So I almost died

[Rising Phoenix]

for the last two months or so I just haven't felt right....my mental state was majorly screwed, my body rebelling in every way possible....no sleep....just bad. I started breaking out in rashes, which were diagnosed incorrectly several times....all the while getting worse and worse. In one month I ended up in the ER three times, the doctors once, and hospitalized twice, once over night and just recently for 6 days. By the time I checked in the last time my entire torso, arms, back, chest and breast were covered in chemical burns and broken blood vessels. It was assumed it was a reaction to my bipolar meds, so in a months span they were changed three times....each med making it worse....and leaving me manic as all hell. I got a call on tuesday morning saying they wanted to commit me.... I FREAKED and called my brother to talk to them and tell them that I would go into the hospital but on my terms......long day short....thanks dhez...I checked into the crisis center on Wednesday. It was concluded that the rash was probably a med reaction and that I could easily die if not treated, and the mania was a huge problem. So I was put on massive doses of steroids to treat the rash and put on a new psych med, to be monitored carefully. Unfortunately the doc at the ER who wrote the steroid prescription wrote it incorrectly and at such a high dose with no tapering down that to take it as he directed would have killed me. CVS didn't catch the mistake but the hospital did. So after a couple days of hard core roid rage....the problem was corrected and slowly my put upon body went from swollen and purple to peeling and dry and almost clear. My new med, seroquel, took care of the mania and I"m sleeping for the first time in months. At the hospital, when the new med didn't react badly with me, they came to the conclusion that the chemical burns, rash and adhesions were most likely from Nutrisystem food. As many of you know I started it about 6 weeks ago and lost 12 lbs in that time. However the chemicals in it are toxic to me. So off the suspect meds, off the nutrisysyem food and drinking loads of water, bugging on tons of Prednisone I slowly got better. Now I am at home, there is still the chance that after my steroid treatment is over the rash could return and if thats the case I have to report promptly to the ER.....but so far I feel really good, just a little wiped and still a little itchy.

Everyone at the hospital was great, and I met some great friends who I'm sure will be in touch with forever.....

This is the short version, the long involves a lot of crying, panicking, reaching out, only to be frustrated, and some great friends and family who helped me through some terrible days and nights.

When I was discharged yesterday they said it was a miracle and that I was at deaths door when I came in.

[flvegan]

1. I hope you have a short road to a full recovery.

I'm glad the problems were found before...well, you know.

Take care of yourself.

[Rising Phoenix]

5. thanks sweetie

[BlueIris]

2. Holy crap! And I thought I was having a bad time!

Geeze, glad you're still with us. Enjoy that Seroquel, and your sleep.

[Rising Phoenix]

6. I will, and thanks

[soleft]

3. Jeez, I have a closet full of NS food - that's scary

Well, actually it's all my GF's. We were doing NS together and I stopped about six months ago.

Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon! Much good vibes and wishes sent your way.

[Rising Phoenix]

7. throw it out!

[meegbear]

4. Yumpin' Yimminie!

Glad all's well. Damn.

[Rising Phoenix]

8. thanks love

[MissMillie]

9. I'm so glad you're better!

I'm also VERY curious about what is in the Nutrisystem food....

[Rising Phoenix]

10. thanks love

you and me both.... I have to give them a call this afternoon and throw a major fit.....

[redqueen]

11. Holy crap...

glad they finally figured it out!

[ceile]

12. Oh, goodness.

I'm glad everything worked out. Fingers crossed this doesn't happen again!

[Brigid]

13. NS food has toxic chemicals in it?

I'm glad I have never eaten any. I'm glad you're getting better. :hug:

[Shine]

36. Hell yeah, think about all the shit they have to use to preserve it!

:puke:

I've never eaten any of that crap either. Fresh veggies, fruits, lots of water and exercise is the best way to lose weight. :thumbsup:

:hi:

[Phentex]

14. Gald you're okay!

I hope you are on your way to much better health! :hug:

[zabet]

15. Glad you are better.

Doubly glad you have great friends
and family for a support system.
Hope you continue on the path to
wellness.

:hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

16. Glad to hear you're getting better.

Thank heavens for miracles. I hope that nasty rash is gone for good.

[grace0418]

17. Holy geez! Rising Phoenix sure is a good name for you!

I'm glad you didn't die and I hope the rash doesn't come back. :hug:

[mainegreen]

18. Eek! Glad to hear you're better!

:grouphug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

19. oh god. i am so sorry, i was so worried about you last week.

i guess it was justified.

hugs and kisses

pri

[lost-in-nj]

20. wow

Glad your OK now....
and I will keep my fingers crossed the rash doesn't come back....


lost


:hug:

[LynzM]

21. Oh, holy crap, dude....

:hug: That's really scary! I'm glad you came through it all ok and are on your way to recovery. :hug: I don't know what else to say... I hope the new meds continue to work for you.

