Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 10188

Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Need AD that won't raise my bloodpressure/weight

Posted by Malia on August 16, 1999, at 16:30:38

I am new here, and 3 weeks into finding the right AD. My doc gave me 75/150mg of Effexor for 2 weeks, which made me feel so much better, and a bit euphoric, but still very good. Unfortunately, it raised my blood pressure by 20 points on both diastolic and systolic readings. It also made me sweat alot, which I didn't like. I had a bit of insomnia and early-morning waking, but it was worth the feelings of well-being. It also helped me lose a few pounds rather quickly. Now, the doctor had to switch me to Serzone, which I don't think is working for me. I'm tired, agitated and rather moody. Though I'm not too depressed, I don't feel so great either. I have headaches everyday, and I've gained 5 of the 10lbs. I lost. I'm overweight too. Has anyone had a good experience with an AD that doesn't compromise blood pressure and weight much? I liked the Effexor, but can't risk my health either. Seems like a trade-off sometimes. Please give me your input. Thank you.

 

high blood pressure/weight gain

Posted by Elizabeth on August 16, 1999, at 21:07:34

In reply to Need AD that won't raise my bloodpressure/weight, posted by Malia on August 16, 1999, at 16:30:38

Hi Malia, and welcome to Club Psycho-babble. :-)

How long have you been taking the Serzone, and at what dose? It sounds like it's not the thing for you, but it's probably worthwhile to give it a chance.

How was your appetite on the Effexor, and how is it now?

Also, what dose of Effexor did you start out on? I wonder if the side effects might be milder if you started on a low dose and increase gradually.

What is your blood pressure usually like?

Finally, what kind of symptoms do you have, especially in regards to sleep and appetite? To a certain extent, these can predict your response to antidepressants.

Wellbutrin might be a good antidepressant to try. It's stimulating (chemically similar to amphetamine) but generally doesn't cause high blood pressure and hardly ever causes weight gain (though I've heard of a couple people who gained weight on it, it seems like often as not it saps people's appetites). It does cause insomnia, anxiety, and irritability for some people.

SSRIs like Prozac and Zoloft don't seem to cause too much weight gain, though occasionally they can. It's impossible to predict if they will do it to you, until you try them. I'd stay away from Paxil if you're going to try this class of drugs because Paxil seems to cause weight gain more often than the other ones. SSRIs hardly ever have significant cardiovascular effects.

Remeron is liable to cause low blood pressure if anything, but it very frequently causes weight gain.

Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are two older classes of antidepressants. They do tend to cause weight gain, with two exceptions: the MAOI Parnate (which I take) does not cause weight gain (but it does cause a lot of insomnia), and the tricyclic desipramine may not cause weight gain. Tricyclics can have a lot of side effects, and MAOIs require a short list of dietary restrictions that includes all aged cheeses, tap beer, and soy products, among others. Both drug classes tend to cause low blood pressure, especially when you rise from sitting to standing. A possible side effect of Parnate is brief increased blood pressure right after a dose. I actually get rather significant increases (this seems to be *really* rare but is something to watch out for) and can't take more than a small dose at a time, which has limited the total amount I can take.

 

Sorry...hit enter key by accident. Here...

Posted by Malia on August 17, 1999, at 16:45:33

In reply to Re: high blood pressure/weight gain, posted by Malia on August 17, 1999, at 16:33:47

Thanks for your input Elizabeth! I really appreciate it.

To answer your questions, I started taking 75mg of Effexor for 7 days, increased to 150mg for another 7 days. Saw my cardiologist, and he agreed I should switch (I check my bp regularly, and it did go way up). My psychiatrist switched me to a starting dose (50mg 2x/day) of Serzone. I've only been on it for 6 days now. The next dose will go up to 100mg 2x/day.

I'm overweight. I don't want to say by how much, but I'm not morbidly obese. I have suffered from bulimia 15 years ago, and have had two diagonosed bouts of depression over the past 15 years as well. This is the first time I'm being medicated. I have a tendency to be anxiety-ridden, and have insomnia even more now with the AD's. My eating pattern prior to Effexor was turning into an obsessive/compulsive type of eating behavior. I gained 20lbs over the past 6 months. My father recently died of cancer and it has taken it's toll on me among other problems. I couldn't control my eating due to my depression. After taking the Effexor, I noticed within days that my appetite was practically non-existant. I only ate when I was truly hungry, and would usually "forget" to eat. It was amazing. I'd lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks. Now, I've put on 5 within a week of Serzone. I hear that AD's take awhile to work usually, but with me, I seem to feel everything changing right away. With the Serzone, I'm disappointed. My appetite is changing...I craving a lot of carbohydrates. I have early morning waking with insomnia too. I don't sleep more that 4 hours a night, but I don't feel really fatigued like I would without AD's. I'm really craving the Effexor. I feel the withdrawal most definitely. I don't like it at all, and don't like the Serzone so far. I'm not feeling better...just moodier and agitated all the time.

If anyone wants to add in their opinions or experiences, please do so. Meanwhile, I'll fantasize about the next AD I'll try in order to get it right, or close to it at least.

 

Another correction...

Posted by Malia on August 17, 1999, at 16:50:20

In reply to Sorry...hit enter key by accident. Here..., posted by Malia on August 17, 1999, at 16:45:33

I made a mistake...I started Effexor at 37.5 then moved up to 75 mg the second week. Even at that very low dose, my blood pressure was affected. It's rare, esp. with time release, my doc said, but not impossible. The doc said he may put me on Wellbutrin next, or form a cocktail.

