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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Anonne on March 3, 2003, at 0:37:25
Curious about positive (and some neg., but I prefer at this point to read POSITIVE) stuff on Effexor XR alone AND/OR combined w/ Remeron for depression, anxiety, and especially BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder).
I've been taking Effexor XR for about 3 months now, since having to go off of my beloved Nardil (though truly, the beneficial effects had mostly LONG ceased - beloved because I didn't want to go through the learning curve of the myriad antidepressants out there in the last 12 years or so, and didn't want to guinea pig anymore)... at the dose now of 150 mg/diem to 187.50 mg/diem. Definitely some relief with appetite, but now that I resumed smoking, I think the AD effect of nicotine has helped too. (UGH!)
Anyway, I find the Effexor MAY be contributing to anxiety (though again, perhaps my brain chemistry has changed since going off Nardil - in another post, I have a long message about the 3rd hypertensive crisis, which caused cerebral bleeding...which worries me, though it's cleared now). I'm considering adding Remeron to this regimen for the following reasons:
1. To mitigate the gastrointestinal effects of Effexor (diarrhea mostly)
2. To perhaps HELP me GAIN weight
3. To potentiate FXR, and perhaps add some anti-anxiety effects.
I'm also curious if anyone who's used this combination has had any beneficial effects on reducing Body Dysmorphic Disorder type feelings/thoughts/symptoms - quite frankly, I can't see medication doing it, unless the meds make you better looking (!)
But if I could just lessen the importance I place on appearance - with some pharmaceutical help on top of other types of lifestyle/therapy/cognitive adjustments, that would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 22:37:34
In reply to Effexor XR and Remeron, experiences? Also w/ BDD, posted by Anonne on March 3, 2003, at 0:37:25
Hi there,
I hear you when you talk about BDD
(Body Dysmorphic Disorder) and also the AD effect of nicotine UGH is right. when I went my first round after some time with med trials, I started smoking. I was 29. Before I got sick from just the smell of it, and now I'm smoking?-What's ups with that LOL
Effexor-XR has not taken anything away from me, personally, it has helped me to think more rational, fell more calm, lessened my mild social anxiety, and of course, has tremendously helped the depression. Effexor has the tendency to increase mania in bipolar patients-I know this, I have read it and the AMA and FDA warn docs of it when prescribing Effexor to their patients, and it has happened to me. Without the addition of Seroquel and Klonopin, and now Lamictal-I could not take Effexor-and even with those I still, at times, fight a manic state.
***Most important here is that Effexor helped A LOT with my BDD. I have never been diagnosed with BDD, but ohh do I have issues with my body image, I know what BBD is. Effexor helped me to "let down" my guard about feeling towards my thinking I was huge and grotesque-when in reality I am just plump-period. Isn't Nardil an MAO inhibitor? Older med? weight Gain side effect? BUT.....I truly, truly think therapy concerning your feelings about BBD could help more than a pill-don't get me wrong I take a pill, but I have had experience in trying to overcome a lot of womens fear-BEING TOO FAT-but that's a whole nother story. Hope this helps.
All the best,
Kristen:-)
-------------------------------------------------Curious about positive (and some neg., but I prefer at this point to read POSITIVE) stuff on Effexor XR alone AND/OR combined w/ Remeron for depression, anxiety, and especially BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder).
I've been taking Effexor XR for about 3 months now, since having to go off of my beloved Nardil (though truly, the beneficial effects had mostly LONG ceased - beloved because I didn't want to go through the learning curve of the myriad antidepressants out there in the last 12 years or so, and didn't want to guinea pig anymore)... at the dose now of 150 mg/diem to 187.50 mg/diem. Definitely some relief with appetite, but now that I resumed smoking, I think the AD effect of nicotine has helped too. (UGH!)
Anyway, I find the Effexor MAY be contributing to anxiety (though again, perhaps my brain chemistry has changed since going off Nardil - in another post, I have a long message about the 3rd hypertensive crisis, which caused cerebral bleeding...which worries me, though it's cleared now). I'm considering adding Remeron to this regimen for the following reasons:
1. To mitigate the gastrointestinal effects of Effexor (diarrhea mostly)
2. To perhaps HELP me GAIN weight
3. To potentiate FXR, and perhaps add some anti-anxiety effects.
I'm also curious if anyone who's used this combination has had any beneficial effects on reducing Body Dysmorphic Disorder type feelings/thoughts/symptoms - quite frankly, I can't see medication doing it, unless the meds make you better looking (!)
