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Is it just meor is this year worse?

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shelley
joined 22 Jan 2007
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Posted by shelley, 08:45 30 November 2007

Hi to everyone,
this is my first post this year,I had to reset my password as I just could'nt remember what it was & that just sums me up so far this year!
is anyone else finding this year particularly bad? as my sad is awful this year,I am really struggling to remember things,last week I got a £60 parking fine because I forgot to get a free ticket from the machine!! I have never done that before,thank god I get all my christmas shopping done & dusted in september before the sad kicks in as if I had to do it all now Im sure no-one would get anything,I just could'nt face it.
I find that my depression is not too bad at the moment,even though I am very antisocial & just dont want anything to do with people, but I do feel quite anxious & lay in bed at night worrying about the most stupid things that normally I would'nt give a thought too,I feel like a zombie all day,I just want to sleep all the time & my arms & legs feel like lead & my joints really ache,
I have suffered with sad for about 10 years & use a lightbox & take st johns wort,which normally is enough to curb it but I find this year the symptoms - especially the physical symptoms are the worst they have ever been,I was wondering if it has something to do with the awful summer we had in the UK so its somehow making the sad worse because we did'nt really get the sunshine & warmth early on,what does anyone else think?
PurpleIvy
PurpleIvy
joined 16 Mar 2005
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Posted by PurpleIvy, 08:47 30 November 2007

I'm better so far this winter, but I've changed my regime. I found the late summer really difficult when the weather wasn't too good though.
paulst
joined 5 Oct 2005
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Posted by paulst, 16:34 30 November 2007

I thought the Summer was terrible, my sad symptoms started earlier, not sure about Winter yet.
WhistlingPig
WhistlingPig
joined 21 Sep 2007
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Posted by WhistlingPig, 19:59 30 November 2007

No Shelley, it's not just you! My SAD is terrible this year, I'm permanently exhausted, I feel worried all the time about absolutely nothing, my brain is just a lump of cheese - I walked away from a cashpoint the other day and left the £30 I'd just withdrawn in it. I really feel like I just fail at life at the moment! I know this will pass eventually, but I'd forgotten just how bad it can be.
shelley
joined 22 Jan 2007
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Posted by shelley, 21:02 30 November 2007

Glad to hear your'e having a good winter purpleivy & hope you hang in there paulst without it getting worse,you & me sound just the same whistlingpig you summed it up a treat when you said your brain felt like a lump of cheese thats just how mine feels lol!
I bet if you are anything like me you lay there at night worrying over the silliest little thing that people would laugh at if you told them & your right you do forget just how awful a bad year can be, Im longing for spring already,I just hope its a really warm bright one,
take care all x
PurpleIvy
PurpleIvy
joined 16 Mar 2005
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Posted by PurpleIvy, 21:08 30 November 2007

.... and although I feel OK mood wise, I still have the memory problems and concentration probs!
paulst
joined 5 Oct 2005
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Posted by paulst, 22:38 30 November 2007

I hope we have a good Winter, we certainly deserve it after the less than wonderful Summer.
Bagpuss
Bagpuss
joined 10 Nov 2007
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Posted by Bagpuss, 22:58 1 December 2007

Shelly, it's not just you, this year is worse! I usually feel ok until Christmas, but this year it started really early. I feel like it's been winter for months already but it's only 1st December! I guess it must be because we had such a rubbish Summer.
hbk2007
joined 1 Dec 2007
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Posted by hbk2007, 01:15 2 December 2007

I was going to post a thread similar to this, im finding this year alot harder aswell my symptoms have started about 1 month earlier than usual..... i also think its due to the very poor summer thoe.
hbk2007
joined 1 Dec 2007
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Posted by hbk2007, 01:26 2 December 2007

I was going to post a thread similar to this, im finding this year alot harder aswell my symptoms have started about 1 month earlier than usual..... i also think its due to the very poor summer thoe.
clive ghosh
joined 23 Jan 2006
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Posted by clive ghosh, 21:34 2 December 2007

