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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Venlafaxine, Lithium § Propranolol
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Venlafaxine, Lithium § Propranolol
by richyrich, Sep 06, 2001 12:00AM
After suffering from depression for about 9 years, I recently had another episode and my medication of 2 years at the time (Seroxat) stopped working. I was then put on Citalopram (another SSRI) and Propranolol. Citalopram dissagreed with my stomach causing abdominal pains and diahorrea. They switched the Citalopram ro Zispin (Mirtazapine) which zombified me completely, and I had to come of off these after only three days. I'm now on 75mg Venlafaxine, 600mg Lithium Carbonate and 80mg Propranolol. I only have a few minor side effects at the moment, and so far so good. I don't sleep properly, so I've got 7.5mg Zopiclone to take also. How well known is Venlafaxine and how good is it. I have heard that Lithium has had a good history and is well recommended. The Propranolol is a beta blocker to prevent anxiety, again I've not heard anything about this either.
Doctor's Answer
Member Comments (1)
by richyrich, Sep 26, 2001 12:00AM
Is there a doctor in the house?
by ladyred, Sep 28, 2001 12:00AM
I am on Venlafaxine 150mg a day since Jan. 01. I had a lot of weird side effects at first but most of them went away after a few weeks. Venlafaxine is good if you don't miss any of your meds. When I miss just one day I have major side effects, (dizzy, hand tremors, Major headache, loss of appetite, ect.) But my doctor says as long as I don't miss to often he wants to keep me on it because he has had so many good results with it. When I take it like I should, everyday not missing, I am pretty good about not being depressed, but my doctor just recently re-diagnosed (spelling) me as Bipolar - manic depressive. Now he has added Depakote 150mg to see if that helps with the mania I have been having. I have only been taking it for 2 weeks, I still have mild side effects. I just hope they go away, if not try another med. I will have to see. I hope this will help.
