Update--

Since writing this thread, I have been doing my level best to get this under control. I saw my p-doc shortly after this was posted & he put me on a new course of medications that seem to do reasonably well. Of course, since then, other issues have cropped up making my getting back on long enough to discuss all your wonderful replies has been a "tad" hard (putting it mildly).

Along w/the BP, I'm dealing w/Chronic Pain from an illness called Endometriosis that resulted in a Hysterectomy that took all but my cervix the end of August last year. While I should be back to reasonably normal, pain has reared its ugly head again. The laprascopic incisions from the surgery have healed in such a way that I feel pain to the equivalent of being a few weeks out of surgery most days. I don't ask for pity, so please don't give it. I tell you this only so that you understand where I'm coming from.

I agree, exercise IS a good thing when I'm panicky. I try to play tug o war or chase (which i call "super puppy") w/my dog outside, when I can. More often than not, my "exercise" is trying to get house work caught up when I feel well enough. Usually means I'm doing lots of dishes, laundry, catbox cleaning, & if I'm really up to it, vacuuming. After the pain dr's injection procedure on the 20th, i'm hoping to add a day or 2 & then more to doing yoga & tai chi here in my living room. I'm not running marathons, but as the aforementioned exercise programs get easier & less painful, I'm going to be adding walking my 60lb+ dog around the neighborhood &/or dog walking trails. So I'm not counting it out, just have to do it in steps. Even if they're small, steps in general are still good to me.

A lot of the time, I keep myself busy reading, doing knitting, cross-stitch (I found I like doing Celtic Knotwork Designs), writing in my BP workbook I found at a book sale, writing in my regular journal, etc. I don't know how many journals I've filled up, but my husband now knows that they're a sure bet for me as a present!

thanks for all your kind works & encouragement. Sorry I didn't reply back sooner!

FL