Lisa says: Drugs, drugs and more drugs

For the past couple of weeks I've been suffering from morning sickness. And afternoon and night sickness. I've been overly tired, lethargic, headache-y, crabby (OK, I'm told super bitchy is probably a tad more accurate) and about as hormonal as a pregnant or menopausal gal.

If you read Peter's last post, you'll know that these are not pregnancy-induced symptoms. And, though I'll officially be another year older on Tuesday, I'm not going through early menopause. The problem is a medical one. I'm going through withdrawal...and it sucks.

I've been seeing Dr. G for 15 months for prenatal and postpartum depression and anxiety and have been on the "anti" drugs since. (I feel confident that this goes without saying but I'm going to say it anyway — this photo was not taken in my medicine cabinet; it's a stock photography shot. Just saying.) We recently decided to change my antidepressants and try a new prescription. Somewhere between Dr. G's instructions, the pharmacist's interpretation of her instructions and my busyness/stupidity/misunderstanding, I stopped drug #1 (at a high dose) and started drug #2 (at a super low dose) the very next day. Oops. Imagine smoking a couple packs a day until you all of a sudden and without any weaning go cold turkey. Apparently my system is in shock, and now I'm paying for it emotionally and physically. I'm told I'll feel better in a couple weeks.

So not only is this post a public service announcement (reminder: do NOT start or stop any medication without fully understanding how and when to use it properly) it's also — I'm hoping — a turning point. I'm hoping that this new combo of meds will fix my crazy chemicals and make me, well, me again. 

Months ago I blogged about being sick of this F$%#*@! PPD and wondered how much longer it would take to get back to "normal." Who knew it would take so long... And who knew so many pills would be involved. Blech. I'll tell you this —
that old grade-school, "Take a chill pill!" saying has taken on a whole new meaning to me. (At least I still have my humour!) 

Sometimes I think I'm the only mom on these kinds of meds. (If you saw the way my helpful pharmacist looks at me every time I take in a prescription you'd know why.) I know I'm not. So when I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself, I commiserate with and blab to you here. (Not to worry; I have no doubt I'll be back to sharing something ridiculous Addy said or something new Peyton did in a few days.) 

In the meantime, I want to know how you, your sister, your BFF, your neighbour, your aunt, whoever you know, got through their PPD and how long it took you (or them) to get off the dang meds. Please share away. 


Photo by erix! via Flickr