[malta blue]

22. My god woman....

I am so glad to hear that you are on the mend! :loveya:

I am sorry you had to deal with this. More care should be taken by the pharmas and the food companies to identify possible interactions. :banghead:

:hug:

[Zoigal]

23. Holy cats...you've been through hell...

Thank goodness you're on the road to recovery. Feeling "just a little wiped out..." after
all that says you're one tough cookie IMO. Your name is certainly appropriate....z
:hug:

[applegrove]

24. Wishing you the best of health from here on in!

[lightningandsnow]

25. That sucks!

Sending you lots of hugs :hug:

[GOPisEvil]

26. Yikes!

I am very glad you're better. :)

[Tuesday Afternoon]

27. dag. That is scary.

:hug:

[DarkTirade]

28. Holy carp.

I'm glad it turned out okay though. :hug:

[SallyMander]

29. How scary... glad to hear you're ok, RP

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

30. What a mindbender!

I'm so sorry you've gone through this hell. Here's hoping it's the last you'll ever see of it! :hug::hug::hug:

[FloridaJudy]

31. Whoa! That's scary!

Glad you're feeling and doing better, and sorry it took so long to get to the root of the problem. Steroids can be a life-saver, even if the side effects are nasty.

Take care of yourself, please! :hug:

[TZ]

32. whoah

I am really glad you are okay, Rising Phoenix!!:hug:

[MrScorpio]

33. Oh my goodness, I'm glad that you're alright

I hope that your healing happens quickly and smoothly

[Inchworm]

34. I'm so worried about you

I know you don't "really" know me, but please know you are in my thoughts a lot.

I went through a hell of a time for a long time trying to get a grip on my body/mind. I faked it well. Not many people knew how tormented I was. I actually "commited" myself once trying to get a grip. After they got me medicated right I could think some.

I was self-medicating like a mother for so long I had to go through "programs" to get me back to where I could even see how I felt. Then I had to deal with the feeling I was having cause it was all new to me. Let me just say that after I came to peace with the fact that medication and openness helps, I was much better off in my head.

Now.. after years and years of depression and manic behavior...

I feel so many things. I feel love, compassion, companionship, anger, fear, hope... and so many more that I try to tag with names consciously. It is wonderful.

After so many years. I feel human. I wish this for you Rising Phoenix.

open and honest saved me. Well, that and writing.

:hug::loveya::hug:

[Shine]

35. Wow, that's quite a story. I'm so glad to know you're getting better

:hug: I've wondered about that Nutrisystem shit myself. Glad you're detoxing from it.

[redwitch]

37. That is an amazing and horrible tale!

I am so glad they figured out what the hell was going on, but how awful for you! Glad you are feeling much better! :hug:

[KatyaR]

38. Wow--what the hell kind of chemicals are in NutriSystem food?

That's some bad stuff you've been through. I'm glad you're feeling better, but damn, you've had quite the time.

:hug:

[zonkers]

39. Glad you are okay. Stay that way!

[seemunkee]

40. Damn, you have been through Hell

I hope things continue to improve for you.
:hug:

[Callalily]

41. Thanks for your openness

and candor. You've certainly had some eventful days, to say the least. I'm so glad to hear that you are on the road to recovery! :hug:

[Cabcere]

42. Good grief!

:scared: I am so glad you're OK. :hug: :pals: :grouphug:

[ghostsofgiants]

43. Damn, that is scary.

I hope you feel better and tat the new meds and such work well for you.

[Lorien]

44. Please check your inbox

:hug:

[Omphaloskepsis]

45. Yikes, proof that life is precious and we should do our best to enjoy every second.

I am glad you are feeling better.

My new cat is drooling all over my pillow. Luckily pillows have two sides. I'm going to take that as sign that everything will work out fine in the end.

[pitohui]

46. jesus get well soon

but please considering that i'm pretty sure many on this board know your true identity is it wise to share this much personal medical information?

get some rest, get well, and do something nice for yourself

[SPKrazy]

47. Depending on the med

some of the anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer meds can cause dangerous rashes... I'm glad that Seroquel is working, it is something that can be tolerated in rather large doses by people and can work well for bipolar disorder, and it makes you sleepy.

I'd focus on trying to eat a balanced diet, exercise, and be healthy, and happy.

Having seen your pics I'd say that you look just fine and aren't in need of some radical diet, especially if it puts your life in danger.

:toast:

here's to no more rashes etc. and stable moods!

(now my mood could use a little more stabilizing too :think:)

:hug: :hug: