My week and what you doing this weekend

[Dmom3005]

I sure have enjoyed being able to just sit on my couch and relax. But I'd much rather be feeling like going to town or playing with Will or my granddaughters. I'm tired of being sick or with this cold.

And this weekend Derrick has had a cold or something. So he didn't go to work yesterday. And hasn't felt like doing anything this weekend either.

He is the main reason I've been home all weekend. But that is okay.
Things should look up at some point right.

Oh well, I will get back on my feet at some point.

Donna

[waves]

Dear Donna

I hope you and Derrick both feel better real soon.

~ waves ~

[Brokenfriend]

Mari I take Sudafed for my allergies,and another allergy medicine. What is the danger of it? Thanks.

When ever I buy it,they stop everything at the counter to get my drivers license information. Makes me a little paranoid. I know that a illegal drug is made out of it. I don't have anything to do with that.

My pharmacist recommended it,and Mucus Relief,because the drug manufacturers stopped making a allergy medication that I use to take.

I live in a small town,far away from other pharmacies that have a medication that is similar to what I use to take. The pharmacist out of town said I should not have to drive out of town to get the medication. He said talk to your local pharmacist,and use what he recommends. So I did that.

I'm allergic to the planet Earth.

[Mari]

Steve,

As long as Sudafed works for you that is all right. (Some people become manic)
The pharmacies in my town hassle people about Sudafed. It is the law.

I hope that you are o.k. tonight.

M

[Brokenfriend]

Hi Mari I'm OK. My computer is giving me a hard time. I have rebooted my computer. I'm back. My computer froze up.

The Sudafed may have thrown my sleeping off in the last three months off,and on. I'm not sure. BF

[waves]

So embarrassed, i missed a bunch of posts...

Dear Butterfly,

I sure hope you are feeling better too by now!

I also hope you have seen a doctor by now. When running fever it is always best to see a doctor. Some bacterial infections (eg. Strep) which cause fever are dangerous if left untreated. A doc can check sx, and may choose to do a culture and treat with an antibiotic when appropriate.

While the upper respiratory infection from Strep may clear completely, an untreated infection can, through the blood, cause permanent damage to the heart. It can also cause another condtion - I can't remember if it is rheumatoid arthritis or what, but it is a painful and chronic one.

SO please do get checked asap if you have not.

~ waves ~

[waves]

Everyone

There are many OTC drugs which may cause problems for bipolars and non-bipolars. A bipolar clearly must be particularly vigilant when they find that a drug causes them agitation or insomnia, as well as being aware of more drug interactions.

Here are some drugs which can cause problems... I include Sudafed, which i can take without incident:

• Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) - can cause agitation even in non-bipolars. if you feel agitated when taking it either stop, or try taking less of it, or spacing the doses further apart. (i can take it and go to sleep, lol.)
  
• Older antihistamines - these typically make one drowsy. Eg: Benadryl, which is even given as a sleep aid. However, some people (eg: MYSELF) get paradoxical agitation at certain doses. (I personally don't know if this is related to my being bipolar, I just know that it can make me really hyper so steer clear!)
  
• Dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant, this ingredient is common to many OTC cough syrups. It can on its own cause agitation, so beware and reduce or suspend use, if you start feeling hyped.
  An even more important caution, not just for bipolars: this drug is serotonergic (increases serotonin activity in the brain). It MUST NOT BE TAKEN IF one is in treatment with any other serotonergic agent, eg: an SSRI type antidepressant, St. John's Wort (an herb), triptans, etc. Combining such agents increases risk of Serotonin Syndrome, which can be fatal.

Remember to check the ingredients when you take OTC meds. many have multiple drugs in them. For instance, pseudoephedrine could be present in combination with antihistamines under a different name than Sudafed. Same with dextromethorphan.

Any doubts when you try something unfamiliar, please talk to your pharmacist. Also, when taking several OTC drugs, it is a good idea to remind your pharmacist of prescription drugs you use or may use. The pharmacist will know or check if there are potential problems.

A final note. For some reason, I get racing thoughts when i am ill. I don't have to take anything to get them, nor be on Zoloft or anything. It just happens when i get sick. I don't even have to have a fever. So i tend to be extra careful about taking things that I know cause (me) agitation.

Thought I'd mention it in case anyone else gets this and perhaps hasn't noticed ... it took me a while to connect being ill with these bouts of racing thoughts.

~ waves ~

[bizi]

Thank you for this dear waves, you are such an important member. I appreciate you.
love bizi

[Dmom3005]

Thanks Waves

I have always had to watch what Derrick takes when he has a cold or anything else. Because of his medications.

I just realized he is on a different medication since the last time he got
a really bad one. And needed treatment. I sure hope its not a lot different.

But I have had the help of his pediatric doctor before. And now he takes
to drugs for allergies all the time. So I have to make sure anything otc
that is taken goes along with that.

So right now all he is taking is
Robitussin cough drops that are to last 6 to 8 hours for the cough.
We only give at night. Unless he needs them at school.

So I am thinking this is okay.

The other thing is one day I gave him a daytime non-drowsy cold tablet.
It seemed to be okay. But because it didn't do anything. I didn't
give anymore.

Sleep and rest over the weekend did him the most good.

Donna

[katmae]

Originally Posted by Dmom3005

I sure have enjoyed being able to just sit on my couch and relax. But I'd much rather be feeling like going to town or playing with Will or my granddaughters. I'm tired of being sick or with this cold.

And this weekend Derrick has had a cold or something. So he didn't go to work yesterday. And hasn't felt like doing anything this weekend either.

He is the main reason I've been home all weekend. But that is okay.
Things should look up at some point right.

Oh well, I will get back on my feet at some point.

Donna

I hope that you both get to feeling better soon