Posted by Cindylou on April 12, 2001, at 18:25:19
In reply to Re: Effexor XR:5 weeks:no effect:HELP!!!, posted by PaulW on April 12, 2001, at 11:03:06
Hi Paul,
You are in a tough spot right now, and I feel for you. Is there any way you could find another doctor? He sounds pretty lame when it comes to meds. Is he a psychiatrist?My first instinct is to suggest getting off the Effexor and trying something else ... maybe Zoloft or Prozac, or a higher dose of Paxil than you were on before. Since the Paxil worked well for you before, I don't think you'd have trouble adjusting to the Prozac or Zoloft. And since the Effexor has built up in your system, my guess is that the new med wouldn't take as long to take effect.
I know you can start another SSRI while you're weaning off the Effexor (my doc and I tried that, but I have a bad reaction to all SSRIs, so it didn't work for me.) I think being on another SSRI while going off the Effexor can help with the withdrawal symptoms, too.
Also, it's too bad that your doctor didn't want to augment -- was that because he wanted to wait until you've been on the Effexor longer? Or is he against augmenting all together? There has been a lot of success for a lot of people who are on combinations of meds.
The best news is you've got two weeks off of work to work this out, and to rest and take care of yourself. Also, it sounds like your colleagues are really supportive.
Keep us posted on how you're doing --
Thinking of you,
Cindy>
> Cindylou,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:Cindylou
thread:58816
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010411/msgs/59596.html