Tim, I highly recommend getting a good therapeutic massage.  It was like a
vacation for me on the rare occasion that I managed to get away long enough
to get one.

ST. JOHN'S WORT

Maybe you can take Olanzepine at night when you know your wife will be
asleep, and it will help you sleep better too. Sorry you are feeling so
tired. Hugs.

Tim, I would suggest you talk to your doctor about prescribing something
that would not have the same sedating effect.  There are other medicines you
could take instead of olanzapine.
Gwen

Tim,

do you have help to come in (so you can go out), or your wife go to a day
center? I think that will be one of the best stress relivers there is, if
you are caring 24x7 with no relief, then in the end I dont think it matters
what drugs you take.

ANy good support groups around you? That would be a good place to start --  
having a place to vent and share stories is a major stress reliever. So is
exercise, but I know it can be heard to get away for a long walk while
caring for a LO.

SOngbird

Tim I know some of those feelings..Yes you need a break ...Caretaking
24/7 is not a job for which people quene .  
Some know when they can't do it any longer.  I am finding the fustration
fustrating..  
In the UK can you get some relief thru the care system, kids, friends,
church etc.  
It is necessary to reach out.  Unfortunately, generally no one knocks on
the door ..and says I'm here to help.
A local Alz group might be able to get you a few hours respite---if you
must pay for it, so be it.  
Good luck  

Tim, Regular exercise does wonders.
Beth

Hi Tim,

I'd suggest getting therapy for yourself as soon as possible. It's important
to understand the burden that you are under, and to enlist the guidance of a
trained psychiatric professional to explain how to cope with your situation.

Please keep posting to this group. As you can see this is a cyber-community
of responsible, caring, empathetic folks who will offer solid advise to
those with whom they share similar burdens. Perhaps some, all, or none of
the suggestions you see above will work for you. But, you've gained ten or
twelve ideas that have worked for others, and sincere expressions of concern
from the ranks.

I'm looking forward to reading of your success.

go'l.

Stress reliever    
Group: alt.support.alzheimers Date: Thu,
May 5, 2005, 4:26pm (CDT+6) From:
capricorn@mooderama.co.uk (Tim)
Can anyone here recommend a good stress reliever? I suffer from mood
problems(anxiety/depression/paranoia/ang
er/irritability etc) which are
often triggered by environmental
factors.
Sometimes i get so tense caring for my
wife.It almost
feels like my head is going to explode.
I am prescribed olanzapine 10mgs but due to the sedating effect it has
on me
i have difficulty taking it for fear of
not being alert enough re being there
for my wife.
I also find it hard to balance my needs
as a patient in my own right and my
responsabilities as a carer.
Sometimes i feel like i am trapped and
there is no way out :(  
http://brain.hastypastry.net/
http://www.sane.org.uk/public_html/News/
Whats_new_at_SANE.shtm#savesaneline To email me add (newsgroups) to
subject
line. Anything you see above this is a
figment of your imagination.  

Ronny:
Tim,first never feel bad about feeling trapped at times. I figure we all
feel that way at times. And we all also know how the tension can get
sometimes!

Follow up on some suggestions you've already been given in here. Keep
posting in here and vent and or talk here about anything,anytime you
need to. See if you can find other outlets close to home as places to
vent and talk too.

As for myself,I take St. John's Wort if I see I have gotten more than I
see as just a usual depression and that helps me;but check with your
doctor or pharmicist to make sure the St. John's Wort won't interfere
with any med you're taking now.

I also like to get out back and just fool with my birds. :-) I have
quail,guineas and chickens and two small incubators. And I just bought a
little lumber in town today so I can finish one small pen I've been
working on. So,in other words,try to have something(s) like this that
you enjoy doing. I think that's very important. It could be anything;but
mainly just something you personally enjoy! :-)

Not meaning to be nosy; :-) but do you have to take care of your wife by
yourself? Do you have anyone that comes in and helps at all and gives
you a little break during the week? Or is your wife where she can safely
be left alone for awhile or does she need you/someone constantly with
her?  I'm just hoping that you have some help or can get even a little
bit of that,as I know how good even short breaks are!

first of all, you need to have some time for yourself.  that
means that you should try to find a day care program or respite
care facility where you can leave her knowing that she will be
safe, or get some care assistance (sorry, don't know what's
available in UK).

then, use some of your free time for exercise, every day if
possible.  it doesn't matter whether it's a walk, a run, a bike
ride, or a session at a gym, your brain will function better if
you give it a daily dose of exercise-induced endorphins, and you
will sleep better and be more relaxed.

a number of my friends also meditate or spend some time in prayer
every day, and find that it helps both with relaxation and
attitude.

probably the most important thing you can do, though, is to
ensure that you have some time to and for yourself, even if it
means reaching out to others and asking for help.  no one can do
it alone.