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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wendi on August 7, 2001, at 16:21:35
I'm on 150mg of Effexor and my doctor is increasing it to 300mg. She says I'm still not where I need to be. How do you know when you are? I'm still not happy but at least I'm not crying all the time like I was.
Posted by afatchic on August 7, 2001, at 18:20:41
In reply to How do you know when your effexor dose is enough?, posted by wendi on August 7, 2001, at 16:21:35
Darn good question! I've been wondering the same thing myself. I'm only on 75mg and I have to admit, I feel good. I'm especially happy with the anxiety relief. I'm tempted to up my dose just to see if I can feel even better. It reminds of the Gordon Lightfoot song, "Sundown". "Sometimes I think it's a sin when I get feelin' better when I'm feelin' no pain" (I think I just gave away my age with that tune) Input anyone??
> I'm on 150mg of Effexor and my doctor is increasing it to 300mg. She says I'm still not where I need to be. How do you know when you are? I'm still not happy but at least I'm not crying all the time like I was.
Posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 20:09:24
In reply to How do you know when your effexor dose is enough?, posted by wendi on August 7, 2001, at 16:21:35
Wendi - It's a judgement call on the part of the doc. Those questions that she asks at each appointment helps her to determine if enough of your depressive symptoms have abated, so that you will probably remain in remission. I'd shoot for happy, if I were you.
I am taking 300mg of Effexor XR and my pdoc wants to lower it because I am dragging my butt around in the morning and have a kind of fuzz to my thoughts (although I can string 2 thoughts together, now).
I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
Posted by wendi on August 7, 2001, at 21:22:06
In reply to Re: How do you know when your effexor dose is enough? » wendi, posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 20:09:24
>I started the 150mg. two weeks ago and I still feel tired. Does that mean I'm not adapting to it well or that it may be to much for me? I am supposed to start on 300mg tomorrow but I am affraid it will make me even more tired. Other than that I don't have any side effects from it and it did make me stop crying. I'm just not "happy". I stopped taking the 100 mg. of Trazadone at night hoping that I would not be so drowsy. It might have helped, but I'm not sure. Any advice? Will the 300 make me happier or more tired?
Wendi - It's a judgement call on the part of the doc. Those questions that she asks at each appointment helps her to determine if enough of your depressive symptoms have abated, so that you will probably remain in remission. I'd shoot for happy, if I were you.
>
> I am taking 300mg of Effexor XR and my pdoc wants to lower it because I am dragging my butt around in the morning and have a kind of fuzz to my thoughts (although I can string 2 thoughts together, now).
>
> I hope that this is of some help. - Cam
Posted by Willow on August 7, 2001, at 22:10:14
In reply to Re: How do you know when your effexor dose is enough? » wendi, posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 20:09:24
> I am taking 300mg of Effexor XR and my pdoc wants to lower it because I am dragging my butt around in the morning and have a kind of fuzz to my thoughts (although I can string 2 thoughts together, now).
Cam
How did you feel at 150mg or have you always had the concentration problems with the effexor? Effexor is the first drug that didn't affect my moods or blur my thinking. I actually started taking it because my head was racing and it did help this almost immediately, within a week.Maybe it isn't the medication for you?
Willow
Posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 22:32:47
In reply to Re: How do you know when your effexor dose is enough? » Cam W., posted by Willow on August 7, 2001, at 22:10:14
Wendi - I increased my dose more slowly (37.5mg every 3 days), but then my meds are paid for. Going from 150mg to 300mg is quite a jump, but it gets the side effects over with quicker. I found that going from 225mg to 262.5mg, that I almost immediately had more energy; even more so from 262.5mg to 300mg. I found I had trouble sleeping. Once I got use to the 300mg dose (approx. 1 week), I started to sleep better (seldom need to use the Starnoc), but I was dragging my butt in the morning.
For the past 2 weeks I have been taking one Dexedrine Spansule 10mg. This gives me all kinds of energy until about 1pm, when I could use a nap. I still have little to no problem sleeping at night. I like the Dexedrine and that kinda scares me, as I don't want to use it, even though it helps immensely (silly addiction fear?).
Willow - One thing that I have noticed, is at the 300mg dose I am more impulsive (eg. when I said I was leaving the board), then I immediately feel guilty. I have also done some other really stupid stuff, but this could be a combination of the stress of going back to work, and the stress of approaching civil suits involving the death of my daughter (also the stress of trying to find a new "normal" for myself). It's tough to strip your ego to the core and try to find what I want to keep of the old Cam, what I want to throw away, and what I can realistically do (yeah, yeah, Dr.B., I know what you want me to throw away).
I see my pdoc on Thursday and we will talk about it. For some reason I am balking at psychotherapy; I just don't want to do it. I figure (in my own convoluted way) that it will be a pain in the ass and I don't want the hassle. I have already convinced myself that I will not open up to a therapist.
Perhaps raising the dose to 375mg....
sign me - Confused in Canada.
Posted by Willow on August 7, 2001, at 22:59:46
In reply to Wendi and » Willow, posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 22:32:47
> I see my pdoc on Thursday and we will talk about it. For some reason I am balking at psychotherapy; I just don't want to do it. I figure (in my own convoluted way) that it will be a pain in the ass and I don't want the hassle. I have already convinced myself that I will not open up to a therapist.
