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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BLUE EYES on June 27, 2000, at 15:13:03
Hi all,
I have been perscribed my first AD ever today. My Dr gave me the choice of paxil or EffexorXR, she said the only difference is drug manufacturer. I chose the Effexor. First question- is there a difference? (please explain in layman's terms, as I a pretty ignorant to a lot of the lingo)
Second point has me very anxious. I am currentely 40lbs overweight-adds to the depression and paranoia signifigantly as you can well imagine. The Dr seemed to be aware of this because she had suggested a thyroid test as part of my bloodwork. The general response I am reading on this board is a great deal of signifigant weight gain, not at all somthing I can afford! I want to call my Dr on this right away, any suggestions of what I should request being switched to? I would really love somthing that would enduce weight loss, if not at least prevent any further gain. Any and all feedback appreciated!
Posted by Libby on June 27, 2000, at 17:38:34
In reply to Effexor XR new to AD's-questions/concerns, posted by BLUE EYES on June 27, 2000, at 15:13:03
Effexor and Paxil are very different types of antidepressants, acting on different combinations of nerotransmitters. I was started on Effexor this time because it is very fast-acting and it was important for me to feel better as quickly as possible.
I don't know about weight gain with Paxil, but I have been taking Effexor XR for a year with little or no weight gain until I added a drug called Zyprexa a few months ago. If weight gain is a big concern for you, you might ask your doctor about Prozac or Wellbutrin. Those can actually promote weight loss in some cases.
Posted by Cindy W on June 28, 2000, at 0:16:14
In reply to Re: Effexor XR new to AD's-questions/concerns, posted by Libby on June 27, 2000, at 17:38:34
> Effexor and Paxil are very different types of antidepressants, acting on different combinations of nerotransmitters. I was started on Effexor this time because it is very fast-acting and it was important for me to feel better as quickly as possible.
>
> I don't know about weight gain with Paxil, but I have been taking Effexor XR for a year with little or no weight gain until I added a drug called Zyprexa a few months ago. If weight gain is a big concern for you, you might ask your doctor about Prozac or Wellbutrin. Those can actually promote weight loss in some cases.Blue Eyes, I haven't gained any weight on Effexor-XR. I was already about 30-40 lbs. overweight, and I'm gradually (and I mean gradually! seems slow) losing it. I feel more energized on Effexor-XR and have given up sugar sweetened colas and snacks (within reason on the snacks, of course!) and drinking water and one diet soda per day. I think I have already lost a few pounds in the past week. Talk about your concerns with your pdoc. There is some new SSRI called Meridia about which I know next to nothing, that is being touted as a weight loss medication. I don't know if it also has an impact on depression (ask Cam and your pdoc). If Effexor-XR works for you like it has for me, hopefully you'll be able to lose soem of the weight. But as everybody says on this board, everybody is different and responds differently to AD's.
Posted by noa on June 28, 2000, at 18:22:55
In reply to Re: Effexor XR new to AD's-questions/concerns, posted by Cindy W on June 28, 2000, at 0:16:14
BlueEyes, each of us responds differently to different meds. Paxil and Effexor are different, though they have some overlapping qualities.
I found that I was too stimulated on Paxil. It caused insomnia and myoclonus, or muscle twitches and jerks when I was at rest or just before sleep. I have a similar issue with Effexor, but less intense.
I think the thyroid eval is a good idea. For more info on that, see www.thyroid-info.com
or read Living Well with Hypothyroidism, by Mary Shomon. Better yet, read The Thyroid Solution by Dr. Ridha Arem (more info on both books at Dr. Bob's "Read" page, link at top of this page).If you do have your thyroid evaluated, be sure to visit the website I mentioned above for help in interpreting the results, or share them here with us. Do not just accept a declaration from your doc or the lab of "within normal limits", etc. A lot of subclinical cases are overlooked and often involve psychiatric symptoms like depression.
I only started to feel much better after my hypothyroidism, which was deemed not clinically significant by my GP was treated aggressively, thanks both to my pdoc and my endocrinologist, with lots of input from me based on information I got through the web and books.
As for weight gain on effexor, it is hard for me to say whether the effexor has contributed. The entire time I have been taking it, I have also been extremely sedentary and had varying levels of overeating or eating only high carbo foods due to anxiety and depression.
This is the end of the thread.
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