Last Words about Mefloquine

Last Monday marked the last day that I was on anti-malarial medicine. The first two months of taking Mefloquine were rocky; however, I did manage to normalize in the last two months. Because I shamelessly embrace my passion for research, I will go more into the describing this interesting experience(/experiment if you count my peers on the program as the controls).

During the months of September and October, I experienced bipolar-like transitions in temperament, dizziness the first few days after taking the medicine, and was plagued by a feeling of dread (like I had never experienced before in my life mostly in unconscious states such as during sleep or during monotonous activities). To describe the mood changes, I would say that they were similar to what I experienced when on birth control-- extreme highs and lows. That said, it is possible that the emotional imbalance resulted either, one, as my body's sensitive response to chemical change, two, the always possible direct result of Mefloquine, or three, other (what I feel are less likely) causes such as culture shock, climate, etc. Furthermore, the dizziness experienced usually the first few days after taking the medicine can be described as light headedness, lethargy, and occasionally also accompanied by nausea. I believe that the climate of Senegal during these two months made it very difficult for an outsider like myself to stay hydrated, and I also think that it is a possibility that Mefloquine may have exasperated that problem. If dehydration was not the cause of my dizziness, then I would say that I cannot think of any other reason other than Mefloquine by itself that caused this side-effect. The last symptom that really stood out while I was on this anti-malarial drug, the feeling of dread, was (is) arguably the most severe. It first manifested itself before I even left for Senegal. As I mentioned in one of my past entries, I would wake up either from vividly gory dreams or from the feeling of dread. As time progressed, the dreams subsided and the feeling of dread during sleep as well. However, occasionally (emphasis on the low frequency of this), I would find myself routinely walking home at night experiencing intense pangs of fear like that a little child would from the imaginary monster beneath its bed. I suppose that it is fairly relevant to state that this was something new to me as I usually take nighttime strolls and have been known to go exploring around foreign cities by myself-- therefore, I don't feel like the excitement of this experience directly caused it in any way. It is always a possibility, however, that something about Dakar or Sebikhotane really got underneath my skin and spooked me-- but whatever that may have been, I was not conscious of it as I consciously believed both environments to be extremely safe and the people hospitable and friendly.

The possible side-effects of Mefloquine just about completely disappeared during the months of November and December. Coincidentally, November and December were the months that I spent in Sebikhotane. I would also say that of my study abroad experience, this was the time I enjoyed most. This is possibly due to the fact that my body adjusted to Mefloquine. Or perhaps, I just liked the independence and more personal experience of the country experienced during my internship phase in Sebikhotane. Even more, the more mellow weather may have been a huge influence in this uplift in overall experience.

Any more last words on Melfoquine.. Let's see... It was fairly annoying how the pill would dissolve almost the very second you placed it in your mouth-- the taste of it was fairly baking soda-ish/ not pleasant. Also, to anyone filling any prescription: pay attention to what youre prescribed and what they actually give you. I didn't notice until I got to Senegal that they only gave me a 3 months supply and if you include the pre- and post- dosages, I needed 4 months worth. Luckily, my friend switched off Mefloquine while there and gave me what he had left which was more than enough.

Hope this recap helps all those debating whether or not to take Mefloquine. Feel free to email me if you have any questions :) sheudoro@gmail.com