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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by mibunny88 on October 21, 2007, at 6:04:55
Husband has been off of Effexor for about 14 days now and is having out of character rage and sensitivity issues. Almost seems like a mixed state or psychosis. Everyone is out to "get" him.
Looking for anything that may help his condition and side effects. Been thinking about 5-HTP or GABA. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Posted by nolvas on October 21, 2007, at 8:16:00
In reply to Alternatives to help Effexor withdrawl rage, posted by mibunny88 on October 21, 2007, at 6:04:55
GABA is useless in my opinion.
5HTP or L-Tryptophan might help. The aggression is most likely to do with adrenaline. A beta blocker such as inderal (propranolol) might help as long as it can be kept short term. Consult the doctor on that one.
Your husband might be experiencing intermittent explosive disorder (basically agitation and/or rage)
http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/intermittent_explosive_disorder.htm
I would definitely look at his Omega 3 intake and make sure he is getting enough EPA and DHA omega 3s. A low to moderate dosage of the complete Vitamin B complex can help. Exercise is important as well as long as he will consider the idea of course.
My shortlist would be >
Vitamin B complex low dosage(less than B50 to start with)
L-Tryptophan
Magnesium Citrate, glycinate or taurinate
Other minerals such as Selenium are important in helping to reduce aggression.
Omega 3s (DHA and EPA) if vegetarian then something such as Udo Oil would be useful.
Inderal to reduce the effects of adrenaline, doctors seem happy to keep patients on this medicine for months or years. However I would use it only when needed.
Eating a well balanced diet and exercising will and can do wonders, don't expect instant results though.The Effexor withdrawal is the problem though, it's main effects are on the Norepinephrine and Serotonin both are implicated in anxiety, depression and rage. Once the drug is withdrawn the brain has to cope with differing levels of neurotransmitters. It will be in a mess for a while and needs time to heal.
Herbs such as Chamomile and Valerian are calming, although in my experience they are of limited use in treating rage. Raw Vanuatu or Fiji Kava root has more of an effect.
Alternative options to standard medication can take longer to work, but they work with the body rather than against it. I wish you and him well anyway and consult the doctor always as a precaution.
Posted by bleauberry on October 21, 2007, at 15:12:19
In reply to Alternatives to help Effexor withdrawl rage, posted by mibunny88 on October 21, 2007, at 6:04:55
5htp is my vote. Start with 10mg (dump out a capsule), 25mg the next day, and then feel it out. I think around 25mg to 50mg is a decent dose, but naturopaths commonly go as high as 200mg to 300mg per day in divided doses.
Effexor had a lot of extra serotonin at the synapses. That serotonin is now gone. The receptors are frieking out. With the absence of exaggerated serotonin, things are probably being overwhelmed with norepinephrine and dopamine (adrenaline kind of stuff). Serotonin will balance that out, buffer it, and calm things down. Most likely.
I went through many months of the post-antidepressant restlessness/irritation/suspiciousness/overly sensitive to meaningless comments behaviors or gestures kind of stuff. I've never had rage, but I do believe all the above are in the same vein as rage and have a common root cause, which is basically too much adrenaline and too little serotonin.
Anyway, 10mg the first late afternoon kind of wound me up for an hour and then calmed me down a little. Second day, same thing. Third day, peace and calm. Eventually got up to 50mg, and since have found my best overall dose is 25mg. Some people need it in multiple doses. I never tried that but should. I now take between 15mg and 25mg about 4pm. I do feels times throughout the day when I should not wait till 4pm.
In any case, yeah, I think 5htp is a great idea for this particular post-effexor scenario you are experiencing.
Posted by nolvas on October 21, 2007, at 17:32:39
In reply to Re: Alternatives to help Effexor withdrawl rage, posted by bleauberry on October 21, 2007, at 15:12:19
Bleauberry that's a good idea. I've tried 5HTP but at 50mg a day and it didn't really help me, I got more agitated, I'm prone to getting agitation and a bad temper. I don't like reacting badly to people. I think I might well try a 10mg dosage of 5HTP. I've always wondered what L-Tryptophan is like as well.
Posted by H2Obuffalo on October 22, 2007, at 0:34:14
In reply to Re: Alternatives to help Effexor withdrawl rage, posted by nolvas on October 21, 2007, at 17:32:39
Although I have taken 25mg of 5-HTP (half a 50 mg Natrol capsule) at bedtime to good effect for years, higher doses of 5-HTP have CAUSED uncharacteristic rage for me several times in the past. Everyone's different, but I would advise being very cautious whenever increasing 5-HTP dosage.
-H2Obuffalo
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