Posted by blazer on April 9, 2001, at 7:45:33
In reply to Re: Advice on effexor xr, posted by stjames on April 4, 2001, at 14:22:59
> > Hellllllllo....
> > I have been taking 150 mg of effexor xr. To be honest, these posts have scared me so much. This is my first AD and looks like I was prescribed the potential for some really bad stuff. My doctor who I saw yesterday said that there are no withdrawal symtoms like that... and won't prescribe me lower doses until i take it longer. I have taken it 6 weeks, and feel no reason to take it any longer. It just hasn't seem to do me any good. I have some prozac on hand.... what do you think? Could I stop this 150 cold turkey and immediately take prozac? My doctor just won't listen... and I want to get off this fast..... seeing as how I'm out of work for a couple of weeks... would be the perfect time. Any help?
>
> James here....
>
> Given it takes 6-8 weeks for AD's to start working
> unless you are willing to wait this long it does not really matter what AD you take as none of them is going to start working this soon.
>
> JamesJames.... Read this article my PDOC wrote for a study.
This artice was provided by my PDOC the other day. It is quite interesting.
The recent article by Schatzberg et al! helps physicians increase their awareness on the discontinuation syndrome
that may occur when patients stop taking their antidepressants. It is now clear that many physicians are unaware
of the existance of antidepressant withdrawal symptons and that education is needed for both psychiatrists and
family practice physicians. I n order to improve recognition of the sympton clusters that constitute the
discontinuation syndrome, I have introduced the mnemonic FINISH, indicating the symptoms that may occur
when patients "finish" their course of antidepressants.Flu- like symptons, Insomnia, Nausea, Imbalance, Sensory disturbances, and Hyperarousal(anxiety/agitation are
the 6 core symptons that sometimes developeafter discontinuation of antidepressant therapy. Awareness of this
mnemonic should increase recognition of the syndrome and improve the advice given to patients with respect to
discontinuation of their medications.Mark J. Berber M.B,M.R.C.Psych.,F.R.C.P.C.
poster:blazer
thread:58671
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010403/msgs/59173.html