Aromatherapy Vigor

Question:

>14 Jul 02 >Are the roads between Ardmore, County Waterford and Avoca, County Wicklow >decent enough for one to drive comfortably in one day between the two? Have >made B&B reservations at both places (first night in Ardmore, next in Avoca) >and now wonder if I should stop over between the two?  Time is rather tight >here so if I can do it in one day, I would rather.  Nan > It’s 175 km, just under three hours of driving according to Autoroute. > —

3 hours!!!???? Not on those roads. Irish roads are very narrow and as such speed is generaly restricted. I would say nearer to 4 esp if your behind a coach load of tourist going to BallyK

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >14 Jul 02 > >Are the roads between Ardmore, County Waterford and Avoca, County Wicklow > >decent enough for one to drive comfortably in one day between the two? >Have > >made B&B reservations at both places (first night in Ardmore, next in >Avoca) > >and now wonder if I should stop over between the two?  Time is rather >tight > >here so if I can do it in one day, I would rather.  Nan > It’s 175 km, just under three hours of driving according to Autoroute. > — >3 hours!!!???? >Not on those roads. Irish roads are very narrow and as such speed is >generaly restricted. I would say nearer to 4 esp if your behind a coach load >of tourist going to BallyK

I’d give it longer — not because of the road, but because of the stops you might want to make. – Dungarvan, just because it’s nice – Waterford, for "the glass", for Reginald’s Tower, for its nice little civic museum – New Ross to see the Dunbrodie (replica "famine ship") – Enniscorthy to enjoy views of the Slaney River – Ferns for its miscellaneous ecclesiastical ruins and tiny cathedral – Woodenbridge, just because it is lovely. Plan for a leisurely day trip. PB

Response:

>The bizarre thing about Ireland is that traffic jams spring up without >warning where you would least expect them eg a village in the middle of >nowhere, except that a highway happens to go through it with a half hour >of traffic backed up on either side.   >Why is it so?

Bloody tourists slowing down while they wonder if they should stop for lunch here. PB

Response:

>>The bizarre thing about Ireland is that traffic jams spring up without >warning where you would least expect them eg a village in the middle of >nowhere, except that a highway happens to go through it with a half hour >of traffic backed up on either side. >Why is it so? >Bloody tourists slowing down while they wonder if they should stop for >lunch here.

I blame religion I’ve been held up a couple of times by funerals with substantial processions at a slow walking pace. On Sundays, everyone drives to church and parks on the road.  You can just get one car past but if there’s someone coming the other way as well… — UK Aromatherapy Information and Products: http://www.celtic-flame.co.uk

Response:

14 Jul 02 Are the roads between Ardmore, County Waterford and Avoca, County Wicklow decent enough for one to drive comfortably in one day between the two?  Have made B&B reservations at both places (first night in Ardmore, next in Avoca) and now wonder if I should stop over between the two?  Time is rather tight here so if I can do it in one day, I would rather.  Nan

Response:

>14 Jul 02 >Are the roads between Ardmore, County Waterford and Avoca, County Wicklow >decent enough for one to drive comfortably in one day between the two?  Have >made B&B reservations at both places (first night in Ardmore, next in Avoca) >and now wonder if I should stop over between the two?  Time is rather tight >here so if I can do it in one day, I would rather.  Nan

No problem. And plenty of time to smell the flowers. Don’t miss Avoca Handweavers. PB

Response:

>14 Jul 02 >Are the roads between Ardmore, County Waterford and Avoca, County Wicklow >decent enough for one to drive comfortably in one day between the two?  Have >made B&B reservations at both places (first night in Ardmore, next in Avoca) >and now wonder if I should stop over between the two?  Time is rather tight >here so if I can do it in one day, I would rather.  Nan

It’s 175 km, just under three hours of driving according to Autoroute. — UK Aromatherapy Information and Products: http://www.celtic-flame.co.uk

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Question:

My father has P and I just wondering how does it work? He got it when he was in his 30’s. Hes now in his 40’s. Can anybody explain how it starts, what it is, what it does? We live in Australia so most of the medicines you describe arent available here. He has tried many things to make it go, daivonex, betnovate, aromatherapy, oils, concoctions, salt water, soaking in oils, EVERYTHING! My mum told me his P went into remission about 3 years ago now, when he retired from his job as a loco – driver. But once he went back to working with my mum it flared up again… Can anyone shed light on the situation for me. Thanks. Robert.

Response:

Basically when his psoriasis is active his skin cells are growing too fast. Normal skin gets a replacement set of cells every month or so, with psoriasis it’s every 4-7 days, which is the rate the autoimmune system uses to grow new cells at to heal a skin wound. Why does this happen? Well, they’re still working out some of the mechanisms, but it takes a mixture of genetic and environmental factors. People with psoriasis have a genetic fault leaving them suspectible to having their immune system erroneously kicked into gear to grow new skin at the wound healing rate. That’s where the environmental factors come in – you can have the genetic fault but not show symptoms until something triggers the problem into activity. These triggers can vary wildly and include things like infections, stress, contact irritations, a skin wound, dietary reactions. Not everybody responds to the same triggers, and there are also certain ‘peak’ ages of onset separate from any particular trigger.  When psoriasis is activated, the new cells are growing too fast and aren’t properly developed, so they build up, causing the flaking and redness (inflammation). I can give you a lot more techical stuff, but that’s the basic overview. There are some places listed in the FAQ in my .sig that also expand a bit on this. Actually even though you are in Australia, you probably do have most of the same treatments available, maybe just under different names. The exceptions would be things that are still being tested, such as Amevive.  And I know it must seem like he’s tried everything, but the odds are that he probably hasn’t. If he doesn’t already see one, he should try to see a derm *with a specialty in psoriasis* (not all derms are P experts) to see what else is available or maybe find more effective ways to use what he’s already tried, such as in combination therapy. It sounds as if he’s someone for whom stress might be a big trigger, given what you say about how it acted when he was working vs retired. Part of the way to alleviate psoriasis includes trying to eliminate or mimimize things that trigger it. Hope this helps. Yell if more questions. Kim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My father has P and I just wondering how does it work? >He got it when he was in his 30’s. Hes now in his 40’s. >Can anybody explain how it starts, what it is, what it does? >We live in Australia so most of the medicines you describe arent available >here. >He has tried many things to make it go, daivonex, betnovate, aromatherapy, >oils, concoctions, salt water, soaking in oils, EVERYTHING! >My mum told me his P went into remission about 3 years ago now, when he >retired from his job as a loco – driver. But once he went back to working >with my mum it flared up again… >Can anyone shed light on the situation for me. >Thanks. >Robert.

The Psoriasis Newsgroup Resource FAQ can be found at               http://pfaq.cjb.net but will also be coming soon (twice a month) to a            newsgroup near you…

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Question:

Either I had an olfactory hallucination last night, or the cat peed on the radiator.  As the scent is familiar to a cat spraying, it’s hard to tell, as the cats were in the room.  On the other hand that particular scent is a male cat’s scent and there were no male cats in the room. Hard to test these things. Squiggles

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> Either I had an olfactory hallucination last night, > or the cat peed on the radiator.  As the scent is > familiar to a cat spraying, it’s hard to tell, as > the cats were in the room.  On the other hand that > particular scent is a male cat’s scent and there > were no male cats in the room. > Hard to test these things. > Squiggles

- Nah, it was the cats – they pissed in the laundry basked – how considerate

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Either I had an olfactory hallucination last night, > or the cat peed on the radiator.  As the scent is > familiar to a cat spraying, it’s hard to tell, as > the cats were in the room.  On the other hand that > particular scent is a male cat’s scent and there > were no male cats in the room. > Hard to test these things. > Squiggles > – > Nah, it was the cats – they pissed in the laundry basked – > how considerate

My cat had a litter of 6 kittens in a laundry basket once!  She didn’t like me moving the little site she had prepared either.  (claw, bite, scratch, hiss, bite, chomp!!!!!) Junipers (hedge plants?).  They smell like cat pee to me, and so does coffee grinds. Carrie

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > Either I had an olfactory hallucination last night, > > or the cat peed on the radiator.  As the scent is > > familiar to a cat spraying, it’s hard to tell, as > > the cats were in the room.  On the other hand that > > particular scent is a male cat’s scent and there > > were no male cats in the room. > > Hard to test these things. > > Squiggles > – > Nah, it was the cats – they pissed in the laundry basked – > how considerate > My cat had a litter of 6 kittens in a laundry basket once!  She didn’t like > me moving the little site she had prepared either.  (claw, bite, scratch, > hiss, bite, chomp!!!!!) > Junipers (hedge plants?).  They smell like cat pee to me, and so does coffee > grinds. > Carrie

