![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by dee on January 5, 2002, at 16:07:35
I just started effexor after dealing with marriage, family, work problems, and understanding myself and my actions for about 2 years now. I finally just broke down and could take no more. But after 3 weeks I still have no get up and go. Is this normal or should I see about increasing my dose I am only on 75.
Plus maybe I could understand if It has happended to others- my family and husband have a hard time understanding what I am going through and think it is a fake. It makes it hard to feel more confident in myself with this. what do you think...
Posted by ZeKingPrawn on January 5, 2002, at 18:01:38
In reply to Just starting out/3 weeks now, posted by dee on January 5, 2002, at 16:07:35
See my post about the effexor success story. Of course what you are going through is not fake. If you are not seeing a therapist, find one. She/he will be able to help you feel normal about your feelings, and more importantly deal with those who would minimize your pain, and explain. It took me around 3-4 months to notice the change. I'm quitting now because I've learned what it's like to "be normal". Hang in there!
> I just started effexor after dealing with marriage, family, work problems, and understanding myself and my actions for about 2 years now. I finally just broke down and could take no more. But after 3 weeks I still have no get up and go. Is this normal or should I see about increasing my dose I am only on 75.
> Plus maybe I could understand if It has happended to others- my family and husband have a hard time understanding what I am going through and think it is a fake. It makes it hard to feel more confident in myself with this. what do you think...
Posted by CalvaryHill on January 6, 2002, at 0:31:06
In reply to Just starting out/3 weeks now, posted by dee on January 5, 2002, at 16:07:35
I would recommend that you increase your dose because at 75 mg Effexor works like an SSRI--mainly on serotonin. But at 15-300 mg Effexor works on serotonin _and_ norepinephrine. And the combination of serotonin and norepinephrine may be more beneficial to your mood than either one alone.
Posted by MaKi on January 6, 2002, at 10:03:06
In reply to Just starting out/3 weeks now, posted by dee on January 5, 2002, at 16:07:35
Hi Dee,
Tomorrow I will be starting my fifth week taking
Effexor XR, at 37.5mg daily dosage. I must tell
you, so far I've noticed a slight change, even
though my dosage isn't very high. During the last
few weeks, I've been able to do more things than
I normally could before I started the medication.
I feel more myself now and I seem to be a little
happier and hopeful than before. Like you, my
family doesn't seem to be as understanding as I
would like them to be. They seem to think that it's
a joke and that it's all in my head. Things happen
in life and they don't always go the way you would
like them to go but we must deal with these problems
as best we can and I think that just by telling friends
and family, it does help, even though they're not always
understanding. Besides, all I care about right now is
getting better, I couldn't care less what anyone else
thinks of the situation. No one will really understand
unless they've been in our shoes! I hope you get feeling
better and don't give up just yet, the medication
has been working for me so I have faith that it will do
the same for you.Good luck and please let me know how it works out!
MaKi
Posted by MaKi on January 6, 2002, at 10:07:21
In reply to Re: Just starting out/3 weeks now » dee, posted by CalvaryHill on January 6, 2002, at 0:31:06
I totally understand what you're saying about increasing
the dosage but I partly disagree. For me it's been
working on 37.5mg per day and it's only been 4 weeks.
Maybe it's working on me a little easier because it's
actually the first drug out of three that's made me
feel better, without any side effects. I wish it was
easy for everyone but I think most people just have
to give it a chance because it sure doesn't start workin
overnight.Good luck to everyone!
MaKi
Posted by sid on January 6, 2002, at 21:00:31
In reply to Just starting out/3 weeks now, posted by dee on January 5, 2002, at 16:07:35
What is your diagnostic? In order to help them understand, if it is important to you that they do, perhaps you can bring them information on your problem. Stuff you print from the web for example, or a brochure from your doctor's office; ask, they have them. There is also info for friends and fanily of people with mental illness, look for it (I've read some before, but I don't have the info, others might have the info handy).
Then, give time for the medicine to work. If you have major depression, you may have to go much higher than 75mg, 300mg for example. However, as long as your life is not in danger, it is better to increase slowly so that you get used to the medicine and side effects subside. You need to talk to your doctor about it, but from all accounts, 75mg is low and you will probably need more if you are fighting major depression, and 3 weeks is a very short time. Be patient. As for the people around you, try to make them understand and support you. If they don't then you might need to rething who you want around you. You need energy to get back on your feet, and if you waste it trying to convince people that you are sick, there is not much left for you.
