Happy pills?

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I take happy pills. It’s a running joke in the mummified household that when I am in a foul mood, someone (usually Bill, or one of his friends) asks if I have taken my happy pill that day.

Thursday was the last time I took an anti-depressant. I’ve been on Effexor for almost 2 years this time. Previous to that, I was taking it for 4 years. Every time I think I am ready to come off and don’t need to take the meds any more, something happens that makes it a really bad idea for me to even think about not taking any anti-depressants.

For the past 3 days, the withdrawals I’ve been feeling have brought me to my knees. I didn’t see much of today because I slept most of the day away. My head feels like it’s three times the normal size and every time I move, it feels like my brain is just rattling around inside my skull. My eyes have been going blurry and I feel like my whole body is moving in slow motion.

Now who was the smart one who said that you cannot get addicted to anti-depressants?! Especially since these withdrawal effects started a couple hours after I missed 1 dose.

I didn’t miss it on purpose. I actually thought I had another strip of pills in the medicine basket. I wasn’t able to get in to see my doctor on Friday to get another script so I’m hoping I can get in tomorrow morning.

This is the most horrible feeling. I am so glad that Bill has been here to look after the kids because I’ve been no use to them over the whole weekend. I didn’t even want to blog because I didn’t know how much sense my blog posts would make but I thought I’d just mention the reason behind the lack of posts this weekend, in case anyone was missing me LOL

Technorati Tags: effexor,anti depressants,withdrawals

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Opus #6

Sometimes a pharmacist can give you 2 or 3 pills to get you by until your doc can refill the script if you are in a bind. Sorry this happened. I hope you are OK now.

Tina Gray (mummifiedx5)

I didn't know this. Thanks!

chris

I hope you get to feeling better soon and can get your new script tomorrow. A person can get dependent on any kind of medication. As long as it helps you with your depression that is all that matters.

Chris H

What a bugger they do that to you. When I stopped taking mine some years ago I had no withdrawal at all. Guess I was lucky.

Louise

I lurk and have been reading your blog for a long time - I hope you don't mind the 'assvice' here, esp. since I don't know all the details.
. Is your doctor telling you to just cut off your effexor cold-turkey? That's really dangerous.
I know when I was on it, even if I skipped it for a few days, accidentally, I would be throwing up, dizzy, etc. When it finally came time for me to go off the pills it was a months-long tapering off process. I started out on 300 mg, then went down to 225 for a few weeks, then 150 for a few weeks, then 75 for a few weeks, then one 75 pill every other day, every third day, etc... and THAT was tough. I can't imagine just... not taking them.

Mellissa

I still think there is a difference between withdrawal symptoms and discontinuation symptoms. With the latter, it's purely physical; whereas with withdrawal/addiction, there is the added craving for the missed substance.

That said, I once went off Aropax (supervised) and that was really, really difficult, even though the doctor took me through it mega-slowly. I am back on it now and have no intention of ever coming back off it if I can help it - I take it for panic disorder, not depression, and I was a basket-case within 7 months of being off it. NEVER AGAIN.

corrin

I would contact your doctor. I'm on Lexapro, and was told explicitly by my doctor and husband (who is a paramedic) that I must be weened if I decide to stop taking my daily dosage. Stopping cold turkey could cause seizures.

alison

you are suppose to withdraw from them slowly, gradually taking less and less, it will make it not so hard to come off them.

Tina Gray (mummifiedx5)

Thanks, Alison.
I wasn't planning on coming off them now. I just didn't realise I didn't
have any left and couldn't get in to see my doctor for another script.