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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Karen on October 21, 1998, at 16:13:41
Well, As previously posted Dr. put mu on 40mgs of inderal along with the zanax. That same day I came down with the flu and STOPPED ALL MEDS!!!!! Landed me in the the hospital for 2 days I was SEVERELY dehydrated!! as well as you can guess detoxing from the zanax!! TOTAL HELL I THOUGHT I WAS A GONNER!!!! Toby can I ask you one more question? Is 37.5mg of effexor high? Like i said i get the neck and jaw rigid thing do you think this is because I cannot tolerate SSRI or that a WAY lower dose might be effective? All the SSRI did that to me but i was started on I believe was not the lower doses of them? Should I forget them all together or maybe try baby doses and sees what happens?
One more thing: I read that a robust affect from effexor very early on (3-4 days) which was me,it can be bi-polar? I was not the typical MANIC but definately felt great!!! Clues???THANKS AGAIN!
Posted by Toby on October 26, 1998, at 15:13:08
In reply to TOBY:OMIGOSH,just released from the hospital, posted by Karen on October 21, 1998, at 16:13:41
Effexor 37.5 mg per day is actually the usual starting dose, so I would perceive it as a generally very low dose. In people that are sensitive to meds, though, who can say what dose will cause a reaction? One interesting thing about Effexor, though, is that at low doses it acts like an SSRI but the higher the dose goes, the more it adds norepinephrine and then at fairly high doses it adds dopamine (for our pleasure center). So, if you have the strange SSRI side effects at low doses, they MAY go away at higher doses as the norepinephrine and dopamine override the serotonin effects.
If the SSRI's consistently gave you intolerable side effects, there's probably a good reason for that. I think (personal opinion) that this may be a sign that some other chemistry is involved and another class of medication is indicated.
I have also read about the robust response to Effexor possibly being an indication of bipolar, but I don't think that is being conclusively shown in follow-up studies. Basically, many more people have robust responses to Effexor than to other medications, so it's not unusual that some would turn out to be bipolar; plus the fact that antidepressants can sometimes cause a manic reaction in some people, even though they are not truly bipolar. If you just felt really good on it without the other signs of mania, I would take that as a positive sign for future response, not as a sign of impending bipolar disorder.
Posted by Toby on October 26, 1998, at 15:13:19
In reply to TOBY:OMIGOSH,just released from the hospital, posted by Karen on October 21, 1998, at 16:13:41
Effexor 37.5 mg per day is actually the usual starting dose, so I would perceive it as a generally very low dose. In people that are sensitive to meds, though, who can say what dose will cause a reaction? One interesting thing about Effexor, though, is that at low doses it acts like an SSRI but the higher the dose goes, the more it adds norepinephrine and then at fairly high doses it adds dopamine (for our pleasure center). So, if you have the strange SSRI side effects at low doses, they MAY go away at higher doses as the norepinephrine and dopamine override the serotonin effects.
If the SSRI's consistently gave you intolerable side effects, there's probably a good reason for that. I think (personal opinion) that this may be a sign that some other chemistry is involved and another class of medication is indicated.
I have also read about the robust response to Effexor possibly being an indication of bipolar, but I don't think that is being conclusively shown in follow-up studies. Basically, many more people have robust responses to Effexor than to other medications, so it's not unusual that some would turn out to be bipolar; plus the fact that antidepressants can sometimes cause a manic reaction in some people, even though they are not truly bipolar. If you just felt really good on it without the other signs of mania, I would take that as a positive sign for future response, not as a sign of impending bipolar disorder.
Posted by Victor on October 31, 1998, at 16:18:09
In reply to Re: Effexor dose, posted by Toby on October 26, 1998, at 15:13:19
37.5 mg per day??? !!!
I am taking 150 mg TWICE a day. I take the XR capsules.
That explains why I had such bad withdrawl symptoms when
I ran out of medication a month ago on a business
trip. I am still amazed at the before and after difference.Love and peace to all
Victor> Effexor 37.5 mg per day is actually the usual starting dose, so I would perceive it as a generally very low dose. In people that are sensitive to meds, though, who can say what dose will cause a reaction? One interesting thing about Effexor, though, is that at low doses it acts like an SSRI but the higher the dose goes, the more it adds norepinephrine and then at fairly high doses it adds dopamine (for our pleasure center). So, if you have the strange SSRI side effects at low doses, they MAY go away at higher doses as the norepinephrine and dopamine override the serotonin effects.
> If the SSRI's consistently gave you intolerable side effects, there's probably a good reason for that. I think (personal opinion) that this may be a sign that some other chemistry is involved and another class of medication is indicated.
> I have also read about the robust response to Effexor possibly being an indication of bipolar, but I don't think that is being conclusively shown in follow-up studies. Basically, many more people have robust responses to Effexor than to other medications, so it's not unusual that some would turn out to be bipolar; plus the fact that antidepressants can sometimes cause a manic reaction in some people, even though they are not truly bipolar. If you just felt really good on it without the other signs of mania, I would take that as a positive sign for future response, not as a sign of impending bipolar disorder.
