Posted by Cam W. on June 9, 2001, at 22:33:28
In reply to Re:you guys can't be serious, posted by gilbert on June 9, 2001, at 19:15:54
Gil - No one is saying to stop research here. As a matter of fact, every time we find something that works, it does seem to have fewer side effects than those that came before. No one taking TCAs really complained about weight gain or sexual dsyfunction because a dried out body and extreme drowsiness overshadowed those other side effects.
Looking at what today's drugs do help us in our understanding of syndromes like depression. From this we can look for new agents targeting an ever finer set of discreet brain areas and physiological mechanisms.
I, for one, would not have been able to work in my profession. Nor would I have been able to amass the minimal knowledge that I have into various mental illnesses. This would also mean that I would not have been able to help (albeit in a small way) those that I have believed that I have helped over the years. By beating back my depression, first with Wellbutrin, and now with Effexor, I can lead a productive life, instead of still curling up in my bed, wishing the world away.
If it weren't for advances in the treatment of mental illnesses, I would most likely be a junkie or dead. Instead of complaining about the lack of effectiveness of these new chemicals in some individuals, I thank my lucky stars that they were developed. Spine-cracking, muscle relaxant-free ECT looks like a grim option, compared to taking a couple of capsules every morning.
- Cam
BTW - Instead of having sexual dysfunction with Effexor, I now have knee-quaking, rocket exploding orgasms. I feel like I am 18 again, much to the chagrin of my wife, at times. - C.(call me Rocketman).
poster:Cam W.
thread:65867
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/65974.html