Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 6:13:48
Hi Everyone -
I have been taking Effexor for almost two years. I was taking upto 150 mg. I have been on 37.5 for about two months now. All I want to do is sleep. I can sleep about 12 hours a day. Wondering if this is because of the effexor? My doctor is no longer practicing (he moved to research). I don't have a doctor right now to ask about this. I am not working and I don't know how I will even be able to get a job. No desire to interview. Rather sleep instead. I don't feel depressed though. Just very tired. If anyone could help me, I would be very grateful.
Thinking about going to every other day on the 37.5 to gradually wean myself off and see if I am less tired. Thought about taking vivarin or no-doze to get me out of bed. Any thoughts?
Thank you all for your posts! I have read some and they are a big help to me.
Posted by Bill L on March 22, 2001, at 7:32:09
In reply to Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 6:13:48
Kalina - I don't think it's a good idea to discontinue the Effexor at this point in time since it has your depression under control. You should call a teaching or university hospital and get a referral to see a doctor. They can add Wellbutrin or something else to give you more energy.
> Hi Everyone -
>
> I have been taking Effexor for almost two years. I was taking upto 150 mg. I have been on 37.5 for about two months now. All I want to do is sleep. I can sleep about 12 hours a day. Wondering if this is because of the effexor? My doctor is no longer practicing (he moved to research). I don't have a doctor right now to ask about this. I am not working and I don't know how I will even be able to get a job. No desire to interview. Rather sleep instead. I don't feel depressed though. Just very tired. If anyone could help me, I would be very grateful.
>
> Thinking about going to every other day on the 37.5 to gradually wean myself off and see if I am less tired. Thought about taking vivarin or no-doze to get me out of bed. Any thoughts?
>
> Thank you all for your posts! I have read some and they are a big help to me.
Posted by Lorraine on March 22, 2001, at 9:46:01
In reply to Re: Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Bill L on March 22, 2001, at 7:32:09
Augmenting with Wellbutrin or amphetamine or even thyroid might be just the ticket for energy. If the Effexor is managing your mood my hunch would be to leave that piece in place and augment with an activating drug. Even Lomictol was activating for me.
Posted by Cindylou on March 22, 2001, at 12:42:10
In reply to Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 6:13:48
Kalina,
I feel for you! I am just now getting off Effexor after being on it for 8 months. I was horribly fatigued ALL THE TIME, no matter how long I slept at night, or how many naps I took. It was a drugged-out kind of tired. I was taking 112.5 mg. a day.My doctor added Wellbutrin, which helped a bit with the fatigue, but not nearly enough. I am now weaning off of the drug -- I am down to 37.5 and feel MUCH better.
If you can find a doctor who will prescribe Wellbutrin, or maybe Aderall to help with the fatigue while you are weaning, that could help. Also, my doctor prescribed Effexor in 25 mg. tablets to help me wean off more slowly. My next step will be to go down to 25 mg., and then I'll cut the tablet in half. We're doing it this way because I got very sick when I went from 75 mg. to 37.5 mg. It is a bad drug.
Hang in there -- you will eventually feel more alive every day as you get off the #@%$ effexor. And you're definitely not alone in your symptoms.
I'm pulling for you, and I'm sure many others who have struggled with this drug are too.
- cindy
> Hi Everyone -
>
> I have been taking Effexor for almost two years. I was taking upto 150 mg. I have been on 37.5 for about two months now. All I want to do is sleep. I can sleep about 12 hours a day. Wondering if this is because of the effexor? My doctor is no longer practicing (he moved to research). I don't have a doctor right now to ask about this. I am not working and I don't know how I will even be able to get a job. No desire to interview. Rather sleep instead. I don't feel depressed though. Just very tired. If anyone could help me, I would be very grateful.
>
> Thinking about going to every other day on the 37.5 to gradually wean myself off and see if I am less tired. Thought about taking vivarin or no-doze to get me out of bed. Any thoughts?
>
> Thank you all for your posts! I have read some and they are a big help to me.
Posted by michael on March 22, 2001, at 13:04:08
In reply to Re: Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Cindylou on March 22, 2001, at 12:42:10
My thought is wellbutrin, as well. However, I tied augmenting wellbutrin w/effexor, and the sedating aspect of effexor more than cancelled any activation effect from the wellbutrin.
My suggestions would be to try adding wellbutrin, or perhaps better yet, switch to wellbutrin...
However, as the others have mentioned, if the effexor has your depression under control, you may want to try just adding a stimulant - if you can find a doc that will do that (dexedrine/ritalin/adderall/?).
One other thought - does the effexor alleviate the depression, or are you just too tired to be depressed now? The answer to that question might help to decide whether or not to stick with, or get rid of, the effexor. Good luck. michael
> Kalina,
> I feel for you! I am just now getting off Effexor after being on it for 8 months. I was horribly fatigued ALL THE TIME, no matter how long I slept at night, or how many naps I took. It was a drugged-out kind of tired. I was taking 112.5 mg. a day.
