Posted by MarkinBoston on January 8, 2001, at 16:57:23
In reply to Increasing Effexor XR, posted by Pandora on January 5, 2001, at 4:40:42
> My question is for those who have been on effexor for a while and/or those who have been on multiple ADs over time. I really don't feel that the effexor is working very well right now and wonder if my best course of action is to increase the dose (is 150 mg a "high" dose?) or to switch to another AD. I've experienced Prozac "burnout" and similar effects with tofranil and Zoloft. Unfortunately, I seem to be better informed than my pdoc on the effects of ADs and insurance prohibits me from shopping around for a new one... so I'm coming to other well-informed consumers for advice : ) (If anyone can recommend a good doc in the Houston area, I'd appreciate it!)
150XR was the starting dose for me and last week I jumped to taking 2/day without too much difficulty with side effects and good mood improvements. A more gentle approach is to get a script for 75mg tabs and step to 225 first. At 150 I already had anorgasmia and sweating, so the only new thing is a little insomnia and constipation. Before XR, I think I had taken up to 375 on previous episodes, and never have experienced withdrawl symptoms (I titrate up and down usually). My pdoc advocates high doses for the treatment resistant, and drugs like Effexor and especially Serzone work better at high doses. I dropped Serzone because of memory difficulties - I'd be in the shower not remembering if I had washed my hair a second time or not. Not now.
The acne may be due to sweating.
600 sounds like a lot to me too. How's your blood pressure?
poster:MarkinBoston
thread:50940
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001231/msgs/51194.html