The previous posts share some of my behaviors, feelings and reactions over 2 or 3 months, that have in reality been Hell. It was good to write about these events as this is part of my recovery. I too hope that someone else may be going through similar issues and that this may help them seek the answers that they need.
On reflecting over this time the one thing that remains clear is that I shouldn’t have been prescribed the medications I was on. Having spoken to my sister-in-law who is a Pharmacist, I discovered that if I was on a higher dosage, or stayed on them for longer, this cocktail would have killed me. I have yet to see my Dr again since discovering the true effects that this has caused me. I’m not sure how I will proceed, but I will need to sit down with my Dr and discuss how this tragic mistake was overlooked.
I am just glad that I feel normal again, and am able to function at a level that appears to be the norm. I have been back at work for a week, and we have started a major project as part of Mr Rudd’s Digital Education Revolution.
Feel free to comment on any of these posts, as I believe that discussion is a major part of overcoming these issues. I recently read a fantastic article on the needs of someone suffering from one of the various forms of Mental Illness. I will see if it is available on line and post a link to it in the near future.
I too have recently had an issue where my Dr had me on a coctail of meds which ended with me being placed in a psych ward for 8 days to de-tox. The concoction he had me on, was literally killing me, and if I had continued with one specific anit-depressant, Endep, I would have ended up becoming more suicidal than i was. I was on Tegratol, panadine forte, sequil, endep, ocycontin, valium, and a few others. Put them all together and they are lethal.
While I was in the psych ward, i was asked if I would allow some trainee psychs to do mock interviews on me as part of their training (yes it was at a large training hospital), I agreed and one thing I pointed out to them was that the General Practictioners really have no concept of the counter-interaction between drugs. And when you are dealing with a mental illness, this can not continue. Too many lives are at stake.
I am still struggling on a day to day basis with panic attacks, anxiety shakes, sweats, but I am just thankful atm that I am alive. I am very lucky in the immediate family I have, P has been a wonder, dealing with the day to day stuff of a family, while trying to encourage me to keep going, while studying full time. I have also been blessed with sensational friends who have gone through and are going through something simular who ring every few days to make sure I’m still on track.
While this has all been happening, I have come down with Bronchitis, and it has shown to me, that everyone around me can deal with the physical illness, but there is still such a stigma on mental illness. This shouldn’t be the case, just like a diabetic needing insulin to live, my brain needs help stabalising it’s chemicals so that i may live…..only one is acceptable, and one is still very much on the outer..which is a shame as so many ppl have a mental illness.
You’re doing well Drew, keep it up and thoughts and prayers are with you all.