Posted by yxibow on October 27, 2006, at 3:42:17
In reply to Re: Is 475mg of Effexor XR a day way to much???? » nancyjoyandamber, posted by Tomatheus on October 27, 2006, at 1:19:58
> > I am a middle age woman (in my 50's)who has been on 475mg of Effexor XR for several months. My Dr. says that in parts of California this is a perfectly ok dose. I live in Ma.
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> I am not familiar with Effexor's dose range, but if your doctor seriously told you this, I think it would be a good idea to switch docs asap. I wouldn't trust my mental health to anyone who says that a medication can be tolerated in higher doses in one part of the country, as opposed to somewhere else.
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> On a more positive note, welcome to Psycho-Babble.
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> TomatheusOne should be cautious about telling someone point blank to switch their doctor. I've seen posts like this and we all on here except for occasional posts from medical professionals are armchair psychopharmacologists.
What I think the doctor meant is that in his extended range of patients (psychiatrists frequently have journal clubs where they anonymously describe their patients and medication) there exists a protocol for a higher dose.
Nonetheless, that is a fairly high dose and yes, I would discuss it with your doctor point blank. In the short term it is probably not harmful but may raise your pulse or blood pressure, I suggest you monitor your pulse -- anyway one can tell if that is in an uncomfortable range physically fairly quickly.
Normally the dosage is 225 but I suppose some push to 300. Maybe your doctor has a reason for 475 but that seems much beyond the mean of pushed ranges. I know I couldn't stand Effexor period, but I'm different from you obviously. Cymbalta seems to be a better match, at least at the moment.
The XR format, besides extending patents, may increase the time that the drug enters the system so you're not getting all 475 at a rush. Nonetheless I dont see why there cannot be a two way street of communication with your doctor. I wouldn't be afraid to speak up and say, do your peers regularly prescribe (x) dose? California, wherever, it's irrelevant, its a doctor's license on the line and his peers and what they as a group feel comfortable with.
Frankly I wouldn't be afraid to speak up about any medication questions at a psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist's appointment. Its your 15(+) minutes depending on what kind of insurance and what country you're in. If necessary take a pencil and pad and write all you need to know. Then you don't feel like you have to wait for the next appointment and stew in some dose of medication or confusion about something. Some doctors have email these days as well. Use your options. Its your copay if not your dime on the line.
-- tidingsJay
poster:yxibow
thread:698042
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061020/msgs/698109.html