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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Susy on July 13, 2003, at 18:28:40
In reply to Re: your resp. to Suzy re: xanex, everyone » CherC68, posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 4:01:15
> Cher, I cannot beleive your doctors won't prescribe xanex or the generic known as alprazolam. Are these pdocs or GP's? Maybe it's the State you live in. I live in CA and have been on alp for nearly 7 years. I have been lectured about it being habit forming by some pdocs but they still prescribe it for me. I don't abuse it either.
Mercedes, I forgot to tell you, I am from Spain but I do live also in California, in Los Angeles;
I will really appreciate if you give me some clues about where can I go to get some Mental Health help. Thanks, Susy
>
>
Posted by zinya on July 13, 2003, at 18:31:53
In reply to Re: your response to my attacks » Susy, posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 3:04:08
hi again mercedes,
You mentioned that you hadn't been "hardly" drinking since going on Effexor. Like you, i too decided I just had to quit entirely when I started Effexor, and actually had already quit completely a couple of months before that, hoping that eliminating alcohol by itself would have helped my depression even without starting Effexor but when it hadn't, i finally decided to take the chance on Effexor's side effects and started taking it.
But i do occasionally think it would be nice. Anyone who's reported here about trying to have a drink while on Effexor said it set them back for 2-3 days afterwards and they regretted it.
Are there any precautions you take when you do have a drink now to keep from having side effects?
hope you're (all) having a good Sunday. I just came in from doing some trimming on the deck, standing in the shade the whole time (it is a hot day here but i was in a cool breeze and in the shade) and yet i was soon dripping with sweat the whole time, the one bugaboo it seems of Effexor, and had to come in and take a shower just from a little trimming in the shade! I've never been a sweat-er my whole life. Granted, this isn't a debilitating side effect but still the one really persistent and annoying one. Oh well... :))
zinya
Posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 20:47:21
In reply to Re: drinking on Effexor » mercedes, posted by zinya on July 13, 2003, at 18:31:53
Hi Zinya,
Yes, I take precautions. I usually hold my drink with two hands so I won't spill it in case I get dizzy.....just kidding..,:)First I want to say that I do not encourage drinking on any kind of AD's. And this comes from someone who drank everyday after being raped nearly 7 years ago. I eased up once starting therapy.
But to answer your question Z, I too, had the bad affects 2-3 day setback when I was taking the effexor in the evening so I stopped drinking all together.
I think that since taking my effexor mid-morning with food, and making sure I eat something (which I force myself to do because I have no appetite, sometimes I just have bread & cheese) before I drink and I don't get bad effects. I do NOT however take my last dose of xanex before drinking or after. I usually have the best sleep, like a full 8 hours, then I just start my meds. as usual the next morning.
The other thing I do is set a goal, ie., I have to pull weeds, or mop my kitchen floor or vacume, things I don't like to do. Then I give myself permission to occasionally go to Kareoke or drink at a birthday party or something like that. The first time I tried this I had my drink at home, cuz I wasn't sure how my body or mind would react.
No bad effects.Congratulations on doing some trimming on the deck. I'm so happy to hear that you are getting some work done. I know it takes alot to come up with the energy to do something like that. Just remember to pat yourself on the back when you do that. And here's my pat on the back to you. Pat...pat. You've been more productive than me today. The weather where you are sounds like the weather here where I am. I live in a small town near Fresno, CA. hot but a bit breezy.
Wishing good things for you...and keep on writing.
Mercedes
***********************************
> hi again mercedes,
>
> You mentioned that you hadn't been "hardly" drinking since going on Effexor. Like you, i too decided I just had to quit entirely when I started Effexor, and actually had already quit completely a couple of months before that, hoping that eliminating alcohol by itself would have helped my depression even without starting Effexor but when it hadn't, i finally decided to take the chance on Effexor's side effects and started taking it.
>
> But i do occasionally think it would be nice. Anyone who's reported here about trying to have a drink while on Effexor said it set them back for 2-3 days afterwards and they regretted it.
>
> Are there any precautions you take when you do have a drink now to keep from having side effects?
