Posted by ST on May 6, 2002, at 16:41:52
In reply to Re: My story of Effexor, posted by Shanti on May 5, 2002, at 8:33:17
Shanti-
Thanks for the great message! I agree about doing the mental work as well. I have been in talk therapy on and off for about 8 years and the changes that have arisen from it are tremendous. I deal with people and situations soooo differently now. But I'm bipolar II, so I know that I need a mood stabilizer as well as ADs.
I don't know if I mentioned any of this in my last post, but I am also on Wellbutrin (as well as the mood stabilizer, Depakote). I think it's a great AD. And yes, I think it would be a good compliment to an SSRI if you are not getting the results you want. I was on just Wellbutrin and Depakote for a few years and just wasn't rising above a certain level of depression. Once I was put on an SSRI (at the time it was Serzone), things really changed. I was able to really start functioning again. So, a lot of people need "combination therapy", where they take something for dopamine and then also something that stimulates seratonin. After Serzone (got off it because I was still suicidal occasionally), I went on to Celexa, gained thirty pounds and then went on to Effexor (lost 20 pounds so far!).
So, this is my third day without any Effexor at all and I don't know how I'm doing it. (I don't know what I'd do if I had a family like you!!) I took Saturday and Sunday off and was in the throes of feverish flu-like symptoms and crying and irrational thoughts all weekend. My boyfriend is so patient. Today I feel a bit better and am back at work tonight. I'm giving a really good friend a massage, so at least if I feel really pukey, she'd understand if I had to stop.
I'm so glad Effexor is working for you. How long have you been on it? I do think it's a good drug, albeit quite powerful. If you ever decide to go off it, please do it s l o w l y. It's then very hard to give up the last few milligrams because you just feel so awful, but I figured I had to do it at some point.
Yes, I do think there is a connection between PMS and depression. In some women it really affects them. It varies for me.
Find a good pdoc! If you think you are bipolar, a mood stabilizer will really help.
Take care,
Sarah
poster:ST
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105311.html