Multiple Disorders

[Abstract]

On a separate note, why do people get so upset about taking pills? I get that way too, even natural stuff. I just wonder why?

Britt,
I think for me I have realised it is a few things.
A. My mother was and is a pill popper so I am averse as a result (don't want to be like her).
B. A lot of drugs I am averse to as I am terrified of being sedated. That is the biggest one for me. Absolutely paranoid about it. I have never been drugged but still have this reaction.
C. I also have a long history of picking on myself and feeling I am not... enough. So taking drugs meant I was failing or defective in some way. Or admitting it should I say. :rolleyes: Any possible ammunition was always fully utilised!
D. It means speaking to people about these things and managing side effects and adjusting dosages. Not my favourite thing.
E. There might be something invasive about the concept. Like being out of control in some inexplicable sense. I guess I was like that about food as well so no big surprise really.

 

[Britt.f7]

My mother was and is a pill popper so I am averse as a result

My grandma on my dad's side was this, plus a drinker. I have/had a lot of drinkers in my family so I'm usually very careful. Since my mom died I have been drinking a lot of wine. "A lot" compared to nothing before. Now I have a glass or two at night, but admitting to that causes me anxiety. As if I am a failure.

I also have a long history of picking on myself and feeling I am not... enough.

I wonder if I it is thinking we don't deserve feeling better as well. My husband was and is the one who looks as it as no big deal. He is like, if you had diabetes you would take something for it, why wouldn't you do the same for this?Especially if they help.

Like being out of control in some inexplicable sense.

This is why I wasn't into drugs or alcohol for recreational use. The idea of being out of control scared me. The drugs that sedate me while having a procedure I'm torn about. In one respect I do not want to have any awareness of the procedure. On the other hand, what if I do something embarrassing and what are they doing? Can't win here.

Another reason I think I've never been great on pills is one time I od'd. Kind of makes you weary to take any pills after that.

There is definitely a psychological reason to not wanting to. My dad, not surprisingly, was a tough it out kind of man and all pills were/are bad. I know he passed that down to me. My sister talked like that too, so it was/is very hard to admit that I do. I try to remind myself that they smoke and, really, with all the chemicals in that it is not much different then what I take. Though the ones I'm on right now aren't addicting.

 

[Britt.f7]

For me, it's a case of side effects.

Yes this makes perfect sense to me. I have several members of my family where different drugs do not work well for. Had to put a few I've tried, like valium and naproxen, on the intolerance list. There's a few more. Prescription pain pills don't do a heck of a lot for me. With the exception of one that does well through the IV, but not in pill form. Not surprising since my stomach doesn't do well breaking things down. I've had some cold medicine give me hallucinations. Did not like that. So there are many pills I stay away from and when they start me on something new, I hold my breath and hope they work. I'm fortunate right now that they are all working as they are suppose to without any adverse reactions.

I just hate the mindset where taking meds for health reasons is a weakness. Unfortunately, it is there. Even for me, despite the good they are doing.

 

[Abstract]

they smoke and, really, with all the chemicals in that it is not much different then what I take. Though the ones I'm on right now aren't addicting.

I think it's very different Britt. The smoking has no benefit other than recreational. Secondly the chemicals in cigarettes are carcinogenic. And do enormous amounts of harm. Your meds help keep you healthy alive and happier. All of which are important for you but also for your family, your children. There may be side effects chemically but they are more than outweighed by the damage being untreated would create.

A good example of this is my asthma which I have had since a child. It is not severe enough to put me in hospital. I have avoided taking my meds for most of my life. Even as a child I used to take my tablets and hide them under the seat of the car. I now look back and realise all of the ill health I have had as a result. I also now know a lot about inflammation. Having inflammation speeds ageing and causes damage in the body. Me avoiding tiny local doses of steroids in my lungs caused much much more damage. Even my never ending bouts of bronchitis stopped.

I have only started being able to self care more effectively for about three years - meds were part of this - and my health is so different as a result. The only thing I have not been able to face are sleep meds.

I think its very telling that you should think that what you do is no worse than their smoking! What you do is self caring and good and nothing like smoking.

 

[Britt.f7]

There may be side effects chemically but they are more than outweighed by the damage being untreated would create.

I think that is my point of this with my sister. Her and my father act like they are so much "healthier" because they don't take meds, however they smoke. So how can they be healthier. They don't see the problem with this and I find it very frustrating. But, goodness forbid, I should bring that up!

The only thing I have not been able to face are sleep meds

The first time I took a sleep med that worked, I was like "wow". It was amazing to sleep through the night! I don't take them now because I think I would abuse them and take them during the day too. I did take Seroquel which helped me sleep better, though I still woke up throughout the night, it wasn't as much and I didn't stay awake. Unfortunately, if I was experiencing really high anxiety, nothing worked.

There are many pills that just don't work on me or lose their potency after taking them a short while. Very frustrating.

I get what you are saying about an inhaler. Some people really don't realize that sometimes you can do more damage by not taking medicine.

 

[AngelKeeperJ]

I used pot for 40-ish years, and quit October 6th 2012. I never thought it would be possible, as it had been my 'crutch' during some unbearable years of my life. The birth, life, and death of my daughter, and for muscle spasms I've had almost all of my life, are just a few of the reasons I used.

Finally, my smokin' buddy, and bestest friend moved far away, and I lost my source, I decided it really was time to quit. The shame I felt in using it had dogged me for all those 40 years. It became stronger than my desire to find another source, which would be easy. And, I was going to be a Grandma! I wanted to show my son that I could be strong again.

My doc wasn't hard on me about it, but was concerned about my early COPD (all my husbands had smoked cigs as well). I had to take a round of steroids at least once a year and am on inhalers...which we will talk about at my next visit on Monday.

