Fresh's Fractured Fairytale: How Much Can a Koala Bear?

[Fresh]

Thanks Hopefull , yes it's all onwards and upwards on Planet Fresh.

 

Did another decrease on the 29th May from 37.5 to 33mgs.    NO  WITHDRAWAL  SYMPTOMS , again!!  

I can't recommend CES therapy enough.

 

My sleep is still a bit pickled - I don't sleep more than 5 hours in a row , and often get up around 4am.   If I can't go back to sleep 

after 30-45 minutes , I get up for a few hours.  Then sleep again till around 10:30am.   Not ideal , but also hardly the worst thing.

 

Have started using essential oils again.   I remember being told by a woman whose 16yo daughter has chronic akathisia , that

the only thing that settles it for her is a drop of frankincence oil behind the knees.

Dr Anne Blake Tracy reminded me  (thankyou nz  )  that if you put oils on the bottom of your feet , it can be detected in your saliva

within 2 minutes.   These oils are potent , and i want to be working on my recovery on many levels.

 

Also discovered water kefir recently , and it's yum.    You make a drink from a colony of live that bacteria that is a powerful

probiotic and take some daily.    It tastes a bit like unsweetened lemonade , or fizzy tea.   

 

Oh , and I've turned to organic fruit and veges.   I seriously don't need any extra pesticides in my system , so I feel good about

this too.

There's a lovely facebook page called The Raw Food Family that send me recipes and articles every day.  It's another way for

me to feel supported in my recovery.

 

Some old family issues have come up a bit lately with my brother here from the US (as they tend to do)  and I'm so aware of

how much clearer and less emotional things are now for me.

 

Overall , I'm giving myself an A.     To get the A plus I need to be walking again regularly.

 

For a person who , 12 months ago , thought I would have to live in an institution for the rest of my life because I was permanently

and profoundly damaged ,  the future is looking pretty good.

[bluebalu86]

I'm so pleased for your progress Fresh I'll also be giving CES therapy a try, I'm currently researching it and will be purchasing a machine soon. I agree that we should be working on recovery on many levels and try as many things as we can. One never knows what will help and what will not. Your progress gives me a lot of hope, thanks for that. Best wishes and keep up the good work

[Freedom15]

Really good to hear that you are progressing with your withdrawl Fresh.

[Ashbash30]

I'm so happy for you Fresh.. You'll be in my positive thoughts girl, and thanks again.. Cheers from Philly!

[bluebalu86]

Fresh, do you know which essential oils are recommended to be calming and soothing and good for the nervous system? I'll try to find some Frankincense oil. Spent so much time trying to figure out what the name of that oil is in Bulgarian, but I got it in the end  

[Fresh]

Sure Blue.    

Sedating and relaxing oils:  basil , cedarwood , chamomile , frankincence , geranium , lavender , mandarin , marjoram ,

melissa , neroli , orange , patchouli , rose , sandalwood , vetivert and ylang-ylang.

 

Some of these oils (basil , geranium , rose) can also be used in stimulating blends.  

"These oils are natural balancers and cause a reaction in the body that creates a sense of balance".

(Australian Book of Aromatherapy , Jeanette Douglas)

[bluebalu86]

Thank you. For now I only have Lavender, but I'll try to find the rest. I put a couple of drops on the bottom of my feet. Is that the best way to apply it? I also put a couple of drops on a cotton ball and I'm smelling it from time to time. 

[Fresh]

Direct application on the feet or temples or wrists is good.  A few drops on your pillow-case or pj collar is nice too.

You can add a little to a base oil for massage , or to sorbolene for face and body lotions.

I use an electric oil diffuser , or you can buy the ones that take tea-light candles and the scent fills the whole room.

 

You don't need all of them , go and smell them in a shop and get the ones that you are drawn to.

 

Mmm , I love lavender  

[btdt]

I bought White Thyme the other day in the health food store as i was having trouble thinking... could have been that I slept all day.. it said clarity on the bottle... so I bought it.  

Any thoughts on this one Fresh?

 

CLARITY in a bottle like time oh my I am too accidentally clever for my own befuddled self...that is so funny to me this moment... peace all

[LoveandLight]

Your doing great! xxxx

[LoveandLight]

Melissa is meant to be good for depressive like symptoms also..I've heard very good things about it!