Hmm, there is something pungent/bitter about it – but mostly the male cat’s spray – not so much the female urine – it may have been a dream – wow – olfactory dreams; the olfactory senses are remarkable – they consists of molecules fitting like a lock and key; I was very impressed when i studied psych. about them; Squiggles — …for the first time in that night alive with signs and stars, I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world. Finding it so much like myself—so like a brother, really—I felt that I had been happy and that I was happy again. — Albert Camus, L’

Question:

Anthony, Thank you for you advice. I like the idea of getting my MEP to help. I will post back any response I get. Happy St P’s for yesterday! Jamie. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > "Without prequdice" > Hi, > I would suggest that you contact your MEP for your area and the Spanish > Embassy and pose the question "Are there any legal restrictions pertaining > to the practice of Complementary/Alternative medicine in Spain, and if there > is, what are the stipulations/requirements in respect of aromatherapy?" > I am disgusted when I read advertisements for courses leading to > qualifications which are "Internationally recognised".  They are usually the > claims of private companies/schools/individuals who intentionally or > unintentionally mislead the public.  "Its not the cowboys you need to worry > about, but, the indians".  Information re the above should only be sought > from official sources – otherwise it can be a load of "Japanese flute music" > (Bull).  Also check out the question of insurance – will the insurers > recognise your qualification(s)? > Anthony Larkin > Founder of the National Register of Reflexologists (Ireland). > http://homepage.eircom.net/~footman > I’m an ITEC qualified aromatherapist and EU citizen based in the > United Kingdom. I’ve been offered the chance to live in Spain for two > years. Am I permitted to practice in Spain? Are my qualifications > recognized in mainland Europe? > Thanks, > Jamie.

Response:

"Without prequdice" Hi, I would suggest that you contact your MEP for your area and the Spanish Embassy and pose the question "Are there any legal restrictions pertaining to the practice of Complementary/Alternative medicine in Spain, and if there is, what are the stipulations/requirements in respect of aromatherapy?" I am disgusted when I read advertisements for courses leading to qualifications which are "Internationally recognised".  They are usually the claims of private companies/schools/individuals who intentionally or unintentionally mislead the public.  "Its not the cowboys you need to worry about, but, the indians".  Information re the above should only be sought from official sources – otherwise it can be a load of "Japanese flute music" (Bull).  Also check out the question of insurance – will the insurers recognise your qualification(s)? Anthony Larkin Founder of the National Register of Reflexologists (Ireland). http://homepage.eircom.net/~footman

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m an ITEC qualified aromatherapist and EU citizen based in the > United Kingdom. I’ve been offered the chance to live in Spain for two > years. Am I permitted to practice in Spain? Are my qualifications > recognized in mainland Europe? > Thanks, > Jamie.

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I’m an ITEC qualified aromatherapist and EU citizen based in the United Kingdom. I’ve been offered the chance to live in Spain for two years. Am I permitted to practice in Spain? Are my qualifications recognized in mainland Europe? Thanks, Jamie.

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Question:

: > : I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or : > : personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas : > : welcome!! : > : > I presume that recommending that you take a holiday or find a better : > job is out of the question. : : Well I have left my shite job and am now at college in the hope of : getting a decent job. Also arranged a holiday to Australia leaving in : 11 adys and counting….hope that does the job! Thanks for the reply Good on you for taking action. I’m no stress expert, but it seems to me that medicine for stress, either conventional or alternative, that don’t address root problems are a bit misguided. Has anyone ever done research comparing alt. remedies for stress to plain simple old-fashioned relaxation? Cheers, Ross-c

Response:

>Has anyone ever done research comparing alt. remedies for stress to plain >simple old-fashioned relaxation?

The effects of therapeutic touch and relaxation therapy in reducing anxiety. Gagne D, Toye RC. Togus Veterans Administration Medical, ME. Arch Psychiatr Nurs 1994 Jun;8(3):184-9 This study examines the effects of two noninvasive procedures on experienced anxiety. Thirty-one inpatients of a Veterans Administration psychiatric facility were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions, (therapeutic touch and relaxation therapy) or to a therapeutic touch placebo condition. An additional 13 patients were excluded because of failure to meet criteria for the study or failure to complete the procedures. Each subject completed a self-report anxiety measure and was rated for amount of motor activity before and after each of two 15-minute treatment sessions in a 24-hour period. Subjects’ belief in the effectiveness of the intervention was measured. Expectancy did not correlate with outcome and was not analyzed further. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed that whereas relaxation therapy provided significant reduction of anxiety on the self-report measure and the movement measure, the nursing intervention of therapeutic touch resulted in significant reductions of reported anxiety. The control group showed small but nonsignificant effects. Results suggests that both relaxation and therapeutic touch are effective palliatives to experienced anxiety. Implications for nursing theory are discussed. Best wishes — John Bain UK TV Sound Director, magnotherapy user & distributor http://members.aol.com/JBainSI/Magnotherapy.html Surround Sound for Television

Response:

> > Hi, > I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or > personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas > welcome!! > Lisa > Lots and lots of exercise.  I started walking to work 3 miles each way.  I > went from a size 14 to a size 6, started sleeping better, and would get home > feeling much more cheerful and relaxed.  Eventually, the co-worker who was > making me miserable got pregnant and left, but I had her husband to thank > for that.

Just as a matter of interest is that American or UK size 6? I have just joined a gym that wasn’t too expensive but I’ m going through the whole pain barrier thing at the mo. Thanks for the response.

Response:

> : I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or > : personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas > : welcome!! > I presume that recommending that you take a holiday or find a better > job is out of the question. > Cheers, > Ross-c

Well I have left my shite job and am now at college in the hope of getting a decent job. Also arranged a holiday to Australia leaving in 11 adys and counting….hope that does the job! Thanks for the reply

Response:

: I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or : personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas : welcome!! I presume that recommending that you take a holiday or find a better job is out of the question. Cheers, Ross-c

Response:

> Hi, > I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or > personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas > welcome!! > Lisa

Lots and lots of exercise.  I started walking to work 3 miles each way.  I went from a size 14 to a size 6, started sleeping better, and would get home feeling much more cheerful and relaxed.  Eventually, the co-worker who was making me miserable got pregnant and left, but I had her husband to thank for that.

Response:

Vitamin B12, deep breathing exercises, Yoga, massage, exercise.  Check with your doctor, perhaps he/she have some other ideas.  

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> Hi, > I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or > personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas > welcome!!

I’ll second the exercise point, but I’ll add * Fresh air and sunshine * Music, preferably full-spectrum stuff like jazz and classical * Nature, any way you can get it: forests, mountains, ocean,   whatever — | May I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, | |  the strength to change the things I cannot accept, and the   | |    cunning to hide the bodies of those who got in my way.     |

Response:

Hi, Aromatherapy works well for me when I get stressed.  For some useful oils check out my aromatherapy software at www.serendipityaromatherapy.com.  It will help you to select the best essential oils for your stress, while making sure that you are not contraindicated for them.  By the way, it is free to download it. Christina Whiteside Serendipity Aromatherapy www.serendipityaromatherapy.com   Hi,   I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or   personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas   welcome!!   Lisa

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Hi, I’m looking for alternative remedies to stress either work related or personnal.If any one can help me I would be most grateful, any ideas welcome!! Lisa

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Question:

i have very high quality essential oils, fragrance oils, massage oils and lotions and all natural body care products available.  wholesale or retail sales list available.   The Body Natural.

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i have very high quality essential oils, fragrance oils, massage oils and all natural body care products.  wholesale and retail price list available.                           julie at the body natural, vancouver, wa.

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: i have very high quality essential oils, fragrance oils, massage oils and all : natural body care products.  wholesale and retail price list available. :                           julie at the body natural, vancouver, wa. One of the most powerful "essential oils" that I know of is Australian Tea Tree Oil.  Four properties of ATTO are brought to the table when it is included as a "ingredient" of an otherwise normal product. 1)  antiseptic  2) antifungal  3) powerful solvent  4) pain reliever I’ve seen dandruff disappear (because shampoo has ATTO in it), a streppy throat tamed (because of the ATTO in it), "paper" cuts healed in a matter of hours and not days (because of ATTO), rashes subcide (because…), sore and achine muscles find relief (because…), placque on teeth brushed away easily (because…), long-time skin conditions clear (because…), overly stubborn stains removed (because…), skin moistureized more thoroughly (because…), etc. I love the effects of ATTO and all it does for me and the ones I know. I thought it was all hype, until we tried some…truly unbelievable. Anybody never hearing of Australian Tea Tree Oil that has trouble with little cuts and infections, rashes and other skin maladies need to hunt some ATTO down.  It’ll work.  I’ve seen it!   Tyler — -++/    ++- http://www.prairienet.org/~tgnally       |__|  | . | |__.  .__|

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> >can anyone give me a recipe for making essential oils at home? >thanks in advance >jay

Hi Jay, You can make infused oils at home which are less strong than real essential oils. An easy way is to take to fresh or dried herb/flower (not at all damp) and put in a pyrex container or baking dish with oil. Olive and almond oil are really nice, but others work too. Bake the mixture in the oven all day at 180 degrees F. Stir occasionally and then drain off your oil into a jar and discard the herb. Calendula works really well and makes a healing application for wounds, sore skin, and diaper rash. I invite you to try lavender or whatever inspires you. Keeping the oil in the fridge will help preserve it. — Shannon B., midwife

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can anyone give me a recipe for making essential oils at home? thanks in advance jay

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>can anyone give me a recipe for making essential oils at home? >thanks in advance >jay

I don’t know that its the easiest thing to do, but if you want to try it out check out Valarie Ann Worwood’s "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" (Formerly called "The Fragrant Pharmacy"). Good Luck! Kellie Bonnici

Response:

>can anyone give me a recipe for making essential oils at home? >thanks in advance >jay

Hi.. I wouldn’t say there is a "Recipe" .. Why not join the Aromatherapy mailing list and ask there… with        join aromatherapy     in the text.. — Graham Sorenson The Guide to Aromatherapy and other goodies can be found at:- http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk

Response:

>>can anyone give me a recipe for making essential oils at home? >thanks in advance >jay >I don’t know that its the easiest thing to do, but if you want to try it out >check out Valarie Ann Worwood’s "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and >Aromatherapy" (Formerly called "The Fragrant Pharmacy").

Still Called "The Fragrant Pharmacy" in the UK >Good Luck! >Kellie Bonnici

– Graham Sorenson The Guide to Aromatherapy and other goodies can be found at:- http://www.fragrant.demon.co.uk

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: >hello, has anybody came across any research on the effects of : >lavender oil in aromatherapy. I am putting together a booklet : >about it (hopefully)!! : Oh yes!  ANY book on aromatherapy would include lavender!  Lavender has : antiseptic qualtities (among others) and is used in everything from natural : laundry detergents to natural flea collars.  OF course, it’s used in many : cosmetics and cold therapies. — JoAnne Bassett                          Aromatherapy grade essential oils, Certified Aromatherapist       >><<     blends, diffusers, floral waters, http://www.eskimo.com/~joanne  >><<     blending oils, books, etc.

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Get a hold of Valnet’s "The Practice of Aromatherapy."  Also Wormwood’s "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy" is a good reference.  There are also numerous papers (in French and Italian) by Gascon, if you can get a hold of them, then go into great detail as to the dissenfecting affect of oils as used in diffusors, etc.  Good luck.  I’d like a copy of you book when you get it done, you might even want me to review the manuscript before you take it to press.  I am a practicing professional health care provider and counselor that extensively uses aromatics in my nutrtional counseling work (unique to the work I do here

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hello, has anybody came across any research on the effects of lavender oil in aromatherapy. I am putting together a booklet about it (hopefully)!!  

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>hello, has anybody came across any research on the effects of >lavender oil in aromatherapy. I am putting together a booklet >about it (hopefully)!!

Oh yes!  ANY book on aromatherapy would include lavender!  Lavender has antiseptic qualtities (among others) and is used in everything from natural laundry detergents to natural flea collars.  OF course, it’s used in many cosmetics and cold therapies.

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> I am afraid you missed my point entirely and it is much too late in the > discussion to explain it to you.

i note the condescension, but….. how did i miss your point? you responded, in an reply to markP where he disparages ‘essential’ oils, that the only essential thing about them is that they inflate the ‘alt’ pocketbook. you are wrong. that’s NOT the only essential thing about them. do some research. read some ingredient lists. see for yourself. — The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance. Robert R. Coveyou, Oak Ridge National Laboratory We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. Will Rogers

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> The only essential thing about them is that they are essential to >> inflating their pocketbooks. > obviously this also goes for the other industries which use > plants’essential oils to make OTC cold remedies, various foods, chewing > gums and mints, soaps, etc etc etc. not to mention the pharmaceutical > companies that use them in their *patented* extractions and imitations. > bidness is bidness. > hey richA, they are fairly inexpensive and quite handy for cleaning, > deodorizing….not to mention (lavender EO) insect bites <G>……get > one bottle and see what you think. (a 1 0z bottle of lavender oil lasts > me almost a whole year. depending on how bad the skeeters are over the > summer. costs $4-$8.) > you can even get free samples from most online companies if you pay for > shipping. > — > The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance. > Robert R. Coveyou, Oak Ridge National Laboratory > We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap > as they go by. > Will Rogers >I am afraid you missed my point entirely and it is much too late in the >discussion to explain it to you. >rich

I’m sure Ka has heard that exact sentiment expressed many, many times during her life!

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> The only essential thing about them is that they are essential to > inflating their pocketbooks. > obviously this also goes for the other industries which use > plants’essential oils to make OTC cold remedies, various foods, chewing > gums and mints, soaps, etc etc etc. not to mention the pharmaceutical > companies that use them in their *patented* extractions and imitations. > bidness is bidness. > hey richA, they are fairly inexpensive and quite handy for cleaning, > deodorizing….not to mention (lavender EO) insect bites <G>……get > one bottle and see what you think. (a 1 0z bottle of lavender oil lasts > me almost a whole year. depending on how bad the skeeters are over the > summer. costs $4-$8.) > you can even get free samples from most online companies if you pay for > shipping. > — > The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance. > Robert R. Coveyou, Oak Ridge National Laboratory > We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap > as they go by. > Will Rogers

I am afraid you missed my point entirely and it is much too late in the discussion to explain it to you. rich — "I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, de-briefed, or numbered…My life is my own." "I am not a number.  I am a free man." No. 6

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>> >I am an aromatherapist and know the importance of buying good quality > >essential oils. > What makes them ‘essential?’ >It the adjective form of "essence".  The term comes from perfumery.

That’s what I recall.

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> The only essential thing about them is that they are essential to inflating > their pocketbooks.

obviously this also goes for the other industries which use plants’essential oils to make OTC cold remedies, various foods, chewing gums and mints, soaps, etc etc etc. not to mention the pharmaceutical companies that use them in their *patented* extractions and imitations. bidness is bidness. hey richA, they are fairly inexpensive and quite handy for cleaning, deodorizing….not to mention (lavender EO) insect bites <G>……get one bottle and see what you think. (a 1 0z bottle of lavender oil lasts me almost a whole year. depending on how bad the skeeters are over the summer. costs $4-$8.) you can even get free samples from most online companies if you pay for shipping. — The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance. Robert R. Coveyou, Oak Ridge National Laboratory We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. Will Rogers

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>they aren’t ‘essential’ to life. the description, i believe, is meant to >depict the ‘essential’ part of the plant. or something like that. >while they ‘ve been overmarketed in that very "ALT"-whatever stereotype that >you so know and broadcast, they are actually quite useful. >now, before you get all het up about dissing the essential oils of plants, >mark, you might want to do a bit of research. they are used extensively in >the food and cosmetic industry. (mouthwashes, various salves (think Vic’s >vaporub), toothpastes, teas, etc etc.) >not just the "ALT" world.

I am well awafre of that. However, the use of the term essential by the AltWorld (good term!) is often left for the reader to interpret. To some, it may mean that they are essential to life. I recall, however, that the term was first used to describe them because they smelled. Don’tcha just love Vicks? ><G> >btw, i enjoy your posts and i hope your son is doing well. ( i missed that >whole feel-good personal thread thang earlier )

He’s back in school. In fact, he wanted to return to school the Thursday after the surgery and was annoyed we kept him home. He loves school.

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>I am an aromatherapist and know the importance of buying good quality >essential oils.

What makes them ‘essential?’

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they aren’t ‘essential’ to life. the description, i believe, is meant to depict the ‘essential’ part of the plant. or something like that. while they ‘ve been overmarketed in that very "ALT"-whatever stereotype that you so know and broadcast, they are actually quite useful. now, before you get all het up about dissing the essential oils of plants, mark, you might want to do a bit of research. they are used extensively in the food and cosmetic industry. (mouthwashes, various salves (think Vic’s vaporub), toothpastes, teas, etc etc.) not just the "ALT" world. <G> btw, i enjoy your posts and i hope your son is doing well. ( i missed that whole feel-good personal thread thang earlier ) — The generation of random numbers is too important to be left to chance. Robert R. Coveyou, Oak Ridge National Laboratory We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by. Will Rogers

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am an aromatherapist and know the importance of buying good quality >essential oils. > What makes them ‘essential?’

