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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Doom Behemoth on July 2, 2005, at 17:28:02
I am a child.
I'd rather not post my name, whereabouts, or any other such information including gender.
I hate these rediculous medications I'm forced to take. If they would have just left me alone in the first place I wouldn't be addicted to the stupid sh*t NOW. I'm even angrier and more depressed than I started OFF with.
And don't you dare start with me, rambling about, "Oh I'm sorry, dear. But you probably just need another type of medication."
Bull.
It violates my rights to be me. I've had severe problems with depression for a long time, and no incredibly stupid medications are going to change this. Never. Neither are rediculous psychologists, doctors, nut houses or any other such means of 'help'.
I am now HAVING to take Effexor because if I stop taking it, it gives me all kinds of messed up visions (such as when I close my eyes, I see a white cieling fan looking object spinning), headaches, dizzyness, blurred vision, insomnia- I can go on and on.
Maybe some smart person out there will read this and say to themselves, "Hey, it doesn't quite make sence to take medication to get bad effects from it!" Go you, if you are that person.
I know I'll probably get critisized for this post, but I really could care less. And don't be an idiot and ramble pointless statements full of ignorance such as 'may god bless you/be with you' 'may god always be there for you' 'I hope you gain a better future through god' about my attitude. I don't believe in god. What kind of god wouldn't even show his face to a group of people? What kind of god would kill innocent ones? Don't even reply with something like that. The moment I see it I won't even bother to do anything but ignore it.
I wouldn't mind getting a DECENT reply on this topic, either.
And no, don't ask if I'm a goth, or emo or something stupid, because I'm not.
Posted by bart on July 2, 2005, at 17:38:15
In reply to Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by Doom Behemoth on July 2, 2005, at 17:28:02
yes, effexor really sucks for some people. It did for me. I saw no point in taking something that had no therapeutic effect for me.
At various time in my past I have felt just like every single word you posted so I'm not here to condemn you or anything like that. I just want to tell you straight up that I relate to ya and I hope you can find a suitable path for yourself that makes YOU HAPPY. good luck!
Posted by superman on July 2, 2005, at 18:48:06
In reply to Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by Doom Behemoth on July 2, 2005, at 17:28:02
I am a child too. You sound like a smart kid so I won't try to humor you. You're right, a lot medications seem rediculous. I had a similar experience with effexor. The anti-depressants and mood-brightening drugs availiable today are incredibly crude by any standards, so this isn't surprising.
I'll be the last person to tell you to go find salvation in god. Sounds like we're on the same page there. Enough said.
You want my opinion about the medications tho? Maybe you don't. My opinion is that they are the best thing availiable in fighting depression today. It's unfortunate that they often don't help, and are even counter-productive somethimes.
> And don't you dare start with me, rambling about, "Oh I'm sorry, dear. But you probably just need another type of medication."
I know you explicitly said not to say this, but I think the best thing you can do is keep trying to find the right med. Sometimes the right med can change a person's life, although, granted, sometimes they don't help at all, and sometimes they make things worse.
It's possible you'll never find anything that will help you control your inner demons, but what do you got to lose?? You need to ween off the Effexor if its clearly a dead end (take lower and lower doses each week until you're off it), and expect some of the terrible withrawl.
For now, I think the people that find the right meds are the lucky ones. But I hope that someday no one will feel the way you do, and that there will be something for everyone.
Depression sucks. PeACe out
T
ps. we're always here if you need to talk
> I am a child.
> I'd rather not post my name, whereabouts, or any other such information including gender.
> I hate these rediculous medications I'm forced to take. If they would have just left me alone in the first place I wouldn't be addicted to the stupid sh*t NOW. I'm even angrier and more depressed than I started OFF with.
> And don't you dare start with me, rambling about, "Oh I'm sorry, dear. But you probably just need another type of medication."
> Bull.
> It violates my rights to be me. I've had severe problems with depression for a long time, and no incredibly stupid medications are going to change this. Never. Neither are rediculous psychologists, doctors, nut houses or any other such means of 'help'.
> I am now HAVING to take Effexor because if I stop taking it, it gives me all kinds of messed up visions (such as when I close my eyes, I see a white cieling fan looking object spinning), headaches, dizzyness, blurred vision, insomnia- I can go on and on.
> Maybe some smart person out there will read this and say to themselves, "Hey, it doesn't quite make sence to take medication to get bad effects from it!" Go you, if you are that person.
> I know I'll probably get critisized for this post, but I really could care less. And don't be an idiot and ramble pointless statements full of ignorance such as 'may god bless you/be with you' 'may god always be there for you' 'I hope you gain a better future through god' about my attitude. I don't believe in god. What kind of god wouldn't even show his face to a group of people? What kind of god would kill innocent ones? Don't even reply with something like that. The moment I see it I won't even bother to do anything but ignore it.
> I wouldn't mind getting a DECENT reply on this topic, either.
> And no, don't ask if I'm a goth, or emo or something stupid, because I'm not.
Posted by Racer on July 3, 2005, at 3:27:03
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by superman on July 2, 2005, at 18:48:06
Let's see, don't tell you that God will provide, don't tell you that you need to find another medication, don't tell you much of anything, huh?
How about this? How about I tell you about my own experiences, and you take from it what you will?
I'm middle aged now, but first started experiencing major depression right about the start of adolescence. Life was worse than I can say for many years, including long stretches when I couldn't get out of bed, but the adults in my life just said that I was "bad" or should just "pull myself out of it, force myself to do" whatever it was that I was supposed to do. Trust me, kiddo -- it sucked quite a bit.
The first time I went on anti-depressants -- before Prozac came out, so none of these nice, new meds -- it was a revelation! Life was bearable, for about the first time ever!
Mind you, that antidepressant -- nortriptyline -- had a list of side effects that makes Effexor look like candy: I was constipated, couldn't sleep, gained about 70 pounds, and was very sedated most of the time. For me, at that time, it was worth it! That was the first relief I'd gotten in so many years, and for the first time I felt as though there was a chance that I could make my life work. Besides, in those days, they said to take it for about six months.
Well, fast forward several years, and I got depressed again. This time, it was a new drug, Paxil, a second generation SSRI. Again, side effects like constipation, lack of emotion, sexual side effects, and I gained about 50 pounds or so. Mostly, it was worth it.
Fast forward a few more years, and I was on Effexor. As far as side effects went, it felt so clean I thought it was a miracle. Didn't last, but it was so much nicer than the older drugs!
And the withdrawal was unpleasant. Ain't no one here gonna tell you any different. It took me about eight months to taper down from 225mg of Effexor XR. I didn't enjoy that period of my life. Would I take Effexor again? Well, I would if I thought that it would work better and longer than it did. So, instead, I take the newer SNRI, Cymbalta.
You know why I take the anti-depressants? I take them because, when they work, they make my life bearable. They allow me to function. Without them, I cannot live my life. With them, I can do the things I need to do in order to make my life work. Easy equation for me.
I won't tell you that anything about these drugs is good, that anything about needing these drugs is fair, or that you'll change your mind once you try another drug. I have no way of knowing if any of that is true.
What I will tell you, though, is that a good therapist *will* make a difference in your life. That's not a "maybe" -- that's a definite. A good therapist, and some hard work on your part, and your life will improve. Give that a chance.
Oh, yeah, and if this therapist doesn't work out for you, you can find another therapist who is a better fit for you. Because trust me on this one, too: better to do something now to improve the way you feel than wait until you're as old as I was when you start working on this.
Good luck to you, and do consider sticking around here. We've got a lot of good people here, who will listen and do their best to hear what you're saying. What's more, we've got a lot of different boards here to choose from, so you can hang out at Social for basic breeze-shooting, or go to Health for weird health things, or check out what we're reading on Books. (You may be too young for kids books, but some of us old folks love them. Check out some of the threads over there for some fun reads.)
Posted by ed_uk on July 3, 2005, at 5:16:46
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by superman on July 2, 2005, at 18:48:06
Hi Superman,
I'm curious, how old are you?
~Ed
Posted by KaraS on July 3, 2005, at 10:26:52
In reply to Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by Doom Behemoth on July 2, 2005, at 17:28:02
I think medication can help but it's often hard to find the right medication for someone. But if you really want to get off of Effexor, you can do it with a minimal of problems. I did it and many others here have too. This is what you need to do:
decrease very slowly and substitute an SSRI medication (or anything that will increase serotonin) at some point before you go off of the Effexor. Prozac is the best drug for this because it's long acting. You'd probably only need one or two days of taking 10 mg. of Prozac.
I decreased Effexor VERY slowly including fractions of a pill. By the time I went off of the last sliver of a pill, I started getting wicked withdrawal symptoms. Had those for two days until I took a low dose of another serotonergic medication for a few days. The symptoms stopped completely. When I stopped the other medication, I had NO withdrawal symptoms. I can't promise you no withdrawal symptoms but, if you have any, they will be greatly reduced.
I won't bore you with the details of why this works but it is based on real science. I'm sure this post will get diverted to the withdrawal board here but there you'd get to hear from others who have used this method successfully.
Good luck!
Kara
Posted by superman on July 3, 2005, at 18:21:58
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR) » superman, posted by ed_uk on July 3, 2005, at 5:16:46
> I'm curious, how old are you?I'm 17... not really a child, but I feel like one.
Posted by Phillipa on July 3, 2005, at 21:25:13
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR) » ed_uk, posted by superman on July 3, 2005, at 18:21:58
There are quite a few posters here that are young. one just turned l8. Start a Thread and Ask for responses from people your age if you'd prefer to talk with them. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by EERRIICC on July 3, 2005, at 22:23:17
In reply to Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by Doom Behemoth on July 2, 2005, at 17:28:02
I agree with everything superman posted, taper off the effexor slowly and ask for something to help with tapering off of it. I'm sorry you're going through such pain.
Posted by darkhorse on July 4, 2005, at 7:09:47
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR) » Doom Behemoth, posted by KaraS on July 3, 2005, at 10:26:52
>
> decrease very slowly and substitute an SSRI medication (or anything that will increase serotonin) at some point before you go off of the Effexor. Prozac is the best drug for this because it's long acting. You'd probably only need one or two days of taking 10 mg. of Prozac.I totally agree with this method as the best one. I have the same exact experience.
It is exactly like when you switch from a shot-acting Xanax to long acting Valium.I'm sure there is a cross-tolerance between serotonergic medications (SSRIs,Efexor,Cymbalta,Anafranil & Tofranil).
Regards,
Dark Horse.
> Good luck!
>
> Kara
>
Posted by ed_uk on July 4, 2005, at 16:50:11
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR) » ed_uk, posted by superman on July 3, 2005, at 18:21:58
Hi superman,
>I'm 17... not really a child, but I feel like one.
I'm 21. I agree, 17 is not really a child. Anyway, you sound mature in your posts!
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by Racer on July 4, 2005, at 22:18:48
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR) » superman, posted by ed_uk on July 4, 2005, at 16:50:11
>
> I'm 21.
>
>
> ~Ed{sigh} That's is, Ed -- guess I won't run away with you, after all... I'm too old for you!
Posted by Phillipa on July 4, 2005, at 22:22:11
In reply to Re: Rediculous anti-depression medications (Effexo » ed_uk, posted by Racer on July 4, 2005, at 22:18:48
Racer, I say we kidnap him and show him what life is all about. My daughter has already called me a cradle robber when I told her I cooresponded with Ed. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sarah T. on July 6, 2005, at 22:28:15
In reply to Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by Doom Behemoth on July 2, 2005, at 17:28:02
Dear Doom Behemoth,
I love your screen name. One thing is clear: Neither your depression nor your antidepressants have taken away your imagination and humor.
It's possible that the physical effects you experience when you stop Effexor are due to withdrawal (or what the clever pharmaceutical companies call "discontinuation syndrome"). I think it would be a good idea to find a good psychopharmacologist who can help you withdraw from Effexor VERY, VERY slowly and carefully, over many weeks or months. Then, see how you feel. Finding a good psychopharmacologist (or "pdoc") is essential. You need someone who will work WITH you. You need someone who will spend time with you, not just 10 minutes writing out a prescription. You need someone who is willing to find out who YOU are, both on and OFF medications. I can't tell you how many times ignorant pdocs diagnose patients based on their reactions to the side effects of the drugs or on their responses to withdrawal. I've come across people here who've gotten 8 or 10 different diagnoses in as many months, each diagnosis based on the adverse effects of a different drug, and not on who the patient really is.
If you do decide to withdraw from Effexor, it is absolutely critical that you do it as slowly as possible, no matter how eager and impatient you may be to get off of it. Stopping psychotropic medications quickly almost always causes rebound problems that can be worse than we were at baseline.
Can you tell me how long you've been on antidepressants and why you went on them in the first place? Is your psychiatrist a talk therapist and a psychopharmacologist or just a psychopharmacologist (i.e., one who prescribes drugs?).
I hope you will continue to post here. There are many helpful, knowledgeable people here.
Sarah T.
Posted by Doom Behemoth on July 12, 2005, at 0:19:31
In reply to Rediculous anti-depression medications (EffexorXR), posted by Doom Behemoth on July 2, 2005, at 17:28:02
Wow, I really like the people here. You don't critisize me too harshly, and you're quite understanding. Thank you for making me feel so much more at home. I figured I would get a ton of hateful replies to this.
Signing off,
Doom
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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