Posted by sid on February 6, 2002, at 19:38:34
In reply to Re: Sid: about drug switching....., posted by Anna Laura on February 5, 2002, at 20:38:30
Anna Laura,
first let me say that I'm no expert on this at all. But I've read many posts on this borad about people who have switched a lot and are finding it hard to find something that works the second or third time around. Also, my doctor recommends not to switch med unless there is a good reason. I read some recommendations about not switching ADs unless there's agood reason (poop out or serious side effects).You talk about combos... I'm still on one med only, which we'll augment later with "another molecule". I am not sure what it'll be yet. I never took ADs before (no other meds except antibiotics and aspirin), and the first one my doc prescribed seems to be working so far (Effexor XR for the past 2.5 months). We have increased the dosage to 75mg and I am not sure how high we'll go. I am trying to heal dysthymia and anxiety, and so far, I'm doing well. I am not even sure if we'll increase the dosage - right now I don't see it as necessary. I'm seeing my doc tomorrow, we'll see what she says. Anyhow, I figure that if I stay on Effexor XR, it should take about 6 months to get to the right dosage (if it changes again), 1 year maintenance, then tapering. Plus more time perhaps at some point for another molecule (not sure of the timing of that). Overall, I expect this adventure to be a 2-year thing for me. Then it'll be time for me to have babies before it's too late! I'm on a schedule. :-)
So I don't have a clear answer about how long it might take to find the right combo for you. I have expectations for myself, conditional on the fact that Effexor XR does not poop out. Things may not happen that way for me.
I think that first you need to be in sync with your doc about what needs to be accomplished, and how you can try to do so. From your previous message, that does not seem to be happening with you doc yet. So perhaps you should change doc, and ask your new doc or her that question. I don't know your entire story, and again, I'm not an expert at all.
- sid
poster:sid
thread:92902
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/93120.html