Antidepressants and Effexor XR??

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
Anyone on antidepressants, specifically Effexor XR? My doc prescribed this for me due to some difficulties I have been having lately, but I am NOT a medicine person. I am extremely reluctant to start taking them. I took ONE (37.5 mg) and it made me feel dizzy and somewhat drunkish. In other words, I could feel it, and that bothered me.

Do you think some people just have a personality that can be helped by anti-depressants, or would that just be "doping up" for lack of a better expression? I don't want to be "doped up".

I wonder if I am truly clinically depressed or if I am just a victim of my current life circumstances. Once they change (once I fix what is wrong) will I be likely to be un-depressed? or un-anxiety?

I know, I know...we all taled about "talk-therapy", but my insurance sucks right now and there is no way I can pay out of pocket. How do you know when you really *need* medication, or are a good candidate, other than a doctors opinion? Why do I need meds AND talk therapy?

Anyone with experience in depression please come forth with advice. I would highly appreciate it. Thanks!

Janice
 
Hey there and welcome aboard the anti-depressant express.

You've asked quite a few questions so I'm going to try to be as clear and unconfusing as I can be. Please feel free to ask more questions, since subjects like these tend to create more questions and the first ones are answered.

First, my qualifications!! :) I was on Paxil for 3 years. I'm now off of Paxil and have been off for 4 months. Paxil is similar to Effexor as it's a seratonin reuptake inhibitor. So I know where you are, where you're going, and where you want to be. I hope it helps to know there are other people out there pulling their hair, too. I suffer from situational depression, anxiety, panic disorder and I'm obsessive-compulsive to boot. Yeah me!! LOL! My depression culminated in chest pain and panic attacks shortly after 9/11. I did do talk therapy in conjunction with the Paxil and here comes the answer to one of your questions...

Talk therapy is good. Alone, it can be as effective as taking an antidepressant. Antidepressants are good. Alone, they can be as effective as talk therapy. But when you combine them, you get a synergistic effect that basically doubles your benefit. Doing both gets you better, faster. There are substitutes you can use for therapy and writing in a journal is one of the best subs. Write what you feel. Then read it, and ask some tough questions. Then answer them. Then complain, moan, be pitiful and then set goals and coach yourself to be strong. Or cry. It doesn't matter really as long as you put down your raw emotions and let it go onto the paper. It's the act of getting it out. That's what you're looking to do in therapy.

After taking the meds for about 2 weeks, you will adjust. I felt "floaty" for a couple of weeks and then I felt pretty calm. Then I got normal. Then I passed normal and ended up a zombie. Then I got off the meds. It was hard for me as I turned out to be one of the 25% of people who seem to get a physical addiction to the non-addictive drug!! I had horrible withdrawls and used a tapering method to get free of the drug. I had some pretty rocky spots, but now, I'm glad I'm off.

I'm quoting you: "I wonder if I am truly clinically depressed or if I am just a victim of my current life circumstances. Once they change (once I fix what is wrong) will I be likely to be un-depressed? or un-anxiety?"

Well, you can be clinically depressed OR you may be a victim. Either way, the drug can help you through. If you really are depressed, the drug can turn it around and let you get your head together and then you can be free of the depression. Some people have life-long ailments that will never be cured like Bipolar disorder. Other people like me (and you, it sounds like, but I'm not a doctor...) can have what's known as a situational depression. Mine came about as a result of the 9/11 situation combined with the divorce of my parents and unhappiness at my job. I now have a new job and my life is good. My situational depression has been lifted because of the drug therapy, talk therapy, journal writing, exercise and changing my situation by changing jobs.

Anxiety is usually a symptom of depression, therefore when the depression abates, the anxiety usually goes as well.

As for the question of do you need the drug, I'd advise getting a second opinion. There are also some self tests that you can take. Some symptoms of depression are lack of motivation, disinterest in previously interesting things, irritability, lack of libido, sleeping too much or insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks... But I'd seriously make a follow-up appointment with your doc and seek alternative treatment if you're unhappy with the antidepressant.

You might also look into a diet supplement called 5-HTP. That's short for 5-hydroxytriptophan (or something like that!!). It's an amino acid that is the direct precursor to seratonin. It's made from plant seeds. It's not approved for long term use. I used it to help get myself off of Paxil. When I took it, my seratonin levels increased, thus easing the withdrawl symptoms. But when I stopped taking the 5-HTP, I'd get the headache and light sensitivity, but not to the extent that I did going off the Paxil without it. It was do-able. For a short term, non-drug solution, it could be feasable, but you seriously want to check with your doc before persuing that route as it could be dangerous if you're pregnant or taking certain other medications.

