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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Geezer on December 15, 2001, at 12:33:45
I will be seeing a new pdoc on 1/15/02. I expect to get a strong *sales pitch* to try Effexor in conjunction with my 1000mg of Depakote for treatment of my Bipolar II depression. Does anyone know if Prozac would be helpful in releiving the withdrawal symptoms when I have to discontinue Effexor ? I WILL have to discontinue Effexor-none of them work for long in my case.
Thanks much and Happy Holidays to ALL
Posted by Andy123 on December 16, 2001, at 13:36:02
In reply to Prozac to get off Effexor, posted by Geezer on December 15, 2001, at 12:33:45
> I will be seeing a new pdoc on 1/15/02. I expect to get a strong *sales pitch* to try Effexor in conjunction with my 1000mg of Depakote for treatment of my Bipolar II depression. Does anyone know if Prozac would be helpful in releiving the withdrawal symptoms when I have to discontinue Effexor ? I WILL have to discontinue Effexor-none of them work for long in my case.
> Thanks much and Happy Holidays to ALLHiya Geezer,
If you aren't going to stay on effexor long, I wouldn't recommend starting it. Even with Prozac, the withdrawal seemed pretty obnoxious, in my experience. However, you might find that your response to effexor will be longer than with previous AD's. It worked really well for me at 300 mg when other things like Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, tricyclics and MAOI's hadn't helped. I stopped Effexor because of GI distress it caused and because it does flatten your affect a little bit.
-Andy
Posted by girlie on December 17, 2001, at 8:50:07
In reply to Prozac to get off Effexor, posted by Geezer on December 15, 2001, at 12:33:45
I just started 10 mg of Prozac to help with Effexor withdrawal. I need to be on the Prozac for 10 days before reducing Effexor again. I will do that on Thursday. I'm hoping it helps. I have weaned down from 300mg of Effexor in June to 25mg now. I've already tried to go from 37.5 to nothing and that lasted 5 horrible days. Doc put me back on 25mg, but I can't get any lower without awful withdrawal. I'm hoping the Prozac helps me, as I've heard that it has helped other people.
girlie
> I will be seeing a new pdoc on 1/15/02. I expect to get a strong *sales pitch* to try Effexor in conjunction with my 1000mg of Depakote for treatment of my Bipolar II depression. Does anyone know if Prozac would be helpful in releiving the withdrawal symptoms when I have to discontinue Effexor ? I WILL have to discontinue Effexor-none of them work for long in my case.
> Thanks much and Happy Holidays to ALL
Posted by Geezer on December 17, 2001, at 9:41:12
In reply to Re: Prozac to get off Effexor » Geezer, posted by girlie on December 17, 2001, at 8:50:07
> I just started 10 mg of Prozac to help with Effexor withdrawal. I need to be on the Prozac for 10 days before reducing Effexor again. I will do that on Thursday. I'm hoping it helps. I have weaned down from 300mg of Effexor in June to 25mg now. I've already tried to go from 37.5 to nothing and that lasted 5 horrible days. Doc put me back on 25mg, but I can't get any lower without awful withdrawal. I'm hoping the Prozac helps me, as I've heard that it has helped other people.
>
> girlie
>
Hi girlie,
Glad to hear from you. I think you may be on the right track. I have never taken Effexor (never will) but it is *possible* you may have the worst behind you. If you have already gone thru the Norep. and Dopa. withdrawal created by Effexor the Prozac (due to long half life) may ease you thru the serito. withdrawal component. I have come off Zoloft and Celexa with NO withdrawal by using Prozac in the same way you have planned.
Now, having said that, all I have to offer you is my own experience, strenght, and hope. I don't know anything about neurochemistry so it would be wise to write Cam W., Elizabeth, and other knowledgeable people on this site for more professional insight. I have been treated for 30 years for the wrong DX and treated with the wrong meds., therefore, my opinions are completely subjective. Hang in there and let me know how you are doing.
Posted by Cindylou on December 20, 2001, at 12:26:54
In reply to Prozac to get off Effexor, posted by Geezer on December 15, 2001, at 12:33:45
Hi Geezer,
It sounds like you may have decided not to try the Effexor from the last post you wrote to girlie, unless I read it wrong.But, in answer to your first question, my pdoc and some literature I read said that Prozac can help with Effexor withdrawal. I didn't try it, since I get bad side effects from SSRIs, and didn't need any more side effects to contend with.
I did fine tapering off the Effexor until I got down to 37.5 -- then it was hell. One thing my pdoc did for me, which I haven't heard anyone else mention here, is prescribe Effexor 25 mg. tablets -- the non-sustained release ones. This helped a great deal since I was able to decrease much more gradually.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
cindy
> I will be seeing a new pdoc on 1/15/02. I expect to get a strong *sales pitch* to try Effexor in conjunction with my 1000mg of Depakote for treatment of my Bipolar II depression. Does anyone know if Prozac would be helpful in releiving the withdrawal symptoms when I have to discontinue Effexor ? I WILL have to discontinue Effexor-none of them work for long in my case.
> Thanks much and Happy Holidays to ALL
Posted by Geezer on December 20, 2001, at 13:33:18
In reply to Re: Prozac to get off Effexor » Geezer, posted by Cindylou on December 20, 2001, at 12:26:54
> Hi Geezer,
> It sounds like you may have decided not to try the Effexor from the last post you wrote to girlie, unless I read it wrong.
>
> But, in answer to your first question, my pdoc and some literature I read said that Prozac can help with Effexor withdrawal. I didn't try it, since I get bad side effects from SSRIs, and didn't need any more side effects to contend with.
>
> I did fine tapering off the Effexor until I got down to 37.5 -- then it was hell. One thing my pdoc did for me, which I haven't heard anyone else mention here, is prescribe Effexor 25 mg. tablets -- the non-sustained release ones. This helped a great deal since I was able to decrease much more gradually.
>
> Good luck with whatever you decide!
> cindyThanks Cindy
I read your posts often on babble and always appreciate your insight and willingness to help others. I am not so against Effexor now that I understand Prozac can ease the pain of withdrawal. Cam W. sent a kind response much the same as yours, so between the two of you this option is now at least an "option". Thank you and Happy Holidays.
Geezer
>
>
> > I will be seeing a new pdoc on 1/15/02. I expect to get a strong *sales pitch* to try Effexor in conjunction with my 1000mg of Depakote for treatment of my Bipolar II depression. Does anyone know if Prozac would be helpful in releiving the withdrawal symptoms when I have to discontinue Effexor ? I WILL have to discontinue Effexor-none of them work for long in my case.
> > Thanks much and Happy Holidays to ALL
This is the end of the thread.
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