[Hopefull]

Hi Fresh,

 

Your recovery does give me hope. I am seriously considering trying CES therapy.

I have read positive things about CES therapy. Have you experienced any side effects? I will try rubbing levender on the bottom of my feet. Has CES helped with anxiety? Thank you, hopefull.

[LoveandLight]

I don't understand the significance of being able to detect the oil in your salvia?

[bluebalu86]

Last night I put Lavender on the bottom of my feet and I went to sleep pretty quickly, which is unusual. Don't know if it's a coincidence or that the oil really is working, but either way I'll keep using it. 

[Cdav]

I'm so happy to read your about your progress. It's very uplifting to read that you're doing better. It gives me hope. I'm still battling torture of akathisia and depression among other things. I hope I get to the point where you are right now. 

 

So thankful you're better. 

 

Hugs. 

[Fresh]

I'm so pleased that you guys are interested in the oils.   Aromatic plants have been used medicinally in ancient cultures 

across the world since the times of the Romans , and the benefits are there for us today.

 

btdt ,  Thyme has loads of health benefits , including acting as a memory booster and antidepressant.

There's a good summary here:   https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/thyme-essential-oil.html 

 

L&L , melissa is also said to be good for it's calming , uplifting effect on the mind and emotions and is particularly good

for bereavement , shock , panic and hysteria.

I went back and re-read  Dr Tracy - she says  "These essential oils can also be used on the spinal cord and can go into

                                                                           the system very quickly.  In fact when the oils are applied to the bottom of

                                                                           the feet we know that within 3 to 4 seconds they have found those oils in

                                                                           the saliva of the body.  So they are very rapidly absorbed and the body 

                                                                           begins to use them immediately."

 

I'd thought 2 minutes , but 3 to 4 seconds is amazing - I find it astonishing that they can travel around the body so quickly.

There is also something specific about the cells on the soles of our feet that facilitates this.

 

Blue , that's lovely the lavender helped you drift off.  Thanks for your support and interest.

Hopefull , the CES has helped with everything.   I still get very occasional episodes of shortness of breath , and anxiety thoughts ,

but they last less than a minute.  Touch wood . . . 

 

Cdav , you're in my prayers.  Remember this is a phase of the journey , it's not an end-point.  Although I wouldn't have believed it ,

there is (it seems) life after akathisia.

 

Some exciting things happened for me this week.   I had a few outings with my brother , who's visiting from the  U.S.  He's

been my biggest supporter over the last 2 years , and spending time with him is a whole different ball-game now that I'm not

suffering.  I loved it , and he'll be back later this year.

 

I also had a business opportunity jump out at me , so I'm taking a leap of faith and going for it.   I've bought alot of stock and plan to

sell it on ebay/gumtree.    I'm excited to be doing something that will improve my confidence and generate some cash.   Worst case

scenario I'll lose interest and re-sell the stock in bulk.   Win-win.  

 

So it's all good at the moment - I just wish my toes would stop getting itchy at night (lol) !!

 

[AliG]

 Hey Fresh, I love oils to burn , but I'm not sure where to start with the medicinal uses. There are so many, and I'm not sure of the applications. Where should you start?  Could you give me/ us some pointers ?  Thanks.  I'm happy that you're doing so well. 

[Fresh]

Choose oils that you like the scent of Ali , but i'd go for calming rather than stimulating.  Anywhere you buy them will have a 

"gig guide" to look at.   Start with Lavender and frankincense and go from there.  There are lots of websites with information

on the therapeutic properties of each oil , try searching for "aromatherapy" or "essential oils".

Maybe we can start a topic in Symptoms and Self care?

 

 

[AliG]

 Definitely. Just sent you a P.M , to that "effect".   I love most "essential oils".  I burn them all the time. They create such a lovely atmosphere, at home , like being in a "spa", on "holiday in "Bali".  I'm interested in the "medicinal " uses of the oils, as well.   Would like to learn more.  I will start researching.  This is very interesting, and I think it holds a lot of promise, for "recovery".

[Fresh]

As I was surfing the net this morning , I've come across a holistic psychiatrist in New Mexico who specializes

in withdrawal from prescription medications.

