DazzlingCold: 20 years on AD

[DazzlingCold]

On 7/20/2022 at 1:14 PM, Ariel said:

@DazzlingCold

I'm glad to hear you are resting and taking gentle care of yourself ❤️

 

 

The pressure we put on ourselves, the critical self-talk and "try, try, try" can be seen as WD symptoms in and of themselves.

Sometimes it helps me to remember that (when I do remember). 

 

 

The reason I thought that is because of your second post here in your intro topic: 

 

 

That's what I was referring to, just FYI. 

To me this reads like a fast taper from 20 -> 0 within 5 months, which is why I thought it could be helpful to include in your drug sig.

 

 

I'm relieved to hear this. Especially about the dog 😉

 

 

Sounds wise, Dazz ❤️

You got this. 

Sending hugs and healing vibes ❤️

 

Thank you @Ariel !! Hugs to you too. How have you been my friend?

[DazzlingCold]

On 7/21/2022 at 2:50 AM, Ariel said:

 

Oh I know, right? I have had versions of this same thought many times! That I don't want to deal with perimenopause in WD, and I also don't want to have WD so long that right when it's ending, guess what, I land right in the throes of perimenopause ... 

Oh well. Nothing I can do about it, so I don't think about it (the thoughts come and go, I don't dwell on them). 

I feel relieved to hear that you have had similar thoughts, though, it's quite comforting to know I'm not alone. Thank you for sharing! 

 

 

Btw do you know the menstrual cycle tracker app Clue? 

I use that one, it's the best. 

I have not. Im going to check it out. As women, we are much more cyclical than men. It’s a journey in itself. I like being a woman though

i hear you on the menopause thoughts. I was diagnosed with per menopause already but by a clinic that sells hormone replacement therapy so I have my doubts, but the struggle during PMS points straight to it. I, too, don’t want to cross the bridge until I get there. Better enjoy while we can. 

[Ariel]

9 hours ago, DazzlingCold said:

Oh, i get you now. Then, yes. That was a fast taper to 0. Ive done tapers like that in the last decades, not knowing what I know now of course. More of a reason to be careful and go slow now. I will add to signature. Thanks for the feedback 

 

I've done multiple fast tapers and CTs over the decades, too. 

Something I've learned here is that all those previous attempts to come off the drugs may have a cumulative impact on sensitizing the system, possibly complicating WD farther down the line. Possibly, but not certainly (no way to know for sure). 

It's kind of a bummer to read about but it's important information nonetheless, so I include it here (maybe you've already seen it):

 

 

[DazzlingCold]

4 hours ago, Ariel said:

 

I've done multiple fast tapers and CTs over the decades, too. 

Something I've learned here is that all those previous attempts to come off the drugs may have a cumulative impact on sensitizing the system, possibly complicating WD farther down the line. Possibly, but not certainly (no way to know for sure). 

It's kind of a bummer to read about but it's important information nonetheless, so I include it here (maybe you've already seen it):

 

 

Yes ma’am! Read about that. Considering it as I plan on the possible next steps when they happen.

[Ariel]

@DazzlingCold

Thank you for receiving unsolicited info so magnanimously.

I don't mean to be overbearing. 

Sometimes I get overzealous if it seems like someone might be able to avoid the mess I'm in. 

Thanks for being so good about it. 

Appreciative hug <3

 

 

[DazzlingCold]

On 7/24/2022 at 3:31 PM, Ariel said:

@DazzlingCold

Thank you for receiving unsolicited info so magnanimously.

I don't mean to be overbearing. 

Sometimes I get overzealous if it seems like someone might be able to avoid the mess I'm in. 

Thanks for being so good about it. 

Appreciative hug ❤️

 

 

It doesn’t feel overbearing. I am appreciative of the input as it helps keep my mind open, something I highly value. And you offer your perspective so gracefully. Hugs

[DazzlingCold]

On 7/24/2022 at 3:31 PM, Ariel said:

@DazzlingCold

Thank you for receiving unsolicited info so magnanimously.

I don't mean to be overbearing. 

