Day 2 to 3 - Effexor

Photo credit: Oscar Sansom

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i have had absolutely no zaps, pings, charges since the day before yesterday, around noon. for this reason alone, i can safely say it would be my choice to remain on this medication the balance of my days.

however, something disturbing happened last night. i awoke at around 1:15 a.m. after sleeping pretty soundly for three or so hours. i have been prone to insomnia for years so this part did not disturb me, but when i attempted to fall back to sleep, i had unusual things happen: each time i was about to drift off, i felt as though my breathing was stopping and i bolted upright on the couch. this happened on at least five occasions. i couldn't take air in - i felt as though i was under water. the last (5th) time was "it" and i went back up to bed to tell my husband what was happening. he reassured me i would not stop breathing and that i would be fine, but it happened once more before i finally fell back to sleep, exhausted, at 4:00 a.m.

an internet search did not reveal these types of occurrences as any kind of side-effect (closest thing i saw was "yawning") but if it happens again tonight and tomorrow night, i will call my doctor on friday (since tomorrow is thanksgiving) to see what he says.

one of the thoughts i had was i was entering into panic attack phase again -- i used to have panic attacks, but they would occur during the day, never at night. this was suffocating and startling and not something i would enjoy having happen with any type of regularity.

if anyone who is reading is an Effexor user, please ring in. it would be appreciated.

works for me wednesday - MRI goggles(!)

i have oftentimes read my friend shannon's blog with great interest, and her "works for me wednesdays" have always been a good read. this is my maiden voyage into works for me land and being as i always think outside of the box (because we know inside of the box gets cramped and clausterphobia sets in...), i thought this would be a good opportunity for others who share my affliction concern.

i had an mri a couple of weeks ago and was strapped in and practically glued into place before they tunneled me in. anyone who knows me even a wee bit would know i am exceedingly clausterphobic. not just a little, but panic-attack, burst-into-tears-and-made-the-tech-cry-too panicky at the last one (i generate empathy whereever i go...) this time, however, this closed one was "sprung" on me and i didn't have much time to prepare, so i simply prayed and when i was pulled out the first time for suspected hyperventilation (excuse me? i thought 42 breaths per minute was normal??), it was suggested that i watch oprah -- they had these mri-proofed television goggles for patients such as me and they offered for me to use them for my session.

huh? i am not so much an oprah fan, but watching her instead of entertaining thoughts of suicide was a delightful option and can i tell you? the 45 minutes flew by and i was out in a jiff.

please be sure to ask the next time you are scheduled for this lovely exam and it may get you through that tunnel without the need for extra xanax prayer. it didn't even matter i had no idea what the show was about since i couldn't hear it, i am just happy to admit the television goggles totally worked for me;

not that i am rushing back for another one any time soon, mind you...