same problem here

I had this exact problem. Went and [2007-09-28]
had the physical (nothing wrong). Get enough sleep at night. But could NOT make it through my work schedule w/o several naps, which, of course, seriously hurt my production. I have never been a coffee drinker in the past, but I started drinking one cup of coffee about 2 hours after awakening and since then haven't felt the need to take naps. I even think it has helped with other problems I had been having, like headaches. Now, I know this may not work for everyone, but I just wanted to let you know what worked for me. Couldn't hurt to give it a try. Research says 1 cup of coffee per day is actually healthful. You just have to find the right amount for you (2 cups is overboard for me--I stay up TOO long). And the right time to take it. Now, even on my days off I drink 1 cup because I just feel better all day. Keep taking care of yourself, eat right, get some exercise. Since you had a physical and know there is nothing medically causing your fatigue, coffee could be the thing that works for you, too!

same problem here [2007-08-22]
Hi MDmtMom! I have the exact same problem and I exercise by walking for 20 minutes a day, dondown off the caffeine from the am coffee about that time so that is probably it for me. I also have alot of body pain and I get started working early so by 2:00 pm my body is tired. Don't know how to fix it except I just lay down for like a half an hour just to refresh and then I can keep going sometimes...not all the time. If I lay down for longer I am usually done! I feel for ya!

problem [2007-03-27]
I have the same problem. My biggest thing is mood swings. I have the panic attacks to but with nursing my baby it is hard to take my Xanax when needed. I am afraid of hurting her. She is only 8 months.

stress [2008-05-07]
I had a tough year last year with my dad passing away, a very good friend passed away a few months later, my only child went off to college 2000 miles away, and had knee replacement. I was put on meds for depression and anxiety which helped, but now my daughter is getting married, I'm having issues at work, financial issues with the surgery and PT, and it's the first anniversary of my dad's passing. I've been going to therapy and she's really helping me deal with my daughter's upcoming marriage, but I'm having a problem that we haven't discussed yet. I feel obsesssed about going to my dad's grave every day. If I don't go I get so anxious and jittery that I end up going anyway. I just don't understand why I feel the need to go every day and sit with him. Is this 'normal' or has anyone gone through this too?

Do any of you feel [2008-01-17]
like you have avoidant personality disorder? I find that I am very uncomfortable around people. When I go to pick up my son from school, I wait in the car to avoid talking to anyone. All the other people in my cul-de-sac who are my age all have get-togethers and parties all the time and have just stopped inviting me, after being turned down every time. I used to work outside the home and was a lot more comfortable around people; I dealt with them on a daily basis just fine, but with stay-at-home transcription this has really become a problem. Can any of you relate to this?? I always was shy, but now I'm a complete social recluse...

Suspicion of eating disorder [2007-10-26]
My 14 y/o son has a friend who I am very concerned has the beginning stages of an eating disorder. I have been through this with my sister when she was younger, obsessing about weight, not eating enough, not eating lunch at school, extremely sensitive, etc. My question is, do I voice my concerns to his parents? I don Any advice would be appreciated!!

I am so sorry [2007-10-09]
You are going through this. I have done this MANY times in the past and was ashamed and didn't realize others had the same problem. What I am concerned about is why the doctors sent you home without a 3-day psychiatric hold. Being bipolar is really hard but look at it this way...You have lived through a lot of hard times and there are good times in between...we just have to ride the bad ones out and do our best to reach out to others who understand what we are going through when we cycle like this. You are okay and you are NORMAL...you have a treatable disease. Anyone who criticizes you has no idea what you have gone through and that it is not at all for attention. UHHHHHH....I just hate when people think it is a big pity party but it is not. I have sooooo been there many times, honey. I wish I could help you through this. Take a nice warm bath (well...it has been a few days now and I am sure if you are like me and when in my low slump I don't keep up on the hygiene) and watch a few comedies and call some dear friends...Imaging the bath washing away all the pain and let that pain go down the drain when you get out. Hugs to you...Get better soon!

Relapses [2007-10-03]
I don't expect that many people on here will be able to relate to my problem. I'm bipolar and I've been struggling with some crazy cycling lately. I'd been trying really hard to keep myself held together. But after a year of abstaining, I relapsed into self-injury tonight, and just got home from a very long and trying evening in the ER, with several dozen stitches to show for my trouble. I am sad, I am disappointed, I am discouraged, I am frustrated, I am ashamed. Please...just someone say something kind? Please don't criticize me for what I've done. Believe me, I've already heard it all.

