Checking In

Had my pdoc appointment....she wants me to raise my dose another 75mg which will be 300mg Effexor!!! My goodness....I'm a bit scared being up that high. If I miss a dose I'm going to be in hell (any one who takes Effexor will know what I'm saying)....not to mention if I ever get a chance to titrate down. I asked what if this dose still doesn't hold me and she was like we will go up again....I thought 300mg was the highest dosage? Anyway Im going to up it 37.5mg this week and then another 37.5mg next week as I always get funny head feeling for a few days. Sigh* I asked her why am I like this...other people can function normal without going through this...she says...go to the supermarket...look at the people...every 1 in 5 people are experiencing something similar to varying degrees...they hide it and don't talk about it. Still....why cant I be in the 4 out of 5 people LOL. Need to get some CBT happening soon as well, I think that would be very beneficial and maybe I could stop going up in meds. Anyway that's my update and rant for today....love you all xx Oh I also asked about alcohol as have not touched a drop for months and wouldn't mind the odd social drink...she said one/two should be ok.....at least that's something.

Its great that you're thinking about therapy - it will be such an ally in your recovery. I tend to believe that anxiety is a behaviour-related issue (as in we tend to modify our behaviour to suit what the anxiety wants) so behaviour therapy is hugely beneficial to an overwhelming majority of people. Expect that it will be uncomfortable because you will be pretty much forcing yourself to feel all the things you usually try to avoid, and intentionally putting yourself in situations that make you feel a bit crap. But all that is normal, and by doing this kind of supported and safe exposure to these feelings, you will learn over time to tolerate them and eventually they will go away altogether.

That being said, you always have the option to seek a second opinion from another doctor if you want. That's always open to you, people do it all the time.

2F.,

Great job on continually seeking to manage your challenges.:)

I absolutely support and cheer you on in getting started with CBT!! I can't tell you how much benefit I found through going through it myself!

We have a lot of self help material that is CBT based in the Resources if you want to get a jump start while you find a therapist and await an appointment! I did a combination of self-help along with therapy...and it was really effective!

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Best wishes on our increase, and keep us posted as to your progress.

S.C.