Kicking the demon drugs...

[johnnie]

I mentioned on here before that the doctor gave me Zoloft because he said it would help me sleep. I figured maybe the doctor was right. He gave them to me because I have suffered from insomnia since I was a little itty-bitty child and I really wanted Ambian and not some anti-depressants.

The doc told me they were for anxiety and will help me out. Well, I took them for a few months and they did nothing to help me sleep and they did nothing that seemed to help me with anything else so last Friday I figured it was time to stop taking them.

Yikes! Ok, maybe I should have weened myself off, but they were only 100mg a day and I figured it would be no biggie. Now I am light headed, nauseous and my body isn't acting like my head thinks it is acting. It's like I haven't eaten in days although I am eating normal. This has been going on since Monday.

I'm not here to get medical advice or speak of the evils of meds, I am just really surprised that they can give this stuff out like it is candy and get ya hooked like that. I'm sure that I will be back to "normal" soon, but lordy.... I feel weird as shit. They really give this stuff out to little kids?

[In_The_Wind]

1. I didn't do very well with that drug either.

You should return to normal soon.

Some drugs have a long 1/2 life but it wouldn't hurt to give your doctor a call about the way you are feeling today.

[johnnie]

2. I thought of calling him but..

I don't have much faith in doctors..lol. I haven't been to one in 11 years until my intestine blew out of my belly button and I needed to get a doctor. I go in for that and walk out with Zoloft... :crazy:

Doctors are good for important things, but this will pass.

[In_The_Wind]

13. I've been doing homeopathies for the past 5 years.

I feel great most of the time.

I hate going to radiologist that I haven't visited in years because they give me an attitude about my files being in their archives. If they let me store my own x-rays we wouldn't be having this minor unpleasant time for them.

[tigereye]

3. you should always check with the doc or pharmacist

before you stop taking certain medicines cuz some of 'em can be really strange or dangerous if you stop taking 'em cold turkey. And, I think there is only one antidepressant that's approved for kids at this point.


sorry you don't feel well.



sometimes sleep problems can be dealt with behaviorally, not everyone needs medicine. So the sleep researchers say. :)

[johnnie]

7. I guess I should have checked

But I never checked with them in the past when I went off and on drugs..I mean meds..LOL

[LynneSin]

4. Ok, why wouldn't he give you Ambien?

I have problems sleeping and actually we opted for Lunesta, which I actually prefer over the Ambien I had tried. Hell I take the stuff about every night and I have been much more rested for work then I can ever imagine.

Only downside to Lunesta is the funky aftertaste that it has.

[johnnie]

6. Oh, he gave me Ambien too

My insurance didn't cover it though. It was $4.50 a pill. I got one refill and that was it. It helped me fall asleep, but then I was up and down all night and then up at 5. For that kind of money I can buy a case of Jack and put myself to sleep..lol.

[LynneSin]

12. That's why I switched to Lunesta

But two things that have helped me to sleep without prescription drugs is GABA and Melatonin (avoid the Tylenol PM like stuff - just makes me groggy the next day).

GABA is an amino acid produced by the body and it actually helps calm the 'restless voices' that some folks get when trying to go to sleep. Melatonin is another substance produced by the body to help regulate the sleep cycle. Thing is, hundreds of years ago our body had no problem with sleep cycles because there wasn't anything 'electric/bright' keeping us awake. Lights, TV, Computer Screens can disrupt that cycle because of the lights they emit. If you use Melatonin, get the 3mg stuff that you put under your tongue (it's usually orange or cherry flavored so the taste is fine). It works like a charm!

[johnnie]

16. Thanks

I'll look into it.

Does your doctor let you get Lunesta when you want or is it limited?

[LynneSin]

18. 30 a month

I won't take it on the weekends or if I'm not in bed by 11pm.

[seemunkee]

5. Yes they do

My daughter has used it along with many other options for her insomnia. Ambien gave her terrible hallucinations. It took a long time to find the right meds for her. She is so much happier and healthy today. Good luck.

[johnnie]

8. Thanks!

And I'm glad your daughter got help with it. Honestly, I have dealt with it for so long that I would rather have it the way it is than to worry about the meds. But that is just me.

[JVS]

9. Fuck! I gotta get some healthcare, it sounds fucking sweet!

[johnnie]

15. LOL

These days, you may as well buy the shit off the street. I use to have really good coverage, it is just about acceptable these days. I am paying a fortune for my operation.

[datasuspect]

10. what's scary is that G.P.s and internists

give this shit out like candy.

big pharma ramrods these drugs through development, has congress in the pocket to lessen FDA requirements so they can bring them to market sooner, and the efficacy and general safety of these drugs is NOT well-proven.

[johnnie]

14. Yup

My father went to the doctor for something else and they gave him an anti-depressant. He said they called him every day for for the first few days asking him if he felt suicidal. He is the furthest away from someone like that that and he told them to stick those pills up their ass..lol.

I have my own thoughts on it all, but I do think they can be helpful in some cases, just not as many. This whole thing reminds me of the tobacco industry (I smoke). They get ya hooked and take your money.

[Roon]

11. I was taking 200 mg a day

and I quit cold turkey. I about died.

[johnnie]

17. I can relate

It is pretty messed up. How long until the crappy feeling went away?

[Roon]

20. It was a good week and a half. eom

[Cannikin]

19. You have to 'step down' on a lot of drugs like that. Call your doc!