>
> hope you're (all) having a good Sunday. I just came in from doing some trimming on the deck, standing in the shade the whole time (it is a hot day here but i was in a cool breeze and in the shade) and yet i was soon dripping with sweat the whole time, the one bugaboo it seems of Effexor, and had to come in and take a shower just from a little trimming in the shade! I've never been a sweat-er my whole life. Granted, this isn't a debilitating side effect but still the one really persistent and annoying one. Oh well... :))
>
> zinya
Posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 21:58:32
In reply to Re: your resp. to Suzy re: xanex, everyone, posted by Susy on July 13, 2003, at 18:28:40
Suzy, you don't mention if you have health insurance. I am assuming you don't since you have to pay for your medication.
I too, lived in L.A. county (Azusa) up until last Sept. when I sold my house and bought one near Fresno, CA. I am not working now because my company was sold but I pay for my own medical insurance....a whopping $286.00 a month! But I need it. I too hope to work soon.
However, when I was working, my primary care physician referred me to a psyciatrist and he prescribed the alp (xanex) for me. Normally reg. med dr's don't want to prescibe because it is a psyciatric drug, a "controlled substance".
So first question, do you have insurance? Do you have Medical? If you don't have insurance, you need to make an appt. with a psychiatrist near your home that has "income average" or "pay scale" plan. (My pdoc charges my ins. $75.00 a visit plus I have to pay a co-pay of $15.00. Be sure to describe all your symtoms. I know of one pdoc in Covina but don't know if you want to go that far (about 25 miles from L.A.
Le bamos a preguntar a Zinya to help here cause she is very good about looking up things on internet.
Te deseo salud y me dises tocante la segurancia.
Entre todos te bamos a ayudar.
Mercedes
*******************************
Mercedes, I forgot to tell you, I am from Spain but I do live also in California, in Los Angeles;
I will really appreciate if you give me some clues about where can I go to get some Mental Health help. Thanks, Susy
Posted by CherC68 on July 13, 2003, at 22:09:22
In reply to Re: personal support to CherC68 and » mercedes, posted by zinya on July 13, 2003, at 16:07:53
Posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 22:25:23
In reply to Re: Effexor and smoking, posted by pasdenom on July 13, 2003, at 9:44:37
Hi and welcome to p-babblers. I just found this site about a month and a half ago while researching effexor. I find it very very helpful. Kinda different strokes for different folks re: medications.
I cannot share your concern because I was a smoker before meds., and still a smoker. The one thing I've noticed is that I smoke more now but I think it's because of not working. However it doesn't bother me if I'm in a store for hours to not have a cig. I went on a buying spree last year b-4 Christmas at Costco. I was very depressed, crying all the way to the store...bought over $700 dollars (two visits) of stuff I didn't need. Luckly I returned most of it when I came to my senses. I was prepared to tell the clerk that the reason for my returns was that "I shop when I'm depressed" but she didn't ask. I didn't go crazy and buy a new living room set but I thought about it. Oh, I bought a car back in '96 cause I was depressed. Gosh, what memories come back when someone shares their experiences. Keep in touch.
Mercedes*********************************
> Hey, has anyone started smoking after taking effexor xr? I had quit for 15 years but am now smoking again. I have not been able to quit? Does anyone think that effexor increases impulsivity? I have bipolar II and effexor put me into mod-hi hypomania. Bought a beautiful new comfortable living room set that I couldn't afford. I am now on three meds: effexor, lamictal, and lexapro. each time a med is added I keep thinking this one will help me quit smoking. no such luck. this is my first message ever on this board. am I nuts? am I alone in this? I do experience strange side-effects to drugs, often the opposite of the listed side-effects. Please respond to this any other weirdos like me.
Posted by PhilChemicalEngineer on July 13, 2003, at 22:38:49
In reply to Re: neurontin and pharmacy-peddling » PhilChemicalEngineer, posted by zinya on July 13, 2003, at 15:55:51
zenya, thanks for the info on neurontin. It triggered me to start looking hard for additional info. phil
Posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 22:51:05
In reply to Re: personal support to CherC68 and (nm), posted by CherC68 on July 13, 2003, at 22:09:22
Cher, looks like you forgot to confirm post. I've done it too. My email, if you care to write me is cat777lina@aol.com
Posting here is fine too because I'd never have known about your expierence if it weren't for this site and maybe there are more people out there that will share their most fearful thoughts with others. Like I said before, I didn't have the courage to say why I suffer, until I read your's. I'm much better now but have been through it all, anger, tears, wanting to beat someone up, suicidal thoughts, thoughts of getting a contract on the perpetrater, depression, lack of concentration, not feeling any feelings, and on and on and on.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Mercedes
Posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 22:51:52
In reply to Re: personal support to CherC68 and (nm), posted by CherC68 on July 13, 2003, at 22:09:22
Cher, looks like you forgot to confirm post. I've done it too. My email, if you care to write me is cat777lina@aol.com
Posting here is fine too because I'd never have known about your expierence if it weren't for this site and maybe there are more people out there that will share their most fearful thoughts with others. Like I said before, I didn't have the courage to say why I suffer, until I read your's. I'm much better now but have been through it all, anger, tears, wanting to beat someone up, suicidal thoughts, thoughts of getting a contract on the perpetrater, depression, lack of concentration, not feeling any feelings, and on and on and on.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Mercedes
Posted by zinya on July 14, 2003, at 0:28:04
In reply to Re: Effexor and smoking, posted by pasdenom on July 13, 2003, at 9:44:37
Salut pasdenom,
Are you French? (if you don't mind my asking)
I can't address your smoking Q (I quit smoking 19 years ago) but i'm writing out of curiosity. I am probably way out in left field but is the person that prescribed Effexor or Lexapro for you the same person diagnosing you as bipolar ? I'm not sure what distinguishes bipolar II but I had two different doctors over the past 15 years think i was dealing with bipolar instead of depression per se, and I tried both lithium and depakote at different times, to no avail. But from the little I know, I'm surprised that either Effexor or Lexapro are prescribed for bipolar. Maybe somebody here knows better than me, but given your concern about impulsivity, it would seem to add to wondering if these are really right for you.
Impulsive over-purchasing is frequently a manic sign, and it seems like it could be getting aggravated by something that (at least to my understanding) is more for depression per se than for bipolar. I hesitate to say this cuz it's probably just my lack of knowledge of other diagnoses Effexor or Lexapro can treat. But I would definitely mention this 'impulsivity' to your doctor.
I am curious if you've ever been put on something like Lithium -- or is Bipolar II a lot different from regular bipolar??I've never heard of lamictal.
I do share your experience at having drug reactions that go against the norm. And one thing to know about these ADs -- seems like all of them -- that we discover here over and over again is how each individual reacts differently, with different side effects. Same drug makes one sleep all the time, the next one becomes an insomniac, etc etc...
You're not nuts. Or else, as i actually prefer to think, we're all nuts, all weird, by which i mean all of us, everyone... So welcome! and wishing you comfort.
zinya
> Hey, has anyone started smoking after taking effexor xr? I had quit for 15 years but am now smoking again. I have not been able to quit? Does anyone think that effexor increases impulsivity? I have bipolar II and effexor put me into mod-hi hypomania. Bought a beautiful new comfortable living room set that I couldn't afford. I am now on three meds: effexor, lamictal, and lexapro. each time a med is added I keep thinking this one will help me quit smoking. no such luck. this is my first message ever on this board. am I nuts? am I alone in this? I do experience strange side-effects to drugs, often the opposite of the listed side-effects. Please respond to this any other weirdos like me.
Posted by Tiger's Dad on July 14, 2003, at 3:28:39
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Day 6 at 225mg Effexor XR. I'm still up at 4:30am :( Hope I see some _positive_ effects soon.
Posted by sierra1 on July 14, 2003, at 5:56:51
In reply to *sigh* , posted by Tiger's Dad on July 14, 2003, at 3:28:39
Hey Tiger's Dad.... what's up? besides, i'm assuming you are having problems sleeping....
About the sleeping, from the first day that I started taking effexor i could not sleep at all, not even a tiny nap. I let this go on for a while and then had to have doc prescribe a sleeping pill after some advice from here. i believe this affects a lot of people. What else is wrong?
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 14, 2003, at 8:41:41
In reply to *sigh* , posted by Tiger's Dad on July 14, 2003, at 3:28:39
Hang in there!
