......IN A HEARTBEAT
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And so it goes.....on and on, and on.......
My power (electric) chair died this morning. It w as 7 1/2 years old. My new one is still in ordering/jumping thru insurance hoops land. I phoned the salesman/dealer. They had promised me if this one died before the new one arrived, they would give me a "loaner". So I asked. They say they wanna try and see if they can resusitate it to last a bit more. I said it's on "life support". Plus the charger had overheated. Now it's not workin'. They say they want to try. Sigh. I just want the loaner!!!!!
The bright side is it died here--in my room. And not out in the middle of a crosswalk. And I have a manual chair for emergencies. Like this. But it means I'm grounded here as I'm not strong enough to use it outside, and even inside not too much before me arms give out. Another sigh...................
In telling my brothers about this I--for a bit of fun--chose to write it's "obituary". Here it is:
We regret to inform you that Mr. E. Wheelchair has passed on. He leaves to mourn his pardner in crime Laura, and his dear sister M. Wheelchair. No service by request. Donations gratefully accepted.
Hey! I had to get some fun out of it!
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Laura, you amaze me how you still can have a sense of humor after all you’ve been through!
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Thanks Nancy.
Well it died on them too, so 3 hrs after they picked it up, they brought the loaner. I got wheels again! It shocked me just how slow and bad my "Mr. E." had become. This loaner is much more powerful. Like going from an old clunker to a Ferrari.
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LITTLE LAURA wrote:
Thanks Nancy.
Well it died on them too, so 3 hrs after they picked it up, they brought the loaner. I got wheels again! It shocked me just how slow and bad my "Mr. E." had become. This loaner is much more powerful. Like going from an old clunker to a Ferrari.
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LITTLE LAURA wrote:
Thanks Nancy.
Well it died on them too, so 3 hrs after they picked it up, they brought the loaner. I got wheels again! It shocked me just how slow and bad my "Mr. E." had become. This loaner is much more powerful. Like going from an old clunker to a Ferrari.
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Something else has been going on as well. On top of my injuries in that fall, I already was struggling with a rare disease that affects bones, joints, muscles, and organs. This came with prolonged periods of extreme chronic pain. So, the Drs. had put me on Codeine based painkillers. (Codeine/Contin was one). I've been on that for years. Some months ago I decided I should give my body a break from it; the plan being easing off slowly while at the same time easing into the new over the counter Advil Muscle & Joint. Well I've found out the hard way that even with the best intentions and good supervision, being on Codeine for so long there is no avoiding withdrawal. And trust me, it's a b_________ch. I got all the symptoms from diarrhea to anxiety so high it's off the charts. I've been enduring this for the past 2 weeks straight. The Dr. today, after hearing how badly I was suffering knocked the dose back up a notch--back to where I last tolerated . And stay at that dose for a while. And put me on Anti-anxiety medication. Also the pain level isn't much better. It may be time to say I've reduced the Codeine as much as is humanly possible. When we started, my dose was 300mgs. Now I'll be sitting at 70-80. My Dr. told me that still is an achievement.
All I know is I can't keep enduring the constant anxiety bordering on panic. This experience has been so humbling, as I've realized I'm one of those Pharmaceuitical legally prescribed --codeine dependants.
I just wanted to get that out there that nice supposedly normal people can get caught up.
I hope I don't lose any of my friends here by revealing this. Your support has always helped.
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Laura, don’t feel bad! I was a nurse for 36 years and I think in general, drugs are a great thing. May I ask what you are on for anti-anxiety? Is it once a day Escitalopram or is it Xanax (Alprazolam)? I commend you for trying to get off or reduce the painkillers, but if you have a chronic condition, why be in such pain?
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No, Laura, you won't lose anyone's regard by revealing your struggles with the meds. Anyone with feelings will be concerned for you and want you to find comfort and relief. It sounds like you have some good doctors, thank God for that.
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You'll never lose your friends here, Laura. (In fact, we wish you would post more often!) We have all had our share of problems as well. There are so many modern drugs, and many with harsh side effects. There is a Mother Nature Revival Movement going on in Canada and the USA and all over the globe. I found a link here you may want to ask around about. Your beautiful art is an expression of your beautiful soul. We thoroughly enjoy you!
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Thank-you all. Well the Dr decided it had been bumped down a bit much. So it will now be bumped back up where I was tolerating it before. Another RN who works here also said what was the point of getting totally off if my pain was chronic and unfixable. (at this point in time at least.). She told me there's no point in being a martyr. She also said I should be proud that I went from 300mgs down to 60 in nine mths. It'll be bumped up to 80 I think, where it'll stay. I've been given Lorazepam-the kind you put under your tongue. Does help. This morning for the first time in nearly 2 weeks I woke up without grabbing for one, and managed to last until dinner before I had to. I think the worst may be slowly going away.
Also, at first I didn't tell any family or my friends--I was afraid of their reaction--but I sucked up the courage and did. They are all supportive. Which helps. Now it's one day at a time until my system rights itself.
Thanks again for your support here. It truly means a lot.
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Glad to hear you are doing better. Hang in there and keep us posted!