Sometimes I get overzealous if it seems like someone might be able to avoid the mess I'm in. 

Thanks for being so good about it. 

Appreciative hug ❤️

 

 

Oh and I totally hart you on the feeling of avoiding the pain we experience. That’s why I joined this site… to learn. I want to save others of unnecessary pain too lol

[DazzlingCold]

Just now, DazzlingCold said:

Oh and I totally hart you on the feeling of avoiding the pain we experience. That’s why I joined this site… to learn. I want to save others of unnecessary pain too lol

Totally hear*

[DazzlingCold]

 Slept 8 hours last night

 

Date: July 24, 2022

 

6:30am woke up tired

 

7am, breakfast, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg, lexapro 6.8mg, zyrtec 10mg, montelukast 10mg

 

7:30am work

 

12:30pm lunch, Wellbutrin 37mg, 1/5 dose of prenatals

 

5:00pm dinner, fish oil 1300mg, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg

 

9:30pm bed, probiotics 15million, mag glycinate 300mg, lactium 167mg, melatonin .38mg

 

Cycle day 16 folicular phase-ovulation 

 

Good day in general with bad moments. 

[DazzlingCold]

 Slept 6.5 hours last night

 

Date: July 26, 2022

 

6:30am woke up tired

 

7am, breakfast, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg, lexapro 6.8mg, zyrtec 10mg, montelukast 10mg

 

7:30am work

 

12:30pm lunch, Wellbutrin 37mg, 1/4 dose of 

 

4:30 workout

 

6:00pm dinner, fish oil 1300mg, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg

 

9:30pm bed, probiotics 15million, mag glycinate 300mg, lactium 167mg, melatonin .38mg

 

Couldn’t sleep until 1 am

 

Cycle day 17 folicular phase-ovulation 

 

 

As I transition to a vegan lifestyle i am reducing my fish oil until I run out which will be a while. I am doing a slow transition so that I stick to the change long term. Once fish oil is out, or if budget allows before, I will replace that with algae or algae supplements for the omegas.

 

I have been learning a lot about minerals and plants. Ive realized how and why a vegan diet is better in so many ways. Anything provided by the earth (soil) contains more minerals which help our nervous system in many ways including communication through electricity. Because minerals are great conductors. This keeps us healthy in general and helps us cognitively and our brain in general as well working optimally. 

 

By now it should not be a surprise, or a topic considered esoteric, that our body’s and universe function because of energy/electricity as it is pure science. (Even the heart can be revived by electricity.) And when you think of life in terms of frequency, minerals and light foods (non animal that is), are exactly that… light, energy, electricity. So ingesting plant based food which most are mineral rich, we are increasing our frequency. 

 

Some time ago I concluded that we can know what is not good for us by realizing what is not good for the planet in so many senses. Recently, this has clicked in a different way. What is not good for the planet or wild animal life is not good for us because what is not good for life is not good for life. Life is light. Life/light are possible through minerals. When we look at the way life started in the planet, this all makes sense. And, personally, I believe biology and science go hand in hand with spirituality. To me, they are not separate or contradictory. On the contrary, they are the same, and one cannot exist without the other.

 

I have started to appreciate a lot more, with my senses and spirit, fruits and nuts, and vegetables to the point where I no longer think of processed food as actual food. (Not to say I don’t still eat that or animal products as I am doing this transition slowly as I run out of product from animals and highly processed foods). This took me to thinking how cooking with fresh foods is not harder than using processed ones. I had the best slightly cooked broccoli last week and what made it so good was that it was fresh. It  was crunchy but a tad soft. It felt REAL. And, in reality, it’s just as easy to cook as other processed foods. Except that it may not last as long, specially if you just have to feed one person. 

 

Anyways, magic mushrooms opened up my world to nature, specially plants. My sister’s dog opened my world to animal life. Tapering, and rarely drinking alcohol, has probably helped in that I have become more sensitive to cruelty, less tolerant to things and people I don’t like or care for. Im not sure if my empathy for animals would have grown so much had I not been experiencing WD when I saw a video of animal abuse. Of course, my past experiences with abuse when i was defenseless and most vulnerable, as a child, also helped in relating to the voiceless, defenseless beings animals are in the hands of humanity. It’s as if it was bound to happen. 

