Posted by Simcha on January 15, 2002, at 11:35:31
In reply to Anyone reached the feeling good stage ?, posted by sid on January 15, 2002, at 10:14:53
Sid,
I also have dysthymia. I've had it longer than I can imagine.
My first med was EffexorXR. For me 75mg was not enough. When my doc got me up to 150mg and I stayed there for a couple weeks something happened.
I woke up one morning and it was as if a veil had lifted. I wanted to be awake (I don't ever remember feeling that) and I wanted to be alive (It had been a long time since I felt that!).
75mg is a low starting dose. It took 150mg for me. For others it takes more. For some this is not the med that will work.
I had to wait 6 weeks and be on the 150mg dose for at least 2 weeks to have the veil lifted. Give it time if it's not producing unbearable side effects. From what others say on the board, if it does nothing for you 2 months into treatment then it is time to try something else.
Your mileage may vary. We are all different.
Take Care,
Simcha.> Hi all,
> I saw my doc this morning, continuing at 75 mg of Effexor XR for a while longer.
>
> She mentioned that once I "feel good," I will stay on the med(s) at least one more year to avoid relapses once I come off it(them). Problem is, I don't know what it's like to "feel good." I've had dysthymia since I was 13 years old (I think) and anxiety for as long as I can remember, so any improvement over a pretty low baseline is "feeling good" to me.
>
> As a result, I can't imagine how we'll decide that I'm at the right dosage and I need to tough it out one more year. Sometimes I think I complain too much and should live more and ask myself less how it is I am doing today. I also think that if I felt really good, perhaps I would not ask myself how I am doing. I am confused with it all. Any insights? What is it like to "feel good"?
>
> - Sid
poster:Simcha
thread:90273
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020110/msgs/90281.html