Effexor for Obsessive compulsive + depression

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I went to the doctor's today. I've finally given in and I'm willing to try something from the "big bad" pharmacuetical companies to alleviate my obsessive thoughts and depression. I have always felt a stigma associated with taking pills, but I've got to do something. The doctor prescribed Effexor.

Has anyone used this drug?

I took my first pill today. I have hopes that it might be just the thing I need to get me out of my obsessiveness.

Never took it but it is a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrealine and weakly dopamine. It does have the potential for more side effects than say just a simple
SSRI like Prozac. But it has more potential for good also since it works on noradrealine.
Some anti-ADHD drugs are noradrelaine reuptake inhibitors. You mention before you
likely have ADHD so if your one of the lucky one's that response to a noradrenline
reuptake inhibitor you should get good results from effexxor for your ADHD.

SSRI do tend to take 4 weeks to begin working so if your strong tough out any side effects for that long. And your doctor may up your dose to find a working dose.

I went to my doctor also about depression. She was very helpful and suggested that i start taking vitamin B6. Will be starting them tomorrow(yay).

I have not had to take any (over the counter) medication yet. I hope everything goes well for you! Good luck!!


Some sites about vitamin B6.

http://www.biopsychiatry.com/b6.htm
http://www.autism.org/vitaminb6.html

I know a lot of people who are on that Pill and they say that it works really well for them.

However, it might affect other people differently.

Good luck with the Pills.

Thank you. I think now I should have gone for this help a lot sooner than I have. I am regretful that
I let myself get so down.

I havent used it but ive heard loads of 1st hand stories (mostly online) about how it can be a b1tch to come off. I get the impression its quite a bit worse than its relatives in that area. People complain of 'head-shocks' when they miss a dose, or quit.

Mirtazepine is another SNRI, which doesnt seem to have such a bad reputation. (perhaps it has a significanty longer half-life?) Although weight gain is freqently mentioned (again, im not quoting studies just a concensus off an internet forum).

If you were British, id advise you to check the prices of each drug - that can influence the Drs preference

I actually have an open script of mirtazepine to collect anytime i want. My mother (a Dr) told me to ask for it specifically.
But so far ive left it alone after a horrendous experience with sertraline put me firmly off taking any big-pharma ever again.
I might try treating my OCD with psilocybin, perhaps later this year.

I'll let you know how it goes. I can't imagine what "head shocks" feel like, but if I do end up having those it can't really be any worse than how I have been feeling. The doctor told me about the possible side effects, and to me it all sounded pretty jolly compared to how I was feeling.

I took one pill today and I feel a little spacey. The doctor said this would happen at first and eventually go away. It is a comfort.

I have been depressed since my miscarriage and getting ever worse so I should have gotten help sooner.

Good luck with this.

I'm kind of anti-drug myself, because I've tried many. Not this one, though. I always get a nice placebo effect right at first, because I'm actually 'doing something' that might help, instead of just waiting for it to 'go away'.

Do keep us posted on your progress. Side effects also, if it's not too embarrassing.

:^)

I am on effexor and it works well for the most part considering all the s**t I put up with in this life, but ya the brian shocks are not pleasent so I always remember to take your pills!

OMG, DirtDawg, I just realized why I am getting an "effect" so soon. It is not placebo. I accidently took the Day 14 higher dose pill instead of the Day 1 lower dose pill to start with!

Yikes.

I'm on Effexor myself. Been on it since I was hospitalized for severe depression two years ago. Of all the others I've tried, it works the best, by far though the withdrawal if I stop taking it suddenly is awful.

I hope that a very gradual withdrawal would be easier.

EEK!

I think you'll be fine if you just continue from the 'beginning'. You could call your doctor and ask, just to be sure, but I doubt if it's a problem. I've been told that the light starter dose is to find out if you get a bad reaction to the meds side effects. If you survived yesterday's side effects, you're fine.

I have Effexor. Generally, I would say yes - it does help with the depression. I still get times when I feel very low, but it doesn't seem to last as long. I feel my worst last thing at night, but I can go to bed and sleep and usually feel okay again when I wake up.

I do have the 'brain shocks' other people have mentioned if I miss a dose, though. Very horrible.

Okay, what the hec is a brain shock exactly?