Posted by jujube on September 17, 2004, at 20:35:28
In reply to Re: My Effexor Xr Story: 5 Years of going nowhere, posted by TommyIsland on September 17, 2004, at 19:51:49
> > TommyIsland,
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> > My experience on Effexor XR is very similar to yours. Although I had not endured what you have in terms of depression (my heart goes out to you), I would not consider my Effexor XR experience a success story. I became physically ill last year, and was finally diagnosed with iron deficiency in the fall. My energy levels were so low and my mood, usually happy, enthusiastic, motivated, but somewhat anxious, was waning big time. I was being treated for the iron deficiency, but it was a long haul to bring the levels up. I got impatient and decided to seek a second opinion, and, hopefully, get some relief quicker. The second opinion told me I was depressed and put me on Effexor XR. From the beginning I knew it was not the drug for me (I had had great success with Paxil over eight years ago when I stopped drinking) - I was sick, twitching, anxious, etc. I went back to my trusted gp who continued to treat the iron deficiency, but didn't want to mess around with the medication. Luckily, she had a friend who is a pdoc, and I was able to see him about the medication, particularly dosing, etc. He increased the dose twice and urged me to stay with it. Over the six months I was on Effexor, I found myself becoming increasingly apathetic, unmotivated, anxious and even apprehensive (although I am not a panic suffering, I had had one experience that could have been considered a panic attack when on my way to work. I had been suffering from a stomach flu and I knew before I even left for work that I was sick and shouldn't be going in (when getting ready to leave for work, I had to lay down a couple of time because I thought I was going to be sick). Finally, I started looking into natural alternatives and called the pdoc to see if I could add Sam-e and another product because I could continue to exist in the dazed and lethargic way I was. He was not familiar enough with the supplements to agree to usage. But, he did switch me to Celexa. I have now been Effexor free for 8 days, after weaning for two weeks. I have emotions now (not all good at this point. I find myself somewhat angry and negative, which is not my usual state of mind). I don't care at this point because it is just so nice to actually feel again. I know there are a lot of people out there who have had great success with Effexor, and I am happy for them, and somewhat envious. Me, I don't like feeling like a zombie. So, I begin my Celexa journey, and am hoping that it will undo the numbing effects of the Effexor. Sorry for the long message and thanks for listening.
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> Good Luck to you and thanks for writing in. I stopped taking Depakote about 5 days ago and hopefully I will feel some difference. As for the Effexor XR, I am making an appointment with a doc for next week to talk about alternatives..............nothing before Effexor XR ever worked and at this point the benifits I thought I had gotten from Effexor XR for so long have seemed to dwindle or maybe I just don't want to exist in this "Zombie Like" state of mind anymore that is a "Safe Place" for a lot of people who were at the bottom and then feel good just to be at a mediocre "Safe Place." Anyhow, hopefully something will bring these energy levels up to par and rid me of this daily fatigue. I actually just started taking Multivitamin & Minerals (Vitamins) yesterday and strangely I feel a boost in energy..........very strange yet nice. Anyways, good luck with your journey and if you know of any good natural supplements............pass them on over here.
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> Tommy,I, too, have been supplementing. I take B-Complex (100 mg, twice a day), magnesium (250 mg, twice a day) and Omega 3, 6, 9. I have heard a lot of good things about other supplements, including MACA (works on the endocrine system, including thyroid, adrenals, hormones and is an adtaptagen), Co-enzyne Q-10 (apparently an energy booster and good for high cholesteral and high blood pressure) and amino acids. There is a good website for supplementation which is run by the author of a book called "The Way Up From Down" (I think that is the name). The site, if I remember, is www.thewayup.com. All kinds of info on nutritional supplementation. Some supplements should not be taken with antidepressants without physician consultation. My gp did not have a problem with my trying supplementation. I tried L-Tyrosine, but think I over did it and just became very hyper and agitated after 2 weeks. Started out too high. Should have started slower and ramped up. It did, however, do wonders for my energy. You might want to check out the site. I recommended it to my aunt so she could go in armed to the doctor when her and my uncle have their next visit regarding his early stages dementia. Anyways, I seem to be getting very long winded as I age, so I will stop here. Take good care
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poster:jujube
thread:390976
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040915/msgs/392143.html