-When I was 20, I was dating a guy who smoked. To spite him (because I didnt smoke) when we would have an argument, seeing that it upset him I would smoke as well. It eventually became something I did every time I felt upset about something. One day as I craved a cigarette while driving with the windows down, music up it hit me... "Oh my gosh, I'm addicted to cigarettes." And from that moment on, I never smoked one again, ever.
-When I was 22 years of age I moved out with my High School friend. I was out drinking and dancing every weekend. I was drinking so often in fact that I realized one day that I couldn't have a good time without having a slight buzz going... Ha! that was not going to fly with me! So, I stopped drinking.
This is just who I am. Whether it is out being a control freak or out of simply being biologically wired to exist "on my own," I don't like being dependent. Not on alcohol, cigarettes, Effexor, abusive relationships, lopsided friendships, glasses/contact lenses, or anything else. Sometimes I don't notice my dependencies immediately but when I do, expect change. These are my goals for 2014, i.e., the promises that I have made to myself.
To Myself I Promise...
- To never again take Effexor, or any other brain altering drug that pharmaceuticals want me to believe that I need.
- To cut ties with every relationship that is one-sided, no matter the symptoms of loss/grieving that I may endure.
- To make myself available to new people and friends despite my evident need for protecting myself of hurt or disappointment.
- And above all else, if it doesn't need Me why should I ever consider needing It?
I mentioned in my last blog post that I was once again sick with a cold/flu. Although I am now on my 8th day discontinued from Effexor XR, it is important to remember that it remains in your system for another (close to) 30 days and will interact with other medications for at least 14 days post discontinuation. Therefore, I still need to be careful of drug interactions, and wouldn't you know it, Effexor should not be taken with pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a commonly used decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passage which can be found in various over-the-counter medications such as Sudafed, Mucinex DM, Robitussin, and many other cold/flu and allergy relief medications.
I've been having symptoms of interaction since beginning to take the Sudafed but hadn't realized the correlation. INFORM YOURSELF. Prior to taking something as simple over-the-counter cold/flu medication, check with your physician regarding drug interactions. If you can't seem to get a hold of your physician check out this page on drugs.com for more information about food & drug interactions.