enrollednurse/hypochondriac annie. And life, good or bad?

06/08/2008

Life, good or bad?

It's summer, the weather ain't that bad and I am depressed. Really fed up and I don't know why. There isn't a reason for it really, maybe complete boredom??? I dunno.

It's over 8 months since I had a cig, so it can't be that. Funny but in a way I want one because I am fed up but I know darn well that it won't make me any happier.

So I sit here and bore anyone who may have nothing else to do but read it. lol I maybe should get out and do interesting things. Just cannot be messed. Everything is of a sameness. No point in anything.

When I was younger, however I felt, I knew it would pass, something would be round the corner. But not now.

But it might eh? Pinched this pic from the internet. I like it.

21:05 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: fedup, depressed, cig, boring, summer, weather

05/27/2008

True or False???

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to  have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will  solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break  down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the  solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into  fats and may lead to cancer. It is best to  drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
  
Common Symptoms Of  Heart Attack...
A serious note  about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack  symptom is going to be the left arm  hurting . Be aware of  intense pain in the  jaw  line .
You may never  have the first chest  pain during the course  of a heart attack. Nausea and  intense  sweating are also common  symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do  not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be  careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could  survive.
               A cardiologist says if everyone  who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll  save at least one life. Read this & Send to a friend. It could save  a life. So, please be a true friend and send this article to all your  friends you care about.

This was sent to me by a friend.

 

23:46 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: heart, attack, warm, drinks

05/13/2008

Mental health? Depression.

Please, can anyone tell me why I am so fed up???
I have seen in the papers and on TV the earthquakes, tornadoes and other horrible things that are happening. I should be counting my blessings.

So, here I am, fed up, retired so no stress from work. Not too badly off in the money situation. (No begging letters please as not rolling in money either.)
Family ok at the moment.

Perhaps this feeling will pass. I hope so. I don't think it is real depression, boredom maybe. Nothing to look forward to, getting older too.

Depression Advice
Helpful tips and advice on depression from Good to Know.

www.goodtoknow.co.uk

15:05 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this | Tags: depression, age, boredom, why?, fed-up, unhappy

05/10/2008

Sites, health.

Just a few Websites to try now and then.

NOT INSTEAD of your GP of course!

20:20 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: help, sites, health, heart, cancer, mentalhealth

05/01/2008

Been poorly.

I have not been well. Started off ages ago with a kind of cold. But not a cold. Not 'flu either. My niece said loads of people were getting this thing. I ended up going to see the doc. Chest infection! Well, that upset me. I have not had one of them since 2004. I cut down on the cigs then and I have not had a cig now for a little over 7 months. So how dare I get a chest infection???? Huh. The week after I still felt really not well. Off to doc again, chest was ok, antibiotics had done the job. Just had to wait until things got better.
The week after that, (third week,) went to the docs. UTI that time. AKA water infection. More antibiotics. Not been to the docs this week. I bet they wonder where I am. lol
But by the heck, I feel so washed out and tired. But thankfully I am on the mend.

I don't know how I would be if I got something really serious.
Take care all and good health.
Let the warm weather arrive soon!
Have a good Bank Holiday on Monday and if you have to work, hope it goes well.

22:30 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: ill, chest, infections, antibiotics, uti

02/11/2008

Diary, part two. Stopping Smoking.

