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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 Theodore on July 26, 2002, at 22:07:08
Hi out there!
I too am grateful for having this forum to share ideas and feelings...I started taking Effexor three days ago. Previousely, I have tried Zoloft and Paxil and honestly quit both because I couldn't comply with taking it everyday (I would forget, have sexual side effects, would party too hard the night before and not wake up until late the next day....you get the picture)and I would just feel better. I am in the third year of professional school and could not take feeling depressed, anxious, and self-loathing anymore..I couldn't see the point of living behind a happy mask the rest of my life. I finally had a break from school and saw my GP who prescribed Effexor. This time around I am taking my emotional/mental health more seriousely and am really trying to sort through the cognitive aspects of my illness...going all the way back to childhood. I guess I buy into the stigma of "being on meds" and would like to discontinue them once I get my life under control. My question is does this illness require life-long committment to med taking or can you lead a healthy, happy life afterwards? (I know this was longwinded and appreciate any responses!)
Theodore
Posted by Phil on July 27, 2002, at 7:02:48
In reply to What do people do when they get off meds, posted by Theodore on July 26, 2002, at 22:07:08
Current thinking is that if you had 3 episodes of depression, it may be meds for life. I will be on meds for life but I'm sure there are some exceptions.
Glad you're taking it more seriously and wish you wellness.
Posted by Susan G on July 27, 2002, at 18:59:55
In reply to Re: What do people do when they get off meds, posted by Phil on July 27, 2002, at 7:02:48
Phil, what exactly is meant by "episodes"? Can one episode last a year?
Posted by coral on July 28, 2002, at 9:04:57
In reply to What do people do when they get off meds, posted by Theodore on July 26, 2002, at 22:07:08
My first depressive episode (severe clinical depression) lasted 3+ years and Zoloft (at max dosage) for a year brought me back to ... uh... normal (along with intensive therapy). The second episode (late 2000) lasted a few months and was corrected with Zoloft. I've had some minor "dips" since then, but I've also learned to recognize the triggers very early, plus my husband is also watchful. As part of my career, I write, which I can't do on Zoloft, so my vigilance is extremely crucial to my staying healthy. However, if I find I've tumbled into the black tar pits, I'll grab the Zoloft without hesitation. I can't write when I'm depressed and I can't write when I'm on Zoloft so my goal is to do whatever I need to do to stay within my "health" zone. Therapy was extremely helpful. For me, I think depression is like malaria. Once infected, recurrences are possible so vigilance is crucial as well as the bottle of Zoloft in the medicine cabinet and the telephone number of my therapist.
This is the end of the thread.
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