hugging puppies

Recently I started taking Cymbalta. The primary reason my doctor prescribed it was for the joint pain I get from my crazy “Lupus” condition (that I clearly haven’t come to terms with or I wouldn’t have to call it “my crazy “Lupus” condition”), but both my doctor and I thought the added bonus of….you know….more anti, and less depression certainly wouldn’t be such a bad idea. :) It’s been a rough.....year and I am no stranger to a little depression here and there. And I am certainly not above actually saying that depression and I have a relationship, even to the WHOLE WIDE WORLD via my humble little blog.:) I am also not above getting whatever help you can, whatever way you can get it. I am one of those that thinks if we could just talk about it, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.

Today a letter arrives from my medical insurance company (marked PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL) telling me that they see I have recently filled a prescription for (magical) Cymbalta—a drug that has yet to have a generic and is quite expensive-- and that they have a couple of things they would like me to know about taking it: use as directed, inform of side effects, seek medical help as needed. The best part however is the enclosed pamphlet entitled “When It’s More Than A Bad Day”.

This not being my first rodeo I am used to how depression gets talked about—especially by an insurance company who is starting to feel like I am quite a drain on their profit margin. Still, how great is this: “antidepression medications are widely used and effective treatments for depression” …..but you should know that “stomach upset, agitation, and sexual or sleep issues are often side effects” of these medications. Also, “for mild to moderate depression “talk therapy” alone can be an effective treatment”. Last line: “Remember, you can feel better!”

My father, who was not a big “talk therapy” kind of guy used to say “can’t you just hug a puppy or something?”. Kid you not, because you can’t make that stuff up. I’ve spent years in “talk therapy” trying to recover from the aftermath of that one. I still have not had any luck in the Puppy Hugging department, but if any of you have a magical puppy, I would suggest contacting insurance companies and offering to undercut the price of antidepressants for allowing people the chance to hug it. And then we can rename the pamphlet they send out “Have You Tried Hugging A Puppy First?”.

Happy Tuesday.:)