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!

[Lori]

Bunny you are not alone with this situation and it's so timely, I too have some pain medication I've been taking for about that same length of time and have wanted to go "drug free" for quite a while now, never having the strength or courage or smarts to actually do it - stop the pills, stop the bills, deal with the "pain" that the pills no longer help anyway, the drugs just numb my brain into not noticing so much. Without medical insurance it's nearly impossible to afford the lists of tests and doctors one needs to actually try to diagnose or rule out what's going on in a particular situation, let alone treatment options whether it be physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic (all of which I've tried in the past) so sometimes the meds seem to be the only thing that works or one can afford or have easy access to. I'm totally with you on this and will be faithfully following along (as I have been since about day 14 of your very first challenge) and hoping that you will continue to inspire and motivate me into action as you have with the raw food. I love this group! It's what's "real" to me, you are out there living everyday life in the way so many of us are, unable to afford all the fancy superfoods and formulas nor have access to any "raw" restaurants and sometimes finding good organic produce is the challenge! I do follow several other websites and check around various blogs/links but it's always YOU I stay with continually and feel most "at home" with so please keep doing what you're doing - I think you have a huge group of fans out there that you don't even know about - we seldom speak but we're here all the time regardless. Thank you! And I thank all who do and have been commenting over the past year or so because I do read that information as well - all has been most helpful and appreciated!

[Kritter]

You are amazing in every way, every single day!!!

[Chele Eva Armstrong]

I'm so proud of you Bunny!! This is a hard decision. My Mother has been on Anti- depressants for 20 years and she is lost to me . Rarely is she the person I remembered. It is so hard to face our sadness. but we have to face it so we can be happy . Anti depressants cut off all emotions. Its a thing you needed then but you don't know. and you don't want to end up my Mom who is 70 but acts like 90 with all the symptoms of anti- depressant over dose..and she is still depressed.. even though she takes the pills
You are the most courageous, fabulous, strong woman. you can do it!!!! I love you and I'm, so glad I met you..

http://www.excellencenw.org/
Exercise planning yeah!! I need that so bad!!!
YEAH YEAH!!

Thank you for everything Bunny!

[Wendi Dee]

I'm super happy for you, Bunny! It feels so good to take control of our lives back. I'm here to support you in any way I can.

I love you!

Wendi
XOXOXO

[Debi]

I am sooooo proud of you, Bunny!!! I love the fact that you've shown us a true picture of the progression of peeling back the layers during your journey! God will honor your obedience :)

[rubarb]

Bunny, as always, you touch me with your words and your bravery. Thank you for putting your heart out there and giving so many other courage. You are the best. I've been in and out for the current challenge, but will definitely be on board for the next. You inspire me!

[amysue]

I'm so happy that you seem so happy and energized by your decision. That's a great start. You'll have lots of love and support along the way, but you knew that!

[esther frances]

big happiness that you have found the path to this journey...we will cheer you on your way. lots of love from me and yogi swami spike the cat...who is still doing a healing chant for you.

[Becky B.]

Bunny...you never cease to amaze me with your vision, insight and COURAGE!! I feel incredibly blessed to call you my friend and you know that everyone here is behind you 10000%!! ANYTHING I (we) can do to help you.....just ask girl!
I use a light box for my depression/SAD (10,000 lux 45 mins early am). I got it online at Giaim and using the light and 2000-3000mg Vit D & EFA's have literally saved my life =)
I will light a candle for you tonight and pray for peace, patience, wisdom and strength.
You are loved
XOXOXO
Becky B

[Tonya]

Perfect time to start studying herbs and essential oils. I had to wean myself off of paxil when my doctor moved away 6 months after having my son. I slowly took myself off of it and I felt so much better! I was like you....blank....
You can do this! There are a lot of herbal remedies to take for sleeping. My husband takes Calms Forte and it works for him. I TOTALLY understand the stress you are going through as we seem to be swimming up the same stream but just take it one day at a time and keep leaving your burdens at the feet of Jesus, girl!

[Angelique]

Go Beth Go!!!!
Totally behind you on this and glad to hear that you recognize that you need friendships that will support your health and if any current friends can't do that right now, well, we wish them well too ... and maybe you can connect again some time in the future when they're ready to accept and support your decisions. But if that doesn't ever happen, that will be OK too. It will be OK either way. SO glad to see you taking control of your health and making brave decisions!!
As always, an inspiration to us all!

Angelique
www.rawshopper.com

[Mary Miller]

Hi Bun!
I kept to myself that I got a new script. in April for Prozac. But unlike back when I was much heavier and already dosing w/ food like substitutes I could not tolerate them (sleeplessness) and stopped them myself after 3 days. Both times it was for marriage induced sadness so working on that was helpful this time. Duh.
Hey! Keep your head up. It seems raw really does change a whole lot of our internal chem. for the better BUT no matter how it works out you have my blessing. LOL
Mar