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Send, I tried Lyrica for my peripheral neuropathy. It did not work for me. I gained weight, felt like my skin was crawling, upset stomach. It was not a good drug for me. I've found that ice or cold packs on my affected foot and leg, and occasionally Lidoderm patches for the worst pain. Plus the more I walk, the less pain I have. I've tried over the last 3 years to eliminate as many prescription drugs as possible. I'm down to my Coumadin for afib and Allegra for seasonal allergy in spring. 
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DBT here, just started, instructed on the 5 senses calming today!
Thanks to Gershun, I take Curcumin.
Thanks to Golden, I take Resveratrol.
Started taking Lyrica for fibromyalgia pain but that is not going to work for me.
Take B-12, sublingual, magnesium, vit. D has helped, but stomach pains with calcium.

With the support of everyone on here, I will be okay! Thank you all so much!
If I feel like freaking out, I will stop, and think of your successes, giving me hope.

When attending therapy, I wear my blue button, awarded to me by a past therapist.
It reads:  "SHRINK RESISTANT" .

.
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Sharyn,
The diagnosis is a stepping stone, an assist on the road of life for someone with ASD, a necessary means to obtain the resources needed to learn how to navigate the world when one is a very special person!
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We remind my son P that he is differently abled. Sharyn PM me if you need start with resources.
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Sharyn, that is sad, but early diagnosis, at least everyone will now learn how to play with him. It will just take a different approach.
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Sharyn, You have a diagnosis which is a good thing. Now your daughter and husband, and all of the family, along with specialists and teacher can work to help E to reach his full potential. I'm sure you know all of this. E is just wired different than L. One my best friends son has autism. When he was small, he was not diagnosed and he struggled. After being diagnosed at age 11, he had special schooling and a program up thru college. He graduated from college and now works for a small tech company as a computer tech. He's married and has a son. He still has some social problems, but nothing too serious. E will succeed. Knowing the situation exactly is part of the path forward. E sounds like a really sweet boy.
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E has been officially diagnosed with ASD.
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Sharyn, Hope you're insurance issues all work out. Since I got married, it has been such a relief to have good health, dental and vision insurance. Congratulations on the three years!

Ali, Golden mentioned journaling. I started in 2003 on the advice of a psychologist friend. I find it very helpful. I get things off my mind, use for problem solving, decision making, etc. I do mine before I go to bed; some entries are lengthy, other times a few sentences. It also helps me sleep. Writing calms me down. I also walk and listen to music (especially if I'm walking on the indoor track - it blocks the noise.
All of the techniques Golden listed are good. I'm allergic to a lot of scents so I don't do many candles. I also am not a tea drinker. But people who like them find them helpful.
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90 day waiting for insurance is pretty standard with many jobs. Open enrollment for 2018 is a given
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ali - I think everyone needs a balanced life or to be working towards that if needed. People who have been traumatized as children tend to be sensitive and high strung, I think. A girlfriend and I have talked about how we can "freak out" easily. I do much less so now. You can talk yourself down from a "freak out". Freaking out can become habitual, and habits can be broken and replaced with something healthier. Learn to self soothe in healthy ways. You did not have that from your parents, but you can learn it for yourself and to avoid the negative self soothers like certain substances, dysfunctional relationships, too much shopping/spending money etc. You might want to google Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
from in the web "everythings-going-to-be-okay-how-good-are-you-at-self-soothing"

Here are some examples of how to self-soothe through each of the senses:

Sight: Go to a pretty spot in nature or a local park. ...
Sound: Listen to calming music. ...
Smell: Light a scented candle. ...
Touch: Take a warm bath or shower. ...
Taste: Sip herbal tea, such as chamomile. ...
Kinesthetic: Rock in a rocking chair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You can also use journaling, positive self talk, a pet, volunteering (scientifically proven to make you feel better) and more.

All of these help us to get through tough times. For me, my faith is my main "go to". I am inevitably more peaceful after prayer and scripture reading and trusting that God loves me and is working in my situations.

re supplements - you need Co Q10 with the carnitine. It helps with energy. I also take Vit D, calcium, Fish Oil (omega 3), and resveratrol and turmeric to decrease inflammation. I always first look at lifestyle - managing proper diet, some exercise/movement, sleep, and stress reduction. One does need some social interaction as well. People do better with it. Volunteering can provide that as well as contacts re work. Forums like AC also provide it.

glad - I agree. It takes time and we have to be patient with ourselves

sharyn - sorry about the insurance at your new work place. I hope you get on through open enrollment.

R is in his interview now. Praying for a good outcome. He also may have more opportunities through the contract he is working now. Seems like feast or famine. We had a good drive back yesterday and woke up to a heavy snowfall today. It looks beautiful but, I guess the grass won't get cut.
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Regarding insurance open enrollment. Our insurance agent contacted the provider. Since they have all the info on us, they will submit it No ember 3 for open enrollment 2018.

