Posted by Racer on September 15, 2005, at 13:09:00
In reply to Re: should I start taking effexor?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 14, 2005, at 11:59:43
I've been on Effexor, and it helped.
Keep in mind, while reading this board, that many of us are very medication resistant. What we experience is unlikely to be what you experience. About the only thing that is consistent with Effexor is that more people experience what's called "discontinuation syndrome" when stopping it. (Of course, only the drug companies and some doctors call it Discontinuation Syndrome. The rest of us call it withdrawal. ;-P ) There are ways of minimizing the discomfort of that withdrawal, though, which you'll find on the withdrawal board here.
For what it's worth, if you're very concerned about trying Effexor, there is a drug with similar effects called Cymbalta that was released about a year ago. You might ask your doctor about that. If cost is an issue, though, Effexor should be cheaper.
There are also a lot of other anti-depressants out there. You can ask your doctor about them, too. And, if you can't talk to your doctor comfortably, fire him and get another! (Unless, like me, you're stuck because of lack of resources. I was uninsured for about ten years and went through hell because I had no options for seeking other treatment. If that's your situation, I can only offer my sympathy.)
Good luck.
poster:Racer
thread:554847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050914/msgs/555278.html