Posted by DebraA. on September 8, 2002, at 18:19:06
In reply to Re: Effexor and Alcohol, posted by Alara on September 6, 2002, at 8:29:12
Alara, thanks for your insight and sharing. I believe that most of us that are plagued with depression have many tendencies to reach out for whatever will help medicate how we're feeling. Looking back, I think you're right about the "lull" in the afternoon from the effexor. I took my doses in the a.m. and then again right before bedtime, so I experienced that lull in the afternoons too and would look for something to "medicate" that feeling (withdrawal as I see it now). I have had a long history with an eating disorder and I compare that obsession to one similiar to alcoholism. You see, we all reach for something. Unfortunately, the things we reach for (food, drugs, drink, etc) end up being a big part of our problem (as if things weren't bad enough!). To deal with my future without SSRIs, I understand that I'm going to have to find alternatives to handle those underlying tendencies of depression (which ultimately trigger my negative behavior). For a start, I picked up one of those books by a group of doctors who are recommending a low carb diet. Their research has shown that there may be a direct link between a person's ability to handle refined carbs and mood disorders. I know. My shrink just rolled his eyes when I told him that I wanted to give it a shot with this way of eating (along with a few other supplements) to help manage my depression. Some of these "rogue docs" also mention that these unique people also needed more calcium and magnesium to manage mood. Needless to say, I'm going for it. I've spent many years doing what the AMA and APA prescribes and I'm not happy with what they think they know. I believe these "rogue docs" are on to something - God forbid, we should be healthy individuals and no longer dump billions of dollars into the health system to maintain the status quo!!!! So, again, I'm going for it. What's to lose? If it doesn't work, there'll always be another generation of SSRIs to work with, right?
My withdrawal at 7 days now is still pretty bad. I went to a wine tasting last night, and the wine started making me feel ill. I spent today with increased anxiety and almost paranoia. I think the alcohol contributed. I'm going to avoid it until I get a better grip during this withdrawal. I'd love to be medicating these symtoms right now, but I feel worse when I do. I guess I'll just keep talking to you.
Thanks again, so much, for your input!!
poster:DebraA.
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020906/msgs/119304.html