MEDS-QUESTION

Diseases & Conditions Bipolar Disorder
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  Today w my therapist, she said the last 2 sessions I semed a bit "spikey" & asked what my meds were.   I told her---the Effexor XR was 37.5 & the Seroquel I had been breaking in half ---taking 50 mg at nite.(Even tho pdoc had originally prescribed 100 mg)-         She said i should go up to 100 mg of Seroquel, as originally prescribed---but said she would suggest to the pdoc another mood stabilizer---one Neurontin (i know that's not usually a mood stabilizer alone--but i am taking Seroquel)----she mentioned another one---but our session was over---& i forgot to have her write it down.   It wasn't Depakote or Lamictal----but i'll find out.
 
  I told her---i noticed since taking my meds (Effexor & Seroquel)----it seems my valium does not "Kick in" as usual---tho i still take it as rec. by the pdoc.      Even last week---i had one of my vertigo atacks----took 25 mg of Antivert  (Meclizine)-----& another 25 mg 6 hrs later.  In the PAST (before my meds)---that woulda knocked me out the next day---sleeping -groggy-etc.   But now--tho the vertigo went away---i wasn't sleepy.
 
  Could a mere 37.5 of Effexor XR be doing this??   My depression is slightly improved---but, i do seem very "edgy"-----anxious, nervous----also, i cry very easily (Therapost called it " Lability")------any idea of what's going on?      I hate this "spikey" feeling----as my therapist calls it-----but the depression was so debiltating----any suggestions---OR--has anyone else has this "problem"-----Antidepressant preventing tranquilizer from "kicking in"??  And, such a small Effexor dose (37.5)---causing..."spikey" feeling??  Thanks---Robert confused
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Hey there - I don't have much experience with the other meds that you mentioned, but I know that even small doses of Effexor did a dooozie on my system. I was lucky that it worked rather well for me when I was a real mess, but I noticed the edginess at times too. I was maxed out at 112.5 mg and that was a lot for me and I could only handle that for a while. I eventually had to scale it back because of the jitteries and the agitation that came from it. I would also get ultra agitated and rammy if I ever missed a pill, even by a half a day. All the usually fogginess and prickly, electric shockies. And I had a heck of a time with the discontinuation even though I followed the dr's orders carefully when I weaned myself off of it. Took almost 4 weeks, before my stomach stopped being upset.

Point of my little ramble: I wouldn't be surprised if the Effexor was causing problems even at the low dose.

Good luck and hope you start to feel better,

Putter

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  Thanks so much, Putter.  I hear so much about Effexor----both good & bad.      Anyway---my therapist said she'll talk to my pdoc about me going up on my
Seroqwuel dose.  (I had cut it back on my own-after asking pdoc.   I guess I'll go back up to the 150 mg originally recommendedv. )     Question----I knowe Seroquel helps sleeping- it does a great job--but--in of itself---is it a good mood stabilizer??     Hope i get some feedback---i really need it---Thanks---Robert 
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Hi!  My pdoc had me on 450mg of Effexor and then dropped me to 300mg...I have been on 300mg for about a year,,,have moved, got new doctors, nad am getting the hell off of the Effexor--I am only down to 225mg, but my dr. is dropping me slowly.
 
 
I wondered why everything I eat is going right through me and I have no appetite....dropping weight, which I don't mind, BUT,,,, I guess it could be coming off  Effexor and going on Lamictal,,,,who the hell knows??
 
 
Anyway, if you are agitated, restless, irritable, cna't sit still--all of that is  how I have felt for so long...didn't reallize it was from the meds...just recently dx with BP II and now I know this crap has been driving me nuts...
 
 
Defintely talk to your doc about that---one of the warning labels on my effexor says if agitation, confusion, irritability persist, contact doctor---wish pdoc would have told me that sooner......
 
However, it is what it is,,,,I have a new pdoc and I am coming off thank GOD!!
 
Good luck and let me know how things go!
 
Sassie
 
 
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Hey Robert

My pdoc and I had this very conversation last month-he indicated that in his opinion and from some of the new lit that seroquel acts as a mood stabilizer, meaning it helps with depression and mania.  That said, I don't think it is used as monotherapy...more as adjunct. Hope that helps...

Shannon2