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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jtc on July 1, 2003, at 8:09:14
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP! » Susy, posted by zinya on July 1, 2003, at 2:39:09
> Gosh, Susy, lo siento mucho!
>
> (Be careful, my Spanish is limited :)
>
> Do you have insurance here? Could you go to a place like UCLA for treatment where a larger range of doctors might be of some help?
>
> I had a gynecologist there once who was quite good and a good basis for referral then elsewhere if you need to see other specialists.
>
> What most alarms me is your saying you've had diarrhea for a MONTH! Wow. That sounds potentially serious. And if you've told that to a doctor and nothing has been tested, then I think that is a doctor who isn't treating you seriously. I would think your goal should be to find either an endocrinologist or a psychiatrist ... and have someone check this diarrhea situation and probably the headaches too. It sounds like they've persisted way too long.
>
> If you're anywhere near UCLA and you could be covered to go there, and you were interested, I could look up the name again of my gynecologist there -- I haven't seen her in over 10 years and i'm not sure she's still there but she might be, and I do have her name somewhere.
>
> If I've said anything you don't understand, ask me. I can try to resay it in Spanish (I speak Portuguese and sometimes I can wing it -- improvise -- in Spanish).
>
> con abrazos!
> zinyaHi Susy,
I agree with Zinya. If you have insurance you should go to your primary care physician and get a referral to a psychiatrist who can help with you medication, if you feel that is what you need. I have panic and anxiety disorder with depression. I have taken Luvox in the past because my psychiatrist thinks that I have OCD symptoms where I ruminate and worry about things I really cannot do anything about. I have tried Zoloft, Paxil, and Serzone but they made me feel weird. I just went off Effexor after taking it for 10 months. I don't know if I would recommend Effexor though because of the side effects, for myself anyway. It did help me once the side effects went away but when my doctor decided to take me off of it, it was very difficult to get off of it. I think the Luvox helped me the most. I took it for about 3-4 years until I decided to have my second child. I even took it from the time I was four months pregnant until my eighth month of pregnancy. My four year old is fine except she has a temper, but don't they all...Anyway I am now on klonopin only, for anxiety and I still have the depression but I have started running and trying to exercise and I think this is helping. Good luck and keep us posted and also men do not tend to understand the anxiety disorder and depression unless they have experienced it themselves, at least that is that way my husband is. Good luck and God Bless you and keep us posted....
jtc
Posted by melley on July 1, 2003, at 10:45:50
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by jtc on July 1, 2003, at 7:52:58
I feel very badly for you. I think it is so difficlt for men to admit they are depressed. My husband and I had much the same dynamic. That "teasing" could come under the realm of verbal abuse. Anyway, I had a "breakdown" of sorts. Depression, panic attacks. The psychiatrist talked with my husband and explained that the home environment could create a situation like that. Sure, I had the predisposition to it but living in that kind of evironment brought it to the fore. My husband, much to his credit, is now on medication for his depression, and, believe it or not, is now going to a therapist. I would never have believed it possible before last year. I think men show their depression in different ways than women do. For example, my husband immersed himself in his work, was often irritable with the kids, unable to relax, critical of everything I did, or didn't do. Now he is much more relaxed and it has helped our family so much. At 40 he wouldn't have done it, at 46 he was able to.
I can imagine it must be very difficult for you. My heart goes out to you. m
Posted by zinya on July 1, 2003, at 11:59:31
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by jtc on July 1, 2003, at 7:52:58
hi jtc!
well, once again: Gosh.
First, and not to get into your finances so you don't even have to answer this question, but have you taken advantage of refinancing your home at low rates? I do understand that money crunches are hard realities that are often even causes of tensions but certainly make them worse. And a certain amount of denial your husband might be in about being in a house that he "secretly" realizes is a source of pressure can be a part of his own stressors making him get volatile or erratic. And sometimes the responses can be precisely in the direction that makes things worse (like his bike-buying). There are so many signs here, which you already realize it seems, that -- as is always the case in any duo -- it's never just one person's problem nor one person's cause.
However, if he adamantly refuses to see a counselor, I think you must find a way to see one yourself, and hope that he may come to see differently and join you. If you could find a counselor you imagine he would ultimately relate to or feel comfortable with or at least respect as well ... or sometimes it's possible to find a husband-wife team of therapists where you might see the wife and hope eventually he would see the husband. But I hear you not only taking this -- or being told to take this -- all on yourself and that there's inevitable anger there is being told that you should deny your own senses of what is needed -- and then you, as you say, are turning that anger inward into getting more depressed. It may not even be as much a biochemical kind of depression as it is a very natural depression you are responding to based on the situation.
I certainly don't understand these things very well as I'm just now -- having about 6 false starts of trying anti-deps that i couldn't tolerate and also getting no relief -- This is the first time i'm taking the time to go so slowly and give every effort to see if indeed what i've been dealing with is biochemical, which i've started to think may have been the case all along.
But i also think biochemical ("clinical") depression is likely being over-diagnosed ... I read some on this website whose doctors seem to have turned them to anti-deps very readily in the face of what sound to me like crises of depression grounded in their domestic realities where it may be -- but what do i know? -- that it's not at base biochemical imbalance. HOWEVER, that said, i do have the sense that over time, a depressing domestic situation or a major grief of loss can probably also trigger biochemical changes and wind up leading to a real reason for anti-deps too. But i think if there is a clear everyday stressor -- and nothing more stressful than a communication gap -- I recall so vividly the psychic and emotional pain of feeling alone under our married roof, a much more painful feeling of aloneness than actually living alone, and the sharp disjunct of feeling that every day or feeling that it is so unpredictable, that it can flair at any moment, leads to that sense of lack of control over your own peace of mind, to suddenly be the target of attack, to being accused of things, feeling on the defensive, etc etc... It's the worst kind of stress. And the link to depression is inevitable. But, as with one particular married friends of mine, I've felt as long as i've known them, that all their flare-ups are based in "a failure to communicate" but that there is an underlying love and passion there that what is needed is really mostly learning to see how each one is communicating and learning new ways of doing so more "functionally" instead of dysfunctionally. And it's something that would still be a problem for each person outside the marriage, so leaving the marriage isn't a "solution." Hence, it's vital to try to come to terms with those ways of communicating -- i think personally usually the biggest problem is in learning how to listen... We all take listening for granted, no one ever teaches us "how to listen" as if it were innate, but it's not ... So often people listen with so many unseen agendas filtering how they listen and hearing things that aren't there, etc. etc...
Nothing is a more important gift to yourselves and your kids than recognizing that there's always more to learn about how we communicate and to make that commitment.
I realize you already know all this, but I'm just babbling here more about it with the hope of bolstering your inner voice that tells you this is a priority that is already overdue and needs to find a way, whether it means starting on your own to get to a therapist... Maybe getting a book -- Is he someone who would read a book at least? I personally found the books of Nathaniel Branden to be quite helpful as a starting place. When my marriage finally split, a book which was pretty pivotal to me and which my husband read and opened his eyes to at least see his need to go to therapy was Branden's book "The Disowned Self" .. . It includes a metaphor Branden makes which I think hits home with men in particular, at least i think it may have been key to what helped my ex-husband at least realize how dysfunctionally he had been dealing with his own emotional life: It was the "simple" metaphor of how to drive in a skid (like on ice) and how the only way (counter-intuitive) to keep control of the car is to drive INTO the skid, not to try to turn the wheel in the opposite direction. For Branden, that is symbolic of the hard lesson with our emotions, that if we don't turn the wheel in the direction of the emotions, where they're surfacing from but try to turn the wheel away from them, thinking that that will give us 'control', in fact it's a false illusion and we make ourselves more unstable and risk 'overturning the car'. Men even more than women, as a rule, are raised as little boys to think that emotions are to be avoided at all costs -- all the classic "Boys don't cry" "Don't be afraid" etc etc... but girls get a lot of those messages too -- plus girls more often too get "Don't be angry" "Don't you dare tell me x or y" and all kinds of early messages that teach us all more or less to think emotions should be suppress, the worst of all "shoulds" which are all red flags to our peril when we start living more and more a life of "shoulds" that wind up becoming huge sources of anger and depression.
