Just Say No to Drugs

You know you are a child of the 80's when... the slogan, "Just say no" is still ingrained into your head.

That's it. No more drugs. I started my new meds (an oral pill and a pain patch) on Tuesday night. Wednesday, I had a very scary thing happen - and yes, I purposely left that out in my post. My heart was pounding so badly and I was getting chest pains. Half afraid I was having a heart attack or stroke, I looked up the symptoms of both and heartburn, which I've never had. Relieved, I wasn't having any of the above. During my workout with Ricky, I just felt out of sorts. Not like the previous drug-induced cloud, but just not very strong. Ricky asked if I was okay and I asked him to take my pulse. It wasn't out of the normal zone, but it felt like my heart was going to pound right through my chest. Thinking it might be stress from work, I shrugged it off as an off day. But, in the back of my mind I was wondering if these new meds had something to do with it.

This morning, I woke up and my chest still hurt and my heart was pounding. It lasted throughout the day and I began to become more concerned and certain it was the meds. I've been more stressed before and my body didn't respond this way. I held off calling the doctor though, and thought I would give it one more day.

Tonight I was scheduled to do 7 miles. Since it was storming badly out, I ended up on the treadmill. Now, I consider myself pretty dedicated and have run through a lot over the past few months. I only got through 4 miles. My abdomen did hurt, but it's been worse before. I felt very weak and wasn't able to keep up with even a light jog. My heart was still pounding and my chest jurt with every beat. Reluctantly, I got off of the treadmill and jumped on the bike, determined to get in a halfway decent workout. I didn't last long on the bike either.

So, I have decided no more drugs. Well, I'm cutting out the oral pill, because I think that's what is doing it. Patches (birth control, stopping smoking, etc.) have always freaked me out for some reason. This is no exception, especially since it is used to numb an area before a procedure. But, I don't want to drop both and not know which one was bothering me. I have never liked the idea of taking medication, but I gave it a try. Plus, my doctor told me it would take about a month before it started working. Well, I've been on one kind or another since July 3 and it hasn't helped with the pain. So, I'd say I gave it time to work. And, maybe this patch thing will help since it is suppose to numb the area and is used to treat pain.

You aren't suppose to just stop taking these types of medications, because the side effects can become worse going cold turkey. But, I've only been on it a few days and my dosage is so low that I'm not concerned. I mean, come on, what is it going to do? Cause a full out heart attack?

So, that's me taking charge of my own health. (Note to Nicole - When I rant about the inadequate state of medical professionals and health care in general, I hope I don't offend you!!! I'm just frustrated and I haven't always had the best doctors around.) What's next? I'm not sure, but it doesn't involve medication. I still will not accept that this is just how my life is going to be.

Okay, enough of the depressing stuff. Today I got my good morning text message and an afternoon, "hope your day is going well so far" text. So cute! :)