 

Im not having a great day but the negative feelings aren’t all-consuming. Today, I believe I am exactly where I need to be and that my past has been exactly what it needed to have been. Sending love and peace to all sentient beings (because my animal

fiends count too)

[Ariel]

@DazzlingCold

 

Was just reading this and thought of you (in regards to certain aspects), might be interesting to check out?

Hugs <3

 

 

[Blossom71]

13 hours ago, DazzlingCold said:

Today, I believe I am exactly where I need to be and that my past has been exactly what it needed to have been.

Wow. Brilliant sentence. it brought tears to my eyes as this is true for me too x

[DazzlingCold]

On 7/28/2022 at 3:11 AM, Blossom71 said:

Wow. Brilliant sentence. it brought tears to my eyes as this is true for me too x

Hugs 🤗 

[DazzlingCold]

On 7/28/2022 at 1:59 AM, Ariel said:

@DazzlingCold

 

Was just reading this and thought of you (in regards to certain aspects), might be interesting to check out?

Hugs ❤️

 

 

Very interesting 

i wonder what other peoples topics of focus become during WD. 
Very interesting the reason our minds go one way or the other... WD/disregulation after all, just different topics of concern.

[DazzlingCold]

Im not sure if my journaling my days and times I take my meds serves a purpose lol

im sure I read the reason why but my cognitive abilities, I believe, may have been affected long term by ADs. 
i have a genetic propensity for high COMT activity leading to the fast use of dopamine (and neuropinephrine I believe) which may result in lower cognitive abilities but higher ability to handle stress. 
As I studied my genetics I realized that theres not good or bad genes just like there’s no good or bad personalities. They all have good and bad things about them. So why was a system in mental health invented to pathologize diversity?? It seems to be human to reject diversity in general (male/female, heterosexual/homosexual, “intelligent” beings/other species, etc…) I can only make sense of this by thinking our biology is setup that way to ensure our species evolution and preservation. The more we stick to those we know, or are more powerful or more common (therefore deemed “correct”) the better the chances for survival. This makes sense to me as well.

 

I don’t believe these systems are helping humanity any longer. I believe the less we embrace diversity, the deeper the grave we dig for ourselves. If we cannot appreciate diversity in every sense, we cannot appreciate all of life. Because we don’t appreciate life in different forms, we are killing the planet. If these temperature changes, the many species that have been extinct and in the process of extinction, the fact that we now have micro plastics in our blood, the ocean and earth being so incredibly polluted,  that our foods and products contain so many toxics, the soil is lacking in nutrients, I don’t know what will. 
 

Some of the systems Ive given thought are big agriculture and of course big pharma. There’s so much information being manipulated, covered, etc… for monetary purposes. And im sure many more purposes. Im starting to believe there’s some bad energy beings in this planet (Yes, call me Crazy… although my real name is Carmen lol 😝) that want humanity to remain unconscious. (I have ranted about this in the past as well- can’t remember haaaa) 

 

Although I am not an active advocate of illegal substances, I am open to them as my early life learnings of the screwed up health system had me questioning alternative help. According to a documentary, back in the 60s and 70s psychedelics started to be used as therapy in controlled settings. AND the government stepped in satanizing them. Supposedly there were studies done on MDMA showing negative results and it turns out, the drug actually being dispensed was meth! A drug, later legalized after just modifying a molecule off the original substance. It was known this substance produces negative effects!! Seemingly possibly therapeutic plants, and other synthetic substances, were criminalized and made illegal, while the real bad stuff is being given to everybody and their mothers making them addicted!! And Doctors still prescribe these meds (benzos and variations of amphetamines in particular, but can also include ADs) for a lifetime. I am starting to believe more in conspiracies. This is no coincidence. 
 

