Well, I finally got around to going to the Drs this morning. I have been putting it off since last July, when I decided to stop taking the duloxetine pills.
I came out wondering if she was actually talking about me.
To start with my blood pressure is back down to normal, so I am really glad now that I resisted having the monitor, which would have led to medication, because back then, my blood pressure was running higher than it should be.
I explained about taking amino acids for my depression and how my migraines had disappeared within a few weeks of stopping the duloxetine, and she surprised me. I met no resistance to my decision at all.
She was delighted that I have given up smoking in the last 10 months or so, and that I have lost 14lbs in weight.
In fact, she said I had done remarkably well to be where I am now “after everything”. It seems she feels I am doing better all round than she was anticipating 😀 and I was complimented on my “personal determination” :O
She reckons that my physical weakness is “only to be expected” and that it’s not impossible for me to get back to where I was a year ago, before all the shit began.
Mind you, how I was this time last year, was a shadow of how I was before I got FM and slipped my disc. But hey, if I can get back there, I will be grateful. (And I am resisting typing ‘gods, how sad is that?’ LOL)
I am having bloods done next week, including full thyroid testing. Apparently, this can only be done because a specialist has requested it!! WTF?? That’s mad, don’t you think? For the sake of a blood test for something that is easily treated, how much money is potentially wasted on investigating and treating other things that have the same symptoms?
I do not understand the logic of the so called ‘powers that be’, sometimes, I really don’t!!
But anyway, it’s all good.
Now I just need to pluck up the courage to go to the dentist ………yikes!!
Oh, and the new hair 😀 Back to all one colour now………………and that colour is………….
PURPLE!!! You didn’t expect a “normal” colour, did you?!
Chaos, Cats and Chronic Pain 
For me, purple is a very normal colour – and yes, I have even had purple hair! Love it on you!
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Thank you 🙂 In the last year, I have been blue, blonde, purple and scarlet LOL. I’m naturally a kind of reddish brown. But I like this, so will probably keep it for a good while now 🙂
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We sound like we have a ton in common! 🙂
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Tis always good to meet a kundred spirit 🙂
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Kindred spirit lol
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Oh, and congrats on your progress with the doctor. I know how rough it can be with FM so I just wanted to say your progress has encouraged me!
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Last year was the year from Hell – seriously. Both in my health and my life. I almost didn’t get through it, but still here 😀
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It sounds like we had the same year. But we are both here to tell about it and encourage each other!
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😀
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Healthwise – I took matters into my own hands and realised how damaging the meds had been on my overall health. If I had carried on taking what was prescribed………it just doesn’t bear thinking about, really. I don’t recommend everybody do it, obviously, because I had to go through drug withdrawal from Duloxetine (Cymbalta) which was a nightmare. PLus everyone is different. But it was most definitely the best thing for me. I will be treating things naturally as much as humanely possible from now on.
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This is encouraging to me because I also feel I want to get off of duloxetine. I didn’t have a chance to mention it to my doctor yesterday, but I have gone off medications on my own before – I know to take it slow and what the warning signs are. I have been seeing a naturopath for a couple of years now and I agree natural is the way to go.
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One thing that really made the difference was omega oils. I saw this recommended on a couple of websites and tried it and it made intolerable withdrawal symptoms much easier to cope with 🙂
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Glad to hear that you’re doing so well! I am loving the purple hair! Purple is my favorite color! 🙂 xo
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Thank you 🙂
This is a permanant purple – Garnier Nutrisse. Crappy name but great colour 🙂
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You’re welcome! Definitely a great color! 🙂
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I’m glad your doctor’s appointment was so positive and encouraging. I never expect that sort of reception when I go in there so I feel it’s always a pleasant surprise when it goes that way for anyone. I love the new hair color! I’ve always been afraid to try colors like that because my hair seems to turn every color into orange. 🙂
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Ooooh! I like the hair!
I’m laughing because i, too, have to work up to my doctor appointments and NOW the dentist! Gah!
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Thank you 🙂
It’s awful, isn’t it?! But the dentist has to be the worst. I don’t think I have ever had a procedure done where something hasn’t gone wrong 😦
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Love your hair colour and the Dr visit all sounds really positive well done for quitting smoking and losing the weight that must have been particularly difficult to do due to lack of mobility/exercising, I know I find it hard to lose weight but it’s oh so easy to put it on when your having to sit a lot of the day either in a chair or wheelchair so give yourself a huge pay on the back xx
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*pat on the back!
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Thank you 🙂
To be honest, I think the stress last year was the biggest factor in me losing the weight, but I have managed to keep it off.
I’m still vaping, but I have reduced the nicotine content by a third and will continue to do so.
I’m just below my pre-surgery weight now and ideally I’d like to lose some of the weight I gained whilst taking pregabalin, but you’re right, it is hard with restricted mobility xx
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“this can only be done because a specialist has requested it!! WTF?? That’s mad, don’t you think? ”
Ah, but it saves a blood test and the associated cost, some people wont pursue it if they have to go to specialist so it saves money, its crap, completely crap. numerous mindless NHS managers can then claim praise and produce more charts showing theyve saved money and get pats on back from their managers etc.
Like the hair BTW, purple, black, grey. 🙂 or is it purple, black and light reflection camera artefact LOL.
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Grey? GREY???? *sulks* I’ll have you know that in its natural state I have maybe 10 white hairs. Pure snow white!!!
The colour is called UltraViolet and its like a VERY dark brown in some lights, in others its VERY purple. I love it.
I think the thyroid blood test is crap because if a gp could get those tests done it would save the cost of referrals and the cost of treating a patient for symptoms they decide are something else!!
But its mad here – our local hospital has combined 3 testing depts into one, making people redundant and now most blood tests go to a hospital about 90 mins away!!
The nhs is falling apart!
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