Carmie: accidently doubling up on Seroquel one day while tapering

[Carmie]

Okay, still excited!!

 

Am in a window. Cranking up Twenty One Pilots on my boombox. I hope everyone makes the most of their windows. Pleeeeeae when you’re in a window don’t be too excited to taper again as soon as possible. It’s not worth it. We need to live as well. 

 

Have a break every now now and again. It feels so good not to be in a wave for a while.

 

Wishing everyone the best in this horrific journey 💚💚💚💚💚

 

 

 

 

[bubbles]

Glad to hear you're feeling well. Enjoy!

[Carmie]

Just now, bubbles said:

Glad to hear you're feeling well. Enjoy!

 

Thank u so much bubbles for your kind words, it means a lot.

 

This really is the fight of our live, sending you a big hug🤗

[Carmie]

Okay, off to bed soon, 

 

Just wanted to say windows do come after each taper. When, we never know, but they do eventually come. I’m in one now. 

 

It took me about two and a half months or so since my last taper. Can’t think exact numbers at the moment, have a CFS brain and  too tired to check my diary, my bed is calling😀.

 

Hang in there everyone. We may feel like we will never get off these meds, me included. We can do this though, it’s just a really long and stressful process but one of these days we will all be success stories. Whether it takes a couple of years or another ten years, we will get there!! 

 

Good night one and all🌔💚

[DMV64]

So glad you are feeling good! Enjoy!! You are an inspiration!

[DaveB]

4 hours ago, Carmie said:

Okay, off to bed soon, 

 

Just wanted to say windows do come after each taper. When, we never know, but they do eventually come. I’m in one now. 

 

It took me about two and a half months or so since my last taper. Can’t think exact numbers at the moment, have a CFS brain and  too tired to check my diary, my bed is calling😀.

 

Hang in there everyone. We may feel like we will never get off these meds, me included. We can do this though, it’s just a really long and stressful process but one of these days we will all be success stories. Whether it takes a couple of years or another ten years, we will get there!! 

 

Good night one and all🌔💚

 

So glad you are feeling much better and you have an infectious positive attitude. KEEP IT UP!

[Carmie]

On 5/23/2018 at 9:41 PM, DMV64 said:

So glad you are feeling good! Enjoy!! You are an inspiration!

 

Hi all my fellow warriors on this forum,

 

Just wanted to say I’m thinking of you all and hope you are all coping with this horrific trial we’re going through. 

 

Im still in a window withdrawal wise but CFS has been bad so I have no brainpower to do much reading. Massive brain fog!!! 

 

Thank you for your kind words DMV and Dave, and those that have private messaged me, I really appreciate it. I will get to your threads again some time next week when my brain is functioning a bit better.

 

Anxiety levels are low but my brain is struggling to work. I’ve lived with this for over twenty years. 

 

While in a window though I’ve got a goal to have different friends over for lunch each week for the next few months, before I start to taper again. That doesn’t take too much brain power.

 

Thinking of u all and sending BIG BIG HUGS xxxxxx

On 5/24/2018 at 1:32 AM, DaveB said:

 

So glad you are feeling much better and you have an infectious positive attitude. KEEP IT UP!

 

[Rosetta]

Carmie, That's a great attitude.  What a good idea to have your friends over.

[Carmie]

Just documenting this. 

 

Be careful with different syringes etc. Today I am feeling withdrawals again, nothing major but weird after being in a window for a small while. I got some new syringes from the same place I always get them n I measured them just now and they are very different in measurement to the ones I’ve been using. 

 

The discrepancy was over two ml of water in the 20ml of water I use. I’ve only been doing this for two days so I’ll get back on track. 

 

I just measured the cylinders as well that I’ll be using in a few months time. I bought two different ones n they are both different too. I have to make sure that I use the right one. 

 

Just beware everyone. 

 

Hope you’re all doing as best you can, Sending hugs🤗🤗

[Altostrata]

Understood, Carmie. Being consistent in your method is important. That way, if you're using an inaccurate measuring device, it will be equally inaccurate every time you use it. You know what to expect!

 

By the way, are the syringes the same size and brand?

[Carmie]

19 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Understood, Carmie. Being consistent in your method is important. That way, if you're using an inaccurate measuring device, it will be equally inaccurate every time you use it. You know what to expect!

 

By the way, are the syringes the same size and brand?