That cover big pharma and let’s not even go to the cruel world of big agriculture. Why are we not made aware that animals have nervous system that allow them to experience life in so many different ways that the average person may just not know how to read? Dogs, specially beagles, and other aninals are forcefed pesticides, burned with chemicals, skinned alife, kept in cages that are so small they cannot move, caused muscular distrophy and other diseases, their teeth broken, t

their organs messed with- all with no anestesia, hung in wires through their skin and used as dummies for car accidents (Ford), their fur shaved, feathers plucked causing bleeding to then be rubbed and burned with chemicals, their eyes disintegrated by chemicals, their bones broken, their babies taken away, their legs amputated, not fed, left alone to die after bacteria is festering in their bodies. And the list goes on. They go neurotic and start bitting off their fur, biting cages, rocking, biting themselves. They develop trauma. They have a nervous system. They want to live!

 

Cows and most animals are capable of motherly love. They fight and make sounds when their babies are taken from them. They grief. Giraffes roam around their babies corpses for days after the babies death, in grief. Elephants carry their babies corpses in their back in grief. Cows “scream” in grief when the babies die or when they are taken away too soon. Animals are capable or empathy, even wild crocodiles. They may never be human, they live solely in survival mode.  James Bethany? Said something along the libes of  “Its not a matter of if they can reason or of they can speak. But can they suffer?” Animals feel. They set their boundaries in the way they know how to. They, too, need to protect their own. If we respected them, maybe they would not be as aggressive towards us. 
 

if we took the time to understand their language … dogs bark when they want to play. They lick their noses when uncomfortable. They shake to regulate. They even kind of blink their eyes in an attempt to regulate other beings. They express themselves. They just do it differently. Animals have their own needs. As a famous woman said “they exist for their own reasons”. She said something along the linea of: animals are not for humans any more than women are not for men and people of color for white people. The compassion and empathy in these words ❤️ 

 

…and well… from one topic to the next I went focus on my current hyperfocus (the voiceless sentient beings-animals) but the gist of it all is the systems in place that no longer serve us (and maybe never did).

 

i do want to end this long entry with a very interesting observation. When I first joined SurvivingAntidepressants.org, I realized some moderators, and people that have been here longer? Have feline names or pictures. Did they have a meeting about it?? Haha (The older I get, the more I believe there are NO coincidences in life.) well, I just so happened to learn the spiritual meaning of felines could be that of protection in general. There’s something about feline energy that brings safety. Call me Crazy lol but this ain’t no coincidence if you ask me! 

[DazzlingCold]

@Onmyway, Altostrata, ChessieCat (not tagging her per request but would appreciate input)…

somedays I am very uncomfortable with the idea of taking Zyrtec 10mg and Montelukast 10mg every day even  if I have no allergies to what is out there. In precaution to not make WD worse, I have been taking these meds daily (as I I have been for at least 5 years). ( Asthma for me is triggered by allergies and Montelukast is for asthma?
Thoughts on if it would affect me to maybe do 5mg when what Im allergic to isn’t out there?

[DazzlingCold]

Question for anyone, including those whose genetics predisposes them to low dopamine and it shows in your life. I struggle with cognitive issues a lot. They add stress to my whole life, and cause debilitating fatigue at times, even if I consistently workout. 
how do you deal with this? Ive read green tea and quercentin help but the amounts that one would need to see a benefit would only be found in supplements.

Any info or ideas??

[Onmyway]

1 hour ago, DazzlingCold said:

@Onmyway, Altostrata, ChessieCat (not tagging her per request but would appreciate input)…

somedays I am very uncomfortable with the idea of taking Zyrtec 10mg and Montelukast 10mg every day even  if I have no allergies to what is out there. In precaution to not make WD worse, I have been taking these meds daily (as I I have been for at least 5 years). ( Asthma for me is triggered by allergies and Montelukast is for asthma?
Thoughts on if it would affect me to maybe do 5mg when what Im allergic to isn’t out there?

Hi @DazzlingCold, ideally you would be able to alter your environment rather than yourself when it comes to allergies but it doesn't always work that way, of course.

