The Side Effects Are What?

I know I have gone on this rant before but I can't help but revisit it.  Here's why.

This week my psychiatrist has decided it's time to try something new for my Major Depressive Disorder. I've been taking Cymbalta for quite awhile now. Cymbalta is a type of antidepressant called a  serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.  The doc thinks this type of drug is no longer doing what it should so it's time to start something else. His suggestion is Manerix, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. I'm usually game for trying something new. I mean, I've tried two dozen different types of medications by now, what's one more, right. But damn!   Check this list out first

     •abdominal or stomach pain or discomfort
     •constipation

     •diarrhea
     •dizziness
     •dryness of mouth
     •increased or decreased appetite
     •nausea
     •nightmares

     •trembling or shaking of arms or legs

     •trouble sleeping
     •vomiting

This list of possible side effects is actually pretty tame. All of the above can be found on almost any anti-depressant.  That's not what scares me about the new drug I'm 'about' to take.  Check the list out of possible interactions...

•alcohol (DAMN!)

•amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine) •anesthetics (e.g., halothane) •antipsychotic medications (e.g., haloperidol, quetiapine, risperidone) •appetite suppressants (e.g., sibutramine, mazindol) •atomoxetine
•bupropion •buspirone •carbamazepine •cimetidine •cyclobenzaprine
•decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, pseudoephedrine, tetrahydrazoline, xylometazoline)
•desvenlafaxine •dextromethorphan •entacapone •fluconazole •gemfibrozil •glaucoma medications (e.g., apraclonidine, brimonidine) •isoniazid •levodopa •linezolid •meperidine •methadone •methyldopa •mirtazapine •modafinil •narcotic medications (e.g., fentanyl, morphine, codeine) •other MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
•S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) supplements •SSRI antidepressants (e.g., citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline) •St. Johns wort •sympathomimetic medications (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine) •tapentadol •tetrabenazine
•thioridazine •ticlopidine •tramadol •tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine)
•"triptan" migraine medications (e.g., rizatriptan, sumatriptan) •tryptophan •venlafaxine

Basically what the list says is don't take anything.....ever.....without asking someone first if it's ok.  And no more drinking?? Did I mention Damn??  I guess sacrifices must be made to get better but I'm a little nervous about "the List".  I've never had to worry about so much before with any medication I've taken.  I guess this one will be interesting.

Now for the worst part about switching medications. Cymbalta and Manerix cannot be in my blood system at the same time. This means I must come off Cymbalta completely before switching to Manerix. I am, of course, weaning myself of Cymbalta over the next two weeks which, in and of itself should be interesting. But this means I will be without medication for a little while.  Fascinating stuff. The last time I weaned off a medication, I went a little CRAZY!!  Ok, crazy doesn't even begin to describe the madness that ensued! 

Did I mention that my daycare lady quit and that we have still be unable to find a suitable replacement? Double DAMN!!  I think I might lose my mind over the next three weeks!

So, if I'm in here every now and then complaining and whining and maybe freaking out a little bit, you'll know why!!!