Stressed?

I got this blog topic idea from a fellow CF blogger. I kinda liked the idea. It's a subject I really don't think I have blogged about much. Well stress as a 'dictionary' definition is: tension: (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense; difficulty that causes worry or emotional tension.
So I am going to share my experiences with stress now. I had stresses before my transplant typical life stuff and CF stuff and almost dying stuff :) But now my stresses are incredibly amplified! I would have to say the above definition pretty much nails it. I take prograf (my anti-rejection) medication and it is a pretty tough drug. . . .think about it, it keeps my body from recognizing my lungs and keeps my body from rejecting them. . . so it must be pretty potent stuff and what else does it do the body?? I mean it gave me dementia for weeks after transplant!!

Well here is actual common side effects: Back pain; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; joint pain; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain or upset; trouble sleeping; vomiting. I also notice Prograf causes tremors. And I am pretty sure it directly affects my ability to cope with stress/anxiety.

Also I take prednisone. . .lets review those common side effects. You can view a full list of the side effects but I will just mention a few here: insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, hyperactivity just to name the ones that apply to this post.

So to just help myself realize that the days I feel like I am going crazy or my anxiety seems through the roof, then I just remind myself that I have a lot of drugs running through my body :) I owe a lot to Bryan ~ he understands me, he knows that I get a little loaded up on all this stuff that sometimes alters my normal reactions to things. I also find working out and exercising help reduce my anxiety and stress as well. Stress/anxiety is one of the hardest things I struggle with post transplant, but I try to control it and keep it as low as I can :)

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