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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JBlues on April 22, 2010, at 18:14:45
For no clear reason, though I think it had been brewing for a while, I decided this week that I'd had it with the aforementioned meds and with my psychiatrist. He treated me for depression since 1997, initially with Prozac, but later on, I felt, with whatever the pharma companies were trying to push. I think what bothered me the most was that *I* had to tell *him* that I believed I had Bipolar II, not just depression, and explained it by telling him things about my life that he already knew. His response was to add Depakote to my current antidepressant, which was Effexor.
Effexor always bothered me because if I missed a day by accident, I would get what you guys seem to call "brain zaps" -- I described it to my husband as feeling like my head was an Etch-a-Sketch and everything inside was sliding around now and then.
Part of what convinced me that my condition was more than simple depression was that it was very hard for me to leave the house. I maybe managed to get out half a dozen times a month. (BTW, the US govt didn't consider that grounds for SSD!)
This past Monday, I stopped taking the effexor (225 mg/day) and the Depakote (500 mg 2x/day) cold, which I realize probably wasn't the smartest thing, but apart from the brain zaps and some sweats, I feel like I've just come out of a coma! I've actually been out of doors three days in a row, I'm eating healthier, and I somehow seem to have quit caffeine.
I did call my MD and am getting referred to a new psychiatrist. I do continue to take Clonazapam (1 mg up to 2x/day as required) and trazodone (50-100 mg at bedtime to help me sleep).
Anyone know how long the effexor and depakote will take to get the h*ll out of my system? Anyone have an experience like this?
I just and I'm really glad you're all here.
Posted by obsidian on April 22, 2010, at 21:18:49
In reply to Effexor and Depakote, posted by JBlues on April 22, 2010, at 18:14:45
well congratulations, I hope it keeps going well :-)
Posted by Phillipa on April 23, 2010, at 0:17:57
In reply to Re: Effexor and Depakote » JBlues, posted by obsidian on April 22, 2010, at 21:18:49
You sound like you are doing extremly well discontinuing the meds. You feel better now off them how wonderful. Phillipa
Posted by polarbear206 on April 23, 2010, at 17:02:14
In reply to Effexor and Depakote, posted by JBlues on April 22, 2010, at 18:14:45
> For no clear reason, though I think it had been brewing for a while, I decided this week that I'd had it with the aforementioned meds and with my psychiatrist. He treated me for depression since 1997, initially with Prozac, but later on, I felt, with whatever the pharma companies were trying to push. I think what bothered me the most was that *I* had to tell *him* that I believed I had Bipolar II, not just depression, and explained it by telling him things about my life that he already knew. His response was to add Depakote to my current antidepressant, which was Effexor.
> Effexor always bothered me because if I missed a day by accident, I would get what you guys seem to call "brain zaps" -- I described it to my husband as feeling like my head was an Etch-a-Sketch and everything inside was sliding around now and then.
> Part of what convinced me that my condition was more than simple depression was that it was very hard for me to leave the house. I maybe managed to get out half a dozen times a month. (BTW, the US govt didn't consider that grounds for SSD!)
> This past Monday, I stopped taking the effexor (225 mg/day) and the Depakote (500 mg 2x/day) cold, which I realize probably wasn't the smartest thing, but apart from the brain zaps and some sweats, I feel like I've just come out of a coma! I've actually been out of doors three days in a row, I'm eating healthier, and I somehow seem to have quit caffeine.
> I did call my MD and am getting referred to a new psychiatrist. I do continue to take Clonazapam (1 mg up to 2x/day as required) and trazodone (50-100 mg at bedtime to help me sleep).
> Anyone know how long the effexor and depakote will take to get the h*ll out of my system? Anyone have an experience like this?
> I just and I'm really glad you're all here.Bipolar and stopping two meds cold turkey?? Good luck.
Posted by JBlues on April 23, 2010, at 17:43:52
In reply to Re: Effexor and Depakote, posted by polarbear206 on April 23, 2010, at 17:02:14
> Bipolar and stopping two meds cold turkey?? Good luck.I'm still having the "brain zaps," and a little bit of forgetfulness, but after the first two miserable days, I'm happier than I've been in a long time. I've left the house more times this week than I used to in most months. And I got a referral to a new psychiatrist, whom I'm seeing Sunday. (A lot of this neighborhood is Orthodox Jewish, and many doctors have Sunday hours.)
I appreciate all the support I've gotten here. And BTW, I believe I am Bipolar II, not Bipolar. Mild upswings, bad downswings.
Posted by Deneb on April 23, 2010, at 21:03:46
In reply to Re: Effexor and Depakote, posted by JBlues on April 23, 2010, at 17:43:52
Hello JBlues!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! I don't know how long it will take for the meds to leave your system. I just know that Effexor has a very short half life.
I hope for your continued success!
Deneb
This is the end of the thread.
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