In recovery from Adrenal fatigue

I feel like I have been in one of those complex mystery novels with multiple plot lines that don't seem related until you get near the end of the book.

For the record, the vitamins I started taking on Tuesday are Vit C, Vit B5 and B6, Magnesium, Calcium and Zinc... as recommended by The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook. The difference was immedate - felt better within an hour of the vitamins. My mood has not dropped since then, despite stressful incidents!

On Wednesday, I got Dr James Wilson's book Adrenal Fatigue, started reading, and started smiling... it describes my symptoms to a T! I had 13/16 symptoms that were described in the cartoons. And my father tested how well my pupils stayed small in light (not long!) Just goes to show my self-diagnosis was well-researched.

Adrenal Fatigue

I was diagnosed with functional hypoglycemia last year - a symptom of problems with my adrenals, caused by stress.

Taking vitamins. Feel much better. Will post more later.

Tuesday 18 August Positives and Strengths

Journalling the positives of today, and showing my strength.

• I felt good all morning.
• I took myself out to lunch at Michel's Patisserie.
• I booked Wolf's vet appointment.
• I walked to the shops with my daughter.
• My counsellor and I listed heaps of strengths I have. We also came up with some affirmations I will list below. I'm going to write these on my mirror in whiteboard marker each morning.
  
• I confirmed with ARAFEMI that I am coming to the Chinatown outing next week.
• I decided to exercise daily to improve my mood. Even if it's just a walk around the block.
  

Sapphyre's Affirmations

• I am learning to deal with life's ups and downs.
• I am an amazing person who copes well.
• I can choose to make time for myself every day.
• I can choose what to deal with today.
• I can create happiness intentionally! (And yes, I've tried to download Sandy MacGregor's eponymous book. Might have to buy something else too )
  

Being grateful is supposed to help improve my mood

Three things I am grateful for:

1. Free counselling because my dad was a Vietnam Veteran. Boy do I need it! Next appointment on Tuesday.
   
2. The music of Taylor Swift and Lily Allen I keep hearing on the radio... it cheers me up, no end!
   
3. My son's tutor, who helped us turn the kids' bedrooms back into rooms they could use, and help us organise our laundry over the school holidays.

I'm going to try to find someone to go to a movie with me today. I've been doing stuff for everyone else for so long, I'm depressed and out of sorts. Must do more nice things for myself.

A long time between posts

Hello

I didn't realise it had been quite this long! I have not had much spare time.

• I've started counselling (going again tomorrow)
  
• attended the day spa (had a lovely time but got very anxious when it was time to go home)
  
• I've got tonsillitis again,
• DS and DD have been sick
• DH ran out of oxycontin again (it's a monthly event), but we've determined he can get by with Valium and Tramadol XR
• Haven't been to the gym since learning my program - but will go to yoga on Wednesday
• Work has bought me a new PC; setting it up is in progress, but my wonderful DH has found a KVM switch (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) so my desk is not overly cluttered.
• I have a working printer!

I will try to post something more meaningful soon.

The Rollercoaster continued

I woke up next morning full of anxiety, but at least I slept well!

I decided I need to do something to relieve my anxiety. I rang the local pound and they had a report for a missing puppy from the day before matching the description of the puppy we found. One problem solved. DH walked puppy up to the shops to give him back to his owners late Thursday afternoon.

Now, how to regain my equilibrium. I rang a local carer support group that had an outing scheduled for this week; sure that it would be full... but it wasn't! I asked my manager, she agreed a day out would be a good thing for me! So, I'm going up on the rollercoaster, and holding tight to the vision of where I will be able to relax later this week: Peninsula Hot Springs and Day Spa

The Rollercoaster of Life

DH has been coming up on the rollercoaster. Now he is going down (removing non-communicative friends from Facebook, deciding not to go ahead with goals that are too hard). Fortunately, the local community health service has a program especially for people with musculoskeletal issues and anxiety/depression; his key support worker will help him set a couple of goals and break them down into small chunks so they can be achieved. Program includes learning beneficial exercises from a physio and remedial massage too.

I have been going down on the rollercoaster. I haven't had a real break since I went with a friend for a half-day spa in October last year. More than 6 months without even a half day for myself, no wonder I've been grumpy, defeated, and poking holes in DH's plans. But I thought I was having a great day on Wednesday, yay going up on the rollercoaster! I went to my new carer support group and had yummy lemon meringue pie. And then later, when we were picking up the kids after their religion class, we also picked up a black staffy puppy that was playing in the school grounds (after looking around to ensure no one was looking for him). Rather than taking him straight to our vet to check the microchip (which is what I wanted to do), DH decided we'd keep him overnight.

I liked the puppy. In fact I was the one who spotted him and suggested we pick him up before he ran out on a major road. But I thought we would take him straight to the vet; and I let myself get talked into letting it into our home. DH adores animals.

Over the next few hours, I went from being happy to being extremely stressed. The puppy was being, well, a puppy! And I already have enough stress. The last straw for me was when I'd forgotten to take my evening antibiotic (again), and was eating a piece of bread & butter, walking down the hallway. The food was at about chest level, and the puppy took a running jump and bit half the piece of bread out of my hand. I lost it. I screamed and ran down the other end of the house, quickly closing the door behind me. I must've sat on the couch shaking for 5 minutes, breathing and trying to regain my equilibrium.

To be continued... if I get around to it.