I've subscribed to this thread but havent visited the forum for a while now.
I was on Effexor a year or two ago and it was great until i got a bad case of the hives. Since then it was Cipramil as there are no other SNRI's available in Australia, max dose. Just last week i got jack of it all and went off everything cold turkey as i was drinking heavily and using valium and sleeping tablets as well and still feeling suicidal. I also ditched the psychiatrist who was no help at all and basically detroyed a supportive and healing relationship that she felt was an "unhealthy" one. But its ok i've been in another one now for a year (and yes its vanilla) but its working atm.

Anyway as i said i've had it with drs of all persuasions they are all full of shit. The drugs kept me alive but they clouded my head and made me live from one crisis to another with surprisingly little actual feeling. Now im feeling again and its great. I get "head rushes" but they'll eventually stop. I also get occasional two-hourly "melancholy" attacks some evenings but they arent really panic more flashbacks to the numbness of the drugs. I've found taking several large teaspoons of organic cold-pressed flaxseed oil when i get head rushes seems to help assuage the sore brain of withdrawal.
Its nice to feel passion again, anger as well.

To sum up the drugs helped keep me alive but they dont cure anything, i see them as a "waiting room" for my ongoing dealing with the ptsd. Its good to know its there but its like sticking your head into a marshmallow. Sometimes you need it, and i think its hould always be an option, but i can tell you from dealing with every sort of doctor under the sun for 10 years they dont know jack. Period. Or theyd really help you deal with and express your pain, which is what this is; pure and simple, pain unexpressed from being ****ed up badly in the past.

Great comments!! I agree with everything you have said. Remember they are treating the main aspect of your illness; Anxiety, Depression etc. Not working? just boost the dose. Still not working? just change to a new one.(The more expensive the better) De-realization- De-personalization? No! You must have Epilepsy, take this drug. Stay home and slobber. Can't sleep? You must have Rem Behavior Disorder! Here take Klonipin. That my friend is sarcasim. We have a high degree of tension- Maybe we all need quality Attention. I am starting the weaning process as we speak.
Good Luck