Sunday, August 03, 2008

Self-Medicating

Nothing lifts your spirits like a healthy combination of sugary treats plus antidepressants, so our first stop on the way home from the airport was Rita's Water Ice. I first saw a sign go up on this building several months ago and have been watching and eagerly anticipating it's opening ever since. We had Rita's where I grew up near Philadelphia and I have sorely missed this regional treat, indulging any time a visit to my parents coincided with Rita's inconvenient seasonal schedule. We even looked into franchising, knowing it would go over big in Utah, but they are not expanding west. To know that I now have one just down the street is exhilarating and dangerous. They first opened their doors on Friday, giving away free water ice. Paul and Linda treated our family and theirs and I delighted in my favorite treat- a Mango Gelati. Yesterday on the way home from the airport I decided to see if they were still giving away deliciousness, and they were. So Bella and I indulged again, lifting my spirits a bit and simultaneously teaching Bella to turn to food to drown her feelings.

The second part of my self-medicating combo is Prozac. I called my doctor a few days ago and finally got the okay to add it back into my treatment, starting very slowly. I've only taken it for three days, but I dare say that I can tell a marked difference in my anxiety! Even the morning after I took one piddly little pill I felt calmer and more able to cope. Before I started taking it again I felt like a taut wire ready to snap at the slightest agitation, and the recoil would lash out at anyone in close proximity. Everyone and everything around me drove me crazy and I truly felt like I was going to lose it and direct that at the two nearest people, Timm and Bella. 3 days later, still not up to my standard dose, I feel more like myself- Still not someone able to handle lots of chaos, distractions or stress, but someone better able to cope with those things. Too bad I didn't start sooner so Timm could benefit, but just in time for Timm's departure so Bella might survive this 2 weeks.

5 comments:

michelle said...

Hooray, hooray! I don't know which is more exciting, the Prozac or the Rita's! Put them together and you've got quite a wonderful combination. I'm so glad you're getting help and that you're feeling better already. And I'm SO jealous about Rita's! (sure hope they're still open when I come to visit...)

Jill said...

Woohoo for a Rita's near you! What a delight, especially when combined with Prozac. I'm so glad you're anxiety has decreased after only 3 days of meds, hopefully that means good things are ahead.

Diana said...

Rita's sounds wonderful that is a great antidepressant. I'm glad you were able to get in and talk to your nurse before Timm left, I was so worried about you!

rmt said...

It makes sense that you would be having a tough time right now. You've had a LOT going on. I hope that the new meds help and that you start feeling better soon.
Rita's sounds amazing! Yummy.

Tasha said...

Good for you Jessie! You have just made me homesick again for PA. Just this weekend Dave and I were talking about wishing we could eat at this little sandwich place on Main Street and then go see a movie in this old old theatre right next door, then watch the fireflies as it got dark. The only thing better than that would be eating a Rita's water ice while watching the fire flies!

So glad you are finding some relief so guickly with the the medication. There isn't any reason to struggle so hard against that kind of anxiety. Good for you Jessie.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...