Please send me some good thoughts.

[ThomCat]

I am starting a new medication today. And unlike my other meds this one comes with a section in the documentation that says, "If you experience any of the following symptoms seek emergency medical care."

I live alone. And if I experience any of those symptoms there's no way in hell I'll be in any shape to do anything, much less get myself to an emergency room. And, to make things more interesting, this medication is known to interact with my pain killer. They amplify each other. It's at times like this that I really hate living alone.

If I don't have any serious side effects in the first 48 hours then I'm fine. I know that it's unlikely that there will be a serious problem. But I hate gambling. I hate betting that everything will be fine. I've had side effects to meds in the past that were severe enough to put me in the hospital.

So please send me some good thoughts. :)

[huskerlaw]

1. Oh geez!

Is there anyone you could ask to come check on you?

Even if it's just someone on DU...if they could make send a PM every hour or so to make sure you're ok...and call an ambulance or something if you don't respond?

That's so scary!

On edit: Obviously I meant to say that of course I'll send positive thoughts as well. :hug:

[ThomCat]

5. If I can stay awake I will be trying to post periodically

but I've been warned that the combination of this new med plus my pain killer is going to knock me out. Whatever side effect I might have, I probably won't be awake to notice it. That's probably the biggest reason I'm a bit worried.

But the odds are good that I'm just worrying too much. :)

[reyd reid reed]

2. Good thoughts headed your way.

Is there a friend that you can stay with for the next few days....just until you're sure?

It's going to be fine and the side effects are going to be minimal...but just to put my mind at ease, check in with us every once in a while, okay? I tend to be a worrier...I can't help it.

[ThomCat]

3. I tend to be a worrier too.

Though I usually phrase it as "properly cautious."

Unfortunately, I don't really have anyone to stay with. Almost everyone I knew in NYC has moved elsewhere in the past 10 years, and I'm out in the boonies of Staten Island to begin with. :(

Oh well. It will all be fine. :)
The good thoughts will help make it so.

[Haole Girl]

4. Sending good thoughts your way....but....

rather than have you take such a risk, can't the doc prescribe something with fewer side effects? If not, and you've had problems in the past, you should at least wait to take it in the doctors office...where they can observe you the first time, or something! Take care...and please be careful!

[ThomCat]

9. That was my original thought

but I have to take it right before bed because it's going to knock me out.

If you see some incoherent posts from me tonight you'll know why. It'll be me struggling to stay awake. :)

[NewWaveChick1981]

6. Damn, ThomCat!

:hug: Good thoughts for you for sure... :hug: :pals: Makes me want to get you one of those "Life Alert" pendant things... :) I'm hoping things turn out just fine for you!

[ThomCat]

10. Than you NWC!

:hug:

[graywarrior]

7. Keep us in the loop.

We can maybe keep an eye on you.

[ThomCat]

12. If I can stay awake you'll definite see some incoherent

posts from me. :)

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

8. Of course. *sends good vibes to Thom*

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

I'm sure you'll be fine. Try to keep your cell phone on your person for the next 48 hours, okay?

:hug:

[ThomCat]

13. Absolutely. It's charged and it will be with me at all times.

:hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

11. Done. Be well.

:hug:

[ThomCat]

14. Thank you, Bertha.

You're wonderful! :hug:

[crim son]

15. I am sending good thoughts, but

is there anybody you can call to stay with you? I have a friend who was worried about exactly the same thing. She called for reassurance but I decided to stay with her to make sure she was okay. I'm not even all that nice! so I know any friend would do the same for you. You'll be fine! But now you have me worried...

[ThomCat]

18. I used to have a roommate

but I don't anymore. :shrug:

I admit, I didn't try to bug anyone into coming to spend the night out here. But people have lives and nobody lives very close to me. Everyone's at least an hour away.

[vickitulsa]

27. What about neighbors?

You say "out in the boonies," but do you have neighbors who live close enough by to come over and check on you at least a couple of times in the next 12 hours?

