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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:47:30
as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day...
I get agitated and my intestine fills up like a balloon with gas. My face swells and I begin crave food like a freak. I lose motivation to do anything and sleep all day (although I'm prone to nap when I can anyways). I get increased muscle aches. I think I actually fare better in misery than on pills. My doc is willing to keep me on a steady diet of benzos and stimulants until something better comes along. I've tried everything else there is and either it fails to work or I can't tolerate it. I don't want to become Elvis Presley with the uppers and downers, but the Effexor actually makes my face bloat like his did in the late 70's. Any thoughts on how I should proceed? 1)go with doc's advice. 2) see yet another doc. 3) kill myself. 4)otherScott
Posted by denise528 on August 1, 2002, at 4:42:09
In reply to as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:47:30
Hi Mr Scott,
I can't really advise as nothing seems to be working for me either, I'm on effexor and although it calms me down, it makes me feel devoid of emotions. I just wanted to say if you go for option 3, can I join you?:-)
Have you considered ECT? I don't understand why, if ECT is supposed to be the most effective thing out, why then are so many people on this board (including myself) stuggling for so long with medications
Denise
Posted by cybercafe on August 1, 2002, at 8:14:10
In reply to Re: as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by denise528 on August 1, 2002, at 4:42:09
> Have you considered ECT? I don't understand why, if ECT is supposed to be the most effective thing out, why then are so many people on this board (including myself) stuggling for so long with medications
... mainly it's about procrastination... i mean if god told you you could make a full recovery by enduring some mediorce inconvenience, i'm sure we would, being depressives, ruminate the inconvenience into a major terror... and though perhaps accepting it... constantly put it off... expecting that MAYBE tomorrow our medications will magically kick in...
i think ECT uses anaethetic, and they say like any other operation there is a tiny chance you can die from complications....
so if i am ever considering suicide i wonder if this might not be the best way to go -- either you get a clean death, or much more likely you come out of things with a big smile on your face...
... i always get a warm glow when i remember my father telling me of his time in the hospital, when patients would come in suffering, cowering in the corner, have ECT, and magically come out happy and peaceful and social... ECT is magic! ... ECT is a miracle! ...
Posted by Ritch on August 1, 2002, at 9:16:01
In reply to as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:47:30
1)go with doc's advice.
Scott,
What did Elvis in wasn't the stims and benzos, it was all of the steroids, barbituates, methaqualone. Don't let a stigma about your meds' effectiveness ruin your treatment. I have to admit that stimulants so far have been the *only* fully successful treatment for my depressions, and Klonopin has been the *only* medication that has stopped panic in its tracks.
Mitch
Posted by denise528 on August 1, 2002, at 10:28:19
In reply to Re: as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by cybercafe on August 1, 2002, at 8:14:10
> > Have you considered ECT? I don't understand why, if ECT is supposed to be the most effective thing out, why then are so many people on this board (including myself) stuggling for so long with medications
>
> ... mainly it's about procrastination... i mean if god told you you could make a full recovery by enduring some mediorce inconvenience, i'm sure we would, being depressives, ruminate the inconvenience into a major terror... and though perhaps accepting it... constantly put it off... expecting that MAYBE tomorrow our medications will magically kick in...
>
> i think ECT uses anaethetic, and they say like any other operation there is a tiny chance you can die from complications....
>
> so if i am ever considering suicide i wonder if this might not be the best way to go -- either you get a clean death, or much more likely you come out of things with a big smile on your face...
>
> ... i always get a warm glow when i remember my father telling me of his time in the hospital, when patients would come in suffering, cowering in the corner, have ECT, and magically come out happy and peaceful and social... ECT is magic! ... ECT is a miracle! ...Thanks Cybercafe,
If it comes to it and nothing works, then I will have no hesitation about having it done.
Denise
Posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 12:57:51
In reply to as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:47:30
First I'm going down Stimulant/Benzo road having tried virtually everything else. Then I'm going for ECT. I now have two options before on the table that appear worthwhile before throwing in the towel.Scott
Posted by inertia on August 1, 2002, at 15:30:07
In reply to Re: ECT - Cybercafe, posted by denise528 on August 1, 2002, at 10:28:19
> > > Have you considered ECT? I don't understand why, if ECT is supposed to be the most effective thing out, why then are so many people on this board (including myself) stuggling for so long with medications
> >
> > ... mainly it's about procrastination... i mean if god told you you could make a full recovery by enduring some mediorce inconvenience, i'm sure we would, being depressives, ruminate the inconvenience into a major terror... and though perhaps accepting it... constantly put it off... expecting that MAYBE tomorrow our medications will magically kick in...
