Frustration over Doctors and Meds

[NeverDreamed]

So I was prescribed Effexor 75mg for anxiety/depression I was having during a difficult time in my life about 3 years ago.  I told my doctor I thought it was my heart, but she ended up saying I was having anxiety, I had not experienced this before.  She told me she would prescribe me something, that would not make me sleepy, or affect my sex drive, but I would have to take it daily.  Well here 3 years later, no i'm wanting to rid my body of ALL pills, but upon reading these things have a nasty W/D process too!  What should I do?  I want to be off of these too.  I don't know if I have the strength at Day 15, to go through the physical portion again... Why would my doctor not discuss this with me in the beginning?  Plus I told her I wanted to be pregnant before i'm 35 (now 32), and she didnt say anything at that point either...When i'm reading and seeing commercials Effexor can have a terrible affect on your unborn child... At this point my confidence in doctors and their knowledge is gone.  

[tomskat]

Hi again...sent you a pm so check your inbox:)Glad to see some of the others have chimed in as well!!

[NeverDreamed]

Thank you Lulu.  I've just emailed her telling her I want to be off of effexor and want to know the safest way to do that.  I also told her I'd try something else to get through this w/d process of effexor, but that I eventually want to be rid of any medication, unless dire to my health like (blood pressure, etc.)... nothing for pain or anxiety.  I never took ANY sort of medication until I was 26yrs old... Now i'm 32yrs old and a hot mess.  Dangitt!  If only we could rewind time, with the knowledge we have now, huh?

[lulu747]

Just read your new post...Find another doctor that you can be totally honest with.  There are some wonderful docs out there...Find someone that will work with you so you can achieve the best quality of life that YOU want.  It's your body and your life and YOU are in charge...
Lu

[lulu747]

Hi Never...

First of all-awesome work on 15 days!  Be proud of that.  I'm sorry you are going through this with the Effexor.  I don't have personal experience with A/D's but I am very familiar with wanting to be off all meds and not being able to just stop!

I have had a long battle with chronic illness and took just about everything my doctor(s) prescribed because I was sick and desperate and just wanted to feel better.  I have learned the hard way that I must take full responsibility for what I put in my body.  Do my research and be my own advocate.  I also learned that some medications must be tapered slowly.  It takes a lot of patience...Something that is so gosh darn difficult for a lot of us addicts(:  
We take pills to erase symptoms without treating the underlying issues...It's pretty common in our society.  I strongly believe we need to approach our health from a more holistic point of view...It takes a lot more time and effort but you can't put a price or timeline on good health...It's the most important part of life.

I would speak with your doctor and tell them how you feel and what you are going through.  Be your own best advocate.  This will be very empowering for you and hopefully a wake up for your doctor.  You WILL get off the medication in a safe way without putting your body through more stress right now.
Know that you are on the path to recovery and your dreams will be realized if you stay the course.  You can't change the past but you can arm yourself with knowledge and empower your future health choices.

Be proud of how far you've come and please be gentle with yourself...
Lu

[NeverDreamed]

Well I did get an email this morning, after I came clean with my doctor 15 days ago, she emailed me today and told me I should find a new doctor.  So hurt, here I went to her for help, and she bounced me.  I should never have told her.  Anyway I had to switch dr. today.  So maybe I can email this new one, asking for advice on what to do.  When you switched from Effexor did you go through w/d, or did the new stuff help with that?

[tomskat]

Hi there...so sorry for your present situation!! i hate to say this,but I think you should really consider tapering down off these under medical care. Find a new doctor if you have to but I would be under medical care while tapering off. I used to be on Effexor myself but ended up switching to another anti-depressant which was amazing. It made a huge diference in my life. Wishing you well. Stay strong!!