Ill

[ciphergoth]

Ill because I have a cold

Ill also because I was so fuzzy-headed with the cold I took two decongestants instead of one. 120mg of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride BP. WARNING: Do not exceed the stated dose. If you take too many, talk to a doctor.

I phoned NHS Direct; it's not available in my area, apparently, but they gave me the number of the NHS helpline. I phoned that; they can't give out medical advice, but they gave me the number of a pharmacist.

The pharmacist says "you'll be fine, just don't take any more today".

So I'm going to be fucked in the head while these things are coursing around me; then when they wear off, I'll be fucked because I can't breathe. And I had hoped to get some of the work done that I've been putting off. I suppose I should mail my work and say "I'm ill today", but given how delayed my work is already they'd be justified in not thinking much of that.

I'm not coming to London today. I might try and drop by on my way to Berlin if I can manage it.

I enjoy thinking. Or I used to, and probably will again when I regain the capability...

Comments

[keith-london.livejournal.com]

Hi Pseudoephedrine is effective, and shown to have less cardiovascular and central nervous system effects than ephedrine as a nasal decongestant.

The recommended maximum dose (for adults) is 60mg per 4 hours (usual dose is 60mg per 6 hours). As for the doubling of the dose, I would agree with your pharmacist (putting my healthcare hat on). The half life of pseudoephedrine in the plasma is 5-8 hours. But it is noteworthy that the elimination of pseudoephedrine from the body is facilitated by acidic urine - so I would recommend some Vitamin C drink (which helps acidify the urine) or cranberry juice (which also makes the urine more acidic). Excitement, restlessness, rapid speech are possible symptoms of overdoasge - so watch out for this.

[adjectivemarcus.livejournal.com]

Excitement, restlessness, rapid speech are possible symptoms of overdoasge - so watch out for this

Oh, those'll be easy to spot. Not!

[keith-london.livejournal.com]

LOL Here's the rest of the possible side effects then - hallucinations, hypertonicity and hyperreflexia, dilated pupils and tachycardia (all unlikely I would have thought in this case).

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice! Drinking orange juice.

What do they mean? I know what the first and fourth mean...

Re:

[keith-london.livejournal.com]

Tachycardia is an over-rapid heart rate (pseudoephedrine does stimulate the heart to some extent)

- hyperreflexia overactivity of physiological reflexes; e.g. if in a case of severe toxicity, pseudoepedrine could initially cause massive unwanted effects related to its mode of action; this causes the body to counteract such side effects through the body's reflex mechanisms - e.g. the body, in an attempt to counteract a huge increase in heart rate during pseudoephedrine toxicity, could overcompnsate, leading to a lower than normal heart rate

- hypertonicity - too much muscle tone or tension (which is a side effect of the stimulant action on smooth muscle of pseudoephedrine; )

[I have to admit I had to check up on the last two - keeps me on my toes :-)]

[bootpunk.livejournal.com]

> hypertonicity - too much muscle tone or tension

Is this the "jaw clenching" effect that people get when taking speed or MDMA?

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

*giggles*

Right now, I feel about as excitable and restless as a slug in a salt cellar. I only get restless when I try and lie down and get better, at which I toss and turn for ten minutes and then go back to poking at the computer...

[adjectivemarcus.livejournal.com]

Get well soon baby.

[ergotia.livejournal.com]

I am posting from work, and my last post in response did not make it... would that /could that be due to the presence of a certain word, or is that just me being para?

Anyway... poor baby!I always merrily exceed the "safe dose", on the basis that it always leaves a margin of error, but I know you are much too conventional for that ;)So I was giving some thought to alternative remedies, but the only one I could come up with was a good cry. So if you wanna phone me, I will see what I can do....:)

Lots of love and get well soon sweetie.

xxxxx

[babysimon]

Fuck, shit, cocaine, heroin, satan, world trade center, linux.

[babysimon]

Seems censorship-free...

[adjectivemarcus.livejournal.com]

Grunties, Scunthorpe, Semprini

Wankel Rotary Engine.

Chemicals

[bootpunk.livejournal.com]

OK, first off, I'm really sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. Get well soon - if you are passing thru London next week, there may be an outside chance I'll be able to meet up.

Now, I'm interested in the p-ephedrine. I had always heard that ephedrine itself was very like amphetamine. I hadn't actually realised that ephedrine came from Ephra Cinca (sp?), a Chinese herb, until very recently. I immediately resolved to sample this, but before doing so I checked up online and found that NY state recently added the herb and derivatives to its controlled substances list. Bah. Can probably still grow it in New Jersey tho'. Dunno the legal status in the UK, but anything that might be an organic substitute for speed might be worth looking into.

I guess keith_london made the salient point about p-ephedrine - like opium and other drugs before it, it has had the "fun" effects reduced, as it serves a medicinal purpose but the side-effects don't.

[jhg.livejournal.com]

Get well.

[trishpiglet.livejournal.com]

Being ill is shit. I'm sorry you are unwell and hope it's improved some for you by the time you read this.

I hope hugs and comfort are available for you wherever you are.