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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 EME-K on September 10, 2005, at 2:03:09
I was just given my starter pack of Effexor XR today. I am currently taking Lexapro, 20mg. daily. After talking to my PCP & taking some simple tests, he, (and I), decided to switch my med. to Effexor. I have been sufering w/ depression, anxiety, ADHD, & at one time I was told to be "borderline bi-polar", which my former practioner & my current would like for me to keep an eye on "signs", but don't believe to be a problem. I have taken several meds in the past 15 years & I really want something to work - w/out a lot of the side effects. If anyone has any info for me, that would be great!
Posted by crazy teresa on September 10, 2005, at 2:24:26
In reply to ?'s re: Effexor XR, posted by EME-K on September 10, 2005, at 2:03:09
I've had very good luck with it for several years and the side effects have not been as severe as with Prozac. I have to take them before bed so I can sleep; needed Ambien for a while.
Good luck with it!
crazy teresa
Posted by crazy teresa on September 10, 2005, at 2:25:32
In reply to ?'s re: Effexor XR, posted by EME-K on September 10, 2005, at 2:03:09
Posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 6:58:29
In reply to ?'s re: Effexor XR, posted by EME-K on September 10, 2005, at 2:03:09
Glad ur w/ us. Effexor is the only AD that has helped me and i've been on all the more *common* AD's. A lot of people have had negative experiences w/ effexor but thats the same w/ any med.. People react differently. It took me taking 225 mg a day and klonopin for the residual anxiety but im finally starting to feel better. Good luck!
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 10, 2005, at 11:23:45
In reply to Re: ?'s re: Effexor XR » EME-K, posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 6:58:29
I haven't taken Effexor, but something in your post jumped out at me. You have been told that you may be borderline bipolar and your PCP gave you an SSRI? Now I realize that these were 2 dif docs, but I'm a little concerned that a PCP may quickly be in over his/her head with this situation. Taking antidepressants can be very dangerous if you are bipolar--it could push you into a manic phase. If at all possible, I think it would be helpful to at least have an evaluation with a psychiatrist (pdoc). Perhaps your PCP could keep rx'ing what he is, but I think it would be good to get a 2nd opinon. If the pdoc thinks you are bipolar, s/he might want to try a different med w/ you.
Just my two cents. I've known people to struggle for years while getting antidepressants from a PCP who is not doing a very good job. For whatever reason, w/ mental health issues, PCP's are often hesitant to say, "I'm in over my head, you should see a specialist." (They do it for heart disease, though, right?)
Anyway, good luck w/ the new med. And WELCOME to babble!!
Best,
EE
Posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 13:20:13
In reply to Re: ?'s re: Effexor XR, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 10, 2005, at 11:23:45
Wow. A friend of mine recently asked me if i cld. be bipolar and explained that if i am, the effexor cld be contributing to my constant depression. I told him that i wld. mention this to my pdoc the 21st. my dx is in the bipolar family which is what concerns me even more...
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 10, 2005, at 15:08:01
In reply to Re: ?'s re: Effexor XR, posted by Emily Elizabeth on September 10, 2005, at 11:23:45
Just clarify--i'm not an expert on BP stuff, but I do know that SSRI's can make BP'ers manic (Lexapro, Celexa etc.) I would guess that there would be a similar risk w/ Effexor (which works on serotonin and norepinephrine). Does anyone know differently?
Best,
EE
This is the end of the thread.
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