WOYWW 627

Hi hi!

Oh I had SUCH good intentions to join in last week while I was on holiday but alas, I was too busy doing things like archery, Segway & quad bike riding, laser quest and even paintball! I am very achey now and I have quite a few bruises, most of them are from the archery would you believe – my chest kept getting in the way… ouch!!

Now you might be thinking, is this the same poor woman who was struggling to stand up a couple of weeks ago? YES it is!! I’ll come back to that at the end though for those who want to know, because this is about my desk and not about my dizziness. I did come home to a lovely ATC from Angela and a couple of messages asking if the orangey ATC that people had received was possibly from me. Oops. Mine that I kept is on the right of this pic so if I was a dufus and left the back blank, you might recognise it and be able to solve the mystery!

Here, on my desk this week though I am finishing off my travel journal to capture the memories of last week while they are still fresh in my mind. I always have such good intentions about remembering the information for my holiday albums and then it is sometimes (often) many years before they actually get scrapped. I’m still finishing an album for a holiday a few years ago, which I was working on when I blogged from my old home. Edit – I just went back and checked when it was… 2012… just 9 years behind then…

For our last few holidays I’ve taken a travel journal to keep notes in so that I don’t come back to scrap them 9 years later without a clue what the photos are about. It also gives me a bit of crafty time while we’re away. In typical crafter fashion, I take FAR too much with me, much of which doesn’t get used, and this time I also underestimated how busy we would be doing ‘all the things’. However, it’s actually the first time I have kept up with my notes (2-3 days behind at most) and I put that down, in part, to the ADHD meds. They are a stimulant (like speed) but for people with ADHD rather than getting us ‘wired’ it actually reduces the chaos a bit, like fixing a dodgy clutch on a car – you get a smoother acceleration and deceleration instead of bunny hopping down the road and then stalling totally. And this is where we return to the issue of the dizziness / other random symptoms so please feel free to scroll to the bottom and avoid this bit for a MUCH quicker read, I won’t be offended.

So… it’s a bit silly really. I mentioned my ADHD meds, which are fairly new but I’ve been taking them long enough to know that they don’t have any side effects for me (other than dry mouth and eyes). So, there I was, trucking along on the meds and feeling okay. I have to keep an eye on my blood pressure and I’m not allowed to take certain other types of medication with them but other than that, it’s all good. And then we came out of lockdown and started socialising a little bit. I was so happy to go out for a coffee with a friend again – large skinny wet latte to drink ‘in’ please! Presented in a couple of sentences like this, it’s obvious what happened – massive stimulant overdose from the combination of meds and caffeine (I have decaff at home). Except that I’ve been drinking huge lattes for years and no-where does it say don’t mix those meds with caffeine. I was so ill for 10 days that I didn’t bother to take my meds so again it didn’t look like the combo was to blame, especially as people normally get a headache for a few hours and then that’s that. I made the connection after 2-3 more coffee’s around and about over the next couple of weeks and then I starting researching it. Sure enough, different things (like HRT!) make you susceptible to the effects of caffeine, other stimulants obviously being one of them! If you have a big enough reaction (which I did because Costa is the MOST caffeinated coffee you can buy) you can be affected for days. It imoacts your adrenal system to give the symptoms of a kidney infection (back pain, wee-ing every 30 minutes during the night) which led to incredible headaches and dizziness from interrupted sleep as well as a massive ‘hangover’ for days. Which I then unknowingly topped up with more coffee. I’m glad it happened like it did because if it had been outside of lockdown I would have put it down purely to the medication itself which I then would have had to stop. Silver linings and all that! I don’t have caffeine every day (in normal times) so I didn’t think the normal downsides applied to me, however, looking at some of the other issues it can cause, I’m left wondering if I actually had a sensitivity there to begin with. I also learned that I might be reacting to sugar as well (have been for years, nothing to do with medications) so I’m currently experimenting with chocolate to test the theory. Hence the huge Toblerone on my desk (Christmas present from my out-laws after finally being able to visit!) I will report back, of course. All in the name of science…

This Wednesday morning sees the Toblerone gone from my desk and no chocolate in the house for the next phase of testing. I’m already grumpy at the thought so please do pop in and say hello via Julia’s linky. I’ll put the kettle on. Is decaf okay with you?

Bye for now x

23 Comments

  1. Helen Lindfield on 9 June 2021 at 7:06 am

    Glad you had such a good holiday you had no time to join in – that’s as it should be. Not good about the caffeine mixing with your meds though – but at least you can take precautions! Love your atcs. Have a fab week and good luck catching up with the holiday recording – 9 years may take a while!! Helen #2

  2. Bleubeard and Elizabeth on 9 June 2021 at 7:45 am

    It was nice to read you were on holiday enjoying your time away. I feel for you not being able to drink caffeine. It’s my drug of choice, so I would experience the exact opposite.

    You received some lovely ATCs, Nine years is a long time. I hope you kept excellent notes. Happy WOYWW from # 3.