I am not eligible for insurance through my employer for 90 days and I have to be a “regular” part time or full time employee. Right now I am seasonal.
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Ali, I take multi vitamin, calcium, magnesium, b complex and b 12. Reasons, I do not have good eating habits, post menopausal, and being a recovered alcoholic 3 years...b 12 can become deficient from drinking.
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Ali, I don't take any because I am not sure they are all that regulated.
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Ali, I don't take supplements or vitamins. I do make sure I'm outside as much as possible and I try to take two walks a day. My life is far from perfect in terms of health. I try not to worry about what's going on, but at times that's impossible. Good luck.
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Thanks, Glad. I get ya but I want so much to be feeling all better, and be up and at em. The lows have been severe the past month.

Then today, while doing some work at old house, and running errands... I thought to myself, "I'm looking for a new job, a new car, and moved two households into a 1 bedroom place, and I'm single handedly dealing with contents of the house my grandparents lived in since the 1950s.  It's a bit much"  I am trying to cut myself some slack but any positive benefits I can get from food, supplements, exercise, meditation is helpful. Maybe other people don't need all that to stay balanced and productive. I don't think they do, or maybe just every one else's life looks so much easier from the outside looking in, haha.   I think I'm a "sensitive" and "high strung" type, and when I have so many stressors in my life, any little thing to keep me moving in a positive direction is helpful.
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Guest, Golden thanks, every suggestion I get I am investigating. There were more events today but I am exhuasted and I see myself complaining about the same theme. I believe this is a spiritual attack on my family. This is a deep subject, you know religion and politics :) I am leary about sharing some of my innermost thoughts or enlightenments or weakness. I am grateful for all I have gotten from you all. As I have said this site helped me keep my sanity when I first came on. I love you all. Off for a few days no tellinfg if I come back with my butt or head intact or God forbid, confined LOL the way things are now and have been. I am still grateful to be a part of this forum. there are some of you out there who really makes this work. God Bless. Rays of light love and peace.
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Ali, with what you have been through you are going to feel tired and drained. It takes time. Be patient with yourself. I do not take any vitamins or supplements. Maybe I should.
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I know sometimes we talk about supplements/vitamins on here, and I've gotten some good info over the years. Was wondering if I can bug you all, again, to say what supplements/vitamins you take that you find helpful. It's hard to explain why I'm polling you guys, but... just if you don't mind... Tell me what you take and why you take it. lol ;-)

I'll start and say that I take vit D, magnesium, zinc, gingko, B-complex, sometimes a bit of B-12 liquid if I'm tired, and just recently started with turmeric curcumin a couple of months ago. There's one that Golden takes that I can't remember name of... carnitine? And I took that one for about the last 6 months but can't remember if that's it, so that's a lot to do with why I'm doing this poll lol. But figured you guys have some similar issues to what I have and if you've found supplements that you feel are helpful, I'd like a refresher course on what those are, please.

I don't take vitamins every day but do try to get a couple of doses in me per week and I have my reasons for taking each of those, and generally just seek to have better energy and focus because there are times when I feel drained and worn out, mentally and physically.

Thanks in advance.
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Duck: Good suggestion from Guest on looking into Section 8. Your city may also have low income housing.
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Good suggestions to DDDuck about hud housing and documenting.
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duck - it might be an idea to document what is happening -i.e. your efforts to find your mum when she wandered along with your efforts to contact your sis and nephew about it., cleanliness issues and who does anything about them, food issues, the door locks - (your sis's answer to mum's wandering), and anything that agencies/APS/mum's doctor might be interested in. Because the doc cannot give you any information does not mean that you cannot give him/her any information like about your mum wandering. Her doctor needs to know about that. (((((((hugs)))))

glad - your situation certainly was similar and very hurtful too, and not in your mum's best interests. How is the kitty doing?

sharyn -yay - starting work soon! I an still tired, especially my legs which have been aching. The drive then starting into the move right way was a bit much for me. You have mentioned previously feeling a bit depressed since the move. I know I will -seems to come with the territory. It takes a while to adjust. Dd's hub going to a support group would be great. Nothing like little kids and puppies!

guest - this should be the last move and I think there is an emotional toll from that too. I an looking forward to getting home today and back into my regular routine.

upset - I am so thankful that I don't do hands on caregiving too. Those that do are heroines and heros. You are giving them a real break. I am feeling a sadness about this last move and my mum's helplessness. I think the fatigue is affected by my emotions as well as the physical efforts. I find I am a bit weepy.

ali - having your emotions all over the place is to be expected with a move and all you have been through. Just look after you the best you can! Eventually things should level out.

