I was taken into hospital last night after coughing up blood and finding it nearly impossible to take breath in. I was diagnosed with ‘some sort of infection’. I’m a little unconvinced as it happened so quick and the pain is between an 8-9 from 10.

I know us blokes don’t have a very threshold to pain but unless I keep it held back with strong painkillers it comes back.

The paramedic suggested that the amount of drugs I am taking may be affecting my liver. Has anyone had side effects from prescribed drugs?

Steve

Steve, that sounds dreadful.  I know that there are lots of side effects to drugs as I have read the box of my wife’s antidepressants in the past.  It’s almost enough to put you off taking them.  I know they are meant to help but for possible help and possible side effects of suicidal thoughts (one of the side effects I have read), it does make you wonder.  My wife also put weight on and blamed the antidepressnts.  I have been off work for a few days holiday to try to get my head together and have to go back to work tomorrow.  I have been in tears several times today and my arms are numb and my chest feels funny again.  I almost feel bad writing that again because of all the great advice and support I have had on this site.  I am listening and really find it hellpful but as we all know, it’s not as easy when we’re in the situation to do what everyone else knows is the best thing for us.  Although I hate my job, I know it.  It’s liek a bad habit.  I have to get anohter job and if I went from the frying pan into the fire, I feel sure that I would just fall apart.  I can’t cope with stress well at all these days.  I was thinking about going to the doctor again for some tablets but I have heard so much about side effects that I am wary.  What are you going to do about your coughing up blood Steve?  Could you ask your online counsellor if your drugs could have caused you to cough up blood?  Could it be stress doing that to you?  Are you still in pain all the time now Steve? 
I certainly don’t notice that you have more posts than anyone else.  What I do notice is that what you write about is exactly how I am feeling and it hellps to know that I am not alone.  Not that I would wish anyone else to be going through this rubbish but you know what I mean.  I do hope that this is an infectio Steve and that it never happens again.  Do let us know. Will

Hi Will

I intend going to see my own GP tomorrow for a second opinion. The pain has eased but then I did take the super strong Nurofens - we’ll see what happens tonight. I did actually think it was serious and that certainly stopped me thinking about depression!

Can I ask what you do Will - don’t answer if you would rather not. I certainly don’t cope with the pressure of being self employed like I used to. But at these uncertain times I guess a lot of people feel the same - not that that helps me!

I haven’t had a good cry for a few days but next Saturday, Valentine’s Day, is the date we lost our little baby William to meningitis so i’m expecting a right good kicking at some point.

I’m certainly know doctor Will but you sound like you are suffering depression and anxiety - don’t leave it like I did. I’m sure I was only days if not hours away from taking my car over the edge at speed and calling it a day. I felt so incredible desperate, as I still do now but it’s more controlled now and certainly the sleeping tablets have been a massive help.

It is quite staggering how many people do or have suffered - again it doesn’t really help but this site helps me when I get a response or I can write down what I feel right now - even if it is waffle!

Roll on spring evenings - I really hope then that my recovery will start as I can’t stand the darkness.

Speak soon Will.

Steve

Hi Steve, I can’t begin to imagine your pain of losing your son.  Is that what started your depression?  God only knows that’s too much for anyone to be unchanged by. Did you and your wife have any counselling at the time?  I’ve had nothing so tragic happen to me and am cross with myself for feeling so down when there are so many people who have real things to be down about.  I do hope that my moaning about my job doesn’t irritate you.  I just can’t hlep it.  Again last night, my arms were tingling, my chest was tight and I find it hard to hold back tears.  I try so hard not to cry in front of my children but they saw me the other morning as I went out of the door to work crying and their mum told them that I was stressed and angry and that I would be ok.  I hate to think I am hurting them.
It’s not just the mental depression.  The physical symptoms are really scaring me.  I dream all night about work and wake up with starts and panic sweating (not very nice for my wife!). 
To answer your question, I am an area manager for a large nationwide retailer.  I travel a lot and have about 80 staff working for me.  I can’t say the co name as several of my colleagues have been in troulbe for talking negatively online about the company!  Many of my colleagues feel bullied and stressed inthe way that I do and cry about work.  One colleague’s husband has told his wife that she has to leave the company this year as it is wrecking their marriage and their lives.  These people are long and loyal employees too.
ANway as I work in retail, today is my day off so I am going to get my hair cut and pick my kids up from school.  I have already had my boss on the phone several times this morning and my shops so I never feel like I have had a day off.  I can never relax and switch off.  Even through the night, I have to leave my phone on in case there are problems with shops and alarms etc and emails come through from head office ALL night which beep and disturb us.  I daren’t switch the phone off though in case I miss an urgent call from a manager about a break in at one of the shops etc.  Life really is 24/7 with no let up and I hate it.  Anyway, I am sorry for moaning again.  One day I will come on to this site and say that I have done something postive and surprise you all!  Bye for now, Will