Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Still Trying To Get Into the Holiday Spirit




It's been a rough Christmas Season around Chez Sluggy.....at least in my own head.
My primary doc changed my "crazy pill" earlier this month when I had my semi-annual check-up.
I went on an anti-anxiety med mid year in 2018.  It took a good month to adjust to that one(stomach upset, other weird symptoms)and then he upped the dosage a month later, which took a couple of weeks more to adjust to it.

But the real problem was that soon after beginning this drug I began experiencing ringing in my ears and my hands shake like Barney Fife on crack cocaine and amphetamines! lolz  I don't know if this is a coincidence with the new meds or are symptoms it is causing.  But it's no fun.  My handwriting is affected and I am now a danger to myself and bystanders when I attempt to cut out coupons.  8-)))


So the doctor, upon hearing about my symptoms on the off chance these were side effects of my medication changed the drug I am on.  He wants me to report back after a month being on this one as to my symptoms and if they are or are not.

Of course there were adjustments going on this different med(stomach upset and vertigo)too. sigh
So far(2 weeks in)the tinnitus and the shaking haven't subsided.
I also looked the new med up and it can cause shaking as well......I just can't win, can I? ;-)

I think I'll have to go off the crazy pill totally first to see if the symptom abates.  If they don't then we know it's something else going on with me and not a crazy pill side effect.  But my mind is already "going there" and I am half convinced I have Parkinson's or something devastating like that.

Anyway we are slowly getting Xmas stuff done.  I am running hot and then cold on doing stuff......from wrapping to getting the tree up and decorated to baking to cleaning to other decorating, etc.  I am driving everyone else here nuts playing Xmas CDs 24/7 trying to get myself in the mood.
Thank goodness the shopping was done well before December got here(except for a few odds and ends).

And then on Sunday I had a low spell again.  Between thinking about my mom-who was Christmases  biggest fan-and the fact that Sunday would have been my oldest brother's 67th birthday.
Mom died in 2000 and my brother in 2009.  Mom died a week before her 66th birthday and my brother has just turned 56 when he went into a coma and died 1.5 years later.  I guess I am just missing the both of them right now.

I don't usually feel so down in December but this medication and these unknown health problems may just be causing a dark cloud to hang over my head this year.
Plus I am having more arthritis issues in the last year where it is affecting my daily living.

And I am hitting a BIG MILESTONE birthday in January and I am not looking forward to that.
Getting old ain't for sissies.....



Other than those symptoms my health is getting better all the time(BP down, weight down, Cholestrol down, etc.)but you can't stop time and your aging from marching forward.

I'm going to go take a nap now and try to get my head into a better place.
I am blessed in so many other ways in life(well, maybe except for that no grandchildren yet thing lolz)and I need to stop throwing myself a pity party.

HOHOHO!
I'm going to go snuggle Chester and  take some Christmas tree photos later to show y'all.  That should help my mood, right?

I hope everyone else is having more luck being festive and jolly this Holiday Season.

What is your sure fire way to get your mood up at this time of year?

Sluggy

19 comments:

  1. Hi Sluggy

    Sorry you are having issues with medicine. A family member is very sensitive to meds. The pharmacist was always so helpful. I would call and run symptoms by them. It was very helpful. At least We knew if it was a minor side effect or a no go with the new med. The doctors were never helpful.

    Also, sometimes we had to start off with just a quarter or half a dose and work up to full dose. Everyone is different with what they may tolerate.

    The holidays are tough, tough tough!!! I lost my dear sister suddenly in Feb 2017. She was only 58. I miss her every day.

    Take one day at a time. It is great your health is improving. You will get there!!

    In the mean time, do what brings you joy,

    Hugs, Janie

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  2. I am so sorry you are in a funk. You do not have Parkinson's. But it is hard when you are missing loved ones. I know. I can't wait until you turn sixty, oh the tings I can do to humiliate you.

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  3. I am so sorry about your health issues, that truly sucks. Sometimes these meds are far worse than the original symptoms. Hopefully they will get it sorted out soon. I too am having trouble getting into the spirit, not sure why. We watched the Grinch last night (cartoon original) and it still didn't work. We're going to A Christmas Carol Sunday - hoping that does the trick. Merry Christmas to you and your family Sluggy - may 2019 be a better year for you

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  4. Oh dear! I'm so sorry you have been dealing with all those symptoms. It is scary that sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. I have tinnitus but I only notice it when it's very quiet. The shaking hands is definitely troubling. I hope you find out for sure that it's just a side effect of the meds. If you discover a way to snap out of your holiday blues, please share. This is a tough time for a lot of people missing loved ones, myself included. (((Hugs)))

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  5. Ever think about moving to a sunnier warmer climate? Might help with the arthritis or at least make life more pleasant! Sherri

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  6. Sorry that you are struggling right now. Holidays aren't easy for a lot of people. Unfortunately, society makes one feel that they need to put on a happy face and pretend all is well. I commend you seeking out help. I haven't been a fan of Christmas for several years. Partly because of my birthday, and also that the anniversary of my mom's passing is Dec 23. No matter how old or how many years have gone by, there is a sadness that surrounds the loss of a parent. Hang in there.

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  7. I am 64, alone since all family died, 2 knees that need replacements but will not do since I am alone, need cane to get around, BUT, just recently retired and even though all other issues, I am having the time of my life after working in the medical field for 43 years. You need to look at what blessings you have and be content with what you can do. Yes, physically frustrating at times but you find a way to make it! I am losing weight ( 50 pounds so far) because of no stress from work and finally able to do what I need to do for me. I go and help out at the food pantry. An experience like that, at this time of year will stop you from feeling sorry for yourself when you see people , especially elderly, struggling so.

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  8. Thinking about you. It can be a very hard time of year when we are missing those we love... and traditions we loved change too. I hope they can get your meds adjusted...that will make all the difference. Take care of yourself! Bonnie

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  9. Last year 2017 I wasn't in spirit of Christmas. No tree even.
    Sure hope all works out. I came over from Living on the cheap and if you find the time stop in for a cup of coffee

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  12. I hear you - I can't WAIT for 2018 to be over.....2019 HAS to be better!!!! Snuggling with Chester can solve ANY problem - thank goodness for pets!!!! And I TOTALLY am with you on the no grandkids thing too......my kids aren't cooperating either, lol!!!
    Sue L.

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  16. I'm so sorry you're having health issues, Sluggy. I hope they can get your meds straightened out and that is all it turns out to be. That meme about turning 60 made me laugh out loud. I hope you can get into the holiday spirit before Tuesday.

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  17. Hugs to you. My favorite way to cheer up is to fix a nice cup of tea, turn on the Christmas lights, & listen to festive music that brings me back to my childhood. (Christmas baking with my mom & sister while listening to Bing Crosby). Sending you good thoughts today.

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  18. I bet I can guess what crazy pill done this
    For holiday cheer I just decorated the house. It made me feel good.

    ReplyDelete

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