July Army 2022

[satz123]

Re: July Army 2022

Haha Benjy or Benji....I remember it was something to do with Benjamin Button...didn't he age backwards or something? But I truly can't remember why Satz got the name...I'm sure she remembers if she makes it home from the hothouse ;-)

It was a member of MWO sent us an Argan oil I think - she was marketing it as a youth elixir. We were her guinea pigs.
We laughed with her about that. I tried it & said YES !! I was turning into Benjamin Button.
It was indeed a film with a gorge Brad Pitt where he aged backwards. (ending up a babe in arms). Ridiculous really.
I think it was Molls who christened me Benji after that ..........

[mollyka]

Re: July Army 2022

That's right! Actually I'm still friends with her on FB. can't remember her 'name' here tho

[starty]

Re: July Army 2022

Hi there ladies,

I know Im bad for not checking in. Been having a difficult time with opiates again. Just can't seem to kick it to the curb. Over the last 3 years have had some long periods where I haven't taken them but always seem to go back. Incredibly disappointed in myself and have felt very lost. Anyway, something recently shocked me with my habitual usage and chivvied me on to making some changes. I found a small group with exactly the same issues I have and its really helping. Surprisingly a number of the ladies are from Ireland! Which is lovely and makes me feel at home for some reason. The other thing I have done is gone on HRT to see if I can conquer some of my psychological symptoms like anxiety which have plagued me for what seems like ages.

I do read quite regularly and its lovely to see some of you have moved into new places. They sound wonderful. Sorry about YS. That must be a nightmare and such a worry.

Anyhoo feels nice to check in

[satz123]

Re: July Army 2022

Welcome back Ms Starty - always good to 'see' you.
The opiates ( I presume you mean over the counter Codeine) seem to be a curse alright. When YS was in treatment some of the lads were in for addiction to Nurofen Plus . Is that what we're talking about ? I'm clueless when it comes to it.
Getting alcohol is bad enough when trying to hide a problem, but getting non-prescription drugs must be a nightmare. Its must consume your whole day to go to different pharmacies ?:hug:
[MENTION=22456]starty[/MENTION] don't beat yourself up. When we take something like alcohol, drugs it's only ever to make ourselves feel better. It doesn't make us bad people. we're just trying to cope.
You said before that it was extremely difficult to 'get off' opiates so go easy on yourself and take your time Starts.

From what I hear from women these days I think HRT will make a HUGE difference.
I just wish I knew then what I know now. We were told if the was Breast cancer in the family we couldn't take HRT. So I followed that advice.
When I think back it was a HORRIBLE time. That is when my drinking really escalated.

Best wishes & I hope to see you here more often !!

[mollyka]

Re: July Army 2022

Hey Starty! Great to see you...sorry you're struggling with stuff...I always find myself thinking other addictions than alcohol must be easier to stop. I remember a gambler in treatment and in my head I was quite dismissive of him in the beginning (actually used to think 'why doesn't he just stop!') But after a while I realised anything that makes us feel better...that's bloody hard to relinquish. It's a pity someone can't invent a 'feel better' pill that doesn't have any consequences!!! Ah I know why not ...need to make ourselves self sufficient and all that etc....
Anyway good to see you...the group is quiet at the moment so any input is gratefully accepted!!!

[mollyka]

Re: July Army 2022

I didn't physically experience any effects of menopause...on paper I sailed through it and like Benjy there was breast cancer in the family so HRT seemed unlikely.
But in hindsight..yes...I put on weight galore...first and only time in my life and thankfully temporarily...and undoubtedly my drinking escalated...started suffering shocking anxiety which is still with me unfortunately..
So that rang a bell!

