If he knew a catastrophe like that had his name, he would also want to be the catalyst for healing by purring for everyone who is sad, in pain, or scared right now.

Laura, ~ma, lots of it for your stepdad.

The "cat"-alyst, you mean.

Awww, Cat 1 Harvey, registered to purr.

My trigeminal neuralgia (facial nerves that act like dicks) has been held at bay by Lyrica but I realized yesterday that the pain was slowly building again. I tried to make an appt to see my doc, but that will be two weeks before I can officially have my dosage reviewed. In the meantime, I'm extraordinarily thankful for CBD cream as that gave me enough relief for me to realize how much pain I have been in. Ugh.

I also got a call from the nurse at my doctor's office saying that I can temporarily increase my Lyrica by almost triple my usual dose as needed to cut the pain. I think I'm going to just increase it a bit and stick with that and the CBD cream unless I get more pain breakthrough.

The pain had been keeping me from sleeping soundly but last night I actually got restful sleep.

Now I have two papers to write along with contributing to our weekly discussion and I'm procrastinating like I'm getting paid.

I'm extraordinarily thankful for CBD cream as that gave me enough relief for me to realize how much pain I have been in. Ugh.

Since CBD oil is legal in all 50 states, I keep telling Tim to try it as a tincture or cream for his rheumatoid arthritis pain. His lab test results are very, very good in terms of inflammatory markers, but he still has pain. He's just reluctant to try it even though he knows it doesn't contain THC. (And even though medical marijuana was legalized here last year, none of the dispensaries are set up, AFAIK, so the only thing available is CBD oil. I'm tempted to try it as a tincture for my anxiety.)

I've used a CBD tincture for anxiety, and have CBD cream for pain. They both work wonderfully, and in the case of the tincture, don't give the same sort of mild grogginess that RX anti-anxiety meds sometimes give me.

ION, this is totally a diamond shoes gloating thing, but DAMN, am I glad there's a naked lady spa in my neighborhood. It's the best thing when I'm feeling creaky and achey.

Try it, Steph. I know a bunch of people who use tinctures with great success. I have some edibles that are easy to take in small bits and they help me sleep when my brain just won't shut up. And if the TGN is just a spike, not a new level of pain, I'd rather manage it with the cream than regularly increasing my Lyrica.

As for Tim, I have heard excellent results from folks with RA using CBD salves. The relief penetrates fairly deeply without THC.

Mental health ahoy. I keep raising hell with Trump-supporting relatives (including my own father) and then crying to my mom on the phone because I feel so betrayed and angry. And flat-out scared and sad.

The latest was a go-round with my uncle and cousin on another cousin's husband's FB page. My cousin then pointed me to previous posts from my dad (I unfriended him ~1 year ago over this shit) and it just sent me into a rage and sadness spiral, ending with a crying call with mom (she ended up crying, too) Friday night.

Guess it's time to make that therapist appointment, huh?

Glamcookie, you deserve respect and care. It shames me that our country makes you (or anyone) feel unsafe. It is sad that you do not get the full support of your family. I'm sorry. And yeah I think a therapist might offer you valuable care and support.

Please take care of yourself, Glam. Therapy is good - rough but good. Also, try to pick you battles with your Trump supporting relatives. Find ways to put that energy toward helping those who are resisting rather than those that refuse to use critical thinking skills. My 2 cents. Take them or leave them. No worries.

Jack and I are working out back as the maids are due in today. Normally they are here around 10am, but no sign of them yet. If they don't show up by noon, I'll call. Thankfully, the weather is VERY nice today and working outside is very relaxing. Jack has been FANTASTIC with not barking at people walking just on the other side of our fence or barking at our neighbors when they step into their back yards. Such a good pup. He is maturing finally.