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From: Paul Thompson
Date: 26/10/03
Time: 21:41:02
Remote Name: 64.231.102.179
Hello. I am A 27 year old male from Canada. I have been diagnosed with Chronic depression for the last 3 years. I was first medicated about 2 years ago when I admitted myself to the emergency ward at my local hospital because I was feeling overwhealmed with life and suicidal. I was diagnosed as having a panic attack and was introduced to Effexor. It started out ok..but then I would suffer from fatigue and insomnia and weightloss. My shrink kept upping the dosage and for a few days I would feel energized and better. Each time a few days after my dosage increase I felt worse than ever, and my shrink kept upping my dosage. Eventually I peaked at 250mg of effexor a day, and was non functional. I was too stoned to do anything. It got to a point where I was unable to work in January on 2003. I said F*&k this and removed myself gradually from the medication with my dr's supervision. Since my shrink felt that I was still depressed, I was changed to using Celexa. I am unable to afford medication anymore...or anything else for that matter. I have been lucky enough to find a good friend to work for at his mechanic shop. I again gradually weaned myself off of the medication. It got to a point wehere I was feeling great...until the withdrawl. The withdrawl in itself is enough to give me panic attacks...and so I unwillingly went back on a low dosage of Celexa. 10 mg every 2 days. Now I am out of medication and out of money. Again after I quit my meds I felt great for a couple of days...and now I feel like I am in hell. I have been in withdrawl for four days and I can't drive and I can't work. My symptoms are that my face goes numb...especially my lips. I blink and feel like blacking out as if some unseen force is pulling my soul from my body. The nightmares at night are horrific to the point where I awake and question reality. My head spins and so does my stomach. Before I found out about others going through withdrawl I felt like I was going insane. Suicide crossed my mind many times. My emotions range from uncontrollable rage to uncontrollable crying. Now that I know that I am not alone I see hope for a brighter future. I suggest to anyone that they should avoid antidepressants at all costs. It almost cost me my life. I am so angry at the medical community for the lack of insight an information. I feel used by the drug companies for taking my money and wishing me good-luck. I was never told about withdrawl...and how scary and absolutewly insane it can be. To those who are on antidepressants, and those who are coming off of them...my prayers are with you. God Bless.