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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ricardo on June 27, 2004, at 7:39:44
Hi everyone!
It's been a while since I last posted a message here. After a couple of months on Effexor, and then off it, I think I'm having a relapse of my depression. I decided to come off it basically because my working routine had become more demanding and I thought I could use not being sleepy all day. Not to mention the sexual area... Now, since I still had some tablets left, I decided to go back on it again. I'm probably seeing my doctor next week so she can either put me on another medicine or give me a new prescription. My question here is, is Effexor good at all? I'm asking you this because most of what's been discussed here has to do with its terrible withdrawal effects (which I did not suffer from when I first stopped taking it). What about its effectiveness as an anti-depressant?
One more question: my doctor always insisted that I take very small doses of it (37.5 a day was the top dosage I got to). I know is below the therapeutic dosage. Does that mean it's just placebo for me or is it possible for me to have good effects on low dosages. My depression has always been considered mild, since I remain fully functional during the process (but, boy, how I suffer for it to happen!). I'm bringing this up because I'm also considering the idea of changing doctors...Best,
Ricardo
Posted by jay on June 27, 2004, at 13:32:29
In reply to Effexor - good or bad?, posted by ricardo on June 27, 2004, at 7:39:44
Hi....I'd say change doctors, for sure. The 37.5 dose of Effexor is not what, esp. after 2 months, doctors should be saying is the "maximum". Please, find additional or new help...because there are good treatments (at proper doses) to treat your symptoms, and make you feel much better. Let us know how you make out.
Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by sooshi on June 27, 2004, at 19:07:19
In reply to Effexor - good or bad?, posted by ricardo on June 27, 2004, at 7:39:44
Hi ricardo,
Yes, Effexor is definately an effective antidepressant...one of the best, in my opinion. After years and years of trying everything else, this is the only ad that has helped me. The withdrawal effects can be nasty, but so far I haven't had to deal with that.
I would say that 37.5mgs is NOT a therapeutic dosage, and although you say you were able to remain fully functional during your depressions, you say you had to "suffer for it to happen", which leads me to believe you were never really treated properly.
If this doctor won't get you to a therapeutic dosage (maybe at least 75mg/day?), you might consider changing doctors?
Good luck,
Sooshi
Posted by awatts on June 28, 2004, at 15:18:12
In reply to Effexor - good or bad?, posted by ricardo on June 27, 2004, at 7:39:44
considering the idea of changing doctors...
>
I'd change doctors and start at 37.5mg again, and SLOWLY increase to at least 150mg. You can always go back down to 75mg. Effexor XR and Abilify are the only meds to work for me (none of the SSRI's helped). I've tried most of the ADs. Maybe say goodby to your sex life for a while.
Posted by ricardo on June 28, 2004, at 18:52:06
In reply to Re: Effexor - good or bad?, posted by awatts on June 28, 2004, at 15:18:12
Thanks a lot for the replies. I have an appointment with a different doctor this Friday. Let's see what he has to say about it. Lexapro has just been made available here in Brazil. I was considering suggesting it to him... Only, it's a lot more expensive than Effexor and I'm kind of broke right now...
Posted by Stryker88 on June 29, 2004, at 5:45:44
In reply to Re: Effexor - good or bad?, posted by ricardo on June 28, 2004, at 18:52:06
I have been on Effexor XR for 150mg and yes, it is better than Zoloft which I used to take. My problem is I dont know how to tell if Effexor is working or not? What changes in my mood, life should be noticable??? It is confusing to me I want to know if the drug is working, so I can make the right decision, but what exactly is it supposed to do for us that makes us so happy and how can we tell we are now more happier???? In answer to the original poster I do believe Effexor is one of the best antidepressants
Posted by ricardo on June 29, 2004, at 6:21:01
In reply to Re: Effexor - good or bad?, posted by Stryker88 on June 29, 2004, at 5:45:44
Sometimes I have the same feeling... however, I think I had a much greater sense of emotional stability when I was on Effexor the first time, even on the very low dose I mentioned before. It was more like, I had a problem, it was not nice, but there was more to life than just that. I was able to forget that problem when I got involved in different situations. I was able to go through this very strenuous recruiting process while on Effexor and I always had my emotions and feelings under control. Now, what I think is that, once again, I'm getting overwhelmed with problems and invaded by a feeling of hopelessness that was so typical of the time when I was not on antidepressants. So I guess the medicine worked for me.
Posted by husschick on June 30, 2004, at 11:36:54
In reply to Re: Effexor - good or bad?, posted by ricardo on June 28, 2004, at 18:52:06
I have had tremendous success on effexor xr, my anxiety prior to trying theis med was awful/ and unlike everyone else my sex life is great, it hasnt changed at all, mabye even gotten a little better. good luck, and keep in mind that everyone has different experiences with meds.
This is the end of the thread.
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