Paxil Chapter
Well, today is the first day totally off my medication. The withdrawals from this drug are mind-boggling. How could something that was supposed to be helping me actually be poison? The more I have been reading about Paxil the more distraught I become. Looking back at the time of my anxiety, I know that I needed something, but I wish I had been armed with the information I have now. I know I would have been much more selective in which medications my body would become dependent.
Yesterday, a more difficult day of withdrawal symptoms, I came across a blog detailing her experience with detoxing from this drug. Again, someone else caught totally off guard of the fact that this is so terrible. She had a very difficult time getting off of it and said that the greatest help to her was a “support group” of sorts. It is actually a website called paxilprogress.org. Here you are free to post your experience with weaning off and people are there and able to respond with words of encouragement and advice. I posted last night for the first time asking if these withdrawals were familiar to anyone – of course, they were! I also said that there is absolutely no way I could accomplish this task with my Heavenly Father and my incredible husband of which He blessed me. A woman responded and said, “I’m so happy to read your faith and your husband are helping you. It’s so nice to have a supportive spouse. Those are the things, along with this board, that helped me as well”. I was amazed. I posted that because that is who I am, I can’t pretend I am doing this on my own. And, then here comes a complete stranger mentioning my faith and its importance.
I just felt so blessed. I guess a better way of saying that would be to say that I felt confirmed – Me as a person – My struggles in this battle – My ability to make it through. I know that God allows you to go through difficult times in your life for many reasons. Ones that I recognize currently is our need for him more and thus draw to him. Also, I believe, so that we have this story, one that someday may help someone else. This woman’s story and experience is helping me. Maybe someday my story and experience can help someone as well.
For now, I just need to finish this Paxil chapter. I know I can do it! Freedom is within reach.
Phillipians 4: 10-13 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Amen!