Posted by Cam W. on June 14, 2001, at 18:57:20
In reply to positive on Effexor + don't want to stop!, posted by Emmah on June 14, 2001, at 12:18:11
Emmah - Everyone's depressive symptoms seem to be unique to them, as is their response to medications. You may have responded to Effexor's noradrenergic effects, which gave you the increased energy. Also, Effexor's serotonergic effects may also have helped to alleviate your dysthymic symptoms.
It is generally accepted that Effexor's noradrenergic reuptake blocking ability seems to significantly kick in at around 225mg, but this will differ from person to person. You may have had enough noradrenergic effect at 150mg and this may have been enough to override Effexor's sedating side effects. The decrease of 37.5mg in dose may have been enough to take the noradrenergic effects away. As everyone is different, this is just a guess.
The best approach you can use is to tell the doctor what you have told us here. Some people with dysthymia need to stay on antidepressants for life; others can take drug holidays and the dysthymia may not return.
Then again, what you may have been experiencing with the decrease in dose may have been some serotonergic withdrawl symptoms. Your doc may want to wean you completely off Effexor, hoping that the symptoms you are feeling will go away once the withdrawl effects stop. If the depressive symptoms do not return at this point, you may be able to go drug free, at least until you relapse (if you do).
Talk candidly with your doc about stopping the Effexor. If you do not feel ready to stop, tell him/her. Explain the symptoms that you are experiencing and your fears that your depression is returning. Tell your doc about the lack of energy and ask what you should do about it. Your doc will know your disorder better than us. Both of you need to come to an agreement on how to treat your disorder.
Good luck and keep us posted. - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:66461
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010612/msgs/66510.html