Posted by Janelle on June 14, 2003, at 17:41:35
In reply to Effexor XR - Working for me, but tough., posted by CaptainD500 on June 14, 2003, at 16:08:35
I was also on EffexorXR, worked up to 150mg/day but couldn't tolerate it, so I stayed at 75mg/day for months. It worked for me for awhile, then it began to induce bad, and I do mean bad, hypomania.
I never had the side effects you mentioned while on EffexorXR (constant fatigue, headaches, lack of motivation, and an overall lethargic, or "zoned-out" feeling). However, my body STOPPED telling me I was hungry - I never felt hungry, never felt like eating - but I forced myself to eat at meal times because I knew I had to keep my strength up, etc. (thus, I never lost any weight on it, but didn't gain either!)
I also used to be on Paxil, for many years, with great success - no side effects for a long time, no weight gain, no sedation that's been reported, nothing, until it also began to induce hypomania before pooping out. (I'm now on a small dose of Celexa and that's it as far as SSRI).
These are just my (one person's) experiences with EffexorXR and Paxil. Everyone sure is different - there are some who *love* EffexorXR while I did NOT, some who *hate* Paxil while I really liked it for many years!
Since EffexorXR helped you cope and work through losingn your job and going through a divorce, all at the same time, I'd say stick with it awhile longer and see if the side effects lessen and/or go away. They often do. If not, perhaps you can just lower your dose a teeny bit and see if that helps.
Good luck 2 U.
poster:Janelle
thread:233988
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030614/msgs/234007.html