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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by babak on April 11, 2003, at 2:09:40
Hi again,
I have finally, that is after seven years, persuaded my pdoc to change my medication from Effexor.I am cross tapering with Paxil. Initially I started on 10mg and then 20mg while reducing Effexor first from 150mg, then from 112.5 XR to 75mg XR. Things were fine, so I increased Paxil to 30mg and reduced Effexor to 50mg and after two weeks on that I reduced Effexor to 37.5 and Paxil to 40mg. I even thought I had noticed some improvement, but probably it was my imagination.
In between all this my usage of Xanax has gone up too.
I had some classic withdrawal symptoms like electric shock like feelings in my arms and legs but they weren't severe at all and they went away after a couple of days. Generally things were again fine for about a week. Then I started getting more depressed and developed insomnia, headaches, back ache, acid stomach, feeling tiered and tense again.Now I am not sure if is it withdrawal or it is Paxil that is not working, at least not as well as Effexor.
I really need to come of Effexor. Although it has been the best amongst the few (Prozac, Reboxetine, Mirtazapine, Amitriptyline, Lithium) I have tried so far, I am still very far from a complete remission and the worst of its side effects are that I have totally lost my libido as well as becoming completely anhedonic.
Can anyone shed light on my predicament as what is going on?
a) Should I wait for another week i.e. the 5th week and see if Effexor withdrawal or whatever it is gets better?
b) Should I increase Paxil or give up on it and go back on higher doses of Effexor and start all over again with another drug, but which AD? After all coming of Paxil is just as bad as that of Effexor, so the longer I am on it, the worst it is going to be.
c) Should I ask for some Prozac to help with Effexor withdrawal? Can you mix Paxil & Prozac?
d) Should I ask for some Klonopin or something else to help me with sleeping?I am frustrated, tired and confused. I think I am no longer of thinking clearly, I could really use some help.
Thank you as always.
P.S. I have finally been diagnosed with recurrent depression and GAD
Posted by janejj on April 11, 2003, at 17:43:18
In reply to 1st time I had no reply to my post., posted by babak on April 11, 2003, at 2:09:40
I am not sure about some off your questionsbut I used Prozac for withdrawal from Effexor and it worked wonderfully !
Good luck
Janejj
Posted by Questionmark on April 12, 2003, at 1:50:15
In reply to 1st time I had no reply to my post., posted by babak on April 11, 2003, at 2:09:40
>"I really need to come of Effexor. Although it has been the best amongst the few (Prozac, Reboxetine, Mirtazapine, Amitriptyline, Lithium) I have tried so far, I am still very far from a complete remission and the worst of its side effects are that I have totally lost my libido as well as becoming completely anhedonic"
i don't know what to tell you, sorry. But i can tell you that Paxil will probably be approximately just as bad in regard to libido and anhedonia. This often occurs with any SRI. Maybe you should try a different drug altogether (?).
Posted by babak on April 12, 2003, at 5:43:22
In reply to Re: 1st time I had no reply to my post., posted by Questionmark on April 12, 2003, at 1:50:15
Thanks for your response.
I don't mind the libido as much as wider aspect of anhedonia. I have no motivation, find it difficult to concentrate on anything or enjoy food or music or anything else.
This is the end of the thread.
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