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Diabetic. Having BP. Taking Effexor. Feeling Woolly Minded. Put On Weight. Undergone Bladder Repair And Discotomy. Suggest
Question: Hi...iI have been on Effexor 75mg for at least two years now and find I am becoming decidedly woolly minded and particularly when driving a car. I have begun excercising much more lately because of putting on weight and noticing how unfit I was....I am diabetic too, at age 61. I really just want to be as healthy as possible as I am my elderly husband's carer and look after a three year old grandson regularly. I would like to give up the antidepressant and just take minimum necessary meds: perindopril and diabex. My BP is much more normal since I retired from aged care. Will you advise? Many thanks
Oh, just a minor thing: I often experience numbness/tingling in all fingertips - I guess neuropathy as a result of diabetes - can or or should I get thi symptom reviewed?
XXXXX
Oh, just a minor thing: I often experience numbness/tingling in all fingertips - I guess neuropathy as a result of diabetes - can or or should I get thi symptom reviewed?
XXXXX
Dear patient,
Thanks for your health concerns. If your symptoms of major depression have been under control for more than 1 year, you may discuss with your prescribing provider about the possibility of doing a medication taper (should not discontinue abruptly) and see how your mood stays without it, particularly since you are becoming more active and exercising, which has proven benefits in depression.
In terms of the tingling question, yes, the most common cause in a diabetic patient would be diabetic neuropathy, but other causes are possible, including peripheral vascular disease, vitamin deficiencies, etc, so I think that having a provider to take a closer look would be a good idea. If it is indeed diabetic neuropathy, good glucose control is the best strategy to prevent progression, since the nerve damage that has occurred is usually not reversible.
Yours truly,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Thanks for your health concerns. If your symptoms of major depression have been under control for more than 1 year, you may discuss with your prescribing provider about the possibility of doing a medication taper (should not discontinue abruptly) and see how your mood stays without it, particularly since you are becoming more active and exercising, which has proven benefits in depression.
In terms of the tingling question, yes, the most common cause in a diabetic patient would be diabetic neuropathy, but other causes are possible, including peripheral vascular disease, vitamin deficiencies, etc, so I think that having a provider to take a closer look would be a good idea. If it is indeed diabetic neuropathy, good glucose control is the best strategy to prevent progression, since the nerve damage that has occurred is usually not reversible.
Yours truly,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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