23rd Cymbalta Update - Feeling Good

Some advice about things that have helped me with irritation Cold water is good for irritability Wash your face with cold water Run the cold water over your arms or just hands, and imagine it taking the irritability away from you and down the plug hole. I run the cold shower over my arms and legs when I'm finished washing and it's very refreshing. It brings you back to the present moment. Not brave enough for a complete ducking yet💦 Hold something cold in your hands I experienced a rage I have never felt before in my life when I dropped too low on serequel. It was awful. I took the rest of my dose as soon as I got home. But I didn't have this knowledge at the time. Be mindful of thoughts and take your mind to something more positive. Keep aware of what media you put in your brain while your brain is adjusting and recovering. Happy, comedy, whatever it is that makes you feel positive 😌🪷 Spend lots of time feeling cosy, so you remember that's how you like to feel. Creating a safe place as much as you can. So when you're experiencing negativity you can take yourself to that place where you feel at home and loved. 🏡 And your brain is used to this feeling because you do it so much 🪷 You can take a piece of nature like a stone or feather or leaf in your hands and while you hold it think of what's making you feel bad. When you've finished put it back into nature and keep another stone or something as a witness. I hope some of my coping techniques may help you cope aswell with this horrible feeling as our brains adjust I'm still looking for other ways to deal with irritability. Still learning 🫂

Oh I just thought of a couple of other things I've learnt Breathing techniques, there's lots you can look up if you want Or Find somewhere quiet and comfortable, sit or lie down Put one or two fingers lightly and gently between your eyebrows Slowly and as light as a feather trace your fingers straight up the middle of your forehead until you get to your hairline. Lift off Then place back between your eyebrows and do it again for as long as you like. Only upwards movement Slow your breathing as well It should help you relax and help reset your nervous system I have a wire head massager I got cheap from Amazon. It reduces cortisol. But this should not be used if you have a headache or feel dizzy or anything going on in your head However when you're feeling physically ok in your head it should help with reducing stress and make you feel relaxed I hope something I've learnt helps you too 💕

Something else crossed my mind Foods or drinks that make you want more of them and create cravings. Therefore cravings cause irritability Like coffee, sugar for instance While my brain is recovering I'm kind to myself by reducing cravings slowly and stopping/ swapping I can always have them again when my brain is stronger if I reintroduce slowly I'm finding a lot of people living a different lifestyle to the majority and to their friends because of our deprescibing. But it's ok because we have each other 🫂 Best wishes 😘