Posted by janette44 on November 29, 2006, at 8:31:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on November 20, 2006, at 17:42:56
Hi all. I have been lurking on this board for years now on & off gathering great information from all your direct experiences. For that I say thank you to all who haved shared here. I'm a 40-somthing mom and have had issues with depression since I was 16. I never sought treatment, just toughed it out until 5 years ago when a depressive episode finally caused me to go to a pdoc. My life is generally good, I have a lovely husband, nice kids, good job, I really felt like it was absolutely absurd that I was anything but happy in that situation.
First, to all those not wanting to seek treatment, I wish I had done it sooner. I didn't realize that I could actually feel really happy, I didn't know how not-happy I was all the time since it was normal for me. I had learned to settle for just enjoying the times that I wasn't *really* down and I wish I had wanted better for myself sooner.
Second, yes, seeking treatment and reading about all the strange and terrible side effects of these drugs can be and often is overwhelming. I was usually overwhelmed with just getting through the day much less making a major decision. I also wanted something to help but didn't want to take the risk that my pdoc would try several drugs and none would work for me and then I'd have no hope of being better. I guess I just didn't want to find that out. Sounds a bit crazy, perhaps, but for me it was real. It was a comfort to come to this board and learn that it is OK for drugs to not be a match and to have to try several to find the right one.
On to my experience. I thought I had seasonal affective disorder but upon examination the pdoc diagnosed major depressive disorder given that I often have trouble in August as well as Feb/March. Right around the solstice is the worst for me. Anyway, I was put on Celexa and did OK. Not great, but OK, my mood improved and life went from just bearable to decent. I got the bright idea after several months to stop taking the meds because I felt better. When I came crashing down a couple of months later I went back to my pdoc and confessed. He put me on Lexapro which is a cousin of Celexa and it totally didn't work at all. Placebo effect for a week and then boom, back down again, in August no less. But, thanks to knowing that not all meds work for all people thanks to research on this board and other places I went back after 3 months and was put on Effexor XR 37.5 mg increasing to 75 by the end of the first few weeks. Boy did that feel great for me. I wasn't instantly happier or anything but each day was a step uphill. Eventially my pdoc raised my dosage and I've been on 150mg for a couple of years now. It has been by far the best years of my life.
Practical matters: I take it at night because I think it makes me a little jittery followed by sleepy if I take it in the morning. I've gained 20 lbs, don't know if I should blame the effexor, my age or my appetite for that. I forget to take it sometimes (yes, I know I shouldn't but this is the real world) and I've noticed a 3-4 day 'boomerang' effect when I miss a dose. For example, if I miss Friday night's dose I'll feel down on the following Tuesday. Don't ask me why, maybe it's all in my head (pun intended ;).
I wish you all the best of health and happiness.
poster:janette44
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061129/msgs/708543.html