 

But you can mitigate things - put in air filters (for dust mites), move houses and even geography (if possible) for outdoor allergies, no pets for pet allergies and so on. I am often baffled by people who have pets when they are allergic to them and then take medicine consistently. 

 

I never did well on allergy medicines, even the non drowsy ones make me drowsy and lethargic. They may be responsible for the cognitive issues as well.

 

Having said that I think it's absolutely essential that you control allergies if you have asthma. 

 

I don't know if not taking allergy medicines consistently will cause kindling etc. On the one hand they are psychoactive but I don't know of physical dependence to allergy medicines. But it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist just because I don't know of it. I am afraid my knowledge on the subject is limited and as such I am not able to give an informed opinion. But if you manage to mitigate allergies in other ways you may be able to lower your doses consistently. That is what I did many years ago so I didn't have to deal with asthma and it worked but my allergies were mild - some mold, chemical sensitivity (formaldehyde), some plants, dogs/cats. For me moving to a dry climate, removing carpets etc were key. I remember one year I walked around with an N-95 in 90F weather for months way before it was cool because I was allergic to some specific plant.

 

What kind of allergies do you have? What kind of environmental mitigation do you do?

OMW

[DazzlingCold]

36 minutes ago, Onmyway said:

Hi @DazzlingCold, ideally you would be able to alter your environment rather than yourself when it comes to allergies but it doesn't always work that way, of course.

 

But you can mitigate things - put in air filters (for dust mites), move houses and even geography (if possible) for outdoor allergies, no pets for pet allergies and so on. I am often baffled by people who have pets when they are allergic to them and then take medicine consistently. 

 

I never did well on allergy medicines, even the non drowsy ones make me drowsy and lethargic. They may be responsible for the cognitive issues as well.

 

Having said that I think it's absolutely essential that you control allergies if you have asthma. 

 

I don't know if not taking allergy medicines consistently will cause kindling etc. On the one hand they are psychoactive but I don't know of physical dependence to allergy medicines. But it doesn't mean that it doesn't exist just because I don't know of it. I am afraid my knowledge on the subject is limited and as such I am not able to give an informed opinion. But if you manage to mitigate allergies in other ways you may be able to lower your doses consistently. That is what I did many years ago so I didn't have to deal with asthma and it worked but my allergies were mild - some mold, chemical sensitivity (formaldehyde), some plants, dogs/cats. For me moving to a dry climate, removing carpets etc were key. I remember one year I walked around with an N-95 in 90F weather for months way before it was cool because I was allergic to some specific plant.

 

What kind of allergies do you have? What kind of environmental mitigation do you do?

OMW

Thank you

I am affected by most allergens. Worse ones are trees... Cedar, oak, pecan, cypress, pine, mulberry.  There is a lot of cedar and oak in Texasx where I live. These allergies get so bad that I end up being prescribed antibiotics and/or steroids (which I try to avoid) usually during winter. Also highly allergic to Saharan Dust. To a lesser extent, Im allergic to molds (mostly penicillium in food) dust and dander, dandelion. 
I don’t have carpet, park away from trees, change clothes and take away when I get home, change AC filters twice a month, clean, dust. 
I’ve been taking nigella oil twice per day since summer started and maybe that helped some with Saharan Dust, not sure. The oil is supposed to be anti allergic. Im also eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
I saw an alternative practitioner a long time ago who said some allergies are exacerbated by food intolerances/allergies so I took a food sensitivity test which showed only mild sensitivity to asparagus and bananas, which I rarely eat. Ive also tried acupuncture, immunotherapy drops (got prohibitively expensive) , natural allergy sublingual drops.

All and any info or perspectives help.
 

