Progress?
Last Thursday I reduced my Effexor dosage to 37.5mg/day, which is 1/4 what my previous normal dosage was. I'd been on 75mg for about a month, and prior to that, I was on 112.5mg for about 2 months.
Thursday was a great day, but I don't think it was because of the Effexor. The weather was finally nice enough to open the house up, so I had a kind of "fall fever."
Other than Thursday, my moods have been hit-and-miss throughout each day. I haven't felt any noticable withdrawl symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or lack of concentration. I have felt a little less "stable" though, and I'm unstable enough as it is.
I plan to stay on the 1/4 dose for another week to give it a chance. My ultimate goal by reducing the dosage is to determine my minimum effective dose. I resent being physically addicted to this drug, being dependent on this unnatural substance for my happiness. I want to use as little of it as possible.
In other news, today we saw a guy wearing a T-shirt depicting a boy holding a confederate flag and pissing on the NAACP. It's no wonder gays don't have rights in this country. Too many people have yet to cross the racial divide. More on this later.
posted by Doug at 9/24/2006 08:17:00 PM
8 Comments:
Doug,
You may not be addicted to your anti depressant, and if it is indeed helping it really just is adding a little boost to your neurons that might need a little boost. I know first hand what can happen to a person who refused to take them if he needs them, and it isn't pretty. Don't give up on them or think they are something not natural. They are just adding a chemical that you may be lacking. I know for myself I really need them and they help me greatly. And I don't feel altered, I just feel more like me. But better.
Take care of yourself my new friend
If you were diabetic would you resent the insulin? If you were positive would you resent the meds keeping you well - that is the way I look at it - I have an illness just like these - and if I don't stay on my meds I get "sick" and THAT is not a good thing...
Just my $0.02
You're not addicted. It can feel like a crutch, but no addiction to Effexor.
I started taking them last March. The final dosage that made me feel ok and even better then ever before is 262.5. I know that's a lot, but I guess I really needed help. I know I should have gotten a boost from them a long time ago, but my doc then was more interested in squeezing as many patients in an hour to care.
I hate the symptoms, shakes, sweats, lack of sleep. And the most important, I still have a sex drive, but the tool is defective. lol
I too want to get off them ASAP but for now I need them. I hate pills, but I know I need them right now.
Congrats on getting off of them. What was your highest dosage? How long have you been taking them?
J
Doug... you are tapering them off with your doctor, right? Not just on your own?
If they work, they work; don't worry about it.
Take care of yourself.
Doug and Spider, you have a good point. I shouldn't be looking at Effexor as something evil and to be avoided. I will try to adjust my attitude.
Joe, actually Effexor is known to be physically addictive. My conspiracy-theorist self thinks this was done on purpose, but it probably wasn't. My highest dosage was 150mg/day. I tried quitting once, but after 6 weeks I was back on them. And yes, my libido is zero. It's the only major side effect I have, and it's a biggie.
Mikey and Rebekah, I am lowering my dosage with advice from my psychiatrist (i.e., drug dealer), as well as help from a naturopath/chiropractor. Chris is also offering tons of support and helping me make decisions and give me an objective opinion.
And Tim, see the next two posts for an update on my $0.02 on gay rights.
I understand your concern about taking a drug long term. As long as you are doing under a doctor's supervision and you have confidence in the knowledge and skill of that doctor - and the drug helps, that is good. Always monitor your usage, but it sounds to me as if you've got a good handle on the situation. Good luck and good health, my friend.
the brain is a complex thing. Too many people look down on us who have to be um... medicated. I take Paxil for anxiety. I resisted drugs for nearly twenty years and since taking them...
well, I am a completely different person
as some people on here might well know.
Be careful and have someone close by to take care of you if things get out of hand.
I like your candor
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