Anxiety - more medication

The second group of Austrian students arrived,

stayed

and departed.

It was another enjoyable encounter for both Marie and me. The girls were chatty and cheerful, but didn't interact with Joe & Orla as much as the first group.

While they were here, Marie was srill coping with the side effects of her medication. The adverse side effects have been reducing and the doctor increased the dose again - this time there have been no obvious changes to her mood.

So, has medication changed Marie?

Well, yes, I think so.

Her general level of anxiety is much reduced. But maybe it would have anyway? I don't know.

She has many more panic attacks than before and some of them are very intense. Yesterday she had a panic attack which included a spell where breathing was almost impossible for her. This is very unusual for Marie. Oddly, she seems unconcerned by this increase in the frequency of her panic attacks.

Her attitude is much more positive. She is spending much more quality time with the children and they are responding to this by giving her lots more affection. She has begun CBT sessions. She has regained her optimism.

Marie has set herself a goal - to get a dog. This is the first specific goal which Marie has set herself since I met her more than 8 years ago! The deal I have made with her is that she can get one when she is able to walk outside enough to let the dog go to the toilet. I don't normally interfere with Marie's aspirations, but on this occasion I am unwilling to take on the extra responsibility of looking after a dog, so if Marie is to have one, she will have to provide at least some of the care required. So far she has managed 15 steps from our front door. This may not seem much of an achievement, but it's 13 more steps than last week!

An yes...for those of you who read my last post...the increased libido is still here :-) !!

Increased Medication for Anxiety

Marie has been really suffering while getting accustomed to her medication - Cipramil (Citalopram or Celexa). She's had loads of panic attacks, although not major ones. She went through a period of wanting to sleep all the time. Lethargy ruled. But little by little she rejoined the world.

It was more than two weeks before she started to feel more "normal". Then her doctor visited, gave her a thorough check over and decided to double the dose! However, this time it hasn't taken so long to become used to the drugs.

Today Marie told me that she felt less anxious than she has done for a long, long time. Well, it seems like a long, long time to me. Perhaps it's the start of better times? I've got to be optimistic!

Btw, Marie's libido has increased. Not that I'm complaining! But I was wondering - is this a (welcome) side-effect of her medication - or am I just more irresistable than usual?

Agoraphobia and more Austrian students

Last year, Marie decided that we should become a host family to students attending an English language learning summer school. So in July, Agnes and Alice arrived. And in August, we got Julia and Anna. Marie liked our hosting experience and decided that we should repeat it this year. Since she's still suffering the "settling in" side effects of her medication, it seemed like a useful diversion for her.

It's an area where agoraphobia doesn't interfere much. It's also an excuse for Marie to spend lots of money redecorating and furnishing a bedroom. And, like last year, it was all carried out in a hurry.

I meet Sarah, Johanna & Karin

First of all, I had to clear out all the old furniture & carpet. Then the workmen arrived for a few days. Next was the selecting of appropriate furniture. Since I wasn't going to be sleeping in the room, I gave Marie a free hand with the design. Everything was ordered online, of course, since Marie is currently not able to visit even small furniture stores. Delivery after delivery arrived - all items needing assembly and/or fixing to the walls. Guess who got the job of assembling the flat-pack furniture? And putting up curtain rails? Yes...yours truly. Now I know why I was given an electric screwdriver for Christmas!

Johanna & Orla became great friends

A couple of days later, our students arrived to occupy our new "Pink Room". It's not all pink - there's a little white too. But definitely not a room for the boys. Well, not the straight boys, anyway. At the last minute, we were asked to take 3 students. We agreed, intending to put the third girl in a different room, but since the 3 were close friends & wanted to stay in the same room (and the room was big enough to accommodate 3 beds), I had to hastily organise an extra bed.

Sarah & Karin about to go on a deep sea fishing trip.

They had a really good time & were very successful.

The girls were a pleasure to have. Chatty, cheerful, good with the kids, clean, tidy, polite...the perfect guests. Marie, the children & I really enjoyed having them stay with us. There were tears from them and Marie when, after 2 weeks, it was time for them to return to their homes.

Here we all are in the "Pink Room".

However, three more are staying here next week!