Posted by Chairman_MAO on May 7, 2005, at 14:12:16
In reply to Withdrawal is AWFUL!, posted by Mariqua on April 23, 2005, at 19:34:55
My heart goes out to you and countless others that were duped into thinking that SSRI-type antidepressants do not have a withdrawal syndrome because they are "not addictive" or whatever. The truth is, anyone familiar with drug action--such as the pharmaceutical companies--knows the concept of a drug which so profoundly alters neural activity as an SSRI NOT producing a withdrawal syndrome is absurd. These pharmaceutical companies are truly repugnant; I hope all of the horrors they've unleashed upon a public trusting in the FDA and old-fashioned good-willed capitalism (if there is such a thing; I used to think there was, but I guess I was naive) come back to haunt all those in power at these companies in spades. May their stranglehold on our nation's mental health (read: cultural consciousness of the human condition) be broken ASAP. As if feeling apathetic, sexless, fat, uninspired, sleepy and sleepless at the same time, and, most of all, DOCILE FOR THOSE IN CHARGE is "antidepressed"!
Not only that, but these drugs are prescribed to people in lieu of drugs with milder withdrawal symptoms (such as opioids) and side effects (benzos) just to line the pockets of big pharma who, with a few notable exceptions, aren't even capable of coming up with better drugs for mental health than the ones *discovered* (no "rational drug discovery" back then) in the 50s (MAOIs) and earlier (uppers, downers, opioids), and the politicians that support them.
What you are experiencing now is worse than heroin withdrawal. Best of luck making it through on the first try, and remember that you have a community of people here rooting for you. Learn this lesson from this experience: No one has nearly as much incentive to look out for your well-being than you do. If you're extraordinarily lucky, you'll get a pdoc that wants to look out for your well-being as well, but even then, you'd have to make sure they aren't being duped by big pharma as well. Stay informed, read as much as possible, and take your health into your own hands--where it belongs.
Again, best of luck. i've been through SSRI withdrawal too many times, and thankfully now that I'm off that garbage and on medication that actually works, I will never have to experience it again. I hope you reach euthymia soon.
This comes to mind when I think of American pharmacracy:
"Babylon* system is a vampire/sucking the blood of the sufferers"
--Bob Marley*American/western society, viz. those that wish to build literal, metaphorical, and metaphysicial skyscrapers to reach and equal God.
poster:Chairman_MAO
thread:489499
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050424/msgs/494890.html