Posted by jannbeau on November 7, 2002, at 14:32:57
In reply to Effexor Newbie, posted by japonica on November 7, 2002, at 14:00:21
> You're very welcome, both to the board and for your "thanks".
Good luck to you. I hope you continue to do well on Effexor.
Cheers,
JannbeauHello group,
>
> I have been taking Effexor XR for 1 month now. I read many of these postings prior to beginning the medication. Although there is much negativity here, I saw some hopeful posts. As someone who has tried various medications since the age of 19 (I am now 42) I am pleased to say I am VERY encouraged by my early experience with Effexor.
>
> I was off medication more than on throughout the duration of my struggle with dpression. Many years ago before SSRIs and the newer generations of drugs I was placed on some harsh chemicals at a time when I felt literally "out of my mind." Drugs like Lithium. These only served to convince me there was no hope and furthered my steady decline into depression. After the birth of my first child I was able to redirect my energies for quite some time and lead a relatively normal life. Then I had my second child and continued to maintain.
>
> Around the time my younger child turned 2 I began, again, a steady downward spiral and immediately went for help. I was presribed Prozac which saved my life. The only problem was I went from 110 to 87 pounds (I'm very small). That coupled with the fact that my spouse could not handle the stigma of my need for medication in order to be "normal" made me decide to quit --I had no side effects.
>
> In February of 2001 I had another major depressive episode and again sought help. Prozac again. Except this time it didn't help. I "bucked-up" (bad idea) and decided to go it alone again.
>
> In Jan. of 2002 I separated from my husband and felt not only depression but anxiety. I went on Zoloft in June of 2002 and was close to losing my professional job of 16 years because I could no longer concentrate. After 4 weeks on Zoloft gained 25 and felt, in general, like cr*p.
>
> Am now on Effexor XR, have lost all of the weight and have been given some high prioity tasks at work, the kind I'm used to being assigned to.
>
> My only side-effect was a yeast infection (immediately)for which I took Ascidophilus (spelling?). These are the "active cultures" found in yogurt. It cleared up immediately and I feel very well.
>
> Sorry for the long post. I wanted to introduce myself and say thank you to all who give their time here. You have been most helpful.
>
> japonica
poster:jannbeau
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021101/msgs/126851.html