Tulsi joins the party of Common Sense

[jamora]

Have been searching around on the forum, and I can't find exactly what I'm looking for. I have been taking Efexor Depot (Venlafaxine) for the last 10 years. For the last couple of years I have had someone bring my medicine from Denmark since I had it covered by a medical insurance, but last year my insurance expired. I'm now on my last 200 capsules, so I have a few months to find new stock. My present dosage is down at 75mg twice daily, so I'm looking for somewhere to get 75mg Depot capsules. I have once tried a generic version, but it gave me pretty bad side effects so I'm only interested in the original by Wyeth.

And will I need a prescription for this kind of medicine?

And another thing, does anyone know a good psychiatrist here in Bangkok? I'm not looking for someone to chat with about my life, but I would like to get a professional evaluation on my medication level, and perhaps someone who can help me manage to lower my dosage. When I started taking Efexor around 10 years ago, I took 600mg daily for the first few years and by the time I moved to Bangkok (2008) my dosage was 150mg daily, and since then I have just kept taking that dosage, since I no longer have contact to my psychiatrist in Denmark, so I would like to know if I can further lower my dosage and when I can stop taking the medicine (it has some slightly annoying side effects in the long run).

Hope someone out there might be able to help!

[Sheryl]

1. Meds: I assume you mean by "depot" extended/sustained release? In which case there are only 2 options in Thjailand, brand name Efexor XR (import, expensive but should be identical to what you have been on) and locally made generic equivalent Valosine SR which is probably what you tried that didn't suit you.

Efexor is an over the counter drug in Thailand, no script required, should be able to get in any large pharmacy. If you are in Bangkok, try the large one on Sukhumvit around Soi 2.

2. Psychiatrist: I don't have any first hand experience or feedback on her, but going by on paper qualifications and clinical interests, these look like good possibilities:

1. Bumrungrad

Dr. Suttiporn Janenawasin Specialty: Psychiatry

Language Spoken: Spoken: English, Mandarin, Thai - M.D., Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, 1993

Board Certifications:

- Diploma of The Thai Board of Psychiatry, 1999

Fellowships:

- Bipolar Disorders, Stanford Universiyt School of Medicine, California, USA, 2000-2002

Special Clinical Interests:

- Mood Disorders

- Psychotherapy

Day Time Location Tue09:00 - 16:00Behavioral HealthWed09:00 - 16:00Behavioral HealthThu13:00 - 20:00Behavioral HealthFri09:00 - 16:00Behavioral HealthSat09:00 - 16:00Behavioral Health

2. Manaram Hospital

Surachai Kuasirikul, M.D.

1980M.D., Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol Univerity, Bangkok, Thailand

1984Diplomate, Thai Board of Psychiatry, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand Postgraduste training :

Sleep Disorders Medicine and Neuropsychiatry

University of Illinois and Rush - Presbyterian - St's Luke Medical Center,Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Professional Employment:

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

2005 - Present

Medical Director, Manarom Hospital , and PAC ( Siam ) Co., Ltd.

Specialties :

Sleep Disorder and Sleep Laboratory

Mood Disorders

Panic Disorders

Mon

09.00 hrs - 10.00 hrs

Wed

13.00 hrs - 18.00 hrs

Thu

09.00 hrs - 18.00 hrs

Fri

09.00 hrs - 18.00 hrs

Sat

09.00 hrs - 16.00 hrs

Almost all antidepressent meds are OTC in Thailand so don't buy your med at the hospital pharmacy, get it outside.

If you'd give me some feedback, either in this thread or by PM, after you've seen the doctor it would help the next person...

[jamora]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I checked a few pharmacies in the Siam Square area, and found Effexor XR 75mg. The price were not as high as feared, it costs 1,580 for 28 capsules, so I feel safe knowing I can restock once I run out.

I will try to get in contact with the two psychiatrist, and see which one I prefer the most.

Do you know how strict patient confidentiality is here in Thailand? My main concern, is that my dad-in-law is a ear, nose and throat doctor/surgeon at Bumrungrad, and I don't want him to get involved with my mental health, since it's a bit too personal for me. My in-laws are aware of my condition, but I don't want them to know any more than that. (this is also the reason why I don't just consult him directly)

Once I have some first hand experience, I will gladly post my experience here.