![]() Some of you may have been on your toes, waiting for my next post after my Effexor withdrawal, so here it is. The new drug I was prescribed was Viibyrd. I was given the 30-day starter pack on October 24th, almost one week after stopping Effexor cold turkey. I was very eager to begin this medication, but afraid of the repercussions it may cause. The first 7 days are 10mg per day doses. During this first week, I felt good, not great or bad. I didn’t really feel any side effects. Although I didn’t really feel better or worse. This was often how my Zoloft dose made me feel. After the first week, the dose increases to 20mg per day. The first 2-3 days of this my morning anxiety returned. During the second week, I visited my psychiatrist for my monthly visit. We definitely had a lot to discuss, because he was unaware of my predominant withdrawal. He believes that I had a negative reaction to the serotonin that was in Effexor, which caused my anxiety while taking it, and possibly causing my bad withdrawal symptoms. Serotonin is also found in the Zoloft I was taking. Those medications are considered SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). With my bad reactions to these previous medications, my doctor decided to go with the Viibryd because its activity can be thought of as a combination of an SSRI and buspirone in some ways. The buspirone is the chemical used to treat generalized anxiety disorder. So, with the Viibryd, it should in sense be “killing two birds with one stone”. I explained to my doctor my recent anxiety issues during the second week. He was pretty convinced that the Viibryd was not causing that anxiety because they medication is not actually activated in my body that quickly. I did explain, how I was using and getting positive feedback from the .5mg of Lorazepam, he had previously prescribed. He decided it was safe for me to lean on the Lorazepam while going through this change in medicine so he rewrote my prescription to cover me at least 3 times per day. Which means if I feel I need it, I will have enough tablets to take 3 times a day for a month in comparison to the 30 per month for emergency use only. This gave me the reassurance that I have this medicine to fall back on if I need so. He also decided to increase my Viibryd dosage more quickly than the starter pack advices. My third week, which I just completed, I was taking 30mg. I will start my fourth week with 40 mg and continue from there. He believes that 40mg will be enough for me, but things can always change. I met with my OB the same day as my check up with psychiatrist. My appointment with my OB was mostly to touch base with her and explain, in person, all the difficulties I’ve had and where I’m at now. I was happy to explain to her that I was finally getting the help I needed. I highly recommended the facility to her and any of her future patients, which makes me feel good to help people who suffer similar to myself. So with this whole rollercoaster ride I’ve been on with medications and doctors over the past 6 months or really 2+ years, I have high hopes for Viibryd. I hope that I can smile more and laugh more. I hope I can begin to enjoy my life and my family. This time of year with the holidays is always my favorite but with my depression, I don’t enjoy the things I use it. I hope this year Viibryd will have my back and I can enjoy the holiday season with my husband and kids. And really all I can do at this point is hope… If you or someone you know if struggling with depression and anxiety, please visit MHA or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.
You are not alone. #FarmMomLife
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My Medical Statistics: Diagnosis: Major Depression Disorder PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) Severe Generalized Anxiety Disorder Prescription: Clonazepam 1mg Psychiatrist: Psychologist: Moeller, Myers and Associates, Sterling, IL Archives
November 2018
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