Just another day

[CalicoPurpl90]

I went to sleep naturally last night and switched pillows. I think that helped me sleep a little bit better, but I still ended up sleeping in too late I think. I have an appointment set up for tomorrow with a new psychiatrist. I have always taken a cocktail of meds but I am now down to just taking the one medication, Effexor XR. I have been stable on this medication for years now and I am a little concerned about the long term effects of being on the same medication for years. I tried talking to a previous psychiatrist about this, but he was under the impression that getting off of this medication might make my symptoms worse. I am aware that discontinuation syndrome is a possible effect that may occur when getting off of antidepressants. I will have to see what this new psychiatrist has to say. I am trying to get set up with a new therapist as well. I followed up with him yesterday, so hopefully he will give me another call back sometime so I can set up an appointment with him. What has your experience been like with antidepressants? Or getting off of them for the right reasons of course? Medication or not, anxiety will always be there for me. It is in my genes.

[Hidden]

Hi, CalicoPurpl90

I understand your concern about being on a medication long term. My doctor told me that medication to treat anxiety and other related disorders are often times needed long term, along with CBT and talk therapy, etc. He relates it to other health related matters like diabetes or heart disease, where medication, long term, is necessary.

I am not new to anxiety, but I am new to medications for the treatment of my GAD. I haven't been prescribed an antidepressant, instead I am taking Clonazepam on an "as needed basis."

I have been taking Clonazepam for 10 months and it works very well for me, I also suffer from Tinnitus which my doctor believes is related to my anxiety. We discussed an antidepressant, but I wanted to try Clonazepam, as needed, rather than take something everyday. This may change in the future, of course.

I do hope someone who has experience with antidepressants will offer up some advice to you. I am interested in learning more about antidepressants.

I hope you get the call back very soon.

[CalicoPurpl90]

Hi Emilee-b,

Thanks. The therapist I was trying to get set up with did call me back yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, he is not taking new patients at this time and has a full plate. He informed me that he also conducts psychological evaluations and they tend to take up a lot of his time, otherwise he would be able to fit me in sometime next week. He still has my name and number in case a spot opens up later on. In the meantime, there is a therapist in the same office as my new psychiatrist that I am interested in seeking services with if I can manage to get consistent appointments with her. Otherwise I will have to keep looking. When it comes to therapy I am a little bit more selective. That is great that you found Clonazepam to work well for you. I used to take clonazepam more regularly and then moved to on an "as needed basis." Unfortunately, I didn't find it to be effective and I eventually had to get off of it. The appointment I have today will serve as an initial evaluation. Hopefully it will go well, and I won't have to be switched to a different provider or something like that.

[Hidden]

Hi Calicopurpl90

I have been taking Effexor XR 75 mg for 20 years, same dosage. I was lucky to find one that works well for me. I never had to switch to different meds. The only problem with Effexor you cannot stop taking it cold turkey or tapper your dosage, because the withdrawal symptoms is pure hell!

You must have your doctor to ween you off, because the doctor will give you meds to help prevent the side effects.

I'm 62 and I have accepted the fact that if I have to take antidepressants for the rest of my life in order for me to live a normal and happy life, then so be it!

[CalicoPurpl90 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Weeden. I have heard that the withdrawal symptoms of coming off of Effexor can be very unpleasant. Right now I am taking the maximum dosage of Effexor XR 225mg. I was taking Lamictal and Lexapro but have come off of those meds and just have the Effexor for now. That's great that you found an antidepressant that works for you. Right now I am sticking with it. With everything going on, I'm not sure if I feel comfortable coming off of it quite yet.