With having to withdraw from Effexor, and trying to find a new anti-depressant, the last few weeks have been challenging. When the withdrawal process began, I was angry and physically felt awful. I was angry because I was having to stop taking a medication that had helped my mental health so much. Physically, I felt so bad because of what Effexor had been doing to my body and the effects of the withdrawal process.

There were times during that process when I did not think that what I was going through was worth it. I felt like I was unraveling mentally. The withdrawal process was worse than I had imagined it would be. I became difficult to be around, and did not want to be around anyone.

Slowly, I started to feel better. In fact, I felt better than I had in months. I did not feel like I had to struggle everyday to stay awake and move. I became more active, taking walks and spending more time outside. My blood pressure was become lower and so were my blood glucose readings.

The real pay off for all that I have gone through these last few weeks came on Thursday. I had an appointment with my medical doctor. The last time I spoke with him he was worried, very worried about my health. This time he was pleased with what he saw. Although my blood glucose readings are not within target range yet, they are considerable lower than they used to be. He took a reading while I was in his office and it was 188. My blood pressure was 140/90, last time I was there it was 186/129. I have even lost some weight. It made me feel happy to be able to go into the doctor’s office and hear good news, and not see a look of worry on everyone’s faces.

I feel good mentally and physically. All of the uncomfortableness of the last few weeks has been worth it. I even learned a few things about myself. I learned that even in a basically unmedicated state I am in much better mental health than I was last year. I learned that I am stronger than I gave myself credit for. I also learned to have a greater appreciation for all that I have gained over the last year and a half.