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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on September 7, 2011, at 13:34:15
Has anyone responded well to Pristiq who failed to respond adequately to Effexor?
Thanks.
It looks like I will be discontinuing Nardil for lack of adequate response after more than a year of treatment. My doctor is not at all impressed with my lack of progress, despite my having had a few good days periodically. I have reached the limit of my patience for my current treatment. It is my intention to discontinue Nardil and replace it with either Effexor or Pristiq.
- Scott
Posted by sigismund on September 7, 2011, at 13:56:01
In reply to Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success, posted by SLS on September 7, 2011, at 13:34:15
But I thought that 40% was slow steady improvement from 15%. Wasn't that the idea? Of course, these percentages, I don't know how you keep track, but you have to use words.
And you have taken Effexor before, presumably to no really great effect?
But not Pristiq?
I did see someone on Pristiq who seemed much improved, but only once and a long time ago. Pay no attention :)
Posted by SLS on September 7, 2011, at 16:23:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » SLS, posted by sigismund on September 7, 2011, at 13:56:01
> But I thought that 40% was slow steady improvement from 15%.
Maybe I just don't fully appreciate the improvement I have gained.
> And you have taken Effexor before, presumably to no really great effect?
Several years ago, I combined Effexor and nortriptyline. I maintained a partial response. However, I was only taking 75mg of nortriptyline. Now that we have finally established 150mg as being the necessary dosage for nortriptyline, I would like to retry Effexor or perhaps Pristiq instead.
> Wasn't that the idea? Of course, these percentages, I don't know how you keep track, but you have to use words.
Yes.
> But not Pristiq?
I have seen a friend of mine respond robustly to Pristiq whom did not respond well to Effexor.
> I did see someone on Pristiq who seemed much improved, but only once and a long time ago. Pay no attention :)
I've lost my patience. For now, I would prefer to discontinue patience and start Pristiq.
This is not fun.
- Scott
Posted by sigismund on September 7, 2011, at 16:53:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » sigismund, posted by SLS on September 7, 2011, at 16:23:51
It's not just a passing mood then?
Life tries the patience of the best of us.
But this bloke, he was kind of a new person on Pristiq. I was impressed. But I have no idea if he had previously tried Effexor.
So it's not the side effects of Nardil that make you want to stop that?
Posted by SLS on September 7, 2011, at 17:59:22
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » SLS, posted by sigismund on September 7, 2011, at 16:53:51
> It's not just a passing mood then?
I'm not so much looking at passing moods that last a few days, as comparing my mood peaks to remission. After a year of treatment, my best just isn't good enough.
> Life tries the patience of the best of us.Yes. I have been very impatient in the past. For me, patience has been a learned skill. We'll see how well I have learned the lesson with future treatments.
> But this bloke, he was kind of a new person on Pristiq. I was impressed.Good to know.
> But I have no idea if he had previously tried Effexor.
So far, I know of only one person who has tried both Effexor and Pristiq. I am impressed as well.
> So it's not the side effects of Nardil that make you want to stop that?No. The weight gain bothers me, but the other side effects are tolerable. It is important to titrate Nardil gradually so as not to provoke side effects, lest they linger.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on September 7, 2011, at 18:32:55
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » sigismund, posted by SLS on September 7, 2011, at 17:59:22
I think Floatingbridge was on them both at one time thinking about it. Is B2chica another one? Scott with 40% what does that allow you to do? Drive go places, volunteer? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on September 8, 2011, at 0:30:43
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » SLS, posted by Phillipa on September 7, 2011, at 18:32:55
> I think Floatingbridge was on them both at one time thinking about it. Is B2chica another one? Scott with 40% what does that allow you to do? Drive go places, volunteer? Phillipa
I can drive, but not work. I don't have the energy. Cognitive and memory impairments contribute to my not being able to hold a job. I tried.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2011, at 19:10:57
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » Phillipa, posted by SLS on September 8, 2011, at 0:30:43
Scott any chance you feel that eliminating nardil will cause some weight loss hence possibly more energy. I didn't know you had tried to work. Sorry it didn't work out. Stinks!!! Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 1:22:41
In reply to Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success, posted by SLS on September 7, 2011, at 13:34:15
Scott, after reading this thread here and the one on the meds board, your plan is starting to make sense to me :-)
So, I have a question. How big has anxiety been a factor? I can see that as a possible issue coming off Nardil on to something more stimulating.
Maybe. Just a thought....
Posted by SLS on September 9, 2011, at 6:46:04
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 1:22:41
> Scott, after reading this thread here and the one on the meds board, your plan is starting to make sense to me :-)
>
> So, I have a question. How big has anxiety been a factor? I can see that as a possible issue coming off Nardil on to something more stimulating.Is Viibryd stimulating?
> Maybe. Just a thought....
I've been on and off Nardil so often, I seem not to experience withdrawal symptoms anymore, even with a rapid taper. I might experience some REM rebound. I'll let you know the extent to which anxiety is a component of withdrawal. I am expecting to take a week to taper Nardil and then wait two weeks before adding Viibryd, a serotonin uptake inhibitor. Viibryd was expected to be anxiolytic, but it turns out to be a better antidepressant. You might consider it, as you might experience an improvement in depression and anxiety.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 7:53:27
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » floatingbridge, posted by SLS on September 9, 2011, at 6:46:04
I'll look up Viibryd. Though the Emsam does provide, at least I believe, a necessary stimulant effect. I am revisiting basic treatment assumptions....
Posted by sigismund on September 9, 2011, at 14:26:49
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 7:53:27
The issue for you, fb, might be how can you get something that is mood brightening which does not upset your sleep or aggravate anxiety.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 15:34:37
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on September 9, 2011, at 14:26:49
And therein lies the rub....
Posted by sigismund on September 9, 2011, at 20:13:25
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » sigismund, posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 15:34:37
Tell me if you find it.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 9, 2011, at 22:00:47
In reply to Re: Effexor Failure versus Pristiq Success » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on September 9, 2011, at 20:13:25
You will be the very first :-)
This is the end of the thread.
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