatigued from pain and depression to get off the couch. I want DH to blow up my exercise ball, I plan on going back to my recumbent bike. Someday I want to be strong again and jog. I know a lot of people say that isn't possible, but they're wrong. I know I can do it, and I will do it.


Oh, and it's been awhile since I've talked about my New Year's Resolution. I haven't ridden in a scooter at Wal-Mart or anywhere else, and my wheelchair is actually dusty! I've been using my cane whenever I can, and using my walker everywhere else, like in stores, no matter the size. I'm very excited. I've also lost enough weight that if I'm not constantly pulling up my pants they fall down around my knees, taking my underwear with them. I plan on looking through my drawers and closet to see if I can find some jeans a size smaller. So that's good news!

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