Since you expect to be sleeping, that implies also the depression of your breathing, which is how a lot of people get into trouble when they overdose or have an adverse reaction or a drug interaction.

My brother Steve has been a pharmacist for almost 30 years, and I have personal experience with quite a few medications, including being a pain patient for over five years. I've needed anti-D's in the past, but could not take any of the SSDI's due to serious adverse effects, so the only one I can take when I need it is good old-fashioned Elavil (amitriptyline).

Because I don't need it very often anymore, I do get drowsy when I take it with night doses of my pain meds. Even been known to send some goofy emails and post some incoherent stuff before, too! :)

Just be very careful, Thomcat, if you can't ask a neighbor to stay with you or check on you. I've been known to ask neighbors that I don't even know to check on me when I was living alone and had to try a new med.

I live alone now, too, but I'm fortunate that my next-door neighbor is a friend who has a near-obsession about checking on me if I don't show up outside early in the morning, walking Bebo or watering my flowers!

Sending all good thoughts your way -- may you simply get the relief and sleep you need, with peace of mind and all pleasant and happy dreams! :hug:

[ThomCat]

33. If my building's super had been around I could have

asked him. He's awesome. But otherwise, I don't know any of my neighbors. This is one of those buildings where people don't really speak to each other.

Most of the apartments on my floor are filled by one large extended family, and when I say hello to them all I get in return is a nod. :(

That slow down in breathing is exactly what I was worried about. It is a possible side effect of both medications. All the parts of me that are supposed to be pink still are. I haven't turned blue. So I guess I'm safe on that count.

Mostly I guess I get to look forward to headaches, dizzyness and getting a bit fuzzy headed. I can handle that. :)

[crim son]

31. Let us know how you are doing.

Please.

[ThomCat]

34. Good Morning!

I posted a brief update a few minutes ago http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5700533&mesg_id=5700533">here.

I'm doing well. I slept deeper and longer than I've been able to sleep in over 10 years. I didn't experience any trouble breathing, any heart irregularity, any loss of muscle control, none of the scary stuff. All I got is a headache, drymouth, and a bit high. :)

Thank you for checking up on me. I really appreciate that. :hug

[crim son]

40. Yay!

Thank you. And I'm so glad that the meds worked without the bad side effects. :hug: to you Thom! I hope you feel better and better.

[Briarius]

16. dude, good thoughts for you!

:hug:

[ThomCat]

19. Thank you.

:hug:

[LynzM]

17. Loads of good thoughts coming your way, dude....

Not that it's nearby, but we've got a small, one-floor place... if you ever really needed company or care for a few days, you're welcome here. :hug: All manner of good thoughts coming your way.

[ThomCat]

20. You are as sweet as you are beautiful!

Thank you. But you're right, it's a bit of a distance from here to Connecticut. :)

[LynzM]

35. Awww.... thanks :)

:blush: How are you doing today? :hug:

[ThomCat]

59. Very well.

I slept last night! That is amazing! I never sleep more than 1 or 2 hours at a time. I've so well rested and have so much energy today I'm giddy!
:hug:

[LynzM]

64. Oh, that is fantastic news!!

:bounce: Awesome!! Did you ever talk to Redstone about chronic pain management? I know it's something that he also, unfortunately, has a lot of experience with.

I'm so glad to hear that you got to sleep!

[RFKHumphreyObama]

21. My good thoughts, prayers, best wishes, positive vibes, peace, light

and anything else positive I can throw at you. Hope everything goes well with your medication :hug:

[ThomCat]

43. Thank you!

:hug:

Everthing seems to be going well. :)

[wildhorses]

22. positive vibes headed your way pronto

:hug:

[ThomCat]

44. Those vibes got here pronto.

Thank you. :hug:

[In_The_Wind]

23. I wish you the very best, ThomCat.

If this ever happens again ~ you should (1)brush off your couch (2)invite a DUer to keep you company for 48 hours.