Yes, many of us have felt the many things you mention... keep reading us and posting, I think it helps in the long process we all started.
> I just started effexor after dealing with marriage, family, work problems, and understanding myself and my actions for about 2 years now. I finally just broke down and could take no more. But after 3 weeks I still have no get up and go. Is this normal or should I see about increasing my dose I am only on 75.
> Plus maybe I could understand if It has happended to others- my family and husband have a hard time understanding what I am going through and think it is a fake. It makes it hard to feel more confident in myself with this. what do you think...
Posted by dee on January 7, 2002, at 15:52:21
In reply to Re: Just starting out/3 weeks now, posted by MaKi on January 6, 2002, at 10:03:06
Thank you, it feels good to know others are dealing with the same issues or feelings. It is like your not the only person in the world dealing with this.
I think my husband is starting to wonder or care what I am feeling, he actually asked this weekend how I was.
He keeps telling me he doesn't understand what I am feeling, hopefully in time the med's will start to work and I to can be more open.
Posted by MaKi on January 7, 2002, at 16:57:52
In reply to Just an update to my 3 weeks on » MaKi, posted by dee on January 7, 2002, at 15:52:21
Dee, don't feel bad, it's true that you're not
the only person in this world having the same
feelings. Like your husband, I think mine is
alot the same way. I know he loves me very much
and cares but he's never really asked me how I
feel. It really makes me angry because to me, it
seems that he doesn't think of my problem as being
a big deal but yet, I can't always tell him how I
feel, I rather just keep it to myself and try to
get better on my own. Maybe what we do need to do is
sit down and have a talk with our husband and families.
It's seems to be easier said than done, don't you think?Hope you feel better, I know trading information
with you has made me feel alot better. Keep in touch.MaKi (Joanne)
Posted by sid on January 7, 2002, at 20:51:44
In reply to Just an update to my 3 weeks on » MaKi, posted by dee on January 7, 2002, at 15:52:21
Well, that's good to hear. He doesn't have to understand, as long as he is supportive and open enpugh to learn about it. I don't think one can understand a mental illness unless one has it. I lived it on the passive side (my father was hospitalized several months at some point for major depression), and then myself, and I realize I did not understand at all what my father was living. I wanted him to snap out of it, but when I dealt with major depression myself, I realized that crying, sleeping and watching TV without even realizing what I was watching was all I could do for several months. I think being supportive is pretty much all he can do, so if he's doing that, great for you!
> Thank you, it feels good to know others are dealing with the same issues or feelings. It is like your not the only person in the world dealing with this.
>
> I think my husband is starting to wonder or care what I am feeling, he actually asked this weekend how I was.
> He keeps telling me he doesn't understand what I am feeling, hopefully in time the med's will start to work and I to can be more open.
Posted by dee on January 9, 2002, at 8:07:01
In reply to Re: Just an update to my 3 weeks-Dee, posted by MaKi on January 7, 2002, at 16:57:52
> Hello Maki,
Your on the right path we can think we are going to sit down and talk to our family and husband. But why is it so hard to do so? It is like I speak greek and they dont understand or I just confuse them. This is part of the reason my marriage is failing due to communication, I can think in my head what I want to say but when it comes time I cant say it. Stupid ha. My husband gets really frustrated with me due to this. This is why I am hoping by taking these meds maybe I will start feeling better about myself and start to share my feelings more open. I just really do hope he understands soon about depression and not think it is a big joke, so we can hang on till I start to do better myself.
Your situation sounds about like mine, but I am glad your starting to think clear and decide that you do need to start opening up. I hope you get up the confidence to do so. For you how long was it before you started to feel better about things? Do you really think the meds helped?
Talk to you soon.
Dee (marcy)
Posted by cmcdougall on January 9, 2002, at 10:57:27
In reply to Re: Just an update to my 3 weeks-Dee » MaKi, posted by dee on January 9, 2002, at 8:07:01
Dee,
I have the same problem w/ communication. I feel the words whirling around in my head... I know exactly what I want to say, but the words just don't come out of my mouth.
This is one of the symptoms of ADD. Why don't you take an online test to see if maybe you have it. Stimulants REALLY help alot. I took ritalin for many years, now I take adderal. I love it.
I still have trouble communicating, especially when I am stressed, but the stimulants have made a big difference in my life. They also help w/ my depression and motivation.
