Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 54322

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom

Posted by Ria on February 18, 2001, at 13:45:26

Has anyone else been prescribed Effexor for Chronic Fatigue Syndrom? I have never been diagnosed with depression but I am a CFS sufferer. My docter recently prescribed this medication for CFS. He started me on 37.5mg, then moved to 75mg and now I am on 150mg. I was wondering what others experience has been with this drug that has not been diagnosed with depression? I am also extremly concerned with becoming dependant on this drug. Any advice or information would be appreciated.

 

Re: Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom

Posted by SalArmy4me on February 19, 2001, at 21:41:51

In reply to Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, posted by Ria on February 18, 2001, at 13:45:26

You should make sure that you are on Effexor XR, and that you take the entire dose at bedtime. Otherwise, the Effexor will make you more drowsy. I take 600 mg of the XR at bedtime and have no side-effects the next day.

 

Re: Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom

Posted by willow on February 19, 2001, at 21:45:47

In reply to Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, posted by Ria on February 18, 2001, at 13:45:26

"I am also extremely concerned with becoming dependant on this drug. Any advice or
information would be appreciated."

I too have been diagnosed with CFS and am taking Effexor. My CFS started in the spring of '96,
going on five years this spring, after a cold, nothing bad just a very sore throat, and my course
with this illness has been a textbook case.

I had changed family doctors about 18 months ago. When my first really bad flare started during
the course of seeing the new doctor, he diagnosed it as depression. He prescribed me Effexor,
because in the past I haven't been able to tolerate other anti-depressants or they were of no help.
The Effexor is starting to really help at the 150 dosage, after about four months I was able to start
waking up. Sounds like such a simple task, but I'm sure you can appreciate the significance of it.

I too don't have much problems with mood. I have also been seeing a psychologist for the past
two years regarding the CFS. I believe it is a combination of the medication and therapy which is
helping me. I don't think one on its own would have done it.

The reasoning behing the psychological aspect is that a person doesn't feel the emotions, but
instead internalize it resulting in say "butterflies" in the stomache, etc. I think this is too simple of
an explanation but it goes along these lines. I think the technical name is somatoform,
somatisation, or somatization.

If you are thin skinned I don't recommend looking them up on a search engine. Most of the
information is painting the patient in a negative viewpoint from a medical doctor's position.
(Which I think make this syndrome worse with their good intentions.)

Regarding the effexor, the good are outweighing the bad effects for myself. I do have side-effects
from it but am able to tolerate them because it is also having more of a positive effect. The main
one is that it has almost stopped the concentration problems for me. And also now I am able to
wake up and stay awake, though I still get fatigued, but the overwhelming sleep that pulls me in
isn't there anymore. I did have about two months where this was worse though, and then puff I
started to wake up.

It has affected my sleep, as a result I was getting bouts of insomnia which worsened muscle pain.
For this I used gentle stretching and baclofen which also causes fatigue, so I limit the use of it.
Now at the five month mark the insomnia is starting to go away, and I'm having to make an effort
to correct my sleep cycle. But heck I was so happy to have the insomnia! : )

Regarding this drug being difficult to get off of for myself that is a chance I'm willing to take,
because I suspect that I may need to take it for a long time, having had the CFS for almost five
years now. And really if you look at the posts regarding problems withdrawing from it they just
sound like an everyday thing living with CFS. ;^)

PS Sorry for rambling but there aren't many with this on the board!

 

Re: Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom

Posted by missinglynx on February 21, 2001, at 8:14:21

In reply to Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, posted by Ria on February 18, 2001, at 13:45:26

> Has anyone else been prescribed Effexor for Chronic Fatigue Syndrom? I have never been diagnosed with depression but I am a CFS sufferer. My docter recently prescribed this medication for CFS. He started me on 37.5mg, then moved to 75mg and now I am on 150mg. I was wondering what others experience has been with this drug that has not been diagnosed with depression? I am also extremly concerned with becoming dependant on this drug. Any advice or information would be appreciated.

Hey There Ria. Yup Ive got CFS too and an taking Effexor SR.. Its possible that your neurotransmitters are causing alot of your symptoms, although there are dozens of theories out there, Well Im at 50 per day... I sort of "error" on the side of going to low. Ive been burned TOO many times. I hope youre not chemical sensative but you probably are. Are you finding this causes an increase in energy or sedation? how are the moods? Zyprexa has the least side effects of anything Ive taken for this believe it or not... More for ruminations, and overactive thoughts tho. Mild effects on depression, not a "big gun" for that. Feel better,,, Michael

 

Re: Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom (nm)

Posted by johnny1 on April 28, 2002, at 14:14:41

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, posted by missinglynx on February 21, 2001, at 8:14:21

 

Re: Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom

Posted by LS on April 30, 2002, at 15:28:53

In reply to Re: Effexor XR Chronic Fatigue Syndrom, posted by missinglynx on February 21, 2001, at 8:14:21

I have been given Wellbutrin to help combat fatigue. I'm on day 10 and although the fatigue does feel better, I'm horribly nauseous. Does anyone know if this will go away? Maybe I should ask my doc to change me from Wellbutrin to Effexor if you're all haveing luck with it. Let me know..Thanks! Lisa


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