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> >I am an aromatherapist and know the importance of buying good quality >essential oils. > What makes them ‘essential?’

It the adjective form of "essence".  The term comes from perfumery.

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>>I am an aromatherapist and know the importance of buying good quality >essential oils. > What makes them ‘essential?’

The only essential thing about them is that they are essential to inflating their pocketbooks. rich — "I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, de-briefed, or numbered…My life is my own." "I am not a number.  I am a free man." No. 6

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I am an aromatherapist and know the importance of buying good quality essential oils.  Many suppliers sell very low quality oils, many of which barely even smell as they should. Buying sub-standard oils means that the therapeutic qualities are reduced or non existant and therefore are of no benefit to anyone. Fragrance oils would do the same job but for a substanually cheeper price. If anyone is interested in buying excellent quality oils, i have a few sites that i buy from in the uk and find them to be of very good quality and they’re service is good also.  For any other aromatherapists, they also do wholesale. Give them a try http://www.essential-oils.150m.com http://www.eoco.org.uk http://www.newseasons.co.uk

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Hello Lilly. Im an Aromatherapist too and have used New Seasons through the post before but didn’t know they had a website!! The Essential Oil Company seem ok but quite expensive. I Ordered some essential oils from Essence Oils (essential-oils.150m.com)as i found their address on Yahoo and they were really good quality.  Their bath oils etc are really nice too. Has anyone else got any other sites they would recommend?  Its good to hear personal experiences of various suppliers. By the way does anyone know where i can buy "ear candles"?

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Question:

Last time I wanted to buy a warwick, I bought a Peavey…  No lie….   _ _ _ /         o             | o            /          /        / Ted Partin http://members.aol.com/dblbassted

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I’ve found that the Cirrus sounds (and feels) a lot like my Warwick – only different.  Not that that’s bad…. —          O<  "Don’t listen to him!"         ((          ))      <(  )       Z |          |_ Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Last time I wanted to buy a warwick, I bought a Peavey…  No lie…. >   _ _ _ > /         o >             | o >            / >          / >        / > Ted Partin > http://members.aol.com/dblbassted

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when i was returning my Eden 115XLT. they had one at GC. amazingly light…but, still VERY warwick sounding….not that that’s bad. just not for me. cool LEDs. f

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> cool LEDs. > f

Then who cares what it *sounds* like?! BTW, what do Warwicks sound like? I’ve been curioius, but haven’t dragged my ass out to try one. Goopy

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Warwicks sound like aromatherapy smells… kinda purple. Nice and zaftig, with stentorian overtones. Luxurious and sonorous! sorry, I figured ‘woody’ has been done to death… m here’s my Infinity 5 in action: http://members.home.net/christianson10/2Cooper.mp3

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> cool LEDs. > f > Then who cares what it *sounds* like?! > BTW, what do Warwicks sound like? I’ve been curioius, but haven’t dragged my > ass out to try one. > Goopy

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Warwicks have lots of midrange, not enough low-end oomph for me.  I love the way they look, though…    -smeet

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Warwicks sound like aromatherapy smells… > kinda purple. Nice and zaftig, with stentorian overtones. Luxurious and > sonorous! > sorry, I figured ‘woody’ has been done to death… > m > here’s my Infinity 5 in action: > http://members.home.net/christianson10/2Cooper.mp3 > > cool LEDs. > > f > Then who cares what it *sounds* like?! > BTW, what do Warwicks sound like? I’ve been curioius, but haven’t dragged > my > ass out to try one. > Goopy

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Question:

major panic attacks today downtown – clonazepam panic attack not like Xanax – feels like brain damage, blood pressure feeling going up and down, tectonic plates in the head, impending seizure… only one thing I could do – take a 1.2 (o.5) Rivotril and a Xanax – terrifying stuff – had to hid in pipe room of building; 3 hours later I need another fix…  my withdrawal seems to have gotten worse last week, i see my doc. tomorrow – I pray for instruction WHEN to take drugs, WHAT kind of drugs and DOSE of drugs – maybe a referral. one thing is sure about psychiatric emergencies – better to be stoned like a vegetable than flying like out of control terrorized thing. Squiggles

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> major panic attacks today downtown – clonazepam > panic attack not like Xanax – feels like brain damage, > blood pressure feeling going up and down, tectonic > plates in the head, impending seizure… only one > thing I could do – take a 1.2 (o.5) Rivotril and a > Xanax – terrifying stuff – had to hid in pipe room of > building; > 3 hours later I need another fix…  my withdrawal > seems to have gotten worse last week, i see my doc. > tomorrow – I pray for instruction WHEN to take drugs, > WHAT kind of drugs and DOSE of drugs – maybe a referral.

Oh Squiggles that sounds just awful.. > one thing is sure about psychiatric emergencies – > better to be stoned like a vegetable than flying like > out of control terrorized thing.

hey..whatever gets you through the night (((((((((((Squiggles))))))))))) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Squiggles

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> Oh Squiggles that sounds just awful.. > one thing is sure about psychiatric emergencies – > better to be stoned like a vegetable than flying like > out of control terrorized thing. > hey..whatever gets you through the night > (((((((((((Squiggles))))))))))) > Squiggles

thanks Bob – I wish I were normal I can’t show my face in public without anticipation of the next moment.  I came home crying – felt like i had just been through a hold-up, a rape, and a storm – stress wise. tx a lot. Squiggles

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Oh Squiggles that sounds just awful.. > > one thing is sure about psychiatric emergencies – > > better to be stoned like a vegetable than flying like > > out of control terrorized thing. > hey..whatever gets you through the night > (((((((((((Squiggles))))))))))) > > Squiggles > thanks Bob – I wish I were normal > I can’t show my face in public without > anticipation of the next moment.

thats sort of saps away away you the fear and anxiety of it happening suddenly again..  I came > home crying – felt like i had just been > through a hold-up, a rape, and a storm – stress wise.

awful.. It happens to more "normal " people than you think though.. are you maybe overdoing it a bit fighting it? sounds corny I know but peaceful music ..a few aromatherapy candles and a safe undisturbed place can help a lot.. Sort of creating your own hiding place rather than pipe rooms.. just my maybe innaproriate 2c.. Im sure wiser and more experienced heads than mine on the board will have some advice for you.. Im just rooting  for you and wish you the best.. Bob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> tx a lot. > Squiggles

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Bob, I appreciate your kind words – it’s true letting go helps relieve the anxiety – i am exhausted from it and it in itself adds to the illness, strangely. music – good idea – don’t know about aromatic candles, they would have to compete with my husband toiletry LOL! will try music – yup ! Squiggles

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: major panic attacks today downtown – clonazepam : panic attack not like Xanax – feels like brain damage, : blood pressure feeling going up and down, tectonic : plates in the head, impending seizure… only one : thing I could do – take a 1.2 (o.5) Rivotril and a : Xanax – terrifying stuff – had to hid in pipe room of : building; : : 3 hours later I need another fix…  my withdrawal : seems to have gotten worse last week, i see my doc. : tomorrow – I pray for instruction WHEN to take drugs, : WHAT kind of drugs and DOSE of drugs – maybe a referral. : : one thing is sure about psychiatric emergencies – : better to be stoned like a vegetable than flying like : out of control terrorized thing. : Hey Squiggles, Too bad about that mess. Hope things are better. Hopefully soon you can get that direction on the meds, but until then, do what you have to do. You must feel fatigued.