Posted by Bett L. Martinez on September 8, 1999, at 1:31:16
In reply to Re: Effexor dose, posted by Toby on October 26, 1998, at 15:13:08
> Effexor 37.5 mg per day is actually the usual starting dose, so I would perceive it as a generally very low dose. In people that are sensitive to meds, though, who can say what dose will cause a reaction? One interesting thing about Effexor, though, is that at low doses it acts like an SSRI but the higher the dose goes, the more it adds norepinephrine and then at fairly high doses it adds dopamine (for our pleasure center). So, if you have the strange SSRI side effects at low doses, they MAY go away at higher doses as the norepinephrine and dopamine override the serotonin effects.
> If the SSRI's consistently gave you intolerable side effects, there's probably a good reason for that. I think (personal opinion) that this may be a sign that some other chemistry is involved and another class of medication is indicated.
> I have also read about the robust response to Effexor possibly being an indication of bipolar, but I don't think that is being conclusively shown in follow-up studies. Basically, many more people have robust responses to Effexor than to other medications, so it's not unusual that some would turn out to be bipolar; plus the fact that antidepressants can sometimes cause a manic reaction in some people, even though they are not truly bipolar. If you just felt really good on it without the other signs of mania, I would take that as a positive sign for future response, not as a sign of impending bipolar disorder.
A pharmacist told me about this site awhile ago, but didn't have the URL. I came upon it tonight by accident, searching for info beyond the hype on Aricept (donepezil).I am an educator,who performs a mixed combination of functions for clients related to health situations, depending on need: information, advocacy, support.
Don't have medical background, but have training as a professional information broker, i.e. can use professional databases, and am good at informational interviewing.
have a new client, wife of an Alzheimer's sufferer. The dilemma now is when to find a facility for him, what would be appropriate.
Reading about Aricept, the Scandinavian study, just reported on at a major congress, I thought, "Wow! Perhaps this could delay the day...!"
Finding this site I see that Aricept has been around for a couple of years. :Not only that but several people (assume docs) report as a side effect, incontinence of urine.
Recalling I was told he's recently been put on a new drug that is supposed to help -- I now have a hunch that drug is Aricept, and that what was taken to be a new and worsening symptom may actually be a side effect of medication!
Will keep you posted.Meanwhile, a question: Have you heard anything about augmentation of Adderall (for ADHD) with low doses of Effexor?
Could find nothing on this...thank you,
Bett L. Martinez
WomenPause and WELL-BEING
WomenPause@aol.com.
Posted by Stressed Mom on September 26, 1999, at 23:20:55
In reply to Re: Effexor dose, posted by Toby on October 26, 1998, at 15:13:08
I am a stressed out mom wondering if anyone finds that the effexor causes them to become more hyper. My son has just started taking effexor and aderall and I can't tell which is making him bounce off the walls. I think I will put him back on the ritalin. It worked well just not long enough. I can't live with him as he is. I hope someone can help me.
Posted by Bob on September 27, 1999, at 11:58:34
In reply to Re: Effexor dose, posted by Stressed Mom on September 26, 1999, at 23:20:55
As someone mentioned on a different thread, when you change more than one medication at the same time, you cannot be sure which new med (or lack of an old med) is contributing to a main effect or side effect. Maybe folks with experience with these two meds can say more, but scientifically it's a crap shoot. Why did his doctor switch from Ritalin to adderall plus effexor? Was it due to the short time period that ritalin has for efficacy? If so, ask him what each of the new meds is supposed to do. Is one being prescribed to address the hyperactivity and the other to compensate for side effects of the first? or is the second meant to augment the therapeutic effect of the first? In any event, if the ritalin really isn't working as well as you need the meds to work, then talk with your doctor about which medicine your son should switch to first -- perhaps even while taking the ritalin -- and then when should the second one be eased in. You should also ask if the ritalin should be tapered off instead of stopped cold turkey.
Again, folks more experienced with ADD/ADHD and these meds might be able to be more specific, but the suggestions above are standard "experimental" procedure -- if you change two variables at the same time, you can't tell which determines any subsequent effects. Worse yet, by ending one med and starting two new meds, you were changing three variables.
Good luck,
Bob
Posted by Noa on September 27, 1999, at 17:38:28
In reply to Re: Effexor dose, posted by Bob on September 27, 1999, at 11:58:34
Once again, Bob has given good advice.
My experience on Effexor is that it has been very ACTIVATING for me. I often feel physically restless, like wanting to tap my fingers or feet, and it is hard to fall asleep. Don't know if this is similar to what is happening with your son, but thought it might help to hear other people's experiences.
This is the end of the thread.
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