Tuesday 16 October 2007

Visualising myself as a non-smoker. I still can't do this task. But am happily still not smoking. I like it too. There are times but they are getting fewer, that I do fancy a cig but can cope ok. Sorry I haven't done much on here lately, it's been all go. Take care please.   Thursday 18 October 2007 What I like about my quit. I like everything about my quit. I don't like the few craves I have though. I don't like the thought I might give in and start again. I like the thought that I won't have another cig. Saturday 20 October 2007 3rd week. Been a bit fed up really but nothing to do with cigs, just the cold weather and stuff. Cigarette wise, not bad at all, still little craves but nothing too bad.. Sunday 21 October 2007 Two weeks/ Three weeks. I have done 3 weeks of not smoking. (Not changed my quit date.) Now and then I get a little urge. But they are easily overcome. Remind myself how sick those fags made me feel 3 weeks ago. So, on to week four. Upwards and onwards. Keep it up everyone, it is hard but it's going to be worth it. Good luck. Tuesday 23 October 2007 What is success? Success to me means stopping smoking forever. Getting through the craving and all that. Not thinking of cigs. Forgetting sometimes that you ever smoked. This is what I am aiming for. Good luck to everyone in the same boat. :<) Wednesday 24 October 2007 Fine line. Advantages, money saved. Not noticed any real improvement in health except no more wheezing. (Must be my age!) I miss smoking when I get a buzz about something and sometimes after work. I still want to give up this habit. I am trying my best. I don't think anything has changed from the things I started off with. Have now changed my quit date. Well, not me but the nice people that run this site. So this is how it is now! Saturday 27 October 2007 4 weeks. I feel ok most of the time although I do get the odd crave and suppose I will for ages. Champix are working to keep me quit, I have cut down to one tablet a day. Good idea or not? The support on here helps a lot too. So thank you everyone. I am happy I have made four weeks. To be honest, it's not 4 weeks until tomorrow night but I am confident I will make it. I know I will. This always appears before midnight. The only thing that I suppose, has surprised me, is, how easy it is one day and a bit of a struggle the next. No two days the same. Sunday. Finally and officially it is four weeks now! LATER ON.................                And not a ciggie smoked. Thursday 01 November 2007 Status Check 2. UPDATE. Inhaler Tip. I am not changing much. I have stopped taking the Champix. Not had any for 3 days. But if I find myself slipping, I will go back on them again. I don't go back on the dose I finished on. Not recommended! Also, not to go back to patches or inhalers etc. But most of all, not to go back on the fags! I am going to fight this, one day, it will be easier. Some days now it's ok. 5 weeks Saturday night. Soon be weekend, hope you all enjoy it. UPDATE. Bedtime. Hope everyone is cheering up a bit. I thought I was but no. My crave is not getting any better or worse. I keep thinking it's Saturday tomorrow. But it isn't! Hee hee. Inhaler tip, just got this hint from my lady at the clinic. I haven't tried it yet. Just told Sue and wondered if it would help anyone else!  No Smoking nurse said that some people get a bit of tissue paper, apply a drop of peppermint flavouring (or anything else you fancy that tastes nice,) Place in that inhaler thingy and breathe in a nice minty taste. Not tried it yet.  Saturday 03 November 2007 Reviewing my week. UPDATE. Week five is over, not been bad really, craves often but manageable. Gone off the Champix, so now on my own. To be honest, there isn't any difference at the moment, Champix and no Champix. I believe it takes about 14 days to get out of my system so will give update. My danger point will be stupidity. At work about 8:30pm, asked friend for a fag. She popped one in my pocket. I thought that was really nice of her, (she didn't know I was still not smoking. Used to me being off the cigs then back on them. Not seen her for ages.) But I gave her it back very fast! Then, as I told Cath, I noticed it was a menthol one. Ahhhhhhhhhh. Would I have been strong enough if it had been a proper cig? I do hope so. If I fail, like every other time, I won't care for a day or two and then I will be upset with myself. I think I have the feeling that it is easier to start the quit again than carry on quitting! But I haven't had a cig and I am not going to. I just wanted to twitter on. Sorry friends. Saturday 10 November 2007 6 weeks. 11/11 Sunday. Wow. My week has been up and down and many a time I nearly never made it, sometimes I think I still could slip. Craves still come and go, no actual times for craves. I actually start day 42 / beginning of 6th week tomorrow. Will have cracked it by tomorrow night. So, head down and keep plodding on. I suppose that still not smoking is the thing that surprises me. My adjective is....weary. Thanks for all your support. I really appreciate it. It has really helped me. We will remember. 11/11 @ 11am. Wednesday 14 November 2007 I'll just have the one. I am being very negative today. I would like a ciggie. Not going to though. I will fight this. I want to fight it, I need to fight it. I am writing this just before midnight on the 13th Nov. Tomorrow will be the day I should have written it. But I want to wake up with positive thoughts. This will be the longest time without a cig for me. If I can do this long I can do it for ever! Up and onwards. Good luck everyone and many thanks for your support.

22:55 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, quit, diary, support

02/07/2008

My Stopping Smoking Diary.

