☼ Junglechicken

[DaddyCee]

Congrats on the interview going well JC. Fingers crossed for you

 

DC.

[Junglechicken]

Thank you DC - my brain felt as though it was crawling through treacle TBH. Will find out the outcome in 3 weeks.

[DaddyCee]

at least you didn't freak out and end up as a trembling wreck in front of the interviewer(s).  The amount of times that thought has passed through my head when waiting to be interviewed is seriously disturbing. heh!

 

Peace.

[Junglechicken]

I might as well have been freaking out, lol

 

Couldn't think straight and one of the interviewers seemed bored. They are interviewing a lot of candidates too.

[Junglechicken]

Didn't get the job (found out this morning), however I'm getting warmer and not losing hope.

[DaddyCee]

It's probably a rubbish job anyway.... onwards and upwards.... the next one will be yours..... it's all a numbers game here on out

 

DC.

[Junglechicken]

Ha ha DC, well they seemed to want someone with a completely different background according to the feedback.

 

Ah well, onwards.

[Junglechicken]

Hay fever season in the UK is ramping up - ugh! Tree pollen in full bloom.

 

My throat feels like crap and my chest :0(

[Junglechicken]

Same again, my throat feels a bit constricted which is scary (postnasal drip??), runny nose, sneezing, eyes getting itchy. It's like summer now, trees are all nearly in full leaf, however, when you're a hay-fever sufferer this time of years sucks :0(

 

Will have to find a way to combat the reaction to the pollen without resorting to antihistamine.

[SquirrellyGirl]

Those nasal strips that hold your nasal passages open (Breathe Rite?) can help as a non-drug way to alleviate one symptom.  Quercetin is a supplement that can be helpful for allergies, though you'd want to start very small to make sure it doesn't cause any problems:

 

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/quercetin

 

SG

[Junglechicken]

Thanks SG, much appreciated.

 

Any suggestions for the slightly suffocated feeling I have in my throat? It's horrible and freaking me out.

[KarenB]

A good number of people (my husband included) significantly reduce their hay-fever by cutting white flour and sugar products from their diet.  My hubby also noted that eating only fruit in the morning helped too.  (Though for some people, like me, that's impossible )

 

I think it works by reducing the stress levels on the body. 

[Junglechicken]

Thank you Karen, I woke up this morning and the throat thing seemed to have gone (touch wood) but instead i have developed a right side sinus headache.

 

Last time I had this was pre-reinstatment.

[Junglechicken]

Sinus headache has gone.

 

Spoke to doc yesterday and advised her that my TOTM had settled, as she had wanted to know why I hadn't had my pelvic scan done at the hospital.

 

When I told her that we had actually agreed that I hadn't needed to have it, she said that she hadn't made a note on her records re: our conversation at my last appointment (early April) about my irregular period being caused by stress.

 

I also requested another batch of 5mg Cipralex.

 

Really looking forward to our first Southwest UK SA Support Group meeting in my village this Saturday 14th May. It looks like there will only be 3 of us this time, but that's ok. It could not happen soon enough.....

 

Still seeing my hair falling out :0( in the shower, on my pillow and clothes, and have strange period pain 3 weeks ahead of due date???

[AliG]

Hi J.C.       I'm glad to hear your sinus headache has gone.  They can be nasty !  I'm sure that's a relief.

What are you doing regarding the Cipralex ?  Are you still holding at 2.5 mg ?  You are still talking about updosing . What is your purpose in possibly doing that ?

I'm sorry for all the questions , but I'm just a little unsure of where you're at right now .

I hope your meeting goes well . It's always nice to touch base with those that understand what each other is going through.

Ali

[Junglechicken]

Hi Ali,

 

No I'm not up dosing, made the decision not to do that. The 5mg tabs are easy for me to split in half with a pill cutter cf. 10mg ones.

 

Am going to stick at 2.5 for now as I don't know when I'm going to start working and need to be as stable as possible.

 

JC x

[AliG]

J.C.    I'm glad to hear it . That sounds like a plan . Stability is " key ".   You are getting there.  

Ali 

[Junglechicken]

Thanks Ali,

 

Although I have been on a bit of a downer today due to female issues - the pain seems to hang around down there and I feel a bit off today??

[Junglechicken]

Felt so good to meet Africa and Reflex - you guys are awesome! I still haven't really come 'down' from the meeting yet, lol, and can't wait till the next.

 

Got freaked out by a mouth ulcer I discovered this morning, and immediately concluded it was mouth cancer. My immune system has been suffering lately which would explain a number of things including terrible hay fever. I got hubby to take a look and he said that's what it was.

