Posted by Cindylou on March 18, 2001, at 22:25:03
In reply to Re: When did you increase your dosage of Effexor, posted by shurtlaj on March 18, 2001, at 20:04:36
Hi Aaron,
Those are all great questions ... I've dealt with them for many years. Is this depression new for you? Did it just start happening, or have you struggled with it for quite awhile, and are now seeking help?Sometimes people have one episode of depression, and short-term use of ADs helps them get over the hump, as you were saying. But for me, everytime I would get off of an AD, the depression came back within three to six months. So it's been determined by several doctors that my condition is chronic, and I will probably need the support of ADs forever. A bummer, but I'm getting used to the idea. Too bad I'm still having a hard time finding one that works!
As far as it being normal for people to be depressed ... no, it's really not "normal" if you're talking about clinical depression -- the feeling that you're at the bottom of a dark hole and can't get out ... you don't like life, you don't want to do anything, everything's negative, you're on the verge of tears all the time, etc. etc. When those feelings last more than a few weeks, it's a bonified "chemical imbalance."
What's normal are the occasional blues that may last a few days or even a week.
As far as if it's best to get rid of the depression altogether or leave a little remnant of it to remind yourself of issues -- my feeling is that I would do anything to have it go away for good!!! Sometimes the "issues" don't have as much to do with the chemical imbalance as it may seem.
Anyway, just some food for thought.
Rest easy,
Cindy
> Willow,
>
> Thanks for the response. I guess what I initially thought was that AD's (if you found the right one for you) would take away the depression and allow you to rebuild your life while also learning (through therapy) how to avoid depression down the road. I'm finding that the depression can still surface, but isn't quite as intense. Is it best to get to a level where there isn't any depression at all, or should you keep a little there as a reminder that you still have issues to work on?
>
> Isn't it normal for people to sometimes be depressed. Am I suppose to be working on never being depressed or just learn how to deal with it when it come along?
>
> I guess these are just thoughts that I'm having that I hope aren't too far off from what other people have wondered.
>
> Aaron
>
> > Aaron
> >
> > My doctor upped my dosage by 37.5mg every 3 to 4 weeks until I reached 150mg. At this level, I can't exactly remember what happened, I would have to say that I started feeling normal and better each day. I've now been at this dosage for two months and am still getting improvement.
> >
> > Regarding your initial success, there are some on the board who have said if you have this with a medication that then it is a fit for yourself. I too had spurts of energy (fatigue has been my main symptom) when I started the effexor. It came like spits of rain on a day that can't decide wether its going to pour or be sunny.
> >
> > Today I went tubing (sliding with an inner tube on a downhill ski slope) with my children. As the tow was pulling me up the hill I was just enjoying the moment and the thought crossed my mind that it would have never been so pleasant for me without the help of effexor.
> >
> > BEST Wishes
> > Whistling Willow
poster:Cindylou
thread:56821
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56880.html