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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by The_Resistance on March 14, 2005, at 15:14:51
Hey everyone
I am currently on 150mgs of Effexor XL, I also take Remeron occasionally for sleep
The Effexor does not seem to be cutting it as far as my depression is concerned, I'm feeling quite miserable, although I will probably feel a bit better after a sleep!
Essentially the dilemma is whether to increase my Effexor dosage to 225mg or change to a different drug.
I could wean of the Effexor and go onto another drug, my current choice is lofepramine (a relatively ‘clean’ tricyclic which is not available in the US).
I’d rather not take an SSRI because I’ve had negative experience with Citalopram and Fluoxetine. I also have a tendency towards apathy rather than anxiety
My situation is complicated because my GP wants me to remain on Effexor until the end of the month. He seems to think that five months is the minimum trial for any anti depressant.
I don’t have an appointment with a psychiatrist until the seventh of April, and I can’t bring it forward.The only anti depressant that seemed to work was Clomipramine, but the side effects were so bad I had to discontinue after three months, don’t really want to go on it again.
Any opinions appreciated!
Posted by KaraS on March 14, 2005, at 17:08:15
In reply to Anti depressant dilema in UK, Advice needed, posted by The_Resistance on March 14, 2005, at 15:14:51
> Hey everyone
>
> I am currently on 150mgs of Effexor XL, I also take Remeron occasionally for sleep
>
> The Effexor does not seem to be cutting it as far as my depression is concerned, I'm feeling quite miserable, although I will probably feel a bit better after a sleep!
>
> Essentially the dilemma is whether to increase my Effexor dosage to 225mg or change to a different drug.
>
> I could wean of the Effexor and go onto another drug, my current choice is lofepramine (a relatively ‘clean’ tricyclic which is not available in the US).
>
> I’d rather not take an SSRI because I’ve had negative experience with Citalopram and Fluoxetine. I also have a tendency towards apathy rather than anxiety
>
> My situation is complicated because my GP wants me to remain on Effexor until the end of the month. He seems to think that five months is the minimum trial for any anti depressant.
> I don’t have an appointment with a psychiatrist until the seventh of April, and I can’t bring it forward.
>
> The only anti depressant that seemed to work was Clomipramine, but the side effects were so bad I had to discontinue after three months, don’t really want to go on it again.
>
> Any opinions appreciated!
>
My mother didn't have any success with Effexor until she went up to 225 mg. and more of the noradrenergic effects kicked in. It might be worth going higher on the Effexor since you're already on it. Also, you can add lofepramine onto Effexor for more norepineprhine.Good luck.
Posted by The_Resistance on March 15, 2005, at 6:22:44
In reply to Re: Anti depressant dilema in UK, Advice needed » The_Resistance, posted by KaraS on March 14, 2005, at 17:08:15
> My mother didn't have any success with Effexor until she went up to 225 mg. and more of the noradrenergic effects kicked in. It might be worth going higher on the Effexor since you're already on it. Also, you can add lofepramine onto Effexor for more norepineprhine.
>
> Good luck.I did seem to feel noticably better almost strait away upon increasing the dosage to 225mgs
Although this good effect seemed to fade later...I think I will try increasing the dosage again
>
>
Posted by KaraS on March 15, 2005, at 16:45:33
In reply to Re: Anti depressant dilema in UK, Thanks Kara, posted by The_Resistance on March 15, 2005, at 6:22:44
>
> > My mother didn't have any success with Effexor until she went up to 225 mg. and more of the noradrenergic effects kicked in. It might be worth going higher on the Effexor since you're already on it. Also, you can add lofepramine onto Effexor for more norepineprhine.
> >
> > Good luck.
>
> I did seem to feel noticably better almost strait away upon increasing the dosage to 225mgs
> Although this good effect seemed to fade later...
>
> I think I will try increasing the dosage again
>
OK, let us know how you do.Kara
Posted by Maxime on March 15, 2005, at 20:07:37
In reply to Anti depressant dilema in UK, Advice needed, posted by The_Resistance on March 14, 2005, at 15:14:51
I am surprised that the Clomipramine worked so well for you since you said you lean more towards apathy than anxiety. Clomipramine is usually used for people with OCD and people with anxiety. Hum, so I wonder what made it effective for you?
Maxime
> Hey everyone
>
> I am currently on 150mgs of Effexor XL, I also take Remeron occasionally for sleep
>
> The Effexor does not seem to be cutting it as far as my depression is concerned, I'm feeling quite miserable, although I will probably feel a bit better after a sleep!
>
> Essentially the dilemma is whether to increase my Effexor dosage to 225mg or change to a different drug.
>
> I could wean of the Effexor and go onto another drug, my current choice is lofepramine (a relatively ‘clean’ tricyclic which is not available in the US).
>
> I’d rather not take an SSRI because I’ve had negative experience with Citalopram and Fluoxetine. I also have a tendency towards apathy rather than anxiety
>
> My situation is complicated because my GP wants me to remain on Effexor until the end of the month. He seems to think that five months is the minimum trial for any anti depressant.
> I don’t have an appointment with a psychiatrist until the seventh of April, and I can’t bring it forward.
>
> The only anti depressant that seemed to work was Clomipramine, but the side effects were so bad I had to discontinue after three months, don’t really want to go on it again.
>
> Any opinions appreciated!
>
This is the end of the thread.
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