Posted by KaraS on August 13, 2004, at 17:20:23
In reply to Some thoughts on Effexor, posted by Alesa on August 13, 2004, at 13:33:34
> I've been reading all the posts on side-effects and withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. All of the symptoms that people are describing I had BEFORE I took Effexor, and I was NOT on any sort of anti-depressant or medication. (I tried Paxil two years ago, but had severe side effects and went off it after only three days). After that, I didn't take anything until now.
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> Before I was on Effexor, I had brain zaps, the electic shock feeling, shaking images, dizziness, feeling like I was on an elevator, nightmares, panic attacks and diarrhea and nausea often. And I was not coming off of any meds or anything and I don't drink and have hardly used street drugs in my lifetime! I used to smoke a bit of pot once in awhile, tried hash and ecstasy once in my life, but all of that was six years ago! I stopped using them because I'd get severe panic attacks while on them, and my heart would race out of control. I haven't touched any drugs for years, and barely drink alcohol anymore.
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> When I started Effexor, all of the above symptoms went away, and I had very few side effects. I had a tiny bit of insomnia, which went away after one night, and jaw tension and shaking, but that's it! I felt numb and high for the first week, but it felt good and light, not bad. I feel alot calmer, and I'm not depressed or in constant emotional pain like I was before. I haven't cried since I've been taking it (two weeks. I sleep well, and don't feel panicky at all. I don't have a bad stomach either.
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> Has anyone else felt this way? Effexor is not a "poison". So far, it seems to have helped immensely. Different meds work for different folks.
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> Also, what's so bad about always having to be on meds? I have to take a birth control everyday so I don't get pregant. If schizophrenics don't take their meds, they can't function at all, and same with bi-polars. If depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain, and meds help you function, what is so bad about being reliant? Depression is an illness, and like alot of other illnesses, people have to take medication to live and have a better quality of life. It's better to take a pill than to go off of it and let depression make you sick. My mother died because she was so depressed. Her depression affected her physical health, and studies have shown that depression, especially in women, can lead to heart disease and other illnesses, not to mention not taking care of one's self, or suicide. I would have rather seen my mother on anti-depressants for life and have had her live a happier life than to die so sad. The body needs help, and there is nothing wrong with having to be dependant on something if it helps your overall well being and health.
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> If you have problems with meds, than of course you have to go off of them, and the side effects are horrible. My heart goes out to all of you that are suffering. But alot of you are saying you feel great on meds, but want to go off just because you don't want to be dependant, and that is my point.
I couldn't agree more. We're only here on this earth a short time so we need to try to make the most of it. Once it's all over no one will care whether you lived your life on meds or not. All that will matter was the kind of life and quality of life that you led. There's no sense in beating yourself up or depriving yourself because you weren't born with perfect genes or brain chemistry.
poster:KaraS
thread:377229
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040811/msgs/377331.html