Prescription Medication Side Effects – Repost

Mental Health Drugs Side Effects

I was watching a commercial for a popular med out there and for the first fifteen seconds they listed all of the wonderful benefits but then for the remainder of the advertisement they listed the potential side effects. When you have been on mental prescription medication every once in a while you wonder what is worse the actual disorder or the side effects that come with the medication. Here is a list of a number of side effects I have experienced over the last few years.

1. Zyprexa. This anti psychotic prescription medication made the little voice in my head go away and my self harm tendencies basically disappeared. The problem was I managed to gain close to seventy pounds in about six months while barely eating. Apparently this is rather common as there are numerous lawsuits against the company.

2. Effexor. The decision was made that it was no longer working so it was time to come off of this lovely prescription medication. Stopping this drug cold may line you up for discontinuation syndrome which is basically withdrawal from hell. Pretty much your sick and living in a fog until your brain readjusts for some this is a few days but for others it can be months. The oddest symptom is known as the brain zaps where out of no where you get these electric shock like sensations in your brain. The zaps don’t hurt but they are really annoying. The makers of Effexor are being sued for failing to mention that their med is addictive and the problems coming off of the med.

3. Lithium. Everything tasted like metal for the first couple of months I was on this drug. Just odd.

4. Lithium. Towards the end of my relationship with this prescription medication my body was beginning to revolt. Fingers that had problems with dexterity, knees that would lock and throw off of my balance. A couple of weeks after this med was stopped my body started to behave normally again.

5. Paxil. This big boy of anti depressants prescription medication made me so happy that I ended up in a manic state where thinking was just not allowed. Loss of control plus a self harm behavior equaled a two month stay on the psych ward. The makers of Paxil are also being sued due to the meds addictive properties and the high potential of withdrawal hell.

6. Seroquel. When my body was adjusting to this prescription medication I spent a lot of time in bed. Take the pill then within an hour your fighting to keep your eyes open. The weird part is the higher the dose the drowsiness factor disappears. At the beginning 25mg was enough for a nap now at a 100mg a dose it does not even produce a yawn. Seroquel is being sued as well due to a high number of people developing diabetes and excessive weight gain.

7. Nardil. This MAOI antidepressant prescription medication came with some scary side effects. If you ate the wrong food or took the wrong drug such as a cough med your blood pressure may spike potentially leading to a stroke which potentially kill you. When I first started this med every time my stress level increased a little bit I would get dizzy so it was decided to reduce the dosage.

8. Various. The zombie effect. Basically your sleep walking. The good part is your not thinking about all of the things that bother you but the problem is your not thinking what so ever. You are no longer depressed but your not happy either as all emotions just seem to have disappeared. This is a huge reason why a lot of people stop taking their meds.

Anyway there is a partial list of some of the wonderful side effects that come along with certain mental meds. The rest of the potential list is very long and to be honest rather scary. The one that always jumps at me is the black box warning on a number of anti depressants which is taking the prescription medication may increase suicidal ideation and behavior in some people. Take care.

LoopyKate | January 11, 2009 at 8:14 pm | Reply

Thanks for this info. I’ve been trying to navigate my way through the daunting menu of meds on offer for several months now and quite honestly, I’m beginning to think I’m better off just plain insane. Some would say that’s an irresponsible attitude. I’ve heard mention that genetic tests will soon be available (perhaps already are) that can identify which med will be the most effective/appropriate for an individual(with bipolar at any rate – not sure about other conditions). They promise to rule out this gambling game. Ha! I’m skeptical but hopeful.
K.
Untreatableonline | January 12, 2009 at 12:51 am | Reply

That particular rumor has been around for some time though whether or not it will happen or if it will actually prove to be successful is a whole different stories. Unfortunately when it comes to mental meds it is 90% trial and error.