This Is the diary I have been keeping, I had my last cig on the 29th September. To all these posts I wrote, I got replies from other quitters. Saturday 06 October 2007

Support. You great guys 'n' gals. Pam....work. Julie, Stop Smoking lady. Me! Not midnight yet so not the 6th. But not far off. When midnight chimes, I am on my 7th day! (Just.) Have a good smokefree weekend please. x

Sunday 07 October 2007

My ex smoking habits. This is my 7th day of not smoking. I have not had one for a week, 168 hours if not an hour or three more by now. So, in a way, I am out of the habit. I still don't fancy a cig. I do think of them sometimes and still think there is something missing. As I had gone about 26 days without a cig and then had those 20 over 4 days, well, I think that has helped me. I am not asking for my date to be changed, I usually do and then I lapse. I thank again everyone who has given me support. Well done to all the quitters who are doing really well. New quitters, just go for it! x

Monday 08 October 2007

Quit statement. This is my statement. 8/10/2007. I won't smoke again. I have stopped. Ok, I have said this quite a few times but this time, watch this space. Now actually on 9 days and riding it out well.

Tuesday 09 October 2007

Relaxation. Read, watch TV. Walks. Computer. Dreams. Planning holidays, whether they happen or not!

Wednesday 10 October 2007

10/10.......11 days. Eleven days have passed. Passed quite well too. If I hadn't had those cigs I could have been about 37 days by now. Still, no use crying over spilt milk. It was a stupid thing to do and as I said, they tasted revolting. So I suppose 20 cigs over four days was a minor hiccup. To me anyway. I do have excuses but won't bore you with them and anyway they were excuses to excuse myself. (I know what I mean.) Lots of you are doing really well with your quits, I am really pleased. Keep it up gang.

Thursday 11 October 2007

So long Nicotine. Goodbye. Sorry to say, ( I'm not really,) you are no longer a friend or helper of mine. Off with you.

Friday 12 October 2007

Why I will not give in. I will not give in because I no longer want to be a smoker. Although I still now and then fancy a cig, the thought also makes me feel sick at times. I can't win, can I? But if I don't have a cig on the few times I fancy one, I HAVE won. Please have a good weekend.

Sunday 14 October 2007

My first / second week. I have been cig free for two weeks now. My quit date says a week. I am not resetting it as every time I do I seem to fail. It's been a funny two weeks. It's there in the background, something seems to be missing. I am on Champix so really it's a strange feeling. Anyway, upwards and onwards! Third week now just started.

19:45 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, quit, diary

01/16/2008

Fags and Nurse. Happy Birthday Son.

Tomorrow I have managed 110 days with out a smoke. Not had a fag at all this year. In fact, not had one since 30th Sept 2007.

I have been sorely tempted though. I am afraid that there isn't a day that I yearn for one, ok, not actually yearn but I do think of them daily and often. It is much better than it was though.

Tomorrow our younger son is on his last year of being in his 30's. Not happy. Neither are we. lol In a year's time we will be the parents of two "boys" over 40. I suddenly feel quite old.

Happy Birthday S.              X X X X X X

Tomorrow I am going to work too and also on Friday. I wish I hadn't said yes now! Roll on Saturday and roll on summer.

23:25 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, fags, nurse, birthday, son

01/05/2008

Stopping Smoking.

http://whyquit.com

http://www.stayquit.co.uk

For support, advice and to meet new and friendly people having the same problems as you may be having. No need to give your name on the message board either. That is the one on Stay Quit.

Part of www.NetDoctor.co.uk

23:40 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: stop, quit, smoking, sites, support, message

12/18/2007

80 days.

Hi there.

I have succeeded in getting to eighty days without a cig. I am still not home and dry though. I thought if I could get this far I would be well over the wanting, needing, craving a cig now. But no.

Please don't let that put you off if you are thinking of stopping smoking. Maybe it will be a New Year's Resolution? Some people find it so easy. The people who are dreading giving up the weed are sometimes the better quitters. Ok, not better but seem to manage it a little bit better. Not as bad as they thought.

Even now, it isn't as bad as it was in the beginning. In fact, although I still fancy a cig, I have never been at the headbanging stage that some people get to. I am afraid, if it had come to that, I would have failed. Or would I?

Yes, I have tried Nicotine Replacement Therapy. All sorts of 'em.

Please have a Happy Christmas.

Special holiday greetings to Fjola, Robert and Victor and families. lol

21:43 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: victor, cigs, nrt, smoking, new, year, resolution

12/08/2007

Cigarettes.

It's raining outside. Cold and windy too. Got to go out shopping soon. Ok, don't REALLY have to but need some stuff.

Now what I don't need is a packet of cigs. Now don't get me wrong, I would like a cig. I have fancied one for 10 weeks. Yes, 10 weeks, me, no cigs not even a puff or a drag.

I am not on NRT anymore but I couldn't have got this far without using it. Cold turkey is the best way for brave souls. I ain't brave.