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> Hey Squiggles, > Too bad about that mess. Hope things are better. > Hopefully soon you can get that direction on the meds, but until then, do > what you have to do. You must feel fatigued.

thank you Mojo – it’s all so external – i don’t understand what is hsppening to me – my mouth is full of salt – at least my doc had me on 1.0 K before w/d which i did not adjust to like the Xaxax – maybe depression IS physical. thank you S

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I came >> home crying – felt like i had just been >> through a hold-up, a rape, and a storm – stress wise. > Um…I have you blocked right now Squiggles but a few things get thru because > when people reply to you, your replies show up in my newsreader. It sounds to > me as if you have a quite severe anxiety disorder there. Have you ever > considered just giving in and going back on Klonopin? Klonopin is extremely > effective for panic disorder, as you well know. > Im just wondering if this would all be happening if you were on Klonopin again. > It does you no good to deny you have a problem with panic. Its nothing > shameful, it really isnt. > I feel sorry for you sometimes. > Eric

Thanks Eric, that is what I intend to suggest with my doc tomorrow, whom I think will in all probability agree – I am afraid of drugs – the Xanax w/d worked  but the Rivotril, for some reason is getting worse – and the panic attack is ugly. You are sweet to write to me my doctor btw is Jewish LOL Squiggles

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> major panic attacks today downtown – clonazepam > panic attack not like Xanax – feels like brain damage, > blood pressure feeling going up and down, tectonic > plates in the head, impending seizure… only one > thing I could do – take a 1.2 (o.5) Rivotril and a > Xanax – terrifying stuff – had to hid in pipe room of > building; > So sorry..must be ghastly for you to go anywhere.. > I was well on my way to the Panic of all panic attacks friday morning. It > was awful..I felt like i was going to have a heart attack the way I was > going. > I was SAVED from my fate.. and having to take the benzo’s > by Eki suggestion about the alternate nostril breathing   and my trying > it…and IT WORKED.. > did it a couple of times every hour and before long  all my feelings of > panic that had been escalating went away,  totally and completely. > Heres the site..on alternate nostril breathing.. > http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_breathing-ex-nadisodh.htm. >  And another…for victorious breathing exercises.. > http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_breathing-ujjai.htm > Best thing about these   is they can be done anywhere, anytime.. > Totally worked for me…. > ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Squiggles)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Very kind of you C’Ella – alternate nostril hmmm – will read that – i think that the clonazepam withdrawal is a unique epileptoid type – yeach! thank you for thinking of me. Squiggles

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> major panic attacks today downtown – clonazepam > panic attack not like Xanax – feels like brain damage, > blood pressure feeling going up and down, tectonic > plates in the head, impending seizure… only one > thing I could do – take a 1.2 (o.5) Rivotril and a > Xanax – terrifying stuff – had to hid in pipe room of > building; > 3 hours later I need another fix…  my withdrawal > seems to have gotten worse last week, i see my doc. > tomorrow – I pray for instruction WHEN to take drugs, > WHAT kind of drugs and DOSE of drugs – maybe a referral. > one thing is sure about psychiatric emergencies – > better to be stoned like a vegetable than flying like > out of control terrorized thing. > Squiggles

That exactly what I say and feel about that.  Why are you the only other person in Canada that agrees with me.  I hope you are going to be ok, Squiggles.  I’m like one of those terrified looking cats in the SPCA that gets ‘put down’ from being left in a terrorized state.  After a while no one wants you.  I rather be a stoned out until an answer was found.  Bless you. Carrie

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> That exactly what I say and feel about that.  Why are you the only other > person in Canada that agrees with me.  I hope you are going to be ok, > Squiggles.  I’m like one of those terrified looking cats in the SPCA that > gets ‘put down’ from being left in a terrorized state.  After a while no one > wants you.  I rather be a stoned out until an answer was found.  Bless you. > Carrie

LOL – yeah I know the one you mean – the scruffy tabby with a calico tail, and rather large ears and polydactyl paws, with the black spot on the forehead saying "scratch me"; yeah I volunteered at the SPCA and I know the ones – the kind I adopt. – will feel you in on my doc appt/ later S

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Question:

What ever works milabet!  Use visualization, aroma therapy, anything to keep you off the smokes.  You are doing great.  Keep it up! Chris 1M+++ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Has anyone ever been to an auction of live animals???  Where they sell baby >cows?  They take this rod thing and touch the baby cow on the back with it >to shock it–to get it to move.  I have felt like that is what a craving is >like.  A shock to every nerve in my body.  I have said to myself–If I think >about it I will get Prodded by the shocking of every nerve thing.  Don’t >think about it I tell myself and I won’t get prodded.  Don’t think about >smoking–don’t think about smoking–I don’t want to get the shock of a >craving in every nerve in my body!!! >This is what I tell myself

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> I’m tired…

 I am about 20 replies behind on this.    I really cannot go beyond what others have replied to you so far, Summer. Others have sent you some great advice, some beautiful words of encouragement, some old fasioned support and a lot of heart. You are much loved here, Summer.  For what it is worth. -Joe D.  off the smokes since 03 Oct 2001

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In alt.support.stop-smoking, on 10 Dec 2001, Summer announced: > I’m sorry to unload guys especially when it is so damn > OT…but I’m feeling about ready to burst right now and am > not too sure what to do about it.

Smile! You’re a very nice person, and your problems will work themselves out without the help of your worrying about them.  I know that worrying *seems* to accomplish so much, but really it doesn’t – all it does is make you sad, and that’s no good Keep your head up – You’ve quit smoking for over 2 Months!   That’s a fantastic effort – do you know how many people can do that?  Think of all the people you know, and know that you have done something most of them would not have the strength and courage to do.  You really are a special person, and your loved ones still love you and miss you too! Regards OgO — my Quitting smoking page: http://qjc.cjb.net/quit.html Quit Stats home page: http://qjc.cjb.net/quitstats.html  -=- Current version 0.9.4 – released 07/12/2001 -=- I left my Glasses in my email – you better take them out! wun – 3QOF+ – f3as3 – asdfg (ok, I made that last one up Since 1/01/01 at 10:31:05 AM, OgO has not smoked for: 11 months, 1 week, 2 days, 4 hours, 3 minutes and 53 seconds.  6,865 cigarettes not smoked, $1,922.23 saved, life saved 3W 2D 20:05:38.

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> > >Listen to your AS3 friends, give yourself a BOOT in the > > ass and move on. > BTW Summer, make that a soft boot, no steel toes; just enough > to change your current funk!

Well geez!!!  You could have told me that earlier!!  ;) > > Tomorrow will be better… > promise? > Yes, I Bob S. promise that Summer will have a better day tomorrow.

So far, not too bad.  Not great, but not what I was feeling yesterday. — Cheers Summer 2M+ — "It will not last…" — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

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> I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everything better.   Just know > that you are NOT alone…..you will always have friends here.

Thank you Chris.  :)  I’d feel better if you passed along some of those M&Ms.  ;) Seriously though…I am feeling better today. — Cheers Summer 2M+ — "It will not last…" — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

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I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everything better.   Just know that you are NOT alone…..you will always have friends here. Chris 1M – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’m tired… >…of feeling like I am stuck in quicksand and sinking lower by the moment. >…of looking at my bank account and seeing that no, the debt hasn’t >magically disappeared. >…of working my butt off and finding that at the end of the day, I can’t >find a reason for doing it. >…of looking in the mirror and feeling powerless to change what looks back >at me. >…of feeling like there is something missing in my life and not knowing >what it is. >…of being angry at anyone and everyone for no apparent reason. >…of being separated from everyone I love. >…of being lonely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. >…of pretending to be strong in the face of addiction when really, I am >not. >…feeling so totally unlovable. >But more than anything, I’m so tired of not knowing what to do to make >myself feel better.  It feels completely useless.  I don’t know how to even >begin to improve my emotional and psychological well-being right now.  All I >know is I am sick and tired of hating everything about myself. >I’m sorry to unload guys especially when it is so damn OT…but I’m feeling >about ready to burst right now and am not too sure what to do about it. >– >Cheers >Summer >2M+ >– >Please don’t forget to take out the trash! >– >Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

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Summer, I’m sorry to say that I had to take reading your post and the replies to it in three separate sittings.  You probably don’t realize how much you mean to your fellow AS3 Quit Buddies.  The reason it took me three different sittings to get through the posts was because it just tore me up.  My heart hurt, my eyes burned and my throat has this huge lump in it that won’t go away even now.  And I am not depressed, nor having a bad patch right now, and while I may be able to blame the Wellbutrin or the DTs of withdrawal for the tears they are not why I hurt so badly for you when reading your post. I hurt because I have experienced those same feelings many years ago, so I DO know how it feels, and because you are so important to all of us here we don’t want you to hurt like that.  "We feel your pain" is not an empty, meaningless cliche in this newsgroup.  Maybe you will be convinced, from all of these heartfelt replies, from all of these caring people that you ARE very important to all of us.  You are certainly not alone. ***GREAT BIG HUG*** from BinnieBee

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m tired… > …of feeling like I am stuck in quicksand and sinking lower by the moment. > …of looking at my bank account and seeing that no, the debt hasn’t > magically disappeared. > …of working my butt off and finding that at the end of the day, I can’t > find a reason for doing it. > …of looking in the mirror and feeling powerless to change what looks back > at me. > …of feeling like there is something missing in my life and not knowing > what it is. > …of being angry at anyone and everyone for no apparent reason. > …of being separated from everyone I love. > …of being lonely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. > …of pretending to be strong in the face of addiction when really, I am > not. > …feeling so totally unlovable. > But more than anything, I’m so tired of not knowing what to do to make > myself feel better.  It feels completely useless.  I don’t know how to even > begin to improve my emotional and psychological well-being right now.  All I > know is I am sick and tired of hating everything about myself. > I’m sorry to unload guys especially when it is so damn OT…but I’m feeling > about ready to burst right now and am not too sure what to do about it. > — > Cheers > Summer > 2M+ > — > Please don’t forget to take out the trash! > — > Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

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> I’m tired… > …of feeling like I am stuck in quicksand and sinking lower > by the moment.