[DazzlingCold]

1 minute ago, DazzlingCold said:

Thank you

I am affected by most allergens. Worse ones are trees... Cedar, oak, pecan, cypress, pine, mulberry.  There is a lot of cedar and oak in Texasx where I live. These allergies get so bad that I end up being prescribed antibiotics and/or steroids (which I try to avoid) usually during winter. Also highly allergic to Saharan Dust. To a lesser extent, Im allergic to molds (mostly penicillium in food) dust and dander, dandelion. 
I don’t have carpet, park away from trees, change clothes and take away when I get home, change AC filters twice a month, clean, dust. 
I’ve been taking nigella oil twice per day since summer started and maybe that helped some with Saharan Dust, not sure. The oil is supposed to be anti allergic. Im also eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
I saw an alternative practitioner a long time ago who said some allergies are exacerbated by food intolerances/allergies so I took a food sensitivity test which showed only mild sensitivity to asparagus and bananas, which I rarely eat. Ive also tried acupuncture, immunotherapy drops (got prohibitively expensive) , natural allergy sublingual drops.

All and any info or perspectives help.
 

Oh, I also got better AC filters. 

[DazzlingCold]

1 minute ago, DazzlingCold said:

Oh, I also got better AC filters. 

How has your asthma been since you stopped antihistamines?

[DazzlingCold]

On 8/2/2022 at 11:14 AM, DazzlingCold said:

Thank you

I am affected by most allergens. Worse ones are trees... Cedar, oak, pecan, cypress, pine, mulberry.  There is a lot of cedar and oak in Texasx where I live. These allergies get so bad that I end up being prescribed antibiotics and/or steroids (which I try to avoid) usually during winter. Also highly allergic to Saharan Dust. To a lesser extent, Im allergic to molds (mostly penicillium in food) dust and dander, dandelion. 
I don’t have carpet, park away from trees, change clothes and take away when I get home, change AC filters twice a month, clean, dust. 
I’ve been taking nigella oil twice per day since summer started and maybe that helped some with Saharan Dust, not sure. The oil is supposed to be anti allergic. Im also eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
I saw an alternative practitioner a long time ago who said some allergies are exacerbated by food intolerances/allergies so I took a food sensitivity test which showed only mild sensitivity to asparagus and bananas, which I rarely eat. Ive also tried acupuncture, immunotherapy drops (got prohibitively expensive) , natural allergy sublingual drops.

All and any info or perspectives help.
 

Oopsies, forgot to tag you… @Onmyway

[DazzlingCold]

On 8/2/2022 at 11:18 AM, DazzlingCold said:

How has your asthma been since you stopped antihistamines?

@Onmyway

[DazzlingCold]

 Slept 8 hours last night without feeling rested

 

Date: August 4, 2022

 

6:30am woke up tired

 

7:00am, breakfast, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg, lexapro 6.8mg, zyrtec 5mg, montelukast 10mg

 

1:30pm lunch, Wellbutrin 37mg, 1/4 dose of prenatal multivitamins

 

3pm very tired

 

6:00pm dinner, fish oil 1300mg, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg

 

9:30pm bed, probiotics 15million, mag glycinate 300mg, lactium 167mg, melatonin .38mg

 

10pm feeling scared

 

Drinking trace minerals with water all day.

 

No elevated moods since last reduction on 6/8/22.

 

Cycle day 26

 

PMS getting real again. Been feeling scared the way I did most of my childhood before bed for about 3 weeks. Just realizing it is, and was, anxiety

[Onmyway]

16 hours ago, DazzlingCold said:

@Onmyway

Hi @DazzlingCold, 

My allergies manifested themselves after living in a moldy place and bothered me for a few years after. I did not take antihistamines for more than  a couple of months - really changed the environment. But my allergies were much milder and it was possible. You seem to have done everything necessary and they're still bothering you For times when things were really bad I'd use Flonase but that's a corticosteroid so might be worse in withdrawal.

 

But recently I stayed in a house with cats which would have sent me to be all stuffed up and make it hard to breathe and had absolutely no issues. I am still sensitive to mold (there is mold in the A/C now that is bothering me) but other than that lots of things have improved. Ah, I also am still very sensitive to formaldehyde - any furniture with plywood makes it hard to breathe in the room. 

 

I don't know what caused the change tbh. I didn't try to treat the allergies just eliminated irritants. And I don't know if they will come back. I sincerely hope not. 

 

I am wondering in your case if a lower dose of your allergy medicines may be sufficient so you'd have less of the drowsy feeling but get good allergy control. Esp if you have asthma allergy control is essential.

