Forum for Health Issues?

[eternaloptimist]

I wish there were a section (can someone suggest an existing one?) where we could share health/vitamin tips on dealing with the anxiety and other emotional issues that DBing brings.

For example, I carry Bach Rescue Remedy with me at all times and just got a specific tincture to help me stay calm and think rationally. I think I'm addicted to it now. I also just spent $100 at the natural health store buying vitamins and some other natural medicines to help me cope. Would love to hear what other ppl might be using.

I keep losing so much weight. (Sorry to anyone else struggling w/this...I'm very sensitive to dieting struggles, so I don't mean to offend anyone.) I have constant nausea from all of this turmoil. So I just don't feel like eating anything...ever...not even a sandwich. So far, I've dropped 28 lbs. since February. I've barely tried to diet, just doing my normal yoga and weight lifting. I'm working out w/Body Pump, which I absolutely adore. I have been overweight since having our son, so this is at least a silver lining in everything.

[Silver Fox]

Hi there eternal,

Save your money and stick with yoga and weight lifting. Add walking, swimming, or biking a few times a week. I was a size 6 when the bomb dropped and now am a size 4. I was sick alot too in the beginning - threw up my breakfast many mornings.

It will get better. Awareness is the first step. It helps me to plan my meals for the week. Do not leave any night up to chance or you won't eat anything. Even crackers, cheese, and an apple are better than nothing.

Hope this helps! Stay strong.

[aliveandkicking]

F*ck, it kills me sometimes to see so many people going through this. Thank God, the knives and nausea have subsided. It WILL get better. I have taken some natural supplements by Medi Herb (may need to get from a practitioner). Nevaton and Rhodiola & Ginseng Complex. I have NO idea if they helped...just too jacked up to know what helped and didn't. I've been taking Evening primrose when I'm hormonal but again, it is hard to tell.

Eating was so hard and still my appetite is funky. I used to be vegan, now if I can get a couple slices of turkey, I'm feeling alright. I can eat a whole meal now.

Sounds like you're exercising so that's good.

Also write a lot and read. I like Ekhart Tolle and I've devoured the self-help. Now that I'm doing a bit better, I'm broadening genres but in the beginning I just had to lean on faith and read anything that could give me hope. I'm not religious at all but I got on my knees plenty of times and still do when the spirit moves me...just have to surrender sometimes.

[mnt_dreams]

I used to throw up a lot too. I'd just get to crying so hard that it all came up. Lost 15 lbs and almost every day someone asks how I lost the weight so fast. I can say now that I don't do that much, and hopefully you'll get more control over your emotions as well... it's just so hard after the bomb drops.

I agree with the others - keep up with your exercising... that's the best thing you can do for yourself. Since you already exercise, maybe this is the time to try something different - out of your comfort zone! A&K suggested reading - I agree. Whatever you enjoy, something you can lose track of time reading... it will help.

My C and Dr suggested antidepressants. I didn't think I needed it, but scored high enough on the depression questionnaire that they put me on AD - and I will admit it has made a big difference! I cry less, think more clearly, function better at work. I'm a believer.

[aliveandkicking]

I caved and tried an AD and had a terrible reaction (really got suicidal and couldn't stop crying for 24 hours)...so, I turned to exercise and it helped. It was suggested I try another AD but I was too scared. If, however, things didn't improve some, I would have had to try another one. You've got to be able to function and take care of kids etc.

[orangedog]

- Exercise: Mostly short and intense sessions. Long drawn out things (2hrs +) tend to cause me Blue Mondays.

- Sleep

- Get out more, socialize

- Marking things off the to-do list

- Avoid alcohol (or try to)

- Talk therapy

- Mindfulness training (Eastern and Western)

- Multivitamin including lots of b vitamins.

- Treating myself (clothes, chocolate, tea, etc.)

- Fish Oil: 2000mg/day (Rx'd. omega-3 helps depression/bipolar and has many other positive health effects)

- Vitamin D: 4000iu/day minimum (Rx'd. I live north and was confirmed deficient.)

- Get labs done once a year. Make sure there isn't a physical cause.

- Rx's for depression: Yes. I've been dealing with depression (dysthymia) for years. The first ADs I took were prescribed by family doctor. They provided some relief but I didn't get to the root of the problem and full relief until I consulted a psychiatrist. Family docs do what they can but most just don't have the time to make a good dx or the experience to prescribe the right med.

Rx's take a lot of experience plus some trial and error to get right. Don't settle for partial relief. Don't put up with lots of side effects. Keep working until you get it right. Learn about your problem. Learn about the Rx's. Ask lots of questions. If you don't feel comfortable then find someone else.

Rx's are not a cure-all. They just get you on even ground so you can fight life's problems.

DB-ing. - Yes, I feel dbing has been an effective method of making my life more positive. People have said I seem happier.