Depression Recovery

Question:

it was your mental health that started all this was it not? go for it while you can.     pkb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >This morning I had a most interesting and encouraging home visit from the head >of the El Paso In-Home & Family Support Program of the Texas Life Management >Center for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. They are hopefully going >to provide financial assistance in several areas of need that I currently have. >AN (After Neurontin) I am no longer in need of mental retardation services. >Consequently everything requested must somehow have a tie in to mental health >difficulties past or present. FYI I have only one set of clothes that I can >currently squeeze into. She asked if I had gained weight while on my >psychoaffective meds? By golly — so I had (about 80 pounds worth)! Therefore >apparently I am eligible for up to a one time $250 allowance for clothes that >would fit me! How would I ever spend that much? Unless I would allow myself to >go hypomanic of course! <G> >Hadn’t my eye glasses prescription also changed while taking these various meds? >Indeed it had! According to my ophthalmologist, I now need trifocals so I can >read, so I can see my monitor to be able to participate on the Internet (what >passes for my Life these past few years), as well for distance vision. >To even add further Good News, she will contact my Supported Housing Case Worker >to point out that Neurontin is known for causing gengavitis and my gums do bleed >when flossing or vigorous brushing. So it is possible that my dentist bill will >also be paid for. FYI I have been unable to visit my dentist for several years >due to lack of funds. >To even further ice the cake, they will possibly even pay for a person up to 10 >hours per week (at the current minimum wage of $5.15/hour) for someone 18 years >or older to come in to clean my small apartment, cook one balanced meal a day, >and do my laundry once a week —  since I am no longer able to take care of >these activities myself. Does this sound reasonable? Admittedly I am no longer >physically able to do these. But can I honestly say that this is due to MENTAL >incapacitation rather than PHYSICAL??? BTW my sense of honor is All that I have >remaining to me. And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will >not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. >Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome! >Best regards from, >James      

Response:

>it was your mental health that started all this was it not? go for it >while you can.     pkb >This morning I had a most interesting and encouraging home visit from the head >of the El Paso In-Home & Family Support Program of the Texas Life Management >Center for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. They are hopefully going >to provide financial assistance in several areas of need that I currently have. >AN (After Neurontin) I am no longer in need of mental retardation services.

(snip) >To even further ice the cake, they will possibly even pay for a person up to 10 >hours per week (at the current minimum wage of $5.15/hour) for someone 18 years >or older to come in to clean my small apartment, cook one balanced meal a day, >and do my laundry once a week —  since I am no longer able to take care of >these activities myself. Does this sound reasonable? Admittedly I am no longer >physically able to do these. But can I honestly say that this is due to MENTAL >incapacitation rather than PHYSICAL??? BTW my sense of honor is All that I have >remaining to me. And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will >not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. >Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome! >Best regards from, >James  

Dear James, Social Services, like any government service program, is a domain of red tape. Serious red tape. I am sure that one of the major motivators for this situation is the desire to ensure that the people seeking assistance truly need assistance. So, you end up with a bunch of rules. But rules are like statistics; though they seem to cover the general situation, they cannot be readily applied to individuals. So someone comes along (the head of the local program), and sees someone in need (James Milton), and uses the existing rules to provide for the person’s needs. James, I hope you don’t feel guilty, letting the "system" enhance the quality of your life. You are a contributor to society. A fine contributor. I hope you’ll graciously accept your share of a better standard of living. I can’t think of a finer example of the system working the way it was meant to work. Just my 2 cents (less after the exchange to US funds), from a Canuck. Take care, Larry

Response:

> This morning I had a most interesting and encouraging home visit from the head > of the El Paso In-Home & Family Support Program of the Texas Life Management > Center for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services.

Snip > to provide financial assistance in several areas of need that I currently have.

(Snipped) > But can I honestly say that this is due to MENTAL > incapacitation rather than PHYSICAL??? BTW my sense of honor is All that I have > remaining to me. And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will > not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. > Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome!

James: I am not one to give moral advice. The the weight gain was due to the psychiatric drugs.  A good deal of your incapacitation stems directly from the medication over the years. Yes, many of your problems are medical, but the mind and body are one. Try not to separate the two.  All along you have referred to BP as a chemical – ala physical ailment, but we are all categorized into mental health. Please James accept the help.  IMHO you will not lose face.  You are trying to distinguish between your ailments… that would be like a diabetic who loses a limb due to poor circulation, blaming the circulatory system rather than the diabetes itself. Please take the assistance. Best of luck to you. Julie

Response:

> This morning I had a most interesting and encouraging home visit from the head > of the El Paso In-Home & Family Support Program of the Texas Life Management > Center for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. They are hopefully going > to provide financial assistance in several areas of need that I currently have. > AN (After Neurontin) I am no longer in need of mental retardation services. > Consequently everything requested must somehow have a tie in to mental health > difficulties past or present. FYI I have only one set of clothes that I can > currently squeeze into. She asked if I had gained weight while on my > psychoaffective meds? By golly — so I had (about 80 pounds worth)! Therefore > apparently I am eligible for up to a one time $250 allowance for clothes that > would fit me! How would I ever spend that much? Unless I would allow myself to > go hypomanic of course! <G>

James:  You obviously haven’t been out shopping for while.  It won’t be hard to spend that.  Wanna take my 14 yr old? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hadn’t my eye glasses prescription also changed while taking these various meds? > Indeed it had! According to my ophthalmologist, I now need trifocals so I can > read, so I can see my monitor to be able to participate on the Internet (what > passes for my Life these past few years), as well for distance vision. > To even add further Good News, she will contact my Supported Housing Case Worker > to point out that Neurontin is known for causing gengavitis and my gums do bleed > when flossing or vigorous brushing. So it is possible that my dentist bill will > also be paid for. FYI I have been unable to visit my dentist for several years > due to lack of funds. > To even further ice the cake, they will possibly even pay for a person up to 10 > hours per week (at the current minimum wage of $5.15/hour) for someone 18 years > or older to come in to clean my small apartment, cook one balanced meal a day, > and do my laundry once a week —  since I am no longer able to take care of > these activities myself. Does this sound reasonable? Admittedly I am no longer > physically able to do these. But can I honestly say that this is due to MENTAL > incapacitation rather than PHYSICAL??? BTW my sense of honor is All that I have > remaining to me. And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will > not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. > Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome! > Best regards from, > James

james James: You got a visit from the head of the deaprtment.  Someone is recognizing a need…and someone is trying to fill it.  While I see you have a moral ethical dilemma on your hands, i owuld encourage you to take the hint, and take what package can be offerred under the current auspices of "help"….someone is trying to offer you a gift. The bottem line is….you need help.  Let the powers that be take care of their own buerocricy. The correct response in this situation is:  "thank you" Elaine

Response:

.                                               <snip> > Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome! > Best regards from, > James

Failure to have these necessary LIFE services would severely add to depressions and possible suicidal complications. Therefore to have the minimal life services is ESSENCIAL to your mental health and continued recovery from severe depression. This is the TRUTH. A reasonable quality of life is essencial to everyone’s mental health. You would be mentally incapcitated without these essencial services. Ralph

Response:

hey jim…wow…i see this as some really good news and very much deserved to a generous person such as yourself.  i’ve been reading the group for  6 months or so..and you have been an invaluable asset ( i  am always at dr. weil’s site you posted about a while back) .   i  felt similiar when applying for ssi…and still tend to call myself parasitic b/c i don’t feel worthy..so i hear your dilema loud and clear.  i think, in some round a bout way…maybe this is some karma? comming back around?  let’s be honest…you got a couple serious challenges…did you deserve those?  does anybody?  my bet is you prolly never even asked….you don’t seem the type. (though i admit i don’t now you at all of course)  but still, i hope this good news, when wieghed against all the darkness that surround so many of us… is a little reward for perservering the black oblivion.  take it..you are exactly the kind of individual that deserves…a gift…i hope you an reconcile this in your own  head, i am being really sincere.  you’re a nice man, let yourself be kind to you and accept..and give when you can….as you already do . best wishes, cirela

Response:

James – Please take the help!!!  Some of us ‘lurkers’ depend on your common sense and technical info to help our BP friends and relatives.  Let’s face it, 15 minutes a month w/ your local pdoc is not much support!!!  I believe one of your purposes in life is to provide this support – you have no idea how many non-contributors to this ng  rely on you!!                             Neither doctor nor patient but a taxpayer—Roxy (also in Texas)

Response:

> to point out that Neurontin is known for causing gengavitis and my gums do bleed > when flossing or vigorous brushing. So it is possible that my dentist bill will > also be paid for. FYI I have been unable to visit my dentist for several years > due to lack of funds.

About five years ago, after presenting at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association conference in San Antonio, I browsed the exhibits.  There was a company there displaying a product line of mouthwash, toothpaste, gel, etc. for dry-mouth related tooth loss/decay.  The product is called BIOTENE.  I got some samples and started using it. Since I’ve been using the BIOTENE mouthwash, along with brushing with an Braun rechargable toothbrush and flossing carefully, I have had ZERO cavities in five years.  This is someone who used to have at least a cavity a year.  Plus, it keeps your gums in tip-top pinkish condition.  BIOTENE actually uses the natural enzymes contained in saliva.  Needless to say, I think its a wonderful product, or my teeth and gums do. The 16 oz. bottle of mouthwash is available at Kroger, Eckerd, and CVS here in Atlanta.  I swish for about 30 seconds with about a spoonful.  The 16 oz. bottle lasts about a few months.  At Kroger, a 16 oz. bottle costs $5.99.  I also have some toothpaste, but found I don’t need to use it.  I use the gel occassionally when I have an irritated spot on my gums. Anyway, the reason I’m rambling like this is that you all might want to try this product if you want to save money on dentist’s bills.  Its not just for dry mouth, it works for anyone. And no, LaClede (the maker of Biotene), didn’t pay me to say this. Best wishes, Ed LEGAL DISCL– Oh forget it.

Response:

James: if it will make you feel any better (because I see you prefer helping others) can You have your house assistant make chocolate chip cookies and mail them to us all at 5.15 an hour? Only if she is over 18 though.  I wouldn’t feel right if it were child labor. Elaine

Response:

[snip] > difficulties past or present. FYI I have only one set of clothes that I can > currently squeeze into. She asked if I had gained weight while on my > psychoaffective meds? By golly — so I had (about 80 pounds worth)! Therefore > apparently I am eligible for up to a one time $250 allowance for clothes that > would fit me! How would I ever spend that much? Unless I would allow myself to > go hypomanic of course! <G> > James:  You obviously haven’t been out shopping for while.  It won’t be > hard to spend that.  Wanna take my 14 yr old?

In case you don’t already know, try Salvation Army.  I go there when I’m in that hypo shopping mood and get more clothes than I can carry for $100.  Some I will end up wearing some not, but it all evens out. Aurora — cat who is ready to go downstairs and kick the mainframe she is trying to run tests on

Response:

James, I understand your sense of honor.  Your questioning this "windfall" demonstrates your personal integrity beautifully.  But it seems to me that you are not lying…all of these problems have, in fact, significant   mental health causation. Stories about people who get ground up and spit out by public benefit programs sadden me.  The stories of those few who do take unethical advantage of the programs are the only ones you hear about.   So what I guess I’m saying is: Hey James, you got whomped with the "fairy godmother" effect.  Way cool…I’m glad something finally worked RIGHT. Congratulations, Neil Dumont James D. Milton said… : This morning I had a most interesting and encouraging home visit from the head : of the El Paso In-Home & Family Support Program of the Texas Life Management : Center for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. They are hopefully going : to provide financial assistance in several areas of need that I currently have. : AN (After Neurontin) I am no longer in need of mental retardation services. : : Consequently everything requested must somehow have a tie in to mental health : difficulties past or present. FYI I have only one set of clothes that I can : currently squeeze into. She asked if I had gained weight while on my : psychoaffective meds? By golly — so I had (about 80 pounds worth)! Therefore : apparently I am eligible for up to a one time $250 allowance for clothes that : would fit me! How would I ever spend that much? Unless I would allow myself to : go hypomanic of course! <G> : : Hadn’t my eye glasses prescription also changed while taking these various meds? : Indeed it had! According to my ophthalmologist, I now need trifocals so I can : read, so I can see my monitor to be able to participate on the Internet (what : passes for my Life these past few years), as well for distance vision. : : To even add further Good News, she will contact my Supported Housing Case Worker : to point out that Neurontin is known for causing gengavitis and my gums do bleed : when flossing or vigorous brushing. So it is possible that my dentist bill will : also be paid for. FYI I have been unable to visit my dentist for several years : due to lack of funds. : : To even further ice the cake, they will possibly even pay for a person up to 10 : hours per week (at the current minimum wage of $5.15/hour) for someone 18 years : or older to come in to clean my small apartment, cook one balanced meal a day, : and do my laundry once a week —  since I am no longer able to take care of : these activities myself. Does this sound reasonable? Admittedly I am no longer : physically able to do these. But can I honestly say that this is due to MENTAL : incapacitation rather than PHYSICAL??? BTW my sense of honor is All that I have : remaining to me. And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will : not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. : : Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome! : : Best regards from, : James : — What is beautiful is not always good, but what is good is always beautiful. Journeys: http://cadfael51.cjb.net

Response:

Being Bipolar is a Long Term Illness, while medicne can help control some of the problems, it is Never "Cured"….  So what lie would there be?  None, you aree Bipolar and that puts you into the range they seem to be looking for.  If you said to someone "Give me", then perhaps you need to look at this, but its my guess these people saw a need and are there to HELP.  LET THEM HELP and be thankful !!  You have prayed in your way to find a way to survive dear James, sounds to me your prayers were answered !!  I’m so happy for you.  Hugs Angel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >  And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will > not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. > Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome! > Best regards from, > James

Response:

> Does this sound reasonable? Admittedly I am no longer > physically able to do these. But can I honestly say that this is due to MENTAL > incapacitation rather than PHYSICAL??? BTW my sense of honor is All that I have > remaining to me. And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will > not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. > Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome!

You don’t have to lie, but you can let the people at the support agency draw their own conclusions. Are you OK with accepting freely-given assistance? (I know I have a real problem with it.) I hope you receive this support. Guiltlessly. Stuck

Response:

This morning I had a most interesting and encouraging home visit from the head of the El Paso In-Home & Family Support Program of the Texas Life Management Center for Mental Health/Mental Retardation Services. They are hopefully going to provide financial assistance in several areas of need that I currently have. AN (After Neurontin) I am no longer in need of mental retardation services. Consequently everything requested must somehow have a tie in to mental health difficulties past or present. FYI I have only one set of clothes that I can currently squeeze into. She asked if I had gained weight while on my psychoaffective meds? By golly — so I had (about 80 pounds worth)! Therefore apparently I am eligible for up to a one time $250 allowance for clothes that would fit me! How would I ever spend that much? Unless I would allow myself to go hypomanic of course! <G> Hadn’t my eye glasses prescription also changed while taking these various meds? Indeed it had! According to my ophthalmologist, I now need trifocals so I can read, so I can see my monitor to be able to participate on the Internet (what passes for my Life these past few years), as well for distance vision. To even add further Good News, she will contact my Supported Housing Case Worker to point out that Neurontin is known for causing gengavitis and my gums do bleed when flossing or vigorous brushing. So it is possible that my dentist bill will also be paid for. FYI I have been unable to visit my dentist for several years due to lack of funds. To even further ice the cake, they will possibly even pay for a person up to 10 hours per week (at the current minimum wage of $5.15/hour) for someone 18 years or older to come in to clean my small apartment, cook one balanced meal a day, and do my laundry once a week —  since I am no longer able to take care of these activities myself. Does this sound reasonable? Admittedly I am no longer physically able to do these. But can I honestly say that this is due to MENTAL incapacitation rather than PHYSICAL??? BTW my sense of honor is All that I have remaining to me. And thus I am in a Real Quandary!!! <SIGH!!!> I can not/will not lie even to gain services that I am truly in need of. Any moral/serious advice is more than welcome! Best regards from, James  

Response: