Posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
In reply to Case Studies......More FACTS to come......, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:03:17
Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
Thank goodness I have extensively studied all aspects of all antidepressants available in Canada (and most of those available in other parts of the world).
Thank goodness I understand physiology (physical and chemical processes in the body), pharmacology (preparation, properties, uses, and actions of drugs), pharmacodynamics (how an antidepressant acts in the body , including duration of response relative to plasma concentration), pharmacokinetics (including absorption, onset of action, distribution, biotransformation, metabolite action, and excretion route), and pharmacogenetics (including the effects and differences of antidepressant action in different people). Otherwise partial explanations of these factors involving a small subset of people who did not withdraw from the drug in a proper manner, might scare me into not taking this drug.
Even if I do happen to get withdrawl symptoms while being weaned from this drug, I know of several strategies to minimize these withdrawl effects. Most of which have been posted several times on this site. In the past, this drug has not been understood as well as it is today, although I and my colleagues knew of the withdrawl syndrome and it's extent in a minority of people, for at least the past 3 years and we have dealt with it appropriately. Withdrawl syndrome still occurs in some of our patients, but this is almost always due to nonadherence to the treatment regimen.
Since I know how to wean myself from this drug if and when need be, I am very confident the this drug has the ability resolve my depressive symptoms and PTSD so that I may be able to lead a more productive and "normal" life, again. I see this drug as a useful tool, not an evil demon.
Sincerely - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58000.html