![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 129 to 153 of 277. Go back in thread:
Posted by rfs on June 11, 2006, at 18:37:19
In reply to Re: Quitting Effexor XR - and off of all other med, posted by rfs on June 4, 2006, at 17:26:18
> > I've been on Effexor XR (75mg) for approx. over a year. I've just started to ween myself off of it. Starting to empty 1/3rd of the pill. for the 1st week and will take 35mg for the next week. so far I'm feeling ok. I'm weening myself off of it because I hate the idea of depending on a drug for the rest of my life. And I've too have experienced heavy drinking binges on the drug.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for 8 years. I too am coming off of it. Not because it's not working for me, but because I lost my insurance and this stuff is $140 a month! Believe me, if I could afford it, I would continue it forever.
> > >
> > > Anyway, it has been 3 days since my last dose, and I think I'm actually feeling a little better. I have experienced all the side effects that everyone complains of, but I feel pretty good right now. I am frightened by the posts I've read here and elsewhere about the effects of coming off, especially without the benefit of tapering. So I wanted to let people know that one person out there is getting off it, and so far I'm ok. I would love to hear from some people who have been successful at getting off it without a lot of side effects. I'm hoping you're out there, and just not talking!
> > >
> > >
> > > > Hi all,
> > > > I'm coming off of effexor xr and frankly am scared about it.
> >
> > Hi,
> Ive been on effexor for about nine and a half years. About 5 years ago I switced to prozac for a year. I had no trouble making the switch. (the Effexor is not working all that great anymore) Now I am back on Effexor (300mg) and 300mg of wellbutrin My Pdoc has me cutting back about 10% each week I am at 262mg, plus the wellbutrin. I also take Klonopin as needed. I don't know if I will be able to discontinue completly, but I will be happy if I can get down to 75mg. I have the usual side effects plus my short term memory is awful. I am 53.
> my memory was awful before I started the klonopin. I just hope I can get to the point where the side effects are less and the depression does't return. If I start getting depressed, I will go back on the higher dose of effexor or try something else. I also have social phobia, and servere anxiety. The anxiety hasn't been a problem since klonopin. Just knowing I have it helps. I wonder if Ensam would be a good choice if I had to make a switch.
>
> RFS
>Hi,
I seem to be fortunate in the sense that I have little trouble tapering from effexor. However, I am becoming depressed. So I will call my Pdoc & ask for advice. Mos AD Ive tried seem to work for me. After time I seem not depressed but not much of anything emotionally. All my emotions get blunted. I am just tired of the side effects.
RFS
Posted by Miriamne on June 11, 2006, at 21:10:49
In reply to Re: Effexor is total hell to come off of, posted by dancingstar on June 11, 2006, at 11:01:33
Dancing Star:
Fascinating, what you're saying about the endocrine system being screwed up by Effexor. I have wondered lately why no doctor I've talked to has once asked me about my estrogen level, my thyroid, etc. Don't they even consider ruling such things out before going on through one medication after another? I've had my thyroid levels tested from time to time and everything was normal, but it's not like one's hormones are in a static state... esp. after a certain age.
I'll look into this. Many thanks, once again.
Incidentally, I woke up feeling calm, at least-- anxiety greatly reduced. It allowed me to function at least on some level and was just a huge relief. Don't know if it's the EmSam, moonspots, or just a lucky break, but I hope to find out over the coming days.
Miriamne
Posted by dancingstar on June 11, 2006, at 21:24:47
In reply to Effexor is total hell to come off of » dancingstar, posted by Miriamne on June 11, 2006, at 21:10:49
Hi Miriamne,
I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better!
I think if more doctors knew more about our hormones, far fewer of them would be prescribing AD's to those of us with things like backache, fatigue, even the symptoms of menopause and other such things...possibly even depression itself in many cases.
You're right; thyroid levels can change a great deal over the years and need to be checked regularly. Also, some doctors use a different standard of "normal" than others do. Low thyroid levels can cause pain, fatigue, depression. Actually, even being anemic can make these things worse. Unfortuantely, though, there isn't a huge profit -- if any -- for Big Pharma in natural hormone supplementation; so it isn't a road that is heavily traveled.
