Re: Fatigue into Insomnia? Reply to

January 6, 2001

Wow! Yes, indeed you sure are one angry guy - and I can't blame you. First let me tell you what I take to sleep.

It's called Ambian. I'll get back to you with the dose, but ususally one tablet & I get the much needed rest withouth any groggy after affects. Sometimes I take two if it's been one of those weeks with fitful, toss & turn, stare at the ceiling nights before. Still no groggy next morning feeling.

No, I don't have PSC. My husband does. Diagnosed 8/99 & UC.

I wish my husband had been able to express his anger as you have, he holds all inside and it's made him very, very hard to live with. Depressed, moody, sullen. I could probably have dealt better with him if he had had an outburst of anger.

I understand the frustration of not knowing what stage you're at. We are still waiting for the Dr. to tell where he's at, too. I really don't think they have the answers we're looking for either. Kind of like the mechanic when it comes to fixing your car.

Even though I'm not the one with PSC, I can tell you that affects all around. Your family, friends, co-workers. I kept my husbands illness from coworkers (I don't really enjoy the people I work with.). But once I was missing lots of work it was inevitable that the reason would have to come out.

I found once I explained what was going on they were much more understanding and actually backed off.

People can really be pretty selfish & rotten until they realize what jerks they've been (at least in my case).

So good for you! Be angry! But I would also advise you to find an outlet for the anger other than co workers, family, those you care about. They'll be there when you need them, and you sure wouldn't want to alienate anybody now.

Find a good psychologist or support group (in addition to this one) that you can relate how you feel and maybe lighten your load a bit.

Now finally. I have IBS and have had for about 15 years. It's been much better the past few years, but I know where every restroom is in every store & mall that I frequent. Heck I even know where the portajohns are in the park! So what!? I live with it and deal with "running" to the john all the time. Can't eat what I would like to and still am a chubby middle-aged woman married to a chronically ill man.

AND

I'm happy.

I'm enjoying the time with my family, my children, my husband. At 24 you've got a lot of living to do so do it well. Being angry is natural, but learn to channel it into something useful. Like a hobby, like a new girlfriend (so what if you are tired - so's most the world). Falling asleep at 10 on a date isn't the end of the world. Find a gal who likes to go out in the afternoons - to a park - for a walk. The exercise will help fight the fatigue. No kidding. It would be refreshing to get to know somebody in the light of the afternoon instead of the cover of night and enjoying nature at the same time. In fact, that's exactly the way my hubbie & I dated - afternoons and daylight. He worked 3rd shift!

Hope I've helped even a little bit.

Janet

Husband DX 8/99 PSC UC

January 6, 2001