Posted by Bett L. Martinez on September 8, 1999, at 1:31:16
In reply to Re: Effexor dose, posted by Toby on October 26, 1998, at 15:13:08
> Effexor 37.5 mg per day is actually the usual starting dose, so I would perceive it as a generally very low dose. In people that are sensitive to meds, though, who can say what dose will cause a reaction? One interesting thing about Effexor, though, is that at low doses it acts like an SSRI but the higher the dose goes, the more it adds norepinephrine and then at fairly high doses it adds dopamine (for our pleasure center). So, if you have the strange SSRI side effects at low doses, they MAY go away at higher doses as the norepinephrine and dopamine override the serotonin effects.
> If the SSRI's consistently gave you intolerable side effects, there's probably a good reason for that. I think (personal opinion) that this may be a sign that some other chemistry is involved and another class of medication is indicated.
> I have also read about the robust response to Effexor possibly being an indication of bipolar, but I don't think that is being conclusively shown in follow-up studies. Basically, many more people have robust responses to Effexor than to other medications, so it's not unusual that some would turn out to be bipolar; plus the fact that antidepressants can sometimes cause a manic reaction in some people, even though they are not truly bipolar. If you just felt really good on it without the other signs of mania, I would take that as a positive sign for future response, not as a sign of impending bipolar disorder.
A pharmacist told me about this site awhile ago, but didn't have the URL. I came upon it tonight by accident, searching for info beyond the hype on Aricept (donepezil).I am an educator,who performs a mixed combination of functions for clients related to health situations, depending on need: information, advocacy, support.
Don't have medical background, but have training as a professional information broker, i.e. can use professional databases, and am good at informational interviewing.
have a new client, wife of an Alzheimer's sufferer. The dilemma now is when to find a facility for him, what would be appropriate.
Reading about Aricept, the Scandinavian study, just reported on at a major congress, I thought, "Wow! Perhaps this could delay the day...!"
Finding this site I see that Aricept has been around for a couple of years. :Not only that but several people (assume docs) report as a side effect, incontinence of urine.
Recalling I was told he's recently been put on a new drug that is supposed to help -- I now have a hunch that drug is Aricept, and that what was taken to be a new and worsening symptom may actually be a side effect of medication!
Will keep you posted.Meanwhile, a question: Have you heard anything about augmentation of Adderall (for ADHD) with low doses of Effexor?
Could find nothing on this...thank you,
Bett L. Martinez
WomenPause and WELL-BEING
WomenPause@aol.com.
poster:Bett L. Martinez
thread:932
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/11213.html