Alternative Treatments

Thanks. I discussed with my pdoc, he said to be aware that most of the companies that claim benefits with few recent clinical trials are just trying to get money out of you. He said to keep researching and looking for options in this country and send him the results if I found anything of merit. Still looking but Im hopeful. Even if someone had a machine here and offered treatments, similar to TENS I'd be interested.

I've had full bloodwork done by the gyno before the insertion of the mirena, all was normal, except being borderline PCOS. He said this was caused by long term use of antipsychoitcs. Physically I am healthy. I've been doing my blood sugar regularly and there are no problems there either. I had a physical on admission, all was normal.

My partner and I enjoy massages (well I enjoy massages and he enjoys "other things" in return ) So I get massages regularly. Love them and they certainly help me relax and lower my pain levels.

Yes, writing about your life is good when you have a mental disorder.

Outside activities can help significantly. I'm not sure if you grouped them with exercising, but I considered hiking to be more of a outdoor hobby since I don't go hiking every day. Going out for a hike or walking around a reservoir really helps me since being outside is refreshing. Bringing a camera (or using your smartphone) to take pictures is a great way to enjoy your outdoor activities more.

Some yoga studios also do pilates so that might be something you may be interested in. Pilates is a German workout that uses a special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness.

I journal, almost constantly at the moment. I go through about a journal a month.

Im outside mucking out horse stables and paddocks most days when I am home, I see that as exercising. When Im well I horseride, but this has been a challenge the last 8 months or so. I have desperately been trying to get back on but I physically need someone to be with me when I do it now, due to the danger of riding a horse that has been our of work 8 months...

I did "body balance" for years. That was a mix of yoga and pilates. It had absolutely no effect on my mood.

Thanks for your suggestions

I researched online recently rTMS repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.
A dear friend highly recommended it to my attention years ago.
There are no clinical trials in my area.
If there were, I'd go for it.
Of course unfortunately the private practice costs are unbelievably expensive, more than I imagined. The first series alone costs $40,000!

Perhaps there may be clinical trials in your area.

Outside off my extreme diet I am trying, something I have been doing is writing stories. At first I had difficulty doing so, but now I am able to concentrate more and more. This has taken my mind off of suicidal ideation. I actually have not had suicidal thoughts in almost a week. This was from wanting to die pretty much everyday.

Since I started going to a Korean spa once weekly, I have been much more grounded.

I started a journal at first it just was things I liked because I couldn't think of good things, I like my lipstick, I like my black boots, I like my car, I like neighbor, I like I wrote in this journal today lol etc. Then it became I love my kids, I love my hair today, I love smell of my hairspray, etc. Then I started adding things I was grateful for, things other people said or did I like or love. Today one of my entries will be I loved I tried to make fried potatoes today. I add things, I like, I love, Im grateful for, Its positive because. You think you have nothing to write then 25-30 things later you will be surprised lol TRY IT

Series of Ketamine Treatments

Magnet Therapy ( now approved by FDA)

Vagus Nerve Stimulator

Some good results with off label meds

Rilutek. - used for Lou Gehrigs Disease

Mirapex - used for Parkinson's disease

The sea sickness med - can't think of the name at the moment

Yes I have done this. I have a grateful journal as well as my normal one.

Thanks. Off label meds I have been on for years, sea sickness meds I also have taken but for travel sickness, its never had an effect on my mood.

The rest I havent tried, I'll do some more research on what you mentioned, thanks for the ideas

I recently learned that there are ketamine clinics in the major city 2 hours away.
I've been online to learn about it, in hopes that it might be for me.
Unfortunately the costs were unbelievably expensive, and therefore not a viable option for relief for me. It requires a series of ketamine IV infusions.

There is an article on it by Dr. John Grohol on Psych Central World of Psychology.