Posted by Nirfoochile on March 23, 2004, at 3:56:44
In reply to Effexor, Acid, Pot, and Alcohol Questions, posted by roseygirl on March 14, 2004, at 14:55:14
I don't know how much I can help you, but I have been on Effexor for depression/anxiety twice in my life. I had to go off it because it was causing major headaches. As far as I know, it works about the same as other antidepressants except it doesn't have the weight gain side effect. Actually, some people on this drug loose weight. I can think of one reason why your friend might not want to be on effexor or any antidepressant. When I was 16, I tried a lot of drugs while I was on antidepressants. I didn't understand what the big deal was. I hardly felt their effects. A year later I decided to stop taking my antidepressants. I smoked some weed and the effect was 10 times what it used to be. The absence of antidepressants actually led to my first manic episode of bipolar disorder (which I never knew I had). My guess is that antidepressants also work as mood stabilizers. Therefore, those things/drugs that would normally effect your brain chemistry aren't that effective. Your friend may not stay on effexor since she wants to feel the effects of the other drugs she is taking.
Another thing. She should probably consider getting new therapists/psychiatrists. I lied to mine too when I was younger. The fact that they can't tell and will prescribe you anything as long as you list the symptoms shows that they aren't good. And even if they are (and your friend is incredibly deceitful), she still should consider telling the whole truth to a new set of doctors otherwise she will never get better.
poster:Nirfoochile
thread:324317
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20040130/msgs/327292.html