Wheeeee!

[crowdog66]

Oh, joy is me! O frabjous day! I get to change medications!

As anyone who's gone through more than one antidepressant knows, this is NOT a cause for jubulation -- or at least, it probably isn't. But given the alternative (the overall lack of will to live and the killer PMS symptoms I've been experiencing these last several months) it might be exactly what I need.

When I saw my GP, Dr. T, five days ago for the first time since his six-week medical leave, we concentrated on the viral bronchitis that had been laying me flat for the last five weeks. He made another appointment (today's) to deal with the issue of increasing PMS symptoms, in particular suicidality, surges of savage aggression, depression, urge to self-harm by cutting, anxiety, crying spells... and advised me that in his opinion I should go off of Nortriptyline, which I've been on for the last three years, and onto Effexor.

Effexor: an SSRI (elective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) similar to Prozac and Luvox (both of which I've been on in the past -- I habituate to antidepressants, and have to change medications every few years when the one I'm on ceases to control the symptoms). I'm still doing preliminary research on it, but already the word "suicide" is coming up MUCH too frequently for my liking as a side effect of Effexor therapy... but that might be alarmist press. It'll take more reading to get a balanced perspective on how it works and what can go wrong when taking it.

Any medication that messes with basic brain chemistry is, IMHO, to be approached like a gun that might go off at any time, and handled with caution. However, anything that might bring relief of my worsening symptoms is something to seriously consider.

Comments

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

i know someone on effexor, says it isn't that bad, and doesn't seem to be having that as a side effect from it...

good luck

*hugs*

[crowdog66.livejournal.com]

Hello, hello! (hugs back) Wow, you have the fastest keyboard in the west...

I do want to get together for coffee (there are several people who I owe a cup), but my energy levels/depression are just too low/high right now. Will you be at the Yule ritual on December 13th? I have a commitment to priestess that day, and it'll probably knock me right out! lol...

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

he he... i like lj ;D

its okay, we'll get together when you can.. and unfortunatly i work on saturday so i can't make it, but we'll get together when we can :D

^_^

antidepressents..

[metisbutterfly.livejournal.com]

I hear you, Laurie. I was terrified to even go on an antidepressent(went on Paxil, in June), but at that point i would have said "ok" if the doctor had said to help me feel better, i should bite a stick and drink whiskey. I was pretty rock bottom, or keyed up, which for GAD(anxiety disorder) is par for the course.
I feel better since being on Paxil, and recently had the dose upped. The first week or so(just coming out of it now) was not pleasant. I felt literally like i was drugged and had to sleep all the time..but now am feeling better than ever. You are right to approach with caution, but this might make you feel even better.
I have a friend on Effexor. you can email me privately if you want (gemmedazure@hotmail.com) and i can ask her for some of her feedack if you like.
Good luck..

Re: antidepressents..

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

going off paxil sucks worse than going on it... >.

Re: antidepressents..

[metisbutterfly.livejournal.com]

hi there
Yeah i've heard that..I think i'll be on it for a very long time though..

Re: antidepressents..

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

i've been on for like 3 years