Hi Adamo,

I am glad you took what I said ok. It really can help to be able to be very analytical about these things, doesn't it? Do remember I'm not a doctor so I can't really be 100% sure of these things, but a pill takes a couple minutes even to dissolve, let alone be absorbed... that got me thinking there could be something else at play.

I still think it was good that your doctor changed the dosing schedule. Even if you are getting a kind of placebo effect, and even if you are getting a nocebo effect from the reduction (experiencing severe symptoms because you expect them), the actual symptoms are still 100% real, and you still have to manage them somehow. Altering your dosing schedule so that you can expect a better outcome is entirely appropriate.

The thinking is very powerful, yes, but expectations are only part of it. And I do agree with what you say ... at least, what I think you were saying... that setting positive expectations can set us up for a fall. I just think it is important to stay open. Being open is different from being expectant.

I can't say enough how important I think it is to cultivate skills to help you with the anxiety. This is a "positive" form of behavior more than thinking. It is a helpful way to be proactive. Research is a form of being proactive and, as another analytical person, I certainly appreciate the desire to be informed and prepared. However, when the material read starts to induce fear, the act of researching ceases to serve its intended purpose, becoming instead a detrimental activity.

I know that right now the anxious sx are out of this world and you might not be able to neutralize them with breathing or other relaxation techniques, but you can almost certainly diminish them some. (And if you are one who can do the impossible, then by golly, you might just be able to wipe them out all together!! ) In any case, relaxation skills are a great life investement... they can be used in any "normal" stressful situation, long past the needs you'd currently have for them.

Don't worry about not asking about me... this thread is about you, and it is natural that we talk about your situation.

I saw an interesting video recently about "good" worry and "bad" worry... it was roughly three sections, one was sort of functional, another was phsiological and the last one was a guided visualization. The whole thing was by an MD. I'd have to find it again but I think I can... the thing is, it is 1.5 hours long (I had to watch it in 3 installments), but I did hang in there and I thought it was quite useful. Would you be interested in that?

Thank you for the well wishes, Adamo. I too hope that Doc is doing better. Ginnie is always such a dear.

waves