Zen, I have had to miss it before and never reacted like this time, but I've been on it a lot longer now. I like it because it helps, but if you have something effective without it, I agree that not taking it is a good idea.

Bev, you are, as always, an awesome cheerleader. Thank you.

Things are actually not bad right now. Kara is getting help and the doctors here are so awesome. The difference between the ones here and the docs I met in Ohio is huge. Even the specialists relax and listen and make sense when they explain what's going on, and don't treat me like I'm stupid or evil because I'm overweight and a little crazy.

Aidan has gone from shouting and breaking things to the occasional slap of the wall and apologizing if he gets loud. I'm really, really proud of him.

Kara and I loved his therapist so much that she's now our therapist and he doesn't have to go anymore. She helped me realize that I actually have problems and can't just buck up to get past them. The PTSD is real and not just me being whiny. It will never go away, but I will learn to manage it better. I do actually have somewhat severe agoraphobia, and it's not like in the books or movies. Posting here will make her so happy with me!

I won't talk about Kara's stuff because, you know, 17 now and not a baby, so it's up to her what gets out in the world, but she has stuff and the therapist is helping.

eta: I'm really not ignoring the horrible no good ankle breaking, I'm just shuddering in sympathy without words.

Yes, I have never broken anything, unless you count the bunion surgery where they broke me on purpose. I am the biggest baby ever with zero pain tolerance so I don't think I would do well at all. and I can't take any pain killers so that would add to the suck.

I don't think I could ever convince #1 to go to a therapist. I think knowing hundreds of doctors all his life and having handled countless thousands of medical charts he has a higher level of doctor mistrust than most. He's ridiculously smart and devours books so I have repeatedly tried to get him to research self directed solutions. It's a challenge. I can honestly say I don't stress over it, because that isn't my way. However, my sister and my friend who was at my side at my wedding both lost their sons in their 20s. They have both said to me that there is a damn fine line between being overprotective, enabling, and them being gone. All you really can do is trust your instincts and make the best choices you can.

On the positive side, he sucks at answering his messages, but says repeatedly that I need not hesitate to come over any time of day or night and has given me a key in case he is asleep. And anytime I do drop in unannounced he is thrilled to see me and introduces me to his friends and so forth. He knows if I don't hear from him he will see me walk in. That he smiles and hugs me when I do keeps me positive.

Oh Laura, that's really lovely. I'm so glad he has you.

I have broken my left wrist twice, a bone at the base of my left thumb, my right pinkie finger, my left ankle (but not badly), and multiple toes. There was a while when I was low in vitamin D that I broke a toe once a week or so. I don't like the broken bones. I'm going to say they're pretty bad.

Jeez, Deena, way to go for the record!

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Broken bones are bad.

FYI, FWIW, I've recently learned that Vitamin D doesn't help your bones if you don't have enough vitamin K2 - and my multi only has vitamin K1. So, now, either I take a supplement or I eat more fermented foods and pasture-raised dairy and eggs.

He knows if I don't hear from him he will see me walk in. That he smiles and hugs me when I do keeps me positive.

Oh, I think I see why he doesn't answer the phone!

I take K2 and D. The D thing seems insane when I live in total sunshine, but dem bones seem to prefer having lots of it.

Oh, I think I see why he doesn't answer the phone!

Ha! I am totally telling him you figured out his plan.

Laura, I am hugging you so hard in solidarity. He couldn't have a better parent, or influential adult, on his side than you.

I've told y'all about calling the EMS in the wee smalls when my tongue swelled up enough I was afraid my airway might be compromised a month or two ago, right? I discovered (while image searching for Aunt Marge to show H what I'd looked like) that it's the *first* listed side effect for lisinopril, the BP med I've been on for yonks. My CP was either chagrinned or surprised or both by the news, and put me on a new BP med. Which, once burned, I checked on the side effects before filling the script. 1st on the list, edema, particularly of the ankles and feet.

Well, now, medical person I've been seeing for ten years, did you never notice the permanently swollen left, and sometimes both, ankles and feet, hmmm? When I not-so-gently reminded her, she was firm about putting me on yet another BP med. At this point I'm saying, it's not that elevated, are you *sure* I need a BP med, like, at all?

She's all, pooh-pooh, of course you need a BP med: Type II, threat of CHF, stroke, etc. And this one is mild. But the first and inevitable side effect is diahrrea, so here's a rec for magnesium supplements. Combined with the iron supplements to combat my persistent anemia, makes me feel vaguely magnetic, or atomic, or something.

Didja ever want to stop all meds and just go sit on a rock in the woods somewhere and maybe lick elm bark? Just me, then?

Didja ever want to stop all meds and just go sit on a rock in the woods somewhere and maybe lick elm bark? Just me, then?

looks at medicine cabinet

All the time, my friend. All the time.

I don't take any prescriptions, mostly because every time I have it was worse than the thing it was supposed to help.

My doctor wanted me to take BP meds because it was an issue. I just took it now because I have the cuff next to my computer. 115/62. I watch it closely, and it does vary. I Am Not A Doctor. I just have an issue with meds. So when the BP was out of control I took measures. I listen to waves crashing over binaural beats as background noise instead of the news. I swim for an hour a day. I turn off my computer and get 7-9 hours of sleep a night. I don't drive on the highway.

My sugar and cholesterol have both been borderline for decades. My doctor would like to give me medications. Nope. I don't do sugar. Really the only thing I can do at this point to reduce the cholesterol any more is lose weight. Ugh. I don't have to tell all of you that is easier said than done. But, tomorrow I see the acupuncturist and see if their eastern herbs and tiny needles help.

Maybe I am as bad as my son and 30 years working with doctors has turned me against big pharma. But as I look at 65 around the corner I have to say I am doing okay physically and have decided to pass on Medicare and supplementals because I don't spend my money on doctors and medications. I just use an HSA and see the chiropractor when things ain't lined up right, and now the needle lady to get stuff in balance.

Complete respect for other paths, but I have to do what feels right for me.