Even the effect of NRT kas long gone from my body and the cigs are just in my mind just how can I get rid of the thoughts of the stupid things? I am not 100% sure that I will never smoke again. I don't want to. (Non -smokers will find this a bit strange maybe.)

Suppose 45 years, give or take, will have played its part eh?

14:45 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, nrt, cold

11/30/2007

Virus gone. Cigs gone. (I hope.)

Mr Nic O. Teen still pops up now and then, he tries to get me back on his side. He can be a charmer when he wants to be. But I know him of old, he is no good. So I am winning at the moment. Long may it continue. Tends to be a battle sometimes. Not easy but possible.

I still log in to www.whyquit.com loads of help on there. Please try it if you are thinking of stopping.

Like New Year when resolutions are made!!! I am not a born again non smoker. I will never upset people by banging on about the habit. I mean to say, how could I? Ever?

"Fat Lady not sung yet."

I felt ill last weekend. I might be over 60 but I am not one for lying in bed, not in the day. But had to so on Saturday. I was ok but a bit tired after about 48 hours.

00:25 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, nrt, virus, quit

11/23/2007

It's not fair!!! Atishoo.

Poor me. Had my 'flu jab, nearly eight weeks without a cig and get the worse cold for ages. Woe is indeed me. Felt really ill last night but not as bad now.

Lots of colds about I believe. I blame Pam from work or do I blame a patient? Not sure which one was nice enough to share with me. Might not even be either of them eh?

Himdownstairs says I get a cold, on purpose most Christmas's. Rubbish. I hope this is my one and only cold this year. I hope not to have one until this time next year if possible.

18:35 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: himdownstairs, cig, cold, 'flu, jab

11/15/2007

No Smoking. Life begins at 40.

On Saturday night, it will be 7 weeks since I had my last ciggy. Not long really but for me it is my record. I mean, I have past my previous record by a couple of days. Funny really, I still could happily smoke a cigarette but I don't want one either.

On Saturday I am going to my nephew's 40th Birthday party. (His birthday is actually tomorrow, Happy Birthday B.) If you want to see him, his photo is on this blog. Just looked, can't find it so here he is. Please ladies, calm down, he is spoken for!   

19:20 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, smoking, stop, 40, birthday, nephew

10/19/2007

Nearly Three Weeks.

Tomorrow night I will have not had a cig for 3 weeks. I don't really want one either, but and this sounds strange but I still get little craves now and then. Nothing I can't handle. On Sunday, it will be a year since I started to try and give up. Yes, I am slow.

Three weeks ago I had some cigs and smoked the lot although they made me feel ill. Not that I advocate it but it did me good. The sickly feeling lasted for ages, still have it a bit. Trying barley sugar sweets now!

It's getting colder isn't it? My pen friends are e-mailing me with stories of hot weather and droughts. Soon be Christmas, then New Year, lol, the Easter and that will bring Spring and then summer. I can't wait. We deserve a good summer in 2008.

Himdownstairs and me have celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary this week. Some wives might get flowers, I got a share of 3 fence panels! Mind you, I didn't get him anything either.

Work tomorrow. First time this week. I like it. (Not work.) Just the going once a week.

18:25 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, work, nurse, craves

10/06/2007

About cigarettes.... again.

Well, actually, it's about the lack of cigarettes. Nearly a week without and it's been my best quit yet. Just hope it continues.

I am saving money, I don't feel as sick as I did. Oh, those cigs I had last week! Ahhh. I can understand the first one tasting ok but why did I carry on, even when they made me feel ill?
THEN,
why did I buy 10 more? I just can't fathom it out.

Maybe as I have said before, it did me good in a strange sort of way. I don't think of them all the time, I don't want one now. I think those 20 really put me off. Maybe now I will never smoke again.

I really hope so.

:<)

 Please have a good weekend.

00:05 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: money, cigs, smoke, quit, ill

10/02/2007

The cigs.

I have nearly finished day 3 of not smoking. (AGAIN.) But happy, happy, the thought of having a cig now makes me feel ill.

I know Champix can make you feel nauseous, surely that should be at the beginning of the treatment? I have felt like this since I had those cigs last week. Nothing major though.

I find that now I am not thinking of cigs all the time. I suppose I mean I don't feel as if something is missing from my life like I used to do. Good. Hopefully this time I am winning. I have saved a few bob with not smoking. I know for sure that I couldn't afford my old 20 a day habit any more. Fingers crossed, this time I can do it.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

22:54 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, champix, smoking, money

09/21/2007

Well, 3 weeks nearly.

