Gilmer

I guess we'll have to see what the CAT scan turns up. Hopefully something treatable, but not serious. If not, you'd think a doctor, an expert in diagnosing illnesses, would show more curiosity in researching CFS if he doesn't know anything about it!

I had a symptom I had been complaining of for two years that was misdiagnosed twice--by specialists! I finally figured out what it was and how to get rid of it online! I figured, "at this point, it's worth a try"--and damned if it didn't solve the problem!

Now I'm fine--but I did undergo an unnecessary surgery by one of the specialists in pursuit of it!

Kris47

Tanya, perhaps a rheumatologist might be able to help as your symptoms seem to head in that direction. Ask your PP. Also, have you had any lab work done?

Carlos, way to GO on 1 Year!

Wishing you all a good day. Time to head for some coffee............

IWLSAST

I am happy to report that I have an action packed day. So I am popping in for this quickie post.

Once again, thank you for all the many well wishes!

It is so exciting to see some new Undies joining this wonderful thread. Welcome Kris and gracette and welcome home GCG.

Tanja, please exercise the option to solicit another opinion...ASAP!!

Hey, no drinkin or drugin, Undies...okay?

Carlos xx

BoozeFree

Tanja I def agree with everyone else. Sounds like might be time to try another doctor since you're unhappy with the current one.

Got up at 5 and headed to the beach with my dog for a nice few miles walk. What a difference starting the day before work like that compared to just rolling out of bed. Time to get more consistent with exercise. I was reading a few different articles before bed last night all relating exercise as well as support ect for staying sober.

Have a great day undies!

DG0409

Tanja- I agree with the others that a new Dr. is in order. I hope you get to feeling better one way or another.

I'm feeling a tad low on motivation. I need to start getting ready for the day and head off to work soon and I just don't want to. I don't know what my deal is. So I figure I'll give myself another 15 minutes on SR and then get to it.

Thinking about it, I feel like that low motivation has been a trend for me lately. I don't feel really depressed and once I get to doing something I am fine but it's like when I wake up in the morning I just don't really want to get up and face the day.

Today is my last day on the road working so I'll get home tonight or tomorrow. I think once I get home I need to get serious about the diet/exercise side of things. Perhaps working out a bit will increase my energy levels and in any event, it would be good for me.

Babs1234

I hear you DG---I've started walking again at night after work and I do feel better and I sleep better too.---it gives me time to think and sort things out about my life. and I have a better attitude.
Babs

Siesta

Hi undies!
I'm with all of you on the exercise thing. Need to get back out there on the bike. I've been using work as an excuse not to ride. That has to stop!! (Not work but the excuse part)

Tanja, I hope you are able to find a new doc. You need to have someone who really cares about what is going on with you. Not someone who dismisses what you are saying.

Speaking of docs, I was a grown up yesterday and went to see mine for a skin cancer check. Turns out it was nothing and had it removed. Never would have gone during my drinking years.

Hubby is on his 2nd, ten day work trip. I'm doing ok with it. I was invited to go party with some work peeps tomorrow but I turned them down. I did let myself think about going for a minute, which I still feel really guilty about. It's a dangerous indulgence of the mind and a slippery slope. I'm using work as my excuse with them also. Training someone that I just can't get out of.

This work trip hubby is on is bearable because we are planning our own trip next week when he's back.
Carlos!!! It's a golf trip!!!
We're going to do an overnighter to the local island. It's the oldest course west of the Mississippi. Fun fun!!
Have a great day undies. Hoping to check in later with tales of my epic bike ride today.
Welcome to all the newcomers! Stick with us. It's a great support thread with wonderful people.

gleefan

Gilmer - I chuckled when I saw that you are taking a page out of my book and diagnosing and treating your illnesses online. Hey, the self-diagnosed alcoholism and treatment via SR is working for me! (I'm also treating a pesky heel injury via google and amazon right now.)

Siesta - Smart move skipping the party. You vacation sounds nice; I'm sure Carlos is thinking about all those holes you will be playing. Ahem.

BoozeFree - I prefer starting the day off with exercise to rolling out of bed and into work. My work schedule doesn't allow that every day of the week, but I sure enjoy it.

DG - My constitution is sensitive to what I eat and how much activity I get, and also even drinking enough water. I hope that clears up your doldrums a bit.

Have a good one, undies!

courage2

Goodness it's quiet here lately. We need to go grab an extrovert!

Gleefan, I'm not in favor of treating medical problems with google, but Etsy's a pretty good way to treat minor malaise

Siesta, I'm glad the skin problem wasn't cancer. I really really love to lie in the sun, and know I should worry about cancer, but.... Your upcoming trip sounds like a great thing for you & your husband especially after all the stress you went through together with stepD.

Babs1234, it's great that you're walking -- good for the mind & body.

DG, maybe what you think is low motivation is just a breathing space -- you've made a lot of changes and accomplished a ton of stuff lately, it's natural that you're coming down from the excitement of some of it. Give yourself some time to stabilize.

Boozefree -- wow, another exerciser! Awesome!

