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Original poster

Fed up with my health

50 replies

lou33 · 28/09/2004 12:30

Feeling really low about it today. I am taking so mnay pills for things It's really getting to me.

This morning I took 1 anti convulsant, 2 anti inflammatories, 2 glucosamine, 2 cod liver oil,1 muscle relaxant, with the option of 1 more relaxant , 1 painkiller and 1 anti emetic if I need to.

This afternoon I will have to take 2 more anti inflammatories and another 1 or 2 relaxants, again with option of painkiller and anti emetic.

This evening I have to take 1 anti convulsant, 2 anti inflammatories, 1 or 2 relaxants, and the optionals again.

That is a total of 24 pills a day if I have to take everything. Feeling really low about it, and had to get it off my chest. Sorry if it seems a bit self pitying.

OP posts:
MTS · 28/09/2004 12:33

Oh dear Lou sounds like a royal PIA. Do you get any free prescriptions or are you on a season ticket? How many of these will you get shot of once your back gets better (and how is that doing BTW?)

Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 12:37

The only ones I get shot of when my back gets better is the muscle relaxant. I do get free prescriptions because of chronic (ie) long term conditions, but i feel so depressed by it all. I am only 37.

Back is slightly better, but not much.

OP posts:
jampot · 28/09/2004 12:39

sorry to hear you're feeling low lou...I would seriously forget to take that many - I couldn;t even manage the pill effectively and get confused with paracetamol. Are these all for different things or for part of the same thing iykwim? I read that you'd hurt your back but presume the anti-inflammatories are for that

MTS · 28/09/2004 12:40

oh dear I was hoping the anti inflammatory and anti emetics would go with the back thing as well. sounds a bit of a pain to say the least and like you need a bit of time to relax have a break in general - and I know with 4 kids that's going to be bloody difficult! can't really offer much other than generalised sympathy - am trying to avoid crassness. have you had any referral to a pain specialist as maybe they could help you control the pain with lower degrees of meds?

JJ · 28/09/2004 12:45

Not self pitying at all. I only have one batch for one thing to take and I get depressed about it.

Wish I had some advice to help, but I don't. Just don't get so low you stop taking them...

Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 12:46

The pills are for a couple of things I have long term. Anti convulsants for my epilepsy, anti inflammatories, anti emetivc and painkillers for a bowel condition i have that also affects my joints. I also have a collagen deficiency which is joint related too. The glucosamine and cod liver oil were recommended by the gp to try, because although it is not good for the pian related to my collagen deficiency, it is supposed to help with the joint pain caused by the bowel complaint iyswim. I am under specialists, but thsi seems to be the way to go. Doesn't help my joints that ds2 needs to be carried such a lot, being in a wheelchair. I should probably have posted this under the feeling low header.

I've also got to remember to give ds2 his meds as well.

OP posts:
MTS · 28/09/2004 12:51

might still be worth pursuing a referral to a pain control specialist, someone that is aware of the psychological and physical aspects of long-term illness, in addition to the other guys you see. do you have any of the other symptoms of depression - it might be worth looking at counselling and/or ADs.

Thomcat · 28/09/2004 12:52

Oh Lou, so didn't expect this to be from you. So sorry you have so much to contend with babes. I had no idea quite how much. You are such a strong, fun-loving, confident, positive, warm person. You have every right to feel low and a bit blue about your health and the amount of pills you have to take, on top of being a mum to 4 kids and everything else life throws and has thrown at you. There isn't anything I can suggest to make you feel better, but I know you'll get there, you're a fighter Lou and I have the most respect for you.
TC xxx

Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 12:54

I have had depression since I was a child, but can't take ad's they ineract with me too badly, I think because of my epilepsy. I have quite severe side effects and am unable to function for a week after taking only 1! Docs and counsellors have said there is nothing they can do. I just try and ride it out now.

Oh, and the icing on the cake, is that the anti emetics I have been prescribed lower my seizure threshold. The other ones available would increas the problem with my bowel activity.

Sorry to moan. I just needed to offload.

OP posts:
Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 12:55

Cheers TC.

OP posts:
MTS · 28/09/2004 12:59

oh dear Lou, didn't realise there were so many interactivity issues between all the different meds. I assume that you have tried SSRIs and have had problems, rather than the older tricyclics. You have my sympathies with the AD issues; a friend of mine can't handle ADs as they send her manic and her idiot doctor refused to refer her for a behavioural treatment programme unless she agreed to take Citalopram with some predictably unfortunate results.

Some talk therapy might still help - some counsellors are better than others, and NHS psychologists tend to know what they are doing. Sorry if I am saying stuff that you already know and have had to discard

bran · 28/09/2004 13:08

No advice, but I'm sending lots of sympathy your way. Perhaps when your back has improved you and Spacemonkey can get together and sexually harass that barman (Cuban bar in Islington) again, that seemed to make you fairly perky the last time. Hope things improve a bit soon.

Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 13:10

I have tried them Mts, but thtank you for trying to help.

Bran, wouldn't that great! But I am also completely skint for the next 3 weeks at least.

OP posts:
MTS · 28/09/2004 13:13

okey doke Lou will stop saying the blindingly obvious that hasn't worked for you then

any clubs near you with a ladies night with free admissions and a free drink or two (if you don't mind fending off dodgy guys!)

Caribbeanqueen · 28/09/2004 13:24

Lou, sorry you are feeling so bad. I was just wondering if you have tried any complementary therapies, as they can often help when there are lots of problems, and with pain control. Sometimes, they can result in you needing few pills as well (as long as Dr agrees). Please ignore me if that is not your thing.

Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 13:25

Don't be embarrassed, I really do appreciate your suggestions, and it isn't as though you know what I have tried or not is it?

Lol @ the dodgy bloke thing. Fending those off is something I am quite good at (not that I am fighting men off with a stick because I am irresistible, just that it is always dodgy ones who home in on me, so I am used to getting rid)

OP posts:
Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 13:26

I would be open to other therapies, but we really are completely broke atm. Just had to do an entire week shopping for 6 for under £50, so I can't afford to pay for them right now.

OP posts:
Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 14:23

And to top it all, I was just cleaning the kitchen, and my period started so heavily i was dripping blood on the floor in a matter of seconds. That's never happened to me before either

OP posts:
zebra · 28/09/2004 14:27

Lou -- I would have rated you as one of the least self-pitying people on MN. Sounds like you are overdue for a moan.

Original poster
lou33 · 28/09/2004 14:36

Thanks Zebra. I just feel there are so many others on here with worse problems, I feel bit silly posting mine.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 28/09/2004 20:35

sympathy from me too Lou33.

Twink · 28/09/2004 22:11

Moan away, that's one of the things we're here for

If you don't mind me asking, what's the problem with your back ? Of all the issues you've got, that might be one I can help with.

essbee · 28/09/2004 22:18

Message withdrawn

agy · 28/09/2004 22:33

Sorry you're feeling down, Lou. Hope you start to feel better soon.

MTS · 28/09/2004 22:41

agree with essbee that it is worth keeping an eye on your periods, and getting it checked out if they continue to be so heavy (and eat plenty of iron rich foods with orange juice) to get your iron back up.

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