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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TinMan on April 12, 2006, at 8:49:34
Hi to y'all~
Yesterday, I went to my Dr. and found out that my BP is quite high, especially for me 138/95. Also, my pulse rate was 112!!! (Usually 108/60 and 68.)
Yes, I am on Effexor - taking 225 mg per day. What can I do? Is there another drug that I can switch to? Effexor is okay, but I get so lethargic and forgetful. I forgot to mail another bill on time. (I hate that!)
I am weaning-slowly-myself off of the Remeron as I have gained weight and eat anything not tied down.
Let me know if there might be a better AD - Cymbalta, maybe?
As always, Thanks,
~TinMan
"Cuz Oz never did give nothing to the TinMan that he didn't, didn't already have..."
Posted by ClearSkies on April 12, 2006, at 10:26:46
In reply to Effexor High Blood Pressure!, posted by TinMan on April 12, 2006, at 8:49:34
Hello there. I had to reduce my Effexor dosage to 150mg per day at which point my blood pressure returned to normal. Unfortunately it meant that my anxiety was not as well controlled and so we ended up adding Xanax to the mix. After a year the Effexor pooped out on me (rather spectacularly during hurricane season 2 years ago) and I've since switched to Cymbalta. Not as effective as Effexor for me, but it is keeping the depression at bay, and Lamictal is working on the anxiety.
Good luck,
ClearSkies
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2006, at 21:42:21
In reply to Re: Effexor High Blood Pressure! » TinMan, posted by ClearSkies on April 12, 2006, at 10:26:46
Clear Skies I thought lamictal was good for depression anxiety too? Love Phillipa
Posted by antigua on April 13, 2006, at 9:16:43
In reply to Re: Effexor High Blood Pressure! » TinMan, posted by ClearSkies on April 12, 2006, at 10:26:46
Like Clearskies my bp went up with Effexor at 225 mg. I also didn't like the lethargy and lack of complete emotion. My Pdoc weaned me off
Effexor and started me on Cymbalta at the same time. He did a great job because I didn't feel I had any side effects. Started on 60mg of Cymbalta, with Klonopin to combat the anxiety Cymbalta induced, but boy was I SO TIRED. I had to nap every day. Seriously, I had no choice, I couldn't function. It took a while to convince the Pdoc it was more than depression, but I felt I WAS getting depressed because I could not function in the afternoons w/o sleeping. So he upped the Cymbalta to 80--split during the day--and I feel better. I can take a nap if I want to, but I don't need to quite so much.I like Cymbalta so much better than Effexor because I feel that I have more emotions again. I can cry a little, but not much.
All in all, this is the best choice for me because I can choose how to manage my life.
good luck,
antigua
This is the end of the thread.
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