I think it is valubale for all of us, particularly over the age of 40, to have the whole works evaluated by someone that knows what they're doing. It's made a tremendous difference in how I feel, and I know of several other people that have said the same thing.
Best wishes!
Posted by Miriamne on June 11, 2006, at 21:47:44
In reply to Re: Effexor is total hell to come off of » Miriamne, posted by dancingstar on June 11, 2006, at 21:24:47
Dancing Star:
I will continue to look into all this.
Maybe it's just getting late, but at the moment I wish there wasn't the need to search and research and spend so much energy seeking the relief we need to simply function in the world. It's the very thing that depression makes so difficult, and yet it's the only thing that can possibly alleviate the pain. So much of this is a great mystery.
D.
Posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 14:39:05
In reply to Effexor is total hell to come off of » dancingstar, posted by Miriamne on June 11, 2006, at 21:47:44
Hi... came across this site by accident. God must be smiling on me 'cause over the past few weeks I've decided to get off this med.
Suffering depression for over 10 yrs. Been on Paxil (turned me into walking zombie) Prozac (made me violent - even pictured myself stabbing my loving husband - that scared me). Went off both drugs cold turkey with no problems.
Finally got put on Effexor and it worked great! Felt pretty human again. After one year doc took me off. Went off it v e r y slowly... no problems.
Started to re-experience depression / panic attacks after being off for about a year and a half. Decided to go back on Effexor. This time I've been on it for 4 years and find over the last year or so, I don't want to do anything. After work, come home, watch t.v. and go to bed. Have a really hard time getting up in the morning. Weekends? Don't want to entertain anymore, visit anymore, go out anymore.... I come home Friday after work and don't leave the house until Monday morning. In between? T.V. Used to have an immaculate house. No more. Can't be bothered.
Anyhow, I can't believe some of the postings! Going cold turkey off some of the high dosages? Oh my god that scares me that you would do that.
The first time I went off was very slowly and for the last two weeks was actually taking one half of a 37.5 every second day. It was the only way I could stop the dizziness and the feeling that my brain was doing a summersault every time I moved my eyes.
Over the past few years I've forgotten to take my once daily dose and within 24 hours am vomitting, severe headache, and my hands shake violently. This is all relieved with about two hours of taking my pill.
Yes, I'm terrified of going off the Effexor again, even slowly. But I will do this because I want to feel alive again.
If you're in the process or thinking of stopping this med, please, please do it slowly. Take care of yourselves. It can be a horrifying experience and yes, at times you can think you're on the verge of having a stroke or heart attack.
Please do it under a doc's supervision.
Posted by Miriamne on June 12, 2006, at 15:31:01
In reply to Re: Effexor is total hell to come off of, posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 14:39:05
Dear Gab:
My deepest sympathies over your experience both on and, now, getting off Effexor.
It's not like Effexor t didn't help me for years,just as you say. But in reading your letter, I'm really disturbed at the change you describe re not wanting to do anything, because it has me wondering if something similar has happened to me.
Not that I was ever a ball of fire, but one of the things I've been reviewing in my life is the lack of accomplishment, esp. over the last 5-10 years, and now I'm wondering if the medication had something to do with it. The thing that makes it difficult to pin down is that when your doc asks you if you're depressed, you say, "No", because you're feeling reasonably well and you're functioning. But is "functioning" all one can expect from one's life?
Anyway, I was trying to address that question when I decided to go off Effexor, and in spite of the infinitesimal amounts by which I decreased my dose, I still ended up with symptoms amazingly similar to what you describe. Your description of your brain "doing a somersault" every time you moved your eyes is SO close to what I was feeling-- I described it to others as being able to "hear my eyeballs move"!
I wish the best for you in your search for a better way to live. Hope you keep up with this board so we can hear how your doing. Conversing with the folks here has been a great help to me.
Sincerely,
Miriamne
Posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 16:16:58
In reply to Effexor is total hell to come off of, posted by Miriamne on June 12, 2006, at 15:31:01
Hi Miriamne. Thanks for the kind words. Got up the courage right after I posted to call doc and make appt.
Effexor XR really helped me out when I needed it. BUT this tiredness (often bordering on exhaustion), this total desire to do absolutely nothing... it has to stop. I want to feel like I'm alive not just existing through the days. Weekends, days off all spent in front of the t.v.
I've also started drinking more (I never associated this with the drug until I read it in some other postings). This is not living.I could cry about what my life has turned me into. I have a wonderful husband who loves to do things. For the last few years he's had to do them himself. He cleans the house while I watch t.v. He deserves to have "the old me" (pre depression) back.
I look forward to stopping the drug. I am afraid of stopping. I want to "feel" again. But what if getting off the med doesn't help. I think it will help. I hope it will.
Went through some old threads and apparently this whole "don't wanna do anything anymore" isn't dreadfully uncommon for people on Effexor.
Thanks for listening. Hope you manage to beat your inner enemy as well.
Gonna ask god for some help tonite and will add an extra prayer for you.
Posted by Miriamne on June 12, 2006, at 16:30:27
In reply to Re: Effexor is total hell to come off of » Miriamne, posted by gabmeister on June 12, 2006, at 16:16:58
God bless you for your prayers on my behalf, Gab.
I'll add you to the list on my end, too.M
Posted by over 55 on June 13, 2006, at 10:53:22
In reply to Effexor is total hell to come off of » gabmeister, posted by Miriamne on June 12, 2006, at 16:30:27
Thanks for all the good advice. I am 5 days in weaning off Effexor XR(225mg), with the help of small dose of Prozac. Doing OK so far. Know that cold turkey is awful as I was without meds for 24 hours and had severe flu like symptoms. Reading all the posts makes me think the exhaustion I fight and the pains may not be just "getting older" and I would love to feel good again. That is depressing ( : Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I keep on this journey.
Posted by gabmeister on June 13, 2006, at 16:37:50
In reply to Re: Effexor is total hell to come off of, posted by over 55 on June 13, 2006, at 10:53:22
Hi again Miriamne. Hope you're doing fine today. Well, I saw doc today and told him I wanted off the drugs. He told me to cut in half and I said "no". Been there. Done that. Didn't like it. I insisted that I wanted to do it slower and I got this weird look from him. Trouble with a lot of these docs is they're not on this stuff and I'm sure somethings they think we're either nuts, imagining things, or exaggerating.
Anyhow, told him that from my previous experience I wanted to go down 1/4 dosage until *I* feel comfortable in going down another 1/4... not by his schedule or that of the "magical medical books". I think it'll likely take me a couple of months but hey, like I said, beats feeling like crap and being sick as a dog. And you are so right... a lot of the symptoms really do feel like a flu.
Strangely enough, I forgot to take my meds yesterday and this morning was pretty rough. vomiting,very shaky hands, major headace. Couldn't get that stuff into me fast enough. Took about 4 hours and felt better.
That little dose of reality made me even more determined to get off. And (yes, yes, I know, I know... shut up... you're repeating yourself) I will be taking as long as I need to do so without the suffering.
Said one for you last Miriamne. My thoughts are with you. The only people that truly understand this hell are those who are in that place with you.
Be strong. Keep faith. It WILL happen for you! Know what, I also have not doubt that the tiredness and "don't wanna do anything anymore" will pass for the both of us and anyone else who suffers this Effexor side effect. There is life in the future and it will be a good life.
May we all be strong through this and may we all succeed and know happiness again and above all be free from the hell that seems to clutch on to us.
Posted by Violetskyye on June 13, 2006, at 23:08:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by a rose on May 23, 2006, at 21:34:24
So, I tried Effexor, just 37.5 in the a.m. for the last three days, and slept for about 60 of the last 72 hours. Now, I'm not sure what to do, because after being totally spaced out, and unable to drive or work for three days, I feel a little better, and do not know whether to take another one in the a.m., or whether to just forget the whole thing.
Have had: dizziness [but in fairness, it was dizziness from anxiety that made me start taking it]; totally spaced out; sleepy; ringing in the ears, and haven't eaten in three days.
After reading all of the horror stories regarding withdrawal, I feel like maybe I should just get out while the gettin's good after just three days. My doc says to stop taking it, and that there should be no withdrawal after such a short time.
My dilemma: I failed on Prozac [anxiety and panic], Zoloft [mania], Luvox [just plain weird] Anafranil [totally zoned out and couldn't hear what people were saying] and Wellbutrin [best of the bunch, but no help w/ anxiety, and made my hair fall out a couple of times, I think]. So, not sure where to go next.
I took 15mg of Remeron for two years, with slight weight gain and foggy feeling, but functined well enough to try a case in court, and also go to Europe alone, so I guess I'm heading back in that direction.
I have anxiety and a tired [but not sad] depression. Also OCD that no drug has ever helped.
It just seems on this site that everyone goes from drug to drug with various problems with all of them. It's so frustrating. Thanks for letting me vent.
Posted by Miriamne on June 14, 2006, at 0:01:07
In reply to Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by Violetskyye on June 13, 2006, at 23:08:44
Dear Vi:
So sorry to hear of your experiences trying to find the right meds. And I know it must sound discouraging to read all these posts that make it seem like nothing ever helps.
In spite of our troubles, it seems to me that many of us find meds that work for a while, or that allow some level of functioning (like your ability to try a case, even though your weren't 100%). But often it takes experimenting to find the right drug/dosage, and as I know from personal experience, that's the last thing one needs when one is suffering.
Even with the bad patch I'm going through right now, I have to force myself to remember that Effexor-- and before that Zoloft, and Wellbutrin, et. al.-- helped me in part and for a while. Sometimes they stopped working, or the side effects got to be too much, and then I had to go back and find my way again. It's painful.
I couldn't be more sympathetic. I hope you can find some encouragement here, even if it's just through venting sometimes.
Sincerely,
Miriamne
Posted by over 55 on June 14, 2006, at 9:42:20
In reply to Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice » Violetskyye, posted by Miriamne on June 14, 2006, at 0:01:07
> Hi everyone,
I am just curious as to the age of some on this site and how long you have been dealing with depression issues? I quess because of the profession I am in "we" don't talk about who takes what...although the joke is always "someone needs to up their meds". I come from a history of family depression and it wasn't talked about in those days. Some where lucky enough to recieve some kind of treatment and others suffered in silence. I truely want to be as unmedicated as possible and wonder if that is unrealistic at this point? Just wondering who you all are and what your journey has been.
Posted by Violetskyye on June 14, 2006, at 13:44:38
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by over 55 on June 14, 2006, at 9:42:20
Hi. I'm 50, and have always suffered from anxiety to varying degrees, all the way back to childhood. Also suffered from lifelong OCD, which gets worse when I'm stressed, but I didn't know what it was until recent years.
I was able to work my way through law school, graduate at the top of my class, become a succesful partner in a big firm, start my own firm, and win huge cases before a jury. Then, 3 years ago, I had a massive panic attack, followed by non-stop anxiety for months. I went on various drugs, and stayed with Remeron for two years, which worked best, but left me a bit foggy-headed.
Weaned myself off all meds for a few months, and was doing fairly well. Here's the weird part. I had cosmetic Botox in my forehead a month ago, and ever since, I have had blurry vision, dizziness and panic attacks. No one believes me that there is a connection, but I was doing fine until then. Hopefully, that will go away on its own, but I've been feeling just terrible. Can barely leave the house or drive, haven't socialized. I don't know if the actual injection did something to me, or if the pain and weird feelings from it just set off anxiety.
Posted by over 55 on June 14, 2006, at 15:27:11
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice » over 55, posted by Violetskyye on June 14, 2006, at 13:44:38
Thank you for sharing. I wondered if I was the only oldster in the group. I would put myself in the "high functioning" depressive group, except for approx 3 x in life. I didn't go on meds until my 40's and know I would have benefited way before that; but tried to "pray my out of it" for years. Last major episode forced the issue even though I wasn't hospitalized I wouldn't have fought it just for the rest. I was running a business, going through a divorce fter 27 years of marriage and going crazy all at the same time. Lost the first two, but managed to save my mind (I think). I was on Paxil for several years and then it stopped being effective and I found myself crying over everything and hiding out at home to avoid people. I have suppressed most of my anxiety by eating and gaining 75 lbs in the last 10 years and that does not make me happy. I want to get off the Effexor and hopefully a minimal dose of Prozac will do the trick. Everyone thinks I have the perfect life...if only they knew. I got really burnt by the church people when I couldn't be "saved from myself" so don't share this with anyone. I guess this msg board felt safe as I have surely "outed myself" on it ( : Thanks for listening.
Posted by gabmeister on June 14, 2006, at 16:35:16
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by over 55 on June 14, 2006, at 15:27:11
You know... you think you're the only one! Isn't it amazing how many of us there are.
I'm 55. Married for 7 years, husband turned out to be gay. Divorced him. Met a wonderful man 4 yrs later go married. Great life. But "it" still happened.
My mom and grandma both suffered depression. (Genetic?) I remember in the 70's mom would have been in her 40's when her's hit. Back then the "cure" was a new miracle drug known as Valium to which she became heavily addicted for years (but, on the surface, no one would have known because she was completely functional). I remember being in my 20's and getting calls asking me to come over because she felt like she was going to jump over the balcony. I swore I'd never turn out "like that". As was said, back then no one talked about this "illness". I remember spending weeks with her, helping her through the valium addiction. I swear to god (on my mother's urn), her dreadfully understanding doc even told her, "honey, things would get much better for you... you need regular sex (mom was divorced). I don't think I'm allowed to use the curse words on this site that I used to describe that "doctor" (I hate to credit him with this title).
Well, the depression hit me in my early 40's as well. Long story. Major panic attacks (one so bad I ended up in hospital 'cause doc thought was actually having a heart attack right in his office - the shot of Nitro didn't stop it so he figured heart attack). Work was crappy (have a high stress job). Anxiety attacks. Finally diagosed with depression.
Prozac (made me very aggressive), Paxil (turned me into walking zombie) Zoloft (did dick all). Finally family-doc suggested Effexor so I thought what the heck, may as well try. Worked great! Felt human. After about a year and a half psycho-doc felt I could try coming off it. Weaned myself off very slowly. Felt fine for about a year when Mr. Depression decided he wanted to visit me again. Back on Effexor. Worked for a while (been on it for 4 years now). Then about 3 years ago noticed I was gaining more weight (had been gaining every time I was on AD's). I've gained a total of 50 pounds. Then little by little I stopped leaving the house (come home straight from work; weekends? Come home Friday nite and don't leave house 'til Monday morning; don't shower all weekend [yeah, yeah... I know... ugh!!!]) Right now, I never leave the house except to go to work and even that is a struggle. Bottom line, for the last 2 years I don't "wanna do ANYTHING". Why? Can't be bothered. Everything's toooo much effort. Just don't care. Just don't *feel* anything. Dead inside. Zero. Zip. Ziltch.
That's why I want off this stuff again. It worked great for a while and I feel it saved me and my sanity. But the side-effects are now just too much. The benefits no longer out-weight the negatives.
I want to feel. I want to be *alive*. I want to do things.
Started lowering doseage today. I figure it'll take a couple of months (that's the ONLY way to avoid the withdrawal effects).
I will do it.
I don't know if down the road I will need AD's again, time will tell.
But right now getting off is what *I* need to do for *me*.
Bless you all. I truly believe it's not the drugs that are "evil" it's this mental illness known as "depression". If you've never lived it you'll never understand it. I get soooo angry with people who will look you in the face and utter that stupid comment, "what have you got to be depressed about?" Idiots. It's not like being a teenager and breaking up with your boyfriend. Most of us cannot necessarily pinpoint "the why". It's our brains messing with us. Chemical imbalances that we can't control? JERKS!
