Tragedies symptoms and conditions

Because of a couple tragedies that ocurred in my life, I was unable to sleep. Ambien was prescribed and with it, I woke up completely rested! BUT there were several dangerous events to share with you.

I drove several times & have no recollection! If it weren't for receipts, checks, etc. I wouldn't know anything about it! I'm a married woman and I took a male acquaintance to a liquor store 1/2 hour away once!
I drove to a city an hour from my home at least once!

Additionally, I've had phone conversations, conducted business meetings, taught a religion class...ALL with no knowledge or memory of these acts.

Yes, I would find dirty dishes in the sink in the morning too! I ate so much food! I didn't gain weight though...probably because the Ambien also removed ALL inhibitions in my life. My husband selfishly took complete advantage of this...if you know what I mean. This was not right! I'm still angry about this. It wasn't until he realized that I was driving in my sleep that he encouraged me not to take the Ambien anymore...I haven't taken it for two years. I do miss it because it really left me rested. Now I only take over-the-counter products and they leave me groggy.

I'm 31 and started taking Effexor a week ago 75mg to begin with. Today I'm doubling the dose. I am mourning for the loss of my husband whom I have been together with for three years and married for 4 months! In a week I had a serious nervous breakdown due to an obsession in my mind; related to getting his personal belongings from his family. But today when I think about my feelings, it seems as if they're all lost. Or they are buried even deeper inside of me. I can't cry and this is uncomfortable. One day I'm seriously aggressive, another day I'm the easiest person on earth, then another day I'm fighting with my emotions like missing him bad. I had suicidal thoughts as well. When I look back, it seems overwhelming what I felt due to this medicine on top of my deep sorrow.
I don't really know how this dose doubling will affect me, but I'm anxious!!!!!

LET'S RAISE AWARENESS TOGETHER and stop more damage from occurring. Remember, my son (post is far down) almost became a vegetable and was given a grim prognosis by 2 pediatric neurologists including the top one at Duke. No cure we were told. But we always knew it was Singulair. He was cured and there is no medical explanation. Had he continued to take it he would be the vegetable they had predicted he'd become.

Okay, I just emailed DATELINE NBC - please be sure to submit your children's adverse reactions story to them - here is the email address:
******

I also tried emailing ABC for PrimeTime and 20/20 but they use regular snail mail for story suggestions - please do your part and mail out your story to them at:

To submit a story idea to one of the ABC News shows listed below, write a single page letter including your name, phone number, and address. Include photocopies of backup information. On the outside of the envelope, write "Story Idea." If a producer is interested in your story, he/she will contact you. Here are the show addresses:

20/20
147 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10023

Primetime
147 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10023

Together we will do something to help avoid more tragedies.

Lourdes