Posted by TommyIsland on September 15, 2004, at 18:22:03
In reply to Re: My Effexor Xr Story: 5 Years of going nowhere, posted by jrbecker on September 15, 2004, at 11:20:36
> > Hi Tommy,
> >
> > I am so sorry you are experiencing so much pain! But hang in there...there are lots of great people on this board with lots of good adivce!
> >
> > I too have been on Effexor Xr for 5 years. Until I got on a mood stabilizer (Zonegran), it just kept me barely afloat, so I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm not suggesting you need a mood stabilzier, though. Maybe adding something to *boost* the Effexor Xr, to give you more energy and increase the anhedonia side effects you're feeling. I know Wellbutrin is one med that is used, and it also helps with the sexual side effects. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some other suggestions (Scott?)
> >
> > Also, you might consider switching to Cymbalta, which is similar to Effexor with less side effects...check out some of the latest posts here - there's a bunch of people giving it a go for the first time!
> >
> > Good luck to you and keep us posted,
> > Sooshi
>
> I'll echo the recommendation for a trial of Cymbalta. Your complaints about the good/bad side of effexor truly resonate with my own. It was my mainstay drug [on/off] for the last 6 years.
>
> So far, Cymbalta has been less "zombie-like" and the side effects are less noticeable (e.g., sexual, sedation, apathy). If you try it, be conservative and start low. Perhaps try 30 mg for a couple weeks while you cross-taper off the effexor. And then, instead of upping to 60mg, you might want to trial 40mg (20mg twice daily). This might be enough for you and will keep the anergic side effects at bay.
>
> Good luck.
>
> JB
>Thanks for the encouragement - it really helps to hear other people our there can relate and have similar stories. One thing I didn't mention is that I've also been taking Depakote at a rate of (2) 500 MG tablets a day. Now I don't know too much about the side effects of this med except for long term Liver damage, I've heard and believe the hair thinning / loss thing.......but I really don't know too much about what good it would do in my position. Like I said earlier, I am Unipolar and never suffer from Mania and it would seem to me from my studies of this med, that it is necessary for somebody with mania but for someone who is always depressed such as myself I do not see the benefit of it. What can any of you tell me for some advice here? Could the Depakote be responsible for putting me into such a "Zombie" state of mind also? I also think I'm going to make the switch to Cymbalta. Please get back to me with some suggestions to my questions.
Thanks,
Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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poster:TommyIsland
thread:390976
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040915/msgs/391198.html