I wish all the rest of you on this road a safe journey.
the gabmeister
Posted by dancingstar on June 14, 2006, at 16:57:22
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by gabmeister on June 14, 2006, at 16:35:16
I hope you all consider having an expert in the field check all of your hormone levels. Many of them start to drop as early as our late twenties. This can cause a lot of the discomfort that we feel.
It's a good idea to have your thyroid checked, your adrenal function, pregnenolone and DHEA, progesterone, estrogen, testosterone and your pituitary function.
I can't begin to tell you how much better I'm feeling since I've added in "natural" or compounded supplementation in the areas that were low. There's no doubt in my mind that Effexor caused many of my levels to be depleted, and then when I stopped taking it, I was a complete basket case for over a year. I'm finally healthy again, thanks to a wonderful doctor...but it did take about three months before I noticed a significant difference. Now I no longer experience anxiety at all; and while I never experienced depression until I took Effexor, that, too, has now vanished. The world is all bright again.
I don't know if this will work in all cases or for everyone, probably not, but in my heart, I sure feel like it's worth a try.
I hope you all feel better soon!
Posted by Violetskyye on June 14, 2006, at 17:01:55
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by over 55 on June 14, 2006, at 15:27:11
Re: <I would put myself in the "high functioning" depressive group, except for approx 3 x in life.
The weirdest thing is that people around me who see me work as a lawyer, even when I'm freaking out inside, think of me as sociable and competent, but pretending to be fine really took a toll on me. I actually closed my practice for two years, and have been just doing work for other lawyers. It has been hell on my ego, but much needed.
Back to the topic at hand. I think a lot of these meds are lifesavers for people, and some people need to just stay on them. My preference is to take nothing if I can get away with it. The withdrawal experiences people had with Effexor have scared me off of it after just three days, and I feel better today than I did on the drug. I'm really hoping I don't start suddenly having brain zaps or something after only being on it short time.
Posted by Violetskyye on June 14, 2006, at 17:05:13
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by dancingstar on June 14, 2006, at 16:57:22
> I hope you all consider having an expert in the field check all of your hormone levels. Many of them start to drop as early as our late twenties. This can cause a lot of the discomfort that we feel.
>
It's funny you say that, because my panic and anxiety problems the past three years started right when menopause started. I'm thinking of just trying low-dose estrogen and progesterone. Given that I'm also having drenching hot flashes and some bone loss, it'll help, I think. I have had two doctors say that all the recent hype about the added risk of hormones is exaggerated.
Posted by dancingstar on June 14, 2006, at 17:10:12
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by Violetskyye on June 14, 2006, at 17:05:13
Hi Violetskyye,
The hormones may help you tremendously...but please consider asking your doctor for bioidentical estrogen and progesterone, which you get from a compounding pharmacy. They are actually proven to be quite healthy for us, while the synthetic compounds are just different enough from the hormones that human beings make to be potentially dangerous...and certainly not as beneficial and protective as the bioidentical compounds.
Considering the circumstances, I'm quite sure that they will make you feel better!
Posted by Violetskyye on June 14, 2006, at 17:12:13
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice » Violetskyye, posted by dancingstar on June 14, 2006, at 17:10:12
> Hi Violetskyye,
>
> The hormones may help you tremendously...but please consider asking your doctor for bioidentical estrogen and progesterone, which you get from a compounding pharmacy.Oh, thanks. I've actually researched this, and was going to go in that direction. I would never take Premarin [Horse Estrogen], and cannot imagine why anyone would want to.
Posted by dancingstar on June 14, 2006, at 17:12:42
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice, posted by Violetskyye on June 14, 2006, at 17:05:13
In fact, why don't you have a look at www.hormoneandlongevitycenter.com. I think they explain a bit on their site, and you might find it interesting.
