On Vox: reuptake of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibition
I weaned myself off of the two anti-depressant meds I had been taking for about 2 years last summer. It was a bit hairy at first, especially in terms of wanting to drink all the time, but after a month or two I felt fine. Not depressed. Not too anxious.
But then life happened, and since the beginning of this year I have been in, well, a "state." My anxiety has been keeping me awake at all kinds of hours that I would normally be fervently dreaming. A hole in my gut also takes its turn waking me up at 4AM to flop around in agony.
So I finally went to the Dr. to demand xanax and whatever it is one takes for a peptic ulcer. My Dr. at the local community clinic is a bit of a hippie, but he knows his meds. Last time I saw him he had all kinds of better info about my medications than the creepy psychiatric nurse-practitioner who had prescribed them.
After getting a sense for the kind of anxiety I'm dealing with, he said, "You know, some people call xanax the devil's drug." Oh dear, looks like I'm not getting any xanax. I mean, I think he would have given me the prescription if I pressed, but he is opposed to getting in the habit of taking a pill when upset or stressed. As am I. And xanax is the most addictive prescription medication.
So he recommends Citalopram, an SSRI that is good for anxiety, for a few months. This is very similar to the Lexapro I took until last July, so I can at least predict the extent of the side effects. I'm sort of annoyed to go back on one of these meds, but I see the wisdom in it as well.
As far as my stomach pain, he tells me "don't worry about it too much." Get a bottle of Maalox and chug as needed.
This Dr. also likes to give weight loss tips (he's not concerned about my weight but says I would probably feel better 10 lbs lighter). One of the things he recommends every time: NO BREAD. And of course no calories from beverages. And steamed vegetables DO NOT need butter. He is very adamant about this.
Originally posted on kgi.vox.com