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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 Kaptabs on July 26, 2014, at 22:50:27
Hi
Long time lurked just registered.
I've been fighting this dreaded affliction for 17 years now and I finally feel I'm close to an answer, but at cost. So I felt a need to join and request experience.
After every med under the sun I've finally found effexor and with it more relief than I can remember. Period.
Anxiety gone.
Social anxiety appropriate.
Depression kicked in the butt.
Intrusive thoughts no longer intruding so much.
HOWEVER I cannot seem to muster the energy to do anything. In fact I'm in bed much of the time with a typical day being waking up from a good night sleep, taking meds, trying to keep eyes open, heading back to bed and sleep.
I'm currently in a private inpatients under the care of a professor who is quite set in his ways but the day I leave draws near. I am more than happy with that because my mental health genuinely seems on the up but I can't live and/or be productive in any possible way living like this.
So, the experience I seek is from those who believe they might have an idea about what I can do here?
Has anyone had this type of experience and overcome it?
Does anyone believe there is a med that I could use as an adjunct concentrating on this symptom?
For the record coffee is useless.
Thanks before the fact to anyone's comments which would be extremely valuable to me.
Oh, and amphetamines are not an option as they make me psychotic.
Thanks again
Kaptabs.
Posted by linkadge on July 27, 2014, at 12:48:18
In reply to Effexor XR. GREAT MED but sooo TIRED...Help??, posted by Kaptabs on July 26, 2014, at 22:50:27
Nortriptyline or wellbutrin might be of use. You may wish to check b12 and thyroid levels (if not already done).
Atomoxetine (a 'non stimulant' add med) may help.
Also, lack of restorative sleep may contribute (or cause) daytime fatigue. I take remeron and Effexor and although remeron is highly sedating, it actually improves my daytime fatigue over Effexor alone,
Sometimes I also take cocoa nibs to help fatigue. This can be highly stimulating (on par with amphetamines) so it may not mesh well with you.
Other options include ginger root or co-q10. I find ginger root very helpful for chronic fatigue like symtptoms. It also goes very well with Effexor.
Linkadge
Posted by phidippus on July 28, 2014, at 17:03:25
In reply to Effexor XR. GREAT MED but sooo TIRED...Help??, posted by Kaptabs on July 26, 2014, at 22:50:27
Switch to another nedication in the same class: Cymbalta or Fetzima.
or
Add Nuvigil, a stimulant that acts differently than amphetamines.
Eric
Posted by Kaptabs on August 11, 2014, at 10:17:15
In reply to Re: Effexor XR. GREAT MED but sooo TIRED...Help?? » Kaptabs, posted by phidippus on July 28, 2014, at 17:03:25
Hi, thanks for your comments.
In the last two weeks I think I may have worked this out. I hope so anyway.
I first talked to my psychiatrist about adding modafinil and sticking with effexor and modafinil. This did not go as planned.
My psych is an astounding professor of all this stuff and he has most patients pegged with one well rehearsed initial consultation. He's 86, still has his outpatient rooms, while juggling patients from three inpatient clinics. His mind is still razor sharp and he's seen it all before.
However he shot down the modafinil and told me to exercise twice a day and use the endorphins for a mood boost and to keep me away from cutting the world out in bed all day.
Needless to say I was none to happy about this but rmy respect for the man is such that passively I agreed with his valid points.
Rather he inncreased my effexor to 225mgs from 150. I have instructions to exercise in a specific way (going as hard as possible for 30 seconds, light jog for 90 seconds, rinse and repeat for 18mins and do this twice each day). In doing this and with the increase in dose of effexor I started to feel really well, chatty, and positive. No stimulants needed.
However, for me effexor equals weight gain. Lots of it and fast.
While not organic depression, the shame of not fitting ANY clothes I could just a month ago caused serious situational depression, and staying as I am I will never be happy because being fat OS painful.
That being said the dose of 225mgs immediately swept away my need and desire to.sleep.which.was great.
So my psych said there was value Im trying pristiq In place of effexor. Now I know they both ate quite similar but I also know that there are strong opinions about this and experience to boot...
Some agree there is enough difference to warrant trying pristiq if effexor works because the.side effects are not so severe.
I've now cut down to 75mgs of effexor and will cut in half again in three days and start looking to phase pristiq in.
I guess I write to ask whether anylne else has made this change and how they fared (particularly with effectiveness t effexor and also the side effect profile).
Again, I really got hugs benefit from effexor but weight gain and tiredness (prior to 225 mgs), plus sexual issues just really bummed me out.
So, is it true the side effect profile is less harsh particularly weight gain and tiredness? Does Pristiq hit norepinephrine at normal dose as it seemed when effexor became an SNRI at 225mg, that was what made the difference between rejoining real life or hiding in bed. It was that marked a difference.
If my ramblings make sense and there is related experience in the house,.or someone knowledgeable with this issue generally I would really love your opinions.
Serious thanks
Kap.
This is the end of the thread.
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