I know it sucks to think about taking a bunch of different meds, but the alternative is more "suckey"
Good luck,
Carly - pill to wake up, pill to function, pill to motivatate and pill to go to sleep
Posted by IsoM on January 9, 2002, at 13:46:33
In reply to Re: Just an update to my 3 weeks-Dee » MaKi, posted by dee on January 9, 2002, at 8:07:01
Dee, when you write your posts here, we have no trouble understanding you. Admittedly, we also have depression - that's why we're here. But why not write a 'letter' to your husband to explain?
Whenever I've had trouble in the past trying to explain myself due to emotions getting in the way (like breaking down in tears or feeling rising tensions & shouting instead), I've sat down & composed a letter explaining how everything is. It's taken a while to write because I'll go back & edit & edit. I want the person to know how I'm REALLY feeling & thinking, not just how I appear to them at the moment. I used to pour out my soul easier on paper than in person. Now, thankfully, I can do it in person calmly too. I think the writing helped with that part.
If you write instead of talk, you can make sure there's no interruptions or angry words, or accusations - simply how you feel & why. Leave a note at the end of the letter saying it would probably be better for your husband to reply in writing for this time anyway with any questions or ideas or his feelings too. He may be feeling a lot of anxiety, uncertainty, & sadness/anger over this too that might be good for him to express.
After a couple of letters passed back & forth between yourhusband & you (& it doesn't hurt ot leave ittle reminders at the end that you do love him), & you both may come to a far better understanding of each other.
*Please* let me know what you think of this idea. I tried it with my husband then but he refused to respond. He never would talk or open up with me, no matter what. That's one reason we're separated. But it worked beautifully with my sons & I have a close, warm relationship with them at least.
Posted by dee on January 9, 2002, at 16:23:33
In reply to Dee--have you thought of writing? » dee, posted by IsoM on January 9, 2002, at 13:46:33
> You know I have thought of writing out my feelings and now that I am into my 4th week of meds I am starting to think clearer every day. You know yesterday I met with my counselor and I came home confused and angry. I could not understand why my husband and I only touch each other during intmancy. We have no communication and no contact during our everyday lives. Last night I blew up at him over a stupid comment he made to me, after I thought about it I felt really bad. I think if I was to sit down tonight and write a letter, not only to say how I am feeling but also to tell him I am sorry. Now today I feel great, and had a good day at work. But I have this problem on thinking into things to much, assuming, and worrying to much.
I did try to write him a letter a cupple months back and he said It was confusing and he didn't understand. Maybe now that I am working on myself and feeling better I can conquer this step and make sense to him.
I learned a big thing today! When I sit back and look at my life, my husband has been trying alittle and I haven't been giving him back the attention he should be getting or telling him thankyou for hanging on with me. Thanks for the idea of writing.
Posted by dee on January 9, 2002, at 16:26:46
In reply to Maybe you need stimulant... » dee, posted by cmcdougall on January 9, 2002, at 10:57:27
> Thanks for the idea, I think I'll read up on stimulants first. You know I am still nervous about taking an anti-depressent for the first time in my life. Are their any side effects to stimulants?
Posted by IsoM on January 9, 2002, at 16:45:10
In reply to Re: Dee--have you thought of writing? » IsoM, posted by dee on January 9, 2002, at 16:23:33
Posted by cmcdougall on January 9, 2002, at 19:09:49
In reply to Re: Maybe you need stimulant... » cmcdougall, posted by dee on January 9, 2002, at 16:26:46
Dee,
There are side effects to most medications. I haven't really noticed any bad side effects to stimulants, but I know they can make some people jittery or nervous. Ritalin made me a little jittery but I kinda liked it. Adderall is smoother and the only effects I notice are all good - improved mood, less tired and sleepy, more motivated, more able to focus my thoughts. It really does help me concentrate on what I'm trying to communicate, and helps me express it more easily. Also it suppresses my appetite so it wouldn't be good for someone w/ anorexia. I have heard the appetite suppresant effect goes away w/ time.
It is not a magic bullet, but it makes a big difference in my life. Not only does it help my ADD, but it is a very nice addition to my med cocktail in that it increases the effect of my antidepressants. In my opinion, prescription stimulants are very safe.
Good luck,
Carly> > Thanks for the idea, I think I'll read up on stimulants first. You know I am still nervous about taking an anti-depressent for the first time in my life. Are their any side effects to stimulants?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.