AUTHOR: Knitti-me TITLE: "I need a fix, man" or "Lock her up and throw away the key" DATE: 3:31:00 PM ----- BODY:

Nearly two weeks ago I went off a medication that I have been on for seven years. At first I thought I was a bit under the weather, but then I realized, after many irrational rages directed at my unsuspecting family, that I was in full-blown withdrawal. I had to leave work suddenly yesterday when I commenced vomiting and having uncontrollable shakes. My sister finally did some research and sent me links on the side effects of quitting Celexa cold turkey. "Over 50 different symptoms have been reported with antidepressant withdrawal, with dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, gait instability and insomnia the most common. The lucky ones will experience only minor Celexa withdrawal symptoms. They might even blame their Celexa withdrawal symptoms on the flu. For others, the Celexa withdrawal symptoms are debilitating. Celexa Withdrawal symptoms: Anxiety Dizziness - Hold on! Fatigue Headache - Pass the Tylenol Extra Strength! Insomnia Tremors - And that ain't no earthquake! Visual hallucinations - Not yet! Diarrhea - yuck! Nausea - Constantly Vomiting - oh yeah. Restlessness Blurred vision Muscle and joint pain - it hurts to breath! Jolting electric "zaps? Tingling sensations - Ants all over me! Fever Abdominal discomfort Flu symptoms and general malaise - I feel horrible. Anorexia Agitation Gait disturbances Sweating - Pass the Arid Extra Dry! Irritability - I am so irritable, Archie Bunker looks like a choir boy next to me. Aggression - much to my dismay. Sleep disturbance and insomnia Nightmares Vivid dreams - as evidenced by yesterday's post. Confusion - where am I? Memory and concentration difficulties - What was your name again? Chills and hot flashes - Constantly. Crying spells - pass the Kleenex. Suicidal thoughts - fortunately no. Lethargy Weakness" As far as my job is concerned, this is probably the worst time to go off meds, but I had no idea I would react this way; especially after my psych doc said it would be "no big deal." (I have a call into her - she's going experience some of this aggression first hand!) I may go into why I choose to get off the meds, but that will be another day. I have been tossing up whether I should go back on them - at least until I get through the current crisis du jour at work, but then on the other hand, I could be so close to kicking this thing. Bear with me my friends and family - knitti-me should be her old self soon (I hope - 'cause this is killing me!). I have FO's and pics to show from the weekend in SF. But I don't have the energy or concentration to pull together a proper post right now.

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