Posted by Jstag73 on May 12, 2005, at 14:39:37
Recently prescribed Effexor XR to assist in dealing with the anxiety associated with an undiagnosed medical problem I have been dealing with for about 1.5 years. I took the first four days of 37.5 mg pills in combo with my 150 mg of Wellbutrin (to assist in smoking cessation). About 6 mos. ago, I had a negative reaction to 1 dose of Lexapro (extreme fatigue, diarrhea).
I really noticed no positive or negative change with the first four small doses. However, when I went to lie down, 8 hours after taking the first dose, I had muscle fasciculations and spasms all over (arms, legs, feet, hands, eyes, back and stomach). I also eperienced strange tingling sensations in my chest, back and legs. (I had these symptoms without medication early on in my wierd illness, but those symptoms had, until now, diminished significantly. I wasn't overly concerned.)
The third day of doses was a work day. I took my pill at about 7:00am and at about 2 pm, I experience two short lived lightheadedness episodes (feeling like I was going to pass out) followed by a 20 second burst of a metallic taste in my mouth. I experienced a similar episode on day four of the pill.
I layed off the pill on day five and contacted my Psychiatrist who indicated that the side effect was not usual, but was also not unheard of. It was probably an indication that the med would eventually have a positive effect.
I'm new to this medication therapy, never having taken more than a tylenol or two for a headache or muscle pain. I'm also a newcomer to the negative effects of anxiety and depression, but recognize that both are likely having an effect on my well being as a result of the non-diagnosis of my physical condition.
Has anyone experienced similar side-effects with Effexor?
poster:Jstag73
thread:496932
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050510/msgs/496932.html