Subsequently, I've taught family communication and used in teaching key portions of another, more recent book of Branden's called "The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem". And it's organized by chapters focusing on marital and parent-child, etc. etc. You can even approach it with your husband initially, if it helps him to "rationalize" it, by pointing to the need for thinking about your daughters' self-esteem.
I realize 'self-esteem' has become pop jargon, and unfortunately become a term too glibly tossed around and wrongly used by some who think it means "praising" people or just teaching kids to think they're great -- which is a totally superficial application of the real and solid and realistic bases of self-esteem. Branden was one of the first if not the first back in the 70's to stress the sources of self-esteem and very practical ways of understanding and communicating in marriages and parent-child dynamics to flush out some of the unseen ways that we undermine it in ourselves and others often unwittingly. These days I realize there are a zillion "self-help" books on these areas and maybe you've already read some. But for what it's worth, these are some ideas...
Well, i certainly don't want to come across as making this sound like there are "easy answers" or "prescriptions" for any of this, nor to make it sound like i'm overreacting. I hear you saying there's love and caring in your home too, but i do hear that, as in many many many families, it starts to become separate dyads or triads where mom and the kids have their own good relationship, dad and the kids have theirs, but mom and dad start turning to the kids for finding their sense of love because they feel a wall between the spouses ... and that's a huge warning sign.
As an article i always gave my class wisely pointed out, of all the gifts to a child's growth and self-esteem, the single most important is the marital model of how adults interact and respect. Kids need to feel -- counter to what many tell themselves -- that mom and dad are most important to each other, NOT that mom or dad looks to the kids as being most important. A child's greatest security is feeling mom and dad are 'solid'. And not the facade of solid, as often happens, cuz kids know the real thing or not. Bandaids, they see right through, "secretly." It's vital to think of it as the most important gift to your kids that you and your husband find the way to communicate that will give that security to your kids, so if your husband won't do it for you or for himself, you might even -- either by finding a book that resonates with you and leaving it lying around :)) where he might pick it up too, or by finding a way to get him to agree to join you -- convince him you need him to give "his side of the story" to help a therapist also help this communication process.
Sorry, I'm rambling on here forever. I hope i don't make any of this sound like "Here's the answer." I know none of this is easy.
But you have my wholehearted support, jtc, and i'm thinking of you with caring and sending a strong embrace,
zinya
Posted by zinya on July 1, 2003, at 22:13:37
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP! » jtc, posted by melley on July 1, 2003, at 10:45:50
hi all,
I'm curious if anyone has ever noticed that as they worked up through dosages of effexor if they found themselves getting more easily winded?? I'm not sure if it's my imagination or if i'm comparing apples and oranges cuz maybe i exerted myself more today than a week ago but i do a comparable amount of time gardening one day each week for nearly 2 hrs, but it seems like for each of the last 3 weeks i've gotten more and more having to sit down just literally winded by the time i'm done.
Is this anything anyone else ever noticed? It just today dawned on me it might be related to effexor.
I just raised my dose on Sun. night -- although you'll probably laugh given how slow i'm going. I started at 19 mg, then to 37.5, then last week a few days at 50 mg (splitting a 150 into 3rds) and now up to 56 mg (which i do by putting a 150 plus a 75 i still had and splitting in 4ths :)) ... The next jump will be to 75 ... But i know from past anti-dep experience, as i've said before, that i had too sensitive a reaction and side effects so i'm taking it ultra slow... When i got the new prescrip of 150 mg capsules, the pharmacist did confirm for me that there's no problem with splitting them into granules and taking the granules loose on the nights i don't have a capsule to put them back into. The time release is in the coating on each granule.
I have a system now, btw, with four little glass custard cups i pour the granules out into and divvy them up til they look almost the same amount in each little dish, then scoop them back into the original capsules except for the one left over that i just down the granules loose ... My crazy system for "going slow" :)
But it is going to be nice when i move up to 75 and i purposely saved a whole week of 75 mg capsules so i can just take them nightly without any dividing of granules. Funny how "treats" can get so weird.