I'm to the point where I don't miss it, and I DO NOT feel shamed anymore! What freedom!! I am a preacher's kid, and grew up with shame as a part of my psyche. Smoking added to that, and truly I did not know how much, until I quit.

If and when it becomes legal, and both parents are gone, I might find a way to cook with it. I have hardly coughed in all the 3 months.

I cannot, and do not judge anyone AT ALL for smoking, and would stop by for a little visit now and then if I could, LOL, but for now, the freedom from shamed is elating.

I also believe that if I had still been smoking when my dad passed away last month, I would have ended up in the psyche unit again. The timing was perfect.

To all who smoke....have a toke for me!!!:happy:

 

[mamachick]

I have herniated discs C5-6-7 with spurs, cervical stenosis, torn rotator cuff, osteoarthritis, CFIDS, fibromyalgia, myofacial pain syndrome, post traumatic brain injury, degenerative joint disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis from NSAIDS, menopause, early emphysema, depression and anxiety, and menopausal. Now they tell me my gallbladder and liver enzymes are elevated and to watch my cholesterol.

I take adderoll to wake up, xanax to sleep and for panic attacks, an anti depresseant, NSAIDS for pain, (prescription to heal stomach from NSAID, vicodin for pain (laxative for vicodin). Get medial nerve blocks into disc space for neck pain, go to physical therapy for rotator cuff. Im either constipated or afraid to trust a fart. Stick my head out the door for hot flashes. Cant sleep during the night. Afraid to eat at restaurants due to results. Cant lift a cup of coffee with my right arm. UMMMM

How do I cope. I allow myself my own schedule. I smoke my cigarettes anyway. I still enjoy Pepsi, but coffee had become to hard on stomach. I indulge in a couple of drinks once in awhile. I use microwavable heat packs and frozen bags of peas for pain. If I have a few extra buck, or not, I put it in the slot machine to disconnect. I have a great temporpedic bed for comfort, I accept that my dogs are my best friends, I dip my hands and feet in hot wax treatments, and I try to read positive affirmations daily and really think about the meanings.

Any wonder why I am single? LOL

 

[Britt.f7]

I take adderall to wake up and stay up. If I don't take it I'd be asleep most of the time. The medicine I use to take for that was not being used for prescribed use so the insurance company said no...despite the fact I had been on in for a number of years through the same company. Go figure.

Brat17, you have to do what you can to feel better. There's no judgment here. Probably from watching most of the grownups around me smoke, I can see myself smoking when things get beyond stressed. I don't do it. I simply don't like it. I do like the paraffin wax treatment. Bought me a machine to do that but it isn't as nice as when it is done for you.

As far as going through menopause, I'm getting to that age but how am I to know? My dysautonomia gives me hot flashes and cold sweats. I had an ablation done.

Like they say, growing old isn't for sissies...though much of my issues started when I was younger and hit full speed ahead after I had my children.

Best wishes for us all!

 

[wyrd_dragon]

Thanks so much for starting this thread.

I have C-ptsd, Fibromyalgia and CFS, and definitely believe the Fibro and CFS are co-morbid with my C-ptsd. I mean, I've looked at the research, and the possible degenerative effect of having even just the high adrenaline/noradrenaline levels for 20 plus years makes perfect sense with the theories that exist around the causal factors for CFS and Fibro. It's wrenchingly difficult to deal with being almost 32 and (over the last four years) more and more chronically disabled. Chronic pain and fatigue play havoc with my coping mechanisms and mental energy.

As I become more effected, I become more and more isolated, and my sociophobia becomes worse and worse. I constantly battle to remain connected and positive, and the fight is very difficult day to day, no matter how much my mental health improves and my surroundings become more positive. Despite a caring husband and an awesome support network of friends, things are still a constant struggle to survive.

 

[Britt.f7]

As I become more effected, I become more and more isolated, and my sociophobia becomes worse and worse.

DeathRay, I was around 30 when my symptoms really started playing havoc on my life. My second child threw my body over the edge. I have an autonomic nerve system dysfunction. Thankfully it doesn't cause me pain. Anyhow, the purpose of this writing is to urge you to reach out. I know how difficult it is. My children are now 14 and, soon to be, 17, and my biggest regret is that I didn't reach out during those years. I should have shared that with some of my children's friend's parents. I didn't and the play dates started dwindling down. Probably thought I was drinking.

Even if you don't have children the symptoms you are experiencing can be lessened by reaching out. I truly think they get worse if you don't for a number of reasons. It's taken me nearly 16 years into this to realize this. Have you ever read the spoon theory? If not, I'll send you a link. It is a very good analogy for people with chronic illnesses. It has definitely helped me rethink a few things.

 

[The Albatross]

I have PTSD, situational depression, ADD/ADHD, food and environmental allergies, Celiac's disease, osteopenia, unexplained infertility, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, vaginismus (pelvic floor pain and spasams that cause painful intercourse), TMJ, tinnitus, allergic dermatitis in my ears... and some other things that escape me at the moment.

Heh, saw this today, and realized I forgot apnea. I have sleep apnea too. There is some dispute as to whether my brain sends the signal to "breathe reliably" or it is structural. Either way, it's chronic too and there is no surgical intervention I am prepared to accept, so I tried a mouth orthotic, but am back on a c-pap machine... for life.

Looking at all this it looks like I'm a "rambling wreck". But really... I'm about as well as I can be and beating the crap out of my prognosis.

 

[Mercy]

There is much that I am grateful for. So so grateful to at last be at a point in my life where my eating disorder is almost totally history.

Hooray! What a Grand Achievement and what a strong and courageous will you have. Congratulations, Abstract (((((((((((((HUGS, if that's OK))))))