Question: hi Dr. Mendiratta! It was nice to hear from you again. I was giving the rexulti and deplin a chance to work before I wrote back. They have made a little difference and that has given me hope. I also ordered two homeopathetic remedies that were given great reviews along with a money back guarantee. I haven't got them yet. I was also told that I should look into CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) which I learned is not the same as group therapy that I take 3 days a week. I ordered a book this morning so that I can learn about it. As you have told me, it's more than just the meds. What are your thoughts on these things? XXXXXXX

hi doctor, and I'm glad that it was a happy birthday. The medicines are not clicking as well as I'd like yet but it will take some time. Another psychiatrist said that if rexalti doesn't work in the long run, then try the med that you suggested:duloxetine. Dr XXXXXXX showed me on my genetic testing what was wrong. If you still have access to it, it's on page 3 of 8 in the first column: Gene Result. The first one says Serotonin Transporter-high risk of nonresponse. The fifth one says Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase-low activity. Then you can read the Therapeutic Implications across each one. That was his basis for choosing those meds. He said that it will get better. I'll keep you posted on the book and the meds. Hope that you're feeling okay. XXXXXXX

hi Dr. Mendiratta---if I would freak out one night I may run my blood sugar to 500! I've never been one to just let loose and forget about everything because diabetes requires constant monitoring. That's why I've lived this long with few complications. I received my Cognitive Behavior Therapy today and I might have bitten off more than I can chew. I hope that I can understand it! Do you think that I can get something out of it? You mentioned that I monitor myself with the CFS. I've had it for so long and it's been so bad that it never leaves my mind, just like diabetes. No, I've never taken my health for granted and in a way that's a good thing. I am learning, however, to ease up a bit and to enjoy life a bit more. I'm not there yet but I'm improving. I hope that everyone is healthy. XXXXXXX

hi Dr. Mendiratta, after reading the first chapter of the book, it doesn't appear that I will utilize much information----but I will read the whole book. I certainly have given you the wrong opinion of my brain. In group therapy we talk alot about COPING SKILLS. From 2008-2012 I drew 650 cartoons and wrote 1000 anecdotes about various things. Since then I've read 50 books, go out to eat at least once a week, take walks through this small town, call my kids, watch TV, and have gone to group therapy 3 times a week for the last 4 years. During the 2009-2012 timespan I went to a clubhouse 3 times a week and went on most of their weekend activities. During all of this time the CFS has gotten progressively worse until I could stand it no longer and had to tell my therapist over a year ago that I was sick. Have I given my brain a break? Have I done the best that I could considering the circumstances? Yep. I've just never told you about all of this because we were talking about my problem! Rest assured have spent alot of time just laying across my bed for long periods of time because I couldn't stand it any longer. That is how I've coped with this illness. When I get up I feel just as bad as when I layed down. I hope this explains the other side of me. XXXXXXX

hi Dr. Mendiratta, and yes, there are many things that kept me going over the past 6 or 7 years. I can't restart the cartoons and the anecdotes because I'm burnt out as you can imagine. They served a purpose and now I do other things. Yes, I am creative. I wrote an 8 hr DVD movie for my kids and built my youngest daughter a two story treehouse with a front porch and a deck in the backyard. I got most of the wood at construction sites-they are so wasteful with wood. These are some of the things that I am proud of. I even served two years as assistant Cubmaster for my son. We never talked about these things because I was trying to get well first. I never would have made it to this point if I had the CFS during all of those years. It was bad enough with depression and 30 ECT treatments. I was diagnosed in 1976, three months after I got married. I'm still reading the book and feeling just a little better each day. Hope you are OK. XXXXXXX