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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SalArmy4me on May 31, 2001, at 1:34:27
I've been on Zoloft (600 mg), Effexor (800 mg), and Zyprexa (20 mg). The interesting thing is that I started to hear voices on this huge combo. And I started getting scared at the slightest little crack in the house. Does anyone notice this? I would assume this is becaue an overload of dopamine occurs. I dunno.
But anyway, I like Zoloft, even though I have only been on it for 5 weeks and it does not relieve my depression. Here are the benefits of Zoloft:
*It is extremely selective for serotonin, thus minizing side-effects.
*It can be convientiently taken once a day.
*It can be taken with most other antidepressants except other SSRI's and MAOI's
*No blood tests are needed on Effexor.
*It has gained the respect of physiciatrists in only a few years of FDA approval.
Posted by John k on May 31, 2001, at 3:58:13
In reply to Zoloft, posted by SalArmy4me on May 31, 2001, at 1:34:27
You say that Zoloft shouldn't be taken together with other SSRI's. That probably goes for using it with Effexor too, since Effexor is also a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin. The problems you got could be related to the serotonin syndrome--overload of serotonin. Be careful!
John
Posted by JohnL on June 1, 2001, at 15:10:23
In reply to Zoloft, posted by SalArmy4me on May 31, 2001, at 1:34:27
> I've been on Zoloft (600 mg), Effexor (800 mg), and Zyprexa (20 mg). The interesting thing is that I started to hear voices on this huge combo. And I started getting scared at the slightest little crack in the house. Does anyone notice this? I would assume this is becaue an overload of dopamine occurs. I dunno.
>
> But anyway, I like Zoloft, even though I have only been on it for 5 weeks and it does not relieve my depression. Here are the benefits of Zoloft:
>
> *It is extremely selective for serotonin, thus minizing side-effects.
> *It can be convientiently taken once a day.
> *It can be taken with most other antidepressants except other SSRI's and MAOI's
> *No blood tests are needed on Effexor.
> *It has gained the respect of physiciatrists in only a few years of FDA approval.Actually it isn't that selective. Some researchers claim that Zoloft has more dopamine reuptake than Wellbutrin does. It is a powerful serotonin reuptake inhibitor though, and thus has side effects normally associated with elevated serotonin. I know people who have combined it with Prozac, Effexor, or Serzone, so it can be taken with other SSRIs.
Posted by DebbieLynn on June 1, 2001, at 17:41:22
In reply to Re: Zoloft, posted by JohnL on June 1, 2001, at 15:10:23
> > I've been on Zoloft (600 mg), Effexor (800 mg), and Zyprexa (20 mg). The interesting thing is that I started to hear voices on this huge combo. And I started getting scared at the slightest little crack in the house. Does anyone notice this? I would assume this is becaue an overload of dopamine occurs. I dunno.
> >
> > But anyway, I like Zoloft, even though I have only been on it for 5 weeks and it does not relieve my depression. Here are the benefits of Zoloft:
> >
> > *It is extremely selective for serotonin, thus minizing side-effects.
> > *It can be convientiently taken once a day.
> > *It can be taken with most other antidepressants except other SSRI's and MAOI's
> > *No blood tests are needed on Effexor.
> > *It has gained the respect of physiciatrists in only a few years of FDA approval.
>
> Actually it isn't that selective. Some researchers claim that Zoloft has more dopamine reuptake than Wellbutrin does. It is a powerful serotonin reuptake inhibitor though, and thus has side effects normally associated with elevated serotonin. I know people who have combined it with Prozac, Effexor, or Serzone, so it can be taken with other SSRIs.
800 mg of Effexor seems like a high dose, and the Zoloft dose is high too. Have you told your doc? I take Effexor XR 225mg a day. I have been reading about increased liver problems. I wonder if it medicine related issues or if those people were prone to have liver problems. I would think that a blood test would have to be done if this is a side effect. What do you think??I have a question for you. I have been on Effexor Xr for @6months. I have been at the 225 mg level for @6 weeks. About 4 weeks into this dose I felt a HUGE difference, it was great. But for the past week, I feel more down and anxious. I also take Trazadone 50 mg at night for insomnia. I am wondering if I need an increase in my dose.
Oh yea, I am being treated for depression and anxiety.
Debbie
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 2, 2001, at 14:05:07
In reply to Re: Zoloft, posted by DebbieLynn on June 1, 2001, at 17:41:22
Its funny how people don't care about their bodies when they drink (liver damage). But when they take medicines for diseases--"OH NO! I can't take the possibility of damaging my body and brain by this versatile substance (0.03%)!"
Posted by DebbieLynn on June 3, 2001, at 9:41:50
In reply to Re: Zoloft » DebbieLynn, posted by SalArmy4me on June 2, 2001, at 14:05:07
> Its funny how people don't care about their bodies when they drink (liver damage). But when they take medicines for diseases--"OH NO! I can't take the possibility of damaging my body and brain by this versatile substance (0.03%)!"
I agree. Thanks for the stats! What a lot of people do not seem to understand is the brain is an organ like every other organ. It is just as prone to disease and disorders. The brain is somewhat mysterious, and since we really cannot just urinate in a cup and have it analyzed, some people just think that psychological disorders just do not exist. I used to be one of those people. I have a family member that suffers from Bipolar,(I am not sure which type) but when she becomes manic she needs to hospitalized. When I was younger, I thought she was just "crazy". As a matter of fact, I thought people who took anti-depressants were "crazy". "Oh, she takes Prozac, she must be looney!" Well, I am in nursing school, going into the mental health field. The brain is amazing, and depression, anxiety among others can have tremendous impact on your body physically. I wish everyone who is taking anti-depressant meds or any other type of med along this line would educated themselves.
Well, I must be "crazy", I take Effexor XR, and it seems like it is the one that has the most negative feedback.
I totally agree with you ;)
Debbie
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