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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 TommyIsland on March 17, 2005, at 7:34:13
Does anybody have any good suggestions for me? I was taking Effexor 150MG daily and also (2) 500MG Depakote pills once a day for about 5 years and had moderate success. The combo was the only thing that seemed to make me be able to live at least some quality of a life. In the last year or two the combo has pooped out and I'm so done with Depakote that I got off of it in September of 2004 and continued to take the Effexor 150MG. Reasons for stopping the Depakote included thinning hair / hair loss and also a 15 pound weight gain. Since I stopped taking the Depakote the weight gain miraculously dropped off without even changing my eating habits. Also my hair began to get thicker once again and filled in much better. My question for everybody is if they have found a successful combo that works well for depression. Perhaps Effexor XR and Lithium? Effexor XR has been the only and I mean only AntiDepressant that ever did a thing for me. If anybody can suggest something similar that they've also experienced succes with I'd love to know about it. I'm a bit uneasy with what I've heard about Cymbalta because it sounds identical to Effexor XR and possibly even a bit weaker with results. Any help with be greatly appreciated like always.
Thanks,
Tommy!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 17, 2005, at 12:31:27
In reply to Effexor XR + Suggestions! Done With Depakote!!!!!, posted by TommyIsland on March 17, 2005, at 7:34:13
> Does anybody have any good suggestions for me? I was taking Effexor 150MG daily and also (2) 500MG Depakote pills once a day for about 5 years and had moderate success. The combo was the only thing that seemed to make me be able to live at least some quality of a life. In the last year or two the combo has pooped out and I'm so done with Depakote that I got off of it in September of 2004 and continued to take the Effexor 150MG. Reasons for stopping the Depakote included thinning hair / hair loss and also a 15 pound weight gain. Since I stopped taking the Depakote the weight gain miraculously dropped off without even changing my eating habits. Also my hair began to get thicker once again and filled in much better. My question for everybody is if they have found a successful combo that works well for depression...
I got Depakote for the same reasons as yours (except I had gained 30 pounds! also started having menstrual problems) I have had good success with Trileptal as my mood stabilizer (I have mild BP2 and mild OCD). I am on Cymbalta now, though had to lower my dose from 60mg to 40mg because my blood pressure was a little too high, which is too bad 'cause it was working great on my anxiety, depression, and chronic neck/back pain at the higher dose. It's still effective at the lower dose, just not AS effective. And, FWIW, I am one of the people who is experiencing weight gain on Cymbalta (reports seem mixed): about 8 pounds in 3 months, despite working out regularly. The thing is, my appetite is up. Hope that doesn't continue!
Good luck finding a combo that works for you.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on March 17, 2005, at 12:32:38
In reply to Re: Effexor XR + Suggestions! Done With Depakote!!!!! » TommyIsland, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 17, 2005, at 12:31:27
> I got Depakote for the same reasons as yours...
Ooops! I meant got OFF Depakote.
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 17:41:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR + Suggestions! Done With Depakote!!!!!, posted by Minnie-Haha on March 17, 2005, at 12:32:38
If Effexor works for you why not take that Ad? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on March 21, 2005, at 15:31:08
In reply to Re: Effexor XR + Suggestions! Done With Depakote!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 17:41:03
Why the mood stabilizer with the Effexor? did they diagnose you as bipolar or were you taking Depakote for something else like seizures?
Maybe try lithium or lamictal? I'm just now starting on low dose lamictal. After I get over this flu, I'll decide if I like it or not. lol
This is the end of the thread.
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