 

My TOTM seems to have settled (not due till around the 27th May) so am praying there is no funny stuff this month.

[AliG]

J.C.  Glad your meeting went well .  My advice would be to keep hubby , out of the loop . They really don't want to know !  

[Junglechicken]

Not in a good place.

 

Have had throat pain and phlegm in my throat (feels like a lump), and am really scared it's something serious.

 

Started my downward spiral of fear and despair and cried most of the way on my walk today.

[Junglechicken]

Took a couple of ibuprofen right before bed and had a really bad night.

 

Was wired, panicky and scared - only managed to calm myself down eventually by spooning my hubby.

 

I have an appointment with the nurse tomorrow morning.

 

This throat thing isn't going away and is scaring the c**p out of me - never had anything like it before. The only hope I have is that it appeared during the height of hay fever season where the pollen count has been high.

[Junglechicken]

Doc has prescribed anti-acid meds (Omeprazole 20mg - one daily) and Gaviscom (Pepto) - 2x 5ml spoonfuls at night for the Gerds.

 

She said that it can be attributed to diet but also age (and of course there are other causes). No further testing YET.

 

I have to go back in a month to advise if the meds have worked.

 

Also she wanted to knock this on the head before going ahead with any changes in my Cipralex dosage. Have advised her that I am still waiting for the CBT counselling and plan to see a physiatrist in London who specialises in Anxiety and depression who could also advise re: dosage.

[Junglechicken]

For anyone interested the psychiatrists name is Dr Christopher Bridgett.

 

He specialises in Anxiety and Depression and also skin issues caused by anxiety and depression. He is based in London.

[Junglechicken]

For anyone interested the psychiatrists name is Dr Christopher Bridgett.

He specialises in Anxiety and Depression and also skin issues caused by anxiety and depression. He is based in London.

Got my first appt with Dr Bridgett on Sat 28th May.

 

Going to try and get a GP referral letter later today.

 

Slowly responding to meds which I was given for the GERD last Friday.

[Junglechicken]

The GERD is on its way out (thank God) and to Africa for all her support and help.

 

My hay fever has been really bad which is surprising really, as I am usually more allergic to certain tree pollens than the grasses.

 

That time of the month again, waiting for my TOTM to arrive. Have had minimal period pain which is odd??

 

Have spent some time with my aunt (who is staying with my parents) and my brother (also visiting my parents) which has brought up some bad emotions. Didn't join them all for lunch today at a local pub as needed time alone. Get fed up with my mother and aunt who never let anyone else talk. It's always been like this.

 

On Sat 28th will be having first consultation with a psychiatrist in London. Hoping very much he can shed some light on what's been going on with me lately.

 

Looking forward to the next Southwest Support Group meeting in Exeter area on June (11th) which has been organised by FunkyBaboon.

[Junglechicken]

Still no sign of my TOTM and its day 28.

 

Hope this is nothing to worry about??

[Junglechicken]

Got another job interview!

 

I HAVE to get this job, have to....watch this space.

 

Still no sign of TOTM.

[scallywag]

JC:  I've had a change in my menstrual cycle since I started changing pdrug doses at the start of the year.  I've gone from 33-35 days (my pattern since my late teens) down to 28 days almost to the hour.  It's odd to me that in my 50s my periods would come sooner and more regularly. The human body is a complex system.  Add in drugs and then changing doses -- the results are anybody's guess. 

 

I hope that the delay isn't a source of worry for you and that whatever's going on with your TOTM resolves soon.

[Junglechicken]

Thanks Scally, each month has been completely different since Feb and I re-instated in November so protracted WD??

[Junglechicken]

Had a really good meeting with psychiatrist this morning.

 

Will go into more detail tomorrow as too tired.

[Junglechicken]

I have very GOOD news to report.

 

The London based Psychiatrist, Dr CK Bridgett, has completely put my mind at ease about the physical symptoms I was experiencing, and I now have a renewed sense that I will recover fully in about 6 months as well as being off the medication.

 

He said that I will be off the meds completely in 6 months and DO NOT need to increase dose or switch medication.

 

This is a major breakthrough folks and he says that although meds work for some people, he is not a big advocate of them. He said that meds didn't suit me and I have reacted badly to them (after I explained WD symptoms and tapering schedule etc.,). He said that by increasing my running and horse riding, I.e. exercise; I will rapidly recover my equilibrium.