I will add his details to the good doctors list , and want to share this interview here. I particularly chose

this one because of my current interest in essential oils. Interviewer is Robert Tisserand

 

 

Florian Birkmayer: aromatherapists & psychiatrist

 

Florian BirkmayerFlorian Birkmayer, M.D., founded the Birkmayer Institute in 2009 to offer holistic person-centered psychiatry and addiction medicine as well as seminars and workshops on a wide range of holistic topics to facilitate self-transformation and continued self-development. This approach has been inspired by C.G. Jung’s ideas about Individuation, which is the journey of the limited ego to the Higher Self. His emphasis in holistic psychiatry is on Equine-assisted therapy, person-centered psychotherapy and holistic medication management including aromatherapy.

 

I met Dr. Birkmayer in February 2013, when he attended a weekend seminar I gave at the College of Botanical Healing Arts in Santa Cruz. The Birkmayer Institute is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

Robert: Not many psychiatrists use essential oils in their practice, in fact I can’t think of any others. What have been your main reference points for how to proceed using essential oils?

Dr. Birkmayer: You are correct that not many psychiatrists use essential oils and I feel like any pioneer in that I’ve had to proceed carefully. My main reference points for using essential oils have been holistic providers, many of whom recognize the interactions between emotional and physical symptoms. Also I have learned a lot from my clients, who are really the experts on their own well-being. Essential oils fit nicely into a client-centered and self-empowering approach. Sylla Sheppard-Hanger’s book The Aromatic Mind has been a very useful guide, as well as Salvatore Battaglia’s Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. There are also several books about the safety, including your Essential Oil Safety, that are very valuable. Unlike many psychiatrists, my clients are generally very interested and willing to try essential oils and report benefits and that is what has kept me going.

 

Are there different rationales for essential oil use in psychiatry?

I see several rationales: First and foremost, many medications and the approach of many psychiatrists is disempowering to clients, and essential oils restore a client’s sense that there’s something they can do, that empowers them to change their emotional state and cope better. Also, many clients that seek me out have experienced serious side effects and limited benefit from their psychiatric medications and are seeking gentler approaches. However I don’t want to ‘throw the baby out with the bath water,’ and for many clients we use a combination of medications and essential oils. I use the oils both to alleviate symptoms and enhance well-being and coping, but also to counteract side effects of medications.

 

Are you looking for specific effects from specific oils, or is it all basically ‘feel-good’, or do you use fragrance to anchor feelings?

I use essential oils for specific effects, such as enhancing mood or alleviating anxiety or insomnia as well as to counteract certain side effects of medications. What you refer to as ‘feel-good’ I see as the enhanced sense of well-being that clients get from regaining a sense of resilience and improved coping skills with regards to their symptoms and life stressors. This also allows clients to shift from being symptom-focused to being ‘strengths based’ or ‘recovery oriented.’ In many cases, I tell clients to think of an intention or positive thought when they apply the essential oils, so in addition to the specific effects, the oils can thereby anchor feelings and intentions, or, more broadly, an enhanced sense of self-efficacy.

 

What type of complaints do you see most?

The most common complaints I see are related to traumic experiences, as well as anxiety, depression, insomnia and side-effects from medications.

 

Do you mostly use single oils or blends? Why?

I use both single oils as well as blends of up to four or five oils. In my psychiatric practice I’ve met many clients that are on multiple medications, which increases the chance of drug interactions and side effects and one of my core approaches is to simplify medication regimens as much as possible. Similarly when I use oils I try to use a minimum number – it’s more elegant and it’s gentler on the client’s brain.

 

Do you allow some clients to pick their own oil or blend?

Most of the oils and blends I offer are customized for the individual client with input from them. During a visit, I select a few oils that I feel might be helpful and let the clients smell them and choose the oils that agree with them. The olfactory nerves go directly to the limbic system, which is the part of the brain that processes emotions, and thus how a client reacts to a smell to me is an indication of what their limbic system may need at that time.

 

What do you hope for in terms of the effects of the oils?

There are many specific effects related to sleep, anxiety, mood, but above all I hope to restore a client’s sense of self-efficacy, so they can cope better with their lives and that the oils become ‘tools in their toolbox of coping skills.’

 

What are some of your favorites, and what do you mostly use them for?

