Posted by corafree on March 21, 2006, at 14:30:35
In reply to Re: Never thought I'd hear this..... » SLS, posted by detroitpistons on March 14, 2006, at 12:00:46
Detroit Pistons:
I first started Effexor when it only came in house shaped tabs and it was fairly effective for a few years. No bad side effects, was stabilizing, I handled my responsibilities, was working.
When Effexor-XR came out, I thought it would be convenient.
I began it and never, ever, had I experienced such a really high .. high. I was out of control w/ excitability and blabbery humor. I knew this was too crazy and d.c.'d it. (After seeing your post, I thought I'd share this.)
I thought to myself, then, and still, this must be the way a person who is bipolar 'manic' feels.
I stopped the Effexor-XR in about a month.
Some time later, I tried it again and there were none of the above side effects. It was so odd. Same drug. Same me (maybe).
Crises occurred and it would bottom out for a while. Then I'd go off. Then I'd go back on for awhile to numb myself. So, in all, I've prob' been on it from beginning to end, maybe five times.
I stopped it after a nervous breakdown last year, finally realizing (Duh; it was about time!) that every time on it, I'd experienced no 'real true human feelings'.
I'll never go there again and I mean it wholeheartedly.
What a tricky drug it has been for me.
I'd say 'nothing' has ever caused me to feel that 'way too tremendous high' in my life like Effexor-XR did just that once.
I started Abilify last eve and awoke w/ aching, coughing, a little shortness of breath, swelling in my hands, eyes burning. Called for emerg appt; unsuccessful. Told by another P to cut in half (I have smallest dose.) and take until mid next month when appt w/ my P.
After hearing this, I called a nurse line. In talking, realized it was more than a side effect; more an allergic reaction. I'm discontinuing it.
I had the same type reaction to Trileptal.
And, to Lamictal, I had very severe headaches.
None of these anti-psychotics (right?) have agreed w/ me.
Is it always anti-psychotics that are used to treat bipolar? Or, is it anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers?
My dx, if must be one, two, or some, feels like GAD, PTSD, and some Borderline traits (I used to be very outgoing, friendly, and caring for others' feelings. Now I have a lot of difficulty in relationships, politically incorrect and hurt others/myself, and am brutally honest.)
I've often had people who are bipolar, want to diagnosis me the same. I see from this link that there's this theory we are all somewhat bipolar.
When you're in the middle of a big change in your life, that's kind of the last thing you need to hear.
So far anything used to treat bipolarity has some properties that I cannot tolerate.
Anyway, if you see some similarities here, maybe you could share your treatment plan.
tks, cf
poster:corafree
thread:620137
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060315/msgs/622926.html