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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by The_Great_Santini on November 19, 2002, at 7:00:33
I had been on Effexor 450 mg and Wellbutrin 400 mg every day, and I went into a mania after the latest dosage increase. It wasn't fun. I'm weaning myself off of the meds now, and I feel better! I had been on them about 2 years. I have started to laugh at normal things, have more energy and feel great. I even did some gardening yesterday, which I hadn't wanted to do in ages.
I am *not* advocating anyone do this, but for those who have been instructed to discontinue Effexor, did you feel better after awhile? I think I had been on it so long that it was making me tired and unmotivated (versus the depression).
Thanks for listening. I hope I was somewhat coherent.
Posted by AnneL on November 19, 2002, at 9:48:56
In reply to I feel so much better off of the Effexor now...., posted by The_Great_Santini on November 19, 2002, at 7:00:33
Hi to the Great Santini,
I have been on Effexor XR 225 mg. for almost two years and was advised by my pdoc to increase it by 37.5 mg. for a total of (let met add this right now) 262.5 mg. daily. This was due to an
"unauthorized" taper toward getting off of Effexor. I say "unauthorized" in a half-joking way, meaning that I did not discuss this with my pdoc and started decreasing my dose downward by 37.5 mg. less each week. I got to 150 mg. and became terribly confused and "stupid" and I do not say this in a mean way, but I could not think properly for 3 days. I just happened to see my GP and he suggested that I go back on 225 and make an appt with my pdoc for further help in getting off this med.Getting to my point. . . I don't know if I need medication now that the events that surrounded the onset of my depression are long gone and have been for the most part resolved. The reason why my pdoc increased my dose upwards by an additional 37.5 mg. is because he stated that something that I cannot explain happens to the receptors when you decrease/increase the Effexor dose and they become less receptive to the same dose. Bottom line: I do feel better now at the higher dose, wouldn't anyone after going through discontinuation syndrome? How in the world does anyone ever get off of this medication? Maybe I should really ask myself why I get so anxious at the thought of being on medication for the long haul. . . Good luck to you Great Santini, I truly wish you the best! Anne:)
Posted by The_Great_Santini on November 19, 2002, at 10:13:12
In reply to Re: I feel so much better off of the Effexor now.... » The_Great_Santini, posted by AnneL on November 19, 2002, at 9:48:56
Thanks, Anne, and good luck to you, too! I would definitely talk to your pdoc. I actually was pretty resigned to staying on the meds for the rest of my life, because they've done so much for me, but my BP was going up, and I started getting pretty intense, and even started giving lots of money away that I didn't have (kind of funny, but not really!)
It's not too impossible to get off of Effexor, with some patience, I think. It has taken me awhile and I am still getting "stupid attacks" but I think I am feeling better off of it. I think I am going to ask the pdoc to go on something different if I end up needing it.
Good luck to you also and let me know if there's anything I can do to help - if you and your pdoc decide to discontinue, I'll be here to support you. I did like Effexor a lot, but like you, I think the issues have resolved (as much as they are going to).
Posted by Bill L on November 19, 2002, at 10:28:22
In reply to Re: I feel so much better off of the Effexor now...., posted by The_Great_Santini on November 19, 2002, at 10:13:12
I'm afraid that you may start to feel worse as you ween off of it. Go SLOW while weaning off. If you feel better right now, consider staying at your current dose instead of weaning off completely. Or maybe just lower the Wellbutrin dose.
Remember the reason that you are on Effexor to begin with. You are depressed without medication! I think that most people who are clinically depressed, including myself, need to take medication for life.
If you want to change from Effexor to a different medication, you should take Prozac while weaning off of Effexor. Ask your doctor about that.
Posted by The_Great_Santini on November 19, 2002, at 10:40:35
In reply to Re: I feel so much better off of the Effexor now...., posted by Bill L on November 19, 2002, at 10:28:22
Thanks, Bill. You are totally right, of course. I think I did get kind of carried away, as I have only been taking 150 of my Wellbutrin, every other day, too.
Your excellent advice is duly noted ;-) Thank you.
This is the end of the thread.
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