Posted by MKB on October 10, 2004, at 23:21:06
I have been sick all weekend and thanks to this board, now I know why. I just completed a one-month sample supply of Effexor XR, but ran out about 3 days ago. My doctor has not yet responded to my request to call in a real prescription. Meanwhile, I have been thinking I have the flu. Not only do I feel woozy, I also have a slight rash. The worst part is the extreme sadness and weepiness I feel. Fortunately, I have been able to control it even though I could have easily done and said things that would have damaged some family relationships.
I am over 50 and have been depressed all my life. I had a major depression about 10 years ago and started on Zoloft. Zoloft worked well, but it tore up my stomach and made me sleep too much. Going off it sent me into a mystical experience that I'm still scratching my head over.
Later I was put on Serzone by a different doctor. I had no bad side effects and it kept me fairly stable, but my mood was still a little depressed. Another doctor had me try Paxil. Bad news, that one. A lot of weight gain and incapacitating sleepiness. Then I tried Wellbutrin. No bad side-effects. It was nice to be taking something that did not inhibit sexual response, but I don't think it was what I needed.
I needed something that would really help with anxiety, as I have a BIG problem with that one, bordering on agoraphobia. I have noticed on the Effexor that I feel quite comfortable in social situations. This has been a big relief to me and may very well change my life.
Even though I can see that going off is difficult, and I'm concerned that my blood pressure is elevated on the Effexor, I don't think I have any choice but to get back on it. My social anxiety has done more to ruin my life than any medication possibly could. So tomorrow, I'm getting that prescription.
poster:MKB
thread:401377
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041007/msgs/401377.html