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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mibunny88 on October 21, 2007, at 5:31:53
My husband came off of Effexor about 2 weeks ago because it seemed to be making him agitated and we were arguing much more out of character. As I mentioned, his last dose was 2 weeks ago, but prior to that we were tapering him off 1/2ing the dose every week. He was only on 75 mg for about 3 weeks before the taper down.
We never argued like this before he took the Effexor. It seems as though the rage is even worse now (14 days after his last dose). He is moody, raging, snapping at everything, refuses to go back to his pdoc or counseling. Almost looks like BPD type symptoms that never let up.
My question is how long may these effects last? Or has it induced some sort of psychosis? If I can't get him to a doctor or to take any meds, are there any hints on what may help his recovery?
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2007, at 13:01:44
In reply to Effexor rage/psychosis, posted by mibunny88 on October 21, 2007, at 5:31:53
Could he be bipolar or are the symptoms only since withdrawing from the med? Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on October 21, 2007, at 14:23:34
In reply to Re: Effexor rage/psychosis » mibunny88, posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2007, at 13:01:44
If he experienced an increase in rage while on the effexor, he may have have bipolar tendancies.
Nothing is 100% as there are paradoxical reactions to many of these meds.
You would need to look at his past to see if there are any other symptoms of bipolar disorder, such as periods of elated mood or greatly increased activity/productivity.
Other symtpoms of bipolar may include mood swings, irritability, grandiosity etc.
Without a clear history of bipolar disorder or past symptoms of it, it is hard to say he is bipolar based on the reaction.
The reaction to the drug, in combination with other previous symptoms would be more indicative of bipolar.
The reaction to the drug should eventually subside, but if he is bipolar than sometimes antidepressant exposure can trigger a manic episode that can last beyond drug discontinuation.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2007, at 19:55:52
In reply to Re: Effexor rage/psychosis, posted by linkadge on October 21, 2007, at 14:23:34
Link how is it going for you? Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on October 21, 2007, at 20:48:22
In reply to Re: Effexor rage/psychosis » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2007, at 19:55:52
not too bad.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2007, at 21:07:36
In reply to Re: Effexor rage/psychosis, posted by linkadge on October 21, 2007, at 20:48:22
Link great start an update thread as people are asking me how you're doing. Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on October 21, 2007, at 22:41:08
In reply to Effexor rage/psychosis, posted by mibunny88 on October 21, 2007, at 5:31:53
I'd blame the meds...antidepressants push levels of neurotransmitters to artificially high levels in the brain (as in...the levels reached are higher than would probably ever happen naturally). So, not surprisingly, this makes some people go crazy. If I were you/your husband, I'd just taper off the Effexor and stay far, far away from any antidepressant.
Posted by amigan on October 21, 2007, at 23:42:51
In reply to Re: Effexor rage/psychosis, posted by med_empowered on October 21, 2007, at 22:41:08
> I'd blame the meds...antidepressants push levels of neurotransmitters to artificially high levels in the brain (as in...the levels reached are higher than would probably ever happen naturally). So, not surprisingly, this makes some people go crazy. If I were you/your husband, I'd just taper off the Effexor and stay far, far away from any antidepressant.
Not every antidepressant raises norepinephrine levels like effexor. Perhaps this is what caused the rage.
In case he is bipolar or psychotic, yes; Most AD may worsen the symptoms.
Posted by mibunny88 on October 22, 2007, at 3:03:03
In reply to Re: Effexor rage/psychosis, posted by amigan on October 21, 2007, at 23:42:51
Thanks for all the replies. He has been diag as bipolar in the past, but not by this pdoc. Current pdoc was sure he was more schizoaffective/depressed but I'm still leaning towards the bipolar spectrum.
He's been on antidepressants before but never with this bad of a reaction. Usually they do nothing at all for him.
Posted by Netch on October 22, 2007, at 10:17:54
In reply to Re: Effexor rage/psychosis, posted by mibunny88 on October 22, 2007, at 3:03:03
Maybe abilify could help him... considering bipolar and schizzoaffective diagnoses
/Netch
This is the end of the thread.
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