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Permanently Altered

Age: 56–65  ·  Duration of use: 5+ years  ·  Current status: Yes, still taking
Symptoms: Brain zaps, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, insomnia, severe anxiety/panic, GI disturbances

I have been on almost every antidepressant since I was a young woman. The year Reagan died, I was taken off of Serzone cold turkey. I went through hell. Brain zaps, severe insomnia, panic, paranoia, cold sweats, nausea, diarrhea. This went on for weeks.

I suddenly had severe RLS. I still have severe RLS, and guess what my doctor did? Put me on gabapentin, which I know is a nightmare to get off. However, the RLS was such a nightmare I am terrified to go off it.

Unless you have experienced no sleep for weeks on end, I cannot explain how it makes you feel you are going to die.

Has a prescribed medication affected your life?

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