I meet Dr. Johnson tomorrow. I’m beyond hopeful that he will be able to help me, and to help clarify things for him (and because I’m absurdly organized) I’ve created a document to bring with me tomorrow. I wanted to publish it here also.
April 3 2013
Recent Prescription Medications: (not taking any currently)
-Remeron (Mirtazapine) 30 mg, nightly, started January 2011, discontinued January 18, 2013
-Seroquel (Quetiapine) 25 mg, nightly, short term use only, March 18-25, 2013
-Ativan (Lorazepam) 1 mg, nightly, short term use only, March 13-18, 2013
Supplements:
-Multivitamin, Red Ginseng, Gingko Biloba, Maca Root, Omega 3 Fish Oil, Colon Supplement. Formula 303 (Valerian Root, Magnesium, Passionflower) (as muscle relaxant and pain relief for chronic tension headaches). Sometimes use 5HTP and Gaba at bed
Timeline:
-Born 1988
-Homeschooled until 9th grade. Oldest of four children. Intact, healthy family.
-March 2005: Ski accident #1. Severe concussion, among other injuries.
-July 2006: Sexual Assault. Gang rape, I was 17.
-August 2006: Car accident. Concussion.
-September 2006: Self harm begins.
-2006-2009: Various other concussions… rugby, car accidents
-March 2010: Ski accident #2. 9th and final concussion, other injury.
-August 2010: Facing sexual assault, began therapy with Marcia. Having ongoing issues with sleep deprivation, flashbacks, other PTSD.
-September 2010: sleep deprivation peaks with suicidal ideations. Admitted to psychiatric hospital for 2 weeks. While in the hospital, my appendix ruptures. At the hospital, diagnosed with PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. Treated with Trazadone, Clonazepam, among others.
-September 2010: after discharge from hospital, started seeing Dr. L, Psychiatrist. She prescribed Seroquel, Trazadone, Lithium, Clonazepam, among others
-October 2010: Admitted to different hospital psych unit for 1 week. Doctor there questioned Bipolar II, but never made a firm diagnosis. Diagnosed Anorexic.
-December 2010: Quit all meds, stopped therapy and psychiatry due to pregnancy. Terminated pregnancy January 2011.
-January 2011: PCP prescribed Remeron for ongoing sleep issues
-January 2013: Began seeing Robert, Psychotherapist
-January 2013: Stopped Remeron, couldn’t deal with the weight gain experienced while on it: 30lbs in 2 years. Weight gain is more of a detriment to my happiness than sleep deprivation.
-March/April 2013: Sleep maintenance insomnia is current and pervasive. No issues falling asleep, but I wake up about 4 hours after falling asleep and am not able to fall back asleep. My ability to function normally in the workplace or while driving, reading, exercising have all been compromised by exhaustion.
Goals:
-Examine issues surrounding insomnia, rule out physical causes related to TBI, circadian rhythm disorders, limbic disturbance, facial trauma.
-Question Bipolar II – my PCP is extremely focused on this pseudo diagnosis and is operating under the assumption that it is accurate. I do not feel this is an actual diagnosis, and do not feel like I fit the criteria.
-Find the right medication or treatment for me to help me sleep. Above all, weight gain is a major issue for me and has a major effect on my quality of life. Finding a medication that will allow me to maintain my weight loss is very important to me.
