Posted by DavidHIFI on March 26, 2001, at 20:47:37
I've just started Effexor XR, and would like to share some preliminary thoughts with the group. Before starting the drug, I read all the postings going back to around 10/99 along with visiting other sites thar basically related manufacturer information. Upon reflection, I decided that a forum such as this might tend to have a focus on problems related to this drug. I believe this is the case since reading the posts allows the real pain many of the posters are going through to show rather clearly as noted by the 'drug cocktails' many have had to get on to find some relief. My heart goes out to you all. My situation is, thankfully, not so dire. I have reached the point in my life (I'm just about 48) where I have decided to try and do something about the dark cloud that seems to have been hovering up over my shoulder, just out of sight, my whole life. What made up my mind was the realization that my wife should not have to feel unloved because of my lack of libido, that I was ready to let go of the low level anxiety that had been a constant companion, and that perhaps it was possible for me to enjoy 'better living through (brain) chemistry'. Actually that last glib comment belies a serious issue that I had to get through before asking my doctor for help. That is, the classic struggle against the feeling that resorting to psychotropic drugs admits some sort of personal weakness. Reading about the mechanism of operation (SSRI, etc.)really helped me come to the realization that all the stuff I went over with my shrink over many years of therapy (the childhood stuff, etc.) only goes so far to explain my condition. That just maybe, there was a physical problem that one of these drugs could relieve. So I discussed it with my doctor and he felt that, especially with the libido issues that Effexor XR would be the way to go. He gave me the starter kit, a week at 37.5 than on to 75. I've just now finished the first week and have decided to stay at 37.5 for now. I did have some of the commonly reported side effects, mostly dry mouth and more frequent urination. There was also some sleep disturbance mostly related to getting up to urinate a couple of times in the night. Interestingly, I'm also feeling a bit scared; some throat tightness and mild nerviousness. I think some, if not all, of this is possibly related to the important change in my life that going on this drug represents. I'm taking strength from earlier postings related to the time this drug needs to really do its' job; at this point I'm really encouraged by some things I've started noticing such as a big, positive change in my sexual feelings (my wife is pleased too!), and an awaking feeling of 'can do it-ness' as opposed to 'why bother-ness'. It's been only a week, but I went to my doctor today and changed the full perscription to 37.5 to see if this stuff can work as such a relatively low level. Hey, I'll take the placebo effect if that is what's going on; but time will tell.One final thought: Timothy Leary once said about another drug (LSD) that the 'set' and 'setting' were important. What I mean is that for me, how this drug works will be a quite personal experience. While a huge sample of users might yield hard data as to effects, they all should probably be placed in groups since generalizations might be IMO, wrong. Some might experience renewed (or awakened) sexuality others, loss of same. Some, lasting relief of depression (or lifting of a light funk), others plateau-ing and a revisit to 'the dark abyss'. I hope I and all of you, can be in the former group. Peace.
poster:DavidHIFI
thread:57627
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57627.html