I'm on Effexor 75 mg a day too. I'm kind of at a crossroads and would like to know more. I don't know as much about the physiological aspects of mental health as the pyshological aspects but since I'm taking chemicals then I should know a bit more.
This is how the doctors have put it to me - that for the SSRI to be therapeutic, you need to take it for a substantial amount of time ie 6 months. It was implied that it would it gets the neurotransmitters working properly again. I realise that this is very basic knowledge, please forgive me. Basically, short terms (3 months) of Cirpamil in the past have helped me out of a rut of dp/anxiety, until last summer when I tried it again and as I upped the dosage, I got severe dp, worse than ever. I cold turkied, but started Effexor a few days later and there was immediate change, but gradual after that and now feel so much better. I have also addressed some personal issues and learnt a lot about dp that I did not know before.
I know this is not the end of the journey. But, at this crossroads, my question is, do I continue with SSRI or not? I kind of know what I have to do mentally, to help myself, but it's going to be tough. The Effexor definitely helps. I would take the side effects any day over the dp. (I was desperate) I am quite resilient to physical symptoms. So, with this in mind, it makes sense, since I was able to drop from 150mg to 75mg relatively easily, and 75 is a relatively low dose, to keep taking the Effexor. It helps obsessive thoughts and defintely lifts the mood, although depression has never been a problem for me as such. I still have my moments of dp and other mental symptoms, and worry that these would worsen if I came off Effexor.
I'm concerned about what you say above. Given the evidence that Effexor has worked for me, yes with side effects that are horrible but worth it, (the only one now being lack of sex drive and weight gain), perhaps I should continue to take it. Or, should I quit while I'm ahead and get off it, and get myself onto omega oils and all that crap?
Just to add, I don't take anything else, never touched Benzos, though have an opened bottle of valium that the doc gave me that I have so far resisted
Some advice from you chemically minded dudes would be very appreciated!