I feel like I'm slipping again.

[Ladyhawk]

Don't you hate that? I really don't know what to do.

[RevCheesehead]

1. Hang on tight, and ride it out.

Surround yourself with good people who understand you without judging you, put on some good music, take a nap, take a walk, give yourself permission to cry (for a while), and call out to your higher power.

I've been there many times. Most recently, about 2 weeks ago. Things do get better, but it's hard to see that when you're headed downward.

Positive thoughts are being sent your way (= non-offensive prayers). Be good to yourself.

[Ladyhawk]

2. I'm trying. I think I may be on the edge of coming down with something.

The garbage stinks and I can't take it out. I need to clean cages and I can't find the energy. I feel awful, both physically and emotionally.

Sometimes you get so far down you can't help yourself very easily.

I can't stop sleeping. I've slept for days.

[RevCheesehead]

3. Have you gone to the doctor?

It might be good just to get a check-up, make sure you don't have the flu or something that could be easily treated with antibiotics...

"clean the cages" - birds? rabbits? hamsters?
set a goal. "I'm gonna sleep, then clean 2 cages...or 1 cage...then I'll get on DU for love and support."

Good luck to you. :hug:

[Ladyhawk]

4. No, I have no faith in doctors, really.

I'm fatigued and have the cold sweats. If I had a cold or the flu a doctor would simply send me home for bed rest, which is what I'm already doing.

I just woke up from another three-hour nap and I still feel exhausted. I'm sweaty and weak, so cleaning cages is out of the question.

[undergroundpanther]

5. If you need help maybe

You could find a pet sitter to clean your cages.

This lists pet sitters by state.
I think if you explained your situation they may be willing to come out and help out for a discount..Some people will do small jobs.

http://www.planet-pets.com/petsits.htm

If you know anyone in your neighborhood well enough ,or have freinds you can ask,maybe you could ask them to help you this time. Maybe one of thier kids would be willing to come over and clean cages if you paid them a few bucks for it.

Just an idea.

Also if there is a place you go for therapy they might be able to arrange a discount or free pet sitter to come over and clean cages until you can do it yourself again.
I think it's OK to ask for help with cleaning cages when it's too much for you and anything that takes of stress helps.

I mean the disability community must have something out there because what if a disabled pperson cannot feed thier service dog because they are sick or in the hospital? Someone has got to be available to help out in that kind of situation.

Maybe you could go over in the Disability forums here on DU and they could point you in some useful directions.

Take care Ladyhawke..Purrs.

[Ladyhawk]

6. Thanks, undergroundpanther.

I run into monetary issues with this, though. If I had the money, I could pay someone to clean my house from top to bottom. I had someone come for four hours and it put me in the hole. I've felt the fallout for two months.

Today, I got rejected for the umpteenth time for in-home help services, even though I have trouble getting groceries, taking out the trash, doing the dishes, doing any household chore. I'm feeling pretty upset about this...been crying all day, I'm afraid. I need some help and can't find it.

I've tried everything I can think of.

[undergroundpanther]

7. Do you live

near Maryland?
Ladyhawke?

[Ladyhawk]

8. No, I'm a left-coaster. Kah-lee-for-nee-ah, as muscle-head would have it.

um, eom. :)

[ernstbass]

9. Ladyhawk do you struggle more in the winter months?

Just curious - I know that I do. Wish you lived closer to me - I'd galdly come and help you out! Please remind yourself that it will get better!! (Can you put the trash right outside the door so it won't stink your home?)

[Ladyhawk]

10. Yeah, I've asked my doctor about Seasonal Affective Disorder.

But, he has a lot on his plate and never got back to me.

I got the trash out and the birds' cages clean. That's something, at least. Now I got some more trash that smells. I'll try to take it out tomorrow.

LH

[ernstbass]

11. My depression worsens in the winter months

[Ladyhawk]

12. Sucks, don't it? :( :( :( :( :( :( n/t

[undergroundpanther]

13. Love the hawk avatar Ladyhawke

[EFerrari]

14. Have you ever had your sugar levels checked?

I'm new in this group and sorry if I don't know your situation very well.

My partner had such a jumble of symptoms during the first two years of our marriage, I just felt completely confused all the time. But, we got them sorted out eventually.

Cold sweats make me think sugar, but I'm an English type not a doc.

Best wishes to you, Ladyhawk.