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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 62 to 86 of 119. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2011, at 19:30:11
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » ed_uk2010, posted by SLS on December 9, 2011, at 14:10:24
It sure would finger crossed. Phillipa
Posted by huxley on December 11, 2011, at 3:28:30
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » huxley, posted by SLS on December 8, 2011, at 7:30:04
> > Hi Scott,
> >
> > I went up to 600mg of effexor.
> >
> > Did nothing it did't do at 200mg.
>
>
> Thanks for the input, Huxley.
>
> Did you experience any side effects?
>
>
> - ScottFrom the higher dose? Nope, just the same SEs as at lower levels. Although I only stayed up there for a couple of weeks.
Posted by SLS on December 11, 2011, at 11:05:37
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by huxley on December 11, 2011, at 3:28:30
Posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2011, at 17:55:24
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by huxley on December 11, 2011, at 3:28:30
Huxley I forget are you med free today? Phillipa
Posted by huxley on December 13, 2011, at 4:56:57
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » huxley, posted by Phillipa on December 11, 2011, at 17:55:24
Hi Phillipa,
Not quite. I am still on 50mg of Pristiq.
Life is very flat. I think I have what you call Anhedonia. But also quite peaceful after my nasty withdrawals.
Going down very slowly on the pristiq.
Posted by SLS on December 13, 2011, at 15:29:41
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by huxley on December 13, 2011, at 4:56:57
So far, Effexor 450 mg is doing nothing for my depression, and is making me feel dazed. I can't get myself to do things. I am losing hope. I'm not sure why I should have had any in the first place. I may have to go back to a MAOI and accept living a meager existence. I am resistant to the idea of going for DBS.
- Scott
Posted by Phidippus on December 13, 2011, at 16:42:00
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by SLS on December 13, 2011, at 15:29:41
Just rethink your med combo. Start from scratch. Reduce your medications. Meager existance? I doubt that. You're a great help to the people around here and that's something.
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on December 13, 2011, at 18:18:12
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by SLS on December 13, 2011, at 15:29:41
Scott sorry you feel worse. What is it about DBS that has you concerned? And you are a loved and valued person. Who knows maybe the MAOI in the original combo you took that worked might now work again? You still need meds after DBS right? Could that boost the response to the meds? I don't know just asking. Phillipa
Posted by huxley on December 13, 2011, at 19:07:06
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by SLS on December 13, 2011, at 15:29:41
I agree with phiddiphus. You are a big help to people round here. Even me.
Just a question, do you do alot of exercise and eat healthily?
Not saying it will cure you but it really takes the edge off for me.
Posted by Bob on December 13, 2011, at 23:54:38
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by SLS on December 13, 2011, at 15:29:41
> So far, Effexor 450 mg is doing nothing for my depression, and is making me feel dazed. I can't get myself to do things. I am losing hope. I'm not sure why I should have had any in the first place. I may have to go back to a MAOI and accept living a meager existence. I am resistant to the idea of going for DBS.
>
>
> - ScottWhat are the main reasons why you are hesistant to looking into DBS?
Bob
Posted by SLS on December 14, 2011, at 7:38:23
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » SLS, posted by Bob on December 13, 2011, at 23:54:38
> > So far, Effexor 450 mg is doing nothing for my depression, and is making me feel dazed. I can't get myself to do things. I am losing hope. I'm not sure why I should have had any in the first place. I may have to go back to a MAOI and accept living a meager existence. I am resistant to the idea of going for DBS.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> What are the main reasons why you are hesistant to looking into DBS?
>
> Bob
I am less resistant to DBS now than I was a year ago. I am still averse to having holes drilled into my skull and wires routed under my skin. I would be more receptive to DBS were they able to choose candidates based upon case profile.
- Scott
Posted by Bob on December 14, 2011, at 15:59:31
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » Bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2011, at 7:38:23
> > > So far, Effexor 450 mg is doing nothing for my depression, and is making me feel dazed. I can't get myself to do things. I am losing hope. I'm not sure why I should have had any in the first place. I may have to go back to a MAOI and accept living a meager existence. I am resistant to the idea of going for DBS.
> > >
> > >
> > > - Scott
> >
> > What are the main reasons why you are hesistant to looking into DBS?
> >
> > Bob
>
>
> I am less resistant to DBS now than I was a year ago. I am still averse to having holes drilled into my skull and wires routed under my skin. I would be more receptive to DBS were they able to choose candidates based upon case profile.
>
>
> - Scott
I currently have the DBS implant.
Posted by SLS on December 14, 2011, at 17:43:43
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » SLS, posted by Bob on December 14, 2011, at 15:59:31
Hi Bob.
> I currently have the DBS implant.
Does it help?
Thanks.
I'm not in a very good place.
- Scott
Posted by Phidippus on December 14, 2011, at 20:06:14
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » Bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2011, at 17:43:43
Scott, have you ever tried to bring out the big guns?
Like Clozaril and Imipramine?
Eric
Posted by zonked on December 14, 2011, at 20:12:37
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » Bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2011, at 17:43:43
> Hi Bob.
>
> > I currently have the DBS implant.
>
> Does it help?
>
> Thanks.
>
> I'm not in a very good place.
>
>
> - ScottScott - honestly - how do you respond to psychostimulants (Dexedrine, Adderall, et. al)?
Why the * won't your doctors bring out the opiods; at least Tramadol to start with? Would it hurt to bring up bupe again? I'm starting to get testosterone rebound again (I call it Male PMS) but it's nothing compared to the suffering you've endured.