I've only been at 200mg for a few weeks (non-XR form). I don't have the early morning wakeups near as bad since I was prescribed Trazadone at night. The daily SE's have subsided so much that I'm not continuously *aware* that I'm on it. I'm starting to feel slightly stressed out with some factors in my life. So I'll either need to have the P-doc up my dosage, or draw the line and realize that I will still have to find a way to deal with anxiety naturally. Effexor saved my sanity. I recommending giving it a few weeks before trying another.
Good luck!
KDi from Texas> Day 6 at 225mg Effexor XR. I'm still up at 4:30am :( Hope I see some _positive_ effects soon.
Posted by ibncm on July 14, 2003, at 9:34:11
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects, posted by jtc on March 12, 2003, at 19:20:53
This has all been very interesting. On the off chance I would find information about any kind of withdrawal, as I was never informed of any, it has been a comfort to know that what I am feeling has been felt by others as well. I ran out of the med (150 mg qd) on Thursday and have been getting increasingly nauseous, vomiting, unable to eat, unable to sleep, headache, dizzy, etc., etc. along with "shock-like" sensations throughout my body. I almost thought it was heart related due to the shocks and feeling my heart beat, etc. but I'm a little less concerned now. I also have pins and needles in my feet and hands, a little in arms right after the "shock-like" sensation. I guess what I am experiencing is some kind of withdrawal. I wouldn't wish this on anybody!!!
Posted by zinya on July 14, 2003, at 9:56:08
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects, posted by ibncm on July 14, 2003, at 9:34:11
oh my goodness. Is there anything you can do to get more capsules asap? Even if you were thinking of intentionally stopping the medication, it's clear from everyone's experience here that this is a drug which MUST be tapered off VERY gradually.
It's a bit unclear to me if you ran out intentionally or not.
I urge you to do anything you can to reach your doctor or pharmacy or whatever is necessary to get more capsules, either to resume your 150 level if it was somehow unintentional that you ran out OR, if you ran out intentionally because you were planning to quit, to at least take 75 mg for a while and then 37.5 after that for a while before trying to go completely off.
Please let us hear from you further as well to know that you are all right. You shouldn't assume from reading of symptoms others have here that it's inevitable to go through what you are experiencing now and it is very, very hard on your body to go "cold turkey" off this. Please do everything you can to get more Effexor today, either way, whether you're trying to quit or not.
That, at least, would be my hearty advice, based on everything people have shared here over several months.
sending you good wishes,
zinya
Posted by Bridget on July 14, 2003, at 9:58:01
In reply to Re: Efferox side effects, posted by ibncm on July 14, 2003, at 9:34:11
I just wanted to touch base with everyone. I am on my third day of 75 mg and doing good. Most side effects are gone. I have so much energy and feel so much more emotional, in a good way towards my husband it is weird but I really feel like I am in love . I feel like I can feel resl feelings...make any sense?,,anyways..alao in a week I have lost 6lbs...
Posted by mercedes on July 14, 2003, at 13:33:37
In reply to Re: Efferox XR DOING GREAT SO FAR, posted by Bridget on July 14, 2003, at 9:58:01
Good to hear positive info Bridgett! Effexor has been a great med for my depression. Although I still have some down days and occasional "severe" panic attacks. But as for the "feel real feelings" I can relate. I had lost my spirit, soul and all emotions some years back. I couldn't feel love for my son, nor my mom, nor anyone. My feelings have come back and I "feel" so happy for you! Keep touching base with us.
Mercedes
**********************************
> I just wanted to touch base with everyone. I am on my third day of 75 mg and doing good. Most side effects are gone. I have so much energy and feel so much more emotional, in a good way towards my husband it is weird but I really feel like I am in love . I feel like I can feel resl feelings...make any sense?,,anyways..alao in a week I have lost 6lbs...
Posted by mercedes on July 14, 2003, at 13:48:10
In reply to *sigh* , posted by Tiger's Dad on July 14, 2003, at 3:28:39
Questions?
What time of day do you take your effexor? If you're still up at 4:30 am, do you feel sleepy and groggy during the day? Is that when you sleep? If you're taking it at nightime, that could be the reason, based on my own experience.
