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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 meds4life on January 31, 2004, at 10:45:21
I have been taking effexor xr for 4 months for severe anxiety and depression. I have had three episodes of severe depression and do not want to go there again. Last time, I tried to overdose on sleeping medications. Effexor has been extremely effective and would like to remain on it indefinitely. Has anyone had experience with what they call "poop out" on effexor. If so, what was it like. I want to be on the lookout. I know I have a while before that would happen. I never thought I would be a long term antidepressent user. But I will do what it takes to avoid another depression at all costs.
Posted by linkadge on January 31, 2004, at 13:06:36
In reply to long term effects of effexor, posted by meds4life on January 31, 2004, at 10:45:21
I know where you are. The first time you get something that *works* you want to know that it will be available forever.
First of all, antidepressant only poop for some people. Heres what you need to do to avoid poop out, and what to do if it happens.
First of all, stay on the lowest effective dose.
Know what it is to feel normal, and learn to identify what below normal is. Don't raise your antidepressant for a bad hair day. (I assume you know that)Second of all, antidepressants are a tool. To be used wisely. Many people see them as the only tool and this is wrong. Use the tool to help you implement the other tools that will help you to stay feeling better. Get better enough so that you can begin exercising, and eating healthy, taking a multivitamin etc.
Use the drug to help you *learn* ways to do things easier. *Strive* to simplify your life.
Use the drugs to overcome the stressors in your life. Identify all the things that are causing your problems and address each and every one of them, no matter how difficult that may be.Use the drugs to help you develop meaningful social relationships, and create the social support you need.
You will find the most comfort in restraint, and minimalism. Pack light, keep only the things you need. Simplify, simplify, simplify.
Work hard to plan for the future. Don't sell out entirely for the present.
Strive to know yourself, and your environment better.
Learn what makes you happy again.
Basically you want to create the largest buffer around yourself as possible. By staying on the lowest effective dose, you have much more control over a possible poop out. Poop out is often fixed by dose increases and augmentation, lithium, buspar, trazedone, rememeron, T3/T4, Fish Oil, folic acid, pindolol etc. There certainly are others.
This may all sound a little bit crazy, but you need to respect what the drug does for you. If you really strive to normalize yourself, then you will find that you can most likely maintain it for a very long time.
Put your brain as #1.
Cause if you don't nothing else matters.
Best of LuckLinkadge
Posted by KathrynLex on January 31, 2004, at 15:07:44
In reply to Re: long term effects of effexor, posted by linkadge on January 31, 2004, at 13:06:36
Linkadge,
After reading your post, I just have to say I think you've offered everyone some wonderful advice. I will always remember that medication is a tool. Thank you.
K.
Posted by helenag on February 1, 2004, at 0:11:34
In reply to Re: long term effects of effexor, posted by KathrynLex on January 31, 2004, at 15:07:44
I've been on effexor for four and a half years and at a present dose of 300mg. This is the XR form of the drug.
Have not pooped out yet, although I had several bouts of serious depression. The pdoc left me on the effexor but augmented it. That seemed to have done the trick--was up and down. Mood stabilizer helped, so did atypical antipsychotic.
As that one poster wrote, meds are a tool. I wasn't helping myself during the bouts of depression by drinking and letting stress get to me. Wasn't using any self-help tools and by the time the I was really sick, it was too late to try any tools, I was beyond them.
Maintainence seems to be the best course. Preventative care. I never liked accepting the fact that I was prone to mood disorders so never took proper care of myself. Hence....
Posted by justjustine on February 1, 2004, at 9:17:42
In reply to Re: long term effects of effexor, posted by helenag on February 1, 2004, at 0:11:34
i like what has been said about meds and other strategies as being tools, and would just like to add this -
no one builds a house with only a hammer!
Posted by KimberlyDi on February 2, 2004, at 15:38:49
In reply to long term effects of effexor, posted by meds4life on January 31, 2004, at 10:45:21
I had to quit Effexor because it raised my blood pressure too much. I wasn't on it for more than 6 months or so, topped out at 300mg. I didn't experience poop out during that period. I wanted to warn you to be careful if you ever decide to go off Effexor. I had my first serious suicide attempt when I tapered off too quickly from Effexor.
I would still be on Effexor if my heart could handle it. It lifted me up when I desperately needed it.
KDi in TX
> I have been taking effexor xr for 4 months for severe anxiety and depression. I have had three episodes of severe depression and do not want to go there again. Last time, I tried to overdose on sleeping medications. Effexor has been extremely effective and would like to remain on it indefinitely. Has anyone had experience with what they call "poop out" on effexor. If so, what was it like. I want to be on the lookout. I know I have a while before that would happen. I never thought I would be a long term antidepressent user. But I will do what it takes to avoid another depression at all costs.
This is the end of the thread.
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