I have many favorites, but recently I’ve been particularly fond of a simple combination of melissa (lemon balm) and palo santo essential oils which I have given several clients with anxiety and trauma-related issues and it appears to allow people to center themselves and let go of feeling overwhelmed.

 

Can you describe one or two of your cases where essential oils have played a major role in mental health improvement?

I have a simple blend that I call Sleep Oil that I developed and started using for myself and then shared with colleagues and then with clients – insomnia is a very common problem – and the response has been overwhelming. People are always asking me for more Sleep Oil, giving it to relatives and raving about it. One of the cool things about using this is that it’s applied to the skin. Many people are used to having to ingest something, a medication or a supplement, to get help with insomnia, so when they use Sleep Oil, they unlearn that they need to ingest something to sleep and that goes a long way towards restoring a natural sleep pattern.

 

Another example: As you may know, some psychiatric medications cause sexual side effects, which can be very distressing. I’ve had success with several clients in overcoming these side effects by using ylang-ylang diluted in a carrier oil and topically applied.

 

So how exactly are your essential oils used – does it always involve topical application? To skin?

I’ve been using topical application, which I tell clients to think of as anointing themselves as well as sprays which I tell clients to consider their ‘signature scent’.

 

Dr. Birkmayer with ShadowApart from treating clients, what are some of your other activities?

One of the goals of The Birkmayer Institute is to offer seminars on a wide range of holistic topics, including aromatherapy. I’ve been teaching a monthly seminar on C.G. Jung’s Red Book for the past year, which has been a remarkable journey. Apart from essential oils and Jung, my greatest passion is equine assisted therapy and I have been blessed that my relationship to horses has gotten deeper and more profound through providing equine assisted therapy and experiencing the healing power of horses. Several times a year, I host a retreat for healers called ‘Horses Healing Healers.’

 

Do you see any signs that conventional medicine is becoming any more open to the use of unconventional therapy, especially essential oils? Could aromatherapy transform psychiatry?

The clients are very eager for new, more gentle and transformative approaches. However, the field of psychiatry acts reserved and skeptical, even more than providers in other medical specialties, at least on the surface. In private I’ve had several colleagues, especially nurses but also a few physicians, express great interest. My dream is to organize a conference on holistic – especially aromatic – psychiatry in the next couple years, as I suspect there’s a lot of hunger for knowledge.

 

Dr. Birkmayer received his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. He completed his psychiatry residency at the University of New Mexico. He has previously served as the director of the Dual Diagnosis Clinic at University of New Mexico Psychiatric Center and as the director of the Substance Use Disorders program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque, NM. He was invited to be a full member of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry. He has a long-standing commitment to working with the underserved, e.g. working with Na’anizhozhi Center Inc., a Navajo-tradition based detox and rehab center in Gallup, NM and providing tele-psychiatry to underserved areas. He views himself as a bridge-builder between different medical worlds and works closely and respectfully with a wide range of healers.

[LoveandLight]

Very very interesting..thanks for posting this x

[Cdav]

Thank you for this post Fresh, thankfully there are a few doctors in the world who understand withdrawal and try to develop ways to treat it. 

[btdt]

"btdt ,  Thyme has loads of health benefits , including acting as a memory booster and antidepressant.

There's a good summary here:   https://www.organicf...ntial-oil.html "

 

I have not checked the link yet and did not know really what to do with this oil I had this idea I would put it in a pot of water on the stove and let it smell the house up.  I bought other supplements that day.. thiamine and phosphatidyle choline because I read a post online saying it was this combinations that helped heal his multiple chemical sensitivity .. (the blood brain barrier is healed by thiamine but you have to get it to the brain.. choline takes it I think is how it goes.) I bought the Thyme on impulse while in the store.  I had lunch while shopping and took the supplements then.. on the way home on the bus I put the oil on my arm to try out the scent... 

 

I noticed I felt better and thought maybe the supplements had digested and were working already.. I just now learned to use the oil by putting on the body so to me this is a double blind study.  I wanted to be sure my report here was clean so did not read the link.. I will say I did put it in a pot of water at home.. and thought it really helped clear my lungs  

That is it.. peace

[btdt]

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/thyme.html

I read about it here and when I did I thought I read this before... so much for double blind but I can't be sure as that is how my mind works or doesn't work dang nab it.. still think I will test it again on my arm as I have not tried that again. 

peace and thank you. 

