Posted by Clayton on November 7, 2003, at 10:10:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl, posted by highhopes on November 6, 2003, at 23:22:07
Re: Effexor question » Smilez
Posted by Clayton on November 7, 2003, at 9:24:39In reply to Re: New Wellbutrin user - happy so far, posted by Smilez on November 6, 2003, at 21:18:23
Hi!
If you are willing to share and as your time permits, would you tell me about your symptoms? Why was Effexor prescribed for you?
I've been on Paxil for three years and it was only about 20% efficacious in controlling SAD and mood depresion.
I found a new pdoc and he is great! We are loooking for optopns re: antidepressant(s) that brings norepinepine into play and your med is one such option. But, goodness, just look at the horror stories about Efexxor on this site.
On my first visit, the new doc added Remaron as an adjunct to the Paxil. Remaron is unique. It works by increasing production of both seraronin and norepinephine, not by reuptake inhibition. It works in 3 days to a week (not 6 weeks like the SSRIs) and doen't eliminate your libido.
For me, it (Remaron), in conjunction with Paxil, was the keys to the kingdom. My mood is up 90%. I have not has a single SAD attack in the five months I'v beeen on this conbo. I'm doing things I haven't done for decades. It set me free.
Remaron & Paxil are synegistic on the seratonin side as one increases production and the other keeps it in you brain. But the doc (the only really good pdoc I've ever seen) prescribed too high a dose of Remaron. That resulted in way too much seratonin and I suddenly became bipolar for the first time in my life. (Crying and wailing followed by ranting - not like me AT ALL). So we've diled back the Remaron dose and I was given Zyprexa as a short term treatment for the bipolar symptons until the seraonin is dialed in correctly. But we both agree that norepinephrine was the major reason Remaron helped so much and are now vigilant about watching the seratonin levels.
We are considering continuing the Remaron for SOME seratonin support and dumping the SSRI Paxil in exchange for Strattera, a SNRI. This shifts the synergistic action to the norepinephrine side. ( I'm a little wary of dumping the med approved for SAD by the FDA), but I think it's a good idea, given that I have an amotivational syndrome, too.
But we want to consider all options and that is why I'm asking about the SSNRI, Effexor. Anything you are willing to share about your symptoms and Effexor's efficacy and effects and side-effects is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much!
poster:Clayton
thread:3670
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031105/msgs/277442.html