Posted by Salty_Dog on December 16, 2003, at 23:23:04
In reply to Re: been on it for a month - good but is there more? » PennyLane, posted by AnneL on December 16, 2003, at 10:17:06
Hello and Happy Holidays
I am at 600 mg of Effexor XR and currently tapering to 450 mg for one week to see the outcome. My doses are off the charts so don't go there please. I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I have done probably everything including getting Hepatitis 'C' or 'HCV' as it is refered to, from shared needles (Heron,Cocain,Speed IV style) or shared blood during sex (Let's not go there)After a few tries, I was able to get sober and clean July 1, 1988. Like you there was a family history of mental health. My Father was given shock therapy in the 60's, which seemed to work until he passed away 2 years later. He was an alcoholic in recovery and was also contending with survivor's guilt from Perl Habor.
My Mother was an inpatient to several mental health wards and in the end, lived 20 more years in half-way houses which could keep a eye on Her and provide the basics. She was pretty much unrestricted and only needed to show up for medication. The majority of the P-Docs now would have been able to treat Her successfully because the newer disorders would explain Her condition.I successfully treated 'HCV' to a sustained verologic response (SVR) which mean no HCV virus can be detected. That is better than most average people walking around. The treatment is beyond 'Chemo' and lasts for 8-12 months. At several points during my treatment (We pushed the envolope again) I was at risk of death but we kept pushing. During a recent MRI (2 years post treatment) we discovered 5 lessions which by the Dr where tagged as side effects of the 'Chemo'.
I have always had depression. The only time I felt normal was after running/training as a distance runner (a long time ago). My current Dx is Rapid Cycling Bi-Polar Manic Depressive. In a nut shell, I can have Depression and Mania at the same time which if put in words would sound and look like anxiety attacks. If a Bi-Polar is given AD's (S)he will be forced into Mania which is equally dangerous. Bi-Polar's tend to inadvertently use street drugs and alcohol to treat themselves.
I have dumped enough and would extend to you my best wishes in your journey toward discovery.
You have several possible directions to take and you can be trying to shoot a moving target. I am very happy you have such a supportive family. I really wished my parents where still alive, but that would be selfish because they have moved on to a higher plain and extending their lives would mean more pain for them. Both of my parents passed away from natual causes.BTW I take several drugs including Zyprexa which has prevented the mania. I am not depressed today but I have to take care of myself to stay that way. I have not found therapy useless which pretty much fits the mold for Bi-Polar Manics.
Keep posting, please.
> Hi and welcome to P-Babble,
>
> Speak to your doctor and find out if he/she recommends increasing your dose by 37.5 mg. every
> 4 to 6 weeks until you find the dose that works for you. I found that 225 mg. worked for me, it's been 3 years now. Many people on this board and pdocs agree that 75 mg. is essentially a starting point (after the initial 37.5 mg. induction phase) and that some people benefit from higher doses. High blood pressure at higher doses is usually not seen until the 400 mg. + range, although as mentioned by another poster on this board, it can occur at lower doses.
>
> Good luck to you and good luck in your studies. Your post brings back memories of my experience as a teenager when I ate some of those "magic mushrooms" and experienced a panic attack. I wonder if my earlier drug-experimentation with hallucinogenic substances, "social cocaine" use
> (sounds funny, dosen't it?)back in 1977-1990 increased by chances of panic disorder/depression later in life? Just musings from a forty-something year old with two kids beginning college. Take Care, Anne :)
poster:Salty_Dog
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031213/msgs/290791.html