I think the summer is the cause, and my experience has been similar. I'm troubled by the way I forget just how bad it gets.
toomucheffort
joined 4 Dec 2007
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Posted by toomucheffort, 14:28 4 December 2007

Thank God someone else has noticed!
I've had SAD for at least 20 years and have twice had to be hospitalised but this year is the worst I've ever experienced. Putting the clocks back was the final kick in the teeth and I can hardly make it into work, let alone do anything to any degree of accuracy. I was at a fabulous Christmas ball on saturday, wearing a gorgeous new dress and had my hair and nails done, and a spray tan to cheer me up, and spent the whole night being a wallflower and wishing I could just go to bed. i wish I could wake up in February and someone had done Christmas for me and looked after the house and the kids because it's all overwhelmingly too much. I'm such a positive person usually and feel so guilty for being crap, and that just makes me feel worse. I just have to endure the next few weeks and then it'll all be over, but I have to say it's a huge comfort reading that I'm not alone. I wish I was a hamster :-)
paulst
joined 5 Oct 2005
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Posted by paulst, 15:51 4 December 2007

HI and welcome to the forum, glad you have joined us, look forward to more of your posts when you feel ok.


paul


shelley
joined 22 Jan 2007
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Posted by shelley, 17:54 4 December 2007

hi toomuch effort,
bless your heart,Im in just the same position as you,Im finding everything overwelming as well,I always get my main christmas shopping done in september but I must confess the rest of the preperations along with house & kids are overwelming me too,Im really sorry you did'nt enjoy your ball,but dont feel guilty about not enjoying things,I used to beat myself up terrible - convincing myself I was a crap wife,crap mum & the worlds biggest bitch because I dreaded christmas instead of looking forward to it,but now I understand why I feel like this & my family understands I dont care what anyone else thinks,we just have to hang in there,I just keep thinking about spring - birds singing, flowers bloomimg & green everywhere with blue skies,I cant wait!
I have found it comforting as well knowing that others are finding this year especially hard,I was beginning to think it was just me,anyway you take care & hang in there x
Piglet
Piglet
joined 12 Oct 2006
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Posted by Piglet, 19:34 4 December 2007

Welcome Toomucheffort, I think I can safely say you're not alone with the Christmas ball hating - it's taken me a while to work out why I love summer balls and parties but hate winter balls and parties!

Stick around here, it is really nice to know that others are feeling the same, I think it helps us know that we're not just "odd"!
sal
joined 4 Apr 2005
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Posted by sal, 09:16 5 December 2007

You are not alone in this. I am not coping at all well this year. Was at the Gps yesterday and she thinks its to do with the terrible summer and the fact that we really have had no autumn this year.

Not enough sunshine to give you the boost late summer and then we seemed to fall headlong into winter with no gradual lead up to it with an autumn season.

I'm so pleased to discover that I am not the only person struggling this year when I have managed to control this blasted thing called S.A.D for several years now.
Maleficent Angel
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Maleficent Angel, 10:27 5 December 2007

I was very interested to read your posts. I'm heading off to the GP's later this morning, having had to take the day off work as the depression that's followed me for the last few weeks has finally peaked to the level of not wanting to wake up in the morning when I go to bed at night. I've suspected I may have SAD for a few years - but last time I felt like this (again, in December, two years ago) I was treated for depression. The prozac I was given did nothing but numb me to my surroundings and made my symptoms worse (swinging from manic to suicidal with no happy middle ground). Oddly enough, when I demanded I be 'allowed' to come off the medication, I normalised. Then, when spring took hold and broke into summer, I was 'back to my old self.' Last year wasn't too bad - though my immune system disappeared around November time. This year has been awful - since September I haven't managed a full five weeks in work without a break of at least a day. I've had four colds, several migraines that have each lasted more than two days and at the moment I would cheerfully give up work, life, the house and everything if I could just be left alone to curl into a little ball. I work as a teacher and while part of me loves the kids and their reactions to my lessons, today I never want to see another human being again. I'm not sure I have SAD, but I know that 'depression' would hit any time of the year and I also know I only need to 'get through' another six or seven weeks and I'll feel better. Does anyone have any advice for this 27 year old who's more or less written herself off?
shelley
joined 22 Jan 2007
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Posted by shelley, 10:56 5 December 2007