 

Hi Alto, they are 5ml syringes n I just put water in them four times to make up my 20mg. 

 

The last couple of syringes I bought  looked different to the ones I usually buy, so I should have known better n not used them. I’m not sure if they still make the ones I have been using.

 

I still have one of those old ones left so I’ve used it to measure how much water to put in the cylinder and then I’ll measure my water in the cylinder from now on. 

 

Four 5ml syringes come to just over 20ml in the cylinder. The other cylinder was way off, I threw it in the bin. 

 

When i eventually microtaper in a few months I will be using 300ml of water with a 7.5mg compounded capsule of Seroquel.

 

At the moment I’m crushing a 25mg tablet but I’m down to 7.5mg.

 

Thanks for checking in with me Alto, much appreciated 💚

[Carmie]

13 hours ago, Rosetta said:

Carmie, That's a great attitude.  What a good idea to have your friends over.

 

Thank you for your message Rosetta, I just saw that you have so many symptoms happening at the moment. I’m soooo sorry. I hope they die down a little soon. 

 

Yes, I thought while I’m in a window I’ll do all the things I can’t do when I’m in a wave. I have a balanced attitude about everything though as I’m used to being balanced with my illness. In the next two or three months I’m having friends over for a meal every week. Haven’t been able to do that in a while as been so sick in waves. Making the most of it before I taper again. 

 

I’ve had small waves today but it’s because the syringes I’ve been using the last two days haven’t been the same. I measured them and boy, they differ. The medical profession really isn’t on our side. 

 

I really warn everyone out here to be careful if u use different syringes or cylinders as they can vary soooooo much!!

 

Ive already organised for friends to come for lunch this week and next week. 

 

Next weekend I’m going to stay with a friend too, going to make chicken kebabs n get her cousin, whom she lives with, to put them on the bbq.  He’s the bbq king😂. Going to sit around the fire pit n just chill out. My friend n I might go to a sports club too n have dinner n a little bit of a dance. 

 

Let’s hope the last two days of using different syringes doesn’t affect me too much. 

 

Sending you much love Rosetta 💚

 

 

 

 

[Carmie]

Just one last thought for the day.

 

Pleeeease make sure if you change syringes and cylinders that you make sure the measurements are the same as the last instruments you used. 

 

It doesn’t matter if they are totally accurate, as Alto said, but you really have to keep using the same measurements and Instruments, or if they are no longer available to make sure you measure your instruments to the old ones. 

 

I was using syringes for the last two days that weren’t the same as the old ones. Duh! Please check any new instruments. When I measured them to my old ones there were such discrepancies.

 

I’m doing okay but because we are all so extremely sensitive we need to be so accurate with what we do.

 

Wow! This process really takes a lot of thinking and deviation can really cause problems. 

 

Please stay safe everyone💚💚

 

 

[Carmie]

Good morning everyone, 

 

Just been reading some people’s sad stories this morning. I find every now n then that I need to stop reading about everyone’s pain but at the same time it’s great to have the support on here and support one another. 

 

Just thinking about the roller coaster ride we are all on again. It’s up, down, up down....

 

One of these days though the roller coaster will definitely come to a dead stop. For some of us it may be a couple of years, for others, like myself, it will be much longer, but our little roller coaster car will eventually stop. Screeeeeeech!!

 

The first rays of sunshine☀️this morning made me think too that one day that’s how are lives will be. The darkness n the gloominess will be gone and we can once again bask in the sun. 

 

Hope everyone here today manages as best they can. This is one bumpy n gloomy ride, but it won’t be like this firever💚💚💚

[Carmie]

I just read Apathetic’s thread under symptoms n self care.

 

It’s entitled Victim Mentality.

 

Well worth a read💚

[Rabe]

Hope you are right Carmie...I hope someday to be able to not only see the sun but sit in it and walk in it and play in it again...right now the heat just does be no favors at all...but the sun is none the less beautiful and short trips outside are so lovely!!!

[Carmie]

10 minutes ago, Rabe said:

Hope you are right Carmie...I hope someday to be able to not only see the sun but sit in it and walk in it and play in it again...right now the heat just does be no favors at all...but the sun is none the less beautiful and short trips outside are so lovely!!!

 

Hey Rabe, 

 

Hope you’re coping okay. 

 

I was speaking metaphorically about the sun. 

