designs - I finally found a combnation that worked; Effexor XR™ (venlafaxine) and Wellbutrin SR™ (bupropion). I found that the lethargy in the morning with the Effexor was close to being debilitating; adding the Wellbutrin helped .... for about 6 weeks. My doc added a bit of Dexedrine SR (dextroamphetamine) and that helped. I tried stopping the Wellbutrin, but found that it really did give that little extra mood elevation. It was kinda like the Wellbutrin "topped-up" the antidepressant effect of the Effexor.

I was kinda worried about being able to stop the Effexor and the Dexedrine; but decreasing the Effexor over 6 weeks I found that I was able to stop the Dexedrine at about week 4 and was completely off the Effexor by week 6. I didn't have much of a withdrawl effect from the Effexor, but did feel a bit uneasy or "spacey" a couple of times. It was only in retrospect that I related that "blah" feeling to decreasing the Effexor, but that is probably what it was.

I have been med-free since the end of last May. There are times that I wonder if I made the right decision, but so far no full-blown, lasting remission. I'd like to stay as far from the edge of that deep, dark pit as possible; if you know what I mean. Like my psychologist said, the meds can only do so much; the positive lifestyle changes that I am making (or, at least am trying to make ) really do seem to make a big difference on my overall emotion state. It ain't easy, but I'm am trying (my wife says "at times, very trying" )\

- Cam