BeckyK’s Profile

Open Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

I haven't been diagnosed with IBS but have been told by my doctor that I may have IBS. I have read about this condition because I have had so much trouble with food and having to be close to the bathroom after eating.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

I avoid the obvious foods that cause me problems. I am now trying a Gluten-free diet to see if gluten (wheat) is my problem.

Chamomile Working / Worked

High Fiber Diet Somewhat Helpful

I put Benifiber in my coffee every morning. Helps

Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I have been struggling with depression since my biological Mother committed suicide. Christmas Day 1998. Also in an abusive marriage, which is contributing to my depression.

Treatments

Celexa Not Working

Did nothing for me.

DailyStrength Working / Worked

Talking with the people here at DS has helped me so much. I have never felt the kind of support that I do here.

Elavil Not Working

I took this for a different illness and didn't really notice much difference in my depression.

Lexapro Somewhat Helpful

I am feeling a little bit less depressed. (Update) After being on this for a while, it has stopped working.

Paxil Somewhat Helpful

It worked ok. Should have maybe tried it for longer.

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

Easier said than done sometimes, but I try.

Writing Working / Worked

I keep a journal here at DS and a private one at home.

Xanax Working / Worked

Helps calm the anxiety that I experience with the depression and abuse in my marriage.

Open Physical & Emotional Abuse

I was physically abused by my mother until I went to foster care. Then I went to live with my Grandparents, where I did not feel accepted and was abused from 3 till I was 5. I didn't see my mother for 13 years then I got to know her for a few years before she committed suicide. I am in a verbal and emotionally abusive marriage.

Treatments

Abuse Counseling Considering

Considering this, to help with the PTSD because of the abuse from my child hood added with the abuse from my marriage.

Divorce Considering

Filed for divorce, but was convinced to stop it, that was a mistake. Re-filed Dec. 3. He will be served by Jan 2.

Forgiveness Working / Worked

I needed to forgive my Mother and Grandparents to move forward. They did the best they could with what they had. Haven't forgiven my husband...yet.

Group Therapy Working / Worked

The people on Daily Strength have helped me immensely just by listening, and letting me get my feelings out.

Leave Too Soon to Tell

Filed for divorce, he will have to move out.

Music Working / Worked

Music always helps me, some songs just speak to me.

Talking Working / Worked

Talking to the people here at DS is helping me to sort out what is 'normal' and what is abuse. Also talking to my Step-mom is helping.

Open Back Pain

I have had back and neck pain for years with little or no relief. Had a fusion surgery for herniated disk between C5 and C6. Still have pain on a daily basis in other areas of my back. Now have herniation between C4-C5 and C6-7. Will be having surgery to replace C6-7 soon.

Treatments

Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful

Helps to relieve some of the pain.

Flexeril Working / Worked

Helps with the muscle spasms.

Heat Somewhat Helpful

Helps to relax some of the muscles.

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Helps some.

Aqua Therapy Somewhat Helpful

Helps some with the muscle pain.

Open Chronic Pain

I have had chronic back and neck pain for over ten years now. Pain in my knees since I was 14, may need surgery someday on my knees. I am severely allergic to Aspirin and Ibuprofen, almost died the last time I took it. So I just live with the pain most of the time. Have a herniated disc at C4-5 and C6-7, unlnar-neuropathy in left elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. Arthritis in lower spine.

Treatments

Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful

Works to relieve some of the pain for a short period of time.

Flexeril Somewhat Helpful

Helps some.

Heat Working / Worked

Helps to relax some of the muscles when I sit in the hot tub.

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Vicodin helps with the pain.

Lyrica Not Working

Too many side affects.

Aqua Therapy Somewhat Helpful

Helps some with the pain.

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Parent

My mother committed suicide Christmas Day 1998. I didn't know her for 13 years of my life, but had a ok relationship after we were reunited. Then she killed herself... Lost my Granmother April 2007 Lost my Great Aunt May 2008

Treatments

Crying Working / Worked

I cried a lot thinking that I could have or should have done something to prevent her from committing suicide.

Grief Counseling Working / Worked

I saw a counselor for about 6 months after she died.

Helping Others Working / Worked

Helping others who have lost a loved one. Helping others struggling with suicide.

Keeping Busy Working / Worked

Keeping busy thinking about other things helped me in the short term.

Music Working / Worked

Music speaks to me and means so much. Some songs are just so in tune with what I am feeling at the moment.

Support Groups Working / Worked

DS has helped me work through a lot of issues I have with my Mother's suicide.

Talking Working / Worked

Talking to people struggling with thoughts of suicide, or struggling with the loss of a loved one to suicide has helped me a lot.

Time Somewhat Helpful

Time, that says it all.

Open Endometriosis

I was dx with Endometriosis at age 23, had a laperoscopy, then at 24 I went on Lupron which put me through menopause. Then at 25 I had another Laperoscopy. Have not had problems since.