  3. LLJ on 9 June 2021 at 8:37 am

    Decaf is fine! How interesting about the caffeine and meds combo, I’m glad you found that out and it wasn’t vertigo etc. Not having the chocolate might be more of an issue…. I’m so glad you had a fab holiday and you’re right about boobs not helping in archery, I remember that well, lol! I’m glad we’ve sorted out the random ATC, thank you for mine!!
    Hugs LLJ 6 xxx

  4. Spyder on 9 June 2021 at 11:34 am

    I have tea and coffee decaff. Have done since my op that went wrong, which got me into crafting. But I do hate the after taste of the sweeters used in cold drinks so stay clear of them too. Now, chocolate, I am a chocoholic! while I was away from blogland all those years dog walking, I was diagnosed with diabetes. I couldn’t believe it, walking every day up to 10 miles, seven days a week, and losing weight. No chocolate, no sugar , no maralade on toast, no cheese and bacon sandwiches ( hate tea and coffee with out sugar) no…anything nice! I still haven’t given up the choclate because it makes me feel better! So do let me know! Archery, I always brused my arms!Not so much the boobs! Just Both arms, because when I try anything new I never know what hand to use, left? Right? takes me ages to ‘feel right’
    Stay safe, keep crafting! Happy WOYWW!? ((Lyn)) #26

  5. Mary Anne on 9 June 2021 at 11:38 am

    Oh dear! Meds and their side-effects, alone or in combo with any other thing can be SUCH a minefield. Still sounds like you holidays were fun and that is fabulous news – sometimes they can be a let-down after all the anticipation LOL! Nice seeing the ATCs still, and I kept for my record of the ATCs I made the one where I added the backer with all the deets upside down… SO like me.

    Back from my first real HAIRCUT in 18 months – truly a HAPPY WOYWW!
    Mary Anne (1)

  6. Tracey on 9 June 2021 at 11:39 am

    I;m fully aware of the effects certain things can have on meds, i’m frisking lots of houses as a carer when I see something thats seen as a treat could cause harm. I’d be grumpy if my toblerone was taken away too. Glad you had time to chill out and relax although it sounds like your holiday was rather energetic.. sounds like a great time.
    Happy WoywW Tracey 13 x

  7. Angela on 9 June 2021 at 12:18 pm

    Decaf is fine for me, half milk, half water please. My husband is always moaning at me to keep a food diary. You don’t tend to think of the body changing as regards reacting to certain foods, but it does. Of course it could be what they put in the food nowadays , which I think is more to the point!
    Sounds like your holiday was amazing! Angela #12

  8. Lynne on 9 June 2021 at 12:47 pm

    Thanks, I’ll stick to water! At last the mystery is solved. It was a very pretty ATC, thanks Lisa- Jane. I’m glad you had a good, active holiday and have solved the issue re caffeine.
    Enjoy your holiday journal.
    Take care and happy WOYWW
    Hugs
    Lynnecrafts 11

  9. Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith on 9 June 2021 at 1:50 pm

    Hi Lisa-Jane, so good to hear that you’re feeling better! Who would have thought caffeine could have such a debilitating affect! Good that you worked it out – I try to stay off caffeine after mid-afternoon as it stops me from sleeping – the other day I had coke with my dinner AND a strong cup of tea later – I couldn’t sleep at all that night! It wasn’t fun – I had work the next day but luckily, I can still work from home, otherwise I would have been in trouble. I have received your beautiful ATC (on my blog today) – it’s got you name on it on the back! So cool, I love all the little details in it! Loving the one that Angela sent you too – looks like she made them all different! Happy WOYWW – enjoy your week! xx zsuzsa #28

    • Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith on 9 June 2021 at 1:51 pm

      self correction: I meant effect (affect is a verb!)

  10. Shoshi on 9 June 2021 at 3:00 pm

    So glad you had a good holiday, LIsa-Jane, but sorry to hear of the extremely adverse reaction to mixing meds with pleasure!! It sounds as if you’ve been OK, though, doing all that physical activity! Thank you for your visit and for your kind words. When I first found the lump and suspected cancer, I did wonder if I would end up as some dreaded Covid statistic, but from the GP surgery onwards it’s been brilliant so far. There was a poster on the wall in the surgery waiting room saying that all suspected cancer cases would be fast-tracked. So far I haven’t noticed anything different from normal and I’m getting the same great attention I received for my first cancer. My only worry is about the possibility of losing my hair but I keep reminding myself not to go there because I don’t know at this stage whether I’ll even need chemo at all!

