Posted by Noodle on April 12, 2004, at 4:39:27
Hi all,
I have been reading here very off and on for some time. I value the help I have received thus far, and only now find I need to get 'offical' here and register . Seems I have passed the IQ test getting in. ;-)
I am very sorry to bother you, as I am not sure what I have to contribute, as you all seem so advanced . I am also very busy in another subject on the Net, and have always been one of the 'answer ladies'. So this asking seems uncomfortable to me.
What has happened is I have been on Effexor XR for a couple of years. Due to lack of health insurance, my doctor has been able to keep me supplied with samples, as my need is serious.
But... samples are running out. I tried very slowly weaning off. ( No, I didn't tell him...did not want to pay for an extra appointment to have a conversation that would be pretty pointless at that time)
No fun... but I knew ahead of time, before I ever started, that this was going to be the case... in all probability. That alone made the situation much more tolerable.I made it through all the horrid physical stuff by weaning over the several months. Then on none I did make it just over three weeks.
But... I really believe I still need such a drug due to my history and the state I found myself in.In discussing this with my doctor, we decided since we know Effexor SR works... to spend much time searching for a cheaper alternative might not be the way to go.
So.... More samples found. The wash out period was not as bad as the first time, and things did start to improve within a month, though... true to form, it was at just over 8 weeks, that I had the 'moment'... when all seems normal again.
My doctor helped me apply to the manufacture for free medication, which it turns out I more than qualify for. Had no idea !
It takes a long time for the medication to arrive at the doctors office for me to pick up. Took almost three months.Well... here we are now. :-(
Seems they sent me non- time release medication.
They are the tablet shaped like a little house, with a indented line in the center.I have spent days now... I can not find out if it is OK to cut these tablets into smaller portions.
The information the web says it must be taken two or three times a day with this form of medication.
They sent me 75mg. tablets
instead of
75mg. capsules of XR.I had gotten to where I needed a larger dose before I quit the medication, and now the same 75mg. of XR is working fine.
But what the heck do I do now with these tablets ?I was so nauseous this afternoon with no medication, and no help... everything is closed...I tried 1/3 of a tablet, as I have a beta blocker here if my heart rate goes up too high... figured I was safe there. I found I became very angry.
No idea if it was the med, or the complete lack of help... since I have spent MY time twice a day, everyday for several years now, helping others... this situation, the one time I need help... I am left alone to puke or spaz out... my choice... 'that' could be where the anger came from. :)So now here it is 2 in the AM and I am not a happy camper, and no idea what to do. Afraid to take another 'shard', in case I kill myself... but I know by sometime in the early morning, I will need to do something.
This cold turkey is NOT working and in this little amount of time, I believe my normal common sense is beginning to shift a tad. So I need to write to all of you now, and be sure my emotions are not speaking louder than the facts.
The brain swishing around if I turn my head is already starting. That tells me by morning in addition to the 'swoosh' upon the head turn, I go slightly blind on the sides of my vision as this happens.
I really don't want to do that.
No help from the doctors office tomorrow either . Dang. By Tuesday at 1 in the afternoon, when I can start the wait for a reply from him... which will be Tuesday night at 7 if I'm lucky....Seems to me, at this point ... experience of others can make a huge difference for me.
I really want to be able to cut these pills, and learn to roll with it. IF that is a possibility.
Funny... I'm still angry. And that was never the original problem. :-(
poster:Noodle
thread:335417
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040412/msgs/335417.html