@artscaping Chris, my friend, I am so thankful for you....Yes, I was ahead of the medical research on several issues that have affected my whole life. Epilepsy is one. I do remind mysellf how blessed I am to live in this world, rather than an earlier century. I would have been in a locked institution as a young child and life would have been terrible and short.

When we moved to Florida, there was one neurologist in Jax., I was 18, 1964. One. Others came. But, this fellow treated me as a cow, ordered me to take the meds and never heard me when I tried to get help from the side effects.. He turned me into a zombie, walking into walls, foggy thinking. He just kept increasing the meds.

I fired him when he came in to see me in hospital. I've had some good docs who did what they knew to do, but there weren't many options through the years. As a female patient, we were expected to be quiet and do what we were told, no complaining. Pretty much the same in my wonderful family- middle child, only girl. So, I learned I had to speak up, in fact that was always my only method of defense!

Now, I urge all of us to be our own advocates. Actually, I don't have anyone to advocate for me, so I learned to speak up, ask questions and expect answers. Usually, gently and courteously. But, there have been some times that approach wasn't right...needed more focus and follow-through. We must be in control of our lives, our bodies.
It truly feels great to have the Mayo folks as advocates.

Bless you, Chris. I'm now using MJ Evolve lotion, and trying a gel that was told may help throughout body and for longer. Used on feet and hands last nite. Ideas? Really need a bit more during the day. CBD tincture dropper helps.
Please let me know about your thumb!!!!!! And, your itch???????? I've lost track and have a real need to know. Be well, stay safe...elizabeth