Side FX

I'm no big fan of pills.  Heck, even for basic nutrition, I prefer to get it from food as opposed to supplements.

So, as I lay dying (I felt) for two weeks, and was on a host of different meds to deal with whatever this problem was (infection morphing to God Knows What sort of dizzy/fainting spells) I kept thinking, "I am too young and too healthy to be taking all these pills!"  Beyond depression, I was frankly suicidal.

Once I was coherent enough to string words together, I pulled all my meds together and started doing some research. What I found frankly astonished me.

Not one med was contra-indicated for another.  Okay, Good first step.  Then I started compiling a list of side effects.

THREE of the meds (two I normally take plus one of the extras for my special week!)) indicated dizziness and possible fainting as a side effect.  Okay I sort of expected that.  I knew whatever this thing was, it was outside myself.

The one that astonished me was the Montelukast (Singulair for those who watch TV!)  I have asthma which is greatly exacerbated by living at 7,000 ft.  When I go to coastal cities, I do not need so much as my rescue inhaler.  Here, I take three meds to deal with the breathing, and I'm not convinced the Singulair helps.

As many of you know, I struggle with depression and occasional suicidal thoughts.  This past year saw no fewer than four separate episodes of suicidal ideation.  That is a record.  I haven't had even one serious episode for at least a decade or more before this past year.  I went on anti-depressants in February to deal with this, and then had to "up" my ADHD meds again and again to deal with the side effects of the anti-depressants.  I chalked all this up to emotional heavy lifting.

Until I saw that Singulair lists as a side effect depression and suicidal thoughts.

Well, F$%& me.

I started taking Singulair about a year ago.  The depression and spiraling dark thoughts started deepening about a month later.

What if all the torture of this past year wasn't some irreparable place inside me, but a "mere" side effect of a medication?

What if, by stopping one medication, I can stop one other, and greatly reduce the need for a third?

So, I stopped taking the Singulair.  I have been off the meds for the infection for about a week now.  I can't just stop taking the anti-depressant because it can cause a boomerang effect, but fortunately I am meeting with my doctor in a couple days to discuss this with her.  I stopped the ADHD meds (ADHD is really harder on those around me than me, anyway) just to see what will happen.

I shall keep you apprised as events unfold.