 

So you have trouble going outdoors in the sun? Just looking out into nature is beautiful though, isn’t it? It’s sunny here most of the year, we don’t have a lot of cold weather. It’s nearly winter n I’m still wearing summer clothes most of the time. 

 

I love a few months of cold weather though because when you’re sick it’s lovely getting cozy in front of the heater. We had a slight rain shower just now, loooove the rain, that too gives a nice cozy feel.

 

While I’m in a bit of a window I’m going to have friends around every week for lunch. My friends are always inviting me to places and contacting me so I’m going to have them over weekly for  the next few months. Going to have different friends over every week. I really appreciate my support system, they are so caring. 

 

I’m not in a 100% window, maybe 70%. Still have some withdrawal symptoms but they are pretty bareable. Yay! Woke up this morning shaking but it went away. I’ve had that symptom though from the Seroquel even when I wasn’t withdrawing. These drugs are powerful. 

 

Going to do some cooking today for my visitors tomorrow. Haven’t had friends over for a couple of months since going through waves, but I did organise a big party at a friend’s place one night. It was so weird as I’d been in a daily windows n waves situation for months but the weekend I stayed at my friend’s place n had the party I was mainly in a window. Good timing!😃

 

Take care Rabe and thanks for dropping by💚💚

 

 

 

 

[Petunia]

Hi Carmie,

I've been away from the site for a while, its lovely to come back and read your thread full of acceptance and optimism. Thank you for spreading your wonderful attitude around the site with your supportive posts for others.

[Rabe]

Hi Carmie,

And it was a beautiful metaphor and a beautiful post!  I guess I was thinking that I miss not only the metaphorical sun but the warmth of the sun itself d/t the meds and the consequential electrolyte issues...so all kind of wraps up in one.   It will, none the less, be a lovely day when this journey is complete...I actually think about it at times which is, in essence, hope...something that has started to break through the dark and gloom you speak of ...kind of melts it...like the sun melts the snow before spring brings new growth.  The little advances are such treasures!

I have been feeling better than I have in quite a while...able to spend time with family and friends and get togethers without the difficulty I had just a week or so ago...am reaching out to more friends than I had been..the shame and guilt has been such an anchor...so trying to hit that anchor!!  Much to be grateful for!!!  Don't know how long it will continue but I am going to enjoy all the special moments it is bringing.  Thank you for your beautiful note!  And for the reading recommendation...going to read the Victim Mentality..thanks for sharing it!  

Sounds like you are going to have some lovely weeks ahead!!!  SO happy for you Carmie...such a gift!!!!  BLESSINGS AND HUGS!!

[Rabe]

Hi Carmie, thinking about you!  Hope things are going well.  Thank you for saying the times you tapered too soon you paid for it. Needed to hear that!!

[Carmie]

On 5/28/2018 at 1:02 PM, Petunia said:

Hi Carmie,

I've been away from the site for a while, its lovely to come back and read your thread full of acceptance and optimism. Thank you for spreading your wonderful attitude around the site with your supportive posts for others.

 

Hi Petunia, 

 

Thank you so much for your kind message. That really warms my heart. I must say I’m not always positive 😁😜 but I try my best.  Everyone is in the same boat here, we are all in the fight for  our lives. 

 

The thing is we can’t change it, all we can do is accept it and try and work through it the best that we can. We will eventually get there one of these days. It’s a day at a time n when waves are severe it’s a minute at a time n my motto is always: Distraction! Distraction! Distraction! 

 

In those severe waves we just have to make it through each day, we may hardly accomplish anything for the day but we survived it. That’s always a plus! 

 

Hope you’re having a good day💚💚💚

 

 

2 hours ago, Rabe said:

Hi Carmie, thinking about you!  Hope things are going well.  Thank you for saying the times you tapered too soon you paid for it. Needed to hear that!!

 

Hi Rabe,

Thanks for popping by. I haven’t been able to do much reading the last few days because of bad CFS brain fog but I’m okay withdrawal wise. Still in a window.

 

I’m glad you’ve been able to spend time with family n friends and that you have a lot to be grateful for, I’m the same. I try to keep looking at my blessings. I used to write down what I was grateful for daily and there are tons of things. Maybe I should start a gratitude journal again. 

 

I remember a couple of articles saying just write down three things a day that youre grateful for but once I started there were more than three a day. 

 

Had friends over over for lunch yesterday, made a Thai curry, I love the red Thai curry, I don’t eat grains but I made rice for everyone else. It’s nice to have an interchange of encouragement with friends. Making the most of having friends over for meals while I’m in a window. I like to show my friends how much I appreciate them, as they’re always there for me. 

 

Nearly everyone is struggling with something and it’s good to take the focus away from ourselves sometimes and be there for our friends too. Helping others is really a fantastic coping tool when going through withdrawals. It’s helped me a lot, as it gives you inner contentment.

 

Hope youre doing okay today and thanks again for popping by, sending hugs🤗🤗🤗

[Carmie]

Hi there everyone, 

 

How are we all faring today?

 

I’m very happy I was able to get the same syringes I have been using all along. Went to a different chemist, one that I got them from in the past n they still make them. Woohoo! 

 

I used a different brand for two days that I got from the chemist around the corner from me, and I’m glad that after the two days I measured them against an old syringe I still had. Went straight back to the old one I still had. I reuse my syringes until I can’t see the writing on the outside anymore. 

 

I grabbed the ten or so syringes that I could today, and I ordered another fifty. I’m stockpiling!😂 Will order another fifty when I pick those up. 

 

When I taper next I’ll be using cylinders to measure 300ml of water but I still need the syringes to take out the bit of water I need to each day. 

 

Had a lovely morning catching up with a friend in the City. We all need one another for the encouragement, and a laugh. Encouraging others and giving of ourselves makes us happy too. We need to find as many things as we can that can give us a little bit of happiness. 

 

I bought some toys to give to my friend’s children. I know millions of kids😁. It’s nice to see kids faces glow when you think of them. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive, just something that you know that that particular kid would like. Got the cutest, soft cushion with a cat’s face on it for a four year old. It makes me happy to give and I think we all need to do things that give us some inner contentment. We may feel like we’re not even on this planet some days but there are still small things we can do. 

 

When we’re in windows, whether it’s a full day, an hour or a couple of hours, we need to do things that will give us nice memories.

Then when we are in a wave and feel like we can’t do a lot we have some nice things to look back on, and it gives us hope that there will be more times like this.

 

Make some nice memories everyone, sending big, big hugs🤗🤗🤗

 

 

 

 

[Hazel]

Sending hugs back to you Carmie🤗

[Survivor1]

On 5/27/2018 at 10:02 PM, Petunia said:

Thank you for spreading your wonderful attitude around the site with your supportive posts for others.

 

I second that!  I hope some of your sparkle dusts off on me!

[Dan998]

16 hours ago, Carmie said:

 

I’m very happy I was able to get the same syringes I have been using all along. Went to a different chemist, one that I got them from in the past n they still make them. Woohoo! 

 

It's very important to be consistent with everything we do with regards to tapering. The slightest change can make a huge difference. It's good that you quickly spotted this possible issue with the syringes. I actually used the same syringe throughout my 2 year taper. The measuring lines started to wear off and I had to carve permanent ones into the plastic with a sharp knife.

[Rabe]

Same to you Carmie!!!  Thank you for all your thoughts and insights!!

[Carmie]

On 6/1/2018 at 3:28 AM, Survivor1 said:

 

I second that!  I hope some of your sparkle dusts off on me!

 

Hi there Survivor, 

 

I’m sure we all have some sparkle dust on us, some days it’s a bit harder to find than other days.

 

I had trouble getting into my account here as my password didn’t match, but I’m back in. Yay!

 

How’s your sparkle going today? If you can’t find it just go to the art store n buy some n sprinkle it around😃. I love novelty, Im a big kid at heart. 

 

I’m still in a window and having a break from tapering, though I do still have symptoms like the shakes in the morning n continual tingling in my legs etc etc, but they’re all bearable symptoms. 

 

While I’m in this window I am making happy memories, so that when I’m in a wave again I have lovely memories to look back on.

 

I like to make my life fun, even when I’m not doing so well, even in waves. There are still small things we can do. I like novelty. I like making other people’s lives fun too. Had friends for lunch yesterday, we played air hockey n danced around the loungeroom. We even did the chicken dance, by request from one of my friends.🐔😃

 

There’s so much pain in this journey, it’s good to have a good laugh here n there.

