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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kiris on January 26, 2001, at 13:02:13
I am currently taking 5 75 mg pills of Effexor XR each morning for depression and it has stopped working. I now feel very hopeless and tearful at inappropriate things. I also notice that I am a bit sleepy but I am not sure what to add. Any thoughts? I ahve taken Prozac by itself, Zoloft by itself, remeron by itself and Paxil by itself with no relief. Effexor XR was the first thing that made a difference but then each time I got my period I would get depressed again and would add another pill and it would help a bit. Then I'd get my period again and the depression would get worse and I'd add another pill. I was wondering if anyone has run into this and if you found the addition of anything else to be helpful for depression/hopelessness but soemthign that will not zonc me out anymore. Thanks so much.
Posted by Gracie2 on January 26, 2001, at 19:27:06
In reply to Depression--Help, posted by Kiris on January 26, 2001, at 13:02:13
You might consider ending your period altogether with Norplant implants or Depro-Provera shots. I haven't had a period in 7 years and am perfectly healthy according to my gyn. No PMS, no cramps, no mess. I love it.
-Gracie
Posted by Lee on January 27, 2001, at 9:34:22
In reply to Depression--Help, posted by Kiris on January 26, 2001, at 13:02:13
> I am currently taking 5 75 mg pills of Effexor XR each morning for depression and it has stopped working. I now feel very hopeless and tearful at inappropriate things. I also notice that I am a bit sleepy but I am not sure what to add. Any thoughts? I ahve taken Prozac by itself, Zoloft by itself, remeron by itself and Paxil by itself with no relief. Effexor XR was the first thing that made a difference but then each time I got my period I would get depressed again and would add another pill and it would help a bit. Then I'd get my period again and the depression would get worse and I'd add another pill. I was wondering if anyone has run into this and if you found the addition of anything else to be helpful for depression/hopelessness but soemthign that will not zonc me out anymore. Thanks so much.
I, also, am on Effexor and have experienced a worsening/return of depression due to hormonal changes.Also, like you, I have trialed Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Remeron with little or no response. No response from SSRIs and some relief from Effexor could mean that you respond well to meds that target the neurotransmitter norepinephrone or dopamine. (MANY people who contribute to this forum can speak more intelligently about possible links between symptomology and neurotransmitters.)
I have experienced moderate to great improvement in mood, energy, motivation and sleep by augmenting Effexor with Amisulpride and Provigil.
I hope this information is helpful. Hang in there - there are many safe drug combinations and recent drugs that could help.
Posted by Shell on January 28, 2001, at 23:24:33
In reply to Re: Depression--Help, posted by Lee on January 27, 2001, at 9:34:22
> > I am currently taking 5 75 mg pills of Effexor XR each morning for depression and it has stopped working. I now feel very hopeless and tearful at inappropriate things. I also notice that I am a bit sleepy but I am not sure what to add. Any thoughts? I ahve taken Prozac by itself, Zoloft by itself, remeron by itself and Paxil by itself with no relief. Effexor XR was the first thing that made a difference but then each time I got my period I would get depressed again and would add another pill and it would help a bit. Then I'd get my period again and the depression would get worse and I'd add another pill. I was wondering if anyone has run into this and if you found the addition of anything else to be helpful for depression/hopelessness but soemthign that will not zonc me out anymore. Thanks so much.
>
>
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I read something this weekend about women of childbearing age with ADD being able to concentrate better when on the Pill. It had something to do with keeping hormonal levels more stable. It's possible (just a guess) that it might work similarly for some depression symptoms as well.I think there may be some merit to the previous suggestion of adding something that targets norepinephrine and/or dopamine. I didn't respond well to Effexor until Wellbutrin was added. Actually, I responded well enough to the Wellbutrin, that the Effexor was discontinued without being missed.
You may also want to consider increasing the Effexor dosage (if it doesn't cause side effects). There are some people who respond much better to doses of 300-375 mg. Effexor seems to work more like an SSRI at lower doses and the effects on norepinephrine and dopamine only occur at higher ones.
Shell
This is the end of the thread.
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