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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 maryj on May 1, 2002, at 17:36:09
I am currently on 40 mg/day of Prozac and my doctor is switching me to 75 mg 2x day Effexor because Prozac wasn't working for me anymore.I know Prozac stays in your system a long time after discontinuation, but will it last long enought until the Effexor kicks in? I wonder if I could keep taking the Prozac for awhile, a month or so, just to be sure. I know some people can take a combination of both drugs and it works well for them, but I also take Oxycontin and Percocet (for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) as well as Phenobarbital for a seizure disorder. I don't think the combination is dangerous, or why would my pain doctor prescribe Effexor? He says it would work much better for my depression and anxiety (from the pain) than a higher dose of Prozac. Anyone out there in a similar situation? Any input would be appreciated.
Posted by LynnPerley on May 2, 2002, at 17:41:43
In reply to Switching from Prozac to Effexor, posted by maryj on May 1, 2002, at 17:36:09
Maryj, I never got up to 40 mg of Prozac. I took Prozac for only 2 weeks at 20 mg when my MD switched me to Effexor XR. It takes longer for Effexor to "kick in" in my experience than prozac. I felt the Prozac right away. I switched right away from one ot the other. Prozac's long half life probably helped me until the Effexor kicked in. Gool luck.
Posted by Dysfunk on December 20, 2002, at 22:08:54
In reply to Switching from Prozac to Effexor, posted by maryj on May 1, 2002, at 17:36:09
I have been on Prozac and I am now adding Effexor in addition to a low dose of Prozac. My doctor says it works well for some people with anxiety and depression. Effexor made me tense and sweaty, but the Prozac alone stopped working after a while. It did take a while to feel positive effects of Effexor-at first all I felt was the dizzying side effects and aggitation. The dizziness is now gone, but I still feel anger and depression. Still trying to find the correct dosage. Good luck!
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 21, 2002, at 8:05:42
In reply to Switching from Prozac to Effexor, posted by maryj on May 1, 2002, at 17:36:09
I wouldn't suggest taking both at the same time -- tapering prozac down and effexor up -- as you 'll likely potentiate the effect of both meds. On medical advice, I mixed an SNRI (like Effexor) with a SSRI (like prozac) once; ended up sweating like crazy, having crazy dreams, and feeling very nauseated.
You may have to ride out a storm of depression right now, but I believe that the Effexor may work well for you. I think your doc wants you to take a med that has affects more than one neurotransmitter; effexor inhibits reuptake of noripenephrine as well as serotonin.
It's been my experince that an snri lets you have more range of feelings and has less sexual side effects than an ssri, so I'd give it a shot.
good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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