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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Aziza on April 21, 2003, at 1:28:41
I just want to know what people think about Effexor compared to other AD's. I've tried Prozac and Lexapro, not happy with either one. I didn't feel any real lessening of the depression, and I felt woozy and lost sexual desire (I'm a woman). My brother is on Selzone, and loves it. But my doctor wants to start me on Effexor, since Selzone can have such serious liver side effects. He thought of putting me on Wellbutrin, but decided against it because of the seizure risk (higher in people with eating disorders, and I was anorexic as a teenager, 20 years ago).
I'm just worried that Effexor won't work, and will also have similar side effects to the SSRI's I was on. I've read where some men have had trouble reaching orgasm, and wonder if women also experience sexual side effects with Effexor.
Lots of questions, I know!
Posted by Caleb462 on April 21, 2003, at 2:08:34
In reply to Should I start Effexor?, posted by Aziza on April 21, 2003, at 1:28:41
> I just want to know what people think about Effexor compared to other AD's. I've tried Prozac and Lexapro, not happy with either one. I didn't feel any real lessening of the depression, and I felt woozy and lost sexual desire (I'm a woman). My brother is on Selzone, and loves it. But my doctor wants to start me on Effexor, since Selzone can have such serious liver side effects. He thought of putting me on Wellbutrin, but decided against it because of the seizure risk (higher in people with eating disorders, and I was anorexic as a teenager, 20 years ago).
>
> I'm just worried that Effexor won't work, and will also have similar side effects to the SSRI's I was on. I've read where some men have had trouble reaching orgasm, and wonder if women also experience sexual side effects with Effexor.
>
> Lots of questions, I know!The problem with Effexor is that, yes, it has ALL the typical SSRI side effects - inculding sexual problems - and it has additional side effects due to it's added noradrenergic ability. So if you don't want to deal with SSRI-type side effects, than Effexor is not a good choice. Besides, if you haven't responded to Prozac or Lexapro, then a serotonergic drug is probably not what you need. I think Wellbutrin sounds like a good choice, the seizure thing shouldn't be a problem as long as the dose is reasonable. If you are comfortable accepting the very small risk, then perhaps you should tell your doc you would like to try it. This is just my suggestion, of course.
Posted by Stacey fu on April 21, 2003, at 2:16:37
In reply to Should I start Effexor?, posted by Aziza on April 21, 2003, at 1:28:41
I want to get switched to Effexor (from Zoloft) for 2 reasons... I'm always drowsy, and I have no sex drive. If you were having problems on other AD's, it's good your willing to try something else. Everybody will respond differently to different medications. Of course you know that sexual side effects are common with all AD's. But there is a lower incidence of it with Effexor vs. other antidepressants like Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro (I was on that, too!) ect. Difficulty with orgasm on AD's is not for males only. Women will take longer to have an orgasm, expend more effort, and then when it finally happens, it's barely a release. It leaves you frustrated. Many women experience it. The best thing to do is address it with your doc or psychiatrist. He or she will understand. And ask about Effexor's likelihood to cause sexual problems. But don't get discouraged. Give it a try! I'm going to! I'll let you know how it is. Good luck!
Posted by Sarah S on April 21, 2003, at 15:05:58
In reply to Re: Should I start Effexor?, posted by Stacey fu on April 21, 2003, at 2:16:37
Well, I am a girl who experienced absolutely no sexual side effects with Effexor, but I still wouldn't recommend it. First of all, it made me exhausted and took most of the joy out of life (probably cause serotinergic drugs can decrease dopamine). Secondly, I do know people who had sexual problems while on it, so my experience in that regard was unique--besides, my sex drive is so high you couldn't kill it with a sledgehammer, lol, so I was probably just immune to that side effect.
I would, however, recommend Wellbutrin. It's worked pretty well for me so far, and although I used to be anorexic it hasn't given me any seizures. I think the risk of seizures is almost nonexistent for people who haven't had seizures before, and even smaller if you get the SR formula. If it really worries you tho, you could always combine it with Klonopin, which is an anti-seizure drug as well as a great anti-anxiety med. Personally I have found Wellbutrin to be a godsend, since it's very effective for me and has fewer side effects than the SSRIs, but that's just my two cents.
This is the end of the thread.
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