> >
> > i think ECT uses anaethetic, and they say like any other operation there is a tiny chance you can die from complications....
> >
> > so if i am ever considering suicide i wonder if this might not be the best way to go -- either you get a clean death, or much more likely you come out of things with a big smile on your face...
> >
> > ... i always get a warm glow when i remember my father telling me of his time in the hospital, when patients would come in suffering, cowering in the corner, have ECT, and magically come out happy and peaceful and social... ECT is magic! ... ECT is a miracle! ...
>
> Thanks Cybercafe,
>
> If it comes to it and nothing works, then I will have no hesitation about having it done.
>
> DeniseECT is very useful and is probably the most effective treatment for depression, but I've been hearing that it's not as effective as they once thought. From what I hear they used to throw the figure "90% success rate" around, but it is probably not that high. There's a significant minority of people who do better on an antidepressant than after ECT.
As for me, I had it twice. The first time it didn't help me at all because it was unilateral (a shock to one side of the head). The second time I had bilateral and it helped get me to about 80% normal. Good, but not as good as the times before I became resistant to tricyclic antidepressants. They used to make me feel 100% normal.
So I had a lot of experience and it certainly is a great treatment. From a personal perspective though, I found it a little scary (I don't want to deter you, perhaps I'm a coward). I was always anxious the mornings before ECT (Mon-Wed-Fri) and I always woke up with a big headache. But I know that many (maybe most) people have no headache or very slight.
I'll be happy to answer any questions anyone has about ECT. Of course, I may not remember a lot. Short term memory loss is perhaps the most common side effect of ECT.
Posted by John2222 on August 1, 2002, at 22:55:14
In reply to as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:47:30
> as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day...
Scott, I had similar reactin about 3 months ago when I started on Effexor XR at 37.5 mg. My doc wanted to jump to 75mg after only a week at 37.5 mg. It took me 2 weeks because going from nothing to 37.5 was like a big JOLT to my brain and body!
Then I took another 2 weeks to adjust to 75. I'm currently taking 112.5 (one 75 and one 37.5 mg XR capsule), and feel fine. But, I personally wish there were 25 mg XR capsules so people that are "sensitive" like you and me don't have to jolt their bodies.
In the beginning I got what I would call "warm flashes" over my skin and strange feelings.
Now, I have completely adjusted (over a 3 month time frame.)
Hang in there and TAKE IT SLOW small steps, Scott!
John
Posted by John2222 on August 1, 2002, at 23:04:46
In reply to Re: as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by denise528 on August 1, 2002, at 4:42:09
> I can't really advise as nothing seems to be working for me either, I'm on effexor and although it calms me down, it makes me feel devoid of emotions.
> DeniseDenise, I have noticed something similar: My depression has lifted and I am not nearly as agitated or feel like I have to "fix the world's problems" all by myself, BUT...
I've noticed my tastes in music and books have changed. I used to like historical or drama movies (maybe you would call them romantically sad movies), but lately I've been attracted to K-19 and other action movies. I wonder if depression was pulling me to these sagas.
Same with music which I always like classical, vocal, opera music (which can be very emotional). I still like it but don't seem as *compelled* to hear it.
I've heard some people say there is a certain type of music they gravitate to when they are depressed. I did.
So, now...this sounds strange, but I sometimes miss the music when I used to really enjoy.
Yes, a little devoid of emotions as you said.
John
Posted by BekkaH on August 2, 2002, at 1:08:40
In reply to as little as 75mg of Effexor XR ruins my day, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 1:47:30
Effexor is one of the worst medicines I've ever taken. I call it "Ineffexor" and "Side Effexor." Like you and Ritch/Mitch, I have tried nearly every medicine known to man -- or beast, and the stimulants are the only meds that have ever really helped me. Now, however, I struggle with tolerance, and am unable to tolerate "polypharmacy." Have you tried Reboxetine, by any chance?
Bekka
Posted by cybercafe on August 2, 2002, at 2:37:26
In reply to Thank Gang!, posted by Mr. Scott on August 1, 2002, at 12:57:51
> First I'm going down Stimulant/Benzo road having tried virtually everything else. Then I'm going for ECT. I now have two options before on the table that appear worthwhile before throwing in the towel.
have you really tried everything else? here is a quick list i compiled
Stimulant / ADD meds
Anti-Parkinson meds
Anti-cortisol (high urine free cortisol depressives)
Nefazodone
Steroids (only for steroid-induced depression?)Bupropion
Lamictal
Antipsychotic
LithiumMirtazapene augmentation
MAOI
Lithium Augmentation
Antipsychotic Augmentation
Lamictal Augmentation
Other Mood stabilizers (Carbamazepine? Keppra?)
Thyroid triiodothyronine T3 or tetraiodothyronine T4 Augmentation (increases norepenephrine receptor sensitivity?)
SSRI + Beta-blocker (Pindolol - 5HT1A antagonist)
SSRI + buspirone
ECT
Opiods (buprenorphine)
SSRI + Ritalin
Substance P antagonistsMAOI + TCA
MAOI + TCA + stimulant
MAOI + stimulant
MAOI + stimulant + thyroid hormoneSSRI + Stimulants (non-Ritalin?)
SSRI + MAOI
Posted by cybercafe on August 2, 2002, at 2:40:12
In reply to Re: ECT - Cybercafe, posted by inertia on August 1, 2002, at 15:30:07
> ECT is very useful and is probably the most effective treatment for depression, but I've been hearing that it's not as effective as they once thought. From what I hear they used to throw the figure "90% success rate" around, but it is probably not that high. There's a significant minority of people who do better on an antidepressant than after ECT.
thanks inertia... I'm curious how many times you had unilateral ?
i hear sometimes you have it two or three times to get a full remission
Posted by denise528 on August 2, 2002, at 4:53:59
In reply to Re: ECT - Cybercafe, posted by inertia on August 1, 2002, at 15:30:07
Hi Inertia,
I can relate to when you say that tricyclics used to be 100% effective for you, they used to be for me too. I have some questions for you regarding your ECT experience.
How bad were you before the ECT, can you remember?
What were the symptoms of your depression before having ECT, what kind of depression was it?
You say that it was only 80% effective, in what way?
How long did the effect last?
Did you have maintenance ECT afterwards?
Some people say that ADs work better after ECT, was that the case for you?
How are you feeling now and what are you taking?
I know we are all different and react in different ways but I'd really appreciate your response.
Thanks Denise
Posted by Mr.Scott on August 4, 2002, at 3:54:57
In reply to Merely mentioning Effexor ruins my day, posted by BekkaH on August 2, 2002, at 1:08:40
No, that one I have not tried. I have heard discouraging things, but it's always hard to tell what is corporate nonsense (or sabotage) and what is real clinical science. I heard it failed to show any effectiveness over placebo and may never be released in the US. Have you tried it? Does your experience differ?
Scott
Posted by Mr.Scott on August 4, 2002, at 4:07:02
In reply to Re: Thank Gang!, posted by cybercafe on August 2, 2002, at 2:37:26
I've tried everything on the list except steroids, MAOI+SSRI, MAOI+TCA, substance P antagonists, Anti Parkinsons drugs, and an anticortisol. Everything else I've used with time limited success. Eventually they either failed or side effects were unacceptable. I have what I believe is temperamental depression the kind where thats "just the way I am." I'm almost ready to accept that I will always be low energy, and see the negative side of life, and have all the associated problem that come with such a chemical/character flaw. All I need now is someone to pass the time away who understands science has yet to catch up with me.Provigil and Tranxene or Klonopin and lots of Caffeine is what I'm working with these days to get through...I still have 37.5mg of effexor on board which is all I can tolerate.
Posted by cybercafe on August 4, 2002, at 6:52:54
In reply to Re: Thank Gang! » cybercafe, posted by Mr.Scott on August 4, 2002, at 4:07:02
>or side effects were unacceptable. I have what I believe is temperamental depression the kind where thats "just the way I am." I'm almost ready to accept that I will always be low energy, and see the negative side of life, and have all the associated problem that come with such a
yeah i was totally stuck in that belief too.... until i found a med that worked for me, and now i'm convinced that i'm a social butterfly, hehehe
Parnate 1, Social Phobia 0
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