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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4707 to 4731 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by theo on July 22, 2003, at 16:01:39
In reply to Theo, posted by Scooter1 on July 22, 2003, at 14:26:35
I take FOLTX which is a prescription B6, B12 and folic acid. I also take 500mg Ester C, 2000mg Fish Oil. I don't necessarily "feel" any better but last week had cholesterol check along with red and white blood cell count, liver enzymes and they were perfect. When are you thinking about making they Effexor XR jump to 75mg?
Posted by Scooter1 on July 22, 2003, at 16:08:43
In reply to Re: Theo » Scooter1, posted by theo on July 22, 2003, at 16:01:39
I am not sure, today when I took my 37.5 for about 3 hours after I took it I felt really foggy headed. I feel a little better now. I just don't want to feel any worse, ya know. How are you feeling? My doc called me in a prescription of the 37.5, so I can take for a little while longer. I have to work this Saturday or I thought I would try on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Just to see how I do, that way I don't have to worry about going to work if I have bad SE's. My doc says the effects shouldn't be any worse than what I have already experienced, but we will see. Its good to have someone who understands and knows what you are going through to talk to. My husband doesn't really understand sometimes, although he is very supportive. Keep in touch. I just took a multivitamin/multimineral. If this helps it will be worth it. I don't know. Scooter1
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 22, 2003, at 16:59:56
In reply to Re: Feel so sorry » Susy, posted by CherC68 on July 21, 2003, at 18:51:41
Oh Cher, all this hitting you when you are all alone. Wish I knew how to help. My prayers are with you, fingers crossed, dropping coins in wishing wells for you. People care.
KDi in texas
Posted by willie on July 22, 2003, at 17:05:36
In reply to Re: Morning Willie, posted by CherC68 on July 22, 2003, at 12:26:17
Glad to hear you're doing better today. I have to agree with your husband on this one..you need to start listening to some other music (at least for a while). I think music can really impact your emotions. I know when you are depressed you tend to lean towards depressing music...you're not exactly in the mood to hear something peppie. Maybe try something in between.
That's fantastic news about your cousin's band. They're opening for some awesome bands. Do you get to see them often? They must be very good. I'll have to keep an ear out for their music. I just looked them up on the internet and saw a picture of your cousin. I like his quote on the website bio "It's a rough road without inspiration and total dedication."
Any luck today locating a Pdoc or counsellor?
I hope you do make it to the movies with your neice. Hope it's a comedy.
Well I doubt I'll be on the thread for much longer. Didn't sleep well last night because my husband is out of town on business. I'm pretty tired so I'm going to try to get to sleep early. I'll check the thread tomorrow....sleep tight everyone..Willie
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 22, 2003, at 17:07:45
In reply to Re: PLEASE GIVE ADVICE, posted by chris3 on July 21, 2003, at 20:34:06
6-7 weeks on Effexor and the no-orgasm problem is going away. Wasn't a major concern of mine, but I'm certainly not complaining! Almost all AD's require several weeks to be effective. Because it's been such a life-saver to me, I would recommend giving it a honest chance. If it doesn't work, then switch to another.
KDi in Texas> I too just started Effexor (37.5 started today, go to 75 next week). I am now worried after reading these posts and browsing a lot of sites about Effexor. I was on Prozac last year and I felt it helped a lot but then I lost my job and all this other stuff and started getting depressed again so I went back to the doctor and she prescribed Effexor. At the same time, I also was going in about impotence and I notice that is one of the side effects for Effexor. Am I making a mistake taking this stuff or what?
>
> I am trying to gauge the seriousness of the side effects. How bad is the impotence and antiorgasm (or whatever)? I'm thinking about going back to the doctor and changing my prescription. The headaches and addiction and sexual problems I think will only make my depression that much worse.
Posted by willie on July 22, 2003, at 17:14:36
In reply to Willie, posted by Scooter1 on July 22, 2003, at 13:20:11
Hi Scooter. I do remember getting a headache, bad enough to miss work but I can't remember how long I was on the effexor when it happened. I don't recall the dizziness but have read many postings on this site from people who have had them. Personally, I think I would let your body adjust to this dosage prior to advancing to the next. I don't know your history and I'm definetly not a doctor so I don't want to cross any lines. I think you need to speak to your doctor and let him/her know what's going on.
Let us know how you're doing. A lot of people have gone through these side effects so they tend to have a "friendly ear".Try to get some sleep. Maybe take a hot bath and read to unwind.
I'll watch for your updates....Willie
Posted by CherC68 on July 22, 2003, at 19:22:37
In reply to Re: Hey Cher..., posted by willie on July 22, 2003, at 17:05:36
Thanks Willie, Susy & Kimberly & everyone for listening to my breakdown yesterday.
I didn't go to the movies today, I'm a bit tired since I got up every 1-1/2 hours last night to drain the water in the basement. I'm conducting a test now to see how long it takes the hole to fill up. At least I can manually plug the pump in to drain - but I need to know the exact hours it takes to fill up. It's finally sunny here and no rain this evening predicted so hopefully the ground will dry up a bit.
Yes, Eat A Peach has gotten to open up for some awesome bands, but The Wallflowers was the most fun by far, I got to sit on stage and hang out in the green room.
Today I listened to some Poi Dog Pondering another favorite band and its more uplifting.
I have a list of PDocs & Therapists, but no energy to actually call one of them. I see the hand specialists on Saturday and don't know how much out of pocket I will have to pay for the surgery, and don't want to start getting into debt with doctors since I just seen the dentist and that cost so far 200 out of pocket.
I am hoping I don't have another breakdown like I did yesterday and since my husband and son will be home tomorrow - I should be fine. My son will always be home with me for now on when my husband is out of town, because I realize I'm much stronger when my son is around. (I have to be for him.)
Thanks for getting me through a rough day yesterday everyone and thanks for listening.
Hugs,
Cher
Posted by Daphnis on July 22, 2003, at 23:47:35
In reply to Re: Are we all Pleasers w/men who are Controllers?, posted by tmgirl on July 22, 2003, at 1:08:00
Umm...I have never done this, but "Googled" Effexor cause I think it makes me MORE depressed. But I don't take it "correctly" either. I take a tiny bit, like a fifth of a tab, and get pretty immediate headache and an odd sense of swollen and vaguely prickly tongue. I take it for a week or two, sometimes only every other day, and get better, but then seem to get worse and notice the appetite really kicking in so I quit again. I know...it's not supposed to work for a few weeks, but my experience just tells me otherwise and confuses me. I am drug phobic, or I would try it by the book.
Posted by tmgirl on July 22, 2003, at 23:57:16
In reply to Re: PLEASE GIVE ADVICE » tmgirl, posted by KimberlyDi on July 21, 2003, at 8:50:29
Thank you KD.....I may do just that (see someone for this besides the preacher). I have thought about it over and over and I do think I am depressed more and more every day. I hope this effexor helps....I go to 75mg tomarrow. Was there a big change when you up-ed on your meds?
Posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 1:43:50
In reply to Re: Hi All... » willie, posted by CherC68 on July 22, 2003, at 19:22:37
We all need to E X P L O D E verbally, from time to time in order to release tension, stress and anxiety. Welcome back Cher. Anytime you want to talk about what you are going through is fine with me.
About the music, I used to listen to music all the time whenever I did housework (yuk), or when I worked in the yard (ummm,ok). YOu made me remember that when I was in my worst depression, I didn't listen to music hardly. Things have changed for me in that the past couple of months, I'm enjoying my music again. Don't know how I did without it.
My TV watching habits are: drama, I Detective, Foresic Files, who-dun-it movies, abusive relationships movies, mostly "true story" drama, movies about rape, child abductions etc.. is all I watch on TV. I hardly watch any comedy. Is this normal.........anyone?
Mercedes
Posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 2:15:20
In reply to Effexor, posted by Daphnis on July 22, 2003, at 23:47:35
Hi, I only been here about a month and 1/2. I have a comment though, being a drug-phobic myself, doing the "I'll start on the weekend" bit or actually having a freind sit with me while I took a med for the first time. I think our anxiety takes over when it comes to taking a med for the first time.
Have you talked to your dr. about being afraid of taking these type of drugs? You should ya know, cause he/she can reasure you or explain more about what to expect. According to the Rx info I received with my Effexor, swelling of the tongue could be an allergic reaction. However, since you are not taking it correctly, it may be that some of the particles (1/5) are staying on your tongue. I would suggest you talk with your dr. about your fear and be honest about only taking a fifth of the pill. I just had to fess up yesterday about not taking a sample pill (in addition to what I already take) and my pdoc said ok. By the way, I'm on 300mgs of effexor and my depression has lifted tremendously (did it gradually of course). Hope this helps and keep us posted.
mercedes
******************************
> Umm...I have never done this, but "Googled" Effexor cause I think it makes me MORE depressed. But I don't take it "correctly" either. I take a tiny bit, like a fifth of a tab, and get pretty immediate headache and an odd sense of swollen and vaguely prickly tongue. I take it for a week or two, sometimes only every other day, and get better, but then seem to get worse and notice the appetite really kicking in so I quit again. I know...it's not supposed to work for a few weeks, but my experience just tells me otherwise and confuses me. I am drug phobic, or I would try it by the book.
Posted by Scooter1 on July 23, 2003, at 7:32:43
In reply to Re: Hi All... » CherC68, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 1:43:50
Hi, all I find it really intresting that you all really open up on this forum. It sounds very therapudic. Keep it up.... Yesterday, I didn't make the jumb to 75mg, really scared, those of you who have how did you do? I have been on 37.5 for 8 days now today is my 9th. Yesterday I felt like my neck was so stiff, there was a lot of tension and it went to the top of my head. Did anyone experience neck tension, how long? I took a sleeping pill last night, and slept a little better, however, kind of groggy this morning. I am really ready to feel better. My kids are too....HELP!!!!
Posted by theo on July 23, 2003, at 9:34:38
In reply to Re: Theoscooter1, posted by Scooter1 on July 22, 2003, at 16:08:43
Mission accomplished, went from 37.5mg to 75mg this morning. I took it about 7:00am and actually feel good, no more SE's than with 37.5mg. I felt it come on a little more but that was about it. After a few weeks of 37.5mg, by the end of the day I felt like it was wearing off, hopefully the change to 75mg will make a positive difference. I will keep you posted!
Posted by theo on July 23, 2003, at 9:37:34
In reply to Re: PLEASE GIVE ADVICE » chris3, posted by KimberlyDi on July 22, 2003, at 17:07:45
Posted by Scooter1 on July 23, 2003, at 10:00:37
In reply to Re: Theoscooter1 » Scooter1, posted by theo on July 23, 2003, at 9:34:38
> Mission accomplished, went from 37.5mg to 75mg this morning. I took it about 7:00am and actually feel good, no more SE's than with 37.5mg. I felt it come on a little more but that was about it. After a few weeks of 37.5mg, by the end of the day I felt like it was wearing off, hopefully the change to 75mg will make a positive difference. I will keep you posted!
theo,
did you just start this morning, Wednesday, or Tuesday. Let me know how the rest of your day goes. Thank you so much for your continue support. Scooter1
Posted by Daphnis on July 23, 2003, at 10:16:50
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 2:15:20
Wow! How amazing to hear from someone who understands these issues. I am so sensitive about it as my sister (parental ego)has always pushed medication, and her grown daughter has, even. But I carry this "natural" bias and some sort of guilt about messing with the body. I think it just triggers the basic, (organic?) inadequacy issues I have. The reason I DO get to taking meds (minimally and very rarely) is that I do, at 55, now understand that this depression I have dealt with all my life is as much part of the genes as it is circumstantial. Probably even more chemical than situational! It is quite a rush to find a place where people are talking about the worries I have carried and mulled over about meds. Thanks for responding to me, Mercedes. I find I am scared to death of all this. Very vulnerable, I guess. Actually cried. That must be the depression speaking. I have always been super sensitive, and the thjing that has helped me more than anything, ever, is Al-anon. But I am determined to get more effective in my life, less depressed, and less stuck. so I will ask the Dr., I guess. Unfortunately, I am Dr. phobic too. (Only partly joking.) I guess it is all tied in together. Sort of control issues, too. Don't like thinking I am turning my body over to someone or something else. Yipes! Didn't know I had so many issues here...interesting that thinking you have help gets them up and out...Thanks again...
Posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 10:23:55
In reply to Re: Theoscooter1 » Scooter1, posted by theo on July 23, 2003, at 9:34:38
Scooter, congratulations on having the courage to make the jump. I made that step around last Dec. and don't remember having any SE. Maybe it was because I had been on 37.5 for about a year do to a pdoc that never raised my dose. Repeating myself here but, I moved and found a new pdoc and he gradually raised me to 300mgs. I think it was either at the 150 or 225 level that I finally had some energy and my life and spirit were returning. I still have the sweating SE but I've always sweat, now I rain. I drink alot of water though which I never did before.