Posted by over 55 on June 15, 2006, at 8:41:44
In reply to Re: Tried Effexor for Three Days- Need advice » Violetskyye, posted by dancingstar on June 14, 2006, at 17:12:42
Wow...I have found some soulmates. I take the regular old horse serum Premarin (for last 15 years). Low dosage though ( : I had partial hysterectomy years ago with one ovary left and DR thought it best to do that. I have had no problems.
I so identify with all I am reading from all of you. Just hearing it has been helpful. It has been one week today I started to wean off the Effexor, with the 20 mg of Porzac added to transition to. A little nausea and fatique, but nothing real bad. I am supposed to go down another 75 mg this next week and by the third week be off it. I am taking all your advice and ready to go more slowly than that, if needed, to avoid alot of pain. I am not into pain!!
The family history of depression is phenominal really. There were lots of suicides in the family early on. Now people have just talked about it alot. My mother threatened often and just ended up sleeping the last 10 years of her life away.
My grown daughter suffers too and has been on meds for most of married life (14 yrs). She appears to be doing quite well. I know she blames me for alot of unhappiness in her childhood (and I thought I was doing quite well considering) and for her depression. She has chosen to not have a realtionship with me for the last 5 years and that has been very painful. My son (30) has also suffered from depression and took an overdose in mid 20's, but is doing much better now.
I am in a helping profession (social worker) and sometimes feel like a fraud telling other's how their life can be better and they can do better when I have made a pretty good mess of my own ( : I look pretty sucessful from the outside, owning a beautiful home, good job, travel alot, but getting through the day sometimes is such a struggle. I have no energy and my legs feel like they weigh a ton. I have to make myself go do things where I used to "want to". I guess my "want to" is broken!! Thanks to everyone who is choosing to share on this site. It really is helpful!!
Posted by Miriamne on June 15, 2006, at 10:09:17
In reply to Great...I take Premarin too, posted by over 55 on June 15, 2006, at 8:41:44
Dear Over55 and all other 50ish ladies here:
My depression history sounds very much like the ones you've all recounted here recently.
Let me just echo Over's sentiments about finding a group of women with such similar experiences with depression. It's like having a support group available all the time-- one you can use as needed, and are less likely to "overuse" (I was greatly helped by a group years ago, but probably stayed too long. The people were like family and were a great, great help to me; the only drawback was that it was hard to leave once I was doing better; ironically that probably delayed my dealing with some issues that would have been better addressed.)
And even though we're all dealing with medication problems, I still believe that medication is the Godsend of our time for those of us with a true, chronic, chemical-imbalanced depression. My life changed dramatically when I was able to control the cripplying depression I had suffered since I was in the 5th grade. No one deserves the Effexor experience (!), but I try to keep in mind the overall benefits of meds, esp. when I hit difficulties like the ones we've been talking about.
Nice to meet you all, ladies! Be seeing you around...
Miriamne.
Posted by over 55 on June 15, 2006, at 14:30:09
In reply to Great...I take Premarin too » over 55, posted by Miriamne on June 15, 2006, at 10:09:17
Hi all,
It is like a light bulb is going off in my head today. I have had some wierd physical symptoms within the last 6 months. Even after thorough medical testing nothing shows up as abnormal and now I am wondering how much is the Effexor. I had unexplainable chest pains while goiing up stairs or exertion of any kind. Had the MRI heart imaging and treadmill test along with numerous EKG's all coming back within the normal range. I just don't "do stairs" now ( : or go very slowly. Also I sweat (only from my head) upon any exertion. I feel like a fool all drippy and wet headed. It is like a furnace starts in my head. It is different than a hot flash. Been there. Done that. The Dr said, when I told him I wanted to go on something besides Effexor, "Well there is no reason not to if you are willing to not feel so good for a couple of months this summer". I should have asked exactly what he meant then. What was I thinking??? I do feel like my whole system is out of whack. I feel weak and shakey right now. I need to find somone who knows about suppliments etc. I take some, but just what other's have said worked for them, so I try them. Everyone is so different. There used to be a Health Center where you give them a strand of hair and they tell you what you need. I need to check this out. Thanks everyone. You are a great encouragement.
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