Update

[westeewoman]

I am sad to say that Bipolar Blast/Beyond Meds had to shut down due to cyber stalking. It was such a good website. I relied on reading it at work to feel connected to a source of information about withdrawing/recovering from all the pharma sh*t and psychiatric diagnostic nonsense. Verbal abuse and threats. We're lucky that we have a safe place to "meet". thanks to moderators with the fortitude to manage the nastiness. I will really miss Gianna's commentary on her life and her progress through quite complex withdrawal.

meanwhile, my latest drop seems to be going ok psychologically. I started drinking a smoothie for breakfast that includes immunocal about a month ago. I think I do feel better...except when work is driving me wild (tech writing for a small company is way more drama-filled than you might think). And my anxiety level/panic seem to be totally manageable. It never ceases to surprise me when something gets BETTER during this whole long taper.

Physically, Im a wreck, though. My osteoarthritis (neck and hands this time) is causing a pinched nerve and problems with pain and tingling in my right arm and hand. PT is sort of helping. It started right around my last tiny drop...I have no patience because I am uncomfortable and no energy because I am sleeping less due to the discomfort.

Maybe it's the drop?

[LCrawford67]

Thank you for the update! I'm glad the Immunocal is working for you.

The day to day stresses are always a pain and you have to learn how to cope with them all over again, when you're in w/d.

Overall, it sounds as though you're doing very well, although I'm sorry about the osteoarthritis. My biological mother has this and it's very painful for her.

Congrats to you on your accomplishments and here's to smooth sailing the rest of the way!!

[palm]

Westeewoman,

Some suggestions:

glucosamine chondroitin - It worked when I was having pain from a toe that I sprained/broke last year. My only concern is when it wore off, there was a rebound effect. But that might not happen to you.

Also, taking a Emerald Balance, a super greens product and "Alive" multivitamin, seems to keep the pain away.

You also might try Spirulina. But start slow if you go this route since too much can make you hyper.

You also might want to try http://www.vitasearch.com and plug in your problem. In the name of disclosure, the site is financed by the makers of Swanson's vitamins. But nothing is sold on the site and there are links to great citations that seem mainstream.

I am so happy for you that Immunocal is helping. Unfortunately, I can't take it to due to becoming allergic. I wish I could.

Bipolar Blast is back although Gianna isn't yet back to writing. But a volunteer person is keeping track of her comments so she doesn't have to view the nasty ones.

Palm