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sbauer
Full Member (100+ posts)
139 Posts
Gratitude: 22
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 Posted - 08/06/2005 : 14:37:15
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Hello
I have several questions. It seems that many people stop responding to drugs over time - how common is this? I have been on Effexor and Remeron for 6 months now, and Lithium for 6 weeks - they seem to be working well.
Also, there is a possibility of my coming off the Effexor and Remeron in another 6 months, if all continues to go well, and continuing on with the Lithium. Do mood stabilizers have any protective effect against withdrawl symptoms? Does initial sensitivity to the medication have any effect on presence/severity of withdrawl symptoms? I was absolutely "stoned" to barely being able to function on starting these drugs. I really shouldn't have been driving, or doing anything for that matter - my brain seemed to be going at half speed, and every now and then I would get that "whoops" sensation of an elevator dropping, as my brain seemed to catch up. I put up with these side effects as the alternative was, quite simply, death. This all gradually improved over several months. I had similar problems with Zoloft 5 years ago, but discontinued it a few weeks in after almost crashing my car!
Lithium - is tid dosing better than bid? How does that affect timing of blood levels? Is it effective at levels below 0.6?
The final question is, um, bowel stuff. The Effexor and Remeron have left me horribly constipated. I drink lots of fluids, eat bran cereal, and metamucil several times a day, use MOM several times a week, and occasionally resort to a stimulant laxative...I've never had trouble with this before, and don't want to become dependant on laxatives...any suggestions?
That's a lot of questions! Thanks for help in any or all of those questions!
SB  |
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| aquamarine
Amazing Member (1000+ posts)
1238 Posts
Gratitude: 300
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Posted - 08/06/2005 : 17:25:36
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Hi SB,
I am not sure about mood stabilizers protecting against anti-depressant withdrawal, but I have been told some of them help with benzo and alcohol withdrawal...Epival being one of them, and I have also heard gabapentin can help with benzo withdrawal.
Very strange that you ask about effexor withdrawal because I was just on the depression board this a.m. and saw a big post by Dr. Long and other members about problems people have been having with discontinuing Effexor. Here's the link: http://mytherapy.com/discussion/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=307
Just a couple other things...
First, I am not sure how many depressive episodes you have had, but I have read that if it is your first episode it is recommended you remain on antidepressants for at least 6 months, your 2nd at least a couple years and any more than that I have read the recommendation is to stay on them indefinately. Me, if I find something that works...I'm sticking to it.
2nd thing about the constipation...I have had lifelong problems with this and have tried everything. The thing I finally discovered that actually worked and is not a laxative but a bulk fibre is "Prodiem".
It is a bulk fibre like metamucil...but metamucil did nothing for me and was disgusting to take. Prodiem is made up of tiny smooth pellets. You take a heaping teaspoon and then dring lots of liquids and my gastroenronologist (sp?) said I could take it on a regular basis...it's just psillium fibre.
Good luck,
Aqua
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| sbauer
Full Member (100+ posts)
139 Posts
Gratitude: 22
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Posted - 08/06/2005 : 17:41:41
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Hi Aqua
Thanks - I'll try the Prodiem!
WRT timing of antidepressants, it is about my 5th bout of depression. The numbers I was given, is to stay on antidepressants for 1 year if it's the first bout, for 3 years if it's the 2nd, and forever for 3 or more. But, as I'm also on the lithium (the antidepressants seemed to make my mania worse) I was told that we could try to wean the antidepressants after one year.
SB |
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Many questions...
