Starting a New Year

It doesn't have to be January 1st to start a new year.

We'll be starting a new year on April 26th.  

That is our wedding anniversary.  Our friends say that we are still newlyweds after only eight short years of marraige.  I like to think that we will always be newlyweds. 

I Love You...More!

Weaning Off Cymbalta

I had been taking 60 mg of Cymbalta daily for approximately four years.  It was the first drug that I received a prescription for after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I remember the side effects the first few weeks were terrible, but I felt okay/good most of the time. The side effects lessened and the symptoms were under control.  After four years I was just tired of the never ending cycle.  The cycle is known to anyone dealing with a chronic illness: have a good day, overdue, pay for it the next day (or week).  The flip side of this cycle is have a bad day, feel guilty, push through it, and pay for it the next day (or month).  

I felt that it was time to do a self evaluation.  I wanted to stop taking the Cymbalta and find out how my body would handle the Fibromyalgia on its own. Okay I have heard and read a lot of horror stories about coming off of Cymbalta (and other similar drugs). I wanted to do this the safest way possible, so I checked in with my doctor.  This is not the original doctor who prescribed Cymbalta to me, but my current general practitioner. I have been seeing this doctor for maybe six months. At first she suggested that I could just cut the pills in half. Ha ha ha, see photo at top of page. Okay, a short discussion and computer reference later, she sent a prescription to the pharmacy for 30 mg Cymbalta qty 14,  and gave me a written prescription for 20 mg Cymbalta qty 20. The instructions were 30 mg daily for two weeks, 20 mg daily for two weeks, and then 20 mg every other day for two weeks.  Mission accomplished.

The main problem I have encountered is SLEEP.  My sleep cycle is not like anyone else's that I have ever heard of.  A typical example follows:

Go to bed at 10 pm and fall right to sleep.

Wake up at 11:30 pm -- wide awake.

Do quiet activity such as reading, crocheting, word search puzzles.

Tired again (finally) at 4:30 am.

Sleep til 9 am alarm.

This is rather aggravating. I have started skipping the going back to sleep part.  I was hoping that It would help me sleep longer, but so far no such luck. 

 I do have days that I can't stay awake:

Go to bed at 10 pm and fall asleep within a half hour.

Wake up at 9 am to the sound of a whining dog who needs to go outside.

Let dog out. Feed fish. Take medicine.

Back in bed asleep by 9:30 am.

Awake at 1 pm by bladder.

Wake up between 5 pm and 7 pm starving.

Eat dinner and wander around in a daze (fog).

Go to bed at 10 pm and fall right to sleep.

Sleep all night.

I am trying the Fit Bit Flex to track my sleep habits as well as my activity levels. I am hoping that this will lead to discovering ways to improve my sleep.  More time is needed to work on this.

After only a few days since my last dose of Cymbalta, I am noticing an increase in the pain in my legs along with an overall achy feeling.  I prefer to stay off of the medication indefinitely, but have set a minimum of one month for myself.  I will try supplementing natural minerals and herbs before going back to a chemically produced solution.  I am also still working on the reduction of processed foods and sugar in my diet.

More updates after the first of the new year.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please comment or contact me.
Rebecca

Focus on the New or the Old?

It is pretty much a given that all Bloggers post a New Year's Blog.  The question I asked myself was should I review the past year, or should I look ahead to the coming possibilities.  I'm certain that there are many ways to include everything such as writing two separate posts, following a timeline, or write before and after scenarios.  I wonder how you, my readers, feel about it.  Do you mark the new year with resolutions or celebrate that you survived another year?

I believe that we all need to review our past to a certain point.  I like to look at things and consider what I could do better.  There is always room for change, but I don't believe in waiting.  I try to make changes as I see the need, not on a special date or when 'everyone' else does.  That is the extent of my thoughts on resolutions.  I do wish the best for you if you choose to make them.

To look forward to the new year I have a project planned.  My husband and I will be creating a new massage room.  My current room is a little cramped and a larger room has become available.  It is empty and the possibilities are endless.  I plan to document the progress in regular blog posts.  I invite you to come along for the journey and make suggestions if you like.

The first step will be to prep and paint the walls.  We are planning a No VOC paint in a light green such as Beach Glass:

Dewmist Delight:

Flowering Cactus:

Delicate Frost:

Pick your favorite and leave a comment.  

Thanks for being a part of our lives.

Starting 2013

I am ready for the new year to start. I have taken most of December off to rest and reflect. My health seems to have improved in the process. Even with the cold weather setting in, I am experiencing less pain and have been able to do more.

I spent a week in Ohio with my family. It was good to see everyone during their everyday lives. It was an opportunity to communicate openly and get re-aquainted. I miss living close to my family more now than ever before.

I have started scheduling appointments for January. Everyone needs to relieve the holiday stress, myself included. I have a trade set up for this week. That limits this weeks availability, but there are still a few openings. Give me a call with your request.

I would also like to remind everyone to drink more water. During the winter months the air is drier and absorbs the moisture from our skin faster. Unfortunately we switch to hot drinks, which most contain caffeine, instead of increasing our water.

The weather here was not cooperative to allow me to enjoy the Full Cold Moon,also known as the Full Long Moon. I do hope that some of you were more fortunate. It is a great time to place your crystals outside for clearing negative energy.

I would like to wish everyone a blessed year. Remember, even if it's not from me, be sure to get a massage.