Posts by Sentinel

17

Treating Fibromyalgia with a Serotonin Uptake

by Sentinel in

i've been suffering with fibromyalgia since about 1986, but was not diagnosed until 1997. for the longest time the only course of treatment (since there is no cure) is the use of strong pain killers.

i opted not to take that route.

someone recently posted something on here regarding this malady, and it got me to thinking and doing more research.

Sentinel

Thanks for your reply. I was surprised that my own doctor had not discussed this treatment with me. When I went to him inquiring about the latest treatments for Fibromyalgia, he brought up all that I had researched and knew about everything.

Guess we have to make ourselves aware and let our doctors know what's on our mind. Apparently, they are very busy being physicians and can't always make application of new information with patients unless they are approached. My doctor was very excited about the prospect of beginning the new serotonin therapy with me. Wish I had done my research sooner.

I will definitely keep you updated. Fibromyalgia is one very nasty thing to have to live with. I feel like I have a bit of hope now for at least some improvement in my overall quality of life. I tried for so long to do it all on my own, but the stress of not being able to manage my wellbeing physically was wearing me down.

/<

66

Who do you blame for the time you wasted as a DUB?

by Thunder Rider in

jw
friends

think of all the time and energy you wasted sitting in meetings, going door to door and refraining from making friends and having enjoyable association with non dubs.

think about how much of your finite life is lost to you because you were a witness.

think about how foolish you looked, hanging on to the false teachings and empty hopes for the future.

Sentinel

"myself"

/<

12

Family Pain

by MickeyP in

my 28 year old daughter has been with her partner for the past 7 years.

he has always been welcome in our home and has been a regular participant in our family celebrations.

yesterday, he was disgnosed with acute leukaemia and was told that without a blood transfusion, he would be dead in two weeks.

Sentinel

This is such a terrible thing to have to face, and complicated more by someone's "faith". Apparently, he became frightened at his "questionable salvation", and went back to the JW concepts about the blood issue/treatment. He knows the outcome because of his choice. I'm certain this was not easy for him either.

I feel so much for your daughter, who has had a relationship with someone who had not been honest with her all this time. She will need your support and love to deal with this turn of events.

...the time is so short.......

/<

17

Treating Fibromyalgia with a Serotonin Uptake

by Sentinel in

i've been suffering with fibromyalgia since about 1986, but was not diagnosed until 1997. for the longest time the only course of treatment (since there is no cure) is the use of strong pain killers.

i opted not to take that route.

someone recently posted something on here regarding this malady, and it got me to thinking and doing more research.

Sentinel

I've been suffering with Fibromyalgia since about 1986, but was not diagnosed until 1997. For the longest time the only course of treatment (since there is no cure) is the use of strong pain killers. I opted not to take that route. Someone recently posted something on here regarding this malady, and it got me to thinking and doing more research. What I found was quite interesting.

It seems that after a decade of the medical profession taking this illness seriously, they have been able to do extensive research as to why people get this. What I found is that nearly every patient also has a history of extreme stress/great highs and lows with depression/AND a substantially lower amount of seratonin in the chemistry of the brain. This chemical controls a persons feelings of "wellbeing". I researched the medications on the market that "increase serotonin" in the brain chemistry and there are quite a few. Ironically, these medications are really on the market to treat disorders such as depression/anxiety/obsessive-compulsive behavior, etc. They are usually taken at larger dosages for those problems. However, in low doses of 5-10 mg per day, studies have proven that they also increase the level of serotonin in the brain, thus helping paitents who suffer from Fibromyalgia. Most, however, have side affects that I wouldn't want to deal with. The one remaining, with very low initial side affects, was Prozac.

I made an appointment with my doctor yesterday and am now beginning treatment. It will last for six to twelve months. The brain is amazing. Once it "relearns" and "re-establishes" the serotonin levels, the need for continued medication can many times be discontinued altogether. I'm keeping a daily diary beginning today. I am so hopeful that I will find some help in dealing with the Fibromyalgia. That would be wonderful.

If anyone has had any experience in this arena, I'd sure like to hear your stories and opinions.

/<

35

Can I get some neutral insight without being preached to?

by Nancy in

i am not a jw but my mother-in-law is.

since the day her son proposed to me (he is not a jw) she has made my life a living hell.

we have been married for just over a year and have a beautiful baby girl.

Sentinel

I'm so sorry your mother-in-law is making you miserable. She is a very emotionally disturbed woman. Don't try to figure her out. Live your life with your husband and family, and don't allow her to manipulate how you feel.