[ThomCat]

45. I should.

But it's that fear of imposing on people. :(
I yell at friends of mine when they hesitate to ask me for favors, and yet I do the same thing. :shrug:

[sarge43]

24. Does your physician know about your living arrangements?

S/he shouldn't be giving you unsupervised meds that could caused a life threatening reaction. Do a heads up immediately.

[ThomCat]

46. I have 3 primary doctors right now.

GP, Pain Management and Neurologist. Surprisingly, I've found very good doctors. It took me years to weed through the bad ones to get where I am.

Doctors leave some things entirely up to the patient though, like having someone there to keep an eye open. :shrug:

[sarge43]

60. Well, if they know ....

Thanks for the input. So how are you doing so far?

[ThomCat]

61. Amazingly well.

I a better rested than I ever remember, so I'm in a great mood and I have a lot of energy.

I still have all the pain, but it's easier to deal with on a day like today. :)

[sarge43]

63. That's good to hear.

Well, hang in there. I have the vibes that things are going to get much better for you. :)

[Robeson]

25. Best wishes, ThomCat....

...:thumbsup:

[ThomCat]

47. Thank you!

:hug:

[MissHoneychurch]

26. I wish you the best ThomCat

:hug:

May there be no side effects and may you have less pain with the new medication

:pals:

[ThomCat]

48. So far, it's almost a miracle.

I've had my first full night of sleep in over a decade. I'm well rested. Yeah! :party:

I have a headache that won't go away, and my pain levels haven't changed at all, but both of those might change slowly over time. We'll see.

Even if the only result is that I can sleep at night, that will be an amazingly positive development!

[miss_american_pie]

28. I hope you're feeling well today

:hug:

[ThomCat]

49. I am.

I'm still in the usual level of pain, but I'm so well rested and in such a good mood that I am dealing with the pain very well.
:woohoo:

:hug: Thank you.

[swimboy]

29. Dear Thom

I am wishing you all the best and sending swimboylove your way! :loveya:

We are all looking forward to your next post here to let us know how you are doing. :hug:

[ThomCat]

50. It's a very good day today.

:hug:

Thank you.

:loveya:

[xchrom]

30. i'm vibrating good thoughts --

those little good vibration waves are making their way to you!:woohoo:

[ThomCat]

51. Those good vibes work wonders.

:hug:

[AirmensMom]

32. I'm rushing them to you.

Did you get any side effects yet? I hope not ... and I hope you don't. :hug:

[ThomCat]

52. I did. But nothing serious.

:)

:hug:

[gfindu]

36. good thoughts

from me.

[ThomCat]

53. And hugs and thanks

from me.

:hug:

[LaraMN]

37. YIkes, honey!

You've got all the good vibes I can muster. I hope you'll keep checking in, so we know all is well.
:hug:

[ThomCat]

54. I am. And all is well.

:hug:

Thank you.

[buddhamama]

38. Thomcat,

I am thinking of you and sending you good vibes. We're here if you should need us. :hug:

[ThomCat]

55. I definitely needed all of you

and you were here. You're wonderful. :hug:

Thank you.

[BarenakedLady]

39. Absolutely!

Sending you good thoughts...:hug:

How are you feeling today?

[ThomCat]

56. Very, very well.

:) It's wonderful to be alert and awake after a full night of sleep. I've missed this so much!
:hug:

[LeftyMom]

41. You feeling okay, hon?

:hug:

[ThomCat]

57. I am.

Pain is much easier to handle when you're well rested.
:hug:

[Sugar Smack]

42. Good thoughts for you, ThomCat.

:hug: I wish you well.

[ThomCat]

58. Thank you Sugar Smack.

:loveya: :hug:

[belladonna]

62. Sending good thoughts your way

Here's hoping you get through and don't have any nasty side effects :hug:

[ThomCat]

65. Thank you!

So far it's working! :hug: