Posted by JAMMER on May 25, 2001, at 8:57:14
Due to Long term depression (dysthymia), PTSD and anxiety, I've worked with several Pdoc's, and tried many AD meds over many years with varying results. Recently I made great progress with this most recent Pdoc. Because of this and other negative side effects of the most recent AD, Effexor, I worked hard at getting off it, and finally did. I've been off it almost a month now.
Even though I have worked through many of the issues causing my condition, making great progress, I crashed 2 days ago. It currently appears that the AD was still doing it's job, while I was doing mine. And ending it's use may not have been the very best thing to do. But I needed to know how well I was really doing, didn't feel the need to continue, and end negative side effects. Effexor working the best. But weight gain, increased B.P., Liver funtion issues, and missing a dose effects being the negatives.
I write this because after talking with my Pdoc yesterday, she stated that my illness may be with me forever. Some responses to triggers may never go away, and it is knowledge of that which can help alleviate the symptoms when they flair up again. Understanding that it is normal for me, to react negatively to some things can help reduce it's effect on me, which I have found is true through working with her.
She was not involved with my going off Effexor, but aware of it. It was my decision, with my PCP's approval to end it's use. But, my Pdoc noticed a marked degredation in my mood and personal interaction with her yesterday, along with what I told her I was experiencing this week. She wants to see me once a week over the next few weeks to see how I "evolve" without AD's, with the possibility of returning to one form or another if I don't feel stable or degrade. I have mixed feelings about returning to thier use, as I've found negative side effects with all I've tried.
Alot of talk going on about cognitive therapy, AD use, which is better, can one replace the other, ect... It really is to each his/her own. Only by continually re-evaluating ourselves, and honestly (I MEAN HONESTLY) understanding our situation and talking with others about it, that we can keep the spring loaded snakes in the can. Maybe a bandaid is still needed, while doing the hard personal work. I continue to learn, from my work, all your experiecnes posts/replies, readings, and conversations. Best wishes to you all.
I'm interested in replies, observations, input...
Thanks
James
poster:JAMMER
thread:64188
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64188.html