Best Wishes. I had one of those too, only she wasn't a JW.

/<

23

Suppose God is....

by Larry in

jw
friends

sen. robert f. kennedy, in look magazine said "but suppose god is black.

what if we go to heaven and we all our lives have treated the negro as an inferior and we look up and he is not white?

what then is our response?

Sentinel

Good point here.

I think we humans have pretty much skewed just about everything about anything.

Therefore, nothing would surprise me.

/<

20

I missed the memorial? Damn.

by Nosferatu in

jw
friends

i completely forgot it was yesterday.

i was too busy setting my clocks one hour ahead.

guess i was too involved in worldly things.

Sentinel

I gave it absolutely no thought myself...I'm so far removed from their activities these days.

Instead, hubby and I happened to be watching a very interesting and informative narative on the PBS (public broadcasting) channel in the afternoon. It was all about Jesus and his message and how the christian church was first formed, and all the decension and uncertainly. It was quite eye-opening and I hope lots of folks watched this. More and more information is popping up all over the place about the "truth about religion".

My husband looked at me and said "people just don't seem to get it, do they?"...meaning religion is so caught up in the "event" to consider the reasonable and rational explanation.

/<

7

ANOTHER IN OUR COMUNITY HAS DEVELOPED CANCER

by outoftheorg in

jw
friends

my wife and i go to a small old town, now and again to have a nice meal at a cafe there.

on occasion we will have a beer or two or some wine at the bar.

used to be a railroad town and has now only around 200 residents.

Sentinel

Thank you for your post. I know this to be true as well, and used to wonder why JW's don't "really" help their own and others to any large extent. Many needy in our congregation were overlooked. The word was that if you had enough faith in Jehovah, all your needs would be met. I'm not saying that their wasn't anyone who acting in the true spirit of love and compassion, but it was the general concensus that everyone just took care of themselves.

We did have several who provided us with transportation to and from meetings for a number of years. My mother would and save pennies out of the weekly grocery funds just to make certain she offered them some gas money. But as far as making announcements, or visiting, or just being there for someone who was really down and out, it just didn't seem to be happening that much. There was very little true intimacy.

If you couldn't handle your own problems (which they just judged as being things you brought upon yourself) then they saw you as a weak person.

/<

7

Good Things Do Happen!

by Undecided in

jw
friends

i went to my mail box to get the mail.

usually i just get advertisements and bills.

today was a surprise, i got three checks from a laboratory that had processed some blood test for my physical several months ago.

Sentinel

Wow, Ken, what a bonus day you had! Makes the bad times worth it, doesn't it? I often say that I should keep a personal journal as to these types of events, because it seems to me that it's so easy to forget these "special gifts" when they occur. As humans, we tend to dwell on the negative. I do that myself.

Obviously, you really needed that money to come back to you! Someone is looking out for you my friend.

/<

PS This is the first time in years that we actually are getting a substantial tax refund. We always end of having to pay. We couldn't believe what a great feeling it was, to check the "refund" line!!

9

A Hug from a stranger...

by Sentinel in

yesterday was an odd day for me.

i have been having an ongoing attack of my fibromyalgia, supplemented by ibs.

i was home from work and trying to just hang out and relax, when i decided it would be a good thing to go to the local "hair cuttery" and get a wash and trim.

Sentinel

Thanks everyone!! I felt your hugs and I allowed myself to be wrapped in them. Today I am feeling better physically and emotionally. I'm glad it passed quickly for me this time. My body doesn't deal with stress too well, even though I think I am, apparently, I'm not.

I enjoyed reading everyone's touching experiences. Sometimes, I do believe we are "touched by angels". Strangers who appear out of nowhere to help us along, and then are gone....Other times, people we don't know, seem to know what we need more than even our closest family or friends. It is odd, isn't it?

Zion, I'm sorry I don't know about the congregation in Hampton. I moved to Virginia in '83, and had already stopped going to meetings back in Maryland a couple years prior. Hampton is part of the Virginia Beach area and that is about four and a half hours drive south of here. I'm in Northern Virgina, just outside of DC.

I had a good day today, and am looking forward to beginning a new work week tomorrow. Taking that time from work really did help me though. I tend to put myself last on the list. Makes me think that retirement will be kind of nice when I reach that place. Even if I work, it won't be to the tune of a full-time schedule.

I love you all so much!

Karen