Posted by Mark H. on November 15, 2001, at 20:56:35
In reply to new to effexor xr...side effects...ugh., posted by keri on November 13, 2001, at 14:20:34
In my entirely non-professional and personally subjective opinion, if you're still having the side effects you describe, your doctor may have increased your dosage too rapidly, or alternatively, you might do better on regular Effexor, which tends to wear off as the day wears on. For some of us, being able to sleep at night depends on the Effexor having worn off considerably before we go to bed; the extended release version strives to keep your serum levels of Effexor constant throughout the day and night. Works like a charm for some people, makes life miserable for others.
Likewise, going off of Effexor for some of us isn't just about dropping back to one 37.5 mg tablet or even one-half tablet a day. For some of us, we must go to a quarter tablet FOR SEVERAL DAYS, and then to the smallest amount of the tablet that we can break off, swallow and absorb (without getting lost in a piece of food). ;-) Tapering off of Effexor -- for some of us -- takes weeks to months. Going "cold turkey" off of Effexor, given your side effects, might be a less than wonderful experience. Consider tapering slowly instead. If you become seriously nauseous, take a little more that day and taper even more slowly.
Effexor is a wonderful, effective anti-depressant for many of us, but it has to be managed, whether you're increasing your dosage or trying to get off of it. It is good to go slowly either way.
My apologies to all who have heard me say this once or twice before. ;-)
Let us know what works for you, OK?
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:84090
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011113/msgs/84364.html