Posted by FaithT on December 30, 2004, at 7:38:59
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » MKB, posted by dancingstar on December 5, 2004, at 2:32:41
Hi everyone~
I'd like to share my story with you...I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma in July of 2002, right after my baby turned a year old. I fell into a very deep black hole of depression and severe anxiety. I thought of death constantly,and was so scared. I began seeing a psych., and was prescribed Effexor and xanax. (We tried Paxil first,and I hated it) Effexor did wonders for me.
I took the Effexor for 1 1/2 years, and I thought that because I felt so good, I was past all of the fear etc. So, I made the decision with my Dr. to wean off of it. Yes, the withdrawl was a nightmare,and I posted about it on this board, but I did it.
For about 2 months this past summer, I was Effexor free, and things were o.k. Then, the depression and anxiety came back with a vengence. I was literally crying from morning till night, convinced that I was dying. I asked my Dr. if I could try Wellbutrin...that was definately the wrong med. for me. I got worse.
My psych. and I made the decision together that I would go back on the Effexor, because it worked so well before. For me, the diagnosis of Malignant Melanoma triggered clinical depression, and I know that for the sake of having a life, I need to remain on this med.
It took a long time for the Effexor to kick in the 2nd time around. As my psych. explained, when you interupt treatment, you can become resistant to the meds. Finally, after about 8 weeks, it was like a light went back on, and I was alive again.
Having gone through the withdrawl myself, I know all about this med., BUT it is what allowing me to function, care for my son and not cry all day. Seeing what I am like off of it, I will never, ever do that again.
I think that every circumstance is different, and for me Effexor is allowing me to live through my fear of cancer returning. I am very grateful.
Best wishes to all of you,
Faith~
poster:FaithT
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041228/msgs/435656.html