ma to Drew.

Wrote a long post and forgot to actually post it. Geez.

Seska, kidney stone, OW. Don't you sometimes wonder if your body just sits around thinking of ways to fuck with you? Brain: "OK, organs, what haven't we done yet? Let's me-storm." Kidney: "A me stone! I always wanted to try that!" Brain: "Way to step up, Kidney! You begin calcification, and I'll impose lethargy to hold off calling a doctor until it's done!" Bastard innards.

my miracle drug was a bipolar med that they also sometimes give to unipolar types

Can I ask what it is?

Andi, I don't know if I have SADS; I've never been able to separate out possible causes besides stress. But getting more sunlight does seem to help, so maybe I do. I took a long drive in the country this morning, and I feel a little better now. I take vitamin D supplements, and don't really have non-specific aches&pains, so I think I'm okay for another few years on that, anyway. My general thyroid test came back fine, but I think you're right that it's worthwhile to get a more specific test. It's so hard to get a doctor to take "weight gain" seriously as a symptom! They just throw out, "and lose some weight" as if, hey, I never thought of that! Thanks, doc! One doctor carefully explained to me, using *drawings*, the concept of "calories" and how if I just cut out one bagel a day I'd lose half a pound a week. I wanted to smack her. If it were that goddam easy, I'd be a size 8 again.

Trudy, I know you're right, exercise will help. The irony is, depression makes me barely able to get out of bed, much less put on sneakers and go to the gym. It's kind of a vicious circle.

smonster, I checked - Deplin is methylfolate, which is, apparently, a form of the B-vitamin folate that's more easily absorbed by the brain. Right at this point, I honestly think I'd give up the Welbutrin before I'd go off the Deplin. Despite my current, possibly winter-induced, depression, the Deplin has really made a big overall difference in my mood. Good luck with the med taper and change; I know it can be hellishly difficult and frustrating.

You might want to look into one of those light therapy things

Literally? (Sorry.) I've seen them, but I kinda assumed they were BS. Maybe I'll buy one with my coming (tiny) bonus check.

Kristin, Welbutrin can STOP WORKING? Holy shit, I'm fucked. I'll check out this Pristiq, even though the spelling is atrocious; I haven't heard of it before.

Maybe I'll make like the cats and go bask in the sun.

Health~ma for Drew.

Oh, that happy we snowdrop!! I hug it and kiss it!

Zen, FWIW, winter always makes my depression go batshit insane. It's supposed to be sunny and 22 on Tuesday, and I have already made a firm date with myself to walk the dog around the block a couple of time so That I don't go postal. I've been a sleeping, one minute ennui-filled (like a doughnut, next minute ire-filled (like a backpack nuke) winterbomb this week. I went on a yelling, kicking, surly crying rampage on Friday, sulked and watched bad movies and ate salty/sweet food yesterday, and generally feel a bit better today.

I gotta watch February. All my worst depression related incidents happen in February.

Oh! Health-ma for Drew! I just saw that! Awful.

~ma for Drew!

One doctor carefully explained to me, using *drawings*, the concept of "calories" and how if I just cut out one bagel a day I'd lose half a pound a week. I wanted to smack her. If it were that goddam easy, I'd be a size 8 again.

Yeah. I once got advised to quit drinking pop. I didn't have the testicular fortitude to ask if the doc meant I should start drinking it a lot then quit, or if one pop a month were really that destructive.

Of course, having always been fat, I can state that doctors look at fat people as things that are completely unworthy of lifting a single finger for.

Cereal:

JZ, try some of those shower soother -- I love them when I am congested. Also, whenever I go on a cleaning rampage, I have to wear a bandito mask when sweeping/cleaning the tub, otherwise I am miserable for the next day.

~ma to Drew!

I do not suffer from depression. And February is a hard moth. I am actively glad that it is 28/29 days. Often we get a false spring and that can make it worse

Fat doctors are a godsend. When I have more double chins than my doctor is when he's allowed to give me the weight loss lectures.