Now, if R gets this job from the interview (and it sounded pretty positive like them asking for stuff they would not normally do on a first interview ], as well his background which particularly suits this position) plans will change again and we will stay for a few more years in the frozen north. Oh well. You can't have it all! One step at a time!
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Thanks Guest! Doing groups and seeing caregivers in trenches of taking care of loved ones makes me realize every day how much I have to be thankful for. I don't know how many caregivers accomplish what they do. But, their hard work, love and understanding of the care needed is an inspiration to me. They are a great group of people. In just 3 weeks we are fully enrolled with participants.
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Stacey, thinking of you and your test results are negative and you just need to rest, release all the stress. You have had a large amount of stress to contend with so I hope you are relaxing now.

Thank you guest! Yes, dd will get a diagnosis tomorrow afternoon. E is already in preschool continuing speech therapy and with a diagnosis, we can find out how to proceed from here. It may be a good idea if she and her hubs can go to a support group especially for her hubs to see that his son is perfectly abled just differently and he can and will learn. E is so tender hearted and just a sweetheart. His brother L is so curious about everything, wants to help with everything by being a typical smart 3 year old. Yesterday both boys were so cute, crawling on all 4’s pretending they were dogs. The 2 puppies were in the backyard playing so they were playing too.
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Sharyn, congrats! and hoping that getting a formal diagnosis gets access for therapies, etc. that E might need. Speaking from experience, you and daughter will still need to manage the process.
Golden, take care of yourself in the process! Another move accomplished with success. A breath of fresh air.
Upset, you are a light in the dark tunnel of Maine caregivers. I think the fuss about using your facilities came from the other folks because you accomplished so much so quickly. Often the need someone feels is so overwhelming that seeing services available nearby is so tempting to co-opt for oneself. The folks in that disability community don't have an Upset, so they try to piggyback on your work. Not bad, self-involved and needy. But you have your own work to pursue and you can't fix them all....
Duck, ask if you qualify for Section 8 housing. You are desperate and walking in circles. I understand. We all do. But you are trying to change other people and it just ain't gonna happen. Hugs.
Glad, a cat is perfect at this point in your life. We now have 2 cats and I miss the dog but not arranging to board/have checked on when we travel now.
I'm sorry about folks I miss, but trying hard to maintain.
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Thanks Upset and Golden. I start this Friday. The shoes I ordered should be here by Thursday so I’ll be set to work.

Golden, Glad you got your mother moved and you are done primarily with that part. I’m sure you are tired as moving and downsizing takes a lot out of our bodies. I hope you are resting up now.
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DDDuck, Good luck and take care. Hope things work out for you in this very difficult situation.

Sharyn, So happy for you that it is all working out for you with the your new job.

Ali, Is your life settling down? Any new news from the trust.

I'm off to work - four groups today.
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Thanks Glad! Somewhat different than my former employer as they gave us the uniform, 2 shirts, an apron and cap or visor. I will have to keep records so I can deduct the cost on our taxes.
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Sharyn, GREAT! Congrats.
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My new deli manager called late this afternoon. There were a couple things on the online ppwk that I missed answering on Saturday. I went on line from home but because I use google, I had to put it in a pdf file. Well I need a plug in because of google. My computer says my plug in is not working. So dd came over, she tried all kinds of stuff to fix it, to copy into another file.....we got it work but the last portion I could not submit without a managers signature. I am going down to the store in the morning to finish it on their computer. Then they can put me on the schedule for next week. Then I need to go buy a couple black polo shirts to war until I get my uniform shirt which is ordered at the store. The manager said it can take 2 months to get it. I guess I will order 2 shirts.
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Duck, my situation is very, was very similar. I did everything for mom, I lived with her. Sibs thought it was a walk in the park and that I should even pay rent. HA! Court saw it another way. When I had enough of twisteds and decided I was done, the tables turned. Twisteds found out the hard way they now had to do everything. And I also felt out of the loop, and did not receive an update on mom for two years, three weeks before she passed. That is other than a short update in the first week that mom was in a facility.

TS2 took mom to the hospital to have her tested for a UTI. At least she listened and learned a bit during my four years of care. Mom did not have a UTI, just very aggressive and a danger to herself and others. TS2's finding was that mom would adjust in a few weeks. A year and a half later, mom was kicked out of the facility because of her behaviors. She never adjusted.

Sibs with only minimal contact have no idea. They only see the best behaviors because of such limited interaction with them. I wished so often it could have been different, always knew in my heart it would not change. There was nothing I could do to change their understanding, thoughts or willingness to help. You cannot change others either. I could only change my perceptions and hopes. It is hard work and an ongoing process. Still is, always will be. But, I am in a much better place than I was.
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