So Express Scripts screws things up again

[tk2kewl]

No Effexor since last Friday. The last couple of days have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster of feelings of love, anger, rage and sadness - pretty manageable for the most part though.

The last time I went without these meds I was also taking Chantix to quit smoking (successfully btw - yea me!). The effect was WAY less manageable at that time and I stopped the Chantix only about 1/2 way through the treatment and got back on the Effexor.

I started Effexor more then 10 years ago and I think that it played a significant role in my ability to maintain a healthy(ish?) relationship with my SO, get married and have a beautiful son.

But, now I am wondering if I should try to ride this out and not bother with Effexor. If anyone here can share their experiences with relying on Efeexor or other antidepressants and then venturing back out into the wild of the world and their own mind and emotions I would like to hear from you.

Thanks

[fizzgig]

1. my doc was pretty ticked that i cold turkied effexor

told me there's a bigger risk of suicide. i would talk to your doc about it. you getting the 'brain zappies'? that was the worst part for me.

good luck

[tk2kewl]

2. no zaps yet this time

Last edited Wed Apr 18, 2012, 02:42 PM - Edit history (1)

had em big time last time when i was also taking the chantix

last time i had to take a day or two off from work because of the anxiety and brain zappies

right now my brain is just working over time on sorting through all sorts of thoughts. mostly thoughts about the external world. i find myself tearing up over all sorts of emotions running the full spectrum (love, happiness, sadness, anger, indignation, fear, pride), but none of those feelings have lead to any hopelessness or self loathing so i don't think i am putting myself in any grave danger.

my biggest concern is that i may become irritable and treat my loving wife and son in a manner they do not deserve.

if you don't mind my asking, how long were you taking effexor, how long since you stopped, are you taking something else in its place, and are you glad you no longer take it?

Thanks

[fizzgig]

3. i was on it for nine months, maybe

and it was about seven years ago, everything from that time of my life is a bit fuzzy. i felt like a million bucks while i was taking it, but it triggered a very prolonged hypermanic phase. i was later diagnosed bp II and that is pretty common for bp people who are given just anti-depressants. it took me until late last year to pay off all the credit card debt i'd run up.

i'm on lamictal and trileptal now and it seems to be working pretty well. the doc says we may still have to add another drug to the regiment, but we may not, either.

if you find yourself getting irritable, be honest with your wife and step away for a bit.

be good to yourself

[tk2kewl]

4. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me

and than thanks for the warm thoughts