meds question

I saw my doctor today and told her that I've been feeling kind of strange lately. I have intense mood swings, insomnia, and often feel restless or anxious for no reason. I get feelings of depression but not the same way that I did before the meds kicked in -- I'm low energy and low motivation, but I don't feel as hopeless as I used to and I'm far from being suicidal. My medication was increased by my doctor in Canada July when I was having a rough patch -- I walked into her office and burst into tears -- from 150mg venlafaxine to 225mg, and I've been on the venlafaxine now for almost a year. My doctor says I'm still showing symptoms of depression, but it also looks like I'm reacting to my medication, possibly from being on too high a dose. She said she was wary of adjusting my medication because I'm at the highest recommended dose, but she'd be uncomfortable lowering it as it might cause the depression to worsen, so she's referred me to a psychiatrist to see what he thinks we should do.

When I went to my doctor in Canada over the summer, I was back home for the first time in a few months, I was at a job that I hated beyond anything I've ever done before, and I was dealing with some stress in my family as well. These probably all had an effect on my depression. Once my meds were raised, I started feeling a lot better, and it's only been in the last month or so that I've noticed things changing.

What I wondered is if anyone knows whether it's possible for my brain chemistry to shift to the point where I needed the meds over the summer but don't need them now that I'm out of the stressful situation I was in before. I guess I don't completely understand the link between brain chemistry and external factors. Do stressers trigger fluctuations in brain chemistry, or is it the brain chemistry that changes how we react to those triggers? Because once I was on the meds, I was able to cope with my situation much better. I'd like to think that one day I'll be able to hit a rough patch in my life without shutting down like I did over the summer, that I'd be able to handle it with my own strength I've been gaining from therapy. But if it's my brain chemsitry that's messing with my coping ability, does that mean I'm going to need medication every time my life gets particularly hard in order to cope? Also, has anyone had a similar experience, with venlafaxine or otherwise? I've just started thinking about all these things ... I wish I'd thought to ask the doctor while I was in her office.

Thanks.

First, I don't know too much about meds.

I think external factors make a HUGE difference.

I also think it would be OK to call your doctor and ask the question

I agree with turquoise , ask your doctor. ((justfloating))

your brain chemistry can shift/change from day to day, hour to hour depending upon your well-being, situational things, anything

(((Just floating)))) Yep. What they said! Hugs.

I think your brain chemistry can be affected by external forces AND your brain chemistry can affect how you deal with external forces.

(((((((((((JustFloating)))))))))))

Wishing you luck in finding the right balance.