Posted by Rev. J. on December 20, 2003, at 23:29:07
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - I'm new! Please help...., posted by new2fxr on December 17, 2003, at 1:30:19
> > Hi, I've just started taking (one week) Effexor XR and it's really helped with the anxiety. However I feel TOTALLY tired, yawn and lifeless during the day, also I get spells of dizziness, disorentation and I feel like fainting or having to sit down/lie down. It's only been a week on 37.5 dose, this week I'm upping the does...so I'm trying to hang in there.....
> >
> > ....please, do these side affects go away? Has anyone experienced these and have they gone away? How long does it take????????? It's really affecting my work / life.
>
> I started about two months ago and experienced similar side effects for the first few weeks. I also had pretty bad headaches (ibuprofen worked well). Most of those effects tapered off after the first few weeks, although they can come back if I forget a dose for 1/2 day as has happened a few times. I'm taking the 75 dose currently. A good night of sleep helped by Ambien sleeping pills helps as well.
>
> The most annoying side effect for me has been retarded sexual climax - something I had mild troubles with before starting treatment of mild depression and anxiety. After weeks of hard effort (insert here every Viagra joke you've ever heard about guys with their right arm in a sling) there was a rather "explosive" breakthrough, but the problem still exists to an annoying extent.
>
> On a more positive note, I do feel less depressed and anxious thanks to the drug, which is pretty amazing considering my present external circumstances (American I.T. worker - jobless and soon homeless from foreclosure).
>
> Best of luck to you on your treatment.
>Hey gummybear! Two years of getting continuously better. Only on 150mg. of Effexor XR now. Used to have a dozen pills a day and I think Effexor helped with pain from my back injury as well as anxiety, depression and bi-polar. It takes the edge off enough to let me deal with life as it is.
It's been a long time since I first started it, but I do remember feeling like I couldn't get blood to my hands, increased anxiety, massive sweating and sleeplessness. Buspar helped to control these and taking the Effexor XR in the morning not only kept me from feeling 'withdrawal' symptoms toward the end of the day, but it seemed to time perfectly with normal sleep patterns. Also, it gave me all day to remember to take it!
For me, having a caring Dr. who listened to me and what I was trying to accomplish was everything. It worked for me. Finally I am able to dream and know I can function tomorrow to make them come true.
The rough and scary beginning was the hardest part. Now I just make sure I don't abruptly run out because it is miserable, but I've has six different pharmacies "front" me a five day supply when I missed a Dr.'s appointment and didn't get my new RX.
Try taking it in the morning.
Try getting lots of sleep while your body adjusts.
Talk to your Dr., relax, get informed.
Many Blessings,
Rev. J.
poster:Rev. J.
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031219/msgs/292037.html