But, anyway, i am now on my 3rd level and i just wonder if that could have anything to do with this windedness. Otherwise, going up to 56, the only side effect i had was feeling dizzy and kind of zonky yesterday, but it only lasted one day and today had no noticeable side effects.
well, that's all from here. I hope everyone's doin' okay. Hope my long-winded answers earlier didn't zonk everybody out :) ... I'm surprised to see no new posts today.
hugs to all,
zinya
Posted by sierra1 on July 2, 2003, at 17:25:20
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
If anyone has spoken too or e-mailed with Brian Green or previous to that known as bgbham, can you please post here. I haven't heard from him for 2 days and I am very worried. thankyou to anyone that posts with info. lynn
Posted by pliney on July 2, 2003, at 22:08:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by shan on January 7, 2000, at 15:01:19
> i'm kinda scared to take lithium, any info that might help? would be greatly appreciated.
> thanx :)I know lithium is a naturally occouring mineral - so that makes me a little more comfortable.
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 3, 2003, at 12:53:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by pliney on July 2, 2003, at 22:08:24
I don't take Lithium but I changed the topic from Effexor to Lithium so maybe you'll get the info you need.
Good luck, Kim> > i'm kinda scared to take lithium, any info that might help? would be greatly appreciated.
> > thanx :)
>
> I know lithium is a naturally occouring mineral - so that makes me a little more comfortable.
>
>
Posted by Tiger's Dad on July 3, 2003, at 14:39:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by pliney on July 2, 2003, at 22:08:24
> > i'm kinda scared to take lithium, any info that might help? would be greatly appreciated.
> > thanx :)
>
> I know lithium is a naturally occouring mineral - so that makes me a little more comfortable.
>
>No offense, but that is hardly rational. Arsenic is naturally occuring too but you certainly wouldn't want to ingest it. That said, I do know that Lithium is often the treatment of choice for bi-polar disorder since it limits both depressive and manic swings.
Posted by lovemybabies on July 3, 2003, at 21:17:27
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Dreams......... » Rickey, posted by KimberlyDi on June 23, 2003, at 10:42:42
Hi, everybody. I just wanted to post that it's been five months and the decreased libido/inorgasmia is FINALLY gone! My husband, especially is pleased. :) The only pesky side effect that won't leave is the constipation. No matter how much water, Citrucel, etc. I consume. Anybody have great advice regarding that little dilemma? Keep the faith--I'm living proof that the libido DOES come back. I'm on 150mg, by the way.
Jen
Posted by fallsfall on July 3, 2003, at 21:35:17
In reply to lithium newbie needs feedback on it » pliney, posted by KimberlyDi on July 3, 2003, at 12:53:27
I've been taking Lithium for 8 years. It is one of the older Psych meds and has been used by many, many people. I can have some side effects, but in my case they are milder than the more "modern" meds.
I tried to stop taking it 4 years ago (or so), in hopes that I didn't need it any more. But as I reduced the dose I could tell that I really wanted to be taking it (I don't remember exactly what happened - it was a long time ago. Just that it was really obvious that it was an important med for me).
Why are you afraid to take it? What have you heard?
Posted by mercedes on July 5, 2003, at 4:14:51
In reply to Re: lithium newbie needs feedback on it - Pliney, posted by fallsfall on July 3, 2003, at 21:35:17
First I want to thank Brian, Cher, Zinya and Kimberly for your prayers and thoughts. I left Saturday 21st of June and returned Tues. July 1st. I only drove 3 hours and stayed with a friend overnight. Next day I proceeded to drive the other 2 1/2 hours to my sons house. I made it! I wasn't scared going up but coming back, I was very nervous and sleepy. I took my effexor at around 10:00 am but spent some time in the sun. I think this made me sleepy. I was going to drive the 5 hours straight. Not a good idea but I made it home. I had my pekingnese with me so I kept telling him not to sleep, talk to me, wake me up. But he ignored me, slept like a doggy.