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After a car accident almost two years ago – I can't believe it was that long ago – they put me on some serious drugs. My first thought was that becoming a junkie was the last thing I needed. I wanted over the counter medications, but they said no. I was not at all happy when they told me I had already been given two of the drugs that killed Michael Jackson. They are very safe drugs when used properly, but it's still not something you want to hear.
People who think they're too physically and/or morally strong to get hooked are idiots, and probably the most likely to fall down that hole since they think they are above it all. Getting addicted to something is not a sign of weakness. Not everyone who does is a rock star who took it too far. Most addicts are just regular people who never saw it coming. A large percentage are probably people who were given serious drugs in a hospital. Telling them they should have never started is asinine.
It's kind of pathetic for our society to look down on people who got addicted to something through absolutely no fault of their own. Then again, a lot of people look down on others for being born poor. Humans have serious issues.
If someone thinks less of you for stupid reasons, that's a pretty good reason to think less of them.
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HaileyMcComet wrote:
After a car accident almost two years ago – I can't believe it was that long ago – they put me on some serious drugs. My first thought was that becoming a junkie was the last thing I needed. I wanted over the counter medications, but they said no. I was not at all happy when they told me I had already been given two of the drugs that killed Michael Jackson. They are very safe drugs when used properly, but it's still not something you want to hear.
People who think they're too physically and/or morally strong to get hooked are idiots, and probably the most likely to fall down that hole since they think they are above it all. Getting addicted to something is not a sign of weakness. Not everyone who does is a rock star who took it too far. Most addicts are just regular people who never saw it coming. A large percentage are probably people who were given serious drugs in a hospital. Telling them they should have never started is asinine.
It's kind of pathetic for our society to look down on people who got addicted to something through absolutely no fault of their own. Then again, a lot of people look down on others for being born poor. Humans have serious issues.
If someone thinks less of you for stupid reasons, that's a pretty good reason to think less of them.
Great post! What 2 drugs are you referring to that killed Michael Jackson? He overdosed on Propofol, which is given by I.V. (normally only before/during surgery)
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Well we've stopped at one 12 hr pain pill twice a day. (morning and bedtime). They're 50mgs each. As I am in a great deal of (at this stage) uncurable pain, and the other over the counter couldn't handle the pain by itself, this is where I'll likely be staying. I went to see, (believe it or not), if it could be bumped up a mgs cause of the pain. Dr said N.O. Very nicely I add. She said that was my codeine-addled brain talking, and it would try anything to get what it has been used to back. Including lowering my pain threshold. I kinda thought she'd say that, so I wasn't surprised. Instead she's going to give me an anti-anxiety drug that has proven to reduce pain as well. So. I found out I have a very good Doctor. That's always good to know. She also said that considering we started this journey when I was taking 300mgs, I should NOT see myself as a failure--that I've done quite well. She also said if I'm feeling really bad come and see her and she'll "hold my hand" so to speak. She also told me to phone Narc Anon if I'm struggling; it's not just for street addicts.
......and I have you wonderful members here as well. Thanks for all your support. It really helps.
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Hailey, you never answered my question in my last post.
Laura, since I was an O.R. nurse (RN) I’m always interested in what doctors are prescribing. What is the anti-anxiety med you are on now that helps with pain? Never heard of one that would do that. Great, if so! You can PM me if you don’t want to answer my questions in the open forum.
Hope you are doing better soon!
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Some good news now. They're finally moving on my new Electric Wheelchair. I might get it as early as next month. Financing finally was worked out. Big relief! Did I say it was going to be purple this time? Colour of Royalty.
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LITTLE LAURA wrote:
Some good news now. They're finally moving on my new Electric Wheelchair. I might get it as early as next month. Financing finally was worked out. Big relief! Did I say it was going to be purple this time? Colour of Royalty.
Very Cool!! And, fit for the Royal that you are!!
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Nancy R wrote:
Hailey, you never answered my question in my last post.
Laura, since I was an O.R. nurse (RN) I’m always interested in what doctors are prescribing. What is the anti-anxiety med you are on now that helps with pain? Never heard of one that would do that. Great, if so! You can PM me if you don’t want to answer my questions in the open forum.
Hope you are doing better soon!
Sorry, I was busy having a stroke. They put me on propofol and midazolam during/after surgery.
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HaileyMcComet wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
Hailey, you never answered my question in my last post.
Laura, since I was an O.R. nurse (RN) I’m always interested in what doctors are prescribing. What is the anti-anxiety med you are on now that helps with pain? Never heard of one that would do that. Great, if so! You can PM me if you don’t want to answer my questions in the open forum.
Hope you are doing better soon!
Sorry, I was busy having a stroke. They put me on propofol and midazolam during/after surgery.
That's a good excuse.
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oobu24 wrote:
HaileyMcComet wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
Hailey, you never answered my question in my last post.
Laura, since I was an O.R. nurse (RN) I’m always interested in what doctors are prescribing. What is the anti-anxiety med you are on now that helps with pain? Never heard of one that would do that. Great, if so! You can PM me if you don’t want to answer my questions in the open forum.
Hope you are doing better soon!
Sorry, I was busy having a stroke. They put me on propofol and midazolam during/after surgery.
That's a good excuse.
You get 2 or 3 really good excuses in life. When your brain explodes, that's when it's time to go for broke.