Insurance Side Stuff

After 8 months, my insurance has finally been cancelled.

I've been coasting on it since leaving my job last October. Truth be told, it should have been cancelled then, but it wasn't.

Anyway, I've been looking at/for insurance lately...(because after a year of having this blog I finally "get it" that I need insurance.)

With looking for insurance comes looking for a job that offers insurance. Yeah, none of my GA-zillion jobs offers health insurance. Anyway, many of the jobs I'm looking at offers the basic health, dental, and life insurance, but a couple offered AD&D.

AD&D is Accidental Death & Dismemberment. Did you know that?

Anyway, my curiosity was triggered and found out that there is renter's insurance, landlord's insurance, travel insurance, travel health insurance, pet insurance and self -funded health care insurance .

There should be unemployment insurance for people with bipolar disorder;where a portion ofour earnings go toward days like this. But then again people without the disorder will simply call that savings.

Just sharing. Haven't found a job with insurance yet. Still looking.

Ikky, Ikky, Yuk, Yuk!

Have you seen this?

It's an ionic foot spa. Have you seen the ionic foot pads on TV; you stick it on the bottom of your foot and it turns black or some other color?

Well if you're like me you thought this was totally bullsh*t a scam. I, too thought it was gross when I saw it on TV.

So, following my colonic on Thursday, I tried this ionic spa aka aqua chi thingy. My understanding of it is that the body has positive ions. A negative ion thingy that looks like a halogen bulb is placed in the water. Over a 30 minute period, the positive ions in my body (which includes the toxins) would be drawn to the negative ion in the water.

Ok, I really haven't read up on it a whole lot, but it was pretty shocking, gross and down right horrifying to see my water turn orange, then brown, and then dark brown with black flakes!

IKKKKKY!

Each color corresponds to a toxin. When the water turned orange it was drawing out the toxins in my joints. Ironically, the negative ion thingy leans toward the left side of the spa, and I have had pain in my right knee. Hmmm.

The black flakes were the toxins being cleansed from my liver.

LIVER! WHAT?

Liver as in the Lexapro and Seraquel I took have been living in my liver?

Get it out at once!

It was a dirty ikky sight. It could be a Houdini trick, but what appeared in the water totally got my attention.

So, Next Stop: The Bed.

Dirty Words - GROSS ALERT!

Colonics: Please be gentle. Lol!

It's every heterosexual male's dirty word. If they've had one, they never talk about it. It's a taboo subject.

Well, on Wednesday I had the first of 4 sessions. I had a 2nd on Thursday, and then one on Saturday.

Why?

Well, I wanted to rule out a cruddy colon as the cause of some symptoms.

What symptoms?

Fatigue
Depression
Anxiety
Gas
Acne
Poor Concentration
Weight Gain
Cramping
Bloating
Irritability
Insomnia

Yeah, yeah, these symptoms could all be associated with my bipolar disorder, but then again they could be the result of a cruddy colon.

So do clean it out or pop a pill that could cause liver damage, nausea, stuffy head, nose bleed, hemorrhoids, indigestion and facial hair? LMBO!

I'm cleaning it out!

Btw, if ever you're gonna do a colonic. Opt for the open machine. With this one, the practitioner isn't in the room with you for the entire session. You also can poo "go" right into the machine as opposed to getting up and running like mad to the bathroom like the old fashion machine.

You won't smell anything during the procedure, it doesn't hurt and it's good for you. Imagine how much poo crud is in you!

Next Stop: Aqua Chi

Butterfly Goes to the Doctor - Allergist

My side effects with medicines extend past Day/ NyQuil and Sudafed. It includes Aspirin, Tylenol, Codeine, Ibuprofen, etc.

Also, out of the blue, my throat staring closing after having shrimp, crab and lobster!

WHAT!? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

So that got me thinking: Am I suppose to trade being pain-free for itchy?

Surely you jest!

Next stop: The Allergist.

I need to know what I;m allergic to. I did it for household things like cats, mites, ragweed, but I totally forgot about doing it for medicine!

So, back to NYC to see the allergist.

There were so many things I had to be tested for that they divided them into two sessions.

Results: Allergies to nuts, bananas, mangos, wheat, barley, white and kidney beans and a host of other things. Good news: I already knew this. No surprise here.

I was also given a twinject in the event of an allergic reaction.

Butterfly Goes to the Doctor -Part 1

I had a head cold in January that wouldn't go away.

I was very successful with keeping it out of my lungs by using my asthma inhaler every 3 hours, but the post nasal drip, sore throat, and runny nose wouldn't go away!

Additionally, I had THE worst sinus congestion EVER!

Although I try to stay away from meds, I tried Dayquil and Nyquil, remember?

Result: HIVES

They went away, and then one day I blew my nose, and my ear popped. It popped so loud and hard that I had vertigo. I scared me and so I went to the ER.

Dr. Dumb Dumb recommended Sudafed and ASSURED me that it wouldn't give me hives.

Guess what?

MORE BLOODY HIVES!!!!!

Bigger, itchier hives!

I'm done. All medicine and officially go to HELL!

By Accident

Do you remember Krissy Taylor?

I do.

She was the sister of American "supermodel" Niki Taylor. She modeled quite a bit as well until she died.

I've always remembered her because she died around the time I was having A LOT of trouble with my asthma.

I used inhalers a lot that year, and recall purchasing a Primatene Mist. Reports state that she too had asthma. While experiencing congestion and shortness of breath she purchased and used a Primatene Mist inhaler.

Well, the epinephrine in the OTC inhaler caused a cardiac arrhythmia and she died.

Why am I thinking about this?

Well, who knew that an inhaler could have caused her death?

What other seemingly harmless things can cause death?

I've been taking a diruetic, fat burner and herbal laxative; all with the intent of cleansing, but of course to lose weight.

Could the combination be fatal?

It's weird how I won't take any bip meds but will swallow 10 horse pills a day if it'll make me skinny-er.

Can you tell that my prioroties are definitely in the right place?

I'm going to the doctor on Monday; need to know what affect these have on me; if any. I read up on these products prior to using them, but another check up can't hurt.

Whether bip meds or a Miracle burn, at least read up on whatever product you're gonna use.

And Then What?

There's so much I want to share; so much has happened.

Here's some advice from the Butterfly: WRITE A WILL.

The last month has really showed me the importance of a will; filed will.

Like many other people, I, too thought wills were for the seriously wealthy.

WRONG!

If you have anything of value, especially houses, land, cars, jewelry, 401k, stocks, bonds, etc, YOU NEED A WILL.

You'd be surprised at the "fine print" laws in some states that would prevent your intended party from inheriting your estate.

Studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder focus so much on their mental health, that they often neglect their physical health and finances.

It's true for me.

I've since wrote my will. I'm having it filed in Maryland and NYC. Even if I only have lots and lots of shoes, shouldn't I be able to leave those shoes to whomever I want?

I've also looked into life insurance no exam. Many insurance companies require you to have a full exam before you enroll. Being bip means I'll be disqualified.

True, I don't have any kids, and I'm not directly supporting anyone, but in the event of my death, I want those I care about to be taken care of.

Just thoughts.

They're All Mad, I Tell Ya!

Recall my family blow out and my brother being admitted.

Well, TWO WEEKS after my brother entered the hospital, he was released after promising to take his medicine and giving my parents a guilt trip.

So you know I'm plenty pissed off, right?

Why?

1. My brother doesn't get it. 1 day after his release, he stopped taking meds and disappeared again.

2. It STRESSED ME OUT to get him into a GOOD hospital. Based on where he lives, when the police and EMS are called, he must be taken to a state hospital that is absolutely despicable. I had to pull Ocean's 11 -like moves to get him into a better hospital. I can't do that again.

3. Guilt Trip? Are you kidding me? My brother lost 1/2 of his body weight from being too paranoid to eat, and was TALKING TO HIMSELF, and you let him out because he "promised to take his meds"? My brother has NEVER taken his medicine voluntarily.

I'm irked. So irked, they'll deal with it.

NEW Blog

8/16/07: I deleted the blog. See, Working on Consistency.



I started another blog to chronicle my physical health.

In the last month, I've developed several physical things that I KNOW are related to stress.

- Diminishing mental health
- Tight muscles and joints
- Acne
- Torn esophagus
- Constipation
- Regurgitation
- Diarrhea
- Eczema
- Possible Fibroid
- Elevated Cholesterol Level

The NEW Blog is Reclaiming Health.

I felt it was easier to post details of my cleansing and fasting somewhere else. It's also linked to this blog under my profile for easier access.

Skin Beautiful

I hate that my 30 year old skin doesn't look like my 18 year old skin, so I did something about it. I went to see a dermatologist. He prescribed Tretin X and Clindomycin Phosphate, I should begin to see results in 2 months, at which time I'll begin my microdermabrasion sessions and botox.

Just kidding!

But I feel productive.

Forget what you've been told: self -esteem is greatly improved when you like your face.

I Have a Fibroid?

My ob/gyn thinks I have a fibroid.

I'm going to radiologist on the 27th to rule it out.

Whatever.

Who's the PUNK, Now?

I did it!

I got angry about being sick and I did something about it. I went to the doctor!

I saw a nice lady doctor who just had a baby named Ian. She was really nice, and I think I'm gonna give her the title of primary care physician.

So she sent in this girl from Senegal who looked SO much like me It was kinda weird. Anyway, I had the EKG and my heart is normal. I did the breath test and my lungs are clear, and I'll have the results of my blood tests by the end of the week!

Yup, I had an injection! Me, Butterfly, willingly let someone put a needle in my arm!

Beyonce sang to me through the whole ordeal (I wore my ipod during the shot to help me relax).

I then saw the gastroenterologist. Seems like I have an esophageal tear. Yup. I feel better but just to be sure, no spicy, acidic or burny type foods/ beverages for a while.

I looked fear in the eyes and came out ALIVE!

Next stop allergist, and could it be: the DENTIST?

What's Wrong With My Stomach?

So, I've been in Vegas since Sunday, and my stomach has been somewhere else since Saturday .

Why?

Well, the stomach and esophagus I have aren't mine.

I had dinner at 10:30pm Friday night. Nothing crazy - rice, chicken, broccoli, and an interesting cranberry sauce with pineapple.

I was awake at 3am convinced that a gremlin was climbing out of my stomach and scratching my esophagus. I thought I ate too much, so I made my self throw up. The result- my chest burned like i drank alcohol and then set my throat and chest on fire!

Since Saturday I have taken liquid Mylanta straight to the head. I've swallowed more tums and pepto pills than I can count. I've also had at least a case of ginger ale with extra ginger thrown in.

Everything I eat makes me bloat or makes my throat burn.

TMI Alert:
No, its not #2. I think its acid reflux.

So when does this end!?! On one hand this non-eating is certain to assist me with slimming down, but the discomfort is too unbearable for words.

Needless to say no desserts, steak or lobster on my all expense paid trip to the adult playground.

Headed to ER. :-(