Posted by ace on May 1, 2003, at 22:02:30
In reply to Why Effexor?, posted by Ricardo on May 1, 2003, at 21:22:53
> Hi!
>
> I've been on Effexor for 10 days now, and I feel great. No side-effects and I already feel better from my dysthimia + depression bouts + OCD. Previously, I had tried Paxil, Wellbutrin and Tofranil, but so far Effexor has been the best one for me. However, I'm scared! I've been reading so many negative posts on how terrible the withdrawal is that I'm a little afraid of thinking that I'll sure have to go through it sooner or later.IMO, I believe your worry is warranted. All these newer drugs are known to have the capacity to have terrible w/drawal syndroms. I went through Zolodt w/drawal - I had to pull out of uni, and my world turned black. I'm sure sooner or later you will stop Effexor. But if you start up another soon this should obviate the w/drawal probs from Effexor. BUT, if you want to go from Effexor to nothing...well, I would say be prepared.
I'm definitely NOT asking my doctor to put me off it. It's been working for me, so I want to keep trying. One questions crossed my mind: if withdrawing from it is so terrible, why do doctors keep prescribing it, and why are there so many people (even here, in this forum) on it?
That's simple: It is market immensly, everyone thinks newer=better, which is NOT true. TCAs, in many clinical, double blind placebo controlled studies, have been shown superior, sometimes greatly, to SSRI and drugs like Effexor. In addition, sure, sometimes it would be good for someone. Every serious doctor knows MAOI drugs to be very potent AD's. And, in addition, they have very little in terms of withdrawal. Recently I read Nardil (MAOI) has a w/drawal rate of 32%, and Paxil up in th high 70's%. If you w/drawal very slow with MAOIs and TCAs, very rarely will you have a problem. Not so with the newer AD's.
Wouldn't it be more logical just to try and prescribe other ADs? Or maybe the success stories still outnumber the negative ones and, regarless of how difficult the withdrawal is, Effexor is still more effective than most other ADs...THAT IS NO TRUE. And contrary to what others have said, it does not act greatly like MAOIs.
Just some points that crossed my mind.
>
> Best wishes,
> RicardoHope my thoughts help. Of course we are all different. If you suffer severe depression, try an MAOI. They blow the ass off depression. I mean BIG TIME!
Good Luck!,
Ace.
poster:ace
thread:223740
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223746.html