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Why is there such a negative perception of responsible adults who try to have some educated input into their..?

  • Posted on August 12, 2010 at 9:21 pm

…prescribed medications?

I ask this as a 32 year old mother of a toddler, who has been dealing with serious back problems for over 13 years now (stemming from my 6 years in the Army). I have been to every type of medical and alternative type of professional out there and so far the pain only increases. Now it’s one thing to go from being a fully functioning, high level achiever to someone who is “disabled,” but add to that the responsibilities of single motherhood and all I want is to be the best mom I can for my daughter.

Over the past 8 years or so I have educated myself tremendously about the various medications and treatments I’ve been prescribed and those available. Unfortunately my only medical care is through the VA hospital so I am limited in my options. Over the 13 years of this ordeal thus far, doctors have prescribed probably 50-75 different types of medications and combinations thereof to try and treat my pain level. As of August 2007 (when I found out unexpectedly that I was pregnant) I was on 160 mg of Oxycontin plus about 8 Percocet, plus Valium, muscle relaxers, and two different types of depression medications – all just naturally prescribed by my doctors (not at my request, but without my objection). When I found out I was pregnant my pain management doctor actually told me it was OK to stay on all that medication and my baby would “just have to detox” after birth! I said no way in hell and I began to taper down my meds on my own, which I did incorrectly at first until I found another doctor that agreed with me about detoxing myself over the course of the pregnancy. By the time my daughter was born (perfect and healthy) I was down to 20 mg of oxycontin/day, one anti-depressant (although not the best treatment for my issue but best for my daughter while growing inside of me) and a very mild anti-anxiety med once in a while for severe attacks. I stayed at that level for 6 more months while breastfeeding then my doctor wanted to start increasing my pain meds again. I was in tremendous pain and was OK with increasing at that point. About 3 months ago I was up to 80 mg Oxycontin again and finally I decided it was enough and I requested to be tapered off the meds again since they weren’t really helping my pain level much anyway. OK, I realize this is long but I feel I need to give a little background, please bear with me.

So now with my narcotic pain regimen tapering down again (already to 40 mg/day) I decided to try to take control of the other aspect of my prescription care, which is my depression. The medication I am on now is not working that well for me and I am constantly exhausted, lack motivation and have a lot of trouble concentrating on anything. I asked my mental health professional if it was possible to change my prescription to another med, which is controversial but I have read a lot about it in treatment of depression and it has worked well for a friend of mine with similar situation. Instead of talking about that med or any other suitable similar meds, she INCREASED my dosage of the med I am already on.

So a few days ago I asked a question on here about why my doctor may have been so against the med I researched and asked her about and the answers I got were pretty darn dismissive and judgmental. It got me thinking about how I have been treated by everyone in my life when they find out about my prescription regimens. All I want, obviously, is to be the most functional, “whole” person I can be, especially now, for my daughter. What is wrong with that? Why is there so much judgment, criticism and discrimination against people who are merely trying to live more normal lives without horrible pain and suffering? I just don’t get it. Can anyone help me understand?

Thanks!
Honeysuite – Thank you. I am on the “list” for therapy at my local VA. Unfortunately, the VA system is way overburdened with all the soldiers coming back from the Middle East, and with all the ridiculous budget cuts… well, you get the idea.

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Are You Trying to Do it On Your Own?

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 9:05 pm

“We need each other to Fly!”

“I can do it on my own”. Is that a phrase that runs through your mind? This very phrase can be keeping you very stuck in your life.

When we are attempting to make positive changes in our life–desiring to move into our full potential–we can get stuck in thinking that we can do this all on our own. And then we get frustrated because we can’t make these changes and start to beat ourselves up.

The reality is that to make changes in our life–the kinds of changes that will really make a difference–we need support—and lots of it. The reason for this is our Conditioned Self–our false beliefs, fears, old programming is very strong and oftentimes very invisible to us. That is why it is so easy to get stuck.

We need healthy support around us–people that are capable of pointing out to us.”Are you aware that you are doing this—that you are getting in your own way?” Someone flashing the light on what we cannot see because we are too close to it.

One of the reasons that I love what I do so much is that I get to do this for my clients every day. After years of working with clients I am able to see very quickly what is getting in their way, what is keeping them stuck–and I am able to share this with them so they can start to quickly move forward again.

The other key thing that support can do for us is see the Grand Possibilities of who we are and what is possible in our life. Our Conditioned Self has a very limited perception of who we really are and what is truly possible for us.

I am able to see clients clearly and see the larger possibility for their lives. I am able to offer them “believing eyes” to help them move into their own Self-Belief–and to see their true potential.

I recommend on-going support for clients in one form or another: either individual work, or in a group, or by attending a Workshop. The most successful clients I have are the ones that get the most support. They innately know they need it and they love themselves enough to make sure they are getting enough of it.

So love yourself enough to get the support you need to really move forward in your life–you absolutely deserve it!

Shelley Riutta MSE, LPC is a pioneer in the Holistic Psychotherapy field. She specializes in Transformational individual counseling, Presentations and Workshops. For her free Workbook “What Do You REALLY Want: Finding Purpose and Passion” and free monthly tele-classes visit her web-site at http://www.RadiantLifeCounseling.com/

Article Source: Are You Trying to Do it On Your Own?

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The Power of Belief to Transform Your Experience

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:57 pm

Just had a great conversation with a friend who was telling me about some business associates who have had a complete turn around on their dream.

A few months ago, they were enthusiastic and on fire for their future. Unfortunately, they didn’t keep their mental doors locked … and something negative slipped in, and they dropped the pursuit of their dream.

All failure begins this way.

People may have high hopes, but when their perceived circumstances suggest a lesser outcome is more likely (perhaps via an unexpected obstacle), this perceived discrepancy becomes the initial seed of failure.

Being unaware of how this process destroys the dreams of countless people, they fall victim to its seduction.

Take a look at what happens and how this process works:

1. We all have two parts in our thinking: One is our dream or goal, and the second is the belief that it might not ever happen. This is where most people start out.

2. Next, something begins to spark or inspire a person to take action on their dream. (Yet, not having a full understanding of the Laws of Success, they are actually moving in the direction of their dream with a great deal of ignorance. Ignorance is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as a person stays open to what he/she must learn along the way. The problem is many individuals are not open to growth and change.)

3. Their subconscious manifests an obstacle to keep them from experiencing anything “new”. This new challenge is perceived as a point of failure.

It is at this point in a person’s journey where moving forward becomes too painful or fearful, and a person usually chooses to stay “safe”. The truth, however, is that this is also the point where moving forward would allow a person to see the bigger win they are hoping for!

You see, YOUR beliefs control your perception of everything in your world, which in turn creates your reality. If you want to change your reality, you must use new information to change your beliefs AND your perception. Until you see things differently, you will continue to makes choices that keep you where you are. And eventually, you will give up on your dreams.

In other words, your experiences reflect your belief system. This means that if there is anything in your life you don’t want to experience all you need to do to change “it” is to change the belief that caused “it” in the first place!

In theory, it’s really simple … but in practice, many people find it difficult because they really don’t understand all beliefs are nothing but illusions anyway. But these illusions are so strong people think that they are real when actually they are not.
The power of belief is astounding. I encourage you to study its mysteries for yourself and see what changes you truly do have the power to make.

“Just Believe”

How would your life change if you stepped into the full embodiment of Your Highest Self today? Would you like to step up to the next level of life? At power of belief receive David Neagle’s free audio course, The Art of Success, and step up to the next level of life!

Article Source: The Power of Belief to Transform Your Experience

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