Posted by PoohBear on March 5, 2004, at 9:51:17
In reply to Re: hypomania, posted by Spinxxie on March 4, 2004, at 22:22:12
> I have GAD - and thankfully my Dr. figured that out, I was diagnosed as BP when I was 16 - and placed on lithium - which made me have seizures. I went to a Neurologist, who basically crapped on my shrink at the time. After two diff consults with shrinks, finally figured out that I wasn't BP. After going through luvox then Zoloft burnout, I am gonna give this a go. I am on day 4 of Effexor, and it couldn't be worse then the Zoloft burnout, they all have side effects, just that folks dont talk about the spins,shakes, sweats and cravings. Figures it couldn't get worse, I have gained 20lbs, but I don't care I just want to be happy. Anyone else feel the same way?
Spinxxie:
I couldn't agree more. Effexor has been wonderful for me. It's given me my life back, my self-confidence and a better outlook in general.
I did, however, have to put up with the side effects at first when I was ramping up on doseage. For me these included unbelieveably vivid, technicolor dreams, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, erectile disfunction, brain zaps, etc. But, I'm glad I stuck with it. Having never really given any med a fair shake in the past, I was determined to stick with this one 'til things got better and I'm glad I did.
The side effects have subsided, my thoughts are MINE and not some incoherent stream of uncontrollable babble that was unwanted and unproductive. The darkness is gone, the suicidal thoughts are gone and I'm a much better person to be around. Effexor has attenuated my emotions somewhat, in that I don't feel down, don't get all choked up in sad movies, etc., but I am FAR, far HAPPIER.
Effexor is NOT a 'happy' pill, but it certainly has enabled me to feel a real joy of life for the first time in many years. It's unfortunate that it gets such a bad rap on these boards, but the primary people that post are those with withdrawal problems, which although VERY real, do not speak for those who never post because they're not having any problems.
Stick with it,
Tony
Effexor 150mg
Seroquel 100mg
poster:PoohBear
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040304/msgs/320576.html