 

ps 

Has a thread been started about aroma therapy yet?

[Fresh]

Interesting article btdt , so glad the thyme is helping you feel better.

 

Remember , if the oil is 100% pure , you cannot use it directly on the skin (except for lavender and tea-tree).

You make a blend with 10% oil diluted in a carrier oil for use on the skin.

 

The idea of putting a few drops in a pot is how a difuser works , and it makes the whole room fill up with scent.

 

I'd like to start a thread with a short general article about essential oils ... give me a couple of days.

 

 

n.b. I found the comments in the article above about several clients using ylang ylang

to successfully overcome sexual side effects fascinating . . . I'd like to send a bottle to nz11

and ask him to try it.

[btdt]

Ok this is twice I used it directly on my skin nothing bad bit of burning so I put some on my neck where it hurts thanks of the tip

[Fresh]

LOL @ btdt , I did it too today by touching the frankincense bottle top to my wrists - big red blotches.

 

I found a book by Ray B Smith Ph.D called "Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation: It's First Fifty Years Plus 3"

which gives a good account of the history of CES , the possible mechanisms of action , and cites a range of

published research (including studies on anxiety , depression and sleep).

 

If anyone is interested in understanding CES please take the time to read this.

https://books.google.com.au/books?id=1Ug4nLb4qJkC&pg=PA75&lpg=PA75&dq=CES++research+withdrawal&source=bl&ots=1eQE3dFdb2

 

Medication update: I had to split my pristiq into two doses recently because I was having symptoms of

interdose withdrawal. A few hours before the evening dose my jaw got achy and I had tightness around the head.

I'm now settled on 1/3 of the dose at 1:30pm , and 2/3 at 9:30pm , so will stick with this for the time being.

 

I'm down to 33mg of pristiq from a starting point of 50mg. Excited to be indulging my entrepreneurial skills

with the business enterprise , and generally thinking that life isn't so bad after all.

 

I think I've stepped over the invisible line between "existing" and "living."

After just existing for so long , this is amazing

 

.

[AliG]

  So happy for you .    "existing", and "living".  I'm glad you've crossed over.

[Mort81]

Fresh your rocking !!  An inspiration keep it up!

[Dan998]

Hey Fresh, 

Glad you've found the other side. Did the business enterprise help you get across the line or was it something you were only able to do after you crossed over?

[Fresh]

Hmm , I think I've been ready to do something for a while now , but my limitations preclude me from a regular

job at the moment. I'm also terrified of over-committing and getting myself into a tizz that involves other

people. I'd still be too anxious about having to turn up at a specified time and function for 4 hours - and then

having to let other people down if I wasn't up to it.

This thing came up when I was looking for something else , if you know what i mean.

It's something I can do at home by answering emails , and if it takes off I'll need to go to the post office

twice a week. I can do that. Will let you know how it's going in a few months .

 

It reinforces to me that the universe is looking after me and , like love , things will come into my life when

i'm ready for them. I believe this is true for all of us. For some reason we've been forced to have this period of flux.

 

Addit.: I found the solution for my itchy toes . . . lavender oil. Who'd have thunk it??

 

.

[Martina23]

Fresh, that is great that you feel you are living again. I wished I could tell it by myself. But yes, you are also tapering carefully, not like me, everything in one shot :-)

[Fresh]

I do understand your need to try it your way Martina , and my fingers are crossed that your recovery will come

quickly.

[LoveandLight]

So happy for you..xx

[OffEFFexor]

Hey Fresh:

 

I've been using the CES for a week.  I am having an excellent result so far, significant decrease in my symptoms.  Thanks again, and I'll read that book.

[Cdav]

Fres,

 

I love what you said about crossing the line between existing and iving. So happy for you! I hope we all make it there. 

I also loved this words you said: 

"It reinforces to me that the universe is looking after me and , like love , things will come into my life when
i'm ready for them. I believe this is true for all of us. For some reason we've been forced to have this period of flux."

I forget to think this way and I get frustrated for not accomplishing what I had imagined I would've accomplished by now. There is a reason why things are not yet where and how we want them to be. 

 

XX