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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stabb on August 9, 2006, at 8:55:02
hey everyone...i have posted here a few times and am in need of some advise. i recently was switched from lexapro to effexor xr for my depression and anxiety. my doc is very conservative in her dosing and started at 37.5 of eff while changing and then up it to 75 for about 6 days. anyways, just 5 days ago she upped it to 150. to be honest however, i feel more anxious and depressed now then i did on the lexapro. i'm not sure what i should do...obviously it is still early and i know i can still raise the dose but i guess am just concerned that i am wasting my time. i have tried paxil, zoloft, lexapro, prozac, cymbalta, effexor (at an earlier time and didn't seem to do much), wellbutrin, and really don't know where to go from here. any suggestions/advise you guys may have would be much appreciated. all the best!
Sean
Posted by Myrk on August 9, 2006, at 10:24:14
In reply to effexor and suggestions, posted by stabb on August 9, 2006, at 8:55:02
Effexor is one of the strongest anti-depressants out there. The only thing is that it is more of a long term solution. My doc said within a month or two, I should start noticing my depression leaving. I was diagnosed also with Social Anxiety, and he said that the Effex would fix that too - It would just take much longer than the depression. Maybe about a year or so.
--Myrk
Posted by MaggieATL on August 9, 2006, at 12:53:56
In reply to Re: effexor and suggestions, posted by Myrk on August 9, 2006, at 10:24:14
I am on day 11 of Effexor at 70 mg. After a week at 35 mg. My doctor told me to hold tight and for a month or two and I should see big changes. ANYTHING is better than the depression I was feeling. I have to say, I wasn't impressed with the first 8 days but things are turning around.
Hang in there!!
Posted by wacky on August 9, 2006, at 13:33:01
In reply to Re: effexor and suggestions, posted by MaggieATL on August 9, 2006, at 12:53:56
That's interesting. 70 isn't even a therapeutic dose. It starts at 150 (I take 450). Is doc a psychiatrist?
Posted by stabb on August 9, 2006, at 14:22:34
In reply to Re: effexor and suggestions, posted by wacky on August 9, 2006, at 13:33:01
450....how long have you been taking effexor? has it been effective for you? if so, how long did it take before you felt benefit? i appreciate your help.
Posted by wacky on August 9, 2006, at 15:39:29
In reply to Re: effexor and suggestions, posted by stabb on August 9, 2006, at 14:22:34
I started Effexor in the Spring of 05 at 150. It was gradually increased until at the current dose and that was around August 05. The reason it was increased was because it wasn't working well enough. Additionally, 100mg of Trazadone was added at night to help me sleep and it's supposed to bolster the Effexor somewhat. I'm pretty good now and I want to get off it because of excessive sweating and overheating. I just started tapering off. At lower doses, the excessive sweating and overheating may not be an issue.
Hope it helps you!
Posted by stabb on August 9, 2006, at 19:37:19
In reply to Re: effexor and suggestions, posted by wacky on August 9, 2006, at 15:39:29
i appreciate your help...it gives me a little hope which seems to really disappear when going thru depression.
Posted by MaggieATL on August 10, 2006, at 9:56:59
In reply to Re: effexor and suggestions, posted by wacky on August 9, 2006, at 13:33:01
> That's interesting. 70 isn't even a therapeutic dose. It starts at 150 (I take 450). Is doc a psychiatrist?
No, my doctor is a GP. I can not imagine what I would feel like on 150 mg. I have such an "I don't care" attitude at 70mgs! She did tell me if what I was taking wasn't enough, she would up the dose. I would prefer to stay on the low end if I can.
I think dosages depend on the level of depression and the appropriate drug. This is working for me and, for that, I am grateful.
Posted by wacky on August 10, 2006, at 11:05:36
In reply to Re: effexor and suggestions, posted by MaggieATL on August 10, 2006, at 9:56:59
That's super that the lower dose is working! One caveat - if you get to a point that it seems to dwindle in effectiveness, I would strongly encourage you to ask her for a referral to a psychiatrist. They specialize in dispensing these medications and a GP simply does not have the training. My GP started me at those low doses and when I got to a pdoc, he immediately doubled it indicating the low dose was not a therapeutic dose.
Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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