New dosage = more energy!

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My psychiatrist and I have been talking about lowering my dosage of lamotrigine with 25 mg for a long time now – maybe even for a year – but because I kept dipping my feet into the depression, we always decided to wait until I had a longer period of stability. Finally, that time has come around. At the end of June, about 7-8 weeks ago, I had a meeting with my psychiatrist, and we decided to lower my dosage from 400 mg to 375 mg! Which is quite a big deal, since I’ve been on 400 mg since the beginning of 2017.

So far, I haven’t had any negative side-effects. The only thing that’s changed is that I’ve been feeling less tired, not sleeping as many hours, and I have more energy! The tiredness has been my main – if not the only – negative side-effect from my medication, and it’s fantastic to feel a change. I don’t think I’ve had this amount of energy since… well, since I started taking meds back in 2016, I suppose.

The increase of energy has obviously had a positive effect on my mood as well. This also means that I have to be extra aware of early signs of hypomania, as even a small change in dosage can trigger a new episode. But so far, so good. I haven’t thrown myself into a lot of new projects or going out more, and I haven’t felt the need to drink or party or anything. My sleeping pattern has improved, and it’s easier for me to get up in the morning. Hours of sleep are pretty steady, around 8-9 hours every night, instead of 10-12.

I’m sure I’ll be staying on this dosage for a long time, unless something changes drastically. Still, it’s moving in the right direction, and I feel really good about that. It’ll be years before there’s a chance for me to be free of the meds, and maybe I never will be. But I’m definitely on my way to reduce my intake, and that’s good enough for me.

 

I’m a Sim!

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I’ve been watching some of Dan & Phil’s old videos on their gaming channel on YouTube, specifically their The Sims 4 videos. I used to be addicted to The Sims 2 groing up, and spent hours and hours playing. I especially loved creating and designing the Sims, the houses and gardens. After watching Dan & Phil play, I just had to get the game. Fortunately, it’s currently on sale, so I bought it!

And of course it’s basically taken over my life. But I love it so much!

I’ve created myself, the beautiful creature you see above, but named her Mary Salloway. I’ve always found it a bit weird naming my Sim after myself. I’ve also created another household and created my boyfriend – I named him Nigel Jensen. And so, we have now fallen in love. One day these two Sims will move into his house (I made that bigger and nicer), get married, and have babies. But for now, Mary is very focused on her career – as a bestselling author. Yep, you heard me.

I’m living vicariously through my Sim.

However, it’s sort of inspired me to start writing for real again. For real as in still just for me, but with the purpose of one day writing something that I can actually publish.

My grandma gave me an idea the other day. She asked me if I’d ever considered writing a children’s book for my nephew. I don’t think it’s ever occurred to me, but now that I think about it, it would be pretty cool! It would probably be about life, about the good and the bad parts, and how to take care of yourself and not give up through all of it. Something like that. But of course in a sweet, child-friendly way. That goes without saying.

So both my grandma and my new Sims-obsession has actually inspired me a bit. I guess inspiration really can come from anywhere. Having not felt inspired for a very long time, I’m really enjoying it. Hopefully something good will come from it.

Question: where do you get inspiration from?

 

Next post will be an update on my medication. 🙂

Have a nice week!