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[mommy52]

Please, can anyone offer any suggestions/help. I recently lost my job. I'm unable to fill Rx.. On Effexor 300XR daily, Lamictal 200 daily, Wellbutrin 300 daily. Provigil 200 daily and Neurontin 100 3xday. My memory is worsening. Some days I forget to take meds and then I try to taper doses to where I will not have to refill so soon. Saw PCP and he said I could take Pristiq(?) 50mg daily instead of Effexor. No ins. cant see psychiatrist. No ins. to see anybody.Think I will just stop taking all and say  to H*** with it all. I am so confused. I read others problems want to help, heck sometimes feel can't even help self. These changes will flip from good to bad in notime. Feel like I'm crazy. Spent few days with my aunt this week. She said I need to stop taking all these meds. That's what is wrong with me. Also says no pain meds that's what wrong. Family just don't understand. How can they? I don't. Just think I'll go to bed and pull covers over head and see what tomprrow brings. What happens. Why don't we feel like we used to.  What did I do to deserve this. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired. Tired of feelimg awful all the time/Dang it here come the tears-cant see to type. Guess I will have to stop. No more motor mouth tonight. Umm somebodies cookink and smells like they are burning it instead of cooking it. Why can't I shut up. Stop.

[mommy52]

Thanks. These things I have planned to do and have all intentions of doing, but FORGET. Since not working I see memory slipping. I guess it's true what they say, "If you don't use it, you will loose it." Thanks, Make note each night of things to do next day. Get to going in circles and either forget or I forget where I put the notes.

[Tammy70]

You might want to look into finding a community clinic, a county emergency psych hospital,  or sometimes the companies that make the medications will give the meds for free or low fee (you could talk to the nurse or dr where you got your meds)  and also, if you know any drs or the dr you got the meds from, they can give you samples until you get approved for say...disability (which your Dr can help with).  Hope this gives you some ideas.

[mommy52]

Yes,I agree I am on a lot of meds and I don't think I am dependent on them. The way both of my physicians have explained....missing certain chemical..meds replace, help balance. The meds aare many, but I no longer have the desire to stay in bed for almost a month with no bath, My husband says I would become violent at any suggestion he made. Finally meds had be stable and functioning "normally". That is until I lost my job, which do not know if I have mentioned on this forum was probably 99% related to a Work. Claim from 2/07. Menapause is not  my problem. I have had surgically induced menapause since 1988, that was not to my choosing. Thanks for your input. Prior to my most recent flare up, I had trid buspar and zoloft. Both made me drowsy and I could not drive and work. Believe it or not ,I don't feel drowsy or "goofy" when I am taking my meds. When I take pain meds amd muscle relaxants (needing more frq. due to pain) I must hit the bed. Not sure I understand what you mean by"other substances and ones from the doctor" Please explain. Thanks again for taking the time to coment.    Madlyn

[mommaC54]

I am 54 and I feel so much empathy and compassion for you! I get the feeling that you have become very dependent on all the medication prescribed and not. I was taking effexor approx. 7 years ago and took myself off of it abruptly. I went through very strange withdrawals mostly a zinging in my head that scared my friends but didn't cause me any pain so I just got through it. My depression returned and I started taking zoloft which worked wonders for me. I stopped taking zoloft about three years ago and was fine up until about six months ago. I am wondering if menapause has something to do with the feelings you're having now. I am wondering that for myself but until lately just brushed it off as a natural stage of life and that it's no big deal. You're not alone! It does seem like you're taking a lot of medication on a regular basis and between the other substances and the ones from the doctor that there could be negative reactions. I wish you all the hope and happiness the universe has to offer.

[mommy52]

I suggested to MD and he said wouldn't be necessary. Wish he could be in my head just now. Thanks for response. Helpful and at least I know I'm not the only one up. Oops its 1:30am you posted 10:40pm. I think it's time for bed.

[azalea82]

Abruptly switching from Effexor XR 300mg to Pristiq 50mg could certainly explain your current symptoms.  Ideally, you should slowly taper off Effexor XR.  Best wishes.  

[mommy52]

Thanks for info azalea. I will search med assistance. Not elegible for emerg. Medicaid.I am checking all available avenues. Searched on site for Ga. couldn't quite understand it except not elegible. MD changed Effexor XR 300mg to Pristiq 50mg. I don't know if this is why I feel so rotten. My head feels like it is going to blow off top. Was told it could be result of bulging/herniated disc R/T work. injury. My attorney feels that is why I was terminated. The pain is so bad. Because I was honest 10 years ago when I had cervical fusions, Told MD of drug abuse/use.I know I am paranoid, but I feel that is why he has only given me Wygesic or Darvocet N100. Goody powders help more. Don't have a stomach-shouldn't take them. Going to search site again that ILADVOCATE suggested. Also am going to Google all my meds, my spouses and my son's.I can purchase COBRA, but can not afford to pay. Only income is spouses retirement/disability. I only pray I can stand feeling til Monday when I see MD. Knows I do not have ins.  Will try to borrow from relative and pay COBRA and get all tests done in Nov. and meds for 3 mos. filled. Lawyer should have his stuff done then. Said tak3 approx 2 mos. OMG I'm c/o again. It just helps so to get it all out. When I do I can see possibilities to the situations that I couldn't see before. I guess I know that when it comes down to it I WILL GET THE MEDS. Thanks for suggestions. Pray. My memory is my problems to. Sure it isresult of all meds.Bless each of you that listens and offers support. Love ya'll   Madlyn

[azalea82]

Abruptly discontinuing your medication is NOT a good idea, especially Effexor.  

Can you get COBRA health insurance?
"The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss."

In addition, there are patient assistance programs for many of the medications you take.  Google effexor + patient assistance, etc and you should find information about how to apply.  

[ILADVOCATE]

Firstly apply for emergency Medicaid to get immediate coverage. That can transition to straight Medicaid. Secondly if you unable to work apply for Social Security Disability. If you are able to work apply for services that help people with disabilities obtain employment. In New York, the agency is called VESID. And these services can be coordinated at your local independent living center. Here's a link to the ones in Georgia:
http://www.silcga.org/CIL_List.htm