hi there maleficentangel,
It certainly sounds like you could have sad,I was the same as you for years & had to keep being treated for depression by my doctor,I then learned from a friend about sad & things suddenly clicked into place,I revisited my GP who looked back through my records & my depression had definately been following a pattern of beginning in november & clearing up at the beginning of march.I researched sad on the net & learned about light therapy,you probably know about them by now but if you dont you sit under a high lux light lamp for approx 30 minutes in the morning when you get up & it helps alleviate the symptoms,sad lamps are quite exspensive but I found a great site called www.sadlighthire.co.uk who let you hire the lamp you are interested in for a month first to see if it helps for about £20 I tried a lumie lamp that looks just like a desk lamp & within a week of trying it I felt much better so I then bought it,I have it on my bedside table,I also take St johns wort to help the anxiety & valerian root capsules at bedtime if I am having trouble sleeping & that is usually enough to get me through the winter ok without antidepressants,having said that though this year does seem to be especially bad & several of us here have noticed it,so we are all having to grit our teeth & just sit it out till spring,hope this helps.if I can help further just let me know.
clive ghosh
joined 23 Jan 2006
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Posted by clive ghosh, 11:07 5 December 2007

Welcome to the forum. I do hope your visit to the GP was helpful. There are indications that you suffer from SAD, not the least of which is your overwhelming desire to withdraw from from life,work and everyone in winter, something that most here would share.
If relevant to you. you will find this forum very supportive. I'm not sure why, but it has a disproportionate number of teachers.
Good luck.
Maleficent Angel
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Maleficent Angel, 13:09 5 December 2007

I have just got back from the doctors. She's referring me to a psychiatrist. I'm not sure she took my objections to anti-depressants seriously (I told her I just didn't feel like myself on them, and the look clearly said "isn't that a good thing?"). Plus I don't necessarily want to be on pills for the entire year when I only need a boost for 3-4 months. Oh well. She did say SJW was best not taken in conjunction with the contraceptive pill and did at least write down everything I said about when I felt at my worst etc. She said the psychiatrist referral is needed to make sure it isn't just a case of the 'winter blues' as she couldn't remember the criteria for SAD. I think I might rent a light lamp just to see if it helps - let's face it, I could be waiting weeks for the psychiatrist referral on the NHS! Is it normal to feel slightly dejected by the initial consultation?
PurpleIvy
PurpleIvy
joined 16 Mar 2005
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Posted by PurpleIvy, 13:11 5 December 2007

Hi maleficent angel,

I take med through the winter but not in the summer. I get full remission of the SAD in the spring.
Maleficent Angel
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Maleficent Angel, 13:14 5 December 2007

When I asked about the possibility of doing that, she highlighted the fact I'd need to be taking them for a few months prior to the winter for them to have any effect. I really didn't react to them well last time - it was like I was two different people - and neither of them was me!
PurpleIvy
PurpleIvy
joined 16 Mar 2005
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Posted by PurpleIvy, 13:26 5 December 2007

I started in mid sept and usually start to taper off in March. Do it slowly and carefully. I did have side effects to begin with but they passed after a few weeks and I now have a manageable regime.
Maleficent Angel
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Maleficent Angel, 14:28 5 December 2007

Thanks everyone. I've had a phonecall saying that the psych appointment will be late Jan at the earliest. I'm going to try renting a lamp (thanks for the link Shelley) and see if that helps first before I try adding another treatment on top. I think, going back to the topic of the thread, that this year has been terrible for a lot of people - my husband has today been discussing SAD at work and three people there all chimed in saying that they have SAD and that they've never felt so low!
Piglet
Piglet
joined 12 Oct 2006
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Posted by Piglet, 14:58 5 December 2007

Hi Maleficent Angel (love the user name BTW!), it sounds to me like you're describing SAD.

I'd bite the bullet and either hire or buy a lamp - if you look on the main Lumie site they have a returns policy if the light doesn't work for you.

