Posted by MikeInAustralia on July 26, 2001, at 4:53:52
Hi. I am in OZ. Have been mildly depressed for a year or so - mid-life crisis more than anything. Sort of working that through - mostly I think.
My doctor felt a mild anti-depressant would help. I was changing careers, unmotivated, flat, questioning where I was in life, including relationship etc. Cried in his office. Shocked him. I have been an energetic positive achiever for all of my life until that point. Stressful jobs didn't help. Maybe just burnt out a little. Though always inner anxiety, worrier since childhood. Mask it well.
Anyway, he put me on 600ml of Aurorix - upped to 900ml.
(two tabs in morning and one at lunch - for those who may be interested ). I don't think you can get it in the United States - but I felt the benefits almost immediately. Held me up well during intensive job interviews and socially, during my biggest down period. Ok with wine - like most people I know I am a functioning alcoholic (see my humour is coming back!) I felt like I wasn't on a drug on Aurorix - if you get my drift.But I felt at that stage that it wasn't mood enhancing enough. Doctor suggested I give Effoxor a try. He said I had improved probably 40 per cent on when I first presented (which was true) but a still needed some chemical assistance. And I am sure he was right. He is a great doctor, by the way - who cares deeply for my welfare.
I came home and accessed this site for posts on Effexor. Well it was enough to trigger a panic attack even in a balanced person. But I was impressed with the sincerity of the postings and there were too many warning of side effects etc to be dismissed lightly.
I rang my doctor. He said 75ml a day was a mild dose. He suggested I didn't need to be overly concerned - but that I could remain on the Aurorix if I wished. There was wash out considerations here.
Anyway, I decided to switch. This is what happened. I hope, by the way, that the background I have given above (while I sit hear eating my dinner) confirms the context and honesty of this posting.
Within 2 days my sexual functioning altered. Aurorix if anything increased my sex drive and the intesnisty of my ------s.
Effexor (and I took notes every night) dimished the intensisty of the experience dramatically - immediately and within a few more days my sex drive had virtually vanished. Could still do it - sort of -but got less inclined and I just wasn't me. It all felt really weired. Ejactulatory thing got all screwy etc. Couldn't get there etc.
Within a few days I was heavily sweating at night. I never sweat unless in gym or whatever. It is the middle of winter here. Very cold. I slept in a singlet (T shirt) and would be dripping wet within a few hours of going to bed. Ahhh! I couldn't sleep properly. My head alive. My body tired. When I was at university I took LSD and speed a few times as one did then. The brain effects reminded me of coming down off that stuff. Brain awake, a little electric. Can't switch it off. Nothing ultra dramatic I suppose, but I didn't like this.
But. Something else happened. For the first time probably ever in my life my underlying anxiety disappeared - within a week or so. My heart rate appeared to me to be up - but when I went to bed or got up I felt a terrific warmth in my gut - you know, where the anxiety sits. I felt content, warm, began getting into home duty stuff etc. Engaged seriously in the contract work I am doing - sharp minded, able to concentrate, relaxed, content.
This was a revealation to me. I have longed to feel like that for years. Only occassional have I truly ever woken up without some sort of anxiety (albiet low level mostly).
This stuff works. I have no doubt - and anyone who has a worse condition than me should not dismiss it. But there is the trade off. And this is what I have had to do. If I could have this drug without the side effects I have alluded to, I would. Absolutely!. But the side effects really bother me. This drug was doing things to me that I didn't understand. And what about all the other things it could be doing?. This may be an irrational comment but it is one that truly exercises my mind. I want a sex life, I don't want to sweat and I want to sleep. But I also want to get my optimism and drive and wellbeing together too.
After 3 weeks on 75ml I was sleeping better - a little better and maybe not sweating as much (debatable).
Anyway. I decided to quit. Halved the tablet for one week. Slept better. No sweats. No sex drive. Still felt good - really good - mentally and emotionally.
Three days ago I stopped. Within 24 hours my head went electric. Quivvering electricty feelings - just weird psychotic drug feelings - again the only thing I can liken it to is the coming down sort of feelings of LSD or speed - not as intense of course. The feelings are not chronic - but scary to me. What is happening here I am thinking.
Last night I had a torrid nightmare. I never have those. Woke up screaming - flinging my leg. Thought someone was pinning me down. Yikes!!!
This is real - after three weeks on a mild dose.
(I just had a brain quivver then. I don't like it).
It is exactly like people have described on this forum so vividly. I have to have 7 days off before going back onto Aurorix. I am much better in myself now - and think the milder Aurorix ( which I felt "normal" on) will keep me well and truly together.Again let me say the withdrawl is not horrific - I couldn't have written this "book" tonight if it was. However things are happening in my head that bother me a lot - and I hope thay go away soon.
Conclusion: Effexor works. No doubt. But is also carries heaps of baggage. If I was badly depressed and wasn't worried too much about sweats and sex I would take it. I never felt tired on it (opposite in fact) - even with intermittant weird sleep patterns.
Withdrwal is real. I am just glad I wasn't on big doses for a long period.
It is all a balance. I hope this post helps people accessing this forum. I have got a lot out of the forum and its good to give some back.
I will open an email box OZEffexor@excite.com.au if anyone wants to contact me or if I can be of any further help regarding mild depression and the above.
I am mid forties.
Best wishes to all
Mike.
poster:MikeInAustralia
thread:71869
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010725/msgs/71869.html