Posted by bookgurl99 on May 7, 2003, at 23:08:51
In reply to Afraid to continue...scared to death to quit, posted by Dramatica on May 7, 2003, at 14:42:33
> Do I continue to take Effexor because all these side effects are normal and the fact that being sane is worth having no energy?
You know, my p.doc talked about how with drugs there's a 'trade-off,' where you get some positive symptoms and some negative ones. So, for example, when I took Prozac I had the positive symptoms of not being depressed and crying, but the negative trade-offs of numbed emotions and lack of interest in my responsibilities. Obviously that trade-off was not worth it, as it negatively affected my life.
It sounds like you feel the trade-off is not worth it at this point. This sounds like a good time to see a real psychiatrist, if you have the chance to, and figure out what _would_ work for you.
> Or do I try to quit and risk "withdraw-hell"? The thought of quitting scares the crap out of me,
Withdrawal can be tough, but knowing about what it feels like (since it happened before) is good. Now you can know how you'll feel,and plan to deal with it -- like after you taper, come off over a long weekend or something so you can have the dizziness at home on the couch instead of at work.
I also worry about what this stuff does long term. I'd like to talk to a version of me that is in a world that doesn't have these kind of meds and see what she would say about how she's making it.
I have had some success with therapy, but when I withdraw, I see that I am plagued with life-impairing anxiety. I'd like to try working on it in the future and being med free.
poster:bookgurl99
thread:224904
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/225011.html