 

Keep on surviving Survivor, we will get there in the end💚

 

On 6/1/2018 at 12:36 AM, Hazel said:

Sending hugs back to you Carmie🤗

 

Thanks for the hugs Hazel, 

 

They are always appreciated. I see you’re having times where your anxiety isn’t too bad. 

 

That’s great news💚

 

On 6/1/2018 at 8:24 AM, Dan998 said:

 

It's very important to be consistent with everything we do with regards to tapering. The slightest change can make a huge difference. It's good that you quickly spotted this possible issue with the syringes. I actually used the same syringe throughout my 2 year taper. The measuring lines started to wear off and I had to carve permanent ones into the plastic with a sharp knife.

 

You’re right there Dan, 

 

We definitely need to be consistent in everything we do. The smallest thing can affect us so much. 

 

Wow! You used the same syringe throughout your taper. That’s one super syringe!! 

 

Take care, sending hugs your way🤗

On 6/2/2018 at 3:33 PM, Rabe said:

Same to you Carmie!!!  Thank you for all your thoughts and insights!!

 

Thanks for your hugs too Rabe, 

 

It’s amazing what we learn in this process, isn’t it?

 

We need to find so many different strategies n coping techniques to keep on going.

 

I think putting fun n novelty in your life is still important even if we feel like we can’t keep on going. We may be numb, we may be in a wave but it’s important to look forward.

 

If we are in a major wave and can’t do anything, maybe we can make plans for when we’re in a window again. I love Pinterest, get so many fun ideas there.

 

Hope you’re coping okay today 💚

[Rabe]

♥️ to you Carmie!!!  Enjoy the memory making!!!

[Songbird]

Hi Carmie. Your positive attitude is very inspiring -  finding fun things to do, even tiny little things when you're in a rough patch. 

 

I think it's good to hold for longer now and then to have some time off from tapering.  It helps to remind us how our bodies can recover.  I'm also holding for a while as I still have a few symptoms and can't get rid of this stupid cold! 😡

[Carmie]

8 minutes ago, Songbird said:

Hi Carmie. Your positive attitude is very inspiring -  finding fun things to do, even tiny little things when you're in a rough patch. 

 

I think it's good to hold for longer now and then to have some time off from tapering.  It helps to remind us how our bodies can recover.  I'm also holding for a while as I still have a few symptoms and can't get rid of this stupid cold! 😡

 

I totally agree with you Songbird, 

 

We need these holds to keep our sanity. I’m really sick with a chronic illness n then with withdrawals on top of that, it can be quite overwhelming.

 

I’m trying to read some more threads today but my brain fog from CFS is pretty bad. One can only do what one can do. 

 

Had a nice weekend, stayed with a friend. I made chicken kebabs. Yummy! We put them on the bbq. We all sat around a fire pit. Looove watching fire. Lovely things to look back on when we are in a wave. Also went for a little dance at a Sports Club. Before the main act there was a guitarist playing all the kind of songs I love. He played everything from Simon n Garfunkel to Coldplay. Coldplay are great in concert. 

 

Music is great when you’re going through withdrawals. I’ve always been a big music fan. The last concert I went to was Imagine Dragons, I’ve got tickets to see Mental As Anything (an 80s Australian band) and Celine Dion.

 

Had fun with friends at my place for lunch yesterday. We danced to fun songs, I have to sit down all the time though as I don’t have much strength, but having a laugh n acting silly is good for the soul.

 

My motto has always been: Distraction! Distraction! Distraction! when going through waves.

 

I have another motto now too when I’m in a window, no matter how small: Make Memories!! 

 

We need to keep doing things we love, spending time with the people we love, so that when we’re in a wave we have some happy things to look back on. 

 

This in turn, helps us to see that we will have more of these happy times. 

 

Hope you get over your cold soon Songbird 💚

 

2 hours ago, Rabe said:

♥️ to you Carmie!!!  Enjoy the memory making!!!

 

Thanks Rabe, 

 

I will. Having another friend over for lunch tomorrow.

 

I want to go to Australia Zoo again within a month or so. They have meerkats there now. Haven’t been in years. I saw Steve Irwin a few times feeding the crocodiles many years ago, I think I’ve been about six times but it’s been ages. 

 

I am a massive nature and animal fan. I think it is very healing and soothing to be in nature. 

 

When in withdrawls it’s something positive to focus on. A friend of mine, a teenage girl, gave me the most beautiful bunch of flowers this week. It really warmed my heart and the lillies haven’t all opened up as yet, so I’m looking forward to seeing that happen.💐

 

I’ve been pretty much stuck in bed today because of my illness but I keep focusing on all my blessings. 

