I am a happy little vegemite!!!!

Hey Guys,

I haven't been online for a while now, last time I was online was at the end of last year, well I have been getting my health sorted out and finally I am getting some results, as some of you may remember I mentioned that I was getting panic attacks, palpitations, etc, well I worked out that it was due to my body withdrawing from Diazepam (Valium), if I can give anyone any advice, it would be to never get on Diazepam, it is an evil drug with severe side effects when you suddenly stop it, I thought I was dying, that's how bad it got. It took a long time to work out exactly what was happening, but once it did get worked out, I calmed down a bit with the knowledge of knowing what was actually happening and why.

After a huge binge spending on GP visits trying to find a doctor I clicked with I ended up finding one in town and have been with him since January, he is down to earth, honest and straight forward, none of this beating around the bush or tippy toeing around the place, which I like about him.

I have finally got my medications sorted, I am now only on 3 medications, compared to the 8 or 9 I was originally on, I am on a Bi-Polar med (Zyprexa), Anti-Anxiety/Depressant (Mirtazepine) and my pain medication (Oxycontin SR), I am currently seeing the pain clinic who got my pain meds sorted and off the quick release pain killers which made me go into withdrawal mode everyday, which was the cause of lack of sleep, so they put me on the 12 hour slow release pain killers @ 1 day, which has my pain under control.

I am also dealing with Tobacco, Alcohol and other drugs in regards to coming off the Oxycontin with hopefully minimal withdrawal symptoms, they are putting me on methadone after I have my Dr's appointment with ADS next week, so that will cut me down to just 2 medications. Which is a good thing.

I got my headaches under control, some of you may remember me whining about my excruciating headaches that were always on the left side only, as I found out it was the Endone doing this as a rebound effect, as I got off the endone, the migraines on the left side only went away!

I got the say, these meds that doctors and hospitals dish out need to have warnings on them, they make your body dependent on them and you don't realize this until you come off them, it just isn't right. from now on I get a print out from the chemist on each medication I get from now on, so I know what I am getting myself into, as the doctor does not tell you about the more severe adverse effects, you have to find out on your own the hard way.

Anyway, I just thought I would update all those that were interested and gave me support when I was going through the ups and downs trying to work out what was going on with me at the time. A big thank you to you all for that, greatly appreciated.

I get married in exactly 37 days, I tie the knot on the 26th June 2010 @ 4:30, I am really looking forward to it, we have been together for nearly 7 years now and it is about time I show her that I want to be together forever.

Cheers,

David

 

Married in 37 days? Congratulations.
5 gets you 10 you stay toeing the line then.rolleyes
Get yourself lined out so you can appreciate the good times ahead.

And another one bites the dust.:-D:wave

 

Congrats on getting tied and hopefully its a wonderful time for you both. And just to add I hope all your medicine and health gets better and only more greater years ahead of you. :wave

 

I have been taking prescription drugs for a number of years now and you are correct in saying they can be very harmful.
Unfortunately i am unable to manage pain without them but the long term damage is evident, i have memory retention problems and bouts of depression both caused by my pain killers, i also have sleep problems which creates a vicious circle by needing more drugs.
I was also alcohol dependent for many years but that habit has been broken as i have not had a drop for over 6 years now as for tobacco i still smoke so no excuse there.

Just remember you are never alone with these problems so continue the good fight.

I hope you and you lady have a wonderful day on the 26th.

 

Congrats on the impending wedding. I like being married! (you always have a date! :-D).

I can relate to the medication issue - my wife is on quite a few now. I can only stress the importance of letting all your health care providers know exactly what meds you are on and why, and the amounts of each being taken, to avoid dangerous interactions. It's easier then you would think to forget or confuse a dosage . . .

 

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the well wishes! 35 days to go! I am really looking forward to getting married, I know for a fact that life will be better for me after its over and done with, as the stress the fiancee is putting herself through organizing every little detail, just screams for a break.

I have been in love with my fiancee for 7 years now and I love her even more today, definitely a keeper! We have a beautiful 3 year old son named Jonas Isaiah Giles, and a 9 year old step son that I also cherish as if my own, I am a very very lucky man to have a loving fiancee and 2 kids, and to have a fiancee that has never once strayed, sure we have our ups and downs, but she is and has always been their on the good and bad days, and if it wasn't for her catching 4 buses each morning to come visit me in ICU when I had my big health crash in April 2009 (Kidney failure, liver absus, liver failure, pancreotitis, etc) I would not have made it through, she kept the fighter alive in me and wouldn't let me give up.

As for my medications, I am only on 3 at the moment, and another 2 meds that I take only when required (aka FDT Imigran for migraine, Maxalon for anti vomiting)

I will be weening myself off Zyprexe (Olanzepine) next over a few months period, as if I did it too quick I would suffer severe withdrawal effects which weren't pretty, I ran out one week and didn't have a script, within days I went down hill, didn't realize why, until I went to my GP explained his symptoms to him and he clicked straight away and put me back on it, which subsided the withdrawal symptoms! The other meds are Mirtazepine (Anti-Depressant) which I don't mind taking 60mg dose each night, helps me get to sleep too, but the other one, Oxycontin Slow Release 40mg I am currently on, I am seeking out help to get off them via the proper withdrawal services channel, so in the next couple of weeks I should be off that and put on subotex or something like that, that is a pain killer as well but less addictive and side effects.

Anyway, thanks in advance, I hope everyone is doing fine and everything is going all right for everyone. Cheers & love you all!

David Giles

 

She does indeed sound like a "keeper"
You are really lucky.

 

Congrats on the immanent marriage, David. Yes you are lucky to have a compatible partner and children.
Also congrats on the improving health. Mirtazepine I'm familiar with, as I take it myself, (but about half of your strength, basically increses effective serum serotonin levels), as well as three meds for B.P. and a sleeping med.
Wishing you all a very long and happy life together.