 

Re: Another idea...

Posted by Dr. Bob on August 17, 1999, at 23:06:27

In reply to Another correction..., posted by Malia on August 17, 1999, at 16:50:20

> I made a mistake...I started Effexor at 37.5 then moved up to 75 mg the second week. Even at that very low dose, my blood pressure was affected. It's rare, esp. with time release, my doc said, but not impossible.

Hmm, I couldn't help thinking, sometimes terazosin (Hytrin) is used for sweating:

http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Sweating-from-antidepressa.html

And terazosin's actually marketed as a blood pressure medication.

So...

I don't know what your blood pressure runs, or what, if anything, you're taking for it already, but it wouldn't hurt to ask your cardiologist, since you have one, about the possibility of combining Effexor and Hytrin...

Bob

 

Thanks Dr. Bob...more info

Posted by Malia on August 18, 1999, at 13:11:50

In reply to Re: Another idea..., posted by Dr. Bob on August 17, 1999, at 23:06:27

Thanks for your advice, Dr. Bob. I'm taking 200 mg. /day of Atenolol (Tenormin) for my hypertension. Typical BP with meds is 120/80. With Effexor added, it was 130-140/100, a significant rise. The Cardiologist didn't suggest staying on the Effexor, and neither did my Pschiatrist, but I'll keep trying to find the right combo for my system. Any more ideas on AD's that can give me similar benefits of Effexor (good energy level, overall feeling of well-being) without "zoning" me out, or making me gain weight and increase my BP? Is this too much to ask? I know there are many side-effects with ADs, but tell me what you think given my situation if you can...or anyone???

 

Re: Thanks Dr. Bob...more info

Posted by Rick on August 18, 1999, at 19:20:14

In reply to Thanks Dr. Bob...more info, posted by Malia on August 18, 1999, at 13:11:50

I'm no expert on BP-medication interactions with Effexor (if there are any at all), but have you had your doctor try other BP medications and/or combinations? 130-140 isn't that bad as a systolic reading; indeed, 140 is the goal for treated hypertensives (although lower is always better). 100 diastolic IS too high.

I'm surprised your're only taking Atenolol. Combination-drug therapy is very common in treating hypertension. I have a severely hypertensive friend whose BP, without BP meds, averages about 170-190/110-120, and he's currently taking FIVE different BP meds! And he is not obese. (I believe the idea is to eventually taper him down to the most effective combination of three meds).
His BP ON the meds varies greatly, from 115/75 to 165/105, but you're apparently starting at a lower level so you would probably have a more stable reaction (and on fewer drugs). He's currently taking a Beta Blocker (Toprol, not Atenolol), an Alpha Blocker, a Calcium Channel Blocker, an Ace Inhibitor, and a diuretic. Oddly (and fortunately), he has few side effects. Also note that there are some other classes of BP meds as well, including some very strong ones (e.g., vasodilators) and others in development. Has your doctor looked into combination therapy for you? In particular, I'm surprised you're not taking a diuretic.

Rick

> Thanks for your advice, Dr. Bob. I'm taking 200 mg. /day of Atenolol (Tenormin) for my hypertension. Typical BP with meds is 120/80. With Effexor added, it was 130-140/100, a significant rise. The Cardiologist didn't suggest staying on the Effexor, and neither did my Pschiatrist, but I'll keep trying to find the right combo for my system. Any more ideas on AD's that can give me similar benefits of Effexor (good energy level, overall feeling of well-being) without "zoning" me out, or making me gain weight and increase my BP? Is this too much to ask? I know there are many side-effects with ADs, but tell me what you think given my situation if you can...or anyone???

 

High blood pressure also

Posted by Colleen on August 18, 1999, at 22:52:57

In reply to Re: Thanks Dr. Bob...more info, posted by Rick on August 18, 1999, at 19:20:14

I taking 300mg Effexor, 3mg Risperdal and 150Mg of WellButrin. The Wellbutrin was just added last week for I was not doing well and "zoning out". Also I had to increase my Risperdal for I was having pychosis. I have gained alot of weight being on Effexor (100lbs to be exact) and I just recently did my blood pressure at the drug store. I was shocked to see it 150/68. MY normal blood pressure is 110/62. My pdoc doesn't think the Effexor is causing the sudden increase in blood pressure. It's got me freaked out. What do you think Dr. Bob. Could it be an effect from the other medication that I'm taking.
I'm glad that I did read this (I'm new at this web site) for it gave me ideas to bring to my doctor. I'm also going to make an appointment with a cardiologist. I already have an appointment in September to have a physical with an internist.

 

Re: High blood pressure also

Posted by Malia on August 19, 1999, at 11:14:37

In reply to High blood pressure also, posted by Colleen on August 18, 1999, at 22:52:57

Wow...thanks for the info. I'm surprised to hear about your weight gain. On Effexor, I had very little appetite and lost weight immediately. Were you only on Effexor at the time? Did you feel hungry with the Effexor as opposed to not taking it? It's interesting how AD's affect us all differently. BTW, I'm 32 and about 70 lbs. overweight. I know how hard it is to lose the weight, so I can relate. What are you doing to remedy the situation right now? Also, if you can, give us an update after you go to the cardiologist. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me/us!


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