Posted by KaraS on February 24, 2005, at 15:25:55
In reply to Re: Kara, my turn. How you are doing? » KaraS, posted by TamaraJ on February 24, 2005, at 10:48:36
Hi,
> -- Bummer is putting it mildly! When it has happened to me, I found it unnerving and demoralizing, to say the least. But, I am sure ou can and will have more good days like that one Kara. It will happen, just not fast enough I know, but it will. I have faith.
Yeah, we just have to keep telling ourselves that this is how recovery is. It's not neat and perfect. You have your good days and your not so good days. Still, it's hard to take when you've just come off of two really good days. I am better today again because I didn't take any Zoloft last night. I'm not as anxious and dysfunctional now.
> -- I think the accupressure can yield similar, revitalizing and calming results. And, if you can do it yourself, that's great! When you get going with it, I would be interested in hearing how you do. So, if you don't mind, keep me posted ok.Last night I started practicing it a bit. I was trying to get familiar with the exercises rather than doing the exact sequences prescribed for anxiety. The first time I did some practicing I didn't really feel much but last night I definitely felt calmer and better. That gives me the impetus to pursue this further. I'll definitely keep you posted.
> -- You get used to the cold weather. As long as you dress for it, you are not forced to hibernate. But some days . . . ouch! One time when my dad went skiing, the temperature, with the windchill, was almost -60 at the top of the mountain (and, that can be even more brutal when you are riding up on the chairlift). He skied all morning and ended up with really bad frostbite on his face. He sure learned his lesson! But the rain . . . Now, that is another story all together. I would be complaining too if it went on for days and days. At least with bitter cold weather there are still bright, sunny days to take the sting out. But rain, dark and overcast, day after day, can take its toll after a while. No, you have every right to complain.
I grew up in upstate New York and up until the last 5 years I have lived in cold weather climates. I never got used to it. In fact, it got worse in the last few years. That's because of my hypothryoid problems though. Still, I'd prefer a nice 30 degree day with sunshine and no wind to this horrible rain we've been having. Today is sunny here. Yay!!! (So what am I doing inside on-line with my lightbox on?)
Your dad is such a character!! I can't believe anyone could ski in -60 degree weather and while moving up the ski lift?????
> -- That's too bad about the niacinamide. I know you don't like benzos, but maybe you can ask your pdoc about a VERY small script just to help quell the start-up anxiety so that you can try to titrate to a therapeutic dose. By the way, have you had your thyroid function tested recently? Maybe your thyroid med needs to be adjusted. Also, is Remeron completely off the table? I don't blame you for holding off on the Wellbutrin trial. You are wise.
My doctor already prescribed Xanax for me. I have it here. I've only taken one half of a pill so far. It helped me sleep one night. I think you're right that I may need to take benzos for a while so I can get on the Zoloft. I think I'm going to try increasing the doxepin by a quarter of a pill every few days. That might help me do it without benzos. We'll see. Remeron isn't completely off of the table either but I am afraid of the weight gain. I'm also considering clomipramine at least temporarily.
> -- I agree with you. If I hadn't stumbled across Psychobabble, I would have never known just how common it is. Like you, I am beginning to forgive myself. Although we don't always believe it, we can't always control these things. It's so hard to forgive ourselves, yet so easy to forgive others. We are our own worst enemies sometimes.
Exactly right! We feel we have to be perfect but we cut others lots of slack. I read that that attitude is the ultimate in arrogance because on some level we feel we have to be better than everyone else. I am just beginning to forgive myself. I have a long way to go to be truly accepting of myself.
> -- I have always worried about letting others down and disappointing them. I know now, at least I think I do, that I was really only disappointing myself. When I first got sick, I was really ignoring the deleterious effects the iron deficiency was having on my physical and mental health. So, instead of letting my body heal, I kept pushing myself to exercise, socialize, and just generally keep very busy. I was treating my recovery as if I was treating only an agitated depression. And, all I ended up doing was making myself more physically exhausted and more depressed and anxious. Once I started taking it easy and accepting my temporary limitations, I started to feel a bit better. But, then there was the bad reaction to Depo and then the fractured wrist and resulting surgery. But now, I am hoping that I can move forward and regain my enthusiasm and energy. Time will tell I guess.
You didn't know. You thought that pushing yourself was the way to go. Now you know better and you're taking the appropriate action. You've been through a lot lately. It takes its toll. It's good that you're giving yourself the time to heal and working on your issues.
> -- I haven't. But, thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out. I have been reading "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron, on the recommendation of my pdoc. I had put it aside for a while, but I am going to finish it in the next few days (it is a very short book).
Do you think this book you're reading now is helpful? Would you recommend it? I don't know much about the Eckhart Tolle book other than the fact that many people I know have raved about it. I'm very curious. Can't wait to pick it up later today along with the Dr. Braverman book mentioned in the CES thread.
> -- I'm worried about her. I had a follow-up appointment with her in late November to have my iron levels checked again, and she seemed to be fine. I just don't know what could have happened. She has always been really fiesty - a real go-getter. Mind you, she was somewhat of an "A" type personality and she was overweight and always seemed to have a diet coke in her hand. So, who knows. I am going to send her a card to let her know my thoughts are with her (I am one of those card people). It always freaks her out, but she is used to me (I send her thank yous once in a while and Christmas cards). I am going to have to make some calls to try to find a doctor in my area who is taking patients. That's a drag!Unfortunately people can have serious conditions and you wouldn't know by looking at them. Has she closed her practice forever or is she just taking a break with the possibility of coming back? I'm sure she'd appreciate the card. That's very sweet of you.
Wishing you all the best,
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:456548
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050224/msgs/462798.html