Have I told you all my story about the gym in my building? See, the building association put one in, and you have to pay to use it but it's really cheap, and reasonably nice, and I like to run on a treadmill (because I'm scared to run on the street because I'm spacey and will get dizzy and get hit by a car), so I signed up. But I don't like people and especially strangers in shorts exercising close by, so after a lot of thinking, I bought my first ever MP3 player, so that I could be all plugged in and already listening to something before I even entered the gym, and wouldn't notice the huffers & puffers. But I can't stand shopping in real stores (see above, hating people), so I ordered it online, and it got lost in the Bronx.

Well that's enough of that story for now. If you want to know if I ever made it to the gym, you'll have to tune in for another installment.

Dee74

Lost in the Bronx? sounds like a movie

Elijah Wood can play the part of your mp3 player

gleefan

I hope this is the recovery conversation I have to look forward to during Courage's sabbatical.

IWLSAST

Oh Courage, do not fear
No need to shed a tear
You're not yet rid of me
and my occasional hyperbole
Now which way does your story steer?

Oops, thought I was on limericks.

Siesta, reservations for three, please!! But only if we go all the way. Oh no, I mean play 18, not 9. Seriously, it sounds wonderful. May I ask the name of the resort...there is always vicarious.

Babs and BF, exercise is such a wonderful gift to give yourself in recovery. Mazel Tov!

Hey Gracette - do we have day 6 in the bag? Keep posting.

DG, your post messed with my head today. Obviously I understand the lack of motivation thing. Where I was deep in thought was just wondering if a larger percentage of we alkie types need to fight this malaise more often than normies? Does the frequency that we face malaise diminish with extended sobriety? I'm inclined to say yes...but it was so long ago that I had any extensive sober time, I just forget. Even having the answer doesn't solve anything, it just bothered me. Thanks, DG!

^ ^ ^ Dee, can you help me out here?

Dr's Glee and Gilmer - University of Mars
Coverage from head to toe...

Kris, coffee type? Where? need some details...

Thanks, Drake

Hey, if anyone runs into Dottie P, please tell her I am still awaiting my congrats to make it official. I can only hold my breath for so long.

GCG, any letting go stories to share?

Dee74

Well....I can share my experience

At least as far back as my teens I had periods - soimetimes long periods - of low motivation, low energy, low interest.

This was before I ever took a drink or drug.

I didn't feel sad so I never thought it might be depression...and I'm not diagnosing anyone else, but I believe now it was.

Drugs and drink didn't help - but I believe the depression was there beforehand.

It took me most of my first year to feel ok, and a good part of my second year to feel good, but since that time it's been great,

I have my ups and downs like anyone, and I will sometimes take a mental health day...but no lasting malaise-y type episodes.

so I guess my answer is maybe... or maybe not, guys

DG I hope you'll feel better back at home in familiar surrounds

D

courage2

I'm glad you're not done with us yet, Carlos!

And yes, Gleefan, I didn't realize it until you said, but this might be the first installment of the hilarious escapades of Courage as she learns what to do with her own time.

Dee, not sure I get the Elijah Wood ref. The mp3 player I ordered was tiny and pink. (I'm also trying to exercise my sense of whimsy, I know it's a lame attempt but it's all I got.) Do you think Mr. Wood could pull off roaming the Bronx in itty-bitty pink confusion?

Dee74

I just think he always looks scared Courage lol
I would have used Don Knotts but these young folks might not know who he is

Neither of them would look great in pink tho.

D

courage2

But either one would be extra scared in pink in the Bronx, so I say it's perfect casting!

Dee74

D

BoozeFree

Hi undies.
Home from work and watching some tv. Feeling tired so I think I will go to sleep early.

Courage can't wait to read the rest of your gym series story!

dorothyparker

Carlos, CONGRATULATIONS. I'm so happy that you reached your year. So happy to count you as a SR friend. You're doing well and even though at times I ache for and with you, I know you're OK now.

xoxoxo
Dottie/DP/DorothyP.

DG0409

Carlos- I definitely think that PAWS can contribute to the lack of motivation during the first year or two of sobriety. But I also think that it's something even 'normal' people suffer from. Personally, I think that our modern life styles can kind of lead to depression, lack of motivation, burn out, etc. Most of us end up with some combination of being over-worked, spending too much time in traffic, not eating healthy and drinking enough water, drinking too much caffeine, not getting enough sleep, not getting enough exercise, or not getting enough sunshine and fresh air. I tend to think that it's normal for those things to cause us to not feel well. Judging by the number of anti-depressants on the market, I'd venture to guess that it's not just us alkies who feel bad sometimes.

I was a bit better about eating healthy and getting my exercise earlier on in my recovery as PAWS was a lot worse for me and I knew I needed to do those things to feel better. Now that my PAWS symptoms are much, much better I am no longer driven by the extreme downs to feel like I HAVE to exercise and eat well to try to feel better. Now I'm just ready to refocus on the diet and exercise, not as a way to reduce PAWS symptoms, but just because I want to live a happy, healthy life.