Posted by blueberry on October 4, 2005, at 17:03:13
In reply to Terrified to take my effexor xr!, posted by pashmena on October 3, 2005, at 22:35:08
I agree with the previous post that milder alternative methods should be tried first.
Two things come to mind. Magnesium Glycinate, which is calming and sometimes has antidepressant qualities in some people, especially if you don't get enough magnesium in your diet. The glycine part of it is very relaxing, as is the magnesium itself. Daily dose is 400mg, some people take 800mg, but I find that even just 50mg is quite calming.
St Johns Wort...Kira brand, which is the LI160 formula used in clinical studies, found at Rite Aid drug stores, supermarkets. If you go this route, take a pill, cut it into quarters, and start with just 1/4 pill in the morning. See how it goes that day. Increase the dose as fast as you can, shooting for an eventual goal of 2 to 3 pills a day. If it is going to work for you, you should feel some difference in your mood and anxiety within a window varying anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks. If it is making a difference, stick with it for more benefits as the weeks pass.
If that fails, then on to the prescriptions probably. But I would not start with effexor. My doc hardly even prescribes it anymore simply because it is so hard to get off of if it doesn't work out. Lexapro might be a better choice, based on clinical studies, and because it is a pill that can be easily cut into custom sizes.
Anyway, just a few ideas to think about.
poster:blueberry
thread:562568
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051003/msgs/562832.html