Merc
***************************
> Day 6 at 225mg Effexor XR. I'm still up at 4:30am :( Hope I see some _positive_ effects soon.
Posted by zinya on July 14, 2003, at 14:46:29
In reply to Re: drinking on Effexor » zinya, posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 20:47:21
hi mercedes!
thanks so much for your response about how you handle this... I'm not sure if/when i'll ever "experiment" with having a drink again while on Effexor but decided to ask you while you'd mentioned it... I think it's more the idea of not wanting to think i've had the last drink i'd ever have, although obviously if Effexor proves to be as beneficial as I'm still hoping, anything will be worth it... I've been someone who could go through phases of drinking daily, as I was again last fall after my mom died, having a drink nearly every night, but I also have often just stopped on a dime and gone long stretches with none, so it's not as if this is something unprecedented. Plus i think the depression itself (or whatever is going on in me) had caused me to start having weird reactions to a wine or a beer the last few times i had one. Seemed my liver or something was in protest and not making it the pleasant addition it had always been.
I'm like you in having no appetite in the morning. That's been true of me for eons. My metabolism or something has always (or at least since my 20's) been slow enough that i just could never adapt to breakfast beyond coffee and toast or at most a soft-boiled egg. Anything more, literally anything more, and I just get loagie - logey? (sp?) -- the rest of the day. So it seemed to be not enough (plus being with coffee) to be a wise time to take the Effexor, not enough food in my stomach. So far it works to take it at night after dinner.
But i found it curious that you too have the wake-with-no-appetite syndrome, and i wonder how true that might be for others of us -- although probably just a coincidence...
thanks for your 'pats on the back' :)) ... I'm a long way from making a road trip like you did. While i haven't had anxiety about driving or making a road trip, at least in the sense of anxiety i usually think of, what i have had is an enormous lethargy, such that even an appt. across town in 40 min. of traffic feels just too daunting and i wind up not doing such things more often than not. Clear back at Christmas, i had planned to drive up to SF to spend days with a friend, first Christmas without mom and all, and a trip i always used to love to make up the coast, but i literally absolutely couldn't even fathom such a trip. Just too much energy -- whether it was anxiety too or not, i don't know.
This whole process of finally coming to terms with this having been indeed 'clinical - or major - depression' that i've been struggling with for possibly 15 years and maybe even in a way since childhood, since a horrible car accident when i was 6 essentially took my parents away from my daily life for nearly a year as they recovered, i know from therapy over the years that it changed me significantly and i think i became overnight a child dealing with abandonment and depression -- issues all too common for many kids for many reasons and, especially in those days, never addressed or even considered by doctors who checked me out at the time for injuries (i'd been in the back seat) and gave me a "clean bill of health' and i was farmed out to relatives while my parents were hospitalized and then with full-time nursing at home...
Things in adulthood made it become much more of an impact on me but i think in retrospect i'd spent most of my life just sweeping under the carpet... And then esp. in last 15 years, and i think with mom's loss, my last immediate family, the "center would not hold" anymore and i just sunk each month more into this thing i finally decided wasn't "just" grieving but also depression. And what i started all this to say was that i've only gradually come to realize just how much of this thing i'm generally calling depression really was anxiety. Learning to recognize it seems to be an important step--and to try to separate it from 'depression' cuz maybe it's more helpful to realize something is anxiety that one can address more one by one, more concretely, as part of the path out.
The first week on Effexor, the first positive sign i noticed was a sense of reduced anxiety, but then since then it's been mostly a feeling that the depression has lifted but there's still a battle with anxiety that gets triggered as well as what for me is the most overwhelming thing, absolute lack of energy.
anyway, i'm babbling, but with a spirit of reciprocating the warmth and sharing from your post and sending good vibes in return in your own 'patting on the back' paths :))
zinya
>
> Congratulations on doing some trimming on the deck. I'm so happy to hear that you are getting some work done. I know it takes alot to come up with the energy to do something like that. Just remember to pat yourself on the back when you do that. And here's my pat on the back to you. Pat...pat. You've been more productive than me today. The weather where you are sounds like the weather here where I am. I live in a small town near Fresno, CA. hot but a bit breezy.
> Wishing good things for you...and keep on writing.
> Mercedes
Posted by Susy on July 14, 2003, at 15:48:04
In reply to Re: To Suzy re: xanex....Zinya can u also help?, posted by mercedes on July 13, 2003, at 21:58:32
> Suzy, you don't mention if you have health insurance. I am assuming you don't since you have to pay for your medication.
>
> I too, lived in L.A. county (Azusa) up until last Sept. when I sold my house and bought one near Fresno, CA. I am not working now because my company was sold but I pay for my own medical insurance....a whopping $286.00 a month! But I need it. I too hope to work soon.
>
> However, when I was working, my primary care physician referred me to a psyciatrist and he prescribed the alp (xanex) for me. Normally reg. med dr's don't want to prescibe because it is a psyciatric drug, a "controlled substance".
>
> So first question, do you have insurance? Do you have Medical? If you don't have insurance, you need to make an appt. with a psychiatrist near your home that has "income average" or "pay scale" plan. (My pdoc charges my ins. $75.00 a visit plus I have to pay a co-pay of $15.00. Be sure to describe all your symtoms. I know of one pdoc in Covina but don't know if you want to go that far (about 25 miles from L.A.
>
> Le bamos a preguntar a Zinya to help here cause she is very good about looking up things on internet.
> Te deseo salud y me dises tocante la segurancia.
> Entre todos te bamos a ayudar.
> Mercedes
> *******************************
> Mercedes, Thanks a lot for your interest and specially for all the help you are giving me, you are right I don't have a Health Insurance, I do have Medical but it is for emergencies only.
I think I am going to buy a health plan once I am able to work again. But meanwhile, thanks for the idea, I can make an appoinment with a psiquiatrist to see if he wants to continue touching bases with my case at least once per month. I will tell you that I think I am also a little bit depressed, my mother passed away last March 20 and I wasn't able to fly to Spain, because, crazy thing, I am affraid to fly, can you believe it? I came by plane to USA 20 years ago and now I can't take another one. All this because of the same, what if I have an attack in the middle of the fly....etc. Now, I don't even know if I want to go back again, because she won't be there waiting for me as I always dreamed.
Then, I live in a beautiful rented house but there is this neighbor who always puts a lot of pressure on me to the point of harrassment, I never met such an insensitive and selfish human been;and I lived affraid one day she is going to get the owners to kick us out and the rents these days are very expensive here in L.A.
Besides, I had this relation with this guy for around 7 years and he doesn't want to let me go. I do feel something for him. But it is just that he is continuosly humillating me, I think he is neurotic but he will never admit it, all the times something went wrong it was because of his bad temper and then he blamed everything on me.
I feel bad not to see him, but the last times I saw him I came back home thinking I was about to pass out, and praying God to please let me wake up alive next morning.
So, as you can see, there is nothing positive in my life at this moment, I have to deal with this anxiety, lack of energy and panic attacks and I think that make me even more depressed and anxious because I wish I could quit Xanax and feel like I used to be at least 2 yrs ago. Sometimes I don't even know if one day I will have my strenght back to continue and planning for the future....or just give up and see what happens.
Please keep on writing Mercedes, and say Hi to Cher if you see her.Hugs, Susy
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 14, 2003, at 16:29:07
In reply to Re: Efferox XR DOING GREAT SO FAR, posted by Bridget on July 14, 2003, at 9:58:01
I know what you mean about feeling more towards your husband. I was keeping mine at a distance because I was overwhelmed by anxiety from work demands and family needs. I was alternating from scared to angry and back. Now, I can finally relax enough to enjoy being around him. To laugh, play, and be affectionate. He's been reacting rather well to the new me (or is it the old me?). I enjoyed a few lbs weight loss also. Even at 2 months, I still don't have much of an appetite. Glad you are doing well on it so far.
Good Luck!!!
KDi from Texas> I just wanted to touch base with everyone. I am on my third day of 75 mg and doing good. Most side effects are gone. I have so much energy and feel so much more emotional, in a good way towards my husband it is weird but I really feel like I am in love . I feel like I can feel resl feelings...make any sense?,,anyways..alao in a week I have lost 6lbs...
