Posted by saintjames on April 27, 1999, at 0:40:00
In reply to Question for James Re: Effexor, posted by Nikki on April 25, 1999, at 1:05:41
The only AD's that work are the ones that effect nor-E and I have tried everything that was new up to Effexor. Except for the TCA's most of the newer AD just effect 5-HT. I've been on Effexor
since it came out in like '95. Labs are fine and I do great. I am considering a med assistant program but I am on an HMO so Effexor just costs
$10 for 90/100 mg tabs (I take 300 mgs)My main problem is that Effexor in non formulary to every 3 months I do a tap dance with the HMO to approve
I awaite the hard facts on Effexors ills.... as much as I like this board I want to see first hand studies and reports b4 I make a personal med
choice. I've tried all the SSRI's to no effect and have been on AD's since 85, after trying many TCA's and others it is clear my depression is lifted by meds that effect nor-E only. When I had breakthru depression while on doxipin we tried augmenting with effexor (like 37-50 mgs) I had such a great responce we raised the effexor to 100mgs and lowered the doxipin to whatever would give me good sleep ~25-75 mgs. Growing tired of the TCA "flat affect" and loss of sexual desire
I now take remeron 15mgs at nite and 200-300 mgs effexor XR....I have just started XR and am trying to find the lowest dose. My doc and I think that I will be able to take a lower dose of the XR than the normal formulation because the dose will be more consistant. It is clear that the Remerom just makes me sleep and has no effect on depression. It flattens the affect some but not as much as the doxipin.Effexor also works with dopimine pathways and I noticed clearer thinking and focus (I'm ADD)I also notice effects after taking 1 dose (if I have been off it for a while) and for me there is not a 4 week waiting period for full effect.
In general I tend not to have bad side effects with any med...partly because that is just the way I am and also because I am well read, so I always make an informed choice, and know what to expect.
The only bad reaction I had was to Tofranil, the first AD I was one, which made me sweat more than Effexor. I did stick it out (during the summer in Louisiana, no less) and after 4 weeks, one day my depression lifted at once. We moved to doxipin, which was a mainstay (helped my allergies too)
and due to weight gain and flat affect tried each new AD as they came out, prozac, trazodone (not new), Wellby, Zoloft, Paxil. My doc and I did not expect any of these to work because they effect 5-ht and not nor-E, and they did not.I think you have to remember that most people come to this list because the meds don't work or can't stand sideeffects, so it is not a good sample group to see how the general public will react.
I also have Dr, Estes in Baton Rouge to thank...all others pale in her light !
j
poster:saintjames
thread:5137
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/5335.html