Anyway, my grandaugher weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz. She is healthy and beautiful. I spent time in the hospital with my daughter-n-law as she had to have some blood transfusions. All in all, everything went well. I drove around to see some freinds, I even took the diamond lane once. A year ago, no one could pay me enough to get on a diamond lane. I don't really know what happened ....yes I do. I prayed to God to heal me of this fear driving and of leaving my "safe place". I also was tired of being in this prison, unable to travel anywhere, asking people to take me places for fear of having an anxioty attack. I did it and will hopefully drive more now. Well, I'm still a little scared but will take my baby steps. However this drive was a huge giant step in my life. I truly think that getting on this psycobable also helped me immensly. Just knowing I was not alone in feeling the way I do.
Thank you all for your comments, support, inquiries and for being there for me. I will try to do the same for you. Luv you all and take care.
Mercedes
Posted by rennek on July 5, 2003, at 21:51:06
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Effexor was a miracle drug for me. I took it for two years and felt great except for some sexual side effects. I stopped taking it nine months ago (for sexual reasons) and continued to feel great until two weeks ago when my extreme anxiety suddenly returned. I am back on it and pray it works like it did before. To hell with sex. Insanity is not worth it.
Posted by CherC68 on July 6, 2003, at 8:11:58
In reply to I'm back, drove by myself, 1st time in 6 yrs!, posted by mercedes on July 5, 2003, at 4:14:51
Mercedes,
I am so very happy for you! YOU DID IT! I somehow knew you could. A grandbaby is a wonderful thing to drive to. It's terrible what depression and chemical imbalances can do to a person, but oh so nice to see someone pulling out of it, and making it.You took a huge step and made it, but there is nothing wrong with going back to baby steps, to work up to another huge step sometime in the future.
Again, I am very happy for you and proud of you Mercedes. Thank you for letting us know that you made it back, safe & sound & happy with a brand new beautiful granddaughter!
Take Care,
Hugs, Cher.
Posted by mercedes on July 6, 2003, at 21:14:42
In reply to Re: Driving a problem? » mercedes, posted by brian green on June 21, 2003, at 5:14:28
Brian, I re-read my note as I also have memory problems to see what you meant by "perfect name". Was it "prison"? I would guess so. It is. It has been a prison. I used to think I was going crazy/nuts, didn't want to tell anyone and was never, ever going to get well. I took my meds with me. So....how'd your "next step" go?Mercedes
> well merc, you have the perfect name for it. and I can tell by the vibes you are sending over here in alabama that you area ready. I hope you have a great time, you inspire me to take a next step today! I will let you know what it is when I wake up fully. you are the best! take plenty of your meds with you!!!!!Let us know when you get back, and we will expect to see the baby's photo so be thinking about how you can scan or whatever.
> Brian
Posted by mercedes on July 6, 2003, at 22:25:24
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Dreams......... » Rickey, posted by brian green on June 21, 2003, at 5:20:17
Rickey, I've had vivid dreams. Just this past Friday i dreamt that my dad was in a clear body bag (he passed away 15 years ago)and my brother was standing by, said he had called the coroner. I went up close to my dad and saw that he was trying to breath. I told my brother he should have called the paramedics, NOT the coroner. He said it would cost 5 cents more a mile if the paramedics came vs. the coroner. I said "OH, ok". It was very vivid and I tried to analyze the dream. Conclusion, my brother is cheap.
MercedesI have pleasant dreams too. I think they are linked to the meds. but it don't bother me as long as I am getting better.....
p.s. Brian, you're funny, lol.> Rickey, I have not really experienced any unusual dreams since being on EFF, however I have been fine tuning on something to make me sleep, and one of those had me on top of a submarine walking a rope ladder with the other men, some of them my friends. We bought tomatoes on the way back at the curb market. Nah, nothing weird.
