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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Isabella on August 5, 2004, at 1:22:26
I have recently moved to a different city and have lost the priveledge of having insurance to fund my much needed anxiety medication - I'm down to 1/2 month's worth of Effexor XR - I've been taking it for a year and have found that it stops the crying spells (3-4 hrs at a time usually) and I'm able to maintain a solid line of thought. Despite the success, there are many things that disturb me about taking the medication.
#1 Money
I don't have the money right now to continue with a $300 some payment monthly.
#2
I would like someday to have children - what are the chances that this drug that hasn't been around long enough to say isn't screwing up my natural process for reporducing? It can be very scary to think about the reprocusions...
#3
I believe the Effexor has worked, but I have lost a lot of my "feelings". I am able to work - and work I do, like a machine in fact. It almost seems as if I've become, well, German in nature.
Anyway...to make a long story short, I'd like to consider going off of the drug, but i'm scared of what will become of me. I fear becoming adversly depressed and unable to function, or overemotional. Has anyone else experienced these reactions? I don't think that I will go on any medication soon in the future. I'd like to go it with a naturopath (sp?) or something of that sort. In other words, I'd like to keep it as natural as possible - I know my family has a history of depression, but is there a way around that without medication?Any input is welcome. I feel pretty alone since I function in a world where it seems everyone else is born without this "problem". Thanks.
Posted by crazychickuk on August 5, 2004, at 5:59:02
In reply to Going off of Effexor XR (225mg), posted by Isabella on August 5, 2004, at 1:22:26
O dear, my advice to you is gonna be what you are not looking for, if depression runs in your family then there must be some kind og chemical imbalance in your brain, which you will need medication to fix and to keep taking, i dont really know how hard it is for insurance for medications in the usa as i live in the uk and get my prescription for free, if you want to come of effexor you may not find another med that will help you in the same way, is there any other way around this ? to stick to effexor for a little longer and come of it maybe very very slowely i mean drop about 10 mg every week? as effexor is very very hard to come of off, and then maybe go to prozac after as prozac is usually used to come of effexor?
Posted by Bill LL on August 5, 2004, at 8:46:38
In reply to Going off of Effexor XR (225mg), posted by Isabella on August 5, 2004, at 1:22:26
1) Money- Have you tried going to a Target pharmacy? They seem to have the lowest prices on prescriptions. Also- if you can't afford it and your income is below a certain level, the manufacturer will give it to you for free. A doctor has to submit the request.
2) I wouldn't worry about the children aspect unless you take it while you are pregnant. And even then, I have never heard of any real problems.
3) Natural methods do not work for moderate to sever depression. For example, St John's Wort only works for mild depression. SAM-e sometimes works for moderate depression, but the 1600 mg daily dose may be more expensive than Effexor.
If I were you, I would try to stay on Effexor, or atleast some sort of prescription drug.
Posted by Camille Dumont on August 5, 2004, at 11:16:14
In reply to Going off of Effexor XR (225mg), posted by Isabella on August 5, 2004, at 1:22:26
Ouch, its not good having to get off the meds for financial reasons but I would recommend getting a script for something to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.
Celexa worked for me and you can get the generic stuff which is like 30$ for the 20mg ... a rather good deal.
Posted by Isabella on August 5, 2004, at 15:37:11
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor XR (225mg), posted by Bill LL on August 5, 2004, at 8:46:38
Hi all. Thanks for responding to my message about going off of Effexor XR. After reading the 4 responses, I'm considering staying on it. After all, I think it may be best. It's a funny thing, but I can't remember how "out of whack" I was before taking the medication. I have since however, stopped drinking altogether, taken up exercising, and am currently in very healthy relationships which is more than i can say for before I was on the meds. It has seemed to turn my whole life around - either that, or it was phsychosymatic??
Is it possible that I have been at all cured from taking the medication or is it going to be a lifelong thing? Thanks Bill - I believe you about the chemical imbalance within a family of depression, I'm just wondering if anyone has had experience with it "changing the chemicals" and then moving on without meds? I guess I'm just wishing hopefully. It sure would save on $ for meds and maybe I'd get some of my sex "sensation" back (I heard Viagra helps).
Posted by Bill LL on August 9, 2004, at 9:28:50
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor XR (225mg), posted by Isabella on August 5, 2004, at 15:37:11
A lot of people ask that same question about whether antidepressants can be discontinued. I have never seen a definitive answer and I suspect that there may not be one that fits everybody.
For example, antibiotics cure an infection, then you can stop taking them. Do antidepressants work this way? I don't know. The answer is more clear for someone who is anxious or depressed about a life event such as tremendous stress related to rape, other abuse, college courses, relationship problems, etc. For those people, the drugs would probably not be needed indefinitely.
But a lot of people, including myself, have been very anxious and depressed for as long as they can remember. It's not clear if these people will be able to discontinue medications in the future without having their symptoms return. I sort of doubt that I will ever be able to stop taking antidepressants without going back to how I use to feel. But there are a lot of people who take these drugs during rough times, and then are able to stop taking them.
This is the end of the thread.
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