Posted by KaraS on February 23, 2005, at 15:53:09
In reply to Re: Kara, my turn. How you are doing? » KaraS, posted by TamaraJ on February 23, 2005, at 10:17:40
> Hi Tamara,
>
> > I'm doing a bit better. The anxiety is much better. That 25 mg. of doxepin has been a life saver. For some reason my spirits have been higher the last couple of days too. I've felt more like myself. I'm not sure why. It may be because I've used my lightbox for the last 3 mornings for over an hour each time. My friend did some Reiki healing (with special rocks - crystals, obsidian, etc.) on me recently and she's convinced that's why I'm doing better. I'm not so sure - I'm very skeptical but I suppose it's possible.
>
> -- That is great news! I soooo happy for you. After all you have been through, you deserve it! I have always wanted to try reiki. Like you, though, I am skeptical. Anyway, whether you have benefitted from the lightbox or the reiki or a combination of the lightbox, the reiki and the meds, all I can say is YEAH for Kara! I have tried acupunture and hypnosis. The acupuncture helped a bit. It probably would have helped more if, at the time, I had not been dealing with the severe iron deficiency. But, I will say, that after a treatment I felt a sense of calm energy (does that even make sense?). The hypnosis was not for me and I don't think I benefitted at all from it. But, it was worth a try.***Today I don't feel as good. Two steps forward and one step back I guess. I've been using the lightbox each day so I don't know how to account for the difference. Maybe the reiki did do something. Also, this weather is getting to me. Tomorrow is supposed to finally be decent. Then we get three more nice days and then several more days of rain. It's just unbelievable.
***I haven't gotten acupuncture yet though I do have a book here on acupressure that I haven't really practiced yet. I think those things can work if you don't have nutritional deficiciencies or dehydration.
> > I had been exercising as well but now that the torrential rains are back here in southern California, I've been housebound. Hopefully that will stop sometime soon before I lose all improvement. I haven't driven in over a month because of my anxiety. I've been feeling ready to get back in the car but want to wait until after all of this rain is out of here. The traffic has been horrible (even worse than usual) and people in this part of the country don't know how to drive in this weather. They scare me.
>
> -- Good for you getting back into exercising. I have started again (slowly) as well. It really makes a difference. I was pretty much housebound for a while as well. It starts to take a toll after a while. Hey, and feeling ready to drive again is real progress. You should be proud of yourself Kara. The weather you are experiencing must be depressing in itself. It always amazes me just how much the weather, particularly rainy days, can affect our moods. I hope the rains let up soon. I imagine after a while it can get kind of scary.***I imagine that winter in Canada is no fun either -especially if you're hand is in a cast.
> > I started on a very small amount of Zoloft a couple of days ago. I've tolerated it well so I am planning on taking 50-100 mg. day in order to help more with anxiety and mood (without taking away all of my motivation). Then I think I may try adding in Wellbutrin or supplements for more motivation. If all that doesn't work out, then maybe the selegiline patch will be out by then.
>
> -- That's good that you have tolerated the Zoloft so far. I hope it continues to provide you with much needed relief and mood elevation. Did you decide against Remeron because of the possibility of weight gain? Wellbutrin would likely be a good augmenter. Are you not concerned about the adverse effects you experienced the last time you tried it? Or, are you hoping that you will be able to tolerate a low dose and get some benefit from that?***I think the Zoloft is starting to make me more anxious now. I've been taking it at night and I had a hard time getting to sleep last night. I'll try taking it during the day instead but it might not be a good plan for me now. I am afraid of the same side effects from the Wellbutrin but I still want to try it again in case it was just chest muscle tightness or a reaction to an excipient. I'm not hopeful about being able to take it but it might be worth another try.
> > How about you? Have you started the Provigil yet?
>
> -- I am only on day 2, but I notice a bit of a difference in terms of motivation and energy even at the low starting dose of 50mg. But, I have also started drinking coffee again. I didn't realize how much I missed the lift I get from coffee. It's nice. Anyway, hopefully I will notice more of an effect when I go up to 100 mg. I go back to work in a few weeks (after a lengthy leave), and I am so worried that I won't be able to do it and that I will be a total failure and a disappointment :-(. Fortunately, I do not have to return to the office right away. I will be going on language training so that I can enhance my linguistic profile. That will be a nice transition back into the fray (I hope).***That's wonderful news that you're tolerating the Provigil well and that you notice improvement already. Sounds very promising!
***It's great that you have this time off and that you have a job to go back to. Did you take a leave for health reasons? I'm glad you have the language training to help you ease into the work situation. I understand that you're scared about going back but I bet you'll feel ready when the time comes.
> > Have you followed the posts on CES (cranial electrical stimulation) on the main board. (Did I ask you that already?) It sounds fascinating to me. If it works, it's a good way to get all of the neurotransmitters invovled. I'm going to read the book that is recommended in the thread.
>
> -- I haven't been following the thread (and no, you hadn't asked :-)). I will read it today. I had heard about something called cranio-sacral therapy a while ago (not sure if that is the same as cranial stimulation). But the procedure I had read about (I was interested and was sort of considering pursuing it) involved something like a ballon up the nose (I can't remember the details, and am probably all confused) and some of the side effects that one could experience sounded very unpleasant (massive headaches, passing out). I guess it was the procedure that freaked me out and clinched it for me that I would probably not try it.***No, this is nothing like the procedure you describe. I'm curious to hear what you think. Even Larry thought it sounded promising and not just another quack therapy thing. Unfortunately it requires a prescription or use in a doctor's office and it doesn't sound like your doctor would ever go for it. You can actually buy these things for yourself. Maybe your family doctor would go for it if you wanted to try it. Hopefully you won't need to look further once you up your dosage of Provigil, but it's something to keep in mind. I think I'll wait and see how others are doing on it before I try to scrape up some money.
> > Thanks for your continued support. It's so nice to talk to someone who understands. I'm hoping for the best for both of us.
>
> -- My pleasure, and any time. And, I thank you for all of your support and understanding. I am hoping for the best for both of us as well.
>
> Take good care of yourself.
> >
> Tamara
>
>
You take care too.
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:456548
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050215/msgs/462337.html