[starty]

Re: July Army 2022

Thanks Satz

Yep, those are the culprits (Nurofen plus) they really are a problem. Harder but not impossible to get in Ireland. Easy in the UK (if you are a good story teller as I am) Also, they are so easily hidden. No one would know, so much easier than alcohol. Ive been sober for almost 3 years now. It is a nightmare to get them having to go to different chemists etc but still easy if you have a car and a good story. I have been through yet another horrific withdrawal and been clean for over 3 weeks now. Re the HRT, my usage escalated badly in the last 6 or so years. In trying to find answers, I checked back on my diaries and realised I have not slept properly for years and with hot flushes, anxiety etc it was hardly surprising Ive been looking for relief. This time, I said to myself, enough (said it before so lets see) and needed to do something else to protect my quit. I thought I would ask for anti depressants but then realised Ive been on them before and still used, so must be something else to try. I had a row with my brother (very unusual) and my sister in law suggested I might be struggling with menopause. That was the light bulb moment. I did some research, spoke to Dr and asked for HRT. He wanted me on anti depressants ideally because my mum had breast cancer (among many other cancers) but I stuck to my guns and he gave it to me. Been on it 8 days now and have notices a couple of subtle changes ie not so irritable with my husband and others which is good. I am hopeful that this time I can beat this thing that has blighted my life for probably around 30 years in varying degrees. The latter being the worst. I do NOT want to be a pensioner sneaking round chemists looking for my DOC.

Sorry for the ridiculously long essay :haha:

[starty]

Re: July Army 2022

Hi Molls x post

Yes, anxiety, weight gain, sleeplessness and about 100 other things can be attributed to menopause. I had no clue and thought I was sailing through it too. Until I saw all those little things that could be attributed. Even bloody tinnitus! I knew that it might be difficult to get so prepared myself. Apparently the thinking now is its very safe but that hasn't quite caught on with GPs.

There is a wonderful GP in uk called Dr Louise Newsom who is also a menopause specialist she has a website that has so much information on there. Well worth a look if you are still having issues (anxiety) as it can last for decades. Balance - Homepage

[mollyka]

Re: July Army 2022

Will definitely have a look ...fed up of this anxiety mainly ...and antidepressants never made a whit of difference...they tried me with a few.
I'm finally getting my broadband on Tuesday so my lappie can come out of storage and I can look that up along with 95 million other things...poxy phone is a torment!

[mollyka]

Re: July Army 2022

Just wondering where jacks is...seems a long time for her?
If you wanna break...enjoy it...as you know I think its a great idea sometimes...once there's nothing wrong...and MrsA...guessing Mary and Stirly are cosying up in Athens?

[satz123]

Re: July Army 2022

A new venture for me - logging on in work :yay:
Have the place to myself - no management.

Only one NOSY nurse to worry about. Comes right in & looks at my screen i:

[mollyka]

Re: July Army 2022

Oh very good...that'll shorten your day!

[starty]

Re: July Army 2022

Are you ladies going to get the heatwave we have been promised? The world has gone mad. Apparently 40 degrees tomorrow and Tuesday. Yesterday the field out the back of our house caught fire. Was very scary and the fire spread really quickly. The hot dry weather is making everything as dry as tinder. Today is about 30 or just over but not too awful. Mr S has been out delivering food to the masses and I have been clearing the front drive. Not banking on getting any sleep for a couple of nights!

[mollyka]

Re: July Army 2022

It's very warm here in Mayo...but not unbearable...there's a wee haze over the sun which makes it easier to read which is lovely but I'd hate to have to DO anything! Joe's away so have the place to myself...no cooking...nothing...heaven on earth!!

[rustop59]

Re: July Army 2022

Evening everyone

Back from the west and no water. Well a trickle in kitchen tap but pressure so low tank not filling. Should have stayed in the west and if I did not have work in the morning I would have.

Welcome back Starty, good to hear from you again and sorry you had a hard time. How are the doggies? I sailed through menopause, was lucky I did not have bad symptoms, very mild and found taking the vitamins really helped. I know I was one of the lucky ones. Think the lack of sleep must be a killer too.

YS will have to find his own way. Sounds like he is not ready, still wants to be ‘normal’. Hard to watch and if it helps come here and vent.

Having bbq so better go. Hope all those away are having fun.