This website has a special section.... [2007-10-03]
a special section for people who cut. Iself-harm was, but this site might help regardless. Here http://otep.forumsunlimited.com/index.php?showtopic=14844 I think the band Some rude people go on the board from time to time. It is a metal band, and some people just try to act rude and tough, but I don If so, please don Some people are just insensitive and uncaring!

cut [2007-10-03]
Yup, I'm a cutter. I've been at it for about 16 years now, but I was really thinking that maybe this time I was going to have it beat. I've heard of OTEP linked with SI before, I think you are right that he had an SI problem. Thanks for the link :)

Me, too! Only I wasn't lucky enough to have parents - sm [2007-09-28]
that recognized there was a problem. My mom said when I was an infant that if my dad so much as rattled his newspaper too much, I'd start screaming. Was afraid of fireworks, TERRIFIED of thunder. Got stressed out in crowded, chaotic conditions. All my life it has sounded like the whole world has the sound up too high. As an adult, I never go to the movie theater because the sound is way too loud. If I see a live show (musical, rock concert, opera, etc.) I wear earplugs. Have difficulty dealing with background noise (dryers, dishwashers, and ESPECIALLY leaf-blowers, etc.) Even enjoyable activities, such as Disneyland, were stressful because they were hectic & noisy, and I'd get distracted easily, so usually was the kid in my family that got lost. Finally, about 45 years later, I was diagnosed with depression. Most likely it started in childhood, but back then I don't think most people even knew it existed. I know my parents sure didn't. One of the strongest triggers for my depressive episodes was continual exposure to noise, even if it was very slight background noise, like neighbor's loud stereos or set of windchimes. Going onto an SSRI made a HUGE difference in my ability to cope with a noisy world. For some reason it makes me less over-reactive to it. (At the very least, it enables me to count to 10 before I explode because of it.) I still need a LOT of quiet-time per day, more than the average person, but the SSRI makes it possible to endue at least some exposure to noisy surroundings. My aversion to noisy office settings and hectic surroundings is the MAIN reason I got into MT. It is also a main reason why I quit working inhouse and now work at home. A number of years ago, I stumbled onto a very interesting book. ItThe Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron. Almost everything she talked about in the book hit the nail right on the head. (She even mentions in one chapter how HSP's (highly sensitive persons) often choose medical transcription as a career. If you can find the book, it will give you a lot of insight into what makes your son tick. I recommend it very highly! I hope some of the above info. is helpful to you! From another HSP!

Experience with Cymbalta? sm [2007-09-27]
My internist suggested a trial of Cymbalta as I am not myself lately, mostly because of back painwhich is a problem inthis profession. I cannot perform half of what I used to. I am at times very moody. I tried this just once and I felt awful, could not sleep, made me feel like a zombie. I have had to reject several other meds for different problems because I am highly allergic. I am afraid he's going to say that I'm just plain nuts. That's how I feel right now but I cannot tolerate the thought of putting this drug in my system. I do try healthy alternatives, PT, walking, vitamins, all that is good for me. He gave me 30 mg to be advanced to 60 mg. I have researched message boards on this and have seen very positive and very negative feedback. However, one does not know if drug reps input into these boards, i.e., promoting their own or degrading the competition. I feel this is a dangerous drug as I have a rapid heart problem as well. I would like to hear if anyone has any input on this, I could not believe how awful I felt just taking one dose. Thanks.

I felt awful for a day or two, [2007-09-27]
but the problem was nausea. I did better when I would take one and then skip a day for a few days, and then once I felt fine doing that, I could take it every day and had no problem with it. I was started on 60 mg, too. I had previously been on Effexor, which is fairly similar, but causes people a lot more problems, per my psychiatrist. My psychiatrist uses Cymbalta and one other drug for depression more than any others. I believe the other is Lexapro. (I think I've posted all this before). But the reason she favors the 2 drugs is that most patients actually stay on them (presumably because they are satisfied and have no unacceptable side effects). The compliance rates are much higher than any of the other antidepressants. No drug works for everybody, however. A psychiatrist is the best person to work with you and evaluate what should be most helpful for you. I hope you are feeling better soon. By the way, I can now eat fine, yet I'm not terribly interested in food. I'm down to 132 lbs from about 150, which is just about ideal for me.

