Posted by Geezer on June 30, 2002, at 22:10:12
In reply to What is the best SSRI? Paxil, Effexor, Prozac,etc, posted by wcfrench on June 30, 2002, at 21:25:06
> Hi good people,
>
> I have been taking Effexor XR 75 mg (150 and 37.5mg also previously) for about a year and a half now. We still have not found out the best combination of medicines that can cure my stubborn depression, and I am getting ready to try Lithium. I have been through anti-psychotics, such as Seroquel, Geodon, and I am currently taking Zyprexa. When we switch to Lithium, I am pretty sure that I'll still be taking an anti-depressant, and I am considering a switch from Effexor XR to Prozac. I have heard good things about it, and my dad has had some success with it. Can someone tell me your positive or negative experience with these medicines. The competition is basically between Paxil, Prozac, Effexor, and just to add a few more that I've heard good things about, Zoloft, and Celexa. These are all very similar medications that work on Serotonin levels and I am trying to get a feel for who has had success on one medicine over another. Any information is welcome, I just want to take what I think will work out best for me on the cost/benefit ratio. Thanks in advance for any response.
> -CharlieHi Charlie,
The best SSRI AD for me was Prozac. It is a little bit stimulating at first but over all gave me the best result for one year. I experienced "poop out" at the one year mark and around the same time was diagnosed with Bipolar II had always been treated for major depression previously. Since all SSRIs seem to loose there effectiveness over time I am always looking for augmenting drugs to combine with them. Although it is a good idea to start with and accurate diagnosis (if you are Bipolar you deffinatly need to stabilize the mood before adding ADs) from that point it is for the most part choosing the AD that best helps your symptoms. Prozac and Zoloft are activating, Paxil and Celexa can be sedating - there is a certain amount of trial and error involved. One of the several benefits of SSRI drugs is the ability to do a direct cross over from one to the next - no wash-out period with uncomfortable side effects. Effexor and Paxil are the two most difficult SSRIs to discontinue but you can do it easily by switching to Prozac (it has a very long half life so you don't feel the withdrawl as you titrate down then stop). If you have an adgitated depression Paxil and Celexa might be good choices. If you feel very anergic and cant push your self to do anything then Prozac and Zoloft might be better choices.Hang in there-most people on this board have been at it for years and most are very knowledgable on psyc meds.
Wish you the best
Geezer
poster:Geezer
thread:111103
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111104.html