Posted by Caleb462 on April 21, 2003, at 2:08:34
In reply to Should I start Effexor?, posted by Aziza on April 21, 2003, at 1:28:41
> I just want to know what people think about Effexor compared to other AD's. I've tried Prozac and Lexapro, not happy with either one. I didn't feel any real lessening of the depression, and I felt woozy and lost sexual desire (I'm a woman). My brother is on Selzone, and loves it. But my doctor wants to start me on Effexor, since Selzone can have such serious liver side effects. He thought of putting me on Wellbutrin, but decided against it because of the seizure risk (higher in people with eating disorders, and I was anorexic as a teenager, 20 years ago).
>
> I'm just worried that Effexor won't work, and will also have similar side effects to the SSRI's I was on. I've read where some men have had trouble reaching orgasm, and wonder if women also experience sexual side effects with Effexor.
>
> Lots of questions, I know!The problem with Effexor is that, yes, it has ALL the typical SSRI side effects - inculding sexual problems - and it has additional side effects due to it's added noradrenergic ability. So if you don't want to deal with SSRI-type side effects, than Effexor is not a good choice. Besides, if you haven't responded to Prozac or Lexapro, then a serotonergic drug is probably not what you need. I think Wellbutrin sounds like a good choice, the seizure thing shouldn't be a problem as long as the dose is reasonable. If you are comfortable accepting the very small risk, then perhaps you should tell your doc you would like to try it. This is just my suggestion, of course.
poster:Caleb462
thread:221070
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030417/msgs/221075.html