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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 MrBill on August 12, 2000, at 21:05:30
I have read these threads with great interest. I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, and started seeing a psychiatrist last year. He put me on Effexor, which was an excellent medication until recently, when it lost its "effect." I have attempted to regain support from this drug by increasing dosage, adding Wellbutrin, and now Prozac, but nothing seems to work. What is worse, I am behaving like an addict again. I would appreciate input from those of you with a similar experience on which way to proceed.
Thanks,
Bill
Posted by Kath on August 12, 2000, at 21:28:38
In reply to Lost in the Procees, posted by MrBill on August 12, 2000, at 21:05:30
Hi Bill - Welcome. I don't have the same experiences as you, and I imagine you'll get input from people who do, but I am wondering if you are in any 12-step groups? I attend Co-Dependents Anonymous. Quite a few people in my group also attend either Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, and have found that co-dependent behaviours are underneath their other behaviours.
I understand from alot of my friends & acquaintances that AA & NA meetings are wonderfully helpful. If you don't get answers to your post, please try again, maybe wording the subject line a little differently to grab people's attention, but as I say, I imagine you'll hear from people.
You're in my thoughts. Keep in touch. Good luck.
Kath
> I have read these threads with great interest. I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, and started seeing a psychiatrist last year. He put me on Effexor, which was an excellent medication until recently, when it lost its "effect." I have attempted to regain support from this drug by increasing dosage, adding Wellbutrin, and now Prozac, but nothing seems to work. What is worse, I am behaving like an addict again. I would appreciate input from those of you with a similar experience on which way to proceed.
> Thanks,
> Bill
Posted by shar on August 12, 2000, at 22:09:28
In reply to Effexor after stopping alcohol / drugs? » MrBill, posted by Kath on August 12, 2000, at 21:28:38
Bill,
What behaviors are you talking about when you say "acting like an addict" ?Also, how long have you been trying the Wellbutrin and Prozac along with Effexor? Long enough (3-6 weeks for me usually) to give them a good chance? What dosages are you on?
Shar
Friend of Bill W.
Posted by MrBill on August 13, 2000, at 8:42:52
In reply to Addictive behavior after Effexor poop-out?, posted by shar on August 12, 2000, at 22:09:28
Shar:
What I mean is that (1) I am again viewing things through drugs and letting them do the work. For awhile on Effexor, I got out in front of this. (2) In a sense I am now abusing Effexor in that I have pushed dose to 600 mg and take the 75 mg tablets rather than XR to attempt a more rapid response. I did not give Wellbutrin a chance because no short term kick, and I have been on Prozac 1.5 mos at 40 - 60 mg. Part of my problem is that I was addicted to amphetamines for many years. Thank you and Kath in the previous message for your consideration.
Bill
Posted by shar on August 13, 2000, at 15:30:15
In reply to Re: Addictive behavior after Effexor poop-out?, posted by MrBill on August 13, 2000, at 8:42:52
Bill,
You seem to have a really good handle on what's going on. It makes sense to me that you would fall back on the behavior you know well and that worked for you before, even though it may not be helpful now. We tend to do what we know best. I have to say you must be a strong and determined individual to recover from amphetamine addiction.I would encourage you not to worry overmuch about fully embracing that lifestyle again. You are so aware of what is happening, it sounds like you are nipping it in the bud.
The two components that would probably help you now would be (1) having behaviors to replace those in your history, and (2) a med check to go over what's happening right now, and to work on that side of the problem (and a promise not to fool around with your dosing until you talk with your doc).
Do you have a plan in place to handle this situation?
Shar
Posted by MrBill on August 14, 2000, at 15:51:12
In reply to Re: Addictive behavior after Effexor poop-out?, posted by shar on August 13, 2000, at 15:30:15
> Shar:
I am impressed by the professional manner of your response. You are right. I will not go back to speed (at one time regularly ate the proplyhexedrine-soaked cotton out of Benzedrex inhalers).
Todays plan is as follows: I just finished dumping bottles of Depakote, Remeron and SAM-e down the sink. I am going off Effexor by 75 mg/day while maintaining 60 mg of Prozac. I'll see if Prozac alone helps. I need to stay away from anything I percieve as an "upper." I have no patience with being down.
Bill
This is the end of the thread.
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