-z
Posted by Phidippus on December 14, 2011, at 20:44:44
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » SLS, posted by zonked on December 14, 2011, at 20:12:37
Here's your new prescription:
Lithium 1200 mg
Clozaril 25 mg
Imipramine 300 mgEric
Posted by zonked on December 14, 2011, at 21:10:46
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » zonked, posted by Phidippus on December 14, 2011, at 20:44:44
> Here's your new prescription:
>
> Lithium 1200 mg
> Clozaril 25 mg
> Imipramine 300 mg
>
> EricIF you mean me, Lithium = zombie
Clozaril = no thanks!
Imipramine = still an option. never've been on a TCA except nortrip (extreme anxiety/frustration/rage).I think you meant for SLS. I know he's been on a lot of TCAs and Lithium as well; unknown re: clozaril.
-z
Posted by Bob on December 14, 2011, at 21:57:27
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » Bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2011, at 17:43:43
> Hi Bob.
>
> > I currently have the DBS implant.
>
> Does it help?
>
> Thanks.
>
> I'm not in a very good place.
>
>
> - Scott
It's a loooong story. I got implanted in '09 at the Columbia University site in NY. Just like some of the many meds I've taken the device produced myriad effects, some good and most bad... some real bad. I had many little glimpses of hope, especially when the stimulation level was adjusted, but they would always fade away. This is all I would get from any meds in recent years and now I don't even get that.The device was activated for almost exactly one year (I know I was being stimulated during the placebo phase). I don't know what the staff at CU would classify me as but if I had to sum it up in a word it would have to be unsuccessful. Of course the real world requires much more than a single world. I respond much differently to meds and other treatments than it seems many do, and they claim from data and what I've read that at least 50% of people are considered responders to the DBS implant. One thing it did without question was add drive and motivation into the mix, albeit without happiness or joy most of the time for me. I was at the point before the implant however where I didn't have enough energy to do much else except lay on the couch and watch tv all day whilst enduring my mental suffering. So at least on the stimulation I was getting out of the house.
At this point I would recommend it for you as you have now unquestionably tried almost everything you can think of - that is exactly what something like this is intended for as far as I can see. You may be a better candidate than me since you seem to be very tolerant to meds with respect to side effects. I get bountiful and showstopping side effects from just about everything I've ever tried and DBS was no exception.
Anyway, like I said, the story is quite long in full so I'll stop here.
Posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2011, at 22:13:27
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » SLS, posted by Bob on December 14, 2011, at 21:57:27
Bob hate to be a pain but if you could at your own pace continue your story many others could hear first hand what you went through. Maybe your own thread on experiences? Just a thought Phillipa
Posted by SLS on December 15, 2011, at 8:49:41
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » SLS, posted by Bob on December 14, 2011, at 21:57:27
> The device was activated for almost exactly one year (I know I was being stimulated during the placebo phase).
Did you experience an antidepressant effect when they hit the right spot during the procedure?
- Scott
Posted by Bob on December 15, 2011, at 15:49:28
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » Bob, posted by SLS on December 15, 2011, at 8:49:41
> > The device was activated for almost exactly one year (I know I was being stimulated during the placebo phase).
>
> Did you experience an antidepressant effect when they hit the right spot during the procedure?
>
>
> - Scott
I was not awake for the procedure. I seem to recall them saying that the operation was no longer done that way (with feedback from an awake patient). I guess they now rely on precise geometric imaging with extensive MRIs and CT scans fro reference. About 6-8 months in when things weren't improving enough they did another CT scan to verify positioning, which they confirmed was where they thought it should be. Amazingly, I was on my way home from the hospital 2 days after the operation.
Posted by Bob on December 15, 2011, at 15:51:30
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » Bob, posted by Phillipa on December 14, 2011, at 22:13:27
> Bob hate to be a pain but if you could at your own pace continue your story many others could hear first hand what you went through. Maybe your own thread on experiences? Just a thought Phillipa
I'll think about it Phillipa, but I'm not sure I want to commit to all that right now. I am happy to answer specific questions at this point though.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on December 15, 2011, at 16:51:57
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg?, posted by SLS on December 13, 2011, at 15:29:41
>So far, Effexor 450 mg is doing nothing for my depression, and is making me feel dazed.
Unfortunately, I think this is common at very high venlafaxine doses. I expect that you will feel better if you taper down to a more normal dose such as 225mg.
I'm sorry it's not helping.
Posted by Bob on December 15, 2011, at 17:20:13
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » SLS, posted by ed_uk2010 on December 15, 2011, at 16:51:57
Scott...What has your experience been in the past with Imipramine?
Sorry if this has already been asked.
Bob
Posted by hyperfocus on December 15, 2011, at 19:47:14
In reply to Re: Effexor 450 mg? » hyperfocus, posted by SLS on December 8, 2011, at 7:34:09
I was just thinking if you could try to recreate the conditions when you responded to the Nardil + desipramine. It seems for a lot of people what meds they have taken before are a big factor contributing to the response they get from their current meds. And there are a lot of people on PB who seem to have achieved a strong theraputic response when restarting meds that were effective years before. I think the majority of success stories I've read here are with people who restart meds that worked for them in the past, but under new conditions like a lower dose or after a drug vacation. It seems to me that posters who achieve a theraputic response with a new untried med or med combo are in the minority. I agree with ed_uk that a reset might be the best thing.
A reset won't be fun, assuredly. I live in abject dread of the dysphoria that med changes sometimes cause in me. You may have to go in-patient if you decide to do this. But it might be worth the investment. There's no guarantee that introducing a new med or a new combo over the next couple of months will help you. You could look for another treatment vector so to speak, as in not titrating dosages with new meds but trying to recapture what you had with the Nardil + desp. If your condition was relatively med free for about a year when this combo had you heading towards remission then you might want to try recreating this pre-condition.
What meds were you on immediately before the year-long drug vacation? The tapering off these particlar meds might have been a significant pre-condition also.
I wish you the best - somehow we will find a way.
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