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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:22:52
I'm confused. My son died by suicide in 2001. We didn't know he had depression. Another child recently diagnosed w/depression. Starts Effexor XR in 4 days. Doesn't have suicidal thoughts. Sounds like they could start w/this med. Any thoughts?
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 19, 2002, at 10:34:32
In reply to Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:22:52
Remember this is only my personal point of view...
I don';t think effexor should be used as a first line of action against depression.. it does have quite harsh side effects, and I personally found withdrawal hell... There are much more benign meds out there to try first.
having taken feexor on 3 different occasions, i would only let my child (remembering i don't actually have any, but am very maternal) take effexor if other meds had proved useless.
I hope that helps... it must be a terribly worrying time for you
Nikki xx
Posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:53:47
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by NikkiT2 on November 19, 2002, at 10:34:32
> Remember this is only my personal point of view...
>
> I don';t think effexor should be used as a first line of action against depression.. it does have quite harsh side effects, and I personally found withdrawal hell... There are much more benign meds out there to try first.
>
> having taken feexor on 3 different occasions, i would only let my child (remembering i don't actually have any, but am very maternal) take effexor if other meds had proved useless.
>
> I hope that helps... it must be a terribly worrying time for you
>
> Nikki xx
Thanks for your thoughts. I have been reading about the fish oil supplements, and might have my child - age 16 - take those instead. The depression started w/ my son's death, so unresolved grief issues are involved. I don't think a powerful drug can take those away. It takes time and a lot of hard work - I know!
Posted by djmmm on November 19, 2002, at 11:25:11
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:53:47
what does your child think? At 16 s/he should be able to give you some input. There are a lot of medication choices, just make sure you have a good psychiatrist and psychologist.
Medication can't take grief away, that's correct, but medication can allow your child to get to a point where s/he is better able to work with those issues. good luck
Posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 12:13:04
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by djmmm on November 19, 2002, at 11:25:11
> what does your child think? At 16 s/he should be able to give you some input. There are a lot of medication choices, just make sure you have a good psychiatrist and psychologist.
>
> Medication can't take grief away, that's correct, but medication can allow your child to get to a point where s/he is better able to work with those issues. good luck
My child is willing to take the med. I guess I'm getting anxious about it's long-term side effects from reading the postings. And the fact that it hasn't been tested for people under 18.
Posted by Geezer on November 19, 2002, at 16:05:05
In reply to Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:22:52
Hi mld,
Just my opinion.....OK? I am an oldtimer, have been on the receiving end of psyc. drug treatment for 30 years (currently taking 30 mg of Parnate and receiving ECT). Let me say it straight up - no child of mine would get anywhere near Effexor or Paxil! I have children and grandchildren...it just wouldn't happen.
I have lived with my share of pain and survived a couple of "close calls".....I can't even imagine the hurt you have experienced. My heart goes out to you.
Geezer
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 19, 2002, at 16:46:55
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:53:47
is your son getting any kind of counselling?? I've recently started and am finding it really helpful... just having someone I can say anything to is proving to be great... its taken me about 10 weeks to really get comfortable with it, but 13 weeks on I am really noticing improvements.
My thoughts go out to him... being 16 is tough neough on its own
Nikki x
Posted by joy on November 20, 2002, at 10:28:35
In reply to Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:22:52
I agree with Nikke and Geezer, having been on several ADs. Nix the Effexor. A good counselor, time, and love will help. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Joy
Posted by Bill L on November 20, 2002, at 12:46:49
In reply to Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:22:52
I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your son. And I know haw hard of a decision that you now have deciding about medications for your other child.
I believe that it's unusual to prescribe Effexor as a first antidepressant. Usually, a doctor will first try an SSRI such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, or Lexapro.
If your child seems to be depressed, I would advise you to put him/her on a prescription antidepressant. Fish oil is not the answer in this situation. Ask the doctor about starting your child on an SSRI. Don't let him/her continue to be depressed.
Posted by Dinah on November 20, 2002, at 18:13:36
In reply to Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:22:52
As a former depressed teen, I'd have to agree with Bill L. I was in therapy and it did me very little good - a good medication would have been far more useful. Mind you, I'm a big fan of therapy, but I know its limitations. Why doesn't your pdoc want to try a straight SSRI first? The sexual side effects?
Posted by wendy b. on November 20, 2002, at 22:00:47
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by Bill L on November 20, 2002, at 12:46:49
Dear mld,
I agree with Bill, and with Dinah's post after that. Therapy is great, but remember what they say: therapy + meds is the most efficacious way to get a grip on depression. 16 is not too young, and the medication will probably help a lot. Again, please follow the advice of the others here about the Effexor: it is one of the most difficult to use effectively, and usually it's tried after others in the SSRI category have failed. Be candid with your doctor. Zoloft (low dose, 50 mg to start) is pretty gentle. I'd rather risk a couple minor side effects (dry mouth esp.), than my son's overall well-being. It must have been a trial for you these past couple years, and I hope if you have any other questions or need any other kind of help, to remember to post here. The denizens of this site are very empathetic and helpful, and we've all experienced the meds run-around. Which reminds me, if the first med doesn't work, there are many more to try. It's usually a matter of finding the right fit for each individual, and it may take some tweaking. So, don't get discouraged...
With all the best wishes for you and your son,
Wendy
> I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your son. And I know haw hard of a decision that you now have deciding about medications for your other child.
>
> I believe that it's unusual to prescribe Effexor as a first antidepressant. Usually, a doctor will first try an SSRI such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, or Lexapro.
