Posted by CaffeinePoet on July 28, 2009, at 20:42:00
I went to the psychiatrist today and laid out the things that have been happening to me lately:
- disproportionate fatigue for which there is no clear explanation
- lack of motivation despite not feeling depressed
- problems with short-term memory
- subsequent issues with performance at work and school.
. . and she blamed it on my antidepressant. Or she suspects my antidepressant, anyways.
Apparently, Effexor can cause all of these symptoms.
Here's what she wants me to do :- quit the antidepressant slowly
- lift weights 3x/week
- get some regular aerobic exercise
- go in for neuropsych screening while not on any drugs.
I don't know what to think. On the one hand, it's great to think that I could be having problems just due to being on the wrong drug. On the other hand, I just started a new job, want my performance in all areas to improve stat and do not need the hassle of antidepressant withdrawal while at the new job. I can't imagine having an easy time fitting exercise and weightlifting into my new routine while I am also dealing with withdrawal.
But I have been in therapy and on a drug for over 6 months, and trying something new does seem worthwhile. The last time I withdrew from a drug, though, it was total catastrophe -- really full-blown withdrawal symptoms, physical jerks, gastric reflux, and panic worse than anything I've experienced normally. I really don't want my life to turn into a catastrophe.
I took my first lower dose this evening.
poster:CaffeinePoet
thread:909079
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090721/msgs/909079.html