I’ve been taking medication for 12 years now.
First, it started with a little white pill on a lazy Florida afternoon.
Now it’s seven pills a day, and sometimes, when I’m getting ready to take my meds at night, I think:
How did I get here?
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines. The comments below begin with the oldest comments first. Click on the last comments page to jump to the most recent comments.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines.
Post a Comment:
Copyright © 1995-2013 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 19 Jun 2013
|
Dear Kat,
You are not alone in this my friend. I hate popping the 16 pills that I have to take every day throughout the day to control my epilepsy. Of course I remind myself that these are my lifeline. In 2004 I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and in 2007 I had it removed miraculously – because I didn’t need chemo or radiation – after doctors thought that this was one that couldn’t be done surgically. This lifesaving surgery prevented me from having uncontrollable dangerous seizures despite the medication I was taking.
Unfortunately, I’m one of the people who need to continue taking meds. About 20 percent (not sure of the exact number) need to after having a craniotomy. I just have to accept that’s the way it is. Why so many pills? I have a wonderful neurologist who works with me all the time to find a treatment plan that gives me the least amount of side effects: ie: cognitive, energy levels…
So when I have to take 7 pills of Lamictal in the morning with my breakfast, I grumble and complain when I feel them going down, but I think of the people who didn’t have those medications in the past. Siezures suck.
I’m not undermining how you feel. Believe me. Beside taking those pills I take healthy supplements, do yoga, eat healthy food (most of the time). I hate the idea that I’m putting chemicals into my body every day, wondering what they are doing to my liver and esophagus.
But then again, I am alive and able to do those things because of the wonderful doctors that I had!… and because of the wonderful miracle of modern medicine. I can run, jump, do yoga and read and write.
Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Every once in a while have some chocolate cake to go with those pills and be proud of the strong person that you are!!
Lots of love and God bless!
Mystic, what an amazing story. I definitely feel your pain of all the pills we have to take each day, and 16 is quite a bit, wow! You bring up a great point, that even though we grumble about these medications, they are a wonderful thing because they make us better. Sometimes I don’t see it that way so I thank you for that. Great insight. Thanks so much for reading. -Kat
Kat:
Excellent article. I have been dealing with my personal cocktail since 2003. happy about it, well, but know it is what I have to do.
Zenbu, yes, you bring up a good point, that it is essential. We need to do it even though we don’t want to. And this is our life! Thanks for reading.
great statement, I saw myself in it. I´ve been struggling with OCD for 15 years – 10 years on antidepressants.
I suffer from bipolar disorder and some psychotic troubles as comorbidity with OCD. Some weeks I am in full steam, on other I start feeling sad and sad, until I fall down on sorrow and despair.
What Kat said about self acceptance is a key thing for those in the pursuit of well-being.
I am nearly 70 have been bipolar since I was 8 and in the last 5 years have finally stabilised on meds and have my life but so delighted your blogger has had help and knows already she is acceptable as she is.
Wish I had realised that at her age.
My good wishes for the rest of your life and i will keep reading your thoughts with interest God bless you
Thanks for the excellent article. I’m 56 and was diagnosed with Bipolar, PTSD and OCD when I was 50. Hard to believe that I lived my whole life undiagnosed and unhospitalized. I have a fantastic pdoc. I went the first year refusing meds and ended up in a very dark depression. When I finally gave in and went back to my pdoc we worked through several meds till we hit on the right cocktail. I’m on eight meds and am terrified of missing them. Maybe it’s my age? I already have a tremor from one of my meds but I just don’t care. I want sanity. God bless you and all the best!