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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SadSuzie on July 1, 2000, at 11:45:10
Hi,
I'm still looking for help with my atypical depression with social phobia and add symptoms.
Two days ago, I started taking half of a 37.5 capsule of Effexor. About a year ago, I tried
taking 37.5 daily and couldn't handle it. I'm VERY sensitive to medication. I'm experiencing
quite a bit of nausea. Is this a transient side effect and if so how long does it usually last?
I've also ordered Adrafinil and should receive it in a couple of weeks. Is there any reason not
to take these two drugs together? I'm running out of drugs to try - at least those available in
the U.S.Any advice you have to offer is greatly appreciated.
Posted by Noa on July 1, 2000, at 14:04:30
In reply to Andrew B ,John L ,Karen B, Cam, et al, posted by SadSuzie on July 1, 2000, at 11:45:10
You mentioned a capsule, so I take it you are using the XR version, which, unfortunately can't be broken down to any smaller amount.
Do you take it with food? Does that make the nausea better or worse?
Posted by SLS on July 1, 2000, at 16:01:26
In reply to Andrew B ,John L ,Karen B, Cam, et al, posted by SadSuzie on July 1, 2000, at 11:45:10
> Hi,
> I'm still looking for help with my atypical depression with social phobia and add symptoms.
> Two days ago, I started taking half of a 37.5 capsule of Effexor. About a year ago, I tried
> taking 37.5 daily and couldn't handle it. I'm VERY sensitive to medication. I'm experiencing
> quite a bit of nausea. Is this a transient side effect and if so how long does it usually last?
> I've also ordered Adrafinil and should receive it in a couple of weeks. Is there any reason not
> to take these two drugs together? I'm running out of drugs to try - at least those available in
> the U.S.
>
> Any advice you have to offer is greatly appreciated.
What is it about Effexor that you couldn't handle the first time? Was it chosen because it is thought to be potentially effective for treating social phobia and ADD?Nausea is probably the most common side effect of Effexor, but is usually temporary. It can disappear in a week. The XR extended-release version is supposed to be more tolerable. I don't think it matters whether or not you take it with food, as the nausea is due to the activity of Effexor in the brain.
I have not seen anything that would prevent you from mixing Effexor with either adrafinil or Provigil (modafinil). It is certainly worth a try. I think these drugs are being looked at for ADD as well as depression. Establishing Effexor is the first step. I hope you can tolerate it.
If you haven't explored MAOIs, I would encourage that you take a look at them at some point. If you are truly ADD, perhaps combining Ritalin with either Parnate or Nardil would be effective. Of these, Parnate has been used occasionally for treating hyperactive children.
Nardil + Ritalin sounds good to me.
If you tolerate Effexor well, and it is partially effective, you may also want to consider adding Wellbutrin to it. This combination can be very effective for treating depression, and Wellbutrin is another antidepressant that is sometimes used for ADD. Perhaps adding a stimulant to an antidepressant will ultimately be necessary. Did you ever add Ritalin to an SSRI?
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful. I am just tossing out ideas.
- Scott
Posted by SadSuzie on July 1, 2000, at 18:52:03
In reply to Re: Andrew B ,John L ,Karen B, Cam, et al, posted by Noa on July 1, 2000, at 14:04:30
Yes, I am taking Effexor XR and I am breaking it down. I just open it, dump half and put the capsule back together.
I've tried taking it with and without food, but still have some nauesa.
Thanks for your reply.
ss
> You mentioned a capsule, so I take it you are using the XR version, which, unfortunately can't be broken down to any smaller amount.
>
> Do you take it with food? Does that make the nausea better or worse?
Posted by noa on July 3, 2000, at 11:47:45
In reply to Re: Andrew B ,John L ,Karen B, Cam, et al, posted by SadSuzie on July 1, 2000, at 18:52:03
Breaking down the effexor xr capsule is very unreliable!! Each of the little granules in it is a different size, so that some dissolve quickly, while others take longer to dissolve. That is how the extended release works. By dumping half and taking half, you have no idea if you are taking shorter or longer acting granules, which could cause very uneven release of the drug into your system, like you might get none at some intervals, while you might be getting a high dose at others.
This is not a good strategy at all.
This is the end of the thread.
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