Posted by sufergirl on September 29, 2018, at 0:17:48
I have been on effexor (75 - 225mg) for 18 years.
As a child i had episodic anxiety and as a young mother 3 episodes of PPD. Then, i had 3 episodes of major depression. With complete remission of symptoms in between - each episode lasted about 8 months and were about 3 - 4 years apart. They also came on SUDDENLY and started with this obsessive thought about whether or not i would sleep. That was related to my PPD where my main symptom was not being able to sleep and I worried that if i couldn't i would have a breakdown or something terrible. So one day, it seemed i was fine and the next day i would wake up with this thought 'would i sleep tonight?'
This thought would CONSUME my every waking moment and would gradually morph into depression. The first couple of times i had it i tried every possible alternative therapy possible; chiropractic, colonic therapy, homeopathy, herbal treatments, hypnosis, chinese medicine, acupuncture and there were probably others. I also started to exercise a lot. Gradually it would get better only to return 3 or 4 years later. On the 3rd episode I got a lot worse and started to feel suicidal. I was referred to a psychiatrist (because i refused to take medication - my mother had told me i shouldn't - even though by now i was 40 LOL)
The psychiatrist prescribed me effexor which i agonised over, but in the end chose to take it. Within 3 weeks i was so much better. However, since being ON effexor, i can't get OFF it. Each time i try to come off, I relapse in a shorter and shorter time frame. My dr says it's the nature of depression. Recently I followed the advice of one of those anti medication user boards that call all sorts of bodily symptoms to be a 'withdrawal effect' I reduced my dose down in incremental amounts, excruciatingly slowly over 2 years and got down to 14mg and then WHAM back into depression/anxiety - tried again a few times with the same results only to finally accept that my condition requires medication for life.
I am OK with that. But I am thinking that maybe effexor has run it's course with me - i have little motivation and not a lot of interest. I run my own business and employ 10 people so I have stuff to be interested in, if only I could be.
We have talked about transitioning to another medication, but i am worried about 'rocking the boat' - it's not sinking, but is that good enough? One of my fears is that when I get depressed when i come off effexor is that ONLY effexor will rectify it - that the symptoms are due to effexor discontinuation, rather than return of depression.
I am asking for feedback here, because i have been a LONG time reader (and first time poster) and value the insights and knowledge of the members.
My Dr has suggested Valdoxan (agomelatine) but i am afraid that there will be no serotenergic effect to counteract effexor's withdrawal. She has said that once I am on a lower dose of effexor she can start me on valdoxan because of the different mode of action.
If you have got this far - thank you - can i have your thoughts on my ramblings?
poster:sufergirl
thread:1101126
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20180728/msgs/1101126.html