Posted by detroitpistons on December 15, 2005, at 13:43:49
In reply to Re: Effexor user, thinking about augmentation, posted by tarabara on December 15, 2005, at 13:11:13
Hi tara,
The first time I took Effexor, it really worked wonderfully...Not only did it lift my depression, but it helped with anxiety as well and it seemed like I had a newfound ability to be at ease, to be comfortable with myself and my environment, and to actually feel happy. I just had an overall sense of well being.
This time around, Effexor has lifted my depression, but I'm still anxious. I don't know if I've become more sensitive to the med or what. I think for most people Effexor has a stimulating effect, maybe somewhat like Wellbutrin (just my guess, I only took it very briefly). For the first month or two, I would expect some anxiety and agitation as a part of startup/ titration. But I'm now almost 4 months into this round of Effexor, and I still have anxiety...
I tried lowering my dosage from 225mg to 150mg for a couple of days, but by the second day (yesterday) I started getting symptoms of withdrawal, so now I've gone back to 225mg.
I just don't understand why it's working differently this time. I don't think I'm under any more stress now than I was the first time around, and I'm at the same dosage. However, I was exercising on a regular basis the first time (this could have a lot to do with it).
To be honest, it seems like my anxiety and depression have gotten worse since I started taking antidepressants (about 4 yrs ago). I went through an absolutely terrible withdrawal from Paxil, and it just feels like I've never been the same since then. Each episode of depression seems to get worse and worse. I'm not saying that I think the meds are totally responsible, but sometimes I wonder. My condition could just be naturally deteriorating.
Anyways, I haven't talked to my doctor about bipolarism, but I don't feel that I really go through manic or hypomanic episodes. In fact, I kind of wish I did have some hypomania. I know that I would be more productive, energetic, and happy that way. But I just feel like I'm either just really low (without AD's) or at a baseline or "neutral" state now with the Effexor...
Take care
> hi. you sound like you have had a past similar to mine. for the past 15 years, i have been treated with every combination of SSRI's and Effexor and Wellbutrin w/ a little Xanax thrown in the mix. everything i try "poops out" so to speak. i'm being treated for ptsd at the moment as well and have been on a wellbutrin 300/Effexor 150 for about 9 months and i have major depressive episodes as well as extreme anxiety. being irritated at all the pdocs i've seen, i went to someone who lived in the next city that i heard good things about. he pointed out a few things about my history (HE ACTUALLY LISTENED TO MY HISTORY): history of major depression WHILE being treated w/ anti depressants. he asked me why i thought i was still depressed. uhhhh........ that never occurred to me. i just thought i was a lost cause. he pointed out that i have periods of high productivity and have advanced in academia. he started asking me about my productive times and it seems that i could be hypomanic. he has diagnosed me as bipolar II. it would NEVER have occured to me however it explains my history. one of the diagnostic tests is a history of major depression that doesn't respond to medication or the medication, especially SSRI's "poop" out. the mania is hypomania which means it doesn't break reality and the manic symptoms are often expressed as anxiety and irritabiiity. check, check for me. get some more information about it. you should find a pdoc that is interested in your history w/ symptoms and medication. good luck
poster:detroitpistons
thread:587416
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051211/msgs/589363.html