Posted by SLS on April 1, 2001, at 21:05:33
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Poop-out - does it happen?, posted by Ignatz on April 1, 2001, at 20:55:40
> I had a relapse a month ago on Effexor-- I'd been taking 187.5 for 2 years before that. And I'd been feeling kind of under-the-weather (subsyndromally depressed?) for quite a while. The relapse came at a time of significant stress- a big thing coming due at work, and my upcoming marriage-- I suspect I would have limped along feeling vaguely glum otherwise. My p-doc raised the Effexor to 300 and added Depakote temporarily (yuck! seems to help, but makes me feel queasy-). I feel fine now- much better than I have for, say, 6 months. So my anecdotal evidence is, either the Effexor somewhat pooped out, or I needed a higher dosage (or a higher dosage plus Depakote? I hope not-).
Your experience is a perfect example of how the psychological and the biological can interact. Your recent stresses have increased what I like to call "depressive pressure". This added pressure caused what is known as "medication breakthrough". Simply raising the dosage of the previously effective antidepressant is often all that is needed to recapture the antidepressant response. I doubt the Depakote is necessary, but I'm sure your doctor wanted to maximize your chances.I'm glad that everything is working out.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:58259
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58369.html