Legal Drugs Are Dangerous

Remember that commercial from the 80’s with the egg in the frying pan? You know the “this is your brain on drugs” one? Well, Wyeth should have paid for it.

My Rheumatologist said this summer I needed to swap off the Cymbalta. Week one was halving my dosage, week two was taking the lower dose every other day, and week three I started the new. Week two coincided with the start of the 2009/2010 school year. Can you say bad timing? Now we’re a month into school and a month into the new Rx. The major side effects I’m experiencing are not listed anywhere in the super fine print on the massive foldaway insert. Side effect number one is anger. I’ve been upset at people or situations before, but seemed to always go straight to the disappointment emotion. Patience was a natural state. Now, I get pissed off and quickly. Side effect number two is the inability to keep my mouth shut. Imagine what a wonderful combination that is with side effect number one. My mouth has come unhinged. When irritated, I’ve said some of the harshest and insensitive things lately to people I love and respect. The words vomit out of my mouth. I need the filter switch turned back on in my brain so certain thoughts never become audible.

They say it takes a while to get your system “used to” a new medication. So for now I’m burdened with the brain-mouth disconnect. Geez I hope this isn’t a permanent state. I feel so unlike myself. Please, please, please forgive me if I’ve snapped or spat out a poorly worded comment to you lately. “Prescriptions” and “medications” are drugs you know. Just because they’re legal doesn’t make them any less of a drug.