Posted by Mark H. on February 12, 2002, at 16:40:15
In reply to pdoc-switching: rather puzzled, need some advice, posted by Anna Laura on February 12, 2002, at 5:49:14
Dear Anna Laura,
We are not allowed (by law) to give you any medical advice on this forum. In addition to that, I have NO qualifications to advise you on your medications. I am simply a fellow-sufferer. It is very important that you work closely with your doctor to find the right combination and timing of meds that works for you.
That said, if it were I, I would choose to "sequence" the meds, starting with Effexor. I would take just the Effexor for perhaps two or three weeks. In fact, it took me more than a month to build up to 150mg/day. Rushing Effexor gave me leg cramps and insomnia at night and terrible sweats during the day.
Then, I *might* add in the Wellbutrin. For me, it caused such severe short-term memory loss that I could not tolerate it, but it works well for some people. If I started it sooner and it worked, however, I would never know whether it was the Effexor kicking in or the combination that had worked.
If during the Effexor and Wellbutrin time I experienced hypomania, then I might consider adding in the Depakote. For me personally, Depakote made my depression worse, not better.
Paradoxically, I needed a stimulant such as methylphenidate or dexadrine in order to potentiate the Effexor and overcome my sleepiness and lethargy. I also needed a beta-blocker to fight the symptoms that come from producing too much adrenaline (probably a body-level response to my hypersomnia).
I can only say what I would do. Hasten slowly.
With warm regards,
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:93849
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020208/msgs/93897.html