 

I’m watching Gilmore Girls and crocheting. Looove Gilmore Girls. Love quirky n fun people. I don’t think there is such a thing as normal, we all have different characteristics and it’s fun to see how different we all are. If we were all the same we might as well talk to ourselves😁

 

As regards memory making, I’ve always been a photoholic too, way before the digital age. It’s fun to look back at the happy times you’ve had and I especially like taking photos of nature. 

 

When I was in a wave once I was so numb and couldn’t find the joy in anything but I saw these amazing yellow flowers and I just had to go over there and take a photo. I actually felt the first bit of joy in a while. Even when I’ve been in waves I’ve forced myself at times to take photos as it kind of helps in a way. Photography is a part of me, it helps me to put the world in pictures.

 

💚💚💚💚💚

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Carmie]

Hi one and all, 

 

How are we all faring today? 

 

Today I’ve been pondering on making our home surroundings as cheery as possible.

 

This journey is a really dark journey where a lot of the time it seems the sun has disappeared. 

 

I feel personally we need to make our homes happy places even though we are suffering. 

 

There are are so many things we can do in this regard. I love those flickering candle lights that work on batteries, they produce beautiful atmosphere. Fairy lights are great too. 

 

Put things on your walls that make you happy, that you can look at when you’re barely able to do anything else. Get paintings n posters you like, or better yet when you feel up to it get some canvases n acrylic paints n paint lots of lovely colours to look at.

 

Or paint encouraging saying that you like, so when you’re lying down you have happy things to look at. 

 

Get a nice jug jug and fill it up with water n lemon juice and throw in the lemon peel to make it look pretty. Keep topping it up n drink it all day. I buy fun straws with umbrellas and honeycomb fruit and flamingos. 

 

Get some comfy around round the house clothes, ones you really love and that make you smile. Ones that are really comfy. Get happy pyjamas with funny things on them. Be a big kid. 

 

Get the soaps you love. I love sandalwood and lemon myrtle. 

 

If its winter get the most comfy, fluffy pair of socks. Enjoy the glow of the heater or fire. 

 

Plants are great. Buy some flowers every now and again. A friend bought me the most beautiful bunch this week, it brightened my day.

 

The list is endless. It can go on n on and on.

 

Please feel free to share what makes your home happy and fun and bright and comfy if you like.

 

Big hugs to every one of you🤗🤗🤗🤗

 

 

[RealMe]

14 hours ago, Carmie said:

Please feel free to share what makes your home happy and fun and bright and comfy if you like.

 

Big hugs to every one of you🤗🤗🤗🤗

Thanks for checking on me, Carmie.  I can relate to your benzo experience.  I CT'd off valium years ago, and it was a disaster.  You would think that would have warned me about taking psychiatric "medications."  But no, I was fixated on an idea that there was something wrong with my brain or chemistry.  I am AMA (against medical advice) detoxing from prescribed medications; and although it's not a walk in the park, I am succeeding with the help and support I've found here from people like you, new friend!

 

You have lots of creative and fun ideas!  I agree it's so important to find new ways to deal with feelings and symptoms.  Recently I planted flowers in my garden, and it cheers me to watch them bloom and grow.  Yellow hyacinths, multi-color petunias, salmon New Guinea impatiens, and yellow begonias.  I feel like I appreciate this spring more than any other in my life.  It's like I'm coming back to life.  I also like to watch my granddaughters play softball and soccer.  Inside the house, I'm working on keeping the bathrooms and kitchen cleaner and making my bed.  (baby steps)

xo RM

 

 

[Happy2Heal]

what wonderful ideas Carmie!! I look around my house and it's not very cheery or 'homey' and I know I need to do something about that, but -

funny thing: I no longer know what things make me happy!

right now being around cheerful and supportive people gives me the biggest boost in mood.

I'm not usually happy to be home alone, so maybe if I make my place look more inviting, that will help

 

thanks so much for stopping by my thread, I appreciate it!! 

[Carmie]

On 6/9/2018 at 10:16 AM, RealMe said:

Thanks for checking on me, Carmie.  I can relate to your benzo experience.  I CT'd off valium years ago, and it was a disaster.  You would think that would have warned me about taking psychiatric "medications."  But no, I was fixated on an idea that there was something wrong with my brain or chemistry.  I am AMA (against medical advice) detoxing from prescribed medications; and although it's not a walk in the park, I am succeeding with the help and support I've found here from people like you, new friend!

