Over thirty years ago, I was misdiagnosed with
an illness that saw me faithfully take a multitude of medications- that I did
not need.
At the time, my family Doctor was perplexed at
what was causing my health issues and I was treated with various medications-
to the degree of an excess amount. At one point, I was prescribed OxyContin,
yet thankfully I had the foresight not to fill that prescription.
For those who may not know, OxyContin is a
highly addictive, dangerous Opioid, which can lead to a potential, fatal
overdose.
Opioids are powerful drugs intended
to treat serious afflictions. Chronic pain changes the way people live their
lives and a prescription to a drug like OxyContin can give them a more normal
life. The issue is that in the past 20+ years, OxyContin has been
over-prescribed and over-sold as a low risk Opioid. The risks of OxyContin were
downplayed as much as possible in order for the new drug to play well on the
market. Source: addictioncenter.com
Thankfully, a change in doctors saw me be taken
off the regiment of my other daily
medications and soon followed a diagnosis of Bipolar.
As a patient, I was assessed three times, as
not one specialist could agree with the other that I actually suffered from
this mental disorder.
Seeking answers and wanting to be an accommodating
patient, I willfully began taking three new medications that would affect my
nervous system.
Lithium can cause adverse effects
in the central and peripheral nervous system, even at standard therapeutic
serum lithium levels.
When my 21 year old daughter tragically passed
away in a car crash before Christmas 2011, my medications remained the same,
even though another doctor had prescribed another drug. Due to my research and
diligence, I discovered this prescription had the ill side effects of the
following:
‘Hallucinations, paranoia, suicidal thoughts
and insomnia.”
Now, this was a powerful drug that was to be
taken by myself~ a grieving mother, whose only child had just died!
Again, I refused such a medication that would seriously interfere with the bereavement process.
In doing so, the natural state of grieving was
allowed to run its course through the 7 stages of loss:
Shock. Feelings of shock are
unavoidable in nearly every situation, even if we feel we have had time to
prepare for the loss of a loved one. ...
Denial. ...
Anger. ...
Bargaining. ...
Depression. ...
Acceptance and hope. ...
Processing grief.
It has been ten years now since my beloved
daughter, Shayla Rae Dawn passed and one thing that remains the glaring TRUTH-
A parent never gets over the death of their child(ren).
This year, I could have not predicted a chain of events that would lead to the realization that I had been misdiagnosed, for over thirty years, taking medications that affected my weight, my health and my wellness.
This past spring, I sought out treatment for
what I assumed was an urinary tract infection. Due to the backlog of the
pandemic, doctors and nurses were in high demand. I found myself at, a Urgent
Care Medical Facility. They handle the excess of patients needing medical care
in a short-term environment. I was not seen by a doctor, rather a nurse, who
proceeded to give me four, extra-strength Advil®- in a small, medicine cup.
As a mental health advocate for over twenty
years and someone who has sat on a Mental health Consumer Council, plus taught
the B.R.I.D.G.E.S course to others living with various mental health illness, I
also drew my knowledge from the years of research I had done on my medical
condition and how best to successfully live and manage a mental disorder. When
this nurse handed me the four extra-strength Advil, I simply remarked:
Are you sure these Advil®, won’t have a toxic interaction, with the Lithium
I have been taking for many years?
Clearly the look on her face expressed how she
was not at all happy with me questioning her and tersely replied, “I am a nurse
and know better than you do!”
Therefore, in front of her, I took my bottle of
water and swallowed all four of the Advil® (ibuprofen).
This would prove to be an almost fatal mistake
on my part!
Research shows: Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may significantly increase the blood
levels of lithium in some patients and cause lithium intoxication, which is
potentially life-threatening and may require hospitalization.
As I relay this story, another important factor
was that due to two previous job losses-because of the pandemic- on December 1st,
2021, I became displaced - when I no longer had any income and needed to move
out of my suite and into my small, Nissan Micra car.
While seeking other means of assistance, a dear
friend of mine, was the one who kept me from dying in my car. Since I was a
single woman- without any addictions or dependants- I did not qualify to stay
in a shelter. To show how cold it was in my cramped vehicle, a can of soda in
the seat of my car, split the aluminum can in two- from the minus, freezing, bitter, winter weather!
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My friend Terry, who I met in church, many years ago... secured a hotel room for me, for a lengthy period of time.
Despite me having two vaccinations and a
booster (last summer, I had surgery to fix a hole in my heart and now wear a
GORE device on my heart), I still managed to be stricken with a bad bout of the
Coronavirus Omicron! I was gravely ill and had it not been for my dearest
friend Terry, securing me shelter, I would have certainly perished in my car!
Moving forward, after taking the four
extra-strength Advil® administered by a local nurse, she also encouraged me to
take more... when the pain became too much to deal with.
Therefore, I was increasing my dosages- to the
point- where I became severely dehydrated, and a myriad of symptoms/side
effects began to present themselves:
When combined with lithium, NSAIDs
can increase lithium levels in the blood resulting in an increased risk for
serious adverse effects like confusion, tremor, slurred speech, and vomiting.
Examples of non-prescription NSAIDs include: Ibuprofen (Advil® or
Motrin®)
I reached out to my friend Terry, as I grew
concerned as to what was going on with me?
At the time, I had been at a hotel for one
night only and had pre-booked a local Airbnb for myself.
Another set of circumstances, would see me in
the hospital- fighting for my life!
In my state of delirium, I was misguided into
thinking driving to the local Shoppers Drug Mart for more liquids
such as bottled water, pop and juices to quench my severe dehydration was a
good idea!
Once I was at a nearby location of the
drugstore, I walked up to the till.
I explained my dire need for beverages and the
four extra-strength Advil® I had been given.
