Drug Confusion

[BelCanada]

I was originally diagnosed with postpartum depression 4 yrs. ago and have been taking meds since then.  I started out with Zoloft but felt my total disinterest in sex was an unacceptable side effect.  About 1 and a half years ago (about when I switched to Effexor), I started seeing a psychiatrist because I felt that the meds were making me exhausted (I felt "drugged" all of the time and could not function without sleeping during the day).  I did try Wellbutrin with it and this drug makes me angry and edgy. The psychiatrist thought it was some other physical problem and suggested I see a neurologist.  I did and he felt my fatigue was the Effoxor that I am now taking.  I am totally confused.  I feel like I probably don't need the drugs (I am taking 75 mg one day and 37.5 the next) but when I tried to get off I was a wreck--it was worse than my original depression!  So, my symptoms that I have been struggling with are: extreme fatigue, night sweats, shivers (flu like feeling) and yep, I gained 10 lbs.  Is this the Effexor and not some mysterious illness (that no doctor can seem to find)?  If it is the Effexor, what is a better medication that will not give me the fatigue?  I have switched from my psychiatrist (who refuses to consider any other drug but Effexor) and will now start seeing a psychologist.

Thanks!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Some people are more sensitive to these medications than others, and you sound like you are in the sensitivity group. After working with your psychologist, you and he or she should consider no medications, and certainly as a trial to see if that is the cause of your physical symptoms.  Perhaps you did not wean yourself from Effexor over a three week period, the last week with the lowest possible dose every third day before you stop.  Talk to your doctor about that and follow your intuition that maybe you don't need this anymore.

[digitaldude]

Effexor is supposed to be one of the better anti-depressants for tiredness. It increase norepinephrine(the speed chemical in your brain) while increasing serotonin(the calming chemical in your brain). I was on that for about three months. It made me have no emotion at all, kind of even. Not happy, and not sad. I guess it really worked, on balancing out the chemicals. I have read that some doctors may prescribe a low dose of amphetamines, when on anti-depressants, to counteract the tiredness. I would use this as a last resort, as amphetamines are too addicting.

[BelCanada]

Thanks for the information.  I have realized that I am extremely sensitive to drugs and have am continuing to go off of Effexor.  I have begun to take it 6 days per week and will do that for a month and then 5 days, etc.  By the end of a year, I will have finally weaned myself and while it seems long and maybe a bit extreme, it does seem to work for me.  These are powerful drugs and I just wish that I had received better counseling from medical practioners.  It would have saved a lot of stress, worry and confusion.  These forums have been invaluable--thank you!