Well, nearly done 3 weeks without a cig. Long live Champix. Of course I have to take some credit as willpower is part of it too. So I take a bow, or should it be a curtsey?

Really, shouldn't be too clever yet. Have failed in the past and I really don't want to this time. It's easy to say "Well you shouldn't then," but cigs are addictive and hard to give up. Yes some people do well, find it so easy. I am not one of them though. Just pleased that I don't do drugs or drink. I know you could say that nicotine is a drug. I only have to battle with this one vice.

It's been raining in the northwest. Stopped now though. Not very warm either.

No plans for this weekend so won't be able to thrill you with tales of hair raising stories. No parties or anything remotely interesting. I have even done the ironing, so not even that to look forward to. lol

Hope you all have a good weekend. anne. x

15:56 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, addictive, weather, northwest

09/19/2007

Cigarettes.

I had been smoking cigs for years. But today I am on day 18 of giving up. Not had a smoke for all those days. A small step I suppose, but to me, it's quite huge.

Tomorrow I go to see the NHS Stop Smoking Lady. She will be rather pleased. I fully expected to be the only person to be expelled from it.

I still yearn for a quick cig at times. Now yesterday was good but today has not been as good. The thing is, I haven't bought any. Saved a £ or two there.

I am getting help and support from.... www.stayquit.co.uk It's good and there are people from Australia, USA and South Africa so it's not just for our country.

Then there is.... http://whyquit.com

It is quite hard to give them up. I would dearly love to smoke about 3 a day. But, I know it would get to more than that in the end. Last night I went on YouTube, looked for the great, late Dave Allen, found him and there is a thing about stopping smoking. It was exellent and funny. Dave stopped smoking in the later years of his life. I was glued though to the drink on the side of his chair. Kept thinking it would fall off.

See yer, anne. x

20:40 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: cigs, dave, allen, youtube, quit, sites, nhs

09/05/2007

Smoking.

I have no nicotine in my body, I thought it took 72 hours to go but no, it's 48 hours. Well, that's what I read last night.

Four days quit now, nearly anyway. But why, please tell me why, when I am trying to keep calm and happy, himdownstairs decides to be a bit bolshie? Suppose it's a man thing eh?

Weather dry but not as warm as yesterday. Elder son arrives tomorrow for a few days visit. Work on Saturday, it means I miss the England soccer match but I think I can just about deal with that!

No one on Messenger, no one has sent me an e-mail. Woe is me. Things can only get better!

 

17:50 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this | Tags: nicotine, quit, smoking

04/01/2006

Acne, rashes, spots, itches and stuff.

It's quite distressing to suffer from skin complaints. (Thanks to Sam for giving us an insight into some of the complaints.)
Teenage spots, leading on to permanent scarring. Not nice at all. You can read about all these wonderful creams and diets to help. Do they really help though?
Itching, due to dry skin...... awful. Slap all sorts of stuff on the rash, sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't.
Best to visit your doctor, or is it? Do they give enough help? With acne, maybe but the common or garden itching, no, I don't think so.
I knew someone who was diagnosed with scabies, doctor said he could see the "tracking." This led to quite a good bit of distress. Not nice thinking you have such a complaint. The "tracking" was where the patient had scratched! How he could have diagnosed scabies from the other side of the consulting room, I don't know. This person had very dry skin and was told by the Infection Control Lady that, indeed, it was not scabies.
Of course there are more skin complaints, some sufferers have to be admitted to hospital. Poor souls. They must go through hell.

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03/29/2006

CVA / A Stroke

Worked the late shift, went on another ward, spotted someone I thought I knew. It did turn out to be him.  He seems to have had a stroke. What a bloody shame, please excuse language. But although I have worked with hundreds of people who have suffered a CVA, it's so different seeing someone who walks past your house most days. Looking healthy and happy. Such a shock.
I am sure he is younger than me too.
The hypochondric in me is now coming to the fore. Should try to have a healthier lifestyle etc.
The good thing is, he is on the right ward, if they can't get him going, no one will. They work miracles!

23:08 Posted in Health. | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this

03/27/2006

Stress. Acne Rosacea! Work.

Can stress help cause Acne Rosacea? Can food? I think they can. All I can find, is, a prescription only cream or antibiotics. Is there anything else that could help clear it? Any one out there that suffers from it? Have you had it cleared up? Would love to hear from anyone with this complaint or nurses etc that know about it.

