Contraindications, Panic Attacks, & Kitties

[LovesFlowers]

I have chronic pain and take Daypro, an NSAID (non-steroidal ant-inflammatory drug) every day. It doesn't take me out of pain but it does a good job managing it well enough for me to work though what's left. 2 days ago SAMe (naturally occurring Adenosylmethionine) was added to my pain management plan. SAMe and NSAIDs are not contraindicated so it was deemed ok, but I was knocked-down by the wave of competing side effects: severe lethargy but too jittery to sleep or rest, hyperconcentration interspersed with fragmented thoughts, panic switching back-and-forth with apathy. I was an epic mess as the 2 drugs competed for my brain chemistry.

Today I stopped the SAMe cold. Even though it's only been 2 days on it, I'm still reacting pretty hard to the SAMe not being there. This morning I had a totally out-of-character panic attack - it was huge. I get panic attacks but usually they're pretty mild. I kept my head on because I knew what was going on, but it was pretty huge.

And in steps my hero, Kitty. She jumps on the table in front of me, headbutts me with her chin, and leans in. And 30 seconds of petting her later, feeling her little body close to mine, the panic had decreased to manageable and almost nonexistent.

I know today Kitty saved the day. Now that her work is done she's passed-out on the bed in a ray of sun, recharging her solar cells. Good Kitty. :)

 

[franciemarnie]

I love your kitty!! Thank you for the story. I hope you can curl up beside her and nap too.

 

[Echo]

One of my cats does the same. If I start having a flashback he barrels towards me at a hundred miles an hour and insists on getting as near to my heart as he can and staying there. He seems to be able to tell from another room. Like your Kitty, he knows I'm having a panic attack, too. Sometimes I have to put him out of the door, or he'd be with me the whole time (and would burst rather than do his business!). He is always very indignant, as if to say, "But I was doing my job, and you're interrupting me." However, I do prefer a clean carpet...

 

[Wyakin]

Pets are amazing aren't they? My dogs regularly bring me back down to earth, admittedly with a bump, but without them I would really struggle. If I could take my dogs everywhere with me I would cope so much better with the world.

 

[Echo]

@Wyakin - I do love your dog's ears!!

 

[LovesFlowers]

I adopted Kitty because I wanted a pet to come home to and because I wanted to save a life. I never thought for a moment that she would become my lifeline. In the end we're saving each other.

 

[Wyakin]

@Echo That is Layla, my little girl collie, she is mad as a hatter and has absolutely no control over those ears of hers! My boy Malcolm has even bigger ears :D