I have never been diagnosed with SAD, my GP was very focused on my stress levels and can't see past those! I can handle the stress but I know that I am a different person in the dark months than in the light months. I have never gone down the meds route, I don't like the idea of them, although I'm a different "me" in the winter, I do know it's still "me" inside.

Go for the light and see how you feel once you start using it. I'd also recommend that you try a dawn simulator as well. I found a lightbox was great and mine has changed my life but I still struggled in the mornings until I got the dawn simulator. I know it all adds up but I would try to get both and then see how you go.

Good luck, keep letting us know how you're doing - you're in good company here and we do know exactly how you feel.

Piglet x
shakinsteve
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by shakinsteve, 20:39 5 December 2007

I have found the comments encouraging, I am new to this site but have suffered with SAD longer than i can remember and today was the worst day, I couldnt face the day, felt guilty in letting people down, stayed in bed till 4pm and shaking nervously just at the thought of another day. I am thinking of going away for a week and just staying in bed and wishing time away. I have a very understanding wife, though she is suffering with depression and she had a week away recently while i cared for the kids. I have a light box and am on medication but this year nothing seems to be helping, except the fact I know a good many people too are feeling the same. Thanks for you forum and people telling their situation, hope we all can get through this winter fast! ShakinSteve
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 21:05 5 December 2007

Hi
I have had sad for 3 years now. I take meds for it and I have a light box. I was just wondering if anyone had the same problem that I do. I have summer sad symptoms in the winter and the lack of sleep is killing me. I now take a sleeping pill but it doesn't help with the early morning awakenings. Anyone have this problem. I also look forward to the spring and time change.

Amalthea
joined 12 Nov 2006
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Posted by Amalthea, 21:12 5 December 2007

Shakin Steve,
I'm glad you found this forum. There are many helpful and supportive folks here who are going through the same thing.

Angel,
I find my lightbox to be a big help. I hope you find it to be helpful also! Welcome to the forum!
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 21:15 5 December 2007

thanks but I kind of feel alone with my symptoms. The gp can't understand why I have the summer symptoms in the winter. Have any of you heard of that before
sandyb
sandyb
joined 31 Oct 2007
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Posted by sandyb, 22:26 5 December 2007

Hi everyone

This is definitely been the worst winter for me for ages! I've been off work for over two months (the first time I've ever been off for more than a week or so for SAD)and I have no idea when I'll be back because I'm now scared off walking out my front door. It's horrible to see that other people are feeling as bad, but in a strange way kind off comforting.

Stained Glass Lady - I gets mixed problems with sleeping in winter. Sometimes I can sleep for over 20 hours and still feel tired, whilst at other points (like just now) I can't sleep for days and end up freaking out cos I'm so hyped. I think it's because I swing back and forward from anxiety to depression (neither of which I suffer in summer).
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 22:28 5 December 2007

sorry I didn't mean to put any of you off but I just want some answers and the Gp has none but take the meds. She didn't even know how long to use the light box for. I live in Canada and our health care sucks. I have been trying to do research but you get alot of different answers.
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 22:31 5 December 2007

yes sandyb I sleep about 5 1/2 hours a night in the winter and summer 9 1/2 it is weird summer symptoms in winter
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 22:35 5 December 2007

JUST THINK OF A WARM TROPICAL BEACH WITH A BRIGHT SUN SHINING AND SOMETIMES I FIND THAT IT HELPS
shelley
joined 22 Jan 2007
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Posted by shelley, 07:38 6 December 2007

hi Sandyb
I really feel for you with not wanting toleave the house,I had a winter like that a few years ago & once it took root it was terrible to get over & what made it worse was that I was so embarrassed to tell anyone that I was scared to leave the house it just multiplied & I ended up having full blown panic attacks,my lowest point came when I actually missed one of my childrens school nativity plays because I was too scared to go & I felt like the worlds worst mother & I got help for it after that with the councillor at my gp surgery,I still get those panicky feelings sometimes but when I do I make myself go out - even if its just to the village shop & back & that really helps,& my sleep is all up the spout too stained glass lady,I take valerian root capsules at night & they do help with getting to sleep but I find that I wake around 5 am & cant get back to sleep at all but then want to sleep during the day,I just hope to god that this winter is a one off & we all get an easier time of it next year,or I am seriously going to thnk of emigrating! lol
Amalthea
joined 12 Nov 2006
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Posted by Amalthea, 10:26 6 December 2007

Sandyb,
Maybe what shelley says is true... The longer you let yourself stay in, the more your anxiety will build. I imagine this has to be so hard and so limiting for you, and I hope you can break the cycle very soon. Maybe you can start out with a quick trip out instead of something complicated. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling.

