I met my new psychiatrist yesterday!!

I was so worried that I would end up back in the system, waiting forever to try and find a doctor to help prescribe some of my medication.  Luckily, I managed to slip in with a new doctor before he had a massive influx of new patients.  He is easily the nicest, most non-judgmental psychiatrist that I have EVER had.  After many years of questionable doctors with this pile of illnesses, I can’t even fully express my excitement at having a kind and helpful psych!!

He went over my massive chart, asked really thoughtful questions about the meds that I am currently taking and how they are working for me, and then prescribed Ritalin for me, as my DNA test showed low dopamine in my brain, which is likely causing many of my cognitive problems.  I started it today, and while I feel more clear, I’m also much more exhausted, as I stopped a much higher dose of Modafinil cold turkey.  I’m not really having withdrawal symptoms, I just feel like I can’t stay awake, no matter how hard I try.

I managed to go to the beach for the first time this year today!!  It was windy and the sand was pelting us (mom told me to pretend it was exfoliating, but it was more like being stuck in a sandstorm haha!), but it was truly lovely.  I don’t know what it is about salt water, but I swear it has magical healing properties for me.  This is a key reason why I will NEVER be moving away from water.  I managed to go for a nice long walk with my feet in the water, and I didn’t even throw out my back, which I do with much shorter walks on pavement!  I loved it, and now I’m super freckly and have great beach hair.  I’m so happy my mom and sister took me there today!!

A PEI beach – about as perfect as it gets

Do any of you have any experiences with Ritalin, or switching off of Modafinil?  I’d love to know!

xoxo,

Annie