The head Pharmacist, a young lady, took one
look at me and said:
“Ma’am, I am going to have to call
you an ambulance.”
I was in shock, as I had just checked into the
Airbnb and my car was packed full of my belongings!
I address in another previous blog, the instant
assistance I received both from Shopper’s Drug Mart and the Buy-
Low Foods, where my car would remain, while I was rushed by ambulance
to the local hospital.
Had it not been for the quick thinking Pharmacist,
who had also asked about what other medications I was taking? Again- I know- I
would not be here to type this post!
Once I was hospitalized and series of tests and
bloodwork ran on me, the doctor on call,
came dashing in- clearly flustered as he
proclaimed:
“You are suffering from lithium toxicity
and your kidneys and liver are under attack! You are only at a 9% functioning rate!”
The immediate response was to quit administering
all of my medications- at once!
I was left alone, in a hospital bed, where for
days I endured severe withdrawals- vomiting, I had diarrhea, cramping, body tremors
and was sweating all over! I had hallucinations and severe headaches, plus was
dizzy all of the time!
It was only much later, when I discovered to my
absolute dismay that a patient on Lithium should go through the withdrawal
process gradually over several months- not in a few days!
It's best to reduce your dose gradually. Stopping medications suddenly (going cold turkey) can make withdrawal symptoms worse, and for some medications can be dangerous. It's important to get more medication in advance so that you don't have to stop suddenly. Source: mind.org.uk
After a week of hospitalization, I was seen by
a doctor, a psychiatrist and several Social workers.
I was shocked when I was being told that
neither of them thought I was Bipolar and there was the possibility... that I had
been misdiagnosed!
Combining the Advil® (Ibuprofen) with the Lithium, I had been prescribed
and faithfully taking for over thirty years, almost proved to be a near fatal
experience!
At one point, during my hospital stay, a chaplain came in- to pray for me- should anything happen.
Upon my leaving the hospital and wanting to
carry on with my life, I had been struggling with my (mis)diagnosis of my
Bipolar.
The very last chat with my family Doctor, he
suggested a complete reassessment of my mental health and wellness.
It bothered me a great deal that I had been stuck with a label that sees the stigmatization of individuals happen within society- especially in the workplace.
Now, there is no doubt I have dealt with depression and anxiety before, yet to be given medications your body does not need, can cause serious health issues.
In keeping a journal for many years, I can see
myself wading into a miry pit of lows and times of anxious thoughts, which kept
me believing that I did actually have Bipolar.
This all said, being a mental health advocate
for over 30 years, having taught mental health and wellness courses, touring
with the BC Schizophrenia society and speaking to LPN's, nurses, human service
workers, plus having several friends with concrete diagnosis...
I've been talking to God, praying, researching and I think at my lowest point in the hospital, when my kidneys and liver were only functioning at 9%... as I thrust my arms to the heavens, tears streaming down my face...I cried out to Jesus...
Take this pain and misery from me Lord!
I honestly believe he did!
Once back on my feet again and getting accustomed
to no longer taking a blister pack of medications, I began re-assessing, certain
aspects of my life.
Especially when it came to the book I had
written so candidly about and my Bipolar journey, along with the connection to my daughter and my creativity.
So then, since the 4th polished version of my
book Under the Sitka Tree, had been updated and released on
Amazon, I contacted my publisher and requested that Bipolar be stricken
from the book, both inside and out (on the back cover).
My wise Publisher, Leon Oldale, suggested I
rest overnight on it, but he would do whatever I requested~ with regards to any
references of me having Bipolar.
The next morning I awoke, and prayed over what
was placed upon my heart...
The following is what I felt God would say to
me about the whole matter…
My dear child, you have lived most
of your life in a chaotic manner. When you were enduring all of the abuse you
suffered, I was there holding on to you, wiping every single tear you cried.
When at 31, the madness placed upon
you by the enemy was too much, you wanted nothing more than the ‘pain’ to leave
you…
You know what transpired that night
I fought so hard for you…
I saved you...so you could go on
'saving' others. You were given this diagnosis because it was something you
would then learn from, acquire knowledge and find mercy, love and grace in
helping others who too suffered.
You taught courses, devoted many
years to those in need, you became closer to your daughter and wrote a poignant
story that was published. Shayla was so proud of you. You were able to be a
beacon of hope to those (like some of your friends) who were struggling as
well.
To strike from your book, the
disorder I had you live with, is to deny the healing I brought you through.
I am your loving father, who at
just the right time in your life, has lifted that disorder from you... but not
what all you have gained...because of it.
Accept that you have been blessed
to be healed. Just as you lived your entire life, not knowing you had a hole in
your heart, embrace the truth, the way and the life.
Do not turn your back on something
I had you endure and learn from...go out and share, be humbled by all that I
brought you through. Grow from everything you were blessed with, because of the
diagnosis; rather than deny how it formed you into who you are.
I am your loving father who will
continue to offer redeeming love and
guide you...
Please leave the Bipolar
references- as is- for I need to acknowledge all that I have been blessed
with... is because of it.
Shortly after, I listened to the following song
that spoke volumes on what I was feeling inside…
"John Mayer – Say What You
Need to Say…”
I could not deny that being given the (mis)
diagnosis of this mental illness, has actually given me opportunities to reach
out, share and want to support others, living with their own disorders.
Within my acceptance of all that has taken
place, I began to understand that sometimes our lives are taken down certain
roads… in order to give us life lessons that we need to endure, so as to grant
us a better understanding of what ‘taking a stand’, truly means!
It was not long after… that my life would take
another sudden turn, to a place where refuge was being offered…yet more
endurance would be needed…
By TL Alton
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