Canadian men are perfect in everyway except (you knew this was coming I bet) you guys are so locked up emotionally. You'll argue about sports passionately, but when you get down to the bare bones you guys stifle up.
Do me a favour, find yourself a female psych with great legs. Just go with the flow, if you get bored during your hour stare at her legs. A woman because I suspect you may shed a few tears. But Cam please try it, you'll be surprised how it can help.
Thursday right? I'll ask how it went.
Northern Willow
Posted by wendi on August 7, 2001, at 23:03:24
In reply to Wendi and » Willow, posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 22:32:47
> So I can expect to have more energy? How will my mood change? Will I become emotionless or happy? Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciate it!!
Wendi - I increased my dose more slowly (37.5mg every 3 days), but then my meds are paid for. Going from 150mg to 300mg is quite a jump, but it gets the side effects over with quicker. I found that going from 225mg to 262.5mg, that I almost immediately had more energy; even more so from 262.5mg to 300mg. I found I had trouble sleeping. Once I got use to the 300mg dose (approx. 1 week), I started to sleep better (seldom need to use the Starnoc), but I was dragging my butt in the morning.
>
> For the past 2 weeks I have been taking one Dexedrine Spansule 10mg. This gives me all kinds of energy until about 1pm, when I could use a nap. I still have little to no problem sleeping at night. I like the Dexedrine and that kinda scares me, as I don't want to use it, even though it helps immensely (silly addiction fear?).
>
> Willow - One thing that I have noticed, is at the 300mg dose I am more impulsive (eg. when I said I was leaving the board), then I immediately feel guilty. I have also done some other really stupid stuff, but this could be a combination of the stress of going back to work, and the stress of approaching civil suits involving the death of my daughter (also the stress of trying to find a new "normal" for myself). It's tough to strip your ego to the core and try to find what I want to keep of the old Cam, what I want to throw away, and what I can realistically do (yeah, yeah, Dr.B., I know what you want me to throw away).
>
> I see my pdoc on Thursday and we will talk about it. For some reason I am balking at psychotherapy; I just don't want to do it. I figure (in my own convoluted way) that it will be a pain in the ass and I don't want the hassle. I have already convinced myself that I will not open up to a therapist.
>
> Perhaps raising the dose to 375mg....
>
> sign me - Confused in Canada.
Posted by wendi on August 7, 2001, at 23:11:39
In reply to Wendi and » Willow, posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 22:32:47
> Cam, I'm sorry about you losing your daughter. I have 3 children and I couldn't even imagine anything happening to one of them. I think I would at that point want to become emotionless. I hope the best for you in your recovery and that you are able to open up to a therapist for your sake. That is a lot to hold within yourself.
Wendi - I increased my dose more slowly (37.5mg every 3 days), but then my meds are paid for. Going from 150mg to 300mg is quite a jump, but it gets the side effects over with quicker. I found that going from 225mg to 262.5mg, that I almost immediately had more energy; even more so from 262.5mg to 300mg. I found I had trouble sleeping. Once I got use to the 300mg dose (approx. 1 week), I started to sleep better (seldom need to use the Starnoc), but I was dragging my butt in the morning.
>
> For the past 2 weeks I have been taking one Dexedrine Spansule 10mg. This gives me all kinds of energy until about 1pm, when I could use a nap. I still have little to no problem sleeping at night. I like the Dexedrine and that kinda scares me, as I don't want to use it, even though it helps immensely (silly addiction fear?).
>
> Willow - One thing that I have noticed, is at the 300mg dose I am more impulsive (eg. when I said I was leaving the board), then I immediately feel guilty. I have also done some other really stupid stuff, but this could be a combination of the stress of going back to work, and the stress of approaching civil suits involving the death of my daughter (also the stress of trying to find a new "normal" for myself). It's tough to strip your ego to the core and try to find what I want to keep of the old Cam, what I want to throw away, and what I can realistically do (yeah, yeah, Dr.B., I know what you want me to throw away).
>
> I see my pdoc on Thursday and we will talk about it. For some reason I am balking at psychotherapy; I just don't want to do it. I figure (in my own convoluted way) that it will be a pain in the ass and I don't want the hassle. I have already convinced myself that I will not open up to a therapist.
>
> Perhaps raising the dose to 375mg....
>
> sign me - Confused in Canada.
Posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 23:33:11
In reply to Re: Wendi and, posted by wendi on August 7, 2001, at 23:03:24
Wendi - You can probably expect more energy; however, as with any medication "your mileage may vary". As for emotionally, I guess it's what you make it. I do have more emotions, myself, as I climb from the pit of depression. It depends how much your depression improves. If a few more layers of depression peel away, you can expect to have more emotions; if they are happy emotions is partially up to you.
Good luck - Cam
Posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 23:36:07
In reply to Canadian Men, posted by Willow on August 7, 2001, at 22:59:46
Willow - Yeah, sure, okay, no problem, eh. - Cam
;^)
Posted by mila on August 8, 2001, at 7:49:21
In reply to Re: Canadian Men » Willow, posted by Cam W. on August 7, 2001, at 23:36:07
Cam,
you are not supposed to be 'open' in therapy, whatever it means. you are supposed to be yourself, if it means 'closed' so be it. you opennes has nothing to do with the therapeutic progress partly because the key to success might be in an area you never even considered to be closed about. Sure both therapists and their clients have certain expectations for the first number of visits, but just like in the beginning of any human relationship, full opennes is not one of them.
mila
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