Posted by bgbham on June 7, 2003, at 0:04:12
In reply to re:brian, posted by sierra1 on June 6, 2003, at 22:46:30
Lynn, thanks for letting me know what was going on. Listen carefully to me. Do not be concerned about what negativism you see here on this posting site. It is contrived mostly of people who are in a state of depression that causes them to be a little weird. My story is a little simple but enduring. Around 2 yrs ago I discovered with the help of a very educated best friend, who by the way was a sufferer, and had degrees in counseling and other psych disorders, that I too may have an imbalance in my brian that basically would not allow my seratonin levels remain where they should. It came on slowly, exposing itself at a time in my young life where it was easily attributed to partying, traveling with friends, casual, unsafe romantic events, DUI's, etc. I had always been the core of my little group of about 8 close guys and girls. In my mid twenties, after all were eithere dating, engaged or to marry, I started filling my life with career and family since my dadhad died. I am way close with my mom, and from time to time we shared a home. She is on the lower side of healthy at 75, and she is my jewel. My friend Anna had a bad abusive relationship with a married man going on that nearly killed her, and she began taking Effexor. Within months her self esteem was back, she divorced the guy she never really loved, and since these past 7 years, has 2 kids, a wonderful home, and great Italian Yankee husband. She called me the other day at 2pm, I was in bed, I had no desire to dust, clean, wash, eat, work, watch tv - It was if someone had fogged up my brain with some dark grey matter. I wanted to die because I hurt so bad inside. I told her I was only tired and had no sleep and she said not to bullshit her, she was the queen of depression. She made me get a pen, which was not easy, and write down Grayson and Associates here in Birmingham and tell them I needed to speak to an MD psych doc today, or else. They got me in the office one hour later. Dr Daw talked me through my hell for about an hour, and asked me if I would check into the psych ward at Baptist Montclair. Anything to get better! She immediately hooked me up with a great caring pdoc named elton who purposed raising me t0 300 per day since I am about 200 lbs. I staying locked up with about 20 or so other people in need: Alcohol, crack, multiple personality disorders, court appointed lock ups, older folk, blind 10 yr olds, and just us regular SD's. It was a trip. We did crafts, had group meetings, laughed at ourselves, ate meals together, couldn't have our blow dryers or brushes or razors, but we didn't care. It turned into our safe environment, the meds were working, they were waiting on us hand and foot, and were so nice to us, it was an enriching week and a day. I made a close friend who had wanted to die,but now she is on Zoloft and doing good. my family was educated on what cause depression, it being not a bit unlike cancer, or Aids. It is not something we have done to ourselves. It is a treatable illness. I am at 4 weeks now, had a low few days last week, but called elton and he asked me to do 150 early, and 150 at lunch. So far, I am getting a lot closer to the old me. The furniture is dusted, my clothes are clean, I am shaved and pretty. I am not yet back at my job, which as a manager carries a great deal of resp. and my mom is still not home from the hosp (she lives with me)but that is all ok, becuase #1 is getting my brian repaired so that I can take on these small challenges as they arrise. If I had not seeked help, I would not be here to enjoy all that. In closing Lynn, my advise is to plan on being on it a long time. The imbalance ain't going to magically fix itself. Don't pay any attention to these naysayers, talk to you psych, not a counselor, they can't change meds if you have to. Tell your family by printing out the Effexor webpage and the story of Delta Burke. Ask them for help with food, errands, anything you don't think you are quite up to. Take the meds on time, get sleep, Ambien if you cannot sleep, walk. You will be better in a few weeks, but you probably will always need effexor. It saved me, and I ain't leaving it. I pray for your time, your pain. I have been there, and it is a dark lonely place that I don't like at all. Godspeed my dear. Go get well and email me anytime.
Brian
w
poster:bgbham
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030604/msgs/232062.html