Now or never, live forever, etc
Jun. 8th, 2011 06:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
brightlotusmoonAnd for no particular reason, I find myself laughing in delight at nothing more than the sheer wonder of being in such a weird, mad world. It can't be all that bad. Look, chipmunks.
Life lesson: When it comes to chronic illness of any sort, there are always certain well-meaning people -- strangers and friends alike -- who will be more than happy to warn you in detail about your medications and treatments. They will give you bad advice you didn't ask for. They will tell you personal horror stories you didn't need to hear. And there comes a point where you either snap at them in irritation or you retreat in frustration without a word.
I'm being Zen about it all. I've been calm and collected, if twitchy: A "thank you, I'll keep that in mind" here and a "yes, I knew that already" there. It's polite concern and caring on their end, no need for me to scold anyone. But it gets tiring.
I learned quickly to not read message forums unless I absolutely had to. I learned that social networking sites were very bad places to document and catalog symptoms, unless I wanted people to comment. I'm learning, I'm learning.
The funniest part of all? The new drug, Zoloft -- the drug these people are warning me against, practically villifying in their concern for me -- is the thing that has helped me keep that Zen calm and collectiveness. And so, once more: Everybody's system is different. Everybody processes the same medication in vastly different ways. Some people experience very terrible side effects. Some people experience very tolerable side effects. Just because this drug turned someone into a mindless shell does not mean it will do the same to other people. In other words, people are different.
I wish I knew how else to say this other than "Unless you've got a medical background, back off and let me handle this for now. I have doctors and I know how to use them."
A very special and grateful thanks goes to the friends who suggested Zoloft in the first place, friends who went to medical school or took classes, who have PhDs or other relevant degrees, friends who are also chronic pain sufferers, friends who take antidepressants themselves and understand the risks. Who are not afraid to explain the good and bad and ugly and in between without bias. They know who they are.
I'm sure I've said all that before in one way or another. I think from now on I'm just going to paste a smile on my face and nod blankly whenever someone else who doesn't know what's going on tries to police my health out of personal concern just because they or their family member had horrible experiences. I don't know. *throws hands up in the hair* I love everyone, of course. But I know what I'm getting into. I'll ask for advice when I need it, I promise.
Life lesson: When it comes to chronic illness of any sort, there are always certain well-meaning people -- strangers and friends alike -- who will be more than happy to warn you in detail about your medications and treatments. They will give you bad advice you didn't ask for. They will tell you personal horror stories you didn't need to hear. And there comes a point where you either snap at them in irritation or you retreat in frustration without a word.
I'm being Zen about it all. I've been calm and collected, if twitchy: A "thank you, I'll keep that in mind" here and a "yes, I knew that already" there. It's polite concern and caring on their end, no need for me to scold anyone. But it gets tiring.
I learned quickly to not read message forums unless I absolutely had to. I learned that social networking sites were very bad places to document and catalog symptoms, unless I wanted people to comment. I'm learning, I'm learning.
The funniest part of all? The new drug, Zoloft -- the drug these people are warning me against, practically villifying in their concern for me -- is the thing that has helped me keep that Zen calm and collectiveness. And so, once more: Everybody's system is different. Everybody processes the same medication in vastly different ways. Some people experience very terrible side effects. Some people experience very tolerable side effects. Just because this drug turned someone into a mindless shell does not mean it will do the same to other people. In other words, people are different.
I wish I knew how else to say this other than "Unless you've got a medical background, back off and let me handle this for now. I have doctors and I know how to use them."
A very special and grateful thanks goes to the friends who suggested Zoloft in the first place, friends who went to medical school or took classes, who have PhDs or other relevant degrees, friends who are also chronic pain sufferers, friends who take antidepressants themselves and understand the risks. Who are not afraid to explain the good and bad and ugly and in between without bias. They know who they are.
I'm sure I've said all that before in one way or another. I think from now on I'm just going to paste a smile on my face and nod blankly whenever someone else who doesn't know what's going on tries to police my health out of personal concern just because they or their family member had horrible experiences. I don't know. *throws hands up in the hair* I love everyone, of course. But I know what I'm getting into. I'll ask for advice when I need it, I promise.
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no subject
Date: 2011-06-09 12:07 am (UTC)Amen.
And very well said. :)
Also: I'm so crazy-happy for you that the Zoloft is working so well. :D *happy dance*
no subject
Date: 2011-06-09 12:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-09 02:31 am (UTC)This is me right now except look, baby raccoons and Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo. :)
And I am so, so very thrilled that you're having a good time on the med-go-round! I know it can suck, but I've also discovered how amazing it can be to find just the right combination. (Me/Remeron OTP!) No two experiences are identical. I can, for example, look at my dad and say "Try this" (or, um, "Don't") because we have probably got the same genetic fuckery going on, but outside of my immediate family? No way.
We are the ones who know ourselves best, and we get to make the choices. Haters to the left, kthxbai.
no subject
Date: 2011-06-09 09:11 pm (UTC)Yay, stuff that's working for us! Go us! Screw everyone else!
no subject
Date: 2011-06-09 06:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-09 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-11 02:21 am (UTC)Way to go on achieving Zen! :-D