Heather
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 12:17 6 December 2007

hi everyone
I do get out every morning to the gym and exercies it helps me be around a few people. Most of them understand. The gym is the YMCA and they are very supportive. The worst time is in the afternoon. It is so cold here in the winter that it just goes through the bones.
PurpleIvy
PurpleIvy
joined 16 Mar 2005
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Posted by PurpleIvy, 12:37 6 December 2007

Hi Stained Glass Lady... I always had the idea that the Canadians would be enlightened about SAd. I thought there had been quite a lot of research done at UBC
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
425 posts

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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 12:39 6 December 2007

I live in a small town and the doctors here are all like try this and come back and see me in two weeks. so sometimes it is hard to get answers.
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 12:43 6 December 2007

they tell me I suffer from SAD but they just give you meds I did the research on lightboxes and bought on but i can't tell if it is doing the trick.
sandyb
sandyb
joined 31 Oct 2007
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Posted by sandyb, 12:59 6 December 2007

Hey thanks everyone for support. Moving down to my folks for a wee while to try and get myself out of the self-destructive cycle of hiding out at home. Sadly, they don't have internet access so will be missing out on the chat here which has been really helpful for me.

Sandy x
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 16:51 6 December 2007

good luck sandy with your move sometimes parents can help
Maleficent Angel
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Maleficent Angel, 20:28 6 December 2007

Good luck Sandy
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 21:52 7 December 2007

I agree this is the worst year yet but look on the brite side 14 more days til the days get longer and 2 1/2 months till spring.
PurpleIvy
PurpleIvy
joined 16 Mar 2005
775 posts

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Posted by PurpleIvy, 08:28 8 December 2007

I tend to see my birthday on 21st December as a bit of a half way marker, although it's a few days after that before it gets lighter in the mornings I believe.
paulst
joined 5 Oct 2005
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Posted by paulst, 09:09 8 December 2007

This really is the worst December I can remember, I cant wait till the days become longer again. We are going to have a wonderful Spring (I hope).
Amalthea
joined 12 Nov 2006
492 posts

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Posted by Amalthea, 12:34 8 December 2007

Hang in there, paul.

arlene
joined 8 Dec 2007
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Posted by arlene, 13:22 8 December 2007

Hi everyone, I have just stumbled on this site and think it may be a lifeline to me. I have known that I suffer from SAD for quite a while but my GP has only receintly agreed with me. I am finding this year particularly difficult, feeling really down....if anyone has any suggestions as to how I can help myself I would be very greatful. I don't actually know a lot about SAD but was interested to read Shelly's comment as to how she forgets things, phew....I thought I was loosing the plot.... I forget things all the time and was beginning to think there was something worse wrong.

I have tried light bulbs but not sure if I have got the right ones. Please help if you can, thankyou.
paulst
joined 5 Oct 2005
809 posts

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Posted by paulst, 15:43 8 December 2007

HI Arlene, welcome to the forum im glad you have joined.If you can afford it a lightbox would be areally good idea, they arent cheap, mine cost about £130,but I have never regretted it. I use mine every morning, it gives me that little extra boost to help me through the day.
Piglet
Piglet
joined 12 Oct 2006
207 posts

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Posted by Piglet, 18:49 8 December 2007

Hi Arlene, the forgetfulness is very common - if you've got chance read through some of the old threads and I imagine you'll find a lot of things that feel familiar!
Stained Glass Lady
joined 5 Dec 2007
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Posted by Stained Glass Lady, 19:25 8 December 2007

I also forget things I find if I write things down it makes it easier

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