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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by oeps7 on November 20, 2003, at 11:19:32
Hi Kara,
Just thought I'd drop in. How are you doing? How are things with the neighbors? How are you doing with the zoloft? I have actually upped mine from 50 to 100 because I've been depressed - finally starting to help a little.
SO what else is new?
Oh exciting - the sun just came out here - it's been so dreary.
llll
llll
^ ^
. .
o
<>
take care,
Mary
Posted by kara lynne on November 20, 2003, at 13:11:07
In reply to Hi Kara Lynne, posted by oeps7 on November 20, 2003, at 11:19:32
Hi Mary,
Thanks for dropping in, it's good to see you. I'm glad to hear the zoloft is more effective at 100mgs--it gives me hope. I tried upping my Paxil yesterday because I was criminally depressed. It got me out of it, but into feeling pretty chemically blasted-I was sweating all night a la SSRI, eg. I am trying to mix the zoloft and paxil if you can believe it; my doctor says there is a range of how selective these ssri's are, and that sometimes they can be used together successfully. Today I'll try upping the Zoloft instead since it's easier to adjust the dose than it is the Paxil CR.As for the neighbor 'hoods' (thank you lil jimi)...I have successfully avoided them or not been up to confronting them at 11pm when I start to smell the smoke. I will just mention it to the landlord the next time I see him, I guess.
I'm trying to get out of the spin cycle here and take the next step toward becoming gainfully employed--as soon as I figure out what that is. I tell myself, You can choose your focus, as soon as I begin to feel pathetically alone during the holidays. It works for about 3 or 4 minutes if you'd like to experiment.
Let's see...I got a speeding ticket, they wouldn't let me exchange my small sweatshirt for a medium yesterday after running my ID through their store system. They could offer me no reason, unless 'I've returned a lot of things'. The Return Police, can you believe it? I asked where it was stated that you can only return so many things in your lifetime...and they know this by running my driver's license? That is scary. And I just wanted another size!! It's one of those moments where you'd like to take the girl who accosts you when you walk in the store with her rabid welcome and tell her how someone could really be of service. I think you're on the East Coast and maybe retail clerks aren't as insipid as they are here. Our stores are armed with 'greeters' and other automatons; you pull the string and they issue one liners with maniacal enthusiasm, demanding you to tell them 'HOW YOU'RE DOING TODAY?!!!!' They go on tilt if you don't open your teeth from one side of your face to the other and nod in collusion with their Happy Land. But when it comes to actually doing anything that might help, or making intelligent executive decisions (like perhaps exchanging the sweatshirt) they're rendered speechless. My retail rant.
Well how was that for too much information? Thanks again for dropping in--it really does lift my spirits. Please do again and let me know how you're doing.
Kara
Posted by oeps7 on November 20, 2003, at 15:02:45
In reply to Re: Hi Kara Lynne, posted by kara lynne on November 20, 2003, at 13:11:07
Hi Kara,
I can just picture those people with the fake smiles when you walk into the store. Your story is funny about the return police - you should try doing some writing of your own. Don't worry you have plenty of time to be gainfully employed. As for the Holidays - you could be very suprised and have a wonderful one - you need to plan something special for yourself. I always feel a lot of stress during the Holidays - I think low key is best. The guy for you is right around the corner - you have plenty of time to meet someone and he will be your prince charming. I know it can get lonely - believe me I have been through that and my fair share of losers. Worst one was a guy I was sure was gay but tryingto prove he wasn't!
I am at work right now and I took klonopin - I tell you it puts me in a stupor - had some coffee but that didn't help - I am walking around in a haze. Luckily I have nothing important to do today.
Be careful mixing the paxil and zoloft since they are both ssris - I am sure your doc knows what he is doing though. Do you find it's helping?
People in NY have been extra nasty theses days - I thik its the weather. I need a vacation - BADLY.
Posted by kara lynne on November 20, 2003, at 17:03:46
In reply to Re: Hi Kara Lynne, posted by oeps7 on November 20, 2003, at 15:02:45
Come visit me in the land of homicidal grins!
You know, I was already planning on taking Klonopin for my Thanksgiving social phobia, since I'll be going to a straggler's dinner and I know I'll be uncomfortable. But I know exactly what you mean--I really have to be careful not to take too much (which is hardly any) or I just feel stupid. It's really a shame it has to be such an inaccurate guessing game. I haven't taken it in so long, but it really is the only thing that helps that gritty anxiety and social phobia thing.
Thank you for the encouragement Mary, it's very kind of you. And it gives me hope that you found yours...
I think I belong in New York so I can be really nasty too, and no one will notice.
Posted by oeps7 on November 21, 2003, at 10:43:51
In reply to Re: Hi Kara Lynne, posted by kara lynne on November 20, 2003, at 17:03:46
I know New York has a lot of nasty people. When the subway is packed I get so grumpy because with my job I am back and forth on the subway a lot visiting lots of different places.
I have different troubles, since I had cancer 12 years ago, I am always nervous about having it again any little symptom I have with anything - I automatically panic and thnik I have a disease. Do you know anyone like this - I border on hypochondria :O).
Remember don't take too much klonipin or you will fall asleep at the Thanksgiving dinner table and definitely DO NOT mix with alcohol.
Positive things are just around the corner for you, I can feel it.
Be good,
Mary
Posted by kara lynne on November 21, 2003, at 12:33:27
In reply to Re: Hi Kara Lynne, posted by oeps7 on November 21, 2003, at 10:43:51
Mary,
I didn't know you were a cancer survivor--that makes you anything but a hypochondriac. Hopefully 12 strong years in your favor will give you faith, but I can understand the fear. My mother is also a cancer survivor and I worry about any ache or pain she has. I think she found a pretty good online support group at the time.No, I definitely won't take too much Klonopin, and I don't drink so I should be ok.
Isn't it odd and strangely poignant...here you are this faceless person, riding the subway in New York, cheering up someone in another state...
Thanks.
Posted by lil' jimi on November 21, 2003, at 15:41:34
In reply to Re: Hi Kara Lynne, posted by kara lynne on November 21, 2003, at 12:33:27
i used to have cancer ...
Posted by oeps7 on November 21, 2003, at 15:48:40
In reply to boo! » kara lynne, posted by lil' jimi on November 21, 2003, at 15:41:34
You did? What kind? Mine was a low grade sarcoma in my left thigh. Do you still think about it? I am considered cured but I still am a hypochondriac. :O)
Posted by oeps7 on November 21, 2003, at 15:53:26
In reply to Re: boo!, posted by oeps7 on November 21, 2003, at 15:48:40
Talk to you all later this weekend. I am off from work. Friiiiidayyyy!!!!!!!
Posted by lil' jimi on November 21, 2003, at 16:07:02
In reply to Re: boo!, posted by oeps7 on November 21, 2003, at 15:48:40
hi oeps7,
> You did? What kind? Mine was a low grade sarcoma in my left thigh. Do you still think about it? I am considered cured but I still am a hypochondriac. :O)
>forgive my "boo!" ... ... i was spooking KL ...
... i'll get back to you wth my details later, but i wanted to let you know i would get back ...
... i had tumors in my upper left arm ... but my last surgery was in 1968 ... ...
i don't think about it hardly at all ... ... ... but that could be a blessing of my poor memory ... ... ... ha!
... ... it anything, i have been under-fixated on it since '68 ... ... everyone's always surprised when they learn i had cancer ... ... i don't think about it and it doesn't come up ...
my dx was fibrosarcoma .... .... but that was disproved and never corrected ... ...
got to go now,
~ jim
Posted by kara lynne on November 21, 2003, at 18:53:56
In reply to re: boo! » oeps7, posted by lil' jimi on November 21, 2003, at 16:07:02
--Mine was a low grade sarcoma in my left thigh--
Omigod! That's *exactly* where and what my mother had, only it wasn't low grade. I thought there was a pretty low incidence of that kind of cancer..? Anyway that's weird, I almost included that in my first post and wanted to ask you what kind of cancer you had, but I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. I can't believe you had the same dx., same place, same thigh!
