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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JavaJava on April 4, 2002, at 11:44:30
Sorry about this long post, but I'm new to this board, and kind of nervous! I want to make sure I get in all the gnarly details (LOL).
I'm also new to Effexor XR, which I just started today. My psychiatrist put me on 37.5 mg./day for a week, and then 75 mg./day thereafter.
I was diagnosed as bipolar 10 years ago, and fortunately, my symptoms have been so minimal that they've never really caused problems in my life. I've never actually been manic, but I have leaned towards depression. Right now I'm on Neurontin and also Klonopin, the latter being something I take on an as-needed basis.
I also suffer from panic attacks (I've had these for 30 years, so I'm no stranger to panic! And the Klonopin helps in this regard, too.)
I'm 45 and female, so hello, premenopausal mood swings! Hence, the Effexor. I'm also going to start continuous birth control pill therapy, which will stop my periods for a while, and hopefully my PMS/depression/mood swings. Both my gynecologist and psychiatrist are in agreement that this is a good thing for me right now, and I agree, as well.
I'm SO neurotic about taking new meds, most specifically psych meds, so I need to hear some GOOD STUFF! Yeah, maybe I'm deluding myself right now, but if I hear a bunch of bad things/experiences, I'm liable not to take the medicine.
I'm also the type that if I think I'm feeling a side effect (especially nervousness or derealization), I'll just stop the medicine altogether. This harks back to a bad experience I had with Prozac last year: My FORMER gynecologist prescribed it to me for mood swings, but I neglected to tell him about being bipolar (and bipolars generally don't do well with SSRIs!), and I had the panic attack of a lifetime -- easily the most frightening point of my entire life.
So I'm neurotic, cautious, and I probably focus way too much on all this stuff -- so could somebody please reassure me as to the GOOD things that could come from taking Effexor, and some GOOD personal experiences?
I need some support right now so I can take my medicine, ignore the side effects, and hopefully end these mood swings.
Thanks in advance!
Posted by kiddo on April 4, 2002, at 15:05:16
In reply to Effexor Newbie! Success Stories Please!!!, posted by JavaJava on April 4, 2002, at 11:44:30
Hiya Java-
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Glad you found your way here and hope you'll stick around.
I'm currently on Effexor, Take Neurontin, but take Stelazine as needed for panic attacks.
I started out on 75mgs and had headaches and nausea-starting out at the 37.5mg should help with that though.
Other than headaches and nausea in the beginning, which subsided after about 2 weeks, it's been great!
The Neurontin+Effexor combo has worked the best for me. I don't fall into the 'slump', the continuous mood swing that I've always had.. (Borderline Personality, Bipolar NOS, anxiety/panic disorder,,,yada, yada, the list can go on for a week)
Hope that helps,Kiddo
Posted by amber_spirit on April 4, 2002, at 15:37:22
In reply to Effexor Newbie! Success Stories Please!!!, posted by JavaJava on April 4, 2002, at 11:44:30
I've been on Effexor and Klonopin for 2 years and
its the best I've ever felt. It's been long enough
that I don't particularly remember the side effects
but I do know that I'm a big-time wimp in that
regard, so I know there couldn't have been much. I
don't remember any nausea at all. Only complaints
I have is weight gain (problem my whole life so
nothing new) and hot flashes/sweating. Right now
I'm trading the klonopin for neurontin, so good to
hear someone else is having luck on that combo.
Hope it works as well for you.AS
p.s. I'm a newbie here too.
Posted by JavaJava on April 4, 2002, at 16:12:07
In reply to Re: Effexor Newbie! Success Stories Please!!!, posted by amber_spirit on April 4, 2002, at 15:37:22
Thanks, Kiddo, thanks amber_spirit! Right now I need all the encouragement I can get. It's SO hard for me to take this -- no, make that ANY -- new medicine.
amber_spirit, I think Neurontin is a wonder drug. I've been on it for 10 months, and aside from being sleepy for a couple of days in the beginning, have had no side effects, and no weight gain from it, either. Another great benefit is that it also stopped my EXTREMEly bad menstrual cramps.
Yes, I plan to stick around this board; from what I've seen, it looks pretty good!
Posted by johnj on April 4, 2002, at 20:23:05
In reply to Re: Effexor Newbie! Success Stories Please!!!, posted by amber_spirit on April 4, 2002, at 15:37:22
I am a newbie too and hopefully you all can tell me a little bit about your illness. I have major unipolar depression and have been trying something new (remeron) and it just doesn't seem to be for me. I am on pamelor and the side effects are more pronounced with aerobic excercise. What is nuerotin for? Are you all bipolar? I am trying to figure where I go from here. Thanks.
JOhn
Posted by JavaJava on April 4, 2002, at 21:05:22
In reply to Question for you all, posted by johnj on April 4, 2002, at 20:23:05
Hi John, welcome, to a fellow newbie! Here's another long post from me:
I can only speak for myself and my experiences here, especially concerning Neurontin. I take 2000 mg./day. Neurontin is actually an anti-seizure med and is also used for pain management, but recently was discovered to help in anxiety, and is also being used for bipolar disorder.
I'm bipolar, and three years ago, my symptoms really dissipated, so much so that my pdoc released me from his care. I was taking no meds, but having MUCH pain with my periods every month, and was considering a hysterectomy, since I'm almost to menopause, anyway. But I was worried that that would bring on my BP symptoms, since my hormones would be screwed up, so my doctor suggested I start taking Neurontin, "just in case."
Turns out I didn't have to have the surgery after all, because the Neurontin stopped the pain! I continue taking it because it does act as a mood stabilizer, and is much easier to manage than lithium. It also doesn't do the residual damage that lithium can do, and doesn't have to be monitored, like lithium.
But it doesn't help with hormonal mood swings -- at least, not for me! -- so that's why I'm now starting Effexor, and why I started posting here.
Good luck with your meds. I would *guess* that the aerobic exercise connection with the Pamelor has something to do with the endorphins in your brain being stimulated? I know if I'm feeling down and take a fast walk around my neighborhood, it revs me up, sort of lifts the depression. Maybe some connection in your case?
But ask your doctor, especially if you're having discomfort with the side effects. And post to this board! I'm finding it to be very helpful.
Posted by johnj on April 5, 2002, at 11:36:58
In reply to Re: Question for you all, posted by JavaJava on April 4, 2002, at 21:05:22
I will post what my med experience very soon, and one is about remeron. ZONED out is all I can say about remeron.
This is the end of the thread.
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