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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pellmell on August 3, 2001, at 13:47:13
I've been on Effexor (the XR stuff) for about six weeks now, at 150mg, and I've got a few questions about it.
First, how significant is its NE reuptake action at the low dose I'm on? It seems to have a more balanced effect on my mood than the SSRIs I've taken, but I think I heard somewhere that Effexor's practically an SSRI at 150mg and below. I'm asking because I'm trying to figure out, within the framework of the monoamine hypothesis of depression (which, I realize, may turn out to be rather wrong), whether my brand of this disease is exclusively serotonergic or has a noradrenergic component as well.
Also, when I saw my pdoc last week I described my sexual side effects to him, and he said that they were "atypical." Presumably because my libido's healthy and I can get to orgasm (though it takes longer), but my erections, even when they start out good, shrink to rubberyness during the course of intercourse (heh). Is this /really/ atypical? I'm doing very well on the stuff, but he said that if when I see him again at the end of August I'm still dealing with these sexual side effects that "maybe Effexor isn't for you." I have no idea what else he's got in mind, 'cause these side-effects were as bad or worse on Prozac and Zoloft, Serzone did nothing for me, and I couldn't tolerate Wellbutrin or Remeron.I think I had another question, but I've managed to forget it. :) If I think of it I'll post it to this thread.
Thanks everyone,
-pm
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 3, 2001, at 16:04:43
In reply to Effexor questions from an AD veteran, posted by pellmell on August 3, 2001, at 13:47:13
Posted by phillybob on August 3, 2001, at 22:08:05
In reply to Re: Effexor questions from an AD veteran » pellmell, posted by SalArmy4me on August 3, 2001, at 16:04:43
2 interesting, for me, items from this 1996 (!!!!) report:
1. "Abrupt discontinuation of venlafaxine is not recommended due to its structural similarity to phencyclidine (PCP). If therapy with venlafaxine is > 1 week the dose should be tapered over 7-10 day to prevent a withdrawal syndrome (headache, nausea, dizziness, insomnia and nervousness)."
and
2. adding prozac will increase the effexor efficacy thus minimizing the amount of effexor needed to be taken.
on this latter point, does anyone have any formula and/or success in doing so?
This is the end of the thread.
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