> Brian
Posted by mercedes on July 7, 2003, at 0:15:23
In reply to Re: I'm back, drove by myself, 1st time in 6 yrs! » mercedes, posted by CherC68 on July 6, 2003, at 8:11:58
Thank you for your confidence in me. I have always been afraid of being somewhere where I might not have control of my panic disorder, fear of having an anxiety attack, etc. I was afraid of being afraid. People and family couln't understand why I was afraid to drive long distances. Just a couple of weeks ago I was afraid to drive even 15 miles. I carry a cell phone just for that reason. It's a security blanket so to speak. This trip was a huge triumph for me. When I said I didn't want this illness/fear to control me anymore, is something my therapist tried to tell me about 5 years ago. I couln't do it then.....with the help of the meds and time, I did it.
Thanks again....mercedes
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 7, 2003, at 9:49:42
In reply to I'm back, drove by myself, 1st time in 6 yrs!, posted by mercedes on July 5, 2003, at 4:14:51
Mercedes!!! Glad you are back. Glad you conquered you fears!!!! whoooohooooo!!! Thanks for the laugh this morning re: doggy sleeping instead of keeping you awake. I bet doggy helped just by being there. I realized I flew over my hurdle also. Over a month ago I was falling apart. I made a plan, find a p-doc, therapist, and take AD's again to keep from ending up in hospital again because of stress at fiscal year end inventory time. I followed my plan, and I'm through with inventory and feeling great. I'm loving Effexor and all you psycho-babblers right now!!!
> First I want to thank Brian, Cher, Zinya and Kimberly for your prayers and thoughts. I left Saturday 21st of June and returned Tues. July 1st. I only drove 3 hours and stayed with a friend overnight. Next day I proceeded to drive the other 2 1/2 hours to my sons house. I made it! I wasn't scared going up but coming back, I was very nervous and sleepy. I took my effexor at around 10:00 am but spent some time in the sun. I think this made me sleepy. I was going to drive the 5 hours straight. Not a good idea but I made it home. I had my pekingnese with me so I kept telling him not to sleep, talk to me, wake me up. But he ignored me, slept like a doggy.
>
> Anyway, my grandaugher weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz. She is healthy and beautiful. I spent time in the hospital with my daughter-n-law as she had to have some blood transfusions. All in all, everything went well. I drove around to see some freinds, I even took the diamond lane once. A year ago, no one could pay me enough to get on a diamond lane. I don't really know what happened ....yes I do. I prayed to God to heal me of this fear driving and of leaving my "safe place". I also was tired of being in this prison, unable to travel anywhere, asking people to take me places for fear of having an anxioty attack. I did it and will hopefully drive more now. Well, I'm still a little scared but will take my baby steps. However this drive was a huge giant step in my life. I truly think that getting on this psycobable also helped me immensly. Just knowing I was not alone in feeling the way I do.
>
> Thank you all for your comments, support, inquiries and for being there for me. I will try to do the same for you. Luv you all and take care.
>
> Mercedes
Posted by zinya on July 8, 2003, at 13:23:41
In reply to I'm back, drove by myself, 1st time in 6 yrs!, posted by mercedes on July 5, 2003, at 4:14:51
hi mercedes!
welcome back from what sounds like a wonderful turning-point trip. Your granddaughter is, it seems, giving *you* life, reason to re-commit to facing down fears and thus living more fully! Which makes her, in a sense, your son's "gift" to you too :))We are happy and inspired observers and supporters of your new conquests!
Maybe your doggy was important in both giving you someone to talk to more than needing him to respond and also being a vivid display of what lack of anxiety looks like! :)) with his total confidence in you at the wheel! Nothing like a passenger who can fall asleep to tell you someone trusts you!
with hugs and joy for you!
zinya
Posted by zinya on July 8, 2003, at 20:30:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Dreams........., posted by mercedes on July 6, 2003, at 22:25:24
Hi Mercedes, again...
once more with feeling... I wrote a reply to your dreams post hours ago, hit submit just as the phone was ringing and one thing led to another... I sometimes forget that this system requires a second 'submit' to confirm the post and this isn't the first time i've forgotten and now just lost the of-course *brilliant* post i had written ... aargh. . I'll see what i can drum up as a substitute (unless, as my mom's mom used to tell her, she said, when you forget something you meant to say, it must have been a lie - !?!? a bit of folk wisdom i never quite bought into :)
I guess i started out wondering if you were open to hearing a completely off-the-cuff unsolicited "interpretation" of your dream??
