UGH. Cannot sleep.

Now that I'm content that my houseguest hasn't overdosed, I'm fretting about the pup. The bad days are coming more frequently and staying longer. She's slowing down considerably. She doesn't seem to be in any more than her usual arthritis pain and fluids are going in and out... but she's sleeping more, eating less, walks wear her out quickly, she snuggles limply against me as I carry her home.

Her next vet appointment isn't for another few months and if she's not in pain I'm not taking her in early. Her bloods weren't great, they've been deteriorating. It could be her kidneys or her liver or her heart. I see no signs of infection or I'd take her in and treat it. She's just winding down. 17 years is a long time.

I know she could pep up in a few days, she has again and again before. I also know she may not, that she is being a good dog and doing just what I've always explictly told her to do: Don't run in front of cars. Don't make me put you to sleep. A brief illness, a rapid decline, that's all I ask.

That's sad, Trudy. She's been a good thing in your life through many ups and downs. But it doesn't sound like she's in pain. Sounds like there's time yet.

sorry, Trudy,

and Steph - pick your battles. You can win them, but just because Tim's family isn't confrontational - doesn't mean you have to keep you mouth shut. You can still be you. The polite way to say shut the fuck up - is sorry, no marriage talk .

I'd ignore the politics - except when 'directed at you-then the response can vary -- from the "wouldn't it be nice to have the president as a friend to some thing like - silly man , don't try to pretend you can't read around me " .

D'oh, how did I miss this?

Happy late birthday, Hec!!

Forgive me for skipping to the end, (35 posts), but I am visiting with a friend who needs some advice about Prozac.

Steph, if you are around, my friend was prescribed 20mg per day and took 40mg for 5 days and then 20mg for 3, but has been taking 60mg for the last 2 days because it didn't seem to be managing the anxiety.

Are there any negative consequences to this pattern?

She hasn't been experiencing any side effects to date.

I'm a bit stressed on her behalf and want to make sure the dosage isn't actually working against her.

Thanks for any thoughts.

How long has she been taking it, Bonny? It takes a couple of weeks to really kick in.

She really hasn't given it enough time. That's true. My concern is whether or not the higher dosage is undermining her in any way.

I gave her a bunch of CBT stuff to do, which might help her to be more patient with the prescribed dosage.

Steph, if you are around, my friend was prescribed 20mg per day and took 40mg for 5 days and then 20mg for 3, but has been taking 60mg for the last 2 days because it didn't seem to be managing the anxiety.

Not Steph... but self-dosage is generally not a good idea. Especially right at the start of an anti-d regimen.

Thanks, Erin! We were cheese eating surrender monkeys last night having fondue at Melt.

With people who are fondue -- fond Du U?!

Oh, god, keep me from the keyboard before I've had a full cup...

bonny, remind her -- I had to have this pounded in my head the hard way --- that anti-D's are like BP meds -- there's not usually going to be an instantaneous effect.

Which, I know, is hella frustrating when you're still feeling depresso or anxious. If her anxiety is really bad, can she talk to her doc about a tiny PRN Rx for anti-anxieties?

Sometimes just KNOWING I have a few Xanax helps me manage any bad anxiety feelings from edging into an attack.

And, huh....I haven't even had the WHISPER of an anxiety attack in the last month. Just realized. I've been anxious, I've been nervy, but good levels of anxiety and nerves.