I still have occasional severe anxiety attacks or whatever they may be but they are NOT related to taking meds. I had them before meds.
Good luck and keep us posted
mercedes> Mission accomplished, went from 37.5mg to 75mg this morning. I took it about 7:00am and actually feel good, no more SE's than with 37.5mg. I felt it come on a little more but that was about it. After a few weeks of 37.5mg, by the end of the day I felt like it was wearing off, hopefully the change to 75mg will make a positive difference. I will keep you posted!
Posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 10:31:10
In reply to Re: Making jump from 37.5 to 75, congrats! » theo, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 10:23:55
Sorry, I should have directed this to Theo.
Mercedes> Scooter, congratulations on having the courage to make the jump. I made that step around last Dec. and don't remember having any SE. Maybe it was because I had been on 37.5 for about a year do to a pdoc that never raised my dose. Repeating myself here but, I moved and found a new pdoc and he gradually raised me to 300mgs. I think it was either at the 150 or 225 level that I finally had some energy and my life and spirit were returning. I still have the sweating SE but I've always sweat, now I rain. I drink alot of water though which I never did before.
>
> I still have occasional severe anxiety attacks or whatever they may be but they are NOT related to taking meds. I had them before meds.
>
> Good luck and keep us posted
> mercedes
>
> > Mission accomplished, went from 37.5mg to 75mg this morning. I took it about 7:00am and actually feel good, no more SE's than with 37.5mg. I felt it come on a little more but that was about it. After a few weeks of 37.5mg, by the end of the day I felt like it was wearing off, hopefully the change to 75mg will make a positive difference. I will keep you posted!
>
>
Posted by nocalmaggie on July 23, 2003, at 10:39:59
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Has anyone gained significant (over 20 pounds) after being on effexor for 1+ years.
Posted by Scooter1 on July 23, 2003, at 11:01:22
In reply to Re: Making jump from 37.5 to 75, congrats! » mercedes, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 10:31:10
Thanks for the bit of encouragement to go to the next level. I know that I am scared, but I will eventually do it. You mentioned you still have severe anxiety attacks, my doc put me on this medication to help with that as well as panic attacks. Do you find that you still have them reguardless and have to learn how to cope, or does the medication seem to make them better. Please let me know. I finally realized a lot of what brought my attacks on this time were visiting my mom in Ar, after not seeing her for about 6 years. I finally realized how much that I missed not having my extended family around. Any advice.
scooter1
Posted by zinya on July 23, 2003, at 11:05:00
In reply to Re: Hi All... » willie, posted by CherC68 on July 22, 2003, at 19:22:37
Dear Cher, mercedes,.. and all,
Gosh, Cher, my hat's off to you, really. What a mind-boggling thing to cope with even when one *isn't* already dealing with bad hands, depression, etc etc.
I am so sorry i wasn't one who was able to be verbally supporting here the past two days. I don't think i mentioned it, in part because i didn't fully realize how bad it was, but i had wiped out my back 3 weeks ago while doing gardening. I have a congenital defect in my spine and i've gotten used over the years to feeling when it "pops out" of place in the sacroiliac joint and know i need to see my chiropractor... But this time i couldn't feel the usual protrusion and thought the pain would just eventually go away, plus this dreadful lack of energy meant i mostly didn't want to drive the 40 min. it takes to get to him (but he's absolutely 'magic' and i would never go to anyone else now). I'd had to take more vicodin than usual to cope and thought it would heal. I'd scheduled an appt twice before but then my car broke down and another time it was so hot that the Effexor combined was making me sweat buckets and i just couldn't bring myself to even dress and drive there. Finally after another day of major gardening on Monday, i'd scheduled to go yesterday, and it turned out the reason i didn't feel the usual protrusion was cuz i'd actually done so much more damage than usual that I'd rotated my whole lumbar and my back was swollen in that area. He is a very 'holistic chiro' and it involves always ultrasound etc. first, and then he himself spends at least half an hour doing physical therapy and massage as well as adjusting but yesterday involved more than usual and because the adjustment was so major, I came home last night and just sat on ice (my daily routine actually) but i couldn't even write at the computer -- and i'm still drained from the adjustment even now...) but that's the only reason you haven't heard from me. I have been and continue to send you such awed and actually admiring support, dear Cher.
I'm so glad to hear your "men" are coming home - today it seems? and that your son will be there now for the duration. How nice. But how awful in the interim that you had to deal with SOOO much on your own.
(I just had a "tree" of sorts -- a spike from a century plant -- in my yard break during the night and the neighbor down the hill calling me at 7 am today to let me know it was in her yard and what were we going to do? aaargh - and that's nothing compared to what you're dealing with, so your stories inspire to see how minimal this hassle is though, believe me, all i want to do is play ostrich and wish the problem away, just from sheer lack of energy)
I moved to 150 mg last night! It's the first time i've gone up by anything more than 25 mg at a time, but noa's comment the other day about granules (which never would have come up if you, mercedes, hadn't so thoughtfully brought up the issue again and thought of me in that regard -- so thank you for initiating that whole topic again!!) made me decide i had to stop divvying up granules and "bite the capsule" so to speak [no, no, i'm not biting capsules - sorry - i do hate the expression 'bite the bullet' though] ...
I had some real dizziness for a bit an hour ago and i woke up way too early today but the latter was due to my sore spine, i'm sure, from the major adjustment it will take a couple days for my body to readjust to. Otherwise, i always find side effects show up more on the 2nd day anyway. For the first time last night, i really 'gulped' upon taking my pill wondering if i was going to regret such a "leap" in mg's but also eager to be finally getting to the alleged 'magic' level of 150. So now i'll finally be at a level where hopefully i'm going to start feeling some real energy change. So far the only thing that has changed in that domain has been this massive sweating, and that's NOT the change from adrenalin and metabolism boost that i'm looking for!!!
Cher, i have some thinking i've been doing the past few days about your situation which i haven't known if you'd be interested in hearing, but let me know if you're in the mood for some 5c "Lucy"-like long-distance thoughts about what maybe you are dealing with - - and why i'm thinking your instincts were probably wise to quit the Effexor ...
Meanwhile, the only music you've mentioned that i am familiar with is Enigma and the Wallflowers -- the others like Poi Dog something ?? :))) just make me smile ... I have no clue who they all are. I have and really like music by Enigma and the Wallflowers though.
I'm not sure if you read my post the other day when i launched the topic about music during depression... No one really responded to it but maybe it triggered this discussion, but i very much relate to this whole topic and posed my own questions to everyone along the lines of what mercedes, you too, have asked today.
(mercedes, as to TV tastes, i am a bit of a news junkie, but i watch a fair amount of lawyer shows - The Practice, Law & Order, etc too -- and granted they deal with the kinds of awful crimes you listed but it's curious that i don't think of them that way - i think of them as great scripts and relationships among the central characters ... plus on L&O enough of that 'detective' notion that intrigues me too. I don't watch any sitcoms but it's more cuz i rarely find any that are really funny to me. I try to watch Letterman or Jon Stewart before bedtime for my laughs for the day - they are more humorous to me than most sitcoms ... )
well, this is a huge catchall ... Please know that i'm thinking of you and reading you and so glad that you are writing more again, Cher - and only sorry i wasn't responding during your crisis day, which happened to be my major gardening day here on Monday and every one of those days leaves me so exhausted i can't even move afterward, then the chiro yesterday i have been physically unable to write but i've been sending you and continue to send you nothing but loving good vibes and healing thoughts...
Please tell me, Cher, when your birthday is going to be, okay?
And also what exactly is your surgery on your hands going to involve?
love and hugs, to all,
zinya
Posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 11:13:24
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by Daphnis on July 23, 2003, at 10:16:50
Thanks for the follow-up note. I just wanted to add that during the past 7 - 9 yrs, I would read the warning on the A.D.'s "DO NOT TAKE WITH ALCOHOL". I have always drank sociably...yea right! I drank to self medicate often having no recall. I was so afraid of mixing AD's with alcohol and chose alcohol instead of the AD's. I wasn't helping myself at all but worst of all, I used to lie to the pdoc about my drinking. Big mistake I know. This was a few years back.
Since I started taking the 75 mgs of Effexor, I realized that I had lost my craving for alcohol. I'm not a beer drinker but used to drink one once in a while especially if I was washing my car or mowing the lawn (with my music on). I don't crave alcohol like I used to. I'm not saying that I haven't drank in the past 8 months, yes I have but can count them on "2" hands, I think, maybe I have to borrow a toe or 2 :)
But in reality, giving up alcolhol, or not craving it, is one thing I am sure is related to Effexor. I always have beer in my frig but that's for my brother's or my nephew's when they come around. Otherwise it just sits there.
