Beckeroo

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Parent

My mother passed six months ago tomorrow after many long, lingering illnesses. I am 58, and she was 77, but age is not a factor in grief. I miss her horribly and find that grief is a strange animal, not at all what I expected.

Treatments

Crying Working / Worked

Crying pulls up a chair and sits down quite unexpectedly, and usually takes several minutes and then is over..until the next time.

Grief Counseling Working / Worked

Have worked with my regular therapist.

Prayer Working / Worked

God is a very present help in time of need. This is the best thing we can do.

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

see grief counseling

Writing Working / Worked

Wrote a poem about my mother for her funeral, and submitted a short story about her final days to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Open Anxiety

My anxiety started with a major illness and a severe menopause with severe depression. That was in 2002. I spent horrible years. I still have anxiety, it won't go away completely.

Treatments

Acupuncture Working / Worked

Believe it or not acupuncture increased my anxiety greatly. I was so bummed.

Ativan Working / Worked

This has saved my life, but I am dependent on it and wish I could get off. It has robbed me of a lot of short-term memory.

Breathwork Working / Worked

The correct breathing has helped many a time. Well worth learning.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Working / Worked

I have been in therapy since Jan. 2003. The cognitive behavioral therapy helps a lot. It's hard work, but it works.

Open Asthma
Type: Adult Asthma

I have asthma that gets more worked up in the spring with the change of seasons than at other times, although it can rear it's head in any season. I am so sensitive to meds, etc., that all I can do to help myself is use Advair, a preventative med....I can't use bronchodialaters because they conflict with my heart meds.

Treatments

Advair Working / Worked

It's usually fine, but when I'm flared like I am now, it's not much help.

Breathing Exercises Working / Worked

They help somewhat, at least to get me calmed down a little.

Open Hypothyroidism

Have had hypothyroidism since 1986. Been on Synthroid to suppress a small goiter, also. I still have hypo symptoms, although my numbers come up normal. Finding out this is the case for many.

Treatments

Synthroid Working / Worked

I've done okay on this, but am wondering is the dye in it is affecting my MCS>

Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I thought I already belong to this community. I had a severe depression several years ago and still have battles with depression.

Treatments

Psychotherapy Working / Worked

I have a tremendous therapist who has helped a lot by teaching me cognitive behavioral therapy.

Open Osteoporosis

I have osteopenia and am wanting to ward things off. I am on HRT, lots of calcium, and try to exercise although right now I am injured and cannot. Just hoping to learn some new things here.

Treatments

Calcium Working / Worked

I've been on calcium/mag. for 18 years and have done fine with it.

Open High Cholesterol

I just found out my cholesterol is 278, with 209 LDL, 57 HDL, triglycerides 77 (okay). I am chemically sensitive and cannot use statins...need natural ways to get better.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

Just starting...avoiding trans fats and saturated fat as much as I can.

Fish Oil Working / Worked

Using Coramega 3...have been for a long time.

Flax Working / Worked

Just starting this; was recommended by a friend who said it lowered by at least 20 points within 3 months.

Open Environmental Allergies
Type of allergy: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

I was becoming slowly sensitive chemically, then two big exposures sent my body over the edge and caused my sensitivities to bloom ten times over. I am allergic to every single chemical. It sidelined my life. I had to quit my teaching job and stay home, which I hate. Most pleasurable things I used to do are out of the question now. Doesn't do a darn good thing for my marriage.

Open Parenting Toddlers (1-3)

I'm a grandmother of two toddlers who are strong-willed. Just looking for advice to help when I watch them and for my daughter.

Treatments

Patience Working / Worked

Patience works most of the time, but not always.

Open Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Had a severe case of CFS in '86. Bedridden, left with neurological problems, etc. But got much better. Symptoms are coming out again.

Treatments

Reflexology Working / Worked

Helped to ease anxiety and to balance the body.

Reiki Not Working

Tried this some years ago, didn't really work too well for me.

Open Insomnia

I am in depression and having bad bouts of insomnia every night. I cannot tolerate antidepressants and am already on ativan. Any suggestions? Little tips?

Treatments

Ativan Somewhat Helpful

I was fine on the ativan till this depression kicked in; now it helps somewhat but am still losing a lot of much needed sleep.

Meditation Working / Worked

Using prayer, and sometimes mantras. Sometimes helps to make me sleepier, but not always