Posted by Molybdenum on June 5, 2008, at 5:33:19
In reply to Re: Effexor dosages above 150mg? feedback?, posted by shadowmon on June 4, 2008, at 21:30:49
Hi,
just to establish an upper non-lethal dose in something other than rats, I am on 600mg. I pushed my doc to keep increasing it when I probably should have left it alone or augmented it with something else. Well, actually I am augmenting it with 225mg mirtazapine (+ 150mg moclobemide for anxiety). What I should have done was just forget about it & let it do it's work.
I do recall feeling a significant increase in general anxiety when I started on venlafaxine AND with each small increase. The angst always passed in a week or so though. The last few increases I actually felt NO angst - just a bit of extra energy...eventually.
My theory is that there's a limit to how much of an effect my brain will accept from this drug. So if I could be bothered / was brave enough, I suspect I could taper down to 1/2 & still get the same result. Just no real reason to risk rocking the boat ATM.
I love oversimplifying things, so here comes a new analogy: The venlafaxine is like a long-haul diesel locomotive. It will get you where you need to go & it is very powerful but it can't be rushed. If you up the dose too quickly (without really establishing the effects of each dose), you'll just make the wheels spin on the tracks but the train won't move any faster.
That wasn't too shabby, was it? ;)
BTW, remember the train idea when you contemplate quitting one day. ie it takes a long time to stop that speeding monster too - but it can be done, just gradually....
Shadownman, it's normal to get excited about a new treatment & I'd say very healthy to be so positive about it. That's all good in my opinion. Every little bit helps.
So my advice is to just relax & go rent a video, ride your bike, whatever. If you feel some uncomfortable side effects you know what your options are by now, so just relax & let it work for you. You're paying "it" to do the work "for you", remember...?
If you concentrate too much on the project, you might get disappointed - and for no good reason. Just like a kid who keeps measuring his height every morning to see if he's any taller. Dig?
Take Care :)
Mr. Be Damned.
poster:Molybdenum
thread:832824
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080528/msgs/833039.html