Day 84- DRUG FREE!

[Bunny Berry]

Thank you so much for all of your love, light, encouragement, happiness, prayers, reiki, etc over the weekend. I really needed it. I have been battling some demons that I wish I had never messed with, and now it's time to get them out of my life for good.

I have made a major life decision. One that I can only make for myself, and one that I am not in any way suggesting for you. This is a decision I had to make for myself, by myself, and to myself. I have decided to try to go 100% prescription drug free.

I am a drug addict. I have been relying on anti-depressants since my son was born back in 2004 (which I think that I legitimately needed), but that has led not only to anti-depressants, but to other drugs to mask the symptoms of the anti-depressants. I have taken every sleeping pill on the market, and am currently taking the generic version of Klonopin for anxiety and sleep. My doctor prescribes me 60 MG of Cymbalta (30 count), and then gives me 2 MG of Klonopin (45 count).

And if we're going to go ahead and be perfectly honest here, sometimes I take more Klonopin than I should and get my family doctor to give the occasional sleeping pill or anxiety med. Oh yeah, I'm hitting up two doctors and two pharmacies some months when my insomnia is bad enough.

Wanna know why I'm always bloated? Drugs. Want to know why I can't get rid of the weight? Drugs.

PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS.

I may risk friendships here, but it's true. In fact, today, I think I already have lost a friend. Sure that won't be the last. This weekend, I stayed in bed and wept over this. And then I got up, and cut all my antidepressants into weanable portions, and recapsuled them. God told me to use exercise as my anti-depressant. He told me to use love as my anti-depressant. It's time for me to start using exercise as my anti-depressant. It's time for me to start using love as my anti-depressant. Laughter as medicine. Whatever it takes, I'm going to try it the drug free way.

As I sat there thinking about my life, I was also thinking about you. Your health, and how we've been teaching moderation. C'mon you guys, it's time to start getting serious about our health. I started working on the next 100 Day Challenge. And it's not going to look like the first. There is going to be *gasp* exercise involved. We're going to set goals, and we're going to ACHIEVE THEM. We're going to SEE RESULTS!

The next 100 Days of RawFu are going to take a new turn. And we're all going to be happier for it.

Here's to a DRUG FREE LIFE. Thanks for giving me the courage to do it!

[Pamela L. Reilly, Naturopath]

Hi, sweetie! You go, girl!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so real and transparent! I was on depression meds and sleeping meds for years. I also took far more of the sleeping meds than what was prescribed because the prescribed dosage just didn't work. At my lowest point, I switched doctors and lied about the dosage I was on ... so you're not alone! I'm thankfully off those meds now. Good for you for weaning yourself off the meds instead of going cold turkey! You could also use Bentonite Clay in water (am & pm) as you wean yourself off to pull the residual toxins out of your body. Praise God that you were willing to hear Him and act! He won't let you down and will hold you up through this. Know that you are being prayed for mightily. Be proud of yourself for making this decision, trust that your body will reward you for it, and know that God is working! Be blessed!

[Cinegal]

I am very supportive of this decision, as it is one I am seeking for myself. Drugs do contribute to weight and energy problems which are as bad as the ones you were getting "help" for in the first place. However, I would caution you to speak to a doctor of some kind before trying to wean yourself. If you have been taking them for a long time, it can be dangerous to come off of them too soon- your body can have a severe reaction, as well as your mental health.

I wish you all the best, and much love.

[Debi]

Bunny,I support you 100% in your decision no matter what it is and am here for you. Love Pamela's message and couldn't have said it better myself. Looking forward to the EXERCISE part of the next challenge. That is where I'm most lacking and need a good swift kick in the ass. Bunny, one thing that I've noticed on this journey of life is that as we grow and change we will lose people that we care about. Two years ago I had to severe ties with my best friend of 30 years because it was a toxic relationship. I truly miss her but know that she is not a part of my life now and that I've moved forward. I'm sorry you lost your friend but you have tons more here at Raw fu. Love you. PS I'm really glad you are coming off the drugs.... It may be rough for couple of months but we will support you

[Anastazia]

This is wonderful to hear, Bunny, & I, too, am so proud of you....
...& will be backing you in prayer, all the way!
~Anastazia~

[robyn]

Go Bunny Go!!! You are making a wonderful decision for yourself. Take it slow and easy and it will be over before you know it. I'm glad you have the support of your psych. This is going to be an amazing new chapter in your life. I'm so excited to see it unfold for you.

[Minnie Apple]

Wow, and Yay Bunny!

And apparently exercise does do wonders... Multiple people, at various times, have commented to me... That they much prefer my personality when I am frequenting the gym. :-)

[Bob Hedges]

Bunny, I respect you for your willingness to be be honest with yourself and open and vulnerable to us. We are a family and family's stick together no matter what. To one degree or another, we are all in some kind of crisis and in need of support. It's your time right now. The root of your health problem as is the root of all of our health problems is body chemistry problems. I have a new website, which has limited content so far that may have some answers for you. Most health problems we experience are the result of mineral deficiencies and we as raw foodist are not exempt. To get enough minerals, we need to eat a wide variety of nutrient dense foods and in my nutritional consulting I have found that many raw foodists have too limited of a diet and eat the same things every day. Bunny, in your quest for real health, both physical and emotional, you are on the right track and body chemistry analysis may be a part of it. Please go to my site - www.Re-Mineralize.com and call me for a different perspective on your "recovery" (no charge of course). With Love and Caring, Bob

[Rozlynn White]

Good for you! Take it easy and just know that YOU CAN DO IT!

[Becky Oliver]

I just cried about this, it is a happy cry. I am soooo happy for you. My husband got addicted to precription drugs after an accident he had (narcotics). It was so much better after he was off. I am behind you all the way. Love to you, Becky

[Ellen]

YES! I am a much nicer person with yoga than I am without. ;))

Minnie Apple said:

Wow, and Yay Bunny!

And apparently exercise does do wonders... Multiple people, at various times, have commented to me... That they much prefer my personality when I am frequenting the gym. :-)

[WendySmiling]

What the hell kind of person has issue with someone making a healthy life choice and affirming it to a support community? That just blows my mind Bunny....seriously. They were nver your friend to begin with. Your choices are yours. I won't get started on intolerance.

Love....love...love.. <3

I totally hear you. I'd like to get off my drugs too, but every time I try the rebound is unbearable. I wish you every success. I have cut out my Celexa, but still have to take my klonepin & trazodone. I know my issues are from my thyroid not being optimized. 3 different docs have been working for 6 years and it's still not right. The anxiety is horrid and causes extreme muscle tension and headaches that last longer than a month. I think at this point all I can do is take it slow and let the raw heal and go slow slow slow w/ the drugs so I don't rebound.
Love ya!

[Rebecca M.]

In the same green suits the ladies are wearing... that'll get you fired up!!

Bunny Berry said:

Rebecca, this is going to be the first song I work out to EVERY SINGLE DAY! :)

Rebecca Maloney said:

Here's your theme song! We are happy for you. Good luck and stay strong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY41o-iZStI