Effexor xr and bipolar disorder
Common Questions and Answers about Effexor xr and bipolar disorder
effexor
I have been taking 300 milligrams of Effexor XR and 300 milligrams of Wellbutrin SR and 2000 milligrams of Depacote
for the past six years.I have managed on my own to stop taking all of them over the past six weeks,not without great suffering.I would like to know if and when I can expect to be free from the nausea,dizziness,headaches,etc. that I am experiencing all the time.
I got back on regular effexor and began to feel positive effects but not totally. I switched to XR Effexor and it worked better. But still not full remission. I started th regular effexor 13 weeks ago and have been on the EFFEXOR XR for 2 weeks. But I still don't feel like myself. I feel better but not consistantly good. I feel best in the PM. Mornings are the worst part of my day. I take 1 150mg dose at 9PM. Should I ask the doctor to increase my dosage to 300mg.
Mood stabilizers used in the treatment of bipolar disorder include, Depakote, Depakene, Eskalith, Lithobid(Lithium), Lithonate and Lithotabs.
Although, not approved for tratment of bipolar disorder by the FDA, the following medications are oftentimes also used to control mood. They include lamictal, neurontin, tegretol and topomax. These are usually calssified as anti-convulsants.
I have been on medications for Bipolar almost 35 years. I have had to change drugs. I was first treated with Thorazine and Stelazine and other nasty stuff. I was on Lithium for years until I became toxic. It is not a one size fits all deal. I have been to over fifty Psychiatrists and at times only saw family Doctors because I hated the psychiatrists. I searched out a really good psychiatrist who was willing to really consider all options.
Before that, I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar disorder and was being treated with 800mg of Seroquel XR daily, 4mg of Klonopin, and 150 of Effexor XR both daily as well. I went through Hell going cold turkey off the Seroquel, while weening from Effexor. I traded the Klonopin off for Ativan and weened it down from 2mg daily to now taking it as needed (generally .5 daily or every other day. And I started taking the Lexapro as it agreed with me in a way that nothing else did.
I am taking 300 mg of Effexor XR day and have been for about 4 years. My problem is after a period of time I seem to build up a tolerance for the medication. This is now happening with the Effexor XR. Has anyone had any luck combining this med with other ones to help me with the depression with is quickly worsening again. My psych. is also trying to work out something but it is getting to the point where I am just ready to quit trying because nothing seems to be helping. Any suggestions?
You may want to switch that generic Venlafaxine to Effexor XR and perhap talk to you doc about adding Lithium. Good thing about Lithium is even if you don't have Bi-polar, it will still help a lot as an add on medication for your Effexor XR.
Generic Venlafaxine has no sustained release properties to it. This can pose a problem because it has such a short half life as atidepressants go.
making the switch to Effexor XR and adding Lithium should make a world of difference.
Has anyone out there ever used Effexor for anxiety and panic disorder, I am running out of options the only one I have not tired is Paxil and my Dr. refuses.... ( Must be a reason, cannot be any worse then Prozac was) I am doing ok on 37.5 mg and every time I try going up to 75 mg I feel worse, so wondering ig I need to go higher or just stay at 37.5 and feel so so!!
Unless someone plans to take this medicine until they DIE, then it should not be prescribed!! What a complete HELL trying to come off of this ****! Yes, it is a helpful drug, however, you can NEVER come off it without feeling the HORRIFFIC side effects! I am so angry! My doctor should have told me and the DRUG COMPANY should make it STANDARD to enlighten people about the HORROR of coming off this drug! I was on 150 mg. I am planning to become pregnant. I am 39, so I need to move it.
I'm currently taking both Effexor XR (Venlafaxine XR) and Lithium Carbonate to treat co-morbid my mental illnesses.
I'm just wondering, for anyone taking Effexor XR to treat their Generalized Anxiety Disorder, how do you find it has helped you, in what ways do you think it is inefficient, and what sort of side effects or issues have you had with it?
See psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, been in hospital, taken an overdose, etc, etc. Now I am well on 150mg Effexor XR and will never stop taking it.
Glad you have had a diagnosis, because that will help you understand why you feel like you do.
Hope the Cognitive Behavious Therapy works for you. That is one thing I have not tried. Let me know how you get on with it, and if it helps.
Take care.
After reading what the Doc has said above, I would say that the Klonopin is very handy to have in the house when times are hard..I have Bipolar Disorder and that is how I view the Benzo's..
I think you need to have some faith in yourself and decipher for yourself when you need a little help ( medication wise ) if you feel that you are fine then I wouldn't take it!
oh honey, get him off that stuff! my son has adhd and bipolar, and they tried to treat both, but adderall is a definite no-no. it increases aggressive behavior and raging. you will have to teach him to deal with paying attention, but you can't treat bipolar using any other technique than drugs and therapy. take him off soon, and let usknow how it goes. good luck to you!
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