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Food for thought.
The one and only medication I am on is Tramadol. I take it to control my chronic nerve pain from a partial Lobectomy (removal of a portion of my lung).
Tramadol prevents me from being able to exercise, causes me to pass out from lightheadedness, and keeps me from sleeping. It puts me at great risk for seizures and a fatal syndrome caused by taking high doses.
I take four times the regular dose of the average patient on Tramadol.
The following are the main drug warnings taken verbatim from a gov’t pharmaceutical website, all of which apply to me:
“When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Tramadol may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE.”
Here’s another one:
“Some people who use Tramadol for a long time without a break may develop a physical need to continue taking it. This is known as physical DEPENDENCE.”
And last:
“If you suddenly stop taking Tramadol, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including anxiety; diarrhea; fever; abnormal skin sensations; nausea; vomiting; pain; rigid muscles; rapid heartbeat; seeing, hearing or feelings that are not there; shivering or tremors; sweating and trouble sleeping.”
I have experienced each and every one of these symptoms from every stage of taking this medication. I have to go through all this JUST to be able to take on my chronic nerve pain, which sucks as it is. Keep in mind, Tramadol is the 5th medication I’ve attempted to relieve my pain, and Tramadol has the LEAST amount of side effects compared to the others I was taking. The side effects from coming off of this medication are far worse than I ever imagined coming off of any medication — this is why I have not been able to stop taking it.
Mom and Dad wanted me on Tramadol because they were concerned and truly believed that I was addicted to the original medication I was on (oxycodone). Mom and Dad were also pissed at me when they learned I had tried marijuana.
Again, I take FOUR times the average dose of Tramadol just to mildly control my pain. When I am taking Tramadol, my pain is slightly reduced, but never completely relieved. I live 24 hours/7 days per week in pain. Pain is my full time job — and it has immensely affected my mood, my work performance, my ability to rest, exercise, and overall ability to enjoy life.
When I came home from class today, I took two hits of marijuana and my pain was gone. Zero. Non-existent. It takes me two hits (inhaling two full breaths) of marijuana smoke to do a better job than my specialist-prescribed medication without any side effects. Some may say, “well, isn’t smoke bad for you?”
I cook with marijuana. Last week I made a batch of brownies with homemade cannabis butter that we extracted from our own plants. I can eat a half of a brownie and my pain will decrease by 50%. One whole brownie and it’s gone for hours. Much longer than Tramadol will ever last.
“But doesn’t it make you stupid?”
I can function wholly and entirely after using marijuana. It does not affect my ability to think, it does not impair my ability to drive, and it doesn’t cause me to quit my job and become a slacker. Marijuana isn’t taking away my goals or ambitions, the only thing it takes away from me is pain. I can sleep at night, I can sit through class without discomfort, I can work my physical retail job without pain. I can do everything my pain limits me from doing after smoking just a tiny amount of marijuana.
I am in the process of obtaining my medical marijuana card from the state of Arizona. As ridiculous as it is that I have to go through the government to obtain such a remedy, I am jumping through their hoops to get the help I need, while my doctors try to prescribe me medication from companies they get kickbacks from, or have to meet quotas for.
I am upset that there are so many misconceptions and untrue assumptions (that I will admit even I had before I informed myself) about cannabis. I wish people would read and educate themselves about the matter rather than judge someone or completely illegalize something due to an image it creates or it benefitting the government.
It fucking comes from the GROUND for God’s sake!
Don’t I, as an individual born from this Earth, have an unalienable right to what exists naturally in the ground on which I live?
I am also upset that these assumptions and judgments have affected my relationship with my family, as they now believe I am a slacker and a stoner.
Dad said when I moved out that he’s waiting for me to lose my job because of my “lifestyle”. Shit like this needs to fucking stop because it’s radical, judgmental behavior that is entirely unacceptable.
I have a doctor appointment next week, where I will receive a card that will grant me the “right” to grow a plant in my house. (Sounds so fucking ridiculous doesn’t it. Why can’t people see that!!!!!)
I spent last night in the ER due to my most recent run.
I was encouraged to start exercising again by my Infectious Disease Specialist a few weeks ago. Since then, I’ve been taking really good care of my body, but haven’t been able to work out at all due to how insanely hectic it’s been. My first real run after surgery was last Saturday. I let my body decide when it was time to stop, and kept my senses alert for warning signs like a burning or stabbing feeling during or after exercise, because that’s what the doctor told me to do.
As soon as I got home from my run, I couldn’t sit down. Any sort of bending of my body near the surgery site would cause extreme debilitating pain. This was the first experience like this I had ever had.