If not, stop reading :) If so, here goes -- just what came to me as i read your dream and knowing your current state of ongoing progress in dealing with anxiety.
It seemed to me that the dream was about anxiety, about worrying about things that might have been done differently in the past, symbolized by your dad's death and whether something could or should have been done differently -- whether about your dad or whether that was representing something more generic (One theory of dreams is that the people in our dreams actually represent parts of ourselves at least as much or more than the people themselves -- and plausibly we choose them in our dreams cuz they echo that part of ourselves the dream is dealing with)
And it occurred to me that perhaps Effexor is getting your dreams to take over some of our anxiety focus and thereby "relieving" you in your waking life to move beyond those anxieties?? (Another theory of dreams being that they are efforts to deal with unresolved bits of our waking lives that have nagged at us etc)
Maybe?? :)) Well, the phone's ringing again - let's hope i remember to confirm submit this time ...
hugs,
zinyap.s. I'm *sure* my original post was much more brilliant :)), but alas lost to the ages, this is my humble substitute :)
Posted by HeatherR on July 9, 2003, at 13:44:21
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My Dr. prescribed Effexor and had me increase the dose triple within three days! I felt horrible. My pupils were huge, I couldn't eat, I couldn't even barely talk. I felt like a zombie. My husband even told me I looked like a monster. I have since found a new Dr. and started taking Zoloft. Things are much better now! I think the success of a med depends a lot on the Dr. sometimes.
Posted by theo on July 9, 2003, at 15:11:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by HeatherR on July 9, 2003, at 13:44:21
The starter dose for Effexor XR is 37.5mg for 7 days and then to 75mg standard. This is the way they come in the starter pack. Yes, switching doctors may be a plus. I started 7 days ago on 37.5mg and my doctor even prescribed 37.5 for a month, then will see if I want to stay, increase or discontinue.
Posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:02:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by HeatherR on July 9, 2003, at 13:44:21
i can't believe any doc would increase any AD that quickly. Like the others have said, usually you go up every 7 days until you are at a therapeutic level for You.The level for each person can be very different depending on a lot of factors. I find effexor to be great for me. good luck on the zoloft, keep us informed on your progress. kimmie
Posted by theo on July 9, 2003, at 16:07:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » HeatherR, posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:02:09
What dose are you currently taking??
Posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:30:20
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » KimmieM., posted by theo on July 9, 2003, at 16:07:23
I am currently taken 150 mg effexor xr. I have been on it for about 6 months. I had a few side effects at the beginning but I am ok now. How about you?
Posted by zinya on July 9, 2003, at 17:15:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » theo, posted by KimmieM. on July 9, 2003, at 16:30:20
So does this mean you have not found a "habituation" at the same dose (150) which required you to up the dose, I take it? (Some have suggested here that they felt they had to keep upping beyond 150 over time to get the same effect.)
Secondly, did you notice the alleged second-system effects which are supposed to kick in at 150 mg? Namely, an impact on the adrenal system (Supposedly below 150 mg, the effects are only on SSRI). If you did notice a whole other level of effects at 150, could you describe them? Increased energy?
I'm currently at 75 mg, having taken the world's slowest path to building up due to prior bad side effects on a-d's, which you may know if you've read my prior posts here, but I started the last week of May at 19 mg (splitting 37.5 granules in half), then to 37.5, then to 56, and last week up to 75. Part of me is eager (or desperate?) to get to 150 given the reported extra adrenal effects, which is the reason my md. thought Effexor woudl be best for me, but I also feel a need to keep moving up very slowly (meaning next to 100, then 125, before moving to 150) because my system has been so sensitive in the past. It does seem that each stage now gives me fewer side-effect problems than the previous one. (Main ones still be big increase in sweating and dizziness)
thanks,
zinya
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