Meds

[gerberbaby]

I have developed high blood pressure and had a stroke in my right eye, so i need to stop effexor. I was given
Lexipro samples by a general practitioner and told to stop effexor and start lexipro.
can i do that, just stop effexor one day, start lexipro and not have reactions?  

[ILADVOCATE]

I would assume one could be changed to the other as the effect of one would carry to the other. But just to make sure give the g.p. a call. Even though they are not a psychiatrist they can look it up online on a medical site consumers can't access. My doctor does that to look up side effects and interactions of medications. What caused the extreme high blood pressure? Did they say that was caused by the Effexor? Or Effexor would make it worse? Its important to remember that any time there's any unusual side effect, especially that extreme from a medication they need to report it. I developed extra pyramidal side effects (akathesia, temporary movement disorders, far different from tardive dyskinesia which I have now, not a side effect of concern) from Lamictal which was the reason I had to go off it. My psychopharmocologist contacted the company and they said it happenned extremely rarely but I was reported by him as a statistic to the FDA. If that happenned from the Effexor your provider should do the same as it helps the FDA to gage safety and overall efficacy of medications.

[gerberbaby]

thank U for your info.  the GP doesn't seem to know a lot abt. psych info so i am changing docs, i've decided, or at least interviewing a couple more.  i need to be careful. thanks

[tres1965]

This is a question, hope you don't mind? My Father is 67, he had a stroke in his left eye as a result of stress with his blood pressure spiking. He has since seen multiple DRS & specialists, changed glassses 4 times thiss year. They put prisims in his glasses also. He finally had yet anotheer neuro, telll him nothing could be donee fuurther except to try amitrylene...but it does take away thee paiin, but it makes him sleep alll the time..what have they done for you, if I can ask? thx. Tres

[ILADVOCATE]

I'm sorry I didn't identify the long term disability I have which is tardive dyskinesia and tardive psychosis (which is in study). Thankfully I've never had a stroke. You could post a question about medications for strokes in the neurology forum. I have family members who are elderly who had strokes but it had not affected their eye. It had affected their cognition and memory and they've all found Namenda to be very helpful for that though.