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Re: EFFEXOR - DOSAGE

Posted by EmmaL on September 25, 2003, at 11:38:56

In reply to EFFEXOR - DOSAGE, posted by MIDNIGHT on September 25, 2003, at 9:38:37

> I'VE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS AND PRIOR TO THAT I WAS ON PROZAC FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO FEELING ON EITHER OF THESE DRUGS. I REALLY DON'T LIKE TAKING DRUGS. I'VE HAD PSYCHOTHERAPY, SAW A PSYCHIATRIST AND TRIED DIFFERENT RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS HYPNOSIS TO NO AVAIL, BREATHING TECHNIQUES, ETC. I REALLY WANT TO LEARN HOW TO RELAX AND COME OFF DRUGS AND GET ON WITH MY LIFE. LIBIDO - WHAT'S THAT. I HAVE NONE. NO DESIRE. HAS ANYONE FOUND THE MAGICAL DOSAGE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS AND MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE?

Hi, Midnight!!
I am tired of feeling 'numb', as well. Darn! I hate this!
I am on my second week weaning off of Effexor. I have been on it for 2 years and 5 months. That is probably more like a walk in the park, compared to what you have been going through.
Since I have been on the weaning-off stage and the no-med stage, I cry, go on cleaning binges (i.e. shampooed my carpet, and washed the walls - I live in a 1380 square foot condo {without counting the basement area} - no more excessive sweating, finally!!!)and have way more energy, than I remember, and am feeling much more like myself, plus I have lost weight without really attempting to do so.
I have, with my new doctor's guidance (she is awesome and she listens!!), decided to try no meds for awhile. However, my sleeping schedule is TOTALLY out of wack, and I have experienced lots of diziness and nausea (getting better as the days wear on - was not near as bad as I thought it would be). I think I was just lucky. I will see my new doctor next week, and we will see where I decide to go from there. She has suggested Celexa, if I decide I still require anti-anxiety meds, afterall (I think I just might still need to be on meds, but I really do want to experience the real me and try to access the effects that I was experiencing on Effexor XR (former doctor attributed my fatigue and weight gain to not being on a schedule and feeling more relaxed so I might tend to eat more; these conditions were also, supposedly, related to my heightened cholesterol and high blood pressure. Wrong! She just did not hear what I tried to tell her so many times). After our conversations, I pretty much believed that this is how it had to be for the remainder of my employed life.
I really hope that you have a good doctor who really listens to you. Also, I am seeing a counsellor who is just as awesome as my new doctor. Have you had a second opinion? If not, you do need to do this for yourself. Anything you are seeking will not happen overnight. I am talking from experience.
From my first appointment to my physical exam with my new doctor, it took 3 months just for that, plus all of the follow-ups which are still ongoing. Plus, there is also the question of TMJ and other probable diagnoses from my ear-nose-throat specialist, my dentist, and my new doctor. My new doctor spotted an ear wax build-up, instananeously, which was not diagnosed by my former GP (had a physical in March and saw her again in June) or by my ear-nose throat specialist (had appointments in June and August.) I had been having plugged ears for quite some time.
It was worth the wait, however! Go figure! I highly advise a second opinion from a doctor who is still accepting new patients. Check it out!
Anyone have any advice about Celexa?? Or Welbutrin?? I specified that I could absolutely not take a med that will make me tired, and my new doctor suddently really hedged away from Wellbutrin. Please send any advice or experiences from these meds. I will really try to go it alone, but you never know. I just have a feeling that when I return to work, I will need some anti-anxiety meds.

EmmaL


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Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:EmmaL thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030923/msgs/263198.html