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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TommyTommy on February 11, 2003, at 1:59:57
Hello, My name is Tommy, I'm 26 and I've been taking meds on and off since the age of 15. The only combination to ever have relatively good succes with was a combination of 1500mg of Depakote and 150mg of Effexor. I took that combination for about 3 years and then decided to come off of it for a variety of reason. One of which being absolutely no libido and secondly I'm only 26 and I wanted to see if I somehow might actually be cured of whatever chemical deficiency I had in my brain. I more or less cut back and then discontinued the Depakote rather quickly and then weened off of the Effexor over a 2-3 month time period. I felt great for about one week when the cloud in my mind and the side effects seem to lift away and then BANG. I CRASHED BIG TIME. To sum up this story, I went back to my shrink who immediately put me back on 1500mg of Depakote bumped up to 2000mg today and for an AntiDepressent he told me about this new drug (of coarse you know how these psychiatrists get with promoting the new drugs.....even if they might be total garbage they try to sound all optimistic because they have their cute little sample packets and probably huge kickbacks from the pharmasutical manufacturers of the drugs) called Lexapro. He put me on a standard dose of 10Mg and that's where I've been for just about almost a month now. Compared to where I was when I crashed it has definitely made me less desperate and depressed but upon comparing it to Effexor it doesn't seem to compare. On the Effexor I seemed to be more sociable, outgoing, and had a bit more energy. This drug seems to make me even more tired than I felt on Effexor and my mind just kind of feels like it's stuck in first gear. I really don't feel like doing much of anything except to sleep and watch T.V. I wonder if Effexor is just dominate because it also works to raise the Norepenefrine levels. Anybody with an experience like mine, a comment, or some friendly knowledge is definitely welcomed to write back in response to this message.
Thanks,
Tommy
Posted by Bill L on February 11, 2003, at 8:33:55
In reply to Lexapro versus Effexor, posted by TommyTommy on February 11, 2003, at 1:59:57
One can't make a blanket statement that Effexor is better than Lexapro or visa versa. If I were you, I would talk to your doctor about going back on Effexor. You mentioned that libido was a problem on Effexor. There are a couple of options that you could try. One is Yohimbine. You would take either 5 mg 3 times a day; or 10 mg about an hour before sex. It works for both libido and erection. But it doesn't work for everybody. Viagra is very effective for erectile problems but I don't know if it does anything for libido.
Posted by lostsailor on February 11, 2003, at 11:15:16
In reply to Re: Lexapro versus Effexor, posted by Bill L on February 11, 2003, at 8:33:55
Hey there. Effexor , ex-depakote user hear.
Re libidio, do you have a partner. I mean is there lack of stimulation or nust plain now desire? All the meds above help with ssri side sexual side effects. Also , so does wellbuterin, buspar and a antihistimine you doc would know but it escapes me now (cytrolert???)
I now use lamictal vs depakote. You might want to try that. I does much the same as depakote yet seems to help depression more.
When depressed deeply I use effexor, a great med I agree, but if I stay on it too long after the dep lift I get manic, so go back to an ssri. I agree as to why it stimulates you and docs often use it for that effect + the dual mechanisms it works on.
good luck,
tony
Posted by jrbecker on February 11, 2003, at 11:34:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro versus Effexor, posted by Bill L on February 11, 2003, at 8:33:55
I can definitely agree with you Tommy. Lexapro just doesn't compare to Effexor, or even Celexa alone for its mood effect. However, Lex's side effects are the most tolerable though. I suffer from atypical depression and it seemed to cause the least amount of hypersomnia and appetite increase. It also caused the least probs with sexual dysfunction, although my libido was nil on it, so what's the point.
I was on effexor about 3 years ago for a total of two and a half years. I'd have to say it was probably the time when I was most social, outgoing, and active. I did have some problems with it though, these included: overexcitation, somnolescence, and real bad anorgasmia.
I eventually moved on to celexa, which I think had about the same mood effect for me, but did
not give me as much energy (it also didn't make me overexcited though as well). I have just recently switched back to it after being on Lex for four months straight. The side effects are a little worse, but I'm definitely "happier" on the celexa now.Have you tried celexa before? And if so, how'd you do? You know adding Strattera to an SSRI is pretty much the same effect as the Effexor and probably with less side effects. Another bonus by using a combo instead of effexor is that you get to tailor the NE and serotonin ratio to how you see fit. Another answer for you might be duloxetine when it comes out later this year.
One down side is that most SNRIs are going to have worse anorgasmia issues than most SSRIs. FOr me, libido was actually increased on Effexor, but for everybody it's different though.Have you tried any augmentors for the libido (sexual dysfunction as well)? Try a dose of Buspar, yohimbe, wellbutrin, or maybe even a stim 1-2 hours before the act and you shouldn't have too many problems.
Good luck,
JB
Posted by TommyTommy on February 11, 2003, at 14:10:34
In reply to Re: Lexapro versus Effexor, posted by jrbecker on February 11, 2003, at 11:34:14
Bill, I thank you for your input and knowledge. What does Strattera actually do? Does it work with the Norepenefrine? When you took Lexapro, did you seem to want to sleep for ridiculously long hours?
Thanks,
Tommy
Posted by Mr.Scott on February 11, 2003, at 16:40:20
In reply to Lexapro versus Effexor, posted by TommyTommy on February 11, 2003, at 1:59:57
Hello Tommy,
I have tried them both and find Effexor to be both superior and to have less side effects. Maybe a simple dose reduction of the effexor could help balance the sexual side effects. Of course there is always the option of adding another med to try and counter them. As long as you're on the Lex however maybe you should try it out up to 20mg to see if it works.
May I ask if you are bipolar or unipolar or somewhere inbetween?
Scott
Posted by TommyTommy on February 11, 2003, at 19:08:32
In reply to Re: Lexapro versus Effexor » TommyTommy, posted by Mr.Scott on February 11, 2003, at 16:40:20
Hello Scott,
As for my diagnosis, 3 years ago my pschiatrist diagnosed me with BiPolar after I was previously diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive disorder. Upon my evaluation of myself and much studying of specific signs associated with different disorders I have come to a conclusion that I am completely UniPolar because I do not manic whatsoever. For me it's always been depressed and then a little less depressed. Too many doctors want to throw the bipolar disorder diagnosis onto everyone for some wierd strange reason. Even Bipolar II disorder would seem more like me but I still don't really even get to a hypomania state of mind at all. May I ask you what you are presently taking to help with your depressions?Thanks,
Tommy
Posted by Mr.Scott on February 12, 2003, at 7:51:28
In reply to Re: Lexapro versus Effexor, posted by TommyTommy on February 11, 2003, at 19:08:32
Hello Tommy,
Yes I agree about bipolar being tossed around way too much these days. I had a couple doctors say I had it too, but I could never tolerate the mood stabilizers and the diagnosis never quite felt right anyways. I think unless it's very clear that a person has BP Disorder, theses days it's more about marketing anticonvulsants than actually treating illness. Everyone seems to be taking mood stabilizers whereas a few years ago it was SSRI's and before that Benzodiazepines. Not that all of these meds aren't miracles for the right people, it's just that the marketing hype seems to get in the way of their proper usage.
Currently I take Effexor 75mg for depression and I am toying with AdderallXR 20mg as well to see if that can be helpful with some remaining ADD symptoms.
Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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