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Question for sylknmyst

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Posted 11/18/2007 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Effexor for two years and it is working very well.  My one fear is that it will stop working (just like my last medication did!).  Our of curiosity, how long were you on it before it quit and does the Cymbalta do a good job? 

Thanks a lot

Janice

Posted 11/18/2007 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Janice,

I took Effexor XR 150 mg for about 5 years.  It was working great for me, I became pregnant in July of 2006 and had to decrease to 75 mg throughout my pregnancy.  Which also worked wonderfully - I think because of my hormones as well because of the pregnancy.

After I had the baby in April, I was fine for about a month.  Then the post-partum set in.  Went back to 150 mg and still felt yucky.  They wanted to increase the Effexor up to 225mg...I wasn't up for that.  I switched from the Effexor to the Cymbalta about a month month and a half ago - I am currently on 60 mg of the Cymbalta and it seemed to be working, but I have had some HUGE stressors in my life these past 2 1/2 weeks, which may be why I am feeling more crappy than usual.  I go to my Dr. on Tuesday to see what we are going to do, but for the most part, I am no worse off.  I hope that helps a little.  Also, everyone is different with their medications...what dosage of Effexor XR are you currently on?

If there is anything else I can help you with, please ask, and if I can, I will be more than willing to answer!!

I am glad you are doing well on it!!!  Stay with it!

Sylk

Posted 11/19/2007 10:25 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Sylk.  Thank you so much for your speedy reply! 

I take 75 mg of Effexor (the ordinary, not the XR) in the morning.  My last antidepressant worked for about five years although I struggled on for another two years with it getting less and less effective.  I was on Dothiepin which is not available in the U.S.  It is a "cousin" of Amitryptiline.  I still take 50 mg of Dothiepin (now renamed Dosulepin) at night because it gives me a good night's sleep.  So I am on an SNRI and a tricyclic - which is unusual but it works for me!  As you say, we are all different with drugs.

I am sorry to hear you are going through huge stressors - I do hope they disappear soon.  Cymbalta was officially passed by the medical board in England as a treatment for anxiety in February this year.  When I heard I thought "oh good, that is one I haven't tried if the Effexor stops working!!"

All the very best to you and your new little one.

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