Hello down here... - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

madscientist · 03-29-2008, 09:52 PM

I've been mostly lurking around the mental health part of the boards, but figured it would be good to introduce myself and say hello to everyone. We can only isolate so much, right?

Anyway, I've been dealing with my current bout of major depression and anxiety for the last 3 years or so. I spent most of the first two years focusing on traditional talk therapy with some CBT aspects added in, trying to avoid having to go the medication route, for a few reasons.

About a year ago I bottomed out emotionally and decided that I needed to look at all the available options because the way things were going, it just wasn't to a good place. I started seeing a pdoc and got on meds. It worked wonders for my anxiety, but not as much as I would have liked for the depression, but it was back to a manageable level for the most part.

Through a variety of factors, including my pdoc and therapist continually being on my case for drinking while on the meds, family concern, and some really stupid behavior I realized a I had to quit drinking in July 2007.

I've recently switched over to Effexor XR and another med for anxiety. The Effexor seems to be helping with energy levels at least, the anxiety meds I'm not quite so enthralled with. But, I know it takes time to figure out the balance. I'm just a wee bit impatient sometimes. lol.

Well, that's a little about me. Hope to see you all around.

***nandm*** · 03-29-2008, 10:02 PM

Welcome to our mental health forum!:ghug2

barb dwyer · 03-29-2008, 11:44 PM

hi MadScientist -

I seem to remember you ... from the alcoholism forums?
Nice to see you again ...welcome!

ksos · 03-30-2008, 12:27 AM

Welcome to SR and I know you will come to view it as an extremely supportive, caring, and informative forum.

As a fellow Effexor patient, I can tell you that it has definitely worked for me, although it took 6 weeks from the time in I first took it, to work. The depression I had, truly began to lift. My anxiety definitely was helped by the medication, too, although I recall that the Effexor took around two months to work as an anti-anxiety medication.

I just want to share my experience with this medication. Of course, please do not take any advice from me or anyone, other than your own physician.

StayinAlive · 03-30-2008, 12:50 AM

Hi Mad

finding balance with this whole mental health/meds/addiction thing was a painfully slow process for me (10yrs) so i know where your coming from there. For me nothing improved till i finally had enough alcohol. Thank you for posting.

madscientist · 03-30-2008, 03:02 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Barb - I do post up in the Alcoholism forum from time to time, didn't think anyone would remember me though. *grins*

ksos - Always good to hear other's experiences with the meds, we're all different but I'm a fan of having more info to draw from than less.

StayinAlive - I'm learning slowly that my preferred timeline for a lot of things isn't necessarily what's in the bigger plan. Ahh, the wonders of learning a whole new way to live.

Hope you are all having a restful weekend!

TiredMama · 03-30-2008, 03:28 PM

Hello and welcome to the mental health forum!!

historyteach · 03-30-2008, 05:14 PM

Welcome, MadScientist!
Glad you came in and stopped lurking!
The more the merrier!
We've a great group here, very supportive.
I look forward to getting to know you!

Shalom!

reader · 03-30-2008, 05:21 PM

Welcome.... I am also a fan of Effexor!! Glad to have u on board~~

BUTTERFLY-7 · 03-31-2008, 09:53 PM

03-29-2008, 09:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
madscientist Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: VA Posts: 111	Hello down here... I've been mostly lurking around the mental health part of the boards, but figured it would be good to introduce myself and say hello to everyone. We can only isolate so much, right? Anyway, I've been dealing with my current bout of major depression and anxiety for the last 3 years or so. I spent most of the first two years focusing on traditional talk therapy with some CBT aspects added in, trying to avoid having to go the medication route, for a few reasons. About a year ago I bottomed out emotionally and decided that I needed to look at all the available options because the way things were going, it just wasn't to a good place. I started seeing a pdoc and got on meds. It worked wonders for my anxiety, but not as much as I would have liked for the depression, but it was back to a manageable level for the most part. Through a variety of factors, including my pdoc and therapist continually being on my case for drinking while on the meds, family concern, and some really stupid behavior I realized a I had to quit drinking in July 2007. I've recently switched over to Effexor XR and another med for anxiety. The Effexor seems to be helping with energy levels at least, the anxiety meds I'm not quite so enthralled with. But, I know it takes time to figure out the balance. I'm just a wee bit impatient sometimes. lol. Well, that's a little about me. Hope to see you all around. __________________ Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. ~ Churchill

03-29-2008, 10:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
*nandm* Life the gift of recovery! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home is where the heart is Posts: 6,579	Welcome to our mental health forum!:ghug2 __________________ NOTE: All BB quotes are from the 1st Edition of the Big Book Depression is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of being too strong for too long.

03-29-2008, 11:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
barb dwyer same planet...different world Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: butte mt Posts: 10,933 Blog Entries: 7	hi MadScientist - I seem to remember you ... from the alcoholism forums? Nice to see you again ...welcome! __________________ Knowledge is knowing that tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.

03-30-2008, 12:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
ksos Waiting For Engines Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: brooklyn, new york Posts: 545	Welcome to SR and I know you will come to view it as an extremely supportive, caring, and informative forum. As a fellow Effexor patient, I can tell you that it has definitely worked for me, although it took 6 weeks from the time in I first took it, to work. The depression I had, truly began to lift. My anxiety definitely was helped by the medication, too, although I recall that the Effexor took around two months to work as an anti-anxiety medication. I just want to share my experience with this medication. Of course, please do not take any advice from me or anyone, other than your own physician. __________________ Ksos "If Enough people Call You A Duck, You Better Start Quacking."

03-30-2008, 12:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
StayinAlive Crazy Cat Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Left Coast Posts: 455	Hi Mad finding balance with this whole mental health/meds/addiction thing was a painfully slow process for me (10yrs) so i know where your coming from there. For me nothing improved till i finally had enough alcohol. Thank you for posting. __________________ never stop growing

03-30-2008, 03:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
madscientist Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: VA Posts: 111	Thanks for the warm welcome! Barb - I do post up in the Alcoholism forum from time to time, didn't think anyone would remember me though. grins ksos - Always good to hear other's experiences with the meds, we're all different but I'm a fan of having more info to draw from than less. StayinAlive - I'm learning slowly that my preferred timeline for a lot of things isn't necessarily what's in the bigger plan. Ahh, the wonders of learning a whole new way to live. Hope you are all having a restful weekend! __________________ Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. ~ Churchill

03-30-2008, 03:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
TiredMama Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 536	Hello and welcome to the mental health forum!! __________________

03-30-2008, 05:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 9,303	Welcome, MadScientist! Glad you came in and stopped lurking! The more the merrier! We've a great group here, very supportive. I look forward to getting to know you! Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE

03-30-2008, 05:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
reader Alcohol is a cruel mistress!!! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: crownpoint newyork Posts: 814	Welcome.... I am also a fan of Effexor!! Glad to have u on board~~ __________________ Kerry __________Don't Tread On Me______________________ To Thine Own Self Be True!!!!

03-31-2008, 09:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
BUTTERFLY-7 FreeSpirit Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Inside My Spirit Posts: 1,275 Blog Entries: 2

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