Treatments

Extended-Cycle Birth Control Working / Worked

Took birth control continuously for about a year, had to stop when I wanted to get pregnant.

Lupron Working / Worked

Went through menopause, had to take estrgen to counter-act the hot flashes, I was misserable for the whole 6 months.

Surgery Working / Worked

Did not notice a difference after the first surgery. But found relief after the second.

Open Anxiety

I have anxiety when people raise their voice in anger. I also have social anxiety. I have anxiety a lot around my husband.

Treatments

Breathing Exercises Working / Worked

Lexapro Not Working

Helped at first, but then stopped working.

Xanax Working / Worked

Helps with the anxiety and panic attacks

Open Shyness

I have trouble talking to people I don't know, or asking people for favors. It is hard for me to be in a group of people I don't know, or go places I am unfamilliar with.

Treatments

DailyStrength Working / Worked

I seem to be able to talk to people here openly.

Socializing Working / Worked

I force myself to do things that I really don't want to do because I am so shy.

Open Breakups & Divorce

Troubled marriage, controlling & emotionally abusive husband. Filed for divorce in Aug. 2007 stopped the divorce in Nov. 2007 Now things are slowly going back to the way they were. I am regretting stopping the divorce. I filed for divorce again Dec. 3 2008.

Treatments

Couples Counseling Not Working

We saw a Therapist together, he took what we learned, twisted it, and used it to manipulate me.

Forgiveness Considering

I have not been able to forgive yet.

Leave Too Soon to Tell

He will have to move out soon after he is served with divorce papers.

Love Somewhat Helpful

Love and compassion is my only way through this.

Music Working / Worked

Certain songs really help.

Reading Somewhat Helpful

I read things on the web site MarriageBuilders.com but nothing worked from that. I did also read about about abusive men, and why they are the way they are. Helped me to understand, he will never change.

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

Knowing I have my family's support has been a huge help to me.

Support Groups Somewhat Helpful

The people here at DS are wonderful and have helped me through so much regarding my Husband.

Time Not Working

I gave him another year, but he did not do the work necessary to make this marriage work. He just blames me for everything, and continues to be abusive.

Open Families & Friends Affected By Suicide

My Mother committed suicide Christmas Day of 1998. I was devastated, still am... See my journal from June 25, 2007

Treatments

Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful

Went to counseling for 6 months, thought I was "over it", but I now know I was not.

Talking Working / Worked

Talking to the people here at DS has helped me more than anything else.

Writing Working / Worked

Writing in my journal here at DS has helped, see journal from June 25, 2007

Open Parenting Big Kids (5-8)

I am a stay at home mother of 2 boys. Cole is 6 and in 1st grade, Clay is 5 and in Pre-school.

Treatments

Education (School) Working / Worked

Cole does well in school, he has a thirst for knowledge.

Listening Working / Worked

Listening is great, you get the full picture of what he is trying to say, and can have a better conversation because of that.

Patience Working / Worked

Having patience is good, he is going through a lot of changes right now.

Open Restless Legs Syndrome

I feel like thousands of little ants are crawling around under my skin in my legs. The only thing that seems to relieve that sensation is to get up and move around.

Treatments

Lexapro Working / Worked

Seems to be working.

Open Panic Attacks

I have panic attacks occasionally, deprending on what is happening, and how stressful a situation is. Or if I am in a group of new people that I don't know.

Treatments

Patience Working / Worked

Sometimes I just have to wait it out.

Rescue Remedy Working / Worked

Leave whatever situation is making the painic attack come on.

Xanax Working / Worked

Helps along with breathing exercises.

Open Arthritis

I have arthritis in my back. Very painful.

Treatments

Tylenol Not Working

Doesn't help much. Can't take Ibuprofen, or Asprin, I am severely allergic.

Chiropractic Adjustment Working / Worked

Works to relieve some of the pain for a short time.

Open Hypothyroidism

Just told I have this, though the doctor wants to monitor me for a bit before giving me medication.

Open Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I have just been diagnosed with this. I am severely allergic to anti-inflamatories (I almost died the last time I took some) so there isn't much I can take.

Treatments

Wrist Splint Too Soon to Tell

I only wear this at night.

Open Fibromyalgia

I have a family history of FMS so it is no surprise that I have it too.

Treatments

Aqua Therapy Working / Worked

Sitting in the hot tub helps some.

Heat Working / Worked

Lyrica Not Working

Took this and it caused me to gain 30 pounds rapidly which caused me more pain in my lower back.

Open Degenerative Disc Disease

I have a family history of DDD and now am having problems with degenerating discs in my spine. Have had two sugeries for herniated discs, but still have one herniated disc at C 4-5.

Treatments

Surgery Working / Worked

Had a fusion surgery in 2005 for the disc at C5-6 which worked very well. The total disc replacement surgery for C6-7 went well. Recovery time was much shorter!