Posted by Cam W. on June 18, 2001, at 9:50:31
In reply to Re:Treatment Resistant Depression - Efexor/Remeron » Cam W., posted by sweetmarie on June 18, 2001, at 5:52:26
> The `4 - 12 weeks` you mention is useful; I`ve always been told that the time-span is 3 - 6 weeks. Having said that, I know that the longer the depressive episode has lasted, the longer it takes the meds to have an effect. What I was really after was when the `4 - 12 weeks` (or whatever) is measured from - i.e. is it measured from the onset of taking the med(s), or the beginning of taking the highest dose. In other words, is the period before (hopeful) efficacy measured from the beginning (when a patient begins taking the meds, at a low dose), or from when the meds have been `boosted` to the highest doseage.Anna - The answer to your time period question is: both are used, it depends on what the person who s talking. More often than not, clinicians (eg. your doc) mean from the time you start taking the antidepressant. Researchers who talk about staying on medication for 6 months mean, "6 months after remission". This would probably be from the time after the last dosage increase, as remission date is usually a range (ie. no on or off; depressed then not depressed).
Also, you should stay on medication for 4 to 8 weeks after the highest dose is attained to see if the medication will work for you; or 8 to 12 weeks from the start of therapy (which is roughly the same time frame). Again, the time frame that is used is dependent on who you are talking to. This is, of course, if you are able to tolerate the start-up side effects and are still able to function as much as need be.
- Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:55847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/66960.html