 

You have lots of creative and fun ideas!  I agree it's so important to find new ways to deal with feelings and symptoms.  Recently I planted flowers in my garden, and it cheers me to watch them bloom and grow.  Yellow hyacinths, multi-color petunias, salmon New Guinea impatiens, and yellow begonias.  I feel like I appreciate this spring more than any other in my life.  It's like I'm coming back to life.  I also like to watch my granddaughters play softball and soccer.  Inside the house, I'm working on keeping the bathrooms and kitchen cleaner and making my bed.  (baby steps)

xo RM

 

 

 

Your garden sounds beautiful RealMe, 

 

It’s so important to surround yourself with things that you love and that cheer you. I’m glad your garden cheers you, We need to do all we can to cheer us in this process. It really is tough. 

 

I looove flowers,  a friend brought me some flowers recently and I love going to parks..I want to go to the botanic gardens again soon. I only have a small balcony so don’t have my own flowers, but maybe I could put a few flowers in pots  there. I have two small trees on the balcony. We feed the birds that come every day, they love their mince.

 

I’m a bit of a photoholic, I was one before the digital age and I love taking photos of flowers and nature. That’s something else that gives me pleasure. Even when I’ve been extremely anhedonic I would still take my camera with me. 

 

Good on you for doing the baby steps with your housework. I’m on top of mine at the moment but when I’m in big waves it’s so much harder. Have you ever checked out the FlyLady website. She’s all about baby steps. She has excellent tips, and gives you one little thing to do each day on top of the basics so you never have to springclean. I haven’t been following her recently but it’s one of my goals to start again. 

 

I don’t like having lots of stuff, I get rid of things if I don’t use them and I only keep clothes I actually wear etc. When you’re in a wave and can’t think at all it makes it so much easier to find things. Housework becomes a little less overwhelming.  I need to do another clean out soon, I try and do a clean out every few months. 

 

Enjoy your gardening 💚💚

 

On 6/9/2018 at 10:09 PM, Happy2Heal said:

what wonderful ideas Carmie!! I look around my house and it's not very cheery or 'homey' and I know I need to do something about that, but -

funny thing: I no longer know what things make me happy!

right now being around cheerful and supportive people gives me the biggest boost in mood.

I'm not usually happy to be home alone, so maybe if I make my place look more inviting, that will help

 

thanks so much for stopping by my thread, I appreciate it!! 

 

Hi Happy2Heal, 

 

Yes, it’s such a good idea to make your home fun and comfy and inviting. I’m sorry you don’t feel comfy at home. I love my home, I’m continually trying to think of things to make it more happy. It has to be as happy as possible because when I’m going through waves the last thing I want is to wake up in depressing surroundings.

 

Your recovery story is so encouraging and it gives everyone on here hope. I am extremely happy you’re doing so well. 

 

I’m glad you have cheerful and supportive friends too. I do too. This Friday I’m going to see a band I love, Mental As Anything, with a friend, they’re an Australian 80s band, have seen them before. Now that will be a cheery night, their music is such fun. Only the original lead singer is still in the band but that’s all that matters as it’s the same voice. As long as the other band members can do the instrumentals it’s all good. 

 

Music is something that has helped me get through waves too, a great distraction. Booking concerts always gives me happy anticipation even if I’m not really with it on the night. 

 

Enjoy the company of your cheerful friends and I hope you find some things to make your home happy too.

 

Sending hugs🤗

[Carmie]

My face has been so itchy and I keep breaking out. I’ve read a little about Seroquel and histamines but I need to check it out more deeply when I’m not so braindead. 

 

Just read briefly about antihistamine diets and although I eat really healthy I’ve been eating so many high histamine foods. I don’t eat grains, dairy or junk food etc but I’ve been eating bananas, tomatoes etc and drinking lots of lemon juice. 

 

It might be time for some adjustments in diet again. 

 

Hope everyone is coping as best they can💚💚💚

 

 

[Rabe]

Hi Carmie...I read quite a bit on histamine a while back...but of course can't remember much of it except that it can cause issues.   Good luck with it. Would be interested to know how things go with it! ♥️