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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TwinkleNHisEye on August 2, 2006, at 20:00:40
Wow you guys have totally freaked me out now. I've been dealing with some heavy stressful personal issues the past year. I've noticed in the past 3-4 months a depressive state has fallen over me. I'm tired constantly, no enthusiasm, feelings of sadness to name a few. I had my annual physical today and talked to my doctor about all this. I asked her for something to temporarily help me take the edge off and help get me to a balanced state of mind. It's kind of ironic in that I've always been very 'anti-anti-depressants', believing that depression was the sign of weakness and could easily be overcome by sheer will power and strength. Only now that's it's actually happened to me, am I willing to research the topic and actually take an anti-depressant myself.
Anyway, my doctor suggested Effexor XR. I took the first 37.5mg capsule tonight and over the next 6 days will work up to the 75mg. I'm praying that the combination of medication and counseling (which I started several weeks ago) will help me to come out of this dark place I've been in - this is truly horrible. I plan on taking this medication very short term and hope that I don't experience the withdrawal symptoms that I've read about.
Posted by Maxime on August 3, 2006, at 18:45:09
In reply to Just started Effexor XR this evening, posted by TwinkleNHisEye on August 2, 2006, at 20:00:40
I hope the med provides you with some relief. It's a stimulating med, so you might want to take it in the morning ... see how you respond to it, it might make you drowsy.
You should stay open minded about the situation. Don't decide now that you are going to stay on it very short term. ADs are meant to be used for a very short term. First, you increase your risk of relapse. Second, the next bout of depression will be worse.
I was on regular Effexor and suffered NO withdrawal symptoms.
Take care.
Maxime
> Wow you guys have totally freaked me out now. I've been dealing with some heavy stressful personal issues the past year. I've noticed in the past 3-4 months a depressive state has fallen over me. I'm tired constantly, no enthusiasm, feelings of sadness to name a few. I had my annual physical today and talked to my doctor about all this. I asked her for something to temporarily help me take the edge off and help get me to a balanced state of mind. It's kind of ironic in that I've always been very 'anti-anti-depressants', believing that depression was the sign of weakness and could easily be overcome by sheer will power and strength. Only now that's it's actually happened to me, am I willing to research the topic and actually take an anti-depressant myself.
> Anyway, my doctor suggested Effexor XR. I took the first 37.5mg capsule tonight and over the next 6 days will work up to the 75mg. I'm praying that the combination of medication and counseling (which I started several weeks ago) will help me to come out of this dark place I've been in - this is truly horrible. I plan on taking this medication very short term and hope that I don't experience the withdrawal symptoms that I've read about.
Posted by MaggieATL on August 4, 2006, at 10:44:03
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR this evening » TwinkleNHisEye, posted by Maxime on August 3, 2006, at 18:45:09
I've been on it for 10 days, day 3 of 70mg. I have found relief from the deeply felt stress and anxiety.
There are some minor side effects so far: Constipation, dry mouth, no appetite, and a dizzy feeling about an hour after taking my meds.
Hang in there!
Posted by nicky847 on August 8, 2006, at 16:20:49
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR this evening » TwinkleNHisEye, posted by Maxime on August 3, 2006, at 18:45:09
im not sure that going on a/d medications necessarily mean your next bout of depression will be worse than the one before it...for me nothing was worse than the first one..second one a couple of years later was pretty bad too..but a bit more manageable...
when you deal with it long enough, it loses alot of its power to scare you..dont get me wrong it still makes you feel bad..but at least you don't have the "oh my god what the hell is happening to me" factor to deal with..
This is the end of the thread.
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