Sick and Dangerous

I was sick this weekend. Not from a flu, cold, or germ of any kind. I am sick from a medication. A year ago I went to visit my doctor. I was having problems sleeping at night because I would get anxious as soon as I would lay down. The anxiety got so bad that I decided that I needed some medical intervention. After discussing with my doctor we (ok, more he) decided that a medication called Effexor would be a good solution for me. He told me it would help the anxiety and I was also having problems with fatigue which he explained the Effexor would help also. Seemed like the miracle drug. I came home and looked it up in my nursing drug book and didn't see any big red bold lettering indicating that it was a dangerous medication so I began taking it. The anxiety was completely gone. In fact, I felt great. I was calmer and didn't freak out over every little thing. The fatigue never went away but I was satisfied with the disappearance of the anxiety. Fast forward a year later. I began noticing that when I forgot to take a dose I fell sick. Not just achy or sick like a cold. Sick like the room would spin, I would throw up, hot flashes, and dizziness. I went through all the possible causes....pregnancy, flu, Lyme's disease, ect. Nothing. Then one day, it hit me. I began searching on the Internet about Effexor and was HORRIFIED to see what people were writing about it. They described exactly what I was feeling when they tried to get off the medication. See, the drug company and the doctors do not disclose that this medication has a HORRIBLE withdraw! So, I vowed to quit the medication immediately. I made it three days before I broke down and took one because the sick feeling was too much. Now, I am again three days without the medication and the room is still spinning and my kids voices sound like they are in concert acoustics but I will NOT take another one.

This experience has opened my eyes to a few things: 1. I am not immune to addictions of any kind 2. I have a new found sense of sympathy for those who are in the cycle of addiction 3. Doctors do not know everything. I should have researched more about the medication before taking it 4. When in doubt, trust yourself!

I know after this experience, I will NEVER take a medication or give one to my children without REALLY researching it. It is so scary the different side effects and consequences of some of the meds out there.