Went to work yesterday. Lack of staff again. Just one night nurse turned up. Not good is it? They are short of staff today as well. I suppose they will find someone to come and help. Well, they have to! Not only dangerous, but impossible to look after 24 elderly people! Then I read in the papers, they are shutting wards down and hiring more bosses. Unfair. The bosses won't want to get their hands dirty, oh no.
So it goes on. The nurses will work their socks off, get tired, get ill, then the whole thing will start again. The ones that were off sick will return, then work their socks off, then............................

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03/17/2006

Dementia!

Today I was browsing through a leaflet at work. It was telling people about dementia. One part said that we shouldn't correct the patient if they think they are, say, in a shop or maybe waiting for their mother or have to get home to make the children their tea. Even if they are very old and the children, even older than me. It said you can cause distress to the person.
I agree, if you were told your mother wasn't alive any more, it would be distressing. But we were told to try and put it in a different way, like ask the patient how old THEY were. Then take it from there. That's ok but a lady tonight said she was 34.

I always thought it best to tell the patient the truth, in fact, that is what we were taught to do. It is distressing for the person to be "kept back" from their loved ones too.
How do the nurses from the Mental Health team deal with this? I would love to know.

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03/16/2006

Bowels, Elderly and us!

One day last year I went to my GP with a problem that had annoyed, worried and upset me for ages'. I found it an embarrassing subject to bring up. But as my Mother had had bowel cancer in her middle forties I felt I had to go and have my problem sorted out.

After working with elderly patients for quite a few years now, I am used to the often-used saying" obsessed with his/her bowels!" Imagine how I felt telling my GP that I was not obsessed with mine, I felt they must know where I worked. If I can get embarrassed that easily at my “tender age” how awful it must be for older people. Never had problems before, fall ill, have an operation, C.V.A or anything else, slow down, peristalsis also slows down, not feeling up to scratch, appetite not good, drugs to make you feel better, painkillers, diuretics, the list is endless. All these can lead to constipation and/or diarrhoea.

 A patient's view.

"My diuretics make me want to wee a lot. No thanks, I won't have another drink nurse or I'll be up all night. A few days of that combined with the 100 mgs of paracetamol or other painkillers I take four times a day and I'm in trouble. The pears and apples  are too hard to eat with my dentures and the grape seeds get under my plate.

Right, so now I can't go, this worries me a lot. I ask for something to help! Does it? No, I either overdose on the bowel softener and get the runs, and then I have an accident. How awful, everyone seems to have noticed.

I also take senna tablets, they do seem to help but are they making my bowels "lazy? So then I end up with even more problems. Before I fell ill and was up and about I had no problems; I went to the toilet about the same time every day. In hospital with the routine and things it can be hard to keep to the same routine I have at home. I certainly cannot reach the toilet before her/him in the end bed. I actually hate going in just before or after someone else anyway, there's no toilet like your own is there?"

As for me, I was diagnosed with diverticular disease. It isn't bad enough (thank goodness,) to operate on. I just have to live with it with Colafac tablets and a high fibre diet and pray it doesn't get infected.

This was written a good few years ago

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03/15/2006

I believe....

At one time, I couldn't believe that I had all this inside me! But we all have, most

 of us anyway, have most of it there. The appendix may have been removed and some of the bowel. It's a miracle isn't it? Just think, all this inside us. Wonderful!  

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03/12/2006

Life before death! Alzhiemers Disease.

Just been watching Corrie. Poor Mike, I know it’s just a programme but it’s true.

Alzheimer’s disease is a horrible thing to happen to a person!

It’s like death before you die.

For the sufferer, it is bad and for the family, it is bad.

You lose the person you know and love, long before they die.

I personally think, this is the case with a lot of illnesses. One day, you are with someone, they are as you have always known them. It can creep up or come as a bang, They suddenly are not the person you knew. It is a shock.

I honestly don't know who I feel more sorry for. Just imagine, your mum, dad, wife, husband or sibling not knowing who the hell you are! Then the poor sufferer, trying like heck to remember things, people and places. Must be terrible, especially at the onset of the disease.

Imagine too, having to repeat things, over and over again. As a nurse, you can walk away after your shift is over. If the person lives at home, it is a 24 hour job. Night can turn into day for the sufferers. So the poor carer is up at all hours.

This disease can appear quietly.  The odd things seem strange.

As a self confessed hypochondriac, I worry if I start forgetting things, simple things. Today, I sent an e-mail to my friend, or did I? Have had to write to ask her if I did send it. I know we all forget things at times, so I won't start worrying yet.

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03/06/2006

Depression.

