medications and effect of life

[ladytraviler]

I ran out of two of my meds 5 days ago. Am supposed to pick them up today. For the last 3 nights have had psychotic mood swings. Enough to the point I was willing to walk off contract. And it was not anything out of the ordnariy. Had an admit waiting on night shift. Easy one at that. I was furious :angryfire and felt like throwing things . The nurse handing the patient over asked me what was wrong and I couldnt tell her cause I did not know what the problem was . I had to go into the bathroom and cry to get rid of the anger . I am normally a easy going person who doesnt get angry just a little upset at times. I get along with most of the staff I work with and we have a good time on nights, even the crazy nights .

The two meds were Vytorin and Neurontin. I know neurontin was for my neuropathy but never realized it was a mood stabilizer . To miss 15 doses sent me into withdrawl. I was talking to one of the doctors whose head I wanted to seperate from his shoulders and who is my personal doc about the mood swings. He got quiet and asked if I was out of any meds. When told he started laughing and told me that it was the lack of the neurontin that was causing them.

I felt like an idot. He explained what the med did besides give pain relief . I just want to let others know about the result of cold turkey from this drug. I honestlly have to say it never crossed my mind to tie the two together.:uhoh21:

[TraumaICURN]

Wow...I didn't know that. Thanks for the info. I hope you are feeling better now!

[ladytraviler]

Thanks, I will be once I get the levels back up. I have to say it was an eye opener for me. :monkeydance:

[fultzymom]

I never knew that. That is good info to have since we have a lot of patients on it where I work!

[lsyorke, RN]

Cold turkey off of Neurontin can be VERY dangerous. Suicidality and rage are common reactions.

[ladytraviler]

Well, I had the rage part down pat. The worst of it is I could see what was happening, see it escalating, but could not stop it. I felt like someone else was in my skin and I was just watching. I have a 45 day supply now with automatic refills at 30 days. My insurance company made the statement they were suprised that I didnt have an ER visit. Apparently this drug works wonders when taken on schedule but has enormous side effects when just stopped. I didnt intend to just stop, I just ran out. Big life lesson. I am so glad I dont drive right now. I would be the one in jail cause of road rage.

[TazziRN, RN]

Never, ever run out of ANY chronic meds, no matter what they're for!!

[Myxel67]

SSRI's (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Effexor, Lexapro and many more) can also wreak havoc if they are stopped abruptly. Even to change from one of them to another, the pt must be weaned off gradually as the new med is started gradually. Messing with those neurotransmitters can be tricky!

[nj1grlcrus]

try and tell the insurance companies that you want a refill so you don't run out. Everytime i try to refill anything early, the pharmacist tells me, "The insurance company won't cover this until next week, come back then"

[ladytraviler]

UPDATE:

I am back on meds and feeling great. The mood swings have hit the road. I am so glad this info was useful to a few. I will now make it a point for patients on this med at home to get it in hospital. I must have needed this lesson to become a better nurse. I understand what the problem is with coming off a med, intentional or not. I will not make the same mistake again.

Thanks again for listening.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Thanks for sharing that you're feeling better. That is good to hear. I'll be sure to include that in any teaching about neurontin that I do. :)

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

Thanks for sharing that you're feeling better. That is good to hear. I'll be sure to include that in any teaching about neurontin that I do. :)

Ditto that...