Posted by jotho on June 30, 2001, at 10:30:49
In reply to Re:Side effects of Effexor XR, posted by liz taylor on June 26, 2001, at 14:15:23
> >Have been on Effexor XR for 10 months. Felt better right a way. Started at 34.5 and went to 75 after a week.
> Had a hard time sleeping at first, but changed to taking meds in am, so sleeping better. Did not eat a lot and lost weight at first.
>
> After 5 months depression came back in full, so doc upped does to 150. Now after 5 months on 150 I am in a deep dpression again.
> Not sure what to do. I know doc will want to up does to 300, but by now the side effects are taking their toll.
>
> Side effects: 1) jittery 2) hard to get to sleep unless I have gone without sleep for a long time or take a sleeping pill, but then can hardly wake in the PM.
> 3) very weird, real dreams 4) once I start eating I can hardly quit - gaining weight
>
> I have felt so good on the the Effexor that I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and up does and deal with the increased side effects. Any info you can give would be so appreciated.
> Thank you, Liz
Liz...
I took a 75 mg. capsule of Effexor XR every am since December, 2000. Yes, it took away the depression, but did nothing to help the anhedonia (so basically, if I may, it stopped me from drowning, but left me treading in the cold ocean), I could no longer take the side-effects, which were: inability to sleep (two reasons...a jumping twitch that occured in my legs as i started to rest for sleep, and a racing mind) without 'Ambien', the "heebie-jeebies" every evening, in which every surface of my body alternately began itching, and a decline in memory. I decided to get off Effexor and took my time in doing it, cutting the dosage down every week by approx. 25%. About a week ago I was down to zero pills. However, the side affects are terrible...I still have trouble falling asleep, but the worst is a 'electrical "humming" that goes on in my head...hard to describe. It's like every time i move, and at the end of each breath, I get this feeling of a mild electrical shock courseing through my neck and inside my head.
Has anyone else had this problem? And how long does it take to clear the system of this medication. Please don't tell me it has "hardwired my brain, and that these feelings will continue,...that would truly suck! Any help in this?.....john
poster:jotho
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68480.html