Posted by kara lynne on November 22, 2003, at 1:33:11
In reply to oeps!, posted by kara lynne on November 21, 2003, at 18:53:56
Also, I know lil jimi would write more if he could but he's been banned. So he'll probably be getting back to us later, in case you were wondering.
Posted by oeps7 on November 23, 2003, at 8:46:09
In reply to oeps!, posted by kara lynne on November 21, 2003, at 18:53:56
Hi Kara,
That is strange your mother had the same thing, same area! Sarcomas are rare only about 4000 cases a year, but curable. Does she go to the sarcoma alliance board? How is she now? Not many people know what sarcoma is.
Mine is cured but I still think about it.
Anyway, how was your weekend? Mine was okay, here I am on psycho babble Sunday morning drinking coffee - plans today? Not too much here, rented movies and knitting - how boring I know, I was going to go to the gym but I'm feeling lazy. If I don't talk to you today I will Monday.
Take care, hope you're doing well
Mary
Posted by karen_kay on November 23, 2003, at 10:50:16
In reply to Re: oeps!, posted by oeps7 on November 23, 2003, at 8:46:09
<<How odd, I have the same Sunday plans as you!!!
Except I tried knitting once and never got the hang of it. Just another "so-called hobby" on my book shelf.... Sad, but true :( I still have a good 60 years to find a good hobby though. I haven't given up just yet.
KarenHi Kara,
> That is strange your mother had the same thing, same area! Sarcomas are rare only about 4000 cases a year, but curable. Does she go to the sarcoma alliance board? How is she now? Not many people know what sarcoma is.
> Mine is cured but I still think about it.
> Anyway, how was your weekend? Mine was okay, here I am on psycho babble Sunday morning drinking coffee - plans today? Not too much here, rented movies and knitting - how boring I know, I was going to go to the gym but I'm feeling lazy. If I don't talk to you today I will Monday.
> Take care, hope you're doing well
> Mary
Posted by kara lynne on November 23, 2003, at 14:35:13
In reply to Re: oeps!, posted by oeps7 on November 23, 2003, at 8:46:09
Hi Mary,
I just emailed my mother to ask her if that was the name of the group she belonged to. She's doing well (knocking wood) but she's had a myriad of other conditions including temporal arteritis and of course, depression. But she was able to tolerate a tricyclic pretty well...until she started getting a ridiculously irregular heart beat...for which she is now taking beta blockers. It's been I think about six or seven years since she was treated and *cured*. But whenever she goes for her periodical tests and mri's it's anxiety provoking, as you well know.Your boring day sounds cozy and wonderful. Have fun, and talk to you soon.
Kara
Posted by oeps7 on November 24, 2003, at 12:31:51
In reply to Re: oeps!, posted by kara lynne on November 23, 2003, at 14:35:13
Hi ya,
Just wanted to see how you're doing today? Things here are so so. I think I am in that pre holiday depression. My health anxiety is really acting up - I don't know what the trigger is.
I am glad your mother is cured. It's such an out of the ordinary thing to have.
Tonight I will try to force myself to the gym.
Take care,
Mary
Posted by oeps7 on November 24, 2003, at 12:33:32
In reply to Re: oeps!, posted by karen_kay on November 23, 2003, at 10:50:16
Hi Karen Kay - It's a good hobby to have but sometimes if I'm too idle my brain starts going to all those crazy thoughts.
:O)
Posted by Karen_kay on November 24, 2003, at 15:31:44
In reply to Karen Kay Re: oeps!, posted by oeps7 on November 24, 2003, at 12:33:32
<<My thoughts usually revolve around my yummy therapist!! Mmm mmm good!
KarenHi Karen Kay - It's a good hobby to have but sometimes if I'm too idle my brain starts going to all those crazy thoughts.
> :O)
Posted by kara lynne on November 26, 2003, at 13:18:20
In reply to Re: Karen Kay Re: oeps!, posted by Karen_kay on November 24, 2003, at 15:31:44
This is the end of the thread.
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