But if I could just lessen the importance I place on appearance - with some pharmaceutical help on top of other types of lifestyle/therapy/cognitive adjustments, that would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by Anonne on March 3, 2003, at 23:09:23
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Remeron, experiences? Also w/ BDD » Anonne, posted by KrissyP on March 3, 2003, at 22:37:34
Hi Kristen.:)
Thanks for your input.
You only started smoking at 29??? So you've been at it for only 3-4 years, right? It will probably be MUUUUCH easier for you to quit, if you want to, than for someone who started as a young teenager (it rewires nicotinic receptors, {or something like that} and probably does some other stuff, while brain is still developing).Yeah, Nardil is that older drug, an MAO-I, which initially helped me gain weight (I was in early 20s when I started), but then ceased to have that effect years later (probably the constant smoking and anxiety and genetics played a part in this; maybe even a slightly overactive thyroid).
I'd say what I have, regarding weight, is the opposite of anorexia nervosa: same issue, concern about appearance and weight, but just reversed. When I actually WAS overweight, I still felt thin. But now that I am at a "good" weight, I feel skeletal. Some of it also has to do w/ how body fat redistributes itself. I'm staying AWAY from websites that discuss "fat transplants", because it just overactivates the BDD, which I definitely DO have.
We as women do live in a much different world (regardless of country) than men do, in regards to looks. I still have trouble convincing my boyfriend of that, though.
Anyway, glad you're doing well w/ Effexor and stuff; I added Remeron last night after staying up over half the night reading and posting here. It knocked me OUT, but I WAS a tad hungry. (Don't think I should take it tonight, I won't wake up tomorrow for my appt.). I only took a 15mg dissolvable tablet sample. I'm wondering if one can take Remeron prn, as needed. Probably not a good idea.
Do you think you have a bipolar, or cyclothemic disorder? I miss the periods of hypomania I had when the Nardil used to start kicking in. (That was over a decade ago). Of course, that was also due to having such a dramatic difference from the previous, non-medicated depression trials.
Take care, A
Posted by KrissyP on March 4, 2003, at 0:27:57
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Remeron, experiences? Also w/ BDD, posted by Anonne on March 3, 2003, at 23:09:23
Hiya, yep in November it will be 4 years-not that I want a brownie button...LOL I stay away from the sites and commercials here about the stomach stapeling. I am overweight-a little chunky, and I get quite depressed at times because of it. I am smart enough to know what to do-it's just a matter of when. That is why I am so careful about what psychiatric medications I take due to the large side effect of weight gain from most of them. My last boyfriend had a hard time being convinced also that I thought I was FAT. There's so much more than looks, really.
Talk to your doc about the Remeron dosage.
In answer to your question "Do you think you have a bipolar, or cyclothemic disorder?" I was diagnosed with Bipolar II-more depression than mania in Nov 1999 AND rapid cycling in 1997. But I was having mood swings that a teacher noticed back in 1986 in high school that went ignored. He told my parents "Kristen is either way up-or way down". I wish I would have gotten help THEN. I may have been able to cope more than I have. Who knows?
Best of luck and Take care,
Kristen
-------------------------------------------------
Yeah, Nardil is that older drug, an MAO-I, which initially helped me gain weight (I was in early 20s when I started), but then ceased to have that effect years later (probably the constant smoking and anxiety and genetics played a part in this; maybe even a slightly overactive thyroid).
I'd say what I have, regarding weight, is the opposite of anorexia nervosa: same issue, concern about appearance and weight, but just reversed. When I actually WAS overweight, I still felt thin. But now that I am at a "good" weight, I feel skeletal. Some of it also has to do w/ how body fat redistributes itself. I'm staying AWAY from websites that discuss "fat transplants", because it just overactivates the BDD, which I definitely DO have.
We as women do live in a much different world (regardless of country) than men do, in regards to looks. I still have trouble convincing my boyfriend of that, though.
Anyway, glad you're doing well w/ Effexor and stuff; I added Remeron last night after staying up over half the night reading and posting here. It knocked me OUT, but I WAS a tad hungry. (Don't think I should take it tonight, I won't wake up tomorrow for my appt.). I only took a 15mg dissolvable tablet sample. I'm wondering if one can take Remeron prn, as needed. Probably not a good idea.
Do you think you have a bipolar, or cyclothemic disorder? I miss the periods of hypomania I had when the Nardil used to start kicking in. (That was over a decade ago). Of course, that was also due to having such a dramatic difference from the previous, non-medicated depression trials.
Take care, A
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