- I almost cried

[Guest guest]

I'm pretty busy - on and off the boards - but I thought I should let

you know that at last I have the letter in front of me from the

neurologist that I saw on Dec 15th 03 – it contains the following -

" I suspect this lady had some form of drug-induced movement disorder

secondary to her SSRIs, and has had some gradually improving residual

neurological symptoms ever since. I cannot rule out chronic fatigue

syndrome, but in this instance the SSRI seems to have played an

important role. "

What a gem he was -

after 4 GP's, including the prescribing one - 2 psych's one who

recommended no further meds and one 3 years later who wanted me to

take Seroxat - and it took an Australian locum neurologist to take the

plunge - and by doing so to release me from the arrogant scepticism of

the UK medical profession - the disbelief and incredulity of some of

my family - and to resolve the problems associated with being ill and

even for the symptoms having NO proper diagnosis - along with all the

associated financial problems of not being recognised for disability

allowances -

I could have cried -

I am crying as write this - my current GP -- who had sent me for the

second full psych report that I had 20 months ago - because she

considered my problems to me mental rather than physical - when I was

moved to her from a colleague who left the surgery -- even moved her

chair so she was sitting next to me when she showed me the letter -

her whole manner toward me had changed -

I was no longer just being tolerated and humoured - I was being

treated as a person for the first time since I stopped the medication

- I was not being viewed as a 'mental' patient, hypochondriac and a

liar -

On March 30th this year I will have been off Sertraline for 5 years -

I was prescribed when suffering from physical and emotional exhaustion

and only took it for about 6 months – it ripped my life apart along

with my body -

I have striven to put both back together - they are not the same and

never will be - but I can rejoice with gratitude in the friendship,

fellowship and support I have found and I hope been able to give –

although not posting here very often I always read when I can –

Someone or some entity was watching out for me the day I had that

appointment - maybe even fate engineered it that way - I can't say -

but I was in the right place, at the right, with the right person -

I guess what I want to say to others reading here is 'don't give up' –

the world and it's view on these drugs is changing – when help is

offered by people like take it – in 5 years especially in

the UK I –- and I have covered most avenues of enquiry -- have never

found anyone who could understand the complexities of the original,

withdrawal and residual symptoms or the damage caused and help –

It will change but the time you need that help is now – not when the

medical professions get up to speed on the situation – and the wheels

of governments are forced to accept and act on the truth - even then

most will still have no or little idea what they are dealing with -

When I came across the groups I considered my self very lucky - I

landed up on the PA board a few weeks after , with ,

Glitter - I think Kim -- sorry Kim memory shot -- and others who still

post here and there – I met a and was introduced to her board and

others and other people who I now consider friends - but when I got

this letter the first person I thought of was –

held my hand in those early days – and she was the one I wanted

to tell first – so am posting this here – she and the others have and

still are fighting to spread awareness whilst still providing support,

advice and help to others – despite all carrying their own directly or

indirectly drug caused or related problems - they are responsible for

that letter – if it were not for them it would not have happened –

so 'Thank you' ALL

hugs Tuesday xx