Posted by elsie_girl on July 7, 2006, at 5:04:13
In reply to Re: I'm not afraid, I just don't wanna...., posted by over 55 on July 6, 2006, at 9:10:51
Hi Over 55! You sound like you are in exactly the same position as me. I was initially going to change to another AD because of side-effects from Efexor, but as I was reducing the dose I felt better and better and I too decided that I would like to have tried to not be on anything at all. But, alas the irritability, agitation etc. started in so for the moment I am on Lovan20 (equivalent to Prozac 20mg) daily and feeling OK. I have also been waiting to see a psychiatrist to get my meds straight. The worse part of withdrawing has not being given the medical support I needed. My doc was not up on it and was too busy to see me.
I did mention before, I picked up what I thought was a virus during the withdrawals (last few weeks)but am still sick and have not been coping. I have previously had RSI etc. and the pain has been so severe that it has been almost unbearable. Yesterday I went to my psychologist and she reckons that a lot of it was my emotional condition - I don't agree. I know I did not cope well but the docs seem to be too eager to blame everything on depression. Do you find that too? Anyway, have an appointment with a rheumatologist in a few weeks so I will see what he says - probably nothing. Seems like I am in the 'too hard' basket. It would be much easier if I had a broken leg - at least I think they would be bothered to do something to help me then.
Even though I have been sick I too generally feel much better in the head and fatigue-wise. Have not been sleeping as much (even though I haven't been well) and the dishes are getting done every day. I really feel Efexor was responsible for a lot of the fatigue etc. I also had the carpet cleaned, the yard cleared and the house is generally much tidier. A lot of that just seemed too hard when I was still on Efexor. I think it's frightening what the drug can do to you - still I think it has it's place don't you?
I am glad that you are getting yourself in better shape physically - I know that I will eventually get there too. I haven't been able to work either. I am a casual relief teacher and had to knock back work the last few weeks of term - and this is the busiest time of the year (winter & flus etc.). I have to reapply for teaching approval because of medical probs and this has been a real set-back for me. I only finished my teaching degree 2 years ago so I haven't been teaching for long. My doc says at the moment that she would not give me a certificate to say that I am fit for work so that has been very disappointing, but on the other hand I don't feel like I could cope either physically or mentally anyway. Teaching really is quite exhausting both physically and emotionally.
It's always good to get a boost financially - enjoy your shopping!
It has been so good to have had this interchange, this bulletin board has really helped me at a time when I couldn't find help anywhere else. It's hard to share with people who do NOT understand, but much easier when you can share with people who DO.
Good luck to you. Hope we both continue to improve. Please keep posting and let me know how you are going.
Regards
Elsie_girl :)Hi...again.
> Even though I would like to NOT be on anything; I felt too crabby (to put it politely!!) to continue to try it with nothing; so have been taking 20mg of Prozac every other day. I have a Dr appt Fri and plan to talk to him about my "plan" to hopefully get off everything. I am OK with taking the Prozac as I have such an "anger/rage" that I don't trust myself to handle it. That's one of the things that got me into trouble before.
>
> Almost all the physical symptoms from withdrawal are gone except for minor headaches, which I rarely get headaches so am not used to. I highly recommend the Prozac to wean off Effexor as I know from missing a few days of Effexor how very sick you can feel. I can't imagine doing it alone.
>
> I really am feeling quite well and better than I have in a couple of years. My head feels clearer each day and last night I did not take a nap after work (a first since withdrawing off Effexor) so hopefully the terrible fatique is lifting. My house is cleaner too than in a long, long time. Probably no one else would see the difference, but I know what lurked in those corners and drawers and other hiding places. Sometimes I would feel like my hands were so weak I just couldn't even scrub the sink all that well. I feel stronger emotionally and physically. I have been getting up and doing my usual "yoga routine" so I can walk without hips and back hurting and now have added 15 minutes on the health walker machine. Doesn't sound like much, but for me it is a big deal. '
>
> My colon cleanse package should arrive today...so I will try to clean the corners (ha ha ) out in there too. I am feeling pretty optimistic and hopeful that I can handle life without a lot of medication and get to feeling better.
>
> It is really funny that a month ago I approached the Dr about going to a generic of Prozac to save money. My insurance paid some of the Effexor, but I was picking up about $100 a month of it and thought if there is something out there that is cheaper (and boy is Prozac generic cheaper), I wanted to try it. My first prescription of generic cost $2.12 so what a difference. Maybe that is why I feel better.....more shopping/fun money!!!
> My main goal was to get more energy as I felt so lethargic all the time. Sometimes I would just sit on the couch and kind of fall over and curl up and go to sleep at any time of the day. I would justify it by saying to myself "I must have needed that"......but felt like a real "slug" for being so weak. I want to feel excited about life again; not just "trudging through". I think it is possible. I just have to get healthy again!!! Thanks for writing and take care of yourself. Keep in touch.....the journey is long!!
>
poster:elsie_girl
thread:658004
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060627/msgs/664786.html