    Happy WOYWW,
    Shoshi x #9

  11. Neet Hickson on 9 June 2021 at 6:56 pm

    First of all – no, I don’t tend to use my JK figures in my journal. It is a Dylusion journal as agreed with my friend who I do a challenge with each week – just to use a Dylusion quote and figures.
    It is strange how meds can be affected by different things – but coffee? i don’t drink either tea or coffee so apart from being awkward when out it doesn’t cause a problem for me. So glad you got the dizzy spells sorted. Chocolate – hope that is not a trigger.
    As for al the sports you took in I think you are a wonder woman.
    Hugs, Neet 5 xx

  12. Cindy Ashplant on 9 June 2021 at 10:11 pm

    Great post Lisa-Jane – so glad you had lots of active fun but it does sound a tad exhausting!! Hope you’ve got to the bottom of your medication mix – it’s weird I don’t drink a lot of coffee or eat much chocolate but I would be grumpy if I thought I couldn’t ever have either of them!! I keep a diary on my ipad when I’m away otherwise I get home and have no idea where we went (I also take photos of entry signs these days, I’m notorious for forgetting the names of houses and gardens as soon as we leave). All because I think I might one day scrap. Hasn’t happened yet, but never say never. Have a good week, love n hugs Cindy xx#7

  13. Angela Radford on 9 June 2021 at 10:43 pm

    Hi Lisa-Jane, lovely ATCs and w well done at getting the journal up to date or should I say well done at trying Lol! Nice desk but I was rather distracted by the Toblerone! scrummy! Have a very happy and creative woyww, Angela x17x

  14. Lilian B #10 on 10 June 2021 at 7:25 am

    Lovely ATC . and what a busy holiday you had, I really hope you find out what’s affecting the medication. it is strange the things we cannot have through medications. I cannot have grapefruit with some medications I and on and its silly how I really want some lol

    Take care and stay safe

    Lilian B #10

  15. Julia on 10 June 2021 at 8:44 am

    Ouch. archery. My husband and do and did it, they were trained by a lovely lady who coaches the English team. She always maintained if you were doing it right, you didn’t need and arm or a boob guard. Turns out her nickname was ‘no nips’. Enough said!! Your holiday sounds horrifically fab, does that make sense? All that fun with the fam -and I bet the kids loved it, but all that exercise! I’ve been caffeine free since I had the head op, one of the nurses on the Neuro ward just breezed in one morning with a list of exercises and stuff and said, ‘oh, and do yourself a favour, go caffeine free….can’t tell you scientifically but our Neuro patients definitely fair better without it’. So I did, and I do. Not that it had an effect on me like you’ve experienced, you poor thing, it’s the milk in the Latte that would make me ill, ugh, can t bear it!! I congratulate you on the journal and being able to use it at a later date for scrapping. I am rubbish at it, seems that without routine I can’t find five minutes to pick up a pen and write about my day. Bart says to speak it into the phone, but I have a problem with that too…sitting on the balcony of our rooms sounding like a pretentious tw**……no thanks!!

  16. Sarah Brennan on 10 June 2021 at 9:05 am

    SO glad you got to the bottom of your dizziness and were able to properly enjoy your holiday Lisa-Jane. SOunds like it was a whirlwind of activities. Enjoy scrapping the photos! Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #4

  17. Stacy on 10 June 2021 at 2:49 pm

    oh no Lisa-Jane, I was really hoping to read that you would be able to continue coffee with the meds. ( does the coffee shop have a lower octane version maybe a decaf?) ( I am thinking it would be the social and flavor without the side effects.) but, I have no clue. It takes me days to get over the whole there is no chocolate in the house thing. (( HUGS)) and I think the travel notebook is a brilliant idea. ~Stacy #31

  18. Maureen Roffey on 11 June 2021 at 6:49 am

    Hiya – just a quick pop by to say Hi – I am – like every one seems to be “flat out like a lizard drinkin” to use an Aussie expression LOL!
    Gorgeous stuff on your desk – Have a great week – Stay safe & well – Cheers Maurs xxx #35

  19. Marit on 12 June 2021 at 10:10 am

    I don’t think I could live without (strong, black) coffee but there might indeed be good substitutes to drink, I hope you found the source of the problems so they won’t return. And hooray for taking notes so you can go back to them when you got to work on your journal/book… I have the same method for working in my Chronicles art journal – there’s a notebook in da house that I take daily notes in. Very handy! Thanks for your visit to my blog the other day, big hug to you beautiful one! Love from Holland. Marit #20 (P.S. Cataract surgery went very well, I am in the healing mode right now but am able to spend some time at the computer… and I can SEE well, yay!!! )

  20. Lindart on 13 June 2021 at 4:43 pm

    Coffee – who’d thunk it? I’m glad you are figuring it out, it’s kind of like a detective story isn’t it! I’ll be waiting to hear what you discovered about the chocolate, poor you having to eat the whole thing! 🙂 Thanks for your visit, have a great week, Lindart #33

  21. Carol N on 13 June 2021 at 11:49 pm

    Hope your get your meds and stuff under control.

    Thanks for stopping by.
    Carol N #30

  22. Angela on 30 June 2021 at 11:03 am

    Thank you so much for the lovely ATC. My daughter brought the post to me and it was lovely to open all my lovely ATC swaps.

    I couldn’t get your message page to send !

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