Posted by HMK on March 8, 2002, at 10:52:45
In reply to 2+ years on Effexor...., posted by ladylight on March 7, 2002, at 19:37:42
I've been taking Effexor XR for the past 3 years and am happy to continue taking it. It is the only antidepressant I've found which has so few side effects. As a bipolar II, I have resigned myself to the fact that I will have to take medication for the rest of my life. I have a very demanding profession, so it's vital that I am always at my very best. I simply cannot be at my best unless I treat my illness. I think of it as a plain ol' brain disorder- my illness is very physical if you know what I mean. My brain does not make the correct balance of neurotransmitters so I take things to correct this. I also take medicine for my hypothyroidism too- this will probably be for life also.
The only thing is I get really cranky about how expensive these medicines are. It costs me a forture every month to afford all my drugs- I spend about $500 each month which is only reimbursed at 80% by my insurance.
Best of luck to you and I think we should be thankful to have found a medicine that works so well. Don't focus on the fact that you're going to be taking it for so long- focus on its benefits.
poster:HMK
thread:96941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97059.html