Depression, is it because it's cold? Will we all cheer up when it gets warmer??? I do hope so. Being cold and wet seems to make a lot of people unhappy.
I always look forward to winter, lights on, fire and heating on. Good book, TV, lovely. Then it gets a bit much, I want summer to arrive. Then, if you are like me, you may complain about how hot it is! lol
This year may be ok, that's if the weather in good old England is good. No work to swelter in. Well, there might be but not much.

Pleased to announce that my cold has cleared! It did take a while to shift this time. Famous last words, having a fit of sneezing now. But as "one swallow a summer doesn't make," one lot of sneezing does not make another cold.

Still having trouble with my sewing. I will deffo have to have lessons, must look into it. Wasting  material and temper and also getting laughed at by my old fella. Huh. My newly sewn top will NEVER be worn by me. Suppose I could use it as a kind of vest though.

Happy thoughts. from anne.

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02/13/2006

Acute Coryza.

Got a cold. Acute Coryza really. Sounds good doesn't it?

You know what it's like, we all have suffered at one time or another! This was given to me by my everlovin'.

The first day is usually the worst. Sore throat, headache etc. Plenty of fluids, tablets for headache. Whatever, if no complications, it will take about 5 - 7 days to clear.

Apparently we spend a lot of money on the common cold. As long as these things do us good and help, so be it.

Woe is me!

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01/26/2006

Rosacea.

Read the other day about someone with this skin complaint. Rosacea.

Seems as if antibiotics..... tablets or cream is used. I should think a very low dosage would be prescribed.  Anyone know of anything else that would dramatically clear it? Please let me know.

And talking of the menopause, (which we weren't,) any hints on coping with it please? HRT not allowed now.  I thought that HRT got you over the worst bits, but it seems as if symptoms return after discontinuation.

Any men things need a mention? Apart from regular checking "down below" for lumps and bumps! Same for the girls too, ok, not down there, you know where! lol

 

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01/15/2006

Stress Incontinence.

Oh, how we ladies suffer! We bear children, ok, we wanted to in most cases. But it can weaken the bladder. Not always of course. As we get older, the bladder may not function as it did when we were younger. I don't blame babies for this, it can happen to anyone. Then comes the dreaded time, laugh, cough or sneeze, and there you go, damp.
I think maybe Pelvic Floor exercises will help. I know we did them after we had given birth. Such a long time ago now, I forget most of it. But they do help if done regularly. They can mostly, be done anywhere. One Physotherapist told me that you should leave little notes, by the sink, by the ironing board and cooker. Help to remind you to do them. Hopefully it will stop the distressing feeling of being damp.
You maybe have a water infection. If so, see your GP. That will cause pain and or stinging as well as frequency.  Drink plenty of water, drink anything to ease the pains and dilute your urine. I know you can buy tablets for cystitis. They do say Lemon Barley drinks are good too!
Just don't suffer too long, it will hurt and maybe you will need help.

Look on www.Netdoctor.co.uk That has an excellent page on Pelvic Floor stuff!

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12/14/2005

Depression.

 If you have some of these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean you are depressed!  We all get fed up at times.

Constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
Decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
Loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
Change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
Change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
Restlessness or feeling slowed down
Decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
Thoughts of suicide or death
If you are experiencing any or several of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about whether you are suffering from depression.
If you are in an immediate serious crisis please contact your doctor or go to your local hospital or A & E.
Dysthymia is another mood disorder. People who have it may feel mildly depressed on most days over a period of at least two years. They have many symptoms resembling major depression, but with less severity.
Symptoms of depression may surface with other mood disorders. They include seasonal major depression (also known as seasonal affective disorder), postpartum depression and bipolar disorder.
Seasonal Affective Disorder has symptoms that are seen with any major depressive episode. It is the recurrence of the symptoms during certain seasons that is the hallmark of this type of depression.
Postpartum Depression is a type of depression that can occur in women who have recently given birth. It typically occurs in the first few months after delivery, but can happen within the first year after giving birth. The symptoms are those seen with any major depressive episode. Often, postpartum depression interferes with the mother's ability to bond with her newborn. It is very important to seek help if you are experiencing postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is different from the "Baby Blues", which tend to occur the first few days after delivery and resolve spontaneously.
Bipolar disorder, another mood disorder, is different than major depressive disorder and has different treatments. For more information go to bipolar.com.