I hope I didn't confuse you too much, and I hope I've answered more quesitons than I've created here. But if you want to ask more, ask away. I'll help you any way I can.
 
Janice,

Before I comment, let me add that everything I'm about to say doesn't take into account at all your current life circumstances, which I don't know, so its general. As a (fairly new) clinical psychologist, I can say that it all depends. On what, you ask? On things you already mentioned - if your insurance won't cover therapy and you can't pay out of pocket, consider meds. If you've tried to get past it on your own or talk therapy hasn't worked, try meds. If you don't have time to afford to changing whatever needs to be changed in your life circumstances, try meds.

However, "talk therapy" comes in so many different forms, only some of which have been shown through research to be effective. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the best so far, and the most short term. YOu don't just talk, you get taught things by a trained therapist - you have to do things, change things, but they are things that we know tend to alleviate depression if changed. CBT has been shown to be as effective as meds, with one HUGE advantage. You learn things in therapy that you always have - if, down the road, you start feeling depressed again, you have the skills to combat it. Take meds and you'll likely alleviate depression (with side effects) - and if you stop taking it, you'll have depression again.

Only if your depression is severe (or experienced by you as intolerable) would you need both meds and talk therapy.

Hope this helps!
 
I was diag. with panic/anxiety attacks.I had a cold and taking cold med.now I ususally take no med.I was put on one pill that made me dizzy so he switched me to zoloft.well I was on it for a week lost 3 pounds couldn't sleep ended up in the emergency room shaking terriable and couldn't walk-burning and tingling all over my body.I had acid reflux caused by the med. and a severe anxiety attack.I was taken off the med completly and given pills to take in case of emergency attacks.We think they were brought on by the cold med I was taken and my body couldn't handle the med. being put into it (I didn't need it).I feel great I'm off the acid reflux med and am happy again.I walked around in daze on the med.I am back to my old self.This was a span of 2 weeks of pure hell.I will never take my health for granted again.previous to this I had not been to a doctor in 12 years just for yearly exams.Just make sure your doctor hears what you tell him it's not a one size fits all situation and I wish you well.
 
A few more thoughts. I've been on a lot of antidepressents and do better with them. The side effect you experienced after day one is very common when starting an anti depressent. Give it 6 weeks- unless it is absolutely not tolerable after two weeks. If effexor isn't effective, maybe something else is. A brief comment on the comparison to paxil. They aren't exactly the same. Effexor impacts neurotransmittors which paxil doesn't hit. Personally, I did better with a combo of celexa and wellbutrin, couldn't tolerate Effexor. But LOTS of people do well with Effexor. Bottom line...give it a few weeks before you decide if you are better off with the meds or without. And just because you aren't getting good outcomes iwth Effexor doesn't mean that anti depressents won't help.

Regarding "addiction" to meds. Everyone notes the sideeffects that accompany going off medications. True, it is very difficult to go off these drugs. That again varies based on what the drug is and your personal make up. But there are two sides to a withdrawel syndrome characteristic of addiction- one is the physical discomfort and the other is CRAVING for the drug one is withdrawing from. The former is common with antidepressents, but people don't "Crave" the drugs. While there are sideeffects related to going off these meds, they are not "Addictive" in a classical sense.

Good luck
Elizabeth
 
Elizabeth,

Exactly. I couln't think of how to describe that. There was no craving while quitting Paxil. Just a lot of headaches and irritability. But I never craved the drug.

Thanks for adding that!!!
 
Hmmmmm...you have all brought up interesting points. I was a little timid to start taking mine cuz a friend told me that "dizzy, drunkish" feeling is NOT normal and not to take anymore. ??

Can someone tell me what it is that these antidepressants do to your brain chemistry to make you feel better? I am confused.


My friend also told me she loved Wellbutrin. That it was a "happy" pill. Any comments?

Thank you all. Tjania.....you are very smart on so many levels! Are you a medical laboratory technologist?
 
Hi Janice,

My DH & I have both been on Wellbutrin for a couple of years now. I am also on Elavil at night as I have insomnia.

The weird feelings you get from them do go away. I had dry mouth for several weeks but even that went away eventually.

