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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 Colleen D. on September 10, 2004, at 14:47:22
Can being on a TCA (in my case, Doxepin) as a sleep aid help with "withdrawal" from Effexor?
I may be changing meds in a few weeks and I wonder if I continue with 50mg doxepin each night for sleep I might have a better chance of avoiding some of the physical problems many people seem to have when tapering off Effexor??? Don't they affect the same neurotransmitters? Or is the doxepin likely to have little effect because the dose is so small and/or it wouldn't stay in my system long enough to make any difference? Maybe I should take a larger dose during that time?
Thanks!
Colleen
Posted by King Vultan on September 10, 2004, at 16:00:53
In reply to TCA to help with Effexor discontinuation symptoms?, posted by Colleen D. on September 10, 2004, at 14:47:22
> Can being on a TCA (in my case, Doxepin) as a sleep aid help with "withdrawal" from Effexor?
>
> I may be changing meds in a few weeks and I wonder if I continue with 50mg doxepin each night for sleep I might have a better chance of avoiding some of the physical problems many people seem to have when tapering off Effexor??? Don't they affect the same neurotransmitters? Or is the doxepin likely to have little effect because the dose is so small and/or it wouldn't stay in my system long enough to make any difference? Maybe I should take a larger dose during that time?
>
> Thanks!
>
> ColleenMy guess is that the doxepin is so weak at blocking serotonin reuptake that it probably isn't going to do much good. Looking at the value of the dissociation constant for doxepin blocking serotonin reuptake all by itself, it might make it look like it's doing something there, but my opinion is that its histamine blockade is so overwhelmingly powerful in comparison that this is going to dominate the character of the drug, particularly at lower dosages.
Todd
Posted by cherylann on September 11, 2004, at 12:16:21
In reply to Re: TCA to help with Effexor discontinuation symptoms?, posted by King Vultan on September 10, 2004, at 16:00:53
I was on effexor for about a year when it stopped working. The doc put me on remeron while I was tapering off. I had no withdrawl whatsoever.
I tended to think this was because of the remeron.
Perhaps the doxepin will help in the same manner?
best wishes,
cherylann
Posted by Sad Panda on September 11, 2004, at 13:16:58
In reply to TCA to help with Effexor discontinuation symptoms?, posted by Colleen D. on September 10, 2004, at 14:47:22
> Can being on a TCA (in my case, Doxepin) as a sleep aid help with "withdrawal" from Effexor?
>
> I may be changing meds in a few weeks and I wonder if I continue with 50mg doxepin each night for sleep I might have a better chance of avoiding some of the physical problems many people seem to have when tapering off Effexor??? Don't they affect the same neurotransmitters? Or is the doxepin likely to have little effect because the dose is so small and/or it wouldn't stay in my system long enough to make any difference? Maybe I should take a larger dose during that time?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Colleen
>
>Hi Colleen,
What med are you changing to & why?
I am currently using the TCA Amitriptyline to get off of Effexor. Doxepin won't help, like KV said Doxepin isn't an SRI.
Cheers,
Paul.
Posted by Colleen D. on September 11, 2004, at 14:09:05
In reply to Re: TCA to help with Effexor discontinuation symptoms?, posted by Sad Panda on September 11, 2004, at 13:16:58
which happens to be one of my "problem" behaviors, but I meet with a new pdoc soon and she may want to make some changes because my GP has prescribed Effexor and Doxepin. Effexor is great for my depression and gives me lots of energy, but it seems to be making some of my OCD behaviors worse and my OCD is a bigger than my GAD. Sometimes I think they're one in the same. The doxepin has been fantastic for me at night, but I'm looking for better results throughout the day. Cymbalta + something more for anxiety might be a possibility, but I won't know until she formally evaluates me and we'll go from there!
Thanks!
Colleen
Posted by Colleen D. on September 11, 2004, at 14:11:08
In reply to As usual, I am thinking way ahead... » Sad Panda, posted by Colleen D. on September 11, 2004, at 14:09:05
This is the end of the thread.
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