Cyclecrash,

This is definitely a great road to start on. The medication will help, definitely. If this one doesn't work, hold on! There are more out there. I tried so many meds till I found my two! Once they started working, it was like someone switched on a light! Paxil and Remeron are my combo. Paxil is used for my anxiety and Remeron is used for the nausea and sexual side effects Paxil has. I love Remeron, though for this as I take it at night for sleep and wake up peaceful. Feel better soon! :)

Concussion
 

Could you explain this to me better please and thank you.Because this is my medication.Is it not better to need dosage increases and increases.Sorry little confused.

4. Do not let them substitute the new drug, Pristiq, in its place - it is the drug company's (same company that makes Effexor), replacement since Effexor is ready for the generic market - Effexor can have dosage increases with increase effects noted if / when necessary; however that has not been the case with Pristiq in any study to date. (Note: what I mean is- sometimes when you are on a drug awhile, the current dose seems not to do what it use to do, so your doc increases the dose a bit for more effect, and it works again; well with Pristiq, the studies haven't shown that to occur with it.

Pristiq works basically at the recommended dose, and if you try to go higher, it won't do anything. Nada. Zero. Zilch. I think that's what he means. Not sure though. Even I am confused lol!

Yes that is what the studies have shown.

Pristiq will not show improvement of effect with increasing the dosage like Effexor does.

Pristq is Effexor - supercharged - a chemical alteration of Effexor. However , the studies have shown that increasing dosages of Effexor will show increasing effects for the patient , while increasing the dose of Pristiq will not.

You can find more info in this Pristiq link. < This guy is constantly updating his information, and his resources, so you can always recheck the info.

Sorry for the late edit: If Pristiq is working for you, Great, Im not saying it isn't a good drug; as the link shows. And further studies may eventually gather enough to finally give it the ok on increasing dosage vs. effect, we can hope, for those on it.

C.C,
I would recommend you read about Effexor on a website called crazy meds. It looks like this med has a real bad withdrawl syndrome when trying to come of it. As well as some bad side effects that I did not know about. I would definately check out what people are saying about this med on that website.
I don't know why the doctors keep trying to treat us with psychiatric medication. I absolutely refuse them after trying so many for chronic pain and having horrible results. Just an F.Y.I.
Brain

Brain I got a bone to pick
 

Every medication has side effects.The reason and purpose of us needing these is for a crutch to our brain.When the central nervous system is moved around everything that is connected is moved.I refused all pain medicine and antidepressants till I got a diagnosis.And I must say that I am nowhere near dwelling on negative like I used to.But I still got Love for ya lol:hug:

PS I could not leave the house either till I got on my crutch and went

No offense meant Mia
 

I know everyone is different and medication is needed. I am on medication. I am not saying anything negative. C.C asked if anyone knew about Effexor. I read some information about it that she might want to know about. We all have to make our own decisions about medications. We all react differently to medications. What helps me may make you feel terrible. I am not saying anything bad about needing medication. I have to take MS Contin, Clonazepam and Ambian myself. Pain and sleep disorders are the main problems that I have to control. I am not against medication. I am only giving information for consideration.
Brain

Also, you do not have chronic pain. You telling me that you did not leave your house either until you got on your crutch and went is like me telling you to just overcome brain damage with positive thinking.
Brain

Absolutely.

The meds are useful. Some are tolerated very well. Some are not.

Please remember. We are individuals... and one thing we have to bear in mind is sometimes our PCP's are busy, under pressure by us, and tend to forget alot of the information is available to them.

That is why I posted that its not a bad thing to present them with the information about plans, like withdrawals regimens if/when you are ready to stop these meds - because there are really no true plans plotted out other than those tried by others like us and their docs.

Just like places like CrazyMeds points out, there is information about these drugs out there that until its forced out of the drug companies, even the docs haven't heard about it.

If they are working for you, great; its not to worry now. If you are worried, then talk it over with your PCP, and begin planning to withdraw, sensibly... NEVER Cold Turkey, unless its an Emergency, and never without Medical attention.

Best Wishes

:grouphug:

Brain
 

I did have chronic pain from a dislocated Jaw/TMJ on top of a TBI.I tried the pain meds and I still hurt,then my PCP put me on 4 muscle relaxer at one time.That did not last but a month or two.I had to live with the pain until now.Sorry if you got offended.I was not directing it to you at all.I really was meaning that I wish I was smart enough to look at withdraw before since I am on Pristiq and I take valium.