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How did I Get Here?
My Week on Prozac
Walking through Walmart with my $4 Prozac prescription in hand, I cry. How did I get here? The rows of July 4th inspired clothing catch my eye as I think does my 2 year old have an outfit for the upcoming holiday? Down the long aisle past the various cold medicines, I get to the counter. Sunglasses cover my red, puffy eyes. I give the clerk the piece of paper which is my key to getting my life back in gear.
“What are the side effects?” I ask my therapist. I really wanted to go on Lexapro, but my insurance doesn’t cover it. It’s the latest in many of the SSRIs to come on the market with little side effects. Apparently, the teenage set is worried about weight gain and the pharmaceutical companies, eager not to lose them, has created yet another drug to encourage the younger generation to deal with their problems with a pill. “Sexual issues are the most reported side effect” Like I care. My husband and I haven’t had sex in months.
“I know there is a stigma attached to these drugs, but if it were a heart medication, you wouldn’t even question it”. Well, yeah, I would. I’m the person who recently started taking plant sterols- instead of cholesterol lowering medication. I really would prefer to avoid any type of prescription drug- especially a mind altering one. Plus, I’ve seen too many people spiral out of control on medication upon medication…
