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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CyberKitten37 on February 6, 2006, at 8:09:58
Arrgghhh! I just had a post all typed out and lost it!
I have a question about Effexor and extreme weight loss. I've been on Effexor for about 2 yrs...300 mgs per day for depression and anxiety issues. Up until recently i've been feeling GREAT! 10 mths ago I had weight loss surgery and lost 110lbs (with another 50ish to go) I've recently had other medications lowered and will be dropping them all-together within the next 2 weeks.
For the past couple of weeks I've been feeling REALLY depressed. Could I now be taking in TOO MUCH Effexor? I know that when starting out on effexor your symptoms can worsen..but can the same happen if you lose ALOT of weight and don't decrease your dosage? I called my pharmacist and she didn't have the answer...told me to talk to my doctor which i will be but can't get in to see her for 2 days. I'm really scared of decreasing my dosage..i dont' want to go back to where I was 2 yrs ago (a VERY scary place)
I should add that I've been under intense stress lately as well..the pharmacist suggested maybe that's why i'm feeling the way I am. But isn't Effexor supposed to combat that? isn't that why i'm taking it? to balance out the chemicals in my head? Can ppl who take Effexor still suffer through bouts of depression that are brought on by stress??? Or is it possible that i AM taking too much Effexor now due to my body weight?
Posted by Racer on February 6, 2006, at 11:35:38
In reply to Effexor Extreme Weight Loss - side effects??, posted by CyberKitten37 on February 6, 2006, at 8:09:58
I don't think anyone really knows whether or how weight loss or gain affects ADs. That's sad, but true. As with so much else in psychopharmacology, it's all trial and error, and so you will have to talk with your doctor about this.
The stresses in your life can be affecting you, too, even on drugs. There are no drugs that can really reduce stresses, although they should help you maintain the ability to address those stressors.
It's possible, though, that what's actually happening is that Effexor is "pooping out" on you. That does happen, with pretty much all the SRI drugs, SNRI and SSRI alike. Possibly adding an augmenting agent -- either Lamictal or Wellbutrin come to mind off the top of my head -- will bring the benefits back.
Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
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