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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 Andre Allard on November 2, 2000, at 17:36:25
Gee, I do not even know you and it seems that you care more then my friends. Atleast you are concerned about me.
I can say this: Perhaps the only reason I am still alive is because I have recently gone back to effexor. It is the only AD that has been beneficial for me. Take me off of meds entrirely and I can bet you that I would be gone in a flash.
I am having quite a relationship problem at the moment. Everytime this girl upsets me I feel so horrible that all I can think about is making a trip to the big city in the sky.
Just today I was suppost to meet her and she stood me up. I can honestly say that if I was not on the effexor I know that I would have done something to relieve the pain. Do not get me wrong, I was hurt when she did not show up this afternoon but the pain was not even nearly as close to what it was last week and I got over it within an hour or so - most of it anyways.
All of you must be saying, well if the effexor works then stay on it. The only problem is that my libido is more then cut in half. As well my appetite diminishes and I loose up to 15 pounds. These 2 side effects bother me very much.
At any rate, it is nice to know that people on this board actually appreciated my responses. And for you allison, I wish some of my friends and "the girl" could have half the heart you do. I am from Ottawa and I go to school here in Sudbury, On. Even though we are probably thousands of miles apart and have never met, I feel like you are right beside me just from the way you show concerm for my wellbeing.
Well, we will see what happens.
Posted by noa on November 2, 2000, at 18:46:39
In reply to ALLISONM, posted by Andre Allard on November 2, 2000, at 17:36:25
For now, it sounds like staying with the effexor makes sense until you can find a remedy for the side effects or until you can find an alternative that doesn't produce those side effects. But the effexor is at least keeping you with us. If you can think of it as the bridge to a better medication or med combo yet to be encountered, would that help?
I am so glad to see you doing a bit better.
Posted by Andre Allard on November 2, 2000, at 19:38:06
In reply to Re: ALLISONM, posted by noa on November 2, 2000, at 18:46:39
I am beyond a "free thinker" when it comes to psychopharmacology. Part of my OCD is internet research on psychiatry, up to 12 hours a day at one point.
Because of my pro-activity on mental health, I have become my own lab rat.
I have experimented with virtually every AD - monotherapy, combinations of this and that, as well as other classes of psychotropic meds.
Zoloft - at 200mg still had generalized anxiety disorder, activating
Paxil - lethargy, somnolance
Prozac - same as zoloft
Celexa - reduced anxiety, somnolance
Clomipramine - only made it too 100mg before I became anorgasmic; relieved obsessions dramatically even at very low dosage
Wellbutrin - at 300mg blew my libido threw the roof; very activating; little mood improvement
Serzone - at 450mg caused rash and an incredible craving for food and appetite
Effexor - at 225mg, took me out of my first major depressive disorder; relieved anxiety disorders and beyond; flatenned emotions; hypomanic at times; hightened self-esteem; turned me from a shy person into a salesman; second time around at 300mg slept all the time but relieved all anxiety syptoms
I am currently taking 150mg of effexor with 300mg of wellbutrin and 100mg of trazadone.
I am wondering whether I can supplement serzone for trazadone at night to stimulate appetite - Isn't this what you are on NOA? Why?
Posted by Cindy W on November 2, 2000, at 20:53:27
In reply to Re: ALLISONM - NOA, posted by Andre Allard on November 2, 2000, at 19:38:06
> I am beyond a "free thinker" when it comes to psychopharmacology. Part of my OCD is internet research on psychiatry, up to 12 hours a day at one point.
>
> Because of my pro-activity on mental health, I have become my own lab rat.
>
> I have experimented with virtually every AD - monotherapy, combinations of this and that, as well as other classes of psychotropic meds.
>
> Zoloft - at 200mg still had generalized anxiety disorder, activating
>
> Paxil - lethargy, somnolance
>
> Prozac - same as zoloft
>
> Celexa - reduced anxiety, somnolance
>
> Clomipramine - only made it too 100mg before I became anorgasmic; relieved obsessions dramatically even at very low dosage
>
> Wellbutrin - at 300mg blew my libido threw the roof; very activating; little mood improvement
>
> Serzone - at 450mg caused rash and an incredible craving for food and appetite
>
> Effexor - at 225mg, took me out of my first major depressive disorder; relieved anxiety disorders and beyond; flatenned emotions; hypomanic at times; hightened self-esteem; turned me from a shy person into a salesman; second time around at 300mg slept all the time but relieved all anxiety syptoms
>
> I am currently taking 150mg of effexor with 300mg of wellbutrin and 100mg of trazadone.
>
> I am wondering whether I can supplement serzone for trazadone at night to stimulate appetite - Isn't this what you are on NOA? Why?Andre, I'm not Noa, but I too take Effexor-XR...for a while, I was sleeping better on Serzone 75 mg/night; now I take Seroquel l50 mg/night, and 375 mg/day of Effexor-XR and the Serzone in the early morning. This seems to be REALLY helping with my OCD and depression. Keep on doing your research, and let us know what you come up with! BTW, I know "the girl" is special, but no person is worth taking your life for (there are billions of potential women out there). Things will get better (I just lost my Mom last month, and it was really hard...so I can relate to losing someone you care about).--Cindy W
Posted by allisonm on November 2, 2000, at 22:43:07
In reply to ALLISONM, posted by Andre Allard on November 2, 2000, at 17:36:25
Andre,
Your posts helped me a lot when I first came to this board with little or no information about the drugs I was on. I hadn't seen your name for the past few months and when you did post in September, it felt so painful that I wanted to try to help you if I could because you helped me. We need to stick together on this board and try to help each other when things start getting bad. Most of my friends and family don't understand my depression. I find much of my support here -- even if I don't post.
I'm just really glad that you are feeling better. I was worried for a good long time after your earlier post because you didn't post again. I was afraid that you were dead. I was afraid we'd never know what happened to you.
And in my humble opinion, Cindy is right: There are lots of other women in the world. If this one stood you up, if she has that little respect for you, she isn't worth the time or the consternation. And no one is worth a trip to that big city in the sky. Really.
I don't know enough about all of the drugs to know what might work for you, but I think this board is the place to look. I have been going through trials myself just trying to find something that works even part way, or at least keeps me from feeling that I don't want to be here anymore. So far I have not found it.
Actually, I don't live terribly far from you. I'm in Rochester, NY (between Buffalo and Syracuse). If you're feeling bad or you just need to talk, please post here or email me if you like -- I will write you back. If you post here, I know other people will answer too because they know how you feel. Again, I'm so glad you are feeling better. Don't give up. Keep in touch.
Take care.
Allison
Posted by danf on November 3, 2000, at 3:25:30
In reply to Andre, posted by allisonm on November 2, 2000, at 22:43:07
> Andre,
Why don't you take a look at this book. It may be of some help.
Posted by noa on November 3, 2000, at 9:12:52
In reply to Re: Andre, posted by danf on November 3, 2000, at 3:25:30
Andre, I take Serzone for depression, as an augmentation to effexor xr, and to counter the over-activating aspects of effexor xr (myoclonus, restless legs, insomnia, jitters, etc.). Before serzone, I took a small dose of trazodone to counter the insomnia, etc. from the effexor xr.
The current combo of effexor xr and serzone is a good AD combo for me--good AD effect, and the serzone lessens those activating side effects. I also take Adderall as well as synthroid and cytomel (both are thyroid hormones).
I would think serzone could be substituted for trazodone, but if serzone gave you a rash, that would be a reason not to do it--perhaps you are allergic to it.
Are you working with a psychopharmocologist on all of this? I hope so.
This is the end of the thread.
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