Summer, have you forgotten so soon how sick you were not so long ago?? Geez girl- people have died of pneumonia, and you want not only a speedy recovery, but all the positive energy and enthusiasm of a person who was never ill! Give yourself a break for cripes sake!! LOL! You are a hard task master……Father ill, very far from home, Why aren’t you bright and bubbly!!! Bad girl Stop being so hard on my friend hugs, Georgie — f3as3

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> I’m sorry to unload guys especially when it is so damn OT…but I’m feeling > about ready to burst right now and am not too sure what to do about it.

Unloading on us is no problem, Summer….and it’s a start.  Have you thought about getting professional help?  A counselor of some sort?  Talking helps but you may need more than that.  And if you’re like me…who used to hate  the idea of taking anything for depression…you’ll back away from the idea.  But if I get to that point again during my quit, I won’t hesitate for a second to get professional help.  Hope things improve for you….take care. Hugs.. Sally — 2m 2w 4d 16:12 smoke-free, 2,388 cigs not smoked, $559.99 saved for whatever I want to spend it on, 1w 1d 7:00 life saved – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Cheers > Summer > 2M+ > — > Please don’t forget to take out the trash! > — > Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

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I felt the same way, just a few years ago, and still do sometimes, although rarely.  There is a lot of stuff going on when you quit smoking, and problems that seemed manageable before often seem less so after you quit, and some thins just seem overwhelming.  At just over 2 months you are probably just beginning to get over normal "quit depression".  This should fade over the next month or so and you will probably begin to feel more positive.  If you feel there is an organic cause for your "moodiness", then please see a doctor and get help. Meanwhile, there are things you can do to make things better. Here are a few things I used to regain control of my life: … get some exercise.  It really helps your mindset, relieves stress, and actually builds up the parts of your brain that fight depression. If you can’t afford a gym, then brisk walking or aerobics to a video at home could be wonderful … get control of your finances.  I started using Quicken this January, initially just to balance my checkbook, but eventually I was able to budget effectively and pay down many of my bills. Since I got married this year, and have had a number of major expenses (such as a new fence) I still have a lot of debt, but at least I can use the software to plan for the future, knowing just where Eddie and I stand.  And I find myself spending more carefully when I know it’s going to be saved for posterity on my computer.   … join a club.  Check the internet for people in your area who are meeting about something you care about.  Do you care about the environment?  There are Sierra Club chapters all over the place, and they offer hikes and field trips for little to no cost.  Do you like reading?  Check out the local library for book clubs.  Perhaps you could volunteer at local charities. They have a lot of volunteers around the holidays, but the rest of the year they need all they can get. … most importantly. Recognize that you are not unlovable, weak, or powerless.  YOU control your life.  Nobody who can fight this addiction as long as you have can consider themselves weak.  And the only people who are unlovable are those who are not willing to allow themselves to be loved.  Make an assessment of what you HAVE.  Don’t let yourself be distracted into thinking about what you don’t have, at least not for a few minutes.  Just list what you have, and don’t judge the value of it.  Then look at your list and think about how hard you’ve worked to have what you do have, and how you would like to change that list, and what you could do to change it. You don’t have to do it all at once, just think about what you COULD do.  Knowing that there are options can make a lot of difference.   It will get better.   Diane M.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’m tired… > …of feeling like I am stuck in quicksand and sinking lower by the moment. > …of looking at my bank account and seeing that no, the debt hasn’t > magically disappeared. > …of working my butt off and finding that at the end of the day, I can’t > find a reason for doing it. > …of looking in the mirror and feeling powerless to change what looks back > at me. > …of feeling like there is something missing in my life and not knowing > what it is. > …of being angry at anyone and everyone for no apparent reason. > …of being separated from everyone I love. > …of being lonely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. > …of pretending to be strong in the face of addiction when really, I am > not. > …feeling so totally unlovable. > But more than anything, I’m so tired of not knowing what to do to make > myself feel better.  It feels completely useless.  I don’t know how to even > begin to improve my emotional and psychological well-being right now.  All I > know is I am sick and tired of hating everything about myself. > I’m sorry to unload guys especially when it is so damn OT…but I’m feeling > about ready to burst right now and am not too sure what to do about it. > — > Cheers > Summer > 2M+ > — > Please don’t forget to take out the trash! > — > Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

Response:

>Listen to your AS3 friends, give yourself a BOOT in the > ass and move on.

BTW Summer, make that a soft boot, no steel toes; just enough to change your current funk! > Tomorrow will be better… > promise?

Yes, I Bob S. promise that Summer will have a better day tomorrow. cheers Bob S. 1M+

Response:

<big snip> >Listen to your AS3 friends, give yourself a BOOT in the > ass and move on.

Yes sir!  :) > Tomorrow will be better…

promise? Thank you for this Bob.  The wakeup call was much needed. — Cheers Summer 2M+ — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

Response:

>Well,  to be honest, I’m not entirely sure I WANT to be seeing this portion >of my life more clearly if it means feeling like the greatest hurdle in the >world is simply getting out of bed.  I slept until 5:30 this afternoon >because I didn’t want to get out of bed.  That’s not normal.

Awwww, but it’s not going to be possible to fix this if you don’t see it’s there.  That’s all I meant.  Sounds like you’re very depressed, to me > You’re used to buffering your emotional landscape with lots of nicotine, >and > you’re not doing that anymore.  It really CAN feel pretty wretchedly > overwhelming for a while, and the answer as to what to do about all of >these > things is different for each individual. >Well shit, all I want is a clear cut solution.  Skip the crap and someone >tell me the magic cure to make it go away.  It’ll drive me to the looney bin >soon.  I could probably deal with being down all the time, but that’s not >the case.  These "yo-yo emotions" I’m having are making me lose my mind.  I >won’t be sane much longer if I don’t figure out how to reign them in.

Oh, God… I remember this phase.  It feels like you’re losing you mind, doesn’t it?  I can’t tell you much except that your neurological self is probably all out of kilter right now, so try very hard to keep remembering that when you’re feeling way out on that edge.  And repeat after me… it does NOT last.   I had the raving loonies pretty bad too (some will say I still do) but eventually I learned how to deal with the flood of stuff that I was hit with. It isn’t easy but it’s critical that you give yourself plenty of latitude to get through this phase.  Also, know that you are GRIEVING for your old "buddy".  This is normal. God, what helped me?  The support of this group, herbals (kava kava, valerian, chamomile, vitamin b complex), accepting that this was a part of the process, painful though it was, and reaffirming my committment each day to learning how to live comfortably in a non-smoking lifestyle.  Accepting that I couldn’t do everything I wanted to do all at once, that I had to wean myself much more slowly off the patch than I originally planned.  And talking, talking, talking to my quit buddies in chat about what was going on… laughter, staying diverted.  Finally accepting fully that I was really serious about doing this. Last but not least, anti-depressants.  I’d be writing this post with a cigarette in my hand if it weren’t for those.   > This probably won’t mean much to you now, but sometimes just being able to > determine where some of the problems are in your life is a major feat in >and of > itself. >I know where a lot of my problems are.  But they are not problems that can >be easily solved….debt, distance from family and friends.  :(

Then determine which ones you can tackle, and tackle those.  If you feel like it.  And give yourself latitude to say, "fuck it all right now" and not do anything if you don’t want.  Accept the things you can’t change for now and, perhaps more importantly, try not to put too much pressure on yourself for the things you can’t help.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> All I can offer you is a bit of counsel to take it easy on yourself, > give yourself LOTS of latitude for learning new things, trying out new >thought > processes, doing things differently.  Cut yourself plenty of slack, and >take > good care of yourself right now.  Never forget the size and scope of the >task > you’ve undertaken, and how proud of yourself you ought to be for all the >work > you’ve done. >Thanks Elle.  I’ll take all the support I can get.  Like I said, it comes >and goes.  I think a lot of people in here have probably already figured >that out as, more often than not, I’m in a good mood and cracking my usual >bad jokes.

