Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 13, 2006, at 16:48:57
Just some thoughts, as I have went through the decision process once again about a med/treatment change and asked for ECT and return to Effexor ER. As I have gone through this horrible cycle of severe depression ups and downs and anxiety ups and downs, I see more and more the benefit of sites like this and others...Knowledge and some understanding of what is happening to us. If I would of known about this site back in the late 90's or 2000, I would of pursued my course much differantly and maybe not have lost all. (maybe)
As I visited this site on a regular basis, make med. changes, try to move on, have med combos quit, revisit the site, I keep seeing the same overlying premise, that most of the Dr's don't know anymore than we do. After looking up ECT on this site and others, it became less scary, less "One flew over the Cuckoo's nest like." Maybe I will end up like Jack and hopefully there will be a Chief to put a pillow over my head. But, better yet I hope to get the positive benefit that it often provides and the Effexor will work even better than before.I know a lot of the Dr's hate these website. It disempowers them. Oh to the mighty Dr. But, after going through, about all of the newer meds, anxiety meds, I have found that researching before hand, then knowing what to ask for is a good way to go. At least for those able to do that. I am only talking depression and anxiety. I have family members with severe Bipolar, Manic Depression...they often were not in a state to make a decision. Anyway, I have walked out of a number of Dr's when they told me I had to take xyz, no benzos, I am one step below God, etc.. I have been lucky to have found a Dr. that is willing to listen to me and let me help in making a judgement about treatment. It is our lives, not theirs. I have run into a few other good ones to. One's that were willing to listen to you as an educated patient. This in itself does not make my depression/anxiety go away, but it makes me more comfortable with my Psy doc/ patient relationship.
But on the down side, sometimes the web, can be info overload, read the wrong post and become scared to death about a med. If you can get anything from reading the posts, realize that these meds. react differently for each of us. Who knows why, I am sure some of you have opinions. That's beyond my expertise. Anyway, after making a big decision to pursue ECT, which my Dr. has been proposing for over a year, I felt a need to post how I decided to proceed. Be your own Judge...if you can't ...find a new Dr....there are thousands out there.......how come there are so many from India? Good luck to all
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poster:invisibleman15010
thread:676113
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060810/msgs/676113.html