Whatever its cause, depression is not just a state of mind. It is related to physical changes in the brain, and connected to an imbalance of a type of chemical that carries signals in your brain and nerves. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters.Some of the more common factors involved in depression are:
Family history.
Genetics play an important part in depression. It can run in families for generations.
Trauma and stress.
Things like financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one can bring on depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.
Pessimistic personality.
People who have low self-esteem and a negative outlook are at higher risk of becoming depressed. These traits may actually be caused by low-level depression (called dysthymia).
Physical conditions.
Serious medical conditions like heart disease, cancer, and HIV can contribute to depression, partly because of the physical weakness and stress they bring on. Depression can make medical conditions worse, since it weakens the immune system and can make pain harder to bear. In some cases, depression can be caused by medications used to treat medical conditions.

Other psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and (especially) substance abuse often appear along with depression.

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12/10/2005

Mental Health and Depression.

I know very little about mental health. I DO know, if you have a broken arm or have a heart attack, people can feel sorry for you. They can see you are or have been ill.

I read on a blog the other day, a nurse saying he couldn't do general nursing, well, I don't think I could do his job. It does interest me though.

On TV this last week, it has mentioned bipolar depression.

(Eastenders.)

I had never heard of it. It wasn't nice for the sufferer or her daughter. Showing this sort of thing in a popular soap is good. Shows what could happen. Hopefully, makes us understand a bit more. That can only be good.

Underneath is a bit about mental illness. Hope it is helpful.

Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away. People with a depressive disease cannot merely "pull themselves together" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people with depression.

Depressive disorders have been with man since the beginning of recorded history. In the Bible, King David, as well as Job, suffered from this affliction. Hippocrates referred to depression as melancholia, which literally means black bile. Black bile, along with blood, phlegm, and yellow bile were the four humors (fluids) that accounted for the basic medical physiology of that time. Depression has been portrayed in literature and the arts for hundreds of years, but what do we mean today when we refer to a depressive disorder? In the nineteenth century, depression was seen as an inherited weakness of temperament. In the first half of the twentieth century, Freud linked the development (pathogenesis) of depression to guilt and conflict. John Cheever, the author and a modern sufferer of depressive disorder, wrote of conflict and experiences with his parents as influencing his development of depression.
In the 1950's and 60's, depression was divided into two types, endogenous and neurotic. Endogenous means that the depression comes from within the body, perhaps of genetic origin, or comes out of nowhere. Neurotic or reactive depression has a clear environmental precipitating factor, such as the death of a spouse, or other significant loss, such as the loss of a job. In the 1970's and 80's, the focus of attention shifted from the cause of depression to its effects on the afflicted people. That is to say, whatever the cause in a particular case, what are the symptoms and impaired functions that experts can agree make up a depressive disorder? Although there is some argument even today (as in all branches of medicines), most experts agree that:

1. A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflects a sad mood exceeding normal sadness or grief. More specifically, the sadness of depression is characterized by a greater intensity and duration and by more severe symptoms and functional disabilities than is normal.
   
2. Depression symptoms are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviours, but also by specific changes in bodily functions (e.g., eating, sleeping, and sexual activity). The functional changes are often called neurovegetative signs.
   
3. Certain people with depressive disorder, especially bipolar depression (manic depression), seem to have an inherited vulnerability to this condition.
   
4. Depressive disorders are a huge public health problem.
   

• In 1990, depression cost the United States 43 billion dollars in both direct costs, which are the treatment costs, and indirect costs, such as lost productivity and absenteeism.
  

• In a major medical study, depression caused significant problems in the functioning of those affected more often than did arthritis, hypertension, chronic lung disease, and diabetes, and in two categories of problems, as often as coronary artery disease.
  

• Depression can increase the risks for developing coronary artery disease, HIV, asthma, and some other medical illnesses. Furthermore, it can increase the morbidity (illness) and mortality (death) from these conditions.
  

5. Depression is usually first identified in a primary care setting, not in a mental health practitioner's office. Moreover, it often assumes various disguises, which causes depression to be frequently under-diagnosed.
   
6. In spite of clear research evidence and clinical guidelines regarding therapy, depression is often under-treated. Hopefully, this situation can change for the better.
   
7. For full recovery from a mood disorder, regardless of whether there is a precipitating factor or it seems to come out of the blue, treatments with medications and/or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (see discussion below) and psychotherapy are necessary.
   

What are the types of depression?

Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as do other illnesses, such as heart disease and diabetes. Three of the most common types of depressive disorders are discussed below. However, remember that within each of these types, there are variations in the number, severity, and persistence of symptoms.