warning

please, please, when prescribed medication from your doctor, read up on the drug your given. Read the side effects and know what you are taking.

My mother was recently prescribed Tramadol, a pain reliever.
She was apprehensive about taking it, because it is an opioid analgesic and she is not use to taking such medication.

She took one pill last night, around 6pm. Tramadol is only to be taken every 24 hours.

This AM, she awoke feeling nauseous, itchy, and her head feels like its ‘swimming’. She has a bad headache and vomited a few times this afternoon. Im laying in my parents bed with her because she wants me here. 

This is what can happen to people who are opioid-naive. 
My mom took one pill that was 200 mg in strength. Initially, a patient is only to take 100 mg of initial dose or tramadol then titrate up.

The doctor gave my mom trial packs. Each pill is worth 200 mg. My mom shouldnt have been given this high of dose to start, but since the pills are extended release, the doctor probably didnt realize it would be this hard on her system. 

Always be vigilant when taking medication!

Effexor XR side effects:

  • nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, sweating, dry mouth, abnormal vision, nervousness, insomnia, loss of appetite, confusion, agitation, tremors, yawning, palpitations, and increased cholesterol.

I have been on Effexor for a bit over a month. I switched to it from Paxil. I am on 150 mg and experiencing severe loss of appetite. I feel anorexic (anorexia: severe loss of appetite). All anti depressants make my vision blurry, so that’s not a big deal (it did bug me in the beginning though). I feel nauseous sometimes, but it’s not horrible.

Being vegan, loss of appetite is a major issue.

I’ve been trying hard to make smoothies with Vega powder and eating higher calorie foods so I don’t lose weight. But it’s hard. Just the thought of food makes me not want to eat! It’s shitty, but I guess you gotta take the good with the bad.