Psychiatrist prescribed me SNRI anti-depressant called "VENLAFAXIN", what should i do?

[bishal]

This is sort of personal question but if you know something about it please respond! I have been in talk therapy for about 10 sessions but that did not work so i have been to psychiatrist now (from my health insurance).  I just visited psychiatrist last week who prescribed me a drug named "VENLAFAXIN". He said this drug works best if you combine it with with talk therapy, exercises, etc (i.e. this drug is just 1/3 of whole equation according to him). He also said don't be afraid by internet horror stories and trust me and use exactly how i tell you (very low doses to high steadily) this will be very helpful for your depression (which i got 24 in Beck's depression inventory questions).

What do you think about this? Suggestions would be very appreciated.

 

Regards

Bishal

[Lingum]

I took Venlafaxine when I was 19. You will probably have some side effects getting on them. I've taken Cipralex and Venlafaxine, and the side effects on Venlafaxine were considerably worse. I was nauseas, diarrhea or loose stool, had something called brain zaps and struggled with controlling my rage. When someone made me angry, I would get so dizzy I worried I'd pass out. That isn't to say you will face the same thing. This tapered off. During my taking of this drug, I noticed that I became pretty withdrawn and zombie-like (as many point out for SSRI's). I had this lingering sensation in my body, that I was sleeping. I specifically noticed this when going to the bathroom, as my body would warn me of the posibility that I was in bed. Also, my sexual appetite was practically null. I think it would be worth asking your psychiatrist why he specifically chose this drug over others. Keep in mind, that despite my description of the drug, which might sound quite claustrophobic, you'll get through it.

 

My second doctor told me Cipralex was favored at that time, and generally had a better track record (side effects, efficacy), which is why she chose it. The side effects I faced getting on them were negligable. However, I had to go off them after a while, as I was struggling with my appetite for sleep. My life became a mess.

 

Saying that the drug works best with other forms of treatment is technically untrue. Either they work or not, and that is independent of other treatments. What researchers find is that drugs rarely cure depression, and the odds of succesful intervention are far better including other forms of treatment. So what he says sounds like a talking point, layman psychiatric branding. Considering how bad psychiatric medications perform in studies and how non-falsifiable the "scientific" foundation of psychiatric diagnostics is, this doesn't surprise me. Still, it's positive that your psychiatrist is forthcoming about the limitations of drugs, despite his description. If I were you, I'd definitely read up on psychiatry on this board, so you're better able to navigate and probe for knowledge in your psychiatrist. I'm a bit confused as to why he chose Venlafaxine, but he may already have an answer to that.

 

If you're going to exercise besides your treatment, I would suggest you take some time to write down what your goals are with your exercise (vividly - what will you achieve), what challenges you might face and how you're going to overcome them. It's easier to keep a habit that way. And of course, remember that it's more important that you get some exercise done, if you find getting started daunting.

 

How do you feel about taking the drugs? I think whether or not you should go through with it, depends on how confident you are in your ability to get better without it. If you're already struggling with motivating yourself to get better, it can help. However, a good talk therapist would probably also be very motivating. Are you going to have therapy with the psychiatrist or someone else?

 

EDIT

I mixed up the medicine with another I took because of generic names. Fixed now

 

EDIT 2

I noticed that I missed the first parts of your post about talk therapy. I got a bit eager to respond. Would be great if you elaborated on your experience with talk therapy and also what you plan to do next, as your psychiatrist recommended talk therapy.

[Lingum]

I want to add something

 

When you ask him questions about why he chose this drug, what you're looking for is a standard. If he thinks psychiatric drugs come without any risks, that's problematic. It would suggest he doesn't do any research and doesn't question information he's given. I find it worrisome that he tells you not to be scared by "internet horror stories" and to trust him, which is a good reason for you to do more research.

 

There's a chance, of course, that he just doesn't want you to get needlessly worried by "internet chatter." By asking him questions, you can figure out if that's the case, or if he's asking you to engage him with blind faith. That would suggest he's not confident in his abilities.

[bishal]

Thanks for interest.. My psychiatrist may have prescribed this particular drug coz i was also feeling energy less, lack of concentration and bad memory. And wants me to start with very low dosage and tlk with him every month plus he himself recommended me a psychologist too. 

 

My talk therapy was IFS in skype. My therapist was open and interested in my healing but somehow i was not motivated at all. My behaviour did not changed. I was even hard for me to continue therapy as i was always in hurry what's next. 

 

I was not ok with medication and I was doing research about this and found out that for some patient medication can work specifically who has "lower activity levels in the midbrain and the rostral anterior cingulate, areas that contain receptors for the neurotransmitter serotonin". (check after 29 minutes in this Stefan's interview 

) 

I mean i believe i may be in this group coz my mood does not change rapidly and often times i have same mood all the time.

