Posted by Angelina on September 3, 2003, at 16:39:24
In reply to Message for Angelina, posted by Music on September 3, 2003, at 16:23:32
> So if 225mg is my theraputeic dosage, how will I totally know if it is or not my correct dosage? I have never been on any AD's meds before. I just want to feel better and stay better. I suffer from Major Depression and OCD. My PsyDoc says my depression is recurrent. I go to see my PsyDoc next Thursday a week from tomorrow. So should I ask her how long do I need to be on this stuff and when will I feel better, and also let her know that sometime in the future we want children. I think I it more depressed in the afternoon at work and when I have time to think about things. I need to have distractions to keep my mind from wondering to depressing things. I also need to start exercising. I used to but I have lost any desire or will-power to do it. I have really lost the desire to do most all things. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it or not. Do you ever feel that way? Or does anyone?
>Music-
I would ask your doctor if he/she plans on increasing the dosage. The way I understand it, if 225 is your therapeutic dosage, you will probaby not feel maximum benefits for 6 weeks or so. If after that time, you don't feel significantly different/better, I would discuss other options with your doctor. Unfortunately, psychotropic medication is not an exact science-what works for some definitely does not work for others, and it's OFTEN trial and error until you find something that works.
Regarding your needing to stay busy, etc:- are you receiving talk therapy in addition to medication therapy? Studies all suggest that a combination of the two is most beneficial for results. Whatever the things are that you have to stop thinking about are not going to be "cured" by a medication. The medication will deal with the chemical part, but whatever the ISSUES in your life are, those still have to be dealt with!
I personally had great success with Paxil, as far as it making me feel much better, and slow down my thoughts, etc. However, I had the sexual side effect, and also had the withdrawal symptoms as I'm having with Effexor. I'm now on Buspar, which allegedly doesn't have the sexual side effects, or the discontinuation effects, but we'll see.
Keep in touch!
P.S. Not sure what you mean, "if it's all worth it". The trial and error associated with medication is a HUGE hassle, and you have to determine if the hassle is worth the chance to feel "normal" again...
poster:Angelina
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030902/msgs/256690.html