Posted by mom_cheeks on December 25, 2003, at 19:50:31
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by maxx44 on December 23, 2003, at 20:15:35
Hi all...I have been on Effexor for about 8 months now for GAD and concurrent depression, and it has chnaged my life - and the lives of those I love.
However, it was not the drug that changed my life alone. I have been going to therepy, changing my thinking, pushing myself hard, etc.
At the time I took it I was having the worst epioside oh my life. I guess the second nervous breakdown in 2 years. I had been feeling anxiety-riddent for 15 years, and it peaked after my daughter was born. I was more frightened than I thought possible, and I felt out of control.
I was always someone who thought "everyone and their brother is on anti-depressants, I don't want to pop a pill to cure me". I susbscribed to this adage for more than a decade. But after I hot rock bottom, I talked to my amazing doctor and began the drug AND therepy, my life changed.
I felt the way it must feel for people with high blood pressure who feel exhausted all the time, to begin to take medication. No longer did I have anxiety headaches, feel exhasted beyond repair at 7pm, feel in constant fear of nothing, plummet into depression every few weeks, or a general sense of uneasiness. The biggest change I felt was in my overall energy at first.
Let me tell you that when I stood at the kitchen counter about to "pop" that first pill, I was REALLY scared of where this nightmare was going to end up next. Was I going to LOSE it? What if the meds didn't help? What if I became addicted?, etc etc etc. When would anxiety pop its ugly head into my life again. On the highway? in a movie theatre? IN my sleep? I was scared SHITLESS. And some times I still am.
Eight months later at 32 years old, having spent 15-20 years as an axiety-ridden, depressed person, I feel free for the first time in my life. Free of exhastion, neck-aches, fear, free that my mind may one day "Do me in".
Sure, I am scared to come off of them, have had some side effects...I have read ALL of the internet stories/nightmares, but it was the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family.
The comination of drugs, therapy, and massive amounts of self-rediction has showed me that anxiety to that degree is NOT normal, average or necessary. That I don't need to live with it.
No one gets a gold star at the end of their life for "toughing it out" or not getting help.
I want to live in this world, and I want to be happy. My experience has changed me into a whole person...I don't feel like I am watching my life through a movie. I feel real and happy.
poster:mom_cheeks
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031225/msgs/293410.html