I want to stop taking my antidepressant for money reasons, would I be making a mistake?

[hrcdjc]

I'm currently one of the 47 million Americans who doesn't have access to affordable healthcare. My insurance only covers emergencies, has high deductable, and no prescription coverage. I've been looking for another job that has benefits. The job I have now is good but they don't offer coverage; it's a small private company. My parents pay for my medication which is $155/month. They say that they can afford it but it's still wrong payin that much. My coverage under my parents stopped when I turned 22. I graduated college recently, I'm just now launching my career; so I don't have alot of money. I've skipped eye exams and regular checkups for three years in order to save money while I was still in school (my parents said they'll pay for it, but I didnt wanna be a burden) My medication is Effexor and I heard people coming off of it got really sick with withdrawl. My doc says my body cant handle weaning off of it (Im getting a second opinion). Is it worth it taking the risk?
The Effexor has actually been working for me, but I still want to come off of it for money reasons. You see since my parents still pay it and say they are fine with it, I think it still would be better for me to come off of it cause my dad spends a fortune every month fillin up his gas guzzlin deisel pick up truck. I also heard of other Effexor users creating a class action law suit cause of the withdrawl symptoms they had even when they followed their doc's advice of weaning off of it. But still I think it's worth risking my health a tad bit if I want to save money for movin out and payin my loans. Hopefully that doesn't sound too crazy. Anyone else think it's worth the risk?

[beachbabe]

it would be a very bad decision to stop it as ur doc said.... it is not worth taking the risk...if your parents are willing to pay for it then let them. they want you to be healthy! =] im a psychiatrist on effexor! it would be bad!! if you think that its wrong that your parents are paying for it, offer them some money for it monthly or weekly or whatever you can afford untill your career launches! good luck! anyother questions? email me beachbabe89@rocketmail.com

[Suzy Q]

I wouldn't stop the medication if many people have complained about withdrawal symptoms. If you do I would do it under the doctor's supervision. You are at a very stressful part of your life, I don't think you should stop taking the drugs. You are starting the daily grid and it hits most graduates hard a few months to a few years after being in the "real world". I don't think there's anything wrong with your parents paying for the medication, it's not like you're asking them to buy you clothes and pay for pedicures. It's something you need and parents want to provide their children with what they need to the best of their ability. Not having medical insurance sucks and it's not your fault, most recent graduates are finding themselves without insurance. A lot of companies hire people as consultants and pay them hourly and don't offer insurance. I've experienced it and a few of my friends have too. It really sucks.