Posted by sjb on March 1, 2004, at 13:45:03
In reply to Re: Effexor and Alcohol, posted by Mr. B on March 1, 2004, at 10:01:11
Mr. B,
First of all, I think your father is very fortunate to have you for a son. Your care and concern come through and you should be very proud of this, although you may want to take care that this care does not tip the scales to co-dependency. I do not know your situation, your fathers age, etc. and am in no position to judge, but in the final analysis, he is responsible for himself, just as we are for ourselves. You may not be able to take care of him if he is not ready to care for himself.
I am sorry to hear about the troubles with Effexor and the role that alcohol has played in your family. I'm not a huge fan of Charlie Sheen, but I believe he was correct when he called booze the "devil's urine." I, too, am from Irish decent and accept that there maybe some ethnic predisposition to alcohol abuse.
I do not know if your father is under any official medical care at this point, but urge you not to throw out the baby with the bath water, so to speak. I know it is frustrating. I know there are so many, so called "experts" who just don't have a clue. But keep trying. Regardless of what path is chosen, meds, no meds, AA, whatever, I do think professional help is still in order.
I don't think we'll know about Effexor, and other ADs for that matter, until more time passes and more stories come out. I would like to know why Effexor has more horrible side effects when tapering off of it than other meds. What is it doing to us when we are on it? The half life, yes, but I think there is more to it.
Best wishes to you, your father and your family. May you find peace and health.
poster:sjb
thread:317303
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040228/msgs/319079.html