When saleswoman and single mom Anne D found herself checking into Joburg’s Houghton House outpatient clinic at age 48 for an addiction problem, she couldn’t quite believe it. ‘It wasn’t like I was using cocaine, heroin, or even abusing alcohol,’ she says. But she was among a growing number of largely middle-aged, middle-class women who, while they wouldn’t dream of dabbling in hard drugs, have come to use over-the-counter (OTC) opiate painkillers in potentially lethal quantities.
‘It crept up on me,’ she says. Anne has fibromyalgia, which causes musculo-skeletal pain accompanied by problems with sleep, memory and mood as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. ‘I had tried different OTC options, but I was in constant physical and emotional pain. Then one day, nine years ago, I developed a bad sinus infection and the pharmacist recommended Sinal Co. It was fantastic – it fixed not just my sinus headache, but my other pain, and I could sleep for once! Codeine also has a way of numbing everything, including emotional pain. So I kept taking it. But I had to take more for the same effect…’
Anne was aware of the warning on the packet: not to exceed the recommended dose of two tablets every six hours, and not to continue them for more than 10 days without seeing a doctor. ‘I ignored it. I’d been struggling with pain and sleep for so long; nothing had helped like this. And I reasoned if something was available over the counter, how dangerous could it be?’
Denne historien er fra September/October 2020-utgaven av Fairlady.
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Denne historien er fra September/October 2020-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.
LIFT your GAME
Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.
BIG SKY Country
Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.
How to write a memoir
Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.