Posted by Racer on July 30, 2004, at 15:40:03
In reply to Re: FEEEEELING SO FLAT??, posted by winterbluez on July 30, 2004, at 7:27:06
You know, this is a topic I've thought about and searched for information on, and haven't really found any definitive answer. The best I can tell you is something I kinda intuitively believe, but can't back up at all: I think that a number of the drug poop-outs are really a case of the cells in the brain "learning" to ignore the drug. Kinda like I sleep through the trains outside our bedroom now, but they used to wake me up. Eventually, the brain just adapts to the drug in question, and it loses its effectiveness.
So, what does that mean in practical terms? If you were on 10mgs, and it was working, then you can probably switch to another SSRI and get a good effect, too. Talk to your doctors about which of your depressive symptoms cause you the most trouble, and use that information to choose another SSRI.
And about Effexor: I can only speak for myself, so remember that a sample size of one is totally meaningless in statistics, but I did gain weight on it -- HOWEVER, it also gave me a good run while it worked. The weight gain, by the way, was definitely linked to changes in my endocrine system, so they could have been treated pretty effectively if we'd put the pieces together at the time. Yes, it has a wicked withdrawal, but how bad that withdrawal is depends on dose to some degree. Just common sense there: if I'm taking 100mgs, and you're taking 300mgs, one of us is likely to take longer to taper off, and might have more problems, right? When I was on Paxil, I think I was taking 45mgs (might have been 30, this was a long time ago). 10mgs is a lowish dose, so you seem to metabolize more effectively than I do. In terms of Effexor, that might mean that you'd do fine on 75mgs, or even 37.5mgs. That would minimize your risk of weight gain, other side effects, and shorten any withdrawal. It might be worth a try. I hope you won't let some of the experiences of people here frighten you away from trying it, if it might help you.
Best luck to you.
poster:Racer
thread:372158
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040730/msgs/372426.html