It happened again later that night, and randomly throughout the rest of the week. The sensation is almost as if my incisions are being pried open and a rusty hot knife is being shoved into my body and twisted within a split second. The pain will be gone, and then 10 seconds later, SURPRISE! Here we go again. Not a fun way to sleep or work— I’ll tell you that much. It’s so painful that all I can do is tense up my entire body and freeze until it’s over.
The worst it had gotten was yesterday at work. I was sitting there literally doing nothing, and the pain came on out of nowhere again. It continued for a few hours until I couldn’t tough it out any longer, and got sent home.
I got in the car and bawled my way home due to the pain and called my mom for advice. I ended up going to an Urgent Care who then sent me to the ER for an emergency chest X-ray.
We still don’t know what’s wrong or why, but the doctors seem to think it was a direct result of the exercise. They said three things: my infection may be slowly growing back, my lung could be partially collapsing in that area and causing the pain, or the stitches holding the lung together could have opened up or torn. More to follow…
This is one thing I seriously miss about working out all the time.
(via justbreathe831)
This explains everything.
(Source: annaspsyche)
(Source: pitifullypredictable, via fuckingshitjustgotreal)
This is a great article from chasefear:
“Ahhh…” Satisfaction (sat-is-fak-shuhn); who doesn’t love that wonderful feeling after a good, healthy meal? Below are some key pieces of advice on keeping you satisfied, both faster and longer.
1.) Fiber: Foods that are full of fiber fill you up with fewer calories. Fiber is found in complex carbs that come from whole grain products such as bread, pasta, cereal, etc. Fiber is also found in many fruits and vegetables. Avoid simple carbs (refined flour) such as candy, soda, and other junk food.
2.) Fruits and veggies: Not only are fruits and veggies loaded with fiber, but they are also loaded with good ole’ H2O. Eat your water; hydration never tasted this good! Have the mid-morning/afternoon munchies? Grab an apple, orange, etc. to keep your hunger at bay until your next meal.
3.) Lean protein: Protein is ranked high amongst the foods that help keep you feeling satisfied for a longer time frame. Protein doesn’t have to come from lean meats such as chicken, fish, or turkey. Protein can also come from eggs, fat-free Greek yogurt, and beans. Change things up and you’ll never get bored with healthy eating!
4.) Good fats: We need fat for survival (insulation/nutrient absorption) and people are often afraid of the word “fat” when it comes to food choices for obvious reasons. There are such things as good fats, as long as the fats are monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. Foods that contain healthy fats include almonds, avocados, olive oil, etc. Stick to the serving sizes! Although healthy, they are high in calories. Avoid foods high in saturated/trans fats!
5.) Drink water: Some people have a lot of trouble recognizing the difference between hunger pangs and thirst (dehydration). If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Try drinking a glass of cold water and if the pang still persists, enjoy a well-balanced meal or healthy snack! And if it’s gone, now you’re hydrated and you’ve boosted your metabolism. WARNING: Refrain from drinking empty calories!
6.) Start smart: Begin your meal with a broth based soup or veggie salad with low fat dressing. Doing this will cause your belly to feel satisfied much sooner when you are served the main course, lessening the chance of binging/over-eating. These 2 food choices allow you to eat in bulk without adding a lot of extra calories to your day.
7.) Smaller plate: In a society filled with super-size-deluxe-have-it-all food options served on what can be considered family-sized serving dishes, it’s easy to become astray in sensible portioning. Try eating off/out of smaller dishes. You’ll subconsciously trick yourself into thinking you’re eating more. Dig in! Now you can clean your entire plate and feel satisfied (not stuffed) at the same time.
8.) Eat breakfast: It’s never a good idea to skip a meal, especially breakfast! Your chances of binging later on in the day will increase dramatically. Keeping your meals spread out evenly during the day will keep you feeling full, focused, and energized. Your metabolism will also work more efficiently if you stick to a normal eating schedule. Pressed for time? Hate breakfast? NO MORE EXCUSES!
9.) Eat slow: Put the brakes on fast eating. This isn’t a pie eating contest. This is time for you to enjoy every morsel of your meal. Use all of your senses while eating. It takes approximately 20 minutes for the stomach to send signals to the brain that it’s full. Take smaller bites, put the utensil down, chew slowly, and you won’t feel that uncomfortable I’M-GOING-TO-BURST feeling ever again.
(via fithealthyslim1)
Dawn said it better.
I am in the process of creating a new Tumblr. I just feel that it is time to move on and leave the memories of my old blog (annaspsyche.tumblr.com) behind me, and start over again.