Hey, we all need to vent now and then.  No one is happy all the time, and it’s important to have this group here as an outlet for those less than perfect, not so comfy feelings.   Hugs, Elle

Response:

> >Well,  to be honest, I’m not entirely sure I WANT to be seeing this portion >of my life more clearly if it means feeling like the greatest hurdle in the >world is simply getting out of bed.  I slept until 5:30 this afternoon >because I didn’t want to get out of bed.  That’s not normal. > Awwww, but it’s not going to be possible to fix this if you don’t see it’s > there.  That’s all I meant.  Sounds like you’re very depressed, to me

I see it…I’d just prefer not to.  Make sense? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> You’re used to buffering your emotional landscape with lots of nicotine, >and >> you’re not doing that anymore.  It really CAN feel pretty wretchedly >> overwhelming for a while, and the answer as to what to do about all of >these >> things is different for each individual. >Well shit, all I want is a clear cut solution.  Skip the crap and someone >tell me the magic cure to make it go away.  It’ll drive me to the looney bin >soon.  I could probably deal with being down all the time, but that’s not >the case.  These "yo-yo emotions" I’m having are making me lose my mind. I >won’t be sane much longer if I don’t figure out how to reign them in. > Oh, God… I remember this phase.  It feels like you’re losing you mind, > doesn’t it?  I can’t tell you much except that your neurological self is > probably all out of kilter right now, so try very hard to keep remembering that > when you’re feeling way out on that edge.  And repeat after me… it does NOT > last.

"It will not last….it will not last….it will not last."  my new mantra! > I had the raving loonies pretty bad too (some will say I still do) but > eventually I learned how to deal with the flood of stuff that I was hit with. > It isn’t easy but it’s critical that you give yourself plenty of latitude to > get through this phase.  Also, know that you are GRIEVING for your old "buddy". >  This is normal.

It would be nice if this all just disappeared wouldn’t it?  But I know in reality that will never happen.  So these shitty feelings will stick around until I take my head out of my ass and do something about them, right? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> God, what helped me?  The support of this group, herbals (kava kava, valerian, > chamomile, vitamin b complex), accepting that this was a part of the process, > painful though it was, and reaffirming my committment each day to learning how > to live comfortably in a non-smoking lifestyle.  Accepting that I couldn’t do > everything I wanted to do all at once, that I had to wean myself much more > slowly off the patch than I originally planned.  And talking, talking, talking > to my quit buddies in chat about what was going on… laughter, staying > diverted.  Finally accepting fully that I was really serious about doing this. > Last but not least, anti-depressants.  I’d be writing this post with a > cigarette in my hand if it weren’t for those.

That all sounds good to me except for the bit about the anti-depressants. I’m not keen on taking drugs.  I’d prefer a herbal route if at all possible. But if the drugs are what will do it, then I guess giving it a try couldn’t hurt.  I did zyban for the first month and a bit and it made me a raving looney.  I can’t deal with that again. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> This probably won’t mean much to you now, but sometimes just being able to >> determine where some of the problems are in your life is a major feat in >and of >> itself. >I know where a lot of my problems are.  But they are not problems that can >be easily solved….debt, distance from family and friends.  :( > Then determine which ones you can tackle, and tackle those.  If you feel like > it.  And give yourself latitude to say, "fuck it all right now" and not do > anything if you don’t want.  Accept the things you can’t change for now and, > perhaps more importantly, try not to put too much pressure on yourself for the > things you can’t help.

God, that is so much easier said than done isn’t it?  There is some genetic wiring in human DNA that makes us blame ourselves for everything going wrong in our lives, whether we have the ability to change it or not.  So to my new "it will not last" mantra I should add "ODAT – One debt at a time".  :) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> All I can offer you is a bit of counsel to take it easy on yourself, >> give yourself LOTS of latitude for learning new things, trying out new >thought >> processes, doing things differently.  Cut yourself plenty of slack, and >take >> good care of yourself right now.  Never forget the size and scope of the >task >> you’ve undertaken, and how proud of yourself you ought to be for all the >work >> you’ve done. >Thanks Elle.  I’ll take all the support I can get.  Like I said, it comes >and goes.  I think a lot of people in here have probably already figured >that out as, more often than not, I’m in a good mood and cracking my usual >bad jokes. > Hey, we all need to vent now and then.  No one is happy all the time, and it’s > important to have this group here as an outlet for those less than perfect, not > so comfy feelings.

And it’s amazing how it always IS here.  There always seems to be someone online at any given time…the beauty of having us scattered throughout the globe. Thanks again Elle.  I’ll give both your posts another re-read tomorrow when I am feeling a little more like myself.  They’ll have much more of an impact then.  I know they will. — Cheers Summer 2M+ — "It will not last…" — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

Response:

Edna, I have no idea how to reply to this post.  I sit here starring dumbfounded at the screen with tears running down my face.  Thank you for saying absolutely everything I needed to hear but couldn’t say to myself.  I do need to find a way to deal with these feelings.  They were around long before I quit (although they intensified after I did) and I have never really done anything to deal with them. Thank you so much Edna.  You’re a gem.  :) — Cheers Summer 2M+ — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This is not OT.  This is a bad patch.  The sort of bad patch you probably > used to rely on your addiction to help you ignore/slide through/repress. > You don’t have your addiction anymore.  <insert pat on back here>  So you > don’t quite know what to do. > OF COURSE you don’t know where to start to make yourself feel better. NONE > of us addicts jumped right in with efficient mood-management when we put > down the smokes.  (Or virtually none.  There may be a couple of freakishly > well-adjusted quitters out there who had no emotional problems when they > quit.  Fuck ‘em, that’s what I say.) > Number one:  Do NOT put yourself down for not intuitively, spontaneously > having all sorts of non-smoking skills.  That’s why we’re here — maybe > somebody here can HELP you learn these new skills.  And when you do, trust > me, you’re going to love it. > Number two:  DO congratulate yourself for getting this far, and DO promise > yourself you’ll take it easy on yourself and stop criticizing yourself. You > DESERVE a break — especially from yourself  :-) > Number three:  Just try to have a little faith, and start practicing. Here > are some ideas that helped me: > Laugh.  When it got bad for me sometimes, I would post a "joke alert" here > on as3, and my fellow quitters would inundate me with jokes.  Laughter is a > great quit aid AND and great life skill. > Reward yourself.  It doesn’t have to cost money.  Just remember to practice > thinking of yourself as somebody who has achieved something really hard and > really good:  quitting smoking, and KNOW that you deserve an extra half hour > in the bubble bath, a walk in your favorite place at your favorite time of > day, to watch tv naked, to take a nap — whatever it is you would enjoy. > You don’t need anybody else’s approval or understanding, just do it. > Read and post.  Read the posts of folks in day 2 or 3, and realize how much > you have to offer these suffering souls, learn how much you have to give, > and practice giving. > Exercise. > Smile. > Get with people. > Take up a new hobby. > Pursue an old dream. > Fantasize in your journal. > And hang in there.  It will get better. > You are not powerless.  You have quit smoking for two months, and that is > the most powerful demonstration of self-rule I know of. > ep dof > I’m tired…

Response:

> I’m tired…

Hi Summer, the only thing I can think about the funk your in is this: – when you don’t smoke, you have more time to observe yourself – you know from prior life experience that you can not address all your problems at once; not smoking is a big one.  you are changing your lifestyle. – make note of other things that are important to you and address them when the time is right.  Use your success from not smoking to feed future goals. – you are in a different country and not at home but you are not alone.  Listen to your AS3 friends, give yourself a BOOT in the ass and move on. Tomorrow will be better… cheers Bob S. 1M+

Response:

> > I’m tired… > …of feeling like there is something missing in my life and not knowing > what it is. > Quitting smoking doesn’t magically make you a perfect person with a perfect > life.  In fact most people find all hell breaks loose.

And yes, it certainly has. > What you are missing > is cigarettes, no point in denying it.  Just because you’ve decided to quit, > want to quit, never want to smoke another of the filthy things, doesn’t mean > you won’t miss them.  Don’t worry, that too shall pass.

Yes, I am missing the smokes.  Not the foul taste or the smell or their ability to kill me, but just their presence.  Very odd to explain, but I’m sure many know what I am trying to say. But it’s more than just the smokes.  It’s something so much more than that. I just can’t put my fingure on it. > …of pretending to be strong in the face of addiction when really, I am > not. > That requires a fine balancing act.  Acting happy can only carry you so

far. And I’ve almost perfected wearing that mask. > Never be ashamed to ask for help.