I'm not sure I would be here today if I had not been treated. My husband wasn't as bad, but he definitely feels better.

We're thinking about going off them after the holidays...will talk to our doctor about it of course.

I can't say Wellbutrin is a "happy" pill, whatever that means! But it helped us tremendously.

Good luck & take care,
Ruth:)
 
I think you have gotten excellent advice so far. I have to concur with the recommendation to combine drugs and effective therapy when possible.

I was on Celexa for a year and then stopped. I had a year of therapy with it that was critical I was off of drugs for almost three years. Now I am currently taking Lexapro and getting monthly counseling.

I had a six week adjustment till my body got used to the chemicals. I have vivid dreams and occasionally will feel a little clammy. I have gotten excellent relief from the anxiety and depression.

In my opinion, you wouldn't ask a diabetic to "wean" themselves off their dependance on insulin.

From what I understand, everyone has a few depressive events that they have to deal with in their lives. Death, divorce, disability, etc, can all precipitate difficult times. Typically people can pass through these experiences and then find relief over time. Others have a stronger prevalence for prolonged or permenant mental health issues. There are so many factors involved.

Given my family history of mental illness on both sides of my family, I have a little extra to work against. That plus my circumstances and skill set put me in a position to need extra help from drugs.

I'm so grateful for Lexapro. When I take it, I have the ability to do more for my family other than just get by. I used to just hang on by a thread and dread each day. Now I can truly enjoy my family so much more. I have missed being able to like them and I actually look forward to doing good things for them. The extra things that make life sweeter.

Hope this helps.

danna
 
I AM a Medical Laboratory Technologist! I work in the Blood Bank at my hospital's lab, but I also do hematology, coagulation and urinalysis. How'd you know?

Seriously, because you have doubts/issues with the drug, call your doctor. While your friend may have the best intentions, your doctor is the one to talk to. These symptoms may be nothing, or they could indicate a serious reaction.

Antidepressants can work in different ways. The class of drugs we've been talking about are seratonin re-uptake inhibitors. Seratonin is a hormone in your brain that basically wakes you up in the morning. It's counterpart is melatonin which makes you sleepy at night. The SRI (seratonin re-uptake inhibitor) works by preventing the re-absorption of seratonin. Your body sweeps up excess seratonin, and while on the drug, this is not done to the extent it would be while not on the drug. Therefore, you have more seratonin floating around and able to work on your brains. Seratonin makes you feel good, at ease, relaxed, uninhibited and happy. Too much can lower libido. Way too much can cause seratonin syndrome which can lead to coma and death. So it's very important to take the antidepressant the way the doctor prescribes. And very important to NOT take 5-HTP while taking your anti-depressant! Also very important to not have grapefruit or grapefruit juice in the first couple of hours after taking the drug because the drug's action can be amplified in the presence of grapefruit.
 
Tammy...

I knew because you once gave me some expert advice on cholesterol and I thought you told me in that thread. I remember because recently I have been looking into that profession. It sure sounds neat!!

Well, I know doc said that Effexor was not what he called a "SSRI". He acted like Effexor was different.?? To tell you the truth, I am still torn as to whether I should take these pills.

For those of you taking them, would you say they are worth the side effects and $80.00 a month in terms of total satisfaction/life improvement you get from them? I guess that is the real question now...??

Tammy..you sure got a lot of information in your head. You can tell you have been well educated in the sciences!!:) Thanks for the advice...
 
My DH was on Effexor and boy oh boy did it affect him! He broke out in hives so severely his eyes were swollen shut and he looked as though he'd been beaten with a club. When he went to the Dr...he asked if it could be a manifestation of the meds. The Dr said no. He got two shots of benadryl and was told to go home. The hives kept getting worse. I tore into his med package and read through the fine print and there in plain black letters - may cause severe hives! Massive hives - they were awful. He went back to the Dr...who then decreased the meds. I don't want to go into a long, painful story....but let's just say it took forever for him to come off them, without feeling strange. My mom had the same problem too - she just couldn't get off them! My DH finally did and he's ok now. So is my mom. The ONLY word of caution - read the entire package - NOT just the print out that the pharmacist gives you to read PLUS ask about how difficult it is to get OFF them. It isn't as easy as you think and some people really go wonky when decreasing them! Go into it with your eyes open and consider all options. I think anti depressants are great and can work wonders, but look into it and be educated! Good luck - I wish you the best!
 
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