 

Isn't this what we have all been wanting to hear??

 

He has written a report to myself and GP, and is also recommending that I see a counsellor based in Taunton, Somerset UK who can advise re: meditation and mindfulness. Said counsellor is an ex-GP.

 

I will keep him updated re: my progress.

[Junglechicken]

Interview confirmed for 9th June @ 2pm.

 

No sign of TOTM so I think I won't have it at all this month.

 

Had a mini panic attack last night. Had to pee at 4am and then get up again to do a you know what.

[Junglechicken]

TOTM finally arrived at Day 39, so missed May completely.

 

Explains why I had what I thought was a mini panic attack a couple of nights ago, when it was in fact a hot flush in the lead up to TOTM.  Also, I want to eat cakes and chocolate all the time.

 

Have significantly increased my exercise regime (doctor's orders) and have started a walk/run program which I am doing with hubby.  Completed Day 2 yesterday.

 

The GERD is in the background, not as bad as it was, but I just wish it would completely go.

 

Keeping busy prepping for my interview next Thurs, and hope to start horse riding again.

[Junglechicken]

To all the amazing people who have helped me survive this:

 

Since meeting Dr CK Bridgett "DrB" at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital in London on May 28th, talking with him on the 29th and again yesterday.  I have been given the "all clear" to get on with my life on the other side.

 

He said that I can stop taking the Cipralex completely (when I feel ready), and other than that, all of the physical symptoms I had experienced post re-instatement were just my body reacting to anxiety and depression. He said that those symptoms (irregular periods, hair loss, loss of libido, skin issues such as acne, IBS and GERD) were just a barometer of my state of mind and that I could use these in future should my state of mind falter.

 

I should add that his specialism is anxiety and depression and stress in adults causing psycho physiological ailments, and also atopic dermatology.

 

During my initial assessment with DrB on the 28th May, I completed a 14 question form and out of a possible score of 21, I scored 20. This meant that I was "clinically depressed".

 

When I completed the same form over the phone yesterday, I scored 14.  He said that he had never seen such a huge improvement in any of his patients.  I was now in the "healthy" zone mentally.

 

It is very important that I mention that he acknowledged that I had suffered from severe side effects from the Cipralex and he also validated that I had been suffering from WD symptoms.  He wrote a letter to my GP and sent me a copy stating at the bottom that my prognosis was "GOOD".  Further, he said that being medicated "DIDN'T SUIT ME", and that I was better off running and horse riding as a means to self-medicate.  This was something I always did in the past.

 

I have started running again and plan to run a half-marathon next year.

 

He also said that he would have had me re-instating at 2.5mg as well, when I told him about the advice I got from the survivingantidepressants.org website.  So thank you Alto et al.,

 

This website really is worth its weight in gold - THANK YOU, you saved my life!

[MaryDavid]

To all the amazing people who have helped me survive this:

 

Since meeting Dr CK Bridgett "DrB" at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital in London on May 28th, talking with him on the 29th and again yesterday.  I have been given the "all clear" to get on with my life on the other side.

 

He said that I can stop taking the Cipralex completely (when I feel ready), and other than that, all of the physical symptoms I had experienced post re-instatement were just my body reacting to anxiety and depression. He said that those symptoms (irregular periods, hair loss, loss of libido, skin issues such as acne, IBS and GERD) were just a barometer of my state of mind and that I could use these in future should my state of mind falter.

 

I should add that his specialism is anxiety and depression and stress in adults causing psycho physiological ailments, and also atopic dermatology.

 

During my initial assessment with DrB on the 28th May, I completed a 14 question form and out of a possible score of 21, I scored 20. This meant that I was "clinically depressed".

 

When I completed the same form over the phone yesterday, I scored 14.  He said that he had never seen such a huge improvement in any of his patients.  I was now in the "healthy" zone mentally.

 

It is very important that I mention that he acknowledged that I had suffered from severe side effects from the Cipralex and he also validated that I had been suffering from WD symptoms.  He wrote a letter to my GP and sent me a copy stating at the bottom that my prognosis was "GOOD".  Further, he said that being medicated "DIDN'T SUIT ME", and that I was better off running and horse riding as a means to self-medicate.  This was something I always did in the past.

 

I have started running again and plan to run a half-marathon next year.

 

He also said that he would have had me re-instating at 2.5mg as well, when I told him about the advice I got from the survivingantidepressants.org website.  So thank you Alto et al.,

 

This website really is worth its weight in gold - THANK YOU, you saved my life!

Such great news junglechicken!