S05E093, Are We There Yet, Andy B 2 Minute Video
It’s been said that you can form a habit by repeating something just 6 times. And yet it can take 6 weeks of repeatedly not doing that thing to break that habit. Such is the power of addiction and habits. So be very slow to point the finger at someone who is trying to break a habit, no matter what it may be!
Coming off medication that I had been on for more than a year and a half took my body 6 weeks to be fully clear of. While I was repeatedly told that the medication would not remain in my system for more than 24 hours, my body would suggest otherwise.
It took me 6 weeks of pretty awful side effects to adjust to starting those tablets. It took me 6 weeks to adjust to a 50% reduction in that medication. And it took me a further 6 weeks of, albeit milder, side effects when I finally came off those tablets.
I’m neither a doctor nor a scientist, but I know it took me 6 weeks to adjust to starting, reducing and stopping that medication.
It can often seem like we can’t shake off something we’re doing that we don’t want to do. Even when we REALLY don’t want to do it, it can still take time – Rome wasn’t built in a day, and changes are rarely to fully enjoy and appreciate.
So if you’re trying to stop doing something, go to the one who hand made you and ask Him for help! He is always there and, unlike some emergency call centres for Police, Fire and Ambulance services across the UK recently, you’ll never get a busy tone or error message.
Just a thought...
Andy B
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Transcript
[00:00:00] So another Andy B Two Minute Video and this one is all about medication.
[00:00:13] Now. In November of 2021 I had an issue with my heart and, because I weren't quite sure whether this was something that was long-term or just a one-off incident, I went on a, on a raft of medicines which I actually needed none of them in the end. Anyway, we didn't know that at the time.
[00:00:29] I've recently come off them. It's a period of about 18 to 20 months on this medicine and I was told that this particular medicine, a beta blocker, it's in your system for no more than about 24 hours, because you take the next one and you can't overdose or go too little. So make sure you take your dose every 24 hours cuz it'll fade away. And you need it in your system.
[00:00:47] Now I'm not a doctor. I'm not a scientist. Here's what I know. When I went on the medication, it took me about six weeks, or so, to adjust to going on the medication. There was many, many side effects.
[00:00:58] When I switched from [00:01:00] the normal starting dose, five milligrams, down to 2.5 milligrams, I had about six weeks or so of side effects, and it was horrendous.
[00:01:07] I came off the medication and I had about six weeks of side effects.
[00:01:11] Now, I'm not a doctor, I'm not a scientist, but that tells me that medication probably is in my heart, in my body for a lot longer than 24 hours. Or my body's just acting weird, or I really don't understand any of this, or maybe all of the above.
[00:01:24] Here's the reality for me. What, what is true? It's taken me about six weeks to come off the meds. No major side effects. But yes, this morning I actually woke up and I felt for the first time I was free of the medication that I stopped six weeks ago. Because every day I get up in the morning, I get my mobile phone on, and I stick it in next to my hand about nine o'clock. So at 9.30, when the alarm went to take my medication, I wouldn't forget. And at 9.30 at night. For most of those 18 months, I was on a different medication, so that would remind me to take that one. Today I didn't turn my phone on. I came downstairs, didn't have my phone, didn't panic for the first time because there's no, no alarm.
[00:01:58] Now that alarm has been switched [00:02:00] off for about six weeks. So whether drugs side effects, I don't know. You can argue the toss with all that stuff, but six weeks on, I finally feel free of the medication.
[00:02:09] In our lives, as Christians, are there things in your life that are clinging on? Sometimes we've just gotta to ride the storm!
[00:02:16] When I came off the medication, I was awaiting six weeks of awful side effects. Mercifully, though very mild, six weeks on, for the first time I feel clear of those medications.
[00:02:27] It can take a while to flush things out. And it's the same as our Christian faith. When we become more like Jesus, when we take a step towards God sometimes it takes a little bit of time for the rest of us to catch up because of the decision we've made to move in a particular direction.
[00:02:40] Coming off the meds? Took six weeks. Making a decision to stop doing something we shouldn't be doing? Maybe that takes six weeks.
[00:02:47] Just a thought.
Andy B, 29/06/2023