that’s good to hear Joannie - the exercise I mean. And that you feel you might make progress
I’m going to comment on a couple of things. You might not learn anything from tests simply because there is a lot of debate whether they show anything. There is a meta analysis that suggests it doesn’t. (It’s actually testing cortisol levels).
So sure get a test but what are you going to do if it comes back that there is no problem. I had test after test after test. They weren’t quite normal but not enough to tell anything. Other than the hyponatremia which was very real and no one can tell me why but it can be a side effect of anaesthesia and the severely degraded hips and the ulnar nerve damage and osteoarthritis in both wrists. Physical symptoms and they can all be connected with stress. Remove the stress and guess what - residual symptoms only but so mild they have no impact on my life.
this paper might help you understand the complexity of cortisol but it doesn’t talk about connections between neurotransmitters.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4263906/anyway whatever the test results just keep going. Use up the anxiety by turning it into something - exercise and productive energy.
try doing something else that you find interesting. Gee you could even try making paper garments like I do given your interest in clothes in the past. It’s a tough medium to work with but I love it
as for the vitamins. Well I have been there. I used to take lots hoping it’s would help. Have you had your vitamin levels checked? And minerals. You need good tests though
What did help I think was magnesium. And let me ask. Do you spend much time at all outside. If you don’t then get your vitamin d levels checked. Vitamin d is super important for our mental health.
i can’t talk so much about vitamins and minerals but my friend who knows so much has coached me through all of this.
