Hello all ...
I am 28 years old and have struggled with anxiety and depression on and off my entire life. When I was 6, I began exuberating symptoms of OCD which was later diagnosed as Trichotillomania. I've experienced severe manic episodes only periodically through my life. I've only recently been making a strong effort to try medication. I gave birth to my son almost 6 years ago. His Father and I divorced 4 years ago. I since have remarried to a wonderful, loving man. And his Father has also remarried. However, my mental history was used against me in assigning custody of my son and my son's Father has residential custody (although they still term it as "Shared Parenting"). I see my son only every other weekend and we alternate holidays and such. My husband and I purchased our home last year. I also transitioned to a new job at this time. I had to go through a bankruptcy due to the previous attorney and court fees from the divorce and custody battle. I have often been traumatized by change. As of late, I have been out of work for a month now. I had what I classify as a "nervous breakdown" and am now trying to gain employment. My primary physician tried me first on Cymbalta. I took this for approximately 4-6 weeks. Once I had a very bad day of depressive and hysterical behavior, my Mother and Husband took me back to my doctor and she prescribed Prozac (20mg 1x a day) and Xanax (5mg 2x a day). Initially, I felt this wave of energy come over me. I finally had the desire to get up and go. Now after about 3 weeks on the Prozac (and I've ended up only taking 1 Xanax a day to stretch it out), I'm basically going comatose immediately after I take it. I'll crash out for a few hours and wake up groggy and then not be able to sleep at night w/o the help of sleep aids. 2007 has been a difficult one at that. I was involved in a minor car accident, my son was put on ADHD medication (Focalin 5mg 1x a day), my Grandfather passed away, I got married, my son was rushed to the emergency room for chest pains, resigned from my employer, etc. And with my son getting older, he's missing me more and more (which only adds to how much I already miss him), I feel alienated parentally by his Father and Step-Mother. And I'm wanting to take legal action to show change in circumstance since the intial judgment was first ruled.
So Q #1: Is this delayed side effect normal?
Q #2: Have any other Mothers been discrimated against for having needs for this type of medication?