Serious warning. I was diagnosed with depression and panic attacks a few months ago. My doctor prescribed a drug called Citalopram, which is in the same group of drugs as Prozac (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors)
Three months later I've stopped taking it after suffering from the side effects: (Real) Depression, more panic attacks, slurred speach, staggering, not being able to sleep. Feeling like I've had 3 joints and 1/2 bottle of whisky. Memory loss, blackouts, dangerously slow heartbeat and finally an arguement outside my house with a total A****ole that resulted in me punching someone for the first time in 17 years. (Having said that, even without the drug, I'd probably still have hit him.)
The side effects are far worse than anything that it is prescribed for. DON'T GO NEAR IT!!!! Honestly, it made me worse than when I was at my worst as a result of alcohol and nearly cost me the woman I love.
Best wishes to you all.
Bye for now.
Chris.
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
Hey Chris. Thanks for sharing Buddy. Some of that stuff can send one all over the map.
When I was going through some heavy medical shit--I was put on something for depression, and anxiety--all due to chemical imbalance, from physical stuff.
I found that, all the depression pills were doing were just putting a cover on everything, and at one point this summer I exploded, and a whole bunch of crap came out--Instead of just comunicating a lot of small things to others, I was just stuffing them, and letting it all pile up.
All it took, was one trigger, to set off the bomb.
Just on mild stuff for anxiety now-and its all seemed to even out.
If I had my way--woundnt be taking anything-but the big brass says "For Life" so acceptance is the key. What gets me is the B12 shots and all the vitamins one has to take to keep the train going, and then they give you something to slow it down--kind of a catch 22.
I do see a lot of people in the program that are right out to lunch tho, with some of this stuff.
One addiction for another. Easy to do, for an alky.
Have a good weekend buddy. Good to hear from you.
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Easy Does it..Keep It Simple..Let Go and Let God..
Hey Chris, I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I know the drug they have my husband on right now is causing some serious side effects also. But I'm not allowed to mention any of this to his case worker or Dr.
I've had to take an anti-depressant in the past and it helped with a few minor side-effects, so there are ones out there that do help.
I pray all starts to get better real soon. Are you making as many meetings as possible?
Jesus good God what a nightmare you went thru. Thanks for the info.
I went off paxil twice and experienced some scary stuff. After 2 wks of so I started feeling little electric shocks in my extremeties. Like when I would put a cig. to my lips...zap!!!! a little zap...while walking heal to toe...zap!!! touching my finger on something...zap!!! It was the weirdest thing, actually some scary stuff.
Actually pretty depressing....the very thing it is intended to help.
Well I think its time to zap on outa here
Nancy Jo
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Life is full of ups and downs
But the faces of love will
ease the pain and suffering
from:My Mother
I also tried antidepressants, before I even attempted to get sober, thinking it would help my post partied out depression. I took paxil, and all it did was make me not want to see daylight or talk to people at all for fear they would know I was "on something" I felt strung out like wayyy to much coffee, I had heart palpitations, it was horrible. I took it for 2 months and threw the rest out and never took it again. Funny thing, I have my ups and downs, am sober now but can deal with it in a rational way. It takes time I know but for now I don't need anything to feel grrrreat; well besides my good friends in AA of course.
I think talking about things is the best way to heal yourself from the inside out, and not to yourself but to another human being...
My family doctor had me a mess. I decided to take the big step, a psychiatrist. He specializes in addiction. He has me on 2 antidepressents and light doses. I haven't felt this well in years.
Hi Chris, I was diagnosed with PTSD 10 years ago and I take Paxil, 40mg a day. since getting started on it I have been closer to what they call NormalCaution though don't stop all at once taking it you have to be weaned off. you might want to talk to your Doc and get see if it is for you. my side effects dissipated years ago, well all except the sexual side affects and they are different for everybody.
Bobby Dean
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"Happiness is, When What you Think, What you say, and What you do is in Harmony."
"Mohatma Gandhi"
I guess it would of been smarter to add that I am on Paxil right now. The times I went off was because of no perscription insurance. Suddenly stopping it is was caused so many problems.
I am bi-polar...took years and years to figure out . Its very common mental disease. I've been on countless anti-depressants...none worked but Paxil.
Life would be misserable without it.
Take Care
Nancy Jo
__________________
Life is full of ups and downs
But the faces of love will
ease the pain and suffering
from:My Mother
Caution though don't stop all at once taking it you have to be weaned off. you might want to talk to your Doc and get see if it is for you. my side effects dissipated years ago, well all except the sexual side affects and they are different for everybody.
Bobby Dean