 

Did you say you tried allergy shots? That would be the next step.

 

OMW

[DazzlingCold]

52 minutes ago, Onmyway said:

Hi @DazzlingCold, 

My allergies manifested themselves after living in a moldy place and bothered me for a few years after. I did not take antihistamines for more than  a couple of months - really changed the environment. But my allergies were much milder and it was possible. You seem to have done everything necessary and they're still bothering you For times when things were really bad I'd use Flonase but that's a corticosteroid so might be worse in withdrawal.

 

But recently I stayed in a house with cats which would have sent me to be all stuffed up and make it hard to breathe and had absolutely no issues. I am still sensitive to mold (there is mold in the A/C now that is bothering me) but other than that lots of things have improved. Ah, I also am still very sensitive to formaldehyde - any furniture with plywood makes it hard to breathe in the room. 

 

I don't know what caused the change tbh. I didn't try to treat the allergies just eliminated irritants. And I don't know if they will come back. I sincerely hope not. 

 

I am wondering in your case if a lower dose of your allergy medicines may be sufficient so you'd have less of the drowsy feeling but get good allergy control. Esp if you have asthma allergy control is essential.

 

Did you say you tried allergy shots? That would be the next step.

 

OMW

How great that you have been able to pinpoint the direct sources of your allergic reactions. I appreciate you sharing and the support @Onmyway

 

I did try the allergy shots but my insurance stopped covering them and they were way to expensive. I’m going to look into it again. I wonder what system (only take smallest effective dose -like you mentioned- and only taking them during worse times for as short as possible or so) may work.
 

In an effort to reduce cognitive issues that exacerbate stress overall, and for now, I will start tapering by 10% montelukast and Zyrtec before tree pollen hits and monitor progress. I have been doing better since im eating better and since I started Nigella oil and using neti pot more often. Asthma is also under control, even without taking spiriva respimat inhaler unless I really need it. 

The fact that saharan dust didn’t kick my butt this summer feels like an achievement and progress that feeds my hope and motivation to continue eating so healthy and taking nigella oil. Hoping the progress continues. Will adjust taper as my body communicates with me.  
 

Thanks again!

 

[DazzlingCold]

 Slept 8 hours last night without feeling rested

 

Date: August 4, 2022

 

6:30am woke up tired

 

8:30am, breakfast, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg, lexapro 6.8mg, zyrtec 10mg, montelukast 9mg

 

9:45am very tired, nap

 

1:30pm lunch, Wellbutrin 37mg, 1/4 dose of prenatal multivitamins

 

5:30pm dinner, fish oil 1300mg, nigella oil, wellbutrin 37mg

 

8:30pm bed, probiotics 15million, mag glycinate 300mg, lactium 167mg, melatonin .38mg

 

9pm feeling scared, anxious, guilty, ashamed, sad, irritable

 

10pm can’t sleep 

 

Drinking trace minerals with water all day.

 

No elevated moods since last reduction on 6/8/22.

 

Cycle day 27 - PMS

 

 

During bad times, and since last reduction on 6/8/22, I have intrusive/obsessive thoughts, mostly about animal cruelty and mostly at night. Hard to regulate when this happens. Best I can do is redirect for a second until intrusive thoughts come again. I am kind to myself.

 

Good day in general, very tired, peaceful with moments of sadness. Feels good to feel sometimes, even if a negative feeling (except feeling anxious or overwhelmed). My heart hurts thinking of how some if my past actions were driven by elevated moods while on higher doses of ADs. I am told now that I look good, relaxed. Im not most times but I’m definitely not as stimulated as a couple of months ago. I am a little more grounded. I lack energy and motivation to do lots including socializing (except with just a couple people), but I am more grounded/level-headed. 

 

 My heart mostly hurts for animals we hurt and kill by consuming them and using them, even when they put up a fight. Like that doesn’t tell us something about their will to live. To think I grew up thinking of animals as almost objects with no regard for their nature and needs. I want to do more for them. They are life too. They suffer too. 

