I am going through Paxil withdrawal. I admit it, I’ve been on anti-depressants to treat a non-depression related…”situation” (that I’m just not ready to make like of yet). And, it’s time to give up. The problem is, I am now (as the New York Times mistakenly “claimed”) an addict. Literally. Apparently, Paxil is hard to shake. So, if you’re not depressed when you start taking it, just wait and see how you feel when you stop…
My doctor said today would be the tough day, and of course, today is the day I decided to shop for a skin-tight swimming shirt to wear on our trip to Hawaii. That’s after gaining yet another five pounds or so trying to eat my way through withdrawals. I type this while eating a slice of pizza. I will never learn.
This episode is a hour. Exactly. Sick, right?
This is a premium edition. Look for the next free, abridged Pill soon!
Dan —
Why “admit?” You make it sound like something to hide, or be ashamed of… Granted, everyone who’s ever been on “head meds” has likely struggled with the inevitable social stigma. The feeling of “I shouldn’t need to use medication to ‘get over this’ situation or difficulty.” The fear that you’re the only one using it, or that you’re somehow weak for “needing” a chemical “solution.”
Which is all crap, of course. When properly prescribed and used, anti-depressants are tremendous tools (including use in “non-depression related situations,” as you put it). Can they be over-prescribed or used incorrectly? Sure. But I know that my own course of anti-depressants helped me through the single most difficult time in my adult life. One of the things that really helped me was when I learned, inadvertently, that MANY people I know and respect and hang out with were not only taking anti-depressants, but the same medication that I was using.
If I’m preaching to the choir, I apologize. But I just hate to see anyone beat themselves up, on any level, for making use of a medication that can be of such benefit in terms of alleviating pain and suffering.
Can’t wait to listen to this newest “Pill.”
Timmy
Dude, I’m all for the use of legit drugs to help legit concerns/problems/imbalances/etc. and think people should discuss all of it more freely, to help destigmatize (is that a word?) the use of such medicines and the conditions they treat.
My situation is embarrassing to me because in my mind it is not serious in any medical sense what-so-ever. Of course, maybe that is much of the problem. I’ll buck up soon and talk about it, and then maybe stop worrying about it, and then maybe it’ll just go away…
Dan,
Sorry my donation wasn’t even enough to buy even an XL swim shirt! But…
I am writing because I appreciated your last podcast (I won’t say enjoyed, as I felt your pain!) and as a medical person with similar issues I want you to know you are not alone in dealing with the set of quirks evolution has dealt us all in varying combinations.
I will go out on a limb and guess that the issues you were not comfortable to name probably include some mix of panic attacks and “generalized anxiety disorder”:
(skip to points 3, 4, and 5 below if I am totally off base)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generalized_anxiety_disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_Disorder
Both in my experience have a strong hereditary disposition and are also strongly correlated with Migraine. These are, in my humble opinion, not “psychological” in nature, but are part of the “hard wiring” and physiology of the central nervous system, the hand we are dealt at birth.
I suffer with these issues personally and I watched my Dad go through some very tough times with the same problem. All the medical community has to offer him at the time was traditional psychoanalysis which was a tremendous waste of time and money and has subsequently proven to be completely ineffective.
I personally have avoided drug therapy mainly because of the high potential for “rebound” reactions as you so eloquently described.
It is of interest that in my case as well as my Dad’s, symptoms seemed to peak in the early 40’s following the birth of one or more kids!
What to do? Once again, you are getting one doctor’s opinion (but it’s free! actually, I am paying you!!).
1. This improves in the course of time. Maybe years, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
2. Very simple brief therapy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive-behavioral_therapy has a very high success rate and no side effects!
3. There are 1000’s of listeners out there that gain immense enjoyment from the work you do because there are 1,000,000’s of White, stressed-out, overextended, underemployed Dads of young kids who are all shouting AMEN at regular intervals during each podcast. Surely that represents a lot of good vibes headed your way.
4. You (and Adam Curry) inspired two carpool passengers to begin recording their thoughts on vital issues (and Johnny Depp) in a format that continues to endure as the longest-running podcast produced by teens http://deependofthecarpool.blogspot.com More vibes.
5. We love you, Dan. Face it.
Best to Melissa and the Kids.
Rob Rice, MD
Dan —
If I was off-base, mea culpa. Hate to see (and hear about) you hurting in any way, so I hope you find some way to avoid all that. Enjoy Hawaii, and bring me a grass skirt, OK?
Timmy
Wow.
Heavy stuff.
Premium feed *definitely* worth it.
Hope you and your family had a great time away in Hawaii.
Looking forward to more Premium Pill.
Kudos, Dan, kudos.