Hi Tracy ... oooh boy .. yes I definitely get mood swings (just ask my husband). My mental state ranges from thinking I cannot cope another minute, through to feeling I am going to beat this no matter what and that it is just a short phase in the overall scheme of my life.

I know what you mean about not knowing what the day is going to bring. I can’t consistently plan anything more than an hour ahead as I don’t know how I am going to be feeling then.

As for immediate symptom relief, I noticed the evening after I got my amalgams removed I felt much warmer, I even turned off the heaters (it is winter here).

Nothing else much happened until after the end of my first DMSA round. It felt as though my brain was suddenly switched on, I could think more clearly and calmly. So that’s what it is like to feel healthy! Whilst I haven’t had quite the same intensity of feeling since, I find I am generally able to think clearer, more positively and have more energy. It has helped me to see that when I am in a bad mental state it is not really ‘me’ it is just the illness – and it will go away eventually.

Lately I have been trying to focus on what I CAN do rather than what I can’t. I have been frustrated feeling as though I am putting everything on hold waiting for my health to get better or getting frustrated trying to do things my body is unable to. Eg. I am looking into courses I can do via DVD, that way I keep my brain active (without pressure of tests etc..) but I can physically rest at the same time. But all this is a good sign as I am getting frustrated now and looking to the future rather than just trying to get through the day intact. It WILL get better for you Tracy.

I also read a lot, I find I can immerse myself in the book and forget my troubles for a bit. I also avoid negative tv (eg. news) and try to watch/read humorous stuff.

Good luck for your appt. on Monday.

Cheers ... Karen <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />