Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 22:37:34
In reply to Effexor XR and Remeron, experiences? Also w/ BDD, posted by Anonne on March 3, 2003, at 0:37:25
Hi there,
I hear you when you talk about BDD
(Body Dysmorphic Disorder) and also the AD effect of nicotine UGH is right. when I went my first round after some time with med trials, I started smoking. I was 29. Before I got sick from just the smell of it, and now I'm smoking?-What's ups with that LOL
Effexor-XR has not taken anything away from me, personally, it has helped me to think more rational, fell more calm, lessened my mild social anxiety, and of course, has tremendously helped the depression. Effexor has the tendency to increase mania in bipolar patients-I know this, I have read it and the AMA and FDA warn docs of it when prescribing Effexor to their patients, and it has happened to me. Without the addition of Seroquel and Klonopin, and now Lamictal-I could not take Effexor-and even with those I still, at times, fight a manic state.
***Most important here is that Effexor helped A LOT with my BDD. I have never been diagnosed with BDD, but ohh do I have issues with my body image, I know what BBD is. Effexor helped me to "let down" my guard about feeling towards my thinking I was huge and grotesque-when in reality I am just plump-period. Isn't Nardil an MAO inhibitor? Older med? weight Gain side effect? BUT.....I truly, truly think therapy concerning your feelings about BBD could help more than a pill-don't get me wrong I take a pill, but I have had experience in trying to overcome a lot of womens fear-BEING TOO FAT-but that's a whole nother story. Hope this helps.
All the best,
Kristen:-)
-------------------------------------------------Curious about positive (and some neg., but I prefer at this point to read POSITIVE) stuff on Effexor XR alone AND/OR combined w/ Remeron for depression, anxiety, and especially BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder).
I've been taking Effexor XR for about 3 months now, since having to go off of my beloved Nardil (though truly, the beneficial effects had mostly LONG ceased - beloved because I didn't want to go through the learning curve of the myriad antidepressants out there in the last 12 years or so, and didn't want to guinea pig anymore)... at the dose now of 150 mg/diem to 187.50 mg/diem. Definitely some relief with appetite, but now that I resumed smoking, I think the AD effect of nicotine has helped too. (UGH!)
Anyway, I find the Effexor MAY be contributing to anxiety (though again, perhaps my brain chemistry has changed since going off Nardil - in another post, I have a long message about the 3rd hypertensive crisis, which caused cerebral bleeding...which worries me, though it's cleared now). I'm considering adding Remeron to this regimen for the following reasons:
1. To mitigate the gastrointestinal effects of Effexor (diarrhea mostly)
2. To perhaps HELP me GAIN weight
3. To potentiate FXR, and perhaps add some anti-anxiety effects.
I'm also curious if anyone who's used this combination has had any beneficial effects on reducing Body Dysmorphic Disorder type feelings/thoughts/symptoms - quite frankly, I can't see medication doing it, unless the meds make you better looking (!)
But if I could just lessen the importance I place on appearance - with some pharmaceutical help on top of other types of lifestyle/therapy/cognitive adjustments, that would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance.
poster:KrissyP
thread:205432
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030301/msgs/205683.html