Meds. for anxiety/depression: Effexor, Nardil, Antipsychotics...

-Asphyxia- · 09-12-2008, 07:40 AM

I had an appointment with my psychiatrist today, and I was just switched from *Edit* Cymbalta to Effexor for anxiety and depression...Has anyone taken this, and what have your experiences been? Also, he had mentioned that, if this or a couple of other SSNRIs don't work, we may move on to MAOIs (like Nardil) or even antipsychotics in the future...I am most curious about how one deals with being on an MAOI, considering all of the limitations regarding food, drinking, etc. Is it a big lifestyle change, or was it difficult for you? What amount is considered "too much" of a food/beverage/etc. that it would cause problems?

*sigh* I feel like I've tried every pill under the sun, and nothing seems to work. It's strange because, on the one hand, it validates that my issues have a lot to do with biology, but at the same time, it makes me feel defective as a person for that very reason.

Stellata · 09-12-2008, 07:58 AM

I hope the efexor helps you. It's a 'stronger' med than Celexa, so hopefully it'll make some difference.
It didn't work for me, as I need a sedating med, but it's worked for many people.

dubagirl · 09-12-2008, 09:33 AM

I just got switched from citalopram (celexa) to effexor too, so i'm quite interested in this thread!
Wouldn't your doctor maybe prescribe a tricyclic after SNRIs, before MAOIs?
Also, I've been suggested antipsychotics for my depression before, I don't think it's seen as a last resort. For some people it can be really helpful- I think the idea is that the AP targets the negative thoughts and makes it maybe easier to challenge? That's how it was explained to me anyway.
I hope that makes sense?!
I hope the meds change goes alright and works well for you! Which dosage of Effexor were you started on?
xxxx

alienshe_cheesycake · 09-12-2008, 01:51 PM

I was on Prozac which did nothing and I was then switched to Effexor
I really didn't like this drug, I developed Insomnia and when I did actually manage to get to sleep I had really very strange realistic dreams (a lot of the time about SI)

but obv its different for everyone

xxxxxxxxxx

-Asphyxia- · 09-12-2008, 09:34 PM

Sorry, I meant Cymbalta, not Celexa!

(Though I did take celexa about 8 years ago. Terrible side effects.)

Anyways, I don't remember him saying anything about tricyclics, but I tend to feel really overwhelmed when he goes on his schpeals about meds, so I could have missed it...As far as the APs go, yeah...I have problems with intrusive/obsessive negative thoughts, and he was thinking that they could maybe help with those and my overall anxiety.

I've been prescribed 75 MG of Effexor to start; I take that for 1 week, then 2 pills per day after that. I hope the side effects aren't too bad...Celexa was the first Antidepression medication I took ages ago, and because I had such a horrible experience, I am always wary/nervous about trying something new. What dosage are you on?

Feel free to PM me...It might be good to talk about side effects and stuff like that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubagirl

I just got switched from citalopram (celexa) to effexor too, so i'm quite interested in this thread!
Wouldn't your doctor maybe prescribe a tricyclic after SNRIs, before MAOIs?
Also, I've been suggested antipsychotics for my depression before, I don't think it's seen as a last resort. For some people it can be really helpful- I think the idea is that the AP targets the negative thoughts and makes it maybe easier to challenge? That's how it was explained to me anyway.
I hope that makes sense?!
I hope the meds change goes alright and works well for you! Which dosage of Effexor were you started on?
xxxx

only2fail · 09-12-2008, 11:28 PM

I took Effexor (for anx/dep) a while ago... VERY helpful... but I found --like many other meds-- that it made me pretty flat, emotionally. Side effects were minimal, but be VERY careful coming off of it, or even missing a dose... it it notoriously horrible for withdrawal! After being on 150/day for <a year, I had an AWFUL time stopping it... actually ended up in the hospital because I was so sick! But... aside from that... it was great! haha!