 

May this world eventually come to realize that disrespecting nature is disrespecting ourselves because we are also nature and without it, we cannot continue to exist

[Ariel]

On 8/5/2022 at 8:17 PM, Onmyway said:

I don't know what caused the change tbh. I didn't try to treat the allergies just eliminated irritants. And I don't know if they will come back. I sincerely hope not. 

 

 

Interesting.

My allergies have steadily improved over the course of WD. I believe it's connected to my gut gradually healing. I don't know that but let's call it a strong correlative hunch. 

 

On 8/6/2022 at 5:20 AM, DazzlingCold said:

I am kind to myself.

 

Glad to hear this, Dazz <3

 

On 8/6/2022 at 5:19 AM, DazzlingCold said:

As a Dr in ne ruso psychology once said “what doesn’t kill us leave us disregulated and in survival mode”. 

 

Thank you so much for this, love it! 

 

Hugs and healing vibes <3

 

[DazzlingCold]

1 hour ago, Ariel said:

 

Interesting.

My allergies have steadily improved over the course of WD. I believe it's connected to my gut gradually healing. I don't know that but let's call it a strong correlative hunch. 

 

 

Glad to hear this, Dazz ❤️

 

 

Thank you so much for this, love it! 

 

Hugs and healing vibes ❤️

 

@Arielgreat news about your allergies improving. I hope that will be my case too. 
hugs and healing, my friend

[DazzlingCold]

Slept 9 hours last night

Date: August 8, 2022

 

Covid positive since 8/7/2022

 

7:30am woke up 

 

9:30am, breakfast, nigella oil, wellbutrin 32mg, lexapro 6.8mg, mucinex

 

9:45am very tired, nap

 

1:00pm lunch, Wellbutrin 37mg, full dose of prenatal multivitamins, mucinex

 

5:30pm dinner, fish oil 1300mg, nigella oil, wellbutrin 32mg, zyrtec 9mg, montelukast 9mg, mucinex

 

8:30pm bed, probiotics 15million, mag glycinate 300mg, lactium 167mg, melatonin .38mg

 

 

 

Drinking trace minerals with water all day.

 

No elevated moods since last reduction on 6/8/22.

 

Cycle day 31 - PMS still

[Soup]

@DazzlingCold are you just cutting your Wellbutrin xl tablet to taper ? 

[DazzlingCold]

8 hours ago, Soup said:

@DazzlingCold are you just cutting your Wellbutrin xl tablet to taper ? 

I just saw this but i don’t see the answer. You were able to see the answer right?

[DazzlingCold]

Slept 9 hours last night

Date: August 9, 2022

 

sick since 8/7/2022

 

7:30am woke up 

 

8am nap

 

9:30am, breakfast, nigella oil, wellbutrin 32mg, lexapro 6.8mg, mucinex, work

 

1:00pm lunch, Wellbutrin 37mg, full dose of prenatal multivitamins, mucinex

 

6:00pm dinner, fish oil 1300mg, nigella oil, wellbutrin 32mg, zyrtec 9mg, montelukast 9mg, mucinex

 

9:30pm bed, probiotics 15million, mag glycinate 300mg,

 

11:30pm can’t sleep, sick, ibuprofen, melatonin 3mg

 

 

 

Drinking trace minerals with water all day.

 

No elevated moods since last reduction on 6/8/22.

 

Cycle day 1- no period yet

[Ariel]

Hello dear @DazzlingCold

 

9 hours ago, DazzlingCold said:

Covid positive since 8/7/2022

 

Just noticing this, so sorry to hear you're sick with Covid. 

Sending hugs and healing vibes, get well soon <3

 

[DazzlingCold]

9 hours ago, Ariel said:

Hello dear @DazzlingCold

 

 

Just noticing this, so sorry to hear you're sick with Covid. 

Sending hugs and healing vibes, get well soon ❤️

 

Thank you 

hugs

[Mdawg]

3 hours ago, DazzlingCold said:

Thank you 

hugs

I hope you get better soon, sending you healing vibes as well 💜