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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jeano on March 23, 2004, at 19:10:42
Hey, I'm fairly new to using any type of AD med. My OB/GYN prescribed a mild dose of Prozac about a year ago when I was going through a family disaster. I took it for about 6 mos, as needed and it seemed to help.
Another crisis came up recently and I haven't been handling it well at all...freaking out about little things, long spells of uncontrollable crying, etc. I just didn't think the mild dose of Prozac would be enough so my doc put me on Effexor XR, 37.5mg for one week. I just took the last one today and will "graduate" to 75 mg tomorrow. I have noticed a dramatic difference in the way I feel. I'm coping better and getting some much needed sleep. The only side effects so far are a few mild headaches, gassy stomach and feeling sleepy sometimes.
Of course I decided to do some research on my own and stumbled across this web site. Let me say that what I have read hasn't been very encouraging. In fact some of you guys are really scaring me. Are the withdrawals that bad? Another thing I've noticed is how common it is for many of you to switch AD meds several times. I just can't see myself taking something so long term. I'm concerned that taking something like this could cause me to eventually need AD meds for the rest of my life. I'm seriously considering stopping now before I become dependent.
Please, PLEASE, seriously think of what you are going to print on this forum before you make AD meds seem so horrible! Maybe it would be better if you focus more on what HAS helped and not be so extreme about what hasn't...at least for the benefit of others.
Posted by Shalala on March 24, 2004, at 1:31:50
In reply to Scared to take AD MEDS!, posted by Jeano on March 23, 2004, at 19:10:42
Hello Jeano,
Hello, I've been on AD's for about 5 years now, it started with zoloft, and now I'm on Effexor. I can only offer you my experience and tell you that yes your brain gets used to having that medication and it gets upset when its not around, but discontinuation symptoms can be managed, and if an AD can give you a life that smooths out the road for you and makes those pitfalls not as deep, try it. It's just helped me figure out all my crap while not sending me off the deep end. One day I'll probably go off the meds, but for now I like myself a bit more even, maybe a bit more resilient. Yeah, so I'm not as emotional on them, GOOD! You don't have to be at the mercy of your moods.
Posted by cocohoneynut on March 24, 2004, at 8:15:42
In reply to Scared to take AD MEDS!, posted by Jeano on March 23, 2004, at 19:10:42
Hello,
One thing you must consider...all meds effect everybody and every body different. We here on this forum are just expressing what we're going through mentally and physically and telling the positive effects as well as the negative. I've been on Effexor for almost 4 weeks now and before Effexor I was on Lexapro and before that, Paxil. Paxil didn't agree with me so doc put me on Lexapro. I have nothing against those people are able to take Lexapro or Paxil and FEEL wonderful (for me, it wasn't working). My med just happens to be Effexor and when it gets to the point I need to wean myself from the drug, my doc and I will work it together. Not everybody has the side effects of withdrawal as the next person. I hope you get the help you need with or without the meds offered by your doc, but we here at this forum look for each other for support whether the info is good or bad or indifferent. Take care...> Hey, I'm fairly new to using any type of AD med. My OB/GYN prescribed a mild dose of Prozac about a year ago when I was going through a family disaster. I took it for about 6 mos, as needed and it seemed to help.
> Another crisis came up recently and I haven't been handling it well at all...freaking out about little things, long spells of uncontrollable crying, etc. I just didn't think the mild dose of Prozac would be enough so my doc put me on Effexor XR, 37.5mg for one week. I just took the last one today and will "graduate" to 75 mg tomorrow. I have noticed a dramatic difference in the way I feel. I'm coping better and getting some much needed sleep. The only side effects so far are a few mild headaches, gassy stomach and feeling sleepy sometimes.
> Of course I decided to do some research on my own and stumbled across this web site. Let me say that what I have read hasn't been very encouraging. In fact some of you guys are really scaring me. Are the withdrawals that bad? Another thing I've noticed is how common it is for many of you to switch AD meds several times. I just can't see myself taking something so long term. I'm concerned that taking something like this could cause me to eventually need AD meds for the rest of my life. I'm seriously considering stopping now before I become dependent.
> Please, PLEASE, seriously think of what you are going to print on this forum before you make AD meds seem so horrible! Maybe it would be better if you focus more on what HAS helped and not be so extreme about what hasn't...at least for the benefit of others.
Posted by Jeano on March 24, 2004, at 10:51:44
In reply to Scared to take AD MEDS!, posted by Jeano on March 23, 2004, at 19:10:42
Thanks to both of you for your encouragement and input. I'm still on the Effexor XR. Now I'm afraid to get off, for fear of what I'll become...ugh :)
(Sorry my first message was so preachy)
As you said, working with my doctor is the smartest thing to do rather than try to wing it myself. I appreciate the feedback.
May all of us come out better in the long run!
Posted by Angel Girl on March 25, 2004, at 15:57:51
In reply to Scared to take AD MEDS!, posted by Jeano on March 23, 2004, at 19:10:42
> Hey, I'm fairly new to using any type of AD med. My OB/GYN prescribed a mild dose of Prozac about a year ago when I was going through a family disaster. I took it for about 6 mos, as needed and it seemed to help.
> Another crisis came up recently and I haven't been handling it well at all...freaking out about little things, long spells of uncontrollable crying, etc. I just didn't think the mild dose of Prozac would be enough so my doc put me on Effexor XR, 37.5mg for one week. I just took the last one today and will "graduate" to 75 mg tomorrow. I have noticed a dramatic difference in the way I feel. I'm coping better and getting some much needed sleep. The only side effects so far are a few mild headaches, gassy stomach and feeling sleepy sometimes.
> Of course I decided to do some research on my own and stumbled across this web site. Let me say that what I have read hasn't been very encouraging. In fact some of you guys are really scaring me. Are the withdrawals that bad? Another thing I've noticed is how common it is for many of you to switch AD meds several times. I just can't see myself taking something so long term. I'm concerned that taking something like this could cause me to eventually need AD meds for the rest of my life. I'm seriously considering stopping now before I become dependent.
> Please, PLEASE, seriously think of what you are going to print on this forum before you make AD meds seem so horrible! Maybe it would be better if you focus more on what HAS helped and not be so extreme about what hasn't...at least for the benefit of others.Another thing to take into consideration is maybe there is more people who are having negative effects researching on the net and reporting what they're going through. I'm sure there is a lot of people who have had great results from ADs. Just because somebody else has had a negative effect weaning off of something, doesn't mean that you will. I weaned off of Effexor XR 367.5mg/daily without any problems BUT I did it slowly. It appears for the most part, that some of the people who have experienced problems or are experiencing problems weaning, didn't do that. Some did it cold turkey. Never a good idea IMHO. As the previous posted stated, sometimes it's necessary to try several different meds in order to find which one works for you. Although you should take heed to the negative posts, there are plenty of others who have had positive experiences. Everybody reacts differently. Good luck.
Angel Girl
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