[heatherchgp]

My doctor has placed me on effexor 75 all day. I have been on it for about 6 months now and I don't think it is doing anything good. I have been told I was just depressive but know I am wondering if I am bipolar. I know that it runs in the family and I was looking on the net and I am showing more signs of it. I am really edgy and I get really upset/angry at the smallest little thing. I am really not sure what I am doing and now it is showing at work. I work at a bank and I had a customer tell me that I am like a pit bull. I really don't want to be like that but I really don't know what to do. Does anyone have a hints for me?

[Fuzzybear]

Hi and welcome! I'm not an "expert" on bipolar but I didn't want to ignore your post (especially after all my posts today .... sorry for irrelevance).

If you could make an appointment with another doctor it would help I think. Although from your post I'm not sure if you're seeing a therapist or getting other help.

Sorry this post isn't very helpful... I just feel guilty about seeing someone in pain not being replied to.....(my stuff probably)

I hope you receive some helpful replies after my messy ramble.

Again, welcome to PC, you've found a good place

[EJ711]

Heather,

I think you should either go back to your doctor and tell him that the Effexor does not seem to be helping much, and have him put you on something else, and/or tell him that you are wondering if you are bipolar because of the anger issues. Or make an appointment with a psychiatrist, who may be more familiar with these type of issues.

Please take action sooner than later, to protect your job.

EJ

[jlove973]

To PC!!!

Fuzzybear with you

IMHO~6 months thats more then enough time to know if it is working for you and you feel it is not.
If you disagree with your Dr and feel that the treatment may not be working for you then you as his/her boss have every right to fire them and get another opinion. I have had to do that for myself and my daughter many of times. It's your life and you want to get it as regular as possible and you need someone that can help you get stable in with your meds.
You also can request a Psych eval or another one if you have had one. A second opinion in this case may be good for you.

***Remember this is just my opinion. I say this because I have had this expierence myself***

Jlove

[bipolar_bear]

If you are questioning your dx and/or your meds I say get a second opinion by a psychiatrist. I hope you find the answers you are looking for. Good luck.

Having bipolar in the family does increase your risk of developing it. That is an important piece of info. your doc should have. I'd go for the second opinion, as well.--Suzy

[sunrise]

Heather, there is also a forum here on PsychCentral for Drug Questions, so you might find some additional insights there. I noticed a couple of threads there on Effexor. Here is the link:
http://forums.psychcentral.com/postl...rd=psychopharm

Good luck!

> I have been told I was just depressive but know I am wondering if I am bipolar. I know that it runs in the family and I was looking on the net and I am showing more signs of it.

Hey there. Um... Is this partly a function of the advertising on this site?? (Just wondering for my general interest because I've noticed the advertising on the site too).

Do you think you have manic episodes?

It quite often takes a bit of time to figure out the medication that is right for you.

If you do decide to stop taking the effexor it is important to taper it down slowly because most people have really nasty side effects coming off it if they stop taking it.

Do you have a therapist you can talk to?