Baggy's daily state!
Depression (Black = really bad/Grey = not great/Blue = okay/Yellow = sunny day): Black.
Anxiety (From 1 = barely any to 10 = gibbering wreck standard): 8.
Tears: Happy ones; sad ones; hysterical ones; irrational ones - lots of ones.
Yep Baggees, coming off the happy pills has proved not to be the easy ride that Clever Bird thought. It's been two weeks now, and the blurb said that Sertraline should be reduced over a matter of weeks/months!! Coming off them suddenly would cause major withdrawal symptoms. As Baggy stopped taking them over night, Clever Bird had visions of 'the shakes', 'sweats', 'pains' and so on. It has now become apparent to her, that this is because Creative Clara watches way too much "drama". Favourite programmes recently Breaking Bad, Power, Sons of Anarchy, Orange is the new Black and similar, all of which at various points have shown people having the DTs from serious drug addictions. So when this didn't happen to Hormonal Hannah, Clever Bird relaxed. But three days ago the black cloud started to hover.
By yesterday, Hannah's anxiety levels had shot up. This was unfortunate, to say the least, as yesterday was Baggy's repeat gastroscopy! She was terrified, particularly as she knew it wasn't pleasant. But much of it, Clever Bird now realises, is because Hannah's off the happy pills! It was a different consultant, and unlike last time, when Baggy had a choice between a throat spray or a sedative, this chap insisted Baggy had both. Fine. But it was still horrible, although this time, the sedative worked better, and Baggy slept for nearly an hour after the procedure! The good news is that the ulcer has totally gone, as have all the lesions. They took more biopsies for some unknown reason, but Baggy is now all clear! However, the consultant was clearly unsure whether the stomach was the cause of Baggy's anaemia!
This morning Baggy's GP was due to call her to discuss yesterday's results, anytime between 8.30am and lunchtime. Freda Fretter wouldn't let Baggy have a shower in case he rang, but by eleven Clever Bird came to her senses and made her take the phone to the shower room. No call. Hannah was feeling really down, so Baggy took Furry Mama and the pooch, and Gloria Gardener with her weed bucket, into the garden. Freda took the phone. No call. By 2.00pm, Clever Bird decided to call the doctors' surgery.
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid Dr X is not in today. Doctor Y should have been covering his calls."
As Clever Bird explained the situation to the flustered receptionist, Hannah started to get upset and highly anxious. Then she made Baggy cry. Sigh!
"Dr X won't be back before at least the end of September."
Clever Bird decided to make an appointment with Dr M who Baggy first spoke to. This urgent appointment is in three weeks time! The receptionist offered to see whether Dr Y could call her later. Baggy put the phone down - Hannah lost the plot. She could not stop shaking and crying - a total over reaction to the situation. She called number one furry for a phone hug. Freda Fretter really doesn't want to worry him, but Baggy needed him, and if Hannah can't talk to her husband about how awful she feels, who can she talk to? As always he was lovely.
Creative Clara decided to blog to distract Hannah - the phone rang, it was Dr Y. He was great.
- He has arranged for her to have another blood test.
- She is to start taking high dose iron tablets.
- She's to carry on with the Omeprazole to help to stop the ulcers recurring.
- She has to do a urine test, as no one has checked yet, whether she is bleeding from her bladder.
"I must admit I'm not convinced, hence why I want a urine test done."
"Me neither. I still think it's my piles."
"That's certainly possible."
Clever Bird also decided to ask about the happy pills. And yes Sertraline can cause ulcers, but so can most of the alternatives. "There is one called somethingorother, but that will make you sleepy and probably put on weight."
"Well as I can't stay awake through the day anyway, and have piled four stone back on, I'm not sure that's wise," said Freda Fretter.
"No, probably not, which just leaves the Citalopram that you were on originally."
"Do you think I might find an even keel when I get through this withdrawal stage?" asked Hannah.
"Hopefully you will, so you could just wait and see."
So that's the current plan Baggees. Fingers crossed that when the blood test results come through at the end of next week, Baggy's anaemia has improved, because as Clever Bird and Freda Fretter both realise, if they have not, then there is something else wrong! Sigh.
As the truth is that Baggy is really worried, Creative Clara has been trying a new thing alongside her pebble pals. Introducing the first two beach buddies - made from beach finds and polished pebbles:
Beach Tile Angel
-
Beach Tile Lady and her Sausage Dog, Pebbles
