Monte Report for June 2006

Okay, so this is a little bit late and it also covers the first third of July. And it's a bit short too, relative to previous monthly reports. There's more to say, but if I wait til I have the time and energy to say it all, then there probably won't ever be a Monte Report for June 2006. The following figure sums up this report:

I think the reason June was such a good month is largely a result of the new medication that I began taking in early May. It could be just a random fluctuation, because there was no special reason for June to be any better than any other month in the past year. But it was one of the BEST months in the past year. But, you may ask, why isn't July getting off to a good start? Well, it could be just a random fluctuation. Or, it could be because I had to STOP taking that wonderful new drug I just mentioned. The only complication of concern that this new drug (it's called Lamictal) can cause is a rash, and sometimes (though very rarely) the rash can be fatal. So any rash that has any association with Lamictal is treated with a certain level of paranoia. And I developed an unexplainable rash in late June. (If you wanna see what it looked like, Click here - but I don't recommend looking at it cuz it's pretty grody.) The rash was evident in several locales on my personal geography, but it was most prominent on my left ankle. Anyhow, within three or four days of ceasing the Lamictal, my mood began to slump, and I've been slumped ever since. But, the good news is that this slumping has NOT been associated with any significant suicidal rumination. Plus, the "degree" of slumping is pretty consistently in the mid-range, rather than the really deep slumping that has been typical of my drawn-out slumps. Also, I'm generally able to have a reasonably good day when I'm at work or otherwise occupied with something other than just being home alone with my cadre of undone chores. And just yesterday I returned from a (too) brief trip to the East Coast for a 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration, and I had a really excellent time visiting with folks that I hadn't seen in far, far too long.

Anyway, I'm keeping my chin up that I'll be able to try the Lamictal again and avoid the rash this time, or else that my doctor will be able to come up with a suitable and effective substitute for the Lamictal. Stay tuned. In the meantime, if I get the energy, I hope to write some more about some new thoughts I've been having on the connections between my depression and anxiety.

Until then, I remain, as always, grateful for your interest and support.

Love,

Monte

P.S. The rash is practically gone now and it appears not to have been fatal.