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How Effective Is Fetzima In Dealing With Depression?
Question: I am trying to switch from effexor 350 mg daily to fetzima. I have been horribly depressed for over one year. I have rarely been out of bed. I have no energy whatsoever. I have been on effexor for more than 10 years. I have had every physical exam and doctors can find nothing so they assume it must be psychological. I took 175 mg for one wk and 40 fetzima. Then I took 75 mg effexor one week and 40 fetzima. It is my first day of 40 fetzima only. I am having horrible shocks and feel horrible.i also take 2 mg of klonopin, 30 mg of buspar daily. I have been taking lots of benadryl the last couple of weeks and Advil for leg pain. Please help me my pdoc says to just hang in there for a few weeks. I am suicidal. Would it help to up the fetzima to 80 mg?
Brief Answer:
Your doctor is right in saying but...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns faced by you following switch to fetzima.
Your doctor is right in saying that you need to hang for few more weeks to get the effect of fetzima and I do agree with same.
There is possibility that your current symptoms are due to rapid withdrawal of effexor which is not advisable. I have frequently observed that there is need to take at least four weeks to withdraw effexorcompletely in case the dose is above 300 mg per day as in your case.
Before moving to 80 mg of Fetzima, in my view it is better if you can continue with 75 mg of effexor for few more weeks or at least two weeks, by the time it is expected that Fetzima will take care of your symptoms.
In regard to increasing the dose of Fetzima, that can be done after one week as there is no point at this time.
To conclude go back to combination of fetzima 40 mg and Effexor 75 mg and continue it for next one week. After one week go for 37.5 mg of effexor and continue the same dose of Fetzima.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
Your doctor is right in saying but...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns faced by you following switch to fetzima.
Your doctor is right in saying that you need to hang for few more weeks to get the effect of fetzima and I do agree with same.
There is possibility that your current symptoms are due to rapid withdrawal of effexor which is not advisable. I have frequently observed that there is need to take at least four weeks to withdraw effexorcompletely in case the dose is above 300 mg per day as in your case.
Before moving to 80 mg of Fetzima, in my view it is better if you can continue with 75 mg of effexor for few more weeks or at least two weeks, by the time it is expected that Fetzima will take care of your symptoms.
In regard to increasing the dose of Fetzima, that can be done after one week as there is no point at this time.
To conclude go back to combination of fetzima 40 mg and Effexor 75 mg and continue it for next one week. After one week go for 37.5 mg of effexor and continue the same dose of Fetzima.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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