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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Effexor Xr and Tardive Dyskinesia
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.
Effexor Xr and Tardive Dyskinesia
by Mandarax, May 28, 2005 12:00AM
I was recently prescribed Effexor XR (75mg) for depression and anxiety. My Dr. is concerned at the duration of my depression and some physical problems I have that appear to have no physiological cause. He is pretty adamant about me at least trying the medication. I have the pills but I always do a lot of research on whatever I put in my body (drugs, vitamins, herbs etc.) and what is keeping me from trying the script is the withdrawal and something called Tardive Dyskinesia. Studies say it is more apt to stem fom anti-psychotics but may also be caused by "long-term" use of anti-depressants. I am wondering what exactly "long term" is and if I am at risk even if I only do a "trial" run on the medication. Help would be much appreciated because on one hand I would love the chance to feel better but I am nervous about any "irreversable" side effects. I will deal with anything that will subside upon discontinuation, but am anxious (ironically) about the irreversable possibilities of Tardive Dyskinesia.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jun 02, 2005 12:00AM
, Jun 02, 2005 12:00AM
Good luck on resolving it.
Lately I feel kind of anxious, but mostly because I am going back to school after taking a semester off and am moving into a new place. Also, I do cry at weird times- I'm usually pretty involved when it comes to feeling compassionate to suffering I see on TV or read in magazines, but crying over an ad about America's glory is not my idea of normal patriotism. But, I expect that to go away.
I also had a similar problem with being "diagnosed." My mother is a drug rep for Wyeth, the company that makes effexor XR. I went to the family doctor, not a psych. About a year ago I went through a really traumatic breakup, returned from my first trip abroad, and went back to my grueling college all within a one week span- leading to major anxiety. Is this something that should merit drugs? No, I think not. Real human emotions happen and they are to be experienced and the person supported. Like an idiot I didn't talk to anyone about it and just "soldiered on." I know that know I should have seen an objective counselor (I did but I quit after 3 sessions, it's definitely important to find someone compatible with you) and I wish I knew that then and simply accepted the hurt so I could work through it. Now it's 8 months later I'm just getting over it after stopping the meds. I feel almost as if they kept me in an emotional vaccuum disallowing me to experience things as they really were and thus inhibiting my ability to work through life. So, I stopped taking them and I don't believe in them.
Because I have all the material for Effexor at my disposal right in my own house and my mom knows the drugs inside out, I know that one of the side-affects of TAKING the drug is that you will lose weight, something having to do with metabolism. When you come off it you will most likely experience some weight gain as your body readjusts. But I'm totally confident that you will readjust. Your body adjusted to the drug, and it will adjust away from it.
My suggestion is when you feel anxious, sad, etc. you can first turn inwards and really ask why you feel that way, and see if it is because of the chemical imbalance your body is coping with (which you can then dismiss as being a false feeling, it still sucks, but if you know it's false then you can do you best to control it and are less likely to act on it) or something you that really truly feel- in which case you can work it out through self-analysis, meditation, writing, talking to a close friend, etc.
Secondly, excercise is excellent for eradicating Effexor. I have started studying Buddhism, Karate, and Yoga and they have inhanced my concentration and determination to beat this stuff without meds and to come through withdrawal with flying colors. Everyone's problem is unique but I firmly believe that mental, spiritual, and physical excercise combined definitely helps. Just try to stay busy, excercise, drink lots of water, and be around people you love, and especially let them know what you are experiencing so they can help & support you. Good luck to you.
Bottom line: Do what you feel is best for you and your life-style. Get objective opinions from several sources. And put in the effort to learn about yourself before you get on any one of these serious medications.