Posted by zinya on July 14, 2003, at 17:16:20
In reply to Re: To Suzy re: xanex....Zinya can u also help?, posted by Susy on July 14, 2003, at 15:48:04
Hola again Suzy,
As you share more elements of what you are dealing with -- and I think you mentioned in an earlier post that you have children here as well, isn't that right? -- I have the sense now from you've said that the loss of your mother just 4 months ago? - must surely be having an added enormous component in your sense of depression. As I've mentioned, i too lost my mom this past year, and the grief has been profound. My heart goes out to you, especially in having to be so far from your roots and not there to mourn her with family.
And it leads me to think of another idea of a path you might pursue, however. There are bereavement groups here run by hospice groups, with meetings for those going through grief like yours. It might be a helpful starting point if you found a hospice near you with such service. I have the sense that you don't have to have used that particular hospice service in order to avail of their bereavement support groups. I know of one through Cedars Sinai, if that is anywhere near you. (I wrote you once when you first started posting here asking if you lived near UCLA, where you might find some information on getting medical help. I don't think I ever got a response to that post, so i'm not sure where in LA you are.) And through such a support group, the leaders could also give you ideas about people to see in terms of finding a pdoc etc. as well. I'm guessing they have a network of names of people and would know about those who are more reasonable and take those without health insurance.
Just an idea that might sound helpful to you...
wishing you well and sending abrazos,
zinya
Posted by Tiger's Dad on July 14, 2003, at 18:28:10
In reply to Re: *sigh* » Tiger's Dad, posted by mercedes on July 14, 2003, at 13:48:10
> Questions?
> What time of day do you take your effexor? If you're still up at 4:30 am, do you feel sleepy and groggy during the day? Is that when you sleep? If you're taking it at nightime, that could be the reason, based on my own experience.
> Merc
> ***************************
> > Day 6 at 225mg Effexor XR. I'm still up at 4:30am :( Hope I see some _positive_ effects soon.
>
>Sorry, I was mostly blowing off steam. I was starting to go a little crazy. I take my meds first thing in the morning but I've been ramping up my dosage since the beginning of June so I haven't had much chance for the side-effects to settle out. As with every time I've upped my dosage, I've been very sleepy during the day and am up hourly at night. After five days of this I decided it was time to try coffee again. I don't think it worked out too well :P I'm desperate to find a dosage that'll work for me.
I've been chronically depressed for as long as I can remember. I also suffer from social anxiety disorder. I just turned 40 a couple of weeks ago.
I started seeing therapists when I was around 13, but after years of talk and trying several tricyclics, benzodiazapines, l-tryptophan, and Zoloft with no effect, I pretty much gave up on ever finding anything that would work for me by the time I was in my twenties.I've felt that my condition has crippled me and left me mostly non-functional during my entire working life, but I've received regular, healthy raises and bonuses... at least until I lost my job in February 2002 (two weeks after I bought my new house yet and a month after my beloved 10yo cat Ed died). Here I am 16 months later, still an unemployed software engineer living off what's left of my savings. I've come to the realization that a significant part of the difficulty I've had finding a new job stems from my fear of being unable to perform and this has been my primary motivation in seeking help again. I have very little confidence in therapy without first finding a drug which will deal with the plethora of somatic effects I suffer from my depression and my social anxiety. I've been on Effexor XR six weeks as of today. As bad as the side-effects have been, they're nothing compared to what I've been suffering with most of my life.
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 14, 2003, at 20:34:39
In reply to Had terrible attack. Any 1 have these symtoms?, posted by mercedes on July 11, 2003, at 3:26:16
Mercedes,
I've experienced this. It sounds like you should see your dr., and possibly a neurologist. It sounds like you could be having complicated migraines or basilar artery migraines. These are both potentially serious, though treatable.
There's a link on these at http://s-2000.com/bam/ .
I have this and it is a pisser.
books
Posted by bookgurl99 on July 14, 2003, at 20:36:49
In reply to Had terrible attack. Any 1 have these symtoms?, posted by mercedes on July 11, 2003, at 3:26:16
Mercedes,
btw, these migraines do not need to be accompanied with a headache. or, sometimes, the headache happens _after_ all the other symptoms.
good luck getting treated. :D
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