Posted by LynnPerley on May 15, 2002, at 21:11:10
In reply to How long does it take for Effexor XR to work?, posted by renelso1 on May 10, 2002, at 9:21:49
I'm about halfway through my second 30 day prescription of 150 mg, and I took the three week gradual increase dosage sample pack beforehand, so I think I've been on Effexor XR for about 60 days.
I have come to this board complaining about sedative effects, jaw clenching, and took the advice to change the time I took it. Finally, after I had taken the 150 mg dose for over 30 days, and switched to bedtime dosing, the sedative side effect has improved a lot. The jaw clenching is no longer an everyday thing, and seems to be worse on days that I am either driving a lot or working on the computer a lot. Now that I know when the jaw clenching occurs is traceable to some other behavior, it may be easier to handle.
I suggest to all who are just starting out to keep a symptom diary or side effect diary. I should have done this. I also suggest when you switch time of day, give it a few weeks to see if it works before you decide to switch times again. When I was switching times I did so after only staying at the new time for a day or two. I ended up with the bedtime dosing after deciding the early evening or right after work time was best, because I had a week where I got so busy I was forgetting to take it until bedtime.
I really do not want to take more than 150 mg, so I'm sticking this out until my doc appt June 14 and I will try either self help or going back to my counselor to see if I can kick any residual depression and anxiety that way.
poster:LynnPerley
thread:105869
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020510/msgs/106586.html