I was on pbabble last Sat night and did crave a drink 'shot of whisky' just here, by myself. However, I said to myself, "self, why do you want to feel bad in the morning?" so I fought the urge. If I drink whisky, I don't know when to stop and usually do something stupid like calling people in the middle of the night.
This was a long p.s. huh?
mercedes
Posted by zinya on July 23, 2003, at 11:24:17
In reply to Re: Xanex, posted by Susy on July 22, 2003, at 14:00:26
hola Suzy,
i just wrote a long post recounting what's been happening with me so i won't restate it, but wanted to write to say i'm looking forward to hearing if and how you connected with Paula. I hope so. She's sooo supportive. (But also, don't take this as any kind of 'pressure' - I don't mean it that way at all.)
Sounds to me like you've been increasingly taking the bull by the horns, which is great! I also think there's a real "art" to learning to live in the present which is a struggle for all of us but I share your goal in doing that, more each day.
Small world that you were in Rio too! I lived there way back in '78 to '81, and then didn't return again for a visit til '96 and again in '98. Gosh, that level of energy just feels like a reverie... But it will come again... and, yes, i will sing and dance again... But in the clutches of this thing that seems to be "clinical depression" it's just physically not an option. I've learned in the past that i can't push it in those regards. The music/singing/dancing spirit isn't coy, isn't just waiting for me to summon it. It's simply not there now. But it will come back, and i will launch a million balloons to celebrate its return...
abrazos,
zinya
Posted by zinya on July 23, 2003, at 11:35:23
In reply to Re: Effexor...p.s. » Daphnis, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 11:13:24
mercedes, Daphnis, and all..
mercedes, you crack me up!! your "Self..." talk and borrowing toes ;))
plus i do relate. And my beer now sits in my fridge too, undrunk for ages. Last time i had one - just before starting Effexor - it had too weird an effect on me anyway - part of what made me realize my biochemistry had gone haywire and part of what made me realize it was time to try Effexor.
Twice, i've gone to dinner with friends and had one sip of their drink and that was all i wanted. I hadn't thought about it, but now that you mention, i think my 'taste' for drinking has diminished too. Or when it pops up, it also goes away rather easily.
I want to at to Daphnis too (welcome!) that i also am so sensitive to such drugs that i'm the one here who took it super slowly... I split the 37.5 in half and started at 19 for 2 wks, then 37.5, then 56, then 75, then 100 -- taking 2 months until just last night i finally took a 150. I've had some side effects at each level but they've been manageable.
I totally agree with mercedes' advice to you. I would add that i do think even if you're going to take only part of a capsule, you need to be consistent or you won't know and you'll possibly have MORE ups and downs as your body goes in and out of adjusting. If you read the posts about dosage levels i've written in the past week with mercedes and noa, you'll see some of what i've learned now too about an additional problem i hadn't thought of -- assuming you have the XR (time release) capsules rather than the regular ones.
hugs to you both,
zinya
Posted by Daphnis on July 23, 2003, at 11:43:27
In reply to Re: Effexor...p.s. » Daphnis, posted by mercedes on July 23, 2003, at 11:13:24
I mostly gave up alcohol a few years back. I noticed I was starting to drink more, and didn't like the way it made me tired and unmotivated (I am pretty driven). So now I will drink half a glass of wine maybe two or three times a year, when I go visit my mom. Still don't like the way it makes me feel, but I noticed on my vacation this time I drank a tiny bit two nights with dinner and then wanted more. and my mom gave me a whole bottle (what's THAT about??) and I drank some of it. Still have it, though, so I'm not TOO concerned. Al-anon is for friends and families of alcoholics, and really, what it has helped me with is the co-dependency. And tools to get up and do something instead of staying stuck in depression. "Do the next right thing" has been a helpful idea, even if it just means washing the dishes. Because later the feelings will have changed some. Anyway, I guess my feelings about drugs and the body apply as well to alcohol. Even to sugar! food has always been my drug of choice, unfortunately. In fact, gotta go take a walk before work. Exercise is one thing that really HAS helped me with depression over the years, so I try really hard to get out and walk a LOT. I sure appreciate the chance to talk about how to manage depression. I've read so much on it, but dialogue is something else again... thanks
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