![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by reb on August 8, 2001, at 18:15:51
OK, i have been reading up on all the info re effexor. there's a box sitting right in front of me, it's been there for weeks- and it's SOOOO seductively tempting... just to TRY it... BUT-------
what good is a drug, if you take it and even if it works, you taper off it eventually, and---- then slide down even further into the pit of depression & end up committing suicide? this is the worst case scenario, what i'm afraid will happen. or even worse, spend the rest of your life suffocationg under that black cloud, struggling to function...?
what kind of a life is that?
these drugs are nothing to fool around with, and shouldn't be taken lightly- when dealing with severe, long-term depression & social problems. am i right?so, i DO NOT UNDERSTAND how these drugs can help, if they are only a temporary crutch. they may temporarily relieve your symptoms, BUT THEY ARE NOT *SOLVING* THE PROBLEM!!! if i'm wrong, will someone please enlighten me??? i have been searching for proof that these new drugs can give your brain a PERMANENT lift out of the hell of depression and its physical symptoms, so you can have a healthy, normal life again- but so far i've found none. in about 99% of everything i've read (except for the few it's worked for- like willow, for one), effexor- & these drugs in general- just seem to be a complete nightmare... that leaves your life & health in a bigger mess than ever. plus i'm using what i know from past experience- i do not trust these drug companies at all. for people who have never been depressed & tried these drugs (such as many doctors), it's easy for them to say it's no big deal, just go ahead & try it. but the thought of getting "mixed up in" a drug is just as scary as the depression itself. why would you want to do something to your brain that may be causing permanent physical damage... and/or that is going to make you MORE depressed, when you go quit?
or is the point to just stay doped up for the rest of your life???
OK, so if that's the idea, if that is supposed to work so great, then why doesn't everyone do it???for more background info on what the heck i'm talking about, please see my post about effexor for depression & fibromyalgia (about halfway down on the new threads page). thanks to all & anyone who has some wise insight & experience to offer... it is much appreciated... as i have not been able to work & am quite desperate! (and yes i'm in therapy).... THANK YOU & take care of yourselves!!!
-reb
Posted by kid_A on August 8, 2001, at 19:23:40
In reply to effexor- SHOULD I DO IT???, posted by reb on August 8, 2001, at 18:15:51
I think that I would be more concerned w/ the initial side effects (if you do experience any) and the withdrawl from tappering off the drug. The reason that you can get off the drug, is that your body will be in a state where it no longer needs the drug to regulate its own serotonin level. I am on month two of the drug, and combined w/ a few others It is working wonders for me... Before I started I felt doomed, and thought about suicide on a daily basis, now I have an aditional job which is very fun to do and am feeling great about myself and the things going on in my life, even if they are just minor accomplishments... Since I was a first-timer to ADs, it was natural for me to start on effexor as this is a common drug for first-timers...Anyways, I think the benefits far outway the horror I felt at facing another day, sliding down hill until I just couldnt do anything, nothing seemed worthwhile... I cant tell you how long you will need to take the drug, It depends entirely on your mental dynamic. Think of the drug as a kick start to put you on the right path to hopefully leading a happier life where things dont look so bleak... I know that is how I look at it...
good luck.
ps. someone please correct me about getting off the effexor due to the lack of its necesity, this is how my pdoc explained it to me....
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.