Easier said than done.  Raised in a home where it was made clear that showing weekness was not an option (indirectly taught this by my parents’ example).  And I don’t know *how* to ask for help with this.  If I hurt myself or couldn’t find the answer to something, I would know how to ask. But I don’t know what I am asking for…so it complicated matters a little. > Two months is great, but believe me > things get a lot easier after two years. )

You have no idea how much stock I am placing on that Dawn.  :) > But more than anything, I’m so tired of not knowing what to do to make > myself feel better > Accept that this process is going to take time.  Believe all the old folks > around here who keep promising "It gets better.  Much better."  No one can > tell you when.  But it will.

I do believe you…most of the time.  But occaissionally when I get low like these something tells me you are all a bunch of lying fools (sorry)…even though I do know it will get easier. > Telephones bring you temporarily closer to those you miss.  You are saving > money.  Look at some old meters and see how those dollars really add up. > Spend a little of it on something that will bring you pleasure (for me it > was some plants with blue flowers – you’ll see me referring to my Lithodora > now and then).

<snip> I would but then I fear I would be initiating this low point again because of spending money that rightfully should have been sent back home to pay off my debt.  Ugh…I’m sick of this crap. Thanks for this post Dawn.  When I re-read it tomorrow, I know it will sink in more.  I’m still feeling pretty shitty at the moment so sadly, not much of this is making it’s way in.  Thanks for the support Dawn, as usual, you have help to offer. — Cheers Summer 2M+ — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

Response:

> Sounds like you are having a pretty tough time…I can’t help but think it > has a great deal to do with being so far away from your family and loved > ones during the holiday season, and being in a country where (I imagine) > there’s not a great deal of Christmas celebration going on, anyway.

Most definitely it is.  That is a large portion of it although not it entirely. > As for working your butt off and not finding a reason for doing it, but I > can’t help but remember someone saying, "There is an incredible feeling of > accomplishment when your children look at you and understand what you are > saying."

OMG thank you Ziggy.  Thank you for remembering that and for reposting it back to me.  I guess I needed to hear my own words.  AS3 and the weedkillers are blessed to have you Ziggy.  Thank you thank you.  :) > You do make a difference, and we have appreciated having you here among our > numbers.

Thank you Ziggy, but this place is one of the few things keeping me sane at the moment.  Everyone here has become a substitue family for me and I can’t imagine doing anything to jeopardize that. > I hope you feel stronger today. But if you don’t, keep talking….we’ll > listen.

Thanks Ziggy.  Comes and goes.  I may be feeling great tomorrow and low the next.  Bear with me.  :) — Cheers Summer 2M+ — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

Response:

> Hey girlie, Elle gave you a far better answer than I could so I’ll just add > a hug for ya (((((((((Summer))))))))

Thank you Padders.  I needed that. > Take care chuck we don’t want to lose you here

Oh, you won’t be losing me.  On top of all the other shit I’m feeling…I don’t want to add guilt for failing on top of that.  No thanks.  :) — Cheers Summer 2M+ — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

Response:

> {{{{Summer}}}}

Thanks Elle.  :) > This may not be as OT as you say.  Many times quitting helps us begin to see > more clearly all the other places where we’re having trouble in our lives.

Well,  to be honest, I’m not entirely sure I WANT to be seeing this portion of my life more clearly if it means feeling like the greatest hurdle in the world is simply getting out of bed.  I slept until 5:30 this afternoon because I didn’t want to get out of bed.  That’s not normal. > You’re used to buffering your emotional landscape with lots of nicotine, and > you’re not doing that anymore.  It really CAN feel pretty wretchedly > overwhelming for a while, and the answer as to what to do about all of these > things is different for each individual.

Well shit, all I want is a clear cut solution.  Skip the crap and someone tell me the magic cure to make it go away.  It’ll drive me to the looney bin soon.  I could probably deal with being down all the time, but that’s not the case.  These "yo-yo emotions" I’m having are making me lose my mind.  I won’t be sane much longer if I don’t figure out how to reign them in. > This probably won’t mean much to you now, but sometimes just being able to > determine where some of the problems are in your life is a major feat in and of > itself.

I know where a lot of my problems are.  But they are not problems that can be easily solved….debt, distance from family and friends.  :( > All I can offer you is a bit of counsel to take it easy on yourself, > give yourself LOTS of latitude for learning new things, trying out new thought > processes, doing things differently.  Cut yourself plenty of slack, and take > good care of yourself right now.  Never forget the size and scope of the task > you’ve undertaken, and how proud of yourself you ought to be for all the work > you’ve done.

Thanks Elle.  I’ll take all the support I can get.  Like I said, it comes and goes.  I think a lot of people in here have probably already figured that out as, more often than not, I’m in a good mood and cracking my usual bad jokes. > Hang in there, Summer… I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you Elle.  I’m hanging.  :) — Cheers Summer 2M+ — Please don’t forget to take out the trash! — Summer’s Soundbytes  http://www.geocities.com/summer_soundbytes/index.html

Response:

This is not OT.  This is a bad patch.  The sort of bad patch you probably used to rely on your addiction to help you ignore/slide through/repress. You don’t have your addiction anymore.  <insert pat on back here>  So you don’t quite know what to do. OF COURSE you don’t know where to start to make yourself feel better.  NONE of us addicts jumped right in with efficient mood-management when we put down the smokes.  (Or virtually none.  There may be a couple of freakishly well-adjusted quitters out there who had no emotional problems when they quit.  Fuck ‘em, that’s what I say.) Number one:  Do NOT put yourself down for not intuitively, spontaneously having all sorts of non-smoking skills.  That’s why we’re here — maybe somebody here can HELP you learn these new skills.  And when you do, trust me, you’re going to love it. Number two:  DO congratulate yourself for getting this far, and DO promise yourself you’ll take it easy on yourself and stop criticizing yourself.  You DESERVE a break — especially from yourself  :-) Number three:  Just try to have a little faith, and start practicing.  Here are some ideas that helped me: Laugh.  When it got bad for me sometimes, I would post a "joke alert" here on as3, and my fellow quitters would inundate me with jokes.  Laughter is a great quit aid AND and great life skill. Reward yourself.  It doesn’t have to cost money.  Just remember to practice thinking of yourself as somebody who has achieved something really hard and really good:  quitting smoking, and KNOW that you deserve an extra half hour in the bubble bath, a walk in your favorite place at your favorite time of day, to watch tv naked, to take a nap — whatever it is you would enjoy. You don’t need anybody else’s approval or understanding, just do it. Read and post.  Read the posts of folks in day 2 or 3, and realize how much you have to offer these suffering souls, learn how much you have to give, and practice giving. Exercise. Smile. Get with people. Take up a new hobby. Pursue an old dream. Fantasize in your journal. And hang in there.  It will get better. You are not powerless.  You have quit smoking for two months, and that is the most powerful demonstration of self-rule I know of. ep dof

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m tired…

Response:

> I’m tired… > …of feeling like there is something missing in my life and not knowing > what it is.

Quitting smoking doesn’t magically make you a perfect person with a perfect life.  In fact most people find all hell breaks loose.  What you are missing is cigarettes, no point in denying it.  Just because you’ve decided to quit, want to quit, never want to smoke another of the filthy things, doesn’t mean you won’t miss them.  Don’t worry, that too shall pass. > …of pretending to be strong in the face of addiction when really, I am > not.

That requires a fine balancing act.  Acting happy can only carry you so far. Never be ashamed to ask for help.  Two months is great, but believe me things get a lot easier after two years. ) > But more than anything, I’m so tired of not knowing what to do to make > myself feel better

Accept that this process is going to take time.  Believe all the old folks around here who keep promising "It gets better.  Much better."  No one can tell you when.  But it will. Telephones bring you temporarily closer to those you miss.  You are saving money.  Look at some old meters and see how those dollars really add up. Spend a little of it on something that will bring you pleasure (for me it was some plants with blue flowers – you’ll see me referring to my Lithodora now and then).  For you it may be a special plant, or a book or CD you really want, or an article of clothing that under ordinary circumstances you wouldn’t buy, an aromatherapy candle, a new toy for the cat – whatever will bring you pleasure whenever you look at it, and remind you that you would not have this if you hadn’t quit smoking.  And remember this is not a one time reward – you deserve another and another and another. Dawn Two years, two weeks, two days, 10 hours, 38 minutes and 50 seconds. 22423 cigarettes not smoked, saving $5,886.11.- lotsa moola eh? soon to be spent restoring my beloved ‘69 Volkswagen.   Life saved: 11 weeks, 20 hours, 35 minutes.

Response:

Hey girlie, Elle gave you a far better answer than I could so I’ll just add a hug for ya (((((((((Summer)))))))) Take care chuck we don’t want to lose you here hugs padders (