Thyroid perhaps [2007-08-26]
I haven I know someone with that problem, and her symptoms sound very similiar.

B12 really helped me [2007-08-22]
I take 1000 mg of B12 every day and have noticed that it helps my energy levels. I used to get really tired in the afternoon too, to the point where I would have to lie down for half an hour or so. Since I started taking the B12, I haven't had that problem.

same problem here [2007-08-22]
Hi MDmtMom! I have the exact same problem and I exercise by walking for 20 minutes a day, dondown off the caffeine from the am coffee about that time so that is probably it for me. I also have alot of body pain and I get started working early so by 2:00 pm my body is tired. Don't know how to fix it except I just lay down for like a half an hour just to refresh and then I can keep going sometimes...not all the time. If I lay down for longer I am usually done! I feel for ya!

Those are very good points [2007-08-19]
Margaret. Good insight. My diagnosis is depression, and I was having that problem the OP was describing with being one subject behind in my thought processes. I think the new medicine is helping.

All the answers can be found in a pill.... [2007-08-14]
Therethey know it. It Why more people don A huge step in bettterment of our society would be turning off the damned TV, but that-)

I saw a new MD today. [2007-08-09]
This is the first time I've seen an actual psychiatrist because I had to slowly taper myself off Effexor because of a possible side effect. I was right - a skin problem I was having was from the Effexor. This doc has seen it dozens of times, and of course my IM MD was clueless that it could be causing the problem. She says psychiatrists call Effexor by a nickname of SideEffectsor. She says Cymbalta should be the right drug for me and they have not seen many side effects from it, even though it is sort of similar to Effexor. She was extremely nice. She says she can't believe I've been coping as long as I have without seeing a psychiatrist. Of the 9 points for major depression they check, I have 9. She says I'm going to feel a lot better in a couple of weeks. Hope at last.

Answer to struggling [2007-07-04]
Dear Struggling...I think something has been missed here. Not only are you suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome but also work place harrassment and a possible work related injury. It seems that finances are a problem, but I am sure that Legal Aid could be of help, especially if this harrassing person has put her feelings in writing. This will certainly at least let you feel empowered and not so helpless, which in turn will help you feel better. JD

Thank you. sm [2007-07-03]
I actually am an IC already. I have a unique situation, having to report to someone else. I get frustrated because I do try to attend club meetings, etc., to try to meet people, but constantly have to cancel out due to either more work coming in or sometimes just getting really difficult work in the first place (the stuff others skip over on the system at a large hospital is often what comes to me). This feels like a hamster wheel LOL! Not sure where to attack the problem from. It's encouraging to hear that the generic meds are more affordable like that. Thank you. I do think youin my face, I most certainly am feeling depressed. Honestly, all things considered, I'd love to get out of MT because it just, um, doesn't do it for me. Maybe I'll take a bubble bath tonight. Thank you for reminding me to be kind to myself!

thanks for all the input... sm [2007-07-03]
I appreciate this long message! I totally agree... I think people don't realize how they do or don't sit and goodness knows what else they do while they're working! I'm sure I have some sloppy habits that need attention, but in the meantime... owie!!!! I gotta do something immediately. IOTC that can be done. I bought a new desk. I bought a new chair. I just basically have CTS. ;-) The problem has been attributed, at least in my case, to an anatomical brachial plexus suffocation, for lack of a better term. (I can can only tell you what I've been told) However, I've been told that even with surgery, the problem will just recur because of this. I TOTALLY agree about being kicked by someone else. I'm looking to just finally get out of MT, but of course I need a paycheck in the meantime. And... I'm sorry, but I think CTS SHOULD count as a disability. Tell anyone with this problem that it is not disabling, and they'll probably crack you over the head with their metal splints. Thanks again for all your input. And I'll be sure to check out that link.

MTs with ADHD [2007-04-27]
Just wondering how many MTs have ADHD and how do you deal with it with work, life, etc. I love doing transcription and I find I do best working for myself than being an employee. Does anyone else have this problem?

problem [2007-03-27]
I have the same problem. My biggest thing is mood swings. I have the panic attacks to but with nursing my baby it is hard to take my Xanax when needed. I am afraid of hurting her. She is only 8 months.