Posted by winger on September 1, 2002, at 19:34:32
In reply to Re: sex. s/e (let's try this one more time -newby) » Winger, posted by pharmrep on September 1, 2002, at 18:19:09
I have had some side effects with the effexor.. flushing, some sexual side effects although nothing major - thougth at higher doses I got the jitters and lots of physical side effects like shakes and spasams much like what you read about with the serotonin syndrome... BP seems fine so far though that is a concern of mine as high BP runs in my familly. As to withdrawal.. I tried Paxil a long time ago, when I first started having anxiety problems, and had terrible agitation and nervousness from it.. I didn't have a psych doctor then, and decided to just stop it.. The funny thing is, I felt Terrific for a week or two.. the most relaxed and in control I have been in years... I guess I was still getting the serotonin effects of the medication without the side effects, and had absolutely no withdrawal other than that.. my doctor was amazed.. same for the zoloft..
the Buspar was bad though... I lost about thirty pounds and years off my life getting off that medication!! But it wasn't as bad with the zoloft...And I would definitely try the Lexapro sans Buspar first..! it's just something I read in a study and was curious about.. I definitely will avoid that drug if possible.. It's also funny, the Buspar is supposed to take a long time to start working, but it helped me almost immediately..
I also know about the fact that at the dose I'm taking, Effexor really just an SSRI, that's one reason I want to try another SSRi .. at higher doses of Effexor, I can't take it... it's like speed to me....
Just goes to show how different all of us are!!
This is really all just one big experiment on all of us.. but it's one of the only shots we have short of doping up on the benzo drugs... or joining a tibetin monastery!!! :)
You sound like you know your stuff... at least you are giving reasonable info to people...!
It's all about what works for the individual, and about taking it slow and getting a doctor that will work with you and help you along...
no quick fix for any of this sad to say!!
I really think our modern lifestyle is the ultimate culprit - especially in our formative years.. but I'm not ready to chuck it all just yet
Ciao!!
Dave
> ** No joke...sexual s/e can be tough with SSRI's...I know it is a tough trade for some...treating the depressive componants vs sex s/e. I have heard of the buspar..and others like wellbutrin added on to SSRI's. It seems that your dose can be low enough for you and that the AD still works. Effexor is usually an SNRI, but at doses below 150 it is still an SSRI. How are you doing with the s/e? Are you experiencing increased sweating, increased blood pressure (you have to check your blood pressure with Effexor), dizziness, nausea, somnolence, insomnia, ejac disorder, or anything else? Most of all...like Paxil, you need to be aware of discontinuation s/e with Effexor...this is an AD you cant just stop and switch with..if you do...you might experience agitation, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, impaired coordination, fatigue, vertigo, vomiting,dry mouth, nervousness, and the earlier mentioned s/e. If you do try Lexapro...try it without the Buspar 1st to see if you even need it...you might not.
poster:winger
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020829/msgs/118474.html