>
> If your child seems to be depressed, I would advise you to put him/her on a prescription antidepressant. Fish oil is not the answer in this situation. Ask the doctor about starting your child on an SSRI. Don't let him/her continue to be depressed.
Posted by mld on November 21, 2002, at 8:27:01
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR » mld, posted by Geezer on November 19, 2002, at 16:05:05
> Hi mld,
>
> Just my opinion.....OK? I am an oldtimer, have been on the receiving end of psyc. drug treatment for 30 years (currently taking 30 mg of Parnate and receiving ECT). Let me say it straight up - no child of mine would get anywhere near Effexor or Paxil! I have children and grandchildren...it just wouldn't happen.
>
> I have lived with my share of pain and survived a couple of "close calls".....I can't even imagine the hurt you have experienced. My heart goes out to you.
>
> GeezerThank you for your posting. I'm still confused, as my child hasn't been sleeping through the night for over a year. She is resisting therapy, but will be going to a 'social worker' in about 4 days. But she's supposed to start the Effexor before that!
mld
Posted by mld on November 21, 2002, at 8:29:43
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR » mld, posted by NikkiT2 on November 19, 2002, at 16:46:55
My daughter went to a couple of sessions in the summer. Didn't find them helpful. She doesn't have the perspective that an adult has. She will be starting w/ a new counselor in a few days. We'll see...
mld
Posted by mld on November 21, 2002, at 8:32:20
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by joy on November 20, 2002, at 10:28:35
> I agree with Nikke and Geezer, having been on several ADs. Nix the Effexor. A good counselor, time, and love will help. I'm so sorry for your loss.
> JoyThank you for your sympathy. It has been a horrible time. I guess I'm just afraid that if I don't have her use the med. and therapy, she'll just stop therapy again and we'll get nowhere.
mld
Posted by mld on November 21, 2002, at 8:36:42
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by Bill L on November 20, 2002, at 12:46:49
> I'm really sorry to hear about the loss of your son. And I know haw hard of a decision that you now have deciding about medications for your other child.
>
> I believe that it's unusual to prescribe Effexor as a first antidepressant. Usually, a doctor will first try an SSRI such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, or Lexapro.
>
> If your child seems to be depressed, I would advise you to put him/her on a prescription antidepressant. Fish oil is not the answer in this situation. Ask the doctor about starting your child on an SSRI. Don't let him/her continue to be depressed.Thank you for your sympathy. I have put a call into the Doc w/a request for a different med. Haven't received a reply.
mld
Posted by mld on November 21, 2002, at 8:38:27
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR » mld, posted by Dinah on November 20, 2002, at 18:13:36
> As a former depressed teen, I'd have to agree with Bill L. I was in therapy and it did me very little good - a good medication would have been far more useful. Mind you, I'm a big fan of therapy, but I know its limitations. Why doesn't your pdoc want to try a straight SSRI first? The sexual side effects?
I'm not sure. The pdoc hasn't responded to me. She seems to be overwhelmed w/patients. It took about 3 months to get the initial appt.!
mld
Posted by Geezer on November 21, 2002, at 13:43:19
In reply to Re: Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 21, 2002, at 8:27:01
> > Hi mld,
> >
> > Just my opinion.....OK? I am an oldtimer, have been on the receiving end of psyc. drug treatment for 30 years (currently taking 30 mg of Parnate and receiving ECT). Let me say it straight up - no child of mine would get anywhere near Effexor or Paxil! I have children and grandchildren...it just wouldn't happen.
> >
> > I have lived with my share of pain and survived a couple of "close calls".....I can't even imagine the hurt you have experienced. My heart goes out to you.
> >
> > Geezer
>
> Thank you for your posting. I'm still confused, as my child hasn't been sleeping through the night for over a year. She is resisting therapy, but will be going to a 'social worker' in about 4 days. But she's supposed to start the Effexor before that!
> mld
>Hi mld,
My suggestion would be to ask the psychiatrist to start your daughter on one of the "softer" SSRI drugs, Celexa, Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro, etc. - there is no conclusive evidence that anyone of these drugs is better than the other. Since there is no empirical, scientific testing to match the right drug to the right patient, the trial-and-error method is necessary to determine which drug your daughter can best tolerate. Your daughter's problem with sleep is one of the symptoms of depression that demands prompt attention.
Another important thing to rule out before any anti-depressants are given is Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression.....there are several mild and suttle forms, not always easy to recognize). If Bipolar Depression is a possibility a mood stabilizer MUST be given. Bipolar Depression can not be treated without first stabilizing the mood.
Effexor seems to be very popular with the pdocs (apparently they feel it is most effective and acts quickly), what they don't recognize-or won't admit to-are the withdrawal symptoms. None of these AD meds work indefinitely, a young person can face many med changes over a lifetime, the changes should be as "painless" as possible.
I hope you will continue to post and keep us updated on your daughter's progress.
Geezer
Posted by shar30906 on November 21, 2002, at 13:47:01
In reply to Should my child even start Effexor XR, posted by mld on November 19, 2002, at 10:22:52
i'm 24 and have taken anti depressants for 10 years this is a good med because it targest seritonin and noriepinephinen (sp), but their are many other choices for meds, you have to weight side effects, and the how severeity of your childs depression,and i would strongly recommend greif councling for your entire family, even if you do start meds and individual councling with your child , if cost is an issue, the county your child is in school in must pay for it by law
good luck and best wishes
shar30906
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