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Posted 10/19/2008 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all

Im new to this forum and was wanting to find out what medications you guys are taking for GAD & Depression? I have been suffering with these conditions for 20yrs but have only recently started taking medication at the start off last year when i was diagnosed. I have gone through a course of therapy which i did find useful but now thats stopped my symptoms are getting a lot worse again and im feeling really down about the whole thing and just want to start feeling better. I am constantly worrying about the smallest of things such as money, family members etc etc, i constantly think i have something wrong with me and find it hard to interact with people socially. I am taking 20mg of Citalopram in the morning and 45mg of Mirtazapine at night along with 20mg off Temazepam to help me sleep. I was at the doctors at the start of the week and he was thinking off taking me off the Citalopram and Mirtazipine and putting me on something called Venlafaxine is any one taking this medication? he has also referred me back to the mental health team. It would be great to hear from you guys and any advise would be welcome.


cry
Posted 10/19/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Unhappy,

First of all welcome to the Anxiety and Panic forum. You have really come to a good place and I think you will like it here.

I take venlafaxin also, but I know it as effexor. Actually I take the time release kind. They are capsules. It works for me. But once you are on it, you are pretty much on it for good. It is a hard medication to get off of. The symptoms are pretty rough. But if it works for you, it works well.

I hope that the effexor works for you.

Karen
Posted 10/20/2008 1:59 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Unhappy,

Welcome to HW, I hope we can help you out here. I think your doctor referring you back to the mental health team is a great step. It may be that you need a "top up" with your therapy. I know I need to from time to time. It's easy to forget the tools we have learned and it sounds like your GAD is getting on top of you again.

I'm not on any of those meds, but I'm sure some of members are and they will be along soon with advice on that.

For my anxiety I find it's really helpful to keep a journal. That stops all the neagtive, worrying thoughts from running around in my head. Once I have them all down on paper it's easier to be rational about them. I also try and keep active (I love jogging) as it helps burn off that excess adrenaline and boost my endorphins. Just a ten minute walk outside, or going down to a cafe for a coffee can boost my mood. We have some resources here you might like to look at also, You will find them at the top of the page under Wen's name.

Again, welcome, I'm so glad you have joined. Hang in there okay?

Meg

Posted 10/20/2008 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys

Thanks so much for your posts its really helpful to hear from other people with the same problems. I am looking forward to going back to therapy as i did find it very useful i had CAT therapy which is a longer version of CBT and looks more at were all the problems began and then ways of dealing with those issues. They also gave me lots of ideas on ways off managing my anxiety and depression to a manageable level. My problem is putting it all into action as i find once i get anxious or depressed its very hard to do anything. I think because i have had these problems for so long its going to take a while to sort out.

I think the idea off keeping a journal is a good idea and i will give that a go. Im finding at the moment that i am so fatigued i dont really want to do any sort of exercise. I think insomnia is one off my main symptoms does any one else find this? I also find that if im not sleeping my anxiety and depression gets a lot worse. I will try and get some exercise in as i can see how that will help.

I had heard that effexor was very addictive and hard to come off and will need to chat to doctor about that, but i find the meds im taking at the moment seem to work when i first start taking them but then seem not to be doing much after a couple of weeks and i still get all the symptoms.

Thanks again to you both for replying to my post it means a lot and i hope all is well with you and if there is any thing i can do to help let me know.

Ben
Posted 10/20/2008 7:25 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Ben.  I have been taking venlafaxine for three years and it gave me my life back.  It works as well now as when I first started taking it.  I am quite happy to be on it for the rest of my life.  I don't care what I take as long as I get quality of life.

I wish you all the very best.

Janice

Posted 10/20/2008 8:02 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Ben and Welcome to HealingWell.  I am so glad to meet you.  You have received some great advice from the other members. I have not taken any of the meds you have mentioned but glad to see input from others.

I have read info on CAT and it is a very good therapy.  Glad to know your going to get back into it.

I am sorry that it took me so long to answer your post.  I have a sister with a Stage 4 Cancer and I am her caregiver these last 5 days. Finally found a puter today.

Keep posting here and know that we support you.

Kitt


Posted 10/20/2008 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Janice

Thanks for your reply. Its good to hear that venlafaxine is working for you and that you are happy being on it. It would be good to hear from other people who are taking this medication and your experiences on it?

I do agree with you regarding that you dont mind what you take as long as you get quality of life. I think when i go back to the mental health team i will ask them about stoping the meds i am on now and see if venlafaxine would work for me.

Thanks again Janice hope all is well with you.

Ben
Posted 10/20/2008 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt

Thanks for your reply. I am finding this forum very useful it great to hear from people. Yes CAT is a very good therapy i had twenty two sessions and found it very helpful. As i mentioned before its keeping things going when therapy has finished that i am finding hard. Im feeling at my wits end at the moment and just want things to start getting better again.

Thanks again

Ben
Posted 10/20/2008 8:23 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Ben,

I am sharing your anxiety so I do know how you are feeling.  I went through many meds and was in therapy for 9 months.  The therapy helped and getting my feelings out helped.  Right now I have major issues going on and trying to keep the anxiety down is hard.

I use HealingWell often as it helps me to read other posts and to help others, as well, accept the support and caring I receive from the whole HW family.

If you look  on the right next to this post you will see the links to our resource center, take a peek when you have time. :-)

I wish you peace.

Kitt

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