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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 13:06:27
I had an appt with my regular doc today and I discussed with him all of my med problems. He really felt like the Depakote would just keep me depressed and I should really be taking something for my anxiety.
He gave me Pristiq back in August, but I didn't stick with it due to the painful gas, bloating and black stool. I asked if they would ever make it in 25mg he said no.
He said 50mg of Pristiq is equal to 300mg of Effexor. He suggested I try 150mg of Effexor.
He also said had I stuck with the Pristiq maybe the side effects would have gone away or at least gotten better.
Also - I asked a pharmacist if they would ever make 25mg of Pristiq he doubted it as well, but he did say "off the record" he didn't see any problem with cutting it in half. My doc said Pristiq is a "cash cow" and that Wyeth just sold out to Pfizer so he didn't think they would put out a 25mg dose.
Posted by Phillipa on December 16, 2009, at 13:10:01
In reply to Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 13:06:27
Seriously didn't know the pristiq was that high in dose. Sounds like a lower dose on the effexor could work for you. Good luck. Phillipa and probably true about the pristique patents run out.
Posted by willyeee on December 16, 2009, at 13:25:16
In reply to Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 13:06:27
Honestly with the way pristiq came about,kinda like at the time effexor went off pantent,looked suspicious to me and i gave pristiq no credit and claimed to people it was a fancy dressed up effexor.
But in all honesty in my writings where ive said that,and reading in general,a lot of people are actualy happier with the pristiq over effexor,state the med differance although small,is dramatic and it works better,so see just when u think u know it all,boom in ur face,so now i will not jump to conclusions.
About urself,side effects are there for a lot of meds,thats why they are called such,what you really need to make a scieance of is knowing the differance of a side effect that feels it can go away,over something that your body doesent want,this a doc can advise you in,i say if you give pristiq another try maybe see if the side effects u have are or have hbeen listed for the drug,try to listen to your body,and make ur final decision,but if it is not a money issue,id trry the pristiq again.good luck.
Posted by SLS on December 16, 2009, at 13:27:20
In reply to Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 13:06:27
> He said 50mg of Pristiq is equal to 300mg of Effexor.
I hadn't heard that. That's pretty high. I would have thought more like 150mg of Effexor.
> He suggested I try 150mg of Effexor.
That sounds like a reasonable course of action. Use the starter pack that your doctor probably stocks as samples. Perhaps you would even respond to 75mg.
- Scott
Posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 14:36:57
In reply to Re: Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SLS on December 16, 2009, at 13:27:20
> > He said 50mg of Pristiq is equal to 300mg of Effexor.
>
> I hadn't heard that. That's pretty high. I would have thought more like 150mg of Effexor.
>
> > He suggested I try 150mg of Effexor.
>
> That sounds like a reasonable course of action. Use the starter pack that your doctor probably stocks as samples. Perhaps you would even respond to 75mg.
>
>
> - ScottI know before the 75mg was hitting too much serotonin and therefore hurting my bladder. He says that 150mg of Effexor would be low in serotonin and hopefully wouldn't bother bladder.
But, like I said, when I tried Pristiq, I had no bladder problems.
Anyone know how much serotonin is hit with 150mg of Effexor?
Posted by SLS on December 16, 2009, at 15:20:03
In reply to SLS: Re: Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 14:36:57
I really think you need to try Effexor and see how it affects you. I wouldn't want to see you miss an opportunity to feel better based upon some questionable theories regarding serotonin/norepinephrine ratios. Since you couldn't tolerate Pristiq several months ago, what would make you think that it would treat you any differently now?
- Scott
Posted by Maxime on December 16, 2009, at 16:00:25
In reply to Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 13:06:27
I hope that the Effexor helps you the way Pristiq did minus the side effects.
Posted by zana on December 16, 2009, at 18:03:13
In reply to Re: Pristiq vs. Effexor? » SheilaC, posted by Maxime on December 16, 2009, at 16:00:25
I know there's a lot of talk about pristiq just being a money maker since effexor's patent has expired but I have taken both and pristiq was helpful to me while effexor was not. I think it may make sense to try effexor even if pristiq has not helped. They seem to behave quite differently at least in my body.
Zana
Posted by floatingbridge on December 21, 2009, at 1:19:24
In reply to Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 13:06:27
> I had an appt with my regular doc today and I discussed with him all of my med problems. He really felt like the Depakote would just keep me depressed and I should really be taking something for my anxiety.
>
> He gave me Pristiq back in August, but I didn't stick with it due to the painful gas, bloating and black stool. I asked if they would ever make it in 25mg he said no.
>
> He said 50mg of Pristiq is equal to 300mg of Effexor. He suggested I try 150mg of Effexor.
>
> He also said had I stuck with the Pristiq maybe the side effects would have gone away or at least gotten better.
>
> Also - I asked a pharmacist if they would ever make 25mg of Pristiq he doubted it as well, but he did say "off the record" he didn't see any problem with cutting it in half. My doc said Pristiq is a "cash cow" and that Wyeth just sold out to Pfizer so he didn't think they would put out a 25mg dose.
>
>Sheila,
effexor was much more energizing for me--a different drug in my body than pristiq. You could try it, and make a switch back to pristiq w/out much discomfort (I think--but get a second opinion on this). BTW, I had cut 100 pristiq in half regularly w/ no discernable effect. I would think it would be the same for 50's.
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on December 21, 2009, at 1:56:36
In reply to Pristiq vs. Effexor?, posted by SheilaC on December 16, 2009, at 13:06:27
Sheila,
did you post about the possibility that you are not BP and instead might have add? I can't find the post....
I haven't been on board for awhile and am wondering how you are doing. I apologize if I'm confusing you with someone else.
fb
Posted by SheilaC on December 21, 2009, at 12:28:06
In reply to Re: Pristiq vs. Effexor? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on December 21, 2009, at 1:56:36
> Sheila,
>
> did you post about the possibility that you are not BP and instead might have add? I can't find the post....
>
> I haven't been on board for awhile and am wondering how you are doing. I apologize if I'm confusing you with someone else.
>
> fbOne of my docs thought that I may have ADHD as well as BP. I notice that when I am on antidepressants my focus and concentration are much better.
Posted by floatingbridge on December 21, 2009, at 15:18:45
In reply to Re: Pristiq vs. Effexor? ) FB..., posted by SheilaC on December 21, 2009, at 12:28:06
Sheila,
I have late diagnosised add (not adhd) too. (I do not have BP.) Ten-- no 13 years ago I did very well on effexor, also Wellbutrin. They helped w/ focus. They don't work now, though. Ssri's make it worse. Sounds like you respond well to snri's (except for side effects). How's Concerta working for you? Strattera was a failure for me (it was prescribed as an add-on). I had side effects that previously I had only heard others complain of, like urinary retention. Also the presentation of raynaud's syndrome, which was unknown to me.
Enough rambling. How's your current regime?
fb
Posted by Phillipa on December 21, 2009, at 18:51:49
In reply to Re: Pristiq vs. Effexor? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on December 21, 2009, at 1:19:24
Sheila I just posted a link that came in my mail on pristiq. Said could go up to 400mg. Surprised me. Unless I read it wrong if that is the case please correct me thanks Phillipa
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