Posted by PaulW on April 12, 2001, at 11:03:06
In reply to Re: Effexor XR:5 weeks:no effect:HELP!!! » PaulW, posted by Cindylou on April 9, 2001, at 13:37:23
> To Paul --
> Hang in there -- from your postings, your IQ doesn't seem to have suffered -- you are a thoughtful and creative writer, and express your thoughts very clearly (keeping a sense of humor, too) despite the "brain fog" that I too have experienced all too often on our friend Effexor.
>
> I totally understand how you don't want to start over and try again, now that you've reached the 6 week mark ... I had a similar experience ... VERY bad reaction in the beginning but I was such a wreck I just trusted my doctor and hung in there. That was 8 months ago, and the Effexor did start helping my depression and anxiety, but I never got over the brain fog and exhaustion, so now I am tapering off.
>
> However, if your "brain fog" persists even after the Effexor starts working, talk to your doctor about adding Wellbutrin or Aderall -- I know that's helped for some people. I added Wellbutrin, and it helped for me somewhat; just not enough.
>
> Now that I am on the other side of things, I did learn a lesson, and will take JohnL's route -- trying meds quickly, and if they have bad reactions in the beginning, trying something else. But for now, hang in with the Effexor -- it did help me manage a major depression/anxiety episode (postpartum -- a whole new ballgame from the "regular clinical depression" I'm used to.)
>
> In your corner,
> Cindy
>
> > > Hi Paul,
> > > Though my views are sometimes controversial, I no longer trust or believe in the long torturous six week wait. To me that is just a sign of an inferior drug match. I prefer superior ones, which are characterized by fairly rapid response, complete response, and few side effects.
> > >
> > > I suffered for years and years trying one antidepressant after another in long trials. It wasn't until I started a new program of rapid fire sampling that I began to get better. No more long trials. I tried each of three antipsychotics for a week each, three stimulants for a few days each, and mood stabilizers for a couple weeks each. I was able to sample more drugs in a few months than would have otherwise taken years. I'm glad I did.
> > >
> > > Most of those drugs were duds. That is, they did nothing in a week or two, or they had bad side effects, or they made me worse. However, a few drugs stood out as being superior matches. I felt better with them almost immediately. Side effects were nill. Why was that? In my layman thinking it was evidence of a good match between my chemistry and the drug. The drugs that stood out as being obviously, without a doubt, superior for me were Prozac, Zyprexa, Amisulpride, and Adrafinil. Each came with fairly rapid response. If not for quick sample trials, I would still be suffering way back in the SSRI category, and could likely have lost my job, wife, or life. In just a couple months I was able to identify which drugs to consider for longer trials. I see no sense in committing to a long trial until a medication has proved in a short time that it is worth the committment. It has to prove itself for me to commit.
> > >
> > > Anyway, there is always more than one way to solve a problem. I prefer the quickest way.
> > >
> > > There is evidence in every clinical trial of patients who responded quickly in one day to two weeks. There is ample real life evidence right here at this board and in the archives. In my own therapy I wanted to be one of those quick responders. It was simply a matter of trying enough medicines to see which would do it. Most were frustrating disappointments. They probably would have been ok if given more time, but they would have also been acting indirectly through chain reactions. I didn't want that. I wanted something that would work directly. When it works directly on the real problem, it works fast. It's quite simple logic really, and supported completely by the facts, and yet is not embraced by many people. But it is a view to consider if you really want to get well as fast as possible.
> > >
> > > Weed out the losers. Identify the winners. Quick trials will do that. Then end result is you can get completely well in a fraction of the time.
> > > John
> >
> > John
> > thanks for your reply, but, given the postings from the good people above, you can probably apppreciate the dilemna I'm facing.
> > Given that effexor xr has been sloshing around me for 5/6 weeks now, a decision to quit would no doubt require the tapering regime repeatedly advised elsewhere.And then what? I am too far gone for a quick fix, although, what I'd give for that right now. I admire your courage , effort and discipline you've approached finding the right med. I, meanwhile, dumbly retain faith in my doc's musings, who sees me for 5 minutes max every fortnight. My fault, but my confidence is so shattered at present,I don't have the wherewithal to make decisions for myself at the moment. I do feel that the various ADs I've dabbled with have jellied my brain somewhat.
> >
> > Michele ,thanks, I've been following your postings since you appeared to be mirroring my regime here. I too have had the odd day when I feel 'normal' again and could barely sleep with excitement that I'd cracked it, only to gingerly awake the next morning for the grey weight to start descending again. Please keep posting and I hope it remains positive for you. Do you mind saying whether you experience depression and/or anxiety. For the record, I enjoy both conditions, although I feel that the depression is anxiety lead.
> > The reason I ask is to try and assist me in deciding whether XR is the ticket for me.
> > James, just how far can I bump this one up?
> >
> > Hey Ho, Happy Days. Thanks to all for replying.
> >
> > Tis Friday night and I must get on with my self obsessing, rather than drag my light hearted thoughts down the pub with my girlfriend and others. They just don't know what they're missing
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > PaulCindylou,Michele, James and John
Thanks for all your replies and hope all is well.I went to my docs yesterday and came out concluding that he's even more of a bumbling idiot than I am.
I've now had 4 weeks 75mg FXR, followed by 2 weeks three days at 150mg.
Despite my reporting that I am still courting the tiredness, yawning, occasional nausea and general all round malaise, he wants me to continue on 150mg for a further two weeks.He also gave me a sick note for two weeks off work, which I am taking advantage of, because I cannot face the prospect of administrating another days incompetence on the organisation. I called my boss and made the big announcement and he was OK. Ten minutes later I began to receive supporting e mails from my colleagues, saying 'don't think about work',' we're all rooting for you' and the best one' don't be paranoid and think that everyone's talking about you'!!!. This is from the poor folk I'm employed to 'manage'!
So today, i've felt OK and the depression has lifted slightly, although I've had days like this before. Is it because I'm not at work or is FXR doing it's job?
But, I'm wondering about your post and John L's. You said that the tiredness remained for 8 months and given that my side effects haven't dissipated after 6/7 weeks, will they ever?
I had great success on Paxil (only 20mg) previously in that it made me feel 'normal' which is all I would ever wish from an AD. However, this time round, the Paxil induced my first ever major panic attack and record breaking anxiety and I got the hell off. Since then Wonder Doc has tried me on Gaminal (TCA) and now FXR.
Given that the depression has lifted a touch, maybe Paxil will work for me again?
However, this episode has been the worst ever in my merry 34 years and I've been suicidal. Maybe the Paxil does not kick enough?
My doc has probably never heard of Wellbutrin even and he cringed when I suggested augmenting.
He also queried the need to monitor my BP when on FXR.I live In the UK btw. Maybe I shouldn't?I do not expect him to wave a magic wand and the whole world will be an orgy of singing and dancing, but I don't particularly want him to send me on a one way to Blunted Boulevard, with only the pains of withdrawal to relish.
Shall I give it another week?
Michele, I hope that you've made some progress. have you had any more 'wow' days?
Please let me know
Thankyou
Paul
poster:PaulW
thread:58816
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010411/msgs/59539.html