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"I lost a niece at the age of 8 to luekemia. Also lost a good friend to this hori..." (RhondaS)

MDJunction to me

"MDJunction to me is a life saver... when i first was diagnosed with Scheuermann's Disease i wrote a message to a page i found on google, hoping that they could help me.... you'd never know it but that weird feeling (you know that one where it feels like someone actually cares) came over me when i opened my email next day to find that someone on the other side of the world (at the American Medical Library)had read my message while i was sleeping, and there low and behold was the address to MDJunction.... well it is everything to me, i live it breathe it and love it!!!!! I have found many people who are struggling with similar issues banding together to help each other. It is the best place in the world, and i couldn't think of another place to go to meet so many lovely people....

thanks MDJunction" (cinderella)

more testimonials

ScoobysTales

When I was not medicated properly and adding to that self-medicating with alcohol (and perhaps too much of prescription drugs as well). I isolated and was anything but easy to be around. And "one is the loneliest number you'll ever do."

I'm opening up in A.A. and N.A. meetings when I can make them, and I see where it does nobody any good to not engage and share with others, and particularily with those who have "been there, done that" with regard to addiction issues.

Venting my Fury

Jul 08 2012

Atypical antipsychotics have some curious side-effects, notably what is called "extrapyrimidial." I asked the pharmacist at Walgreens to print out the side-effect profile of Seroquel, and I made a note about them; I'm really not sure what they are, but i think Astra-Zeneca does.

That class of drugs, for me (and that's all I can share about with any authority) does mess with my mental acuity - big time. I have great concerns about the rates of suicide that occur with the use of some of the antidepressants (Cymbalta, for one...in fact, teenagers were killing themselves so frequently on that drug, that they now caution against its use for young people with depression.

Frankly, I was exasperated with the mental health, police and legal system here in Salinas - they behaved deplorably. On four occasions in two hospitals (Natividad and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula) they broke the law (Section 5150 of the CA Penal Code). I went to them in desperation and told them I had a history of suicide and I needed help. They refused to keep me the legally-required 72 hours.

When I called 9-1-1 (again, at the end of my rope), I was taken to the Monterey County Jail. I asked to see a doctor (to get my lithium and Klonopin) and I pushed the button to get help. I was thrown into the rubber room, stripped naked and left there for six hours before a nurse came. After finally seeing a nervous pdoc, I was given lithium and then the Sheriff's Department released me at 2:00 a.m. wearing nothing but shorts (my backpack and ID were with the police).

To get my belongings back, I had to go to Mayor Donahue's office and his secretary arranged to get the Salinas Police Property people to find my backpack (money, ID, the whole 9 yards).

I appeared before Judge Maldonado and requested to represent myself. (I was a court transcriber for 9 years and have a little understanding of the law). He discouraged me but I persisted, so then he scheduled me to see him later in the day. When I went there, he again postponed it. The following day (without proper medication), I failed to appear and he issued a warrant for my arrest.

I sought the legal advice of David Vandenberg, supposedly the legal representative for mental health patients. He advised me to take care of my money matters and report to jail, and so I did.

I was fined $1,000 for the "false 9-1-1" I researched and learned I could serve 10 days in lieu of the fine. I went to the Court Clerk, got the paperwork and did just that. They sent me to the Sheriff's Department and, after waiting 30 minutes, the lady said that they have determined I have credit for time served and the charge of $1,000 was dismissed.

I hold a teaching credential with the Monterey Office of Education, and now may be able to resume working as a teacher. I had a minor charge of shoplifting (I stole a bicycle light and a yoga mat from Target when I was homeless). The County Attorney said the charges could be expunged - only when all fees/fines had been paid.

Imagine this. I have a MA in counseling psychology, served as a suicide counselor for 7 years for the Suicide Prevention Service.

The only reason I didn't do the deed this last time was because of Jim (he and I volunteered as staff at the homeless mission in the skid row district of Salinas). I was going to use blood pressure medication and just slowly stop my heart.

Now I'm boiling mad. How does that song go? I fought the law and the law won. You cannot fight City Hall here, and I'm seriously considering replacing my Naturalization Papers (I'm from Canada and have dual citizenship) and getting the hell out of Dodge.

I served in the Army Reserves and worked in the Army Psychiatric Corps, am Honorably discharged. I took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. Frankly, from my own experience with the way this county and legal system is malfunctioning, I'm considering going back to Canada.

Thanks for your inquiry and allowing me the opportunity to vent. I'll be able to take just one Klonipin tonight rather than two!

Previous diary posts by scooby64:

Response in the Celibacy Forum
Vasectomy
She just said, "I feel freaky."
Alcohol, Boundaries
Using Stimulants as an "Adjunctive" Antidepressant

Note to a Lady Recently Diagnosed
To a BP with a Doctor Problem
Garden Party
Trading in One Monster for Another?
Responding to Fun "Quickies"

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