I am still trying to find out more about his but thanks for your response.

[Lingum]

Is this group all people who have depression, or a subset? Because it's my understanding that slow reactions and muted emotions is considered a part of depression. So it would be difficult to make any distinctions.

 

Do you have any thoughts about why you didn't feel motivated for the therapy? Did it have something to do with being over Skype, the therapist or maybe what you were talking about? Did you do self-therapy work on the side? When I first started talking to the psychiatrist, I was very repressed and touchy about a lot of subjects. Over time, I've done a lot of self-improvement as I got over new information, and adjusted myself to being more honest and open. Do you think that could be a factor? And lastly, do you think your depression has anything to do with your childhood?

[J. D. Stembal]

Forgive me if my reaction sounds irrational, but flush those pills (if you filled the prescription).

 

In addition to talk therapy, how about exploring the three pillars of health with your doctor instead of reaching for the prescription pad?

 

1. Diet

2. Sleep

3. Exercise

 

Would you like to know more?

[In the belly of the beast]

I've personally taken both Venlafaxin and Cipralex in the past (not simultaneously) while taking Wellbutrin at the same time in each case.  Venlafaxin gave me no noticeable side effects, while Cipralex made me feel somewhat drowsy during the day.  It seems that everybody's experience on each of these drugs is quite different, and it can be difficult to tell side effects and the symptoms of depression apart (e.g., drowsiness, emotional numbing, poor sleep, etc.).

I have been medication-free for about eight months now and intend to remain so.  What helped me the most in overcoming depression was leaving a socially-desolate town, dramatically reducing my exposure to toxic people (mostly immediate family), realizing that I was not inherently defective, pursuing a career training path that I actually respect, and becoming more honest and open with the few people in my life that I actually care about (and shrugging my shoulders at those people that reject my genuine self).

A few questions that may be helpful to ask yourself, bishal:
1) Do the people in my life accept my honest thoughts and feelings when presented in a calm, matter-of-fact, and non-confrontational manner?  
2) What kind of messages about myself did I receive in my formative years?  
3) Do I respect my own values, preferences, and abilities?  
4) Am I pursuing what I think will bring me long-term happiness (Do I respect my future self?  Do I believe in what I am doing?)?

I found the above questions to be very helpful to me.  These questions might be helpful to discuss with a talk therapist.

[ancapzeebo]

I'm not a doctor and I have no experience with medications, but i'd throw them into a pit of fire.  

[st434u]

All drugs are designed to attack/poison the body in some way that will mask some symptoms of disease by disrupting the natural biomechanisms that are necessary for health, while simultaneously contributing to developing several other diseases.

 

Depression can be caused by problems in your life in the past, present, and most often also your outlook for the future. Talk therapy can help with that, but at the end of the day, it's you who has to find the courage to remember and understand problems in the past, make the necessary changes to your life in the present, and plan a better future which will improve your outlook as well as your life as the future slowly becomes the present.

 

Depression can also be caused by nutritional deficiencies, or by drugs or other medical treatments such as chemotherapy. It's not easy living a healthy lifestyle, unhealthy food is convenient and designed to trick your taste buds as well as your sense of smell (flavor). What's more we've been taught to fear healthy food and to think of it as disgusting. Using drugs to solve problems is always the easy, quick fix, whether it's painkillers for a headache, caffeine to wake up or stay up at night, alcohol to numb your feelings of shame, or whatever else it is.

[bishal]

Thank you all for your response guys.. I am doing more research in this subject. But for the record i am out of contact with my most of toxic physical past. I have also shown my nutritions level and they are very good. I am very low in exercise though. I have never been on medication of any kind my whole life and was average kid with no special talent. 

 

The main problem is that i cannot get go, i have been learning about self-knowledge and philosophy from about 3 years but cannot remember anything when i want it. I have problem concentrating myself too. I will have thoughts going on in my mind but when i start to write it down nothing comes up. It's been a struggle to remember what i clearly knew a month ago. And when i did depression test i got 24 (which is more then average) so i went to psychiatrist. I am visiting another psychotherapist too. I want to know what it looks like when i get motivated in interest at least for once and not forgetting it...you know.

 

And if medication can help me once to get in touch with my lost passion, i am thinking of trying it. 

 

But before i want to know as much as possible about the drug i am going to use. If anyone has an advice what can i do for my forgetful pattern i.e. i remember everything a mont ago and i just forget it. Can anyone suggest me something what can i do to save myself from this forgetfulness?