>
> My doctor added Wellbutrin, which helped a bit with the fatigue, but not nearly enough. I am now weaning off of the drug -- I am down to 37.5 and feel MUCH better.
>
> If you can find a doctor who will prescribe Wellbutrin, or maybe Aderall to help with the fatigue while you are weaning, that could help. Also, my doctor prescribed Effexor in 25 mg. tablets to help me wean off more slowly. My next step will be to go down to 25 mg., and then I'll cut the tablet in half. We're doing it this way because I got very sick when I went from 75 mg. to 37.5 mg. It is a bad drug.
>
> Hang in there -- you will eventually feel more alive every day as you get off the #@%$ effexor. And you're definitely not alone in your symptoms.
>
> I'm pulling for you, and I'm sure many others who have struggled with this drug are too.
>
> - cindy
>
>
> > Hi Everyone -
> >
> > I have been taking Effexor for almost two years. I was taking upto 150 mg. I have been on 37.5 for about two months now. All I want to do is sleep. I can sleep about 12 hours a day. Wondering if this is because of the effexor? My doctor is no longer practicing (he moved to research). I don't have a doctor right now to ask about this. I am not working and I don't know how I will even be able to get a job. No desire to interview. Rather sleep instead. I don't feel depressed though. Just very tired. If anyone could help me, I would be very grateful.
> >
> > Thinking about going to every other day on the 37.5 to gradually wean myself off and see if I am less tired. Thought about taking vivarin or no-doze to get me out of bed. Any thoughts?
> >
> > Thank you all for your posts! I have read some and they are a big help to me.
Posted by michael on March 22, 2001, at 13:06:50
In reply to Re: Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by michael on March 22, 2001, at 13:04:08
Just wanted to add that cytomel - as someone above mentioned - is another good possibility you may want to discuss w/a p-doc. michael
> My thought is wellbutrin, as well. However, I tied augmenting wellbutrin w/effexor, and the sedating aspect of effexor more than cancelled any activation effect from the wellbutrin.
>
> My suggestions would be to try adding wellbutrin, or perhaps better yet, switch to wellbutrin...
>
> However, as the others have mentioned, if the effexor has your depression under control, you may want to try just adding a stimulant - if you can find a doc that will do that (dexedrine/ritalin/adderall/?).
>
> One other thought - does the effexor alleviate the depression, or are you just too tired to be depressed now? The answer to that question might help to decide whether or not to stick with, or get rid of, the effexor. Good luck. michael
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Kalina,
> > I feel for you! I am just now getting off Effexor after being on it for 8 months. I was horribly fatigued ALL THE TIME, no matter how long I slept at night, or how many naps I took. It was a drugged-out kind of tired. I was taking 112.5 mg. a day.
> >
> > My doctor added Wellbutrin, which helped a bit with the fatigue, but not nearly enough. I am now weaning off of the drug -- I am down to 37.5 and feel MUCH better.
> >
> > If you can find a doctor who will prescribe Wellbutrin, or maybe Aderall to help with the fatigue while you are weaning, that could help. Also, my doctor prescribed Effexor in 25 mg. tablets to help me wean off more slowly. My next step will be to go down to 25 mg., and then I'll cut the tablet in half. We're doing it this way because I got very sick when I went from 75 mg. to 37.5 mg. It is a bad drug.
> >
> > Hang in there -- you will eventually feel more alive every day as you get off the #@%$ effexor. And you're definitely not alone in your symptoms.
> >
> > I'm pulling for you, and I'm sure many others who have struggled with this drug are too.
> >
> > - cindy
> >
> >
> > > Hi Everyone -
> > >
> > > I have been taking Effexor for almost two years. I was taking upto 150 mg. I have been on 37.5 for about two months now. All I want to do is sleep. I can sleep about 12 hours a day. Wondering if this is because of the effexor? My doctor is no longer practicing (he moved to research). I don't have a doctor right now to ask about this. I am not working and I don't know how I will even be able to get a job. No desire to interview. Rather sleep instead. I don't feel depressed though. Just very tired. If anyone could help me, I would be very grateful.
> > >
> > > Thinking about going to every other day on the 37.5 to gradually wean myself off and see if I am less tired. Thought about taking vivarin or no-doze to get me out of bed. Any thoughts?
> > >
> > > Thank you all for your posts! I have read some and they are a big help to me.
Posted by dreamer on March 22, 2001, at 19:35:09
In reply to Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 6:13:48
> Hi Everyone -
>
Hello Kalina,
I take 8mg of reboxetine with effexor to boost my energy but not sure if it is available in US yet.
Posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 23:17:35
In reply to Re: Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by dreamer on March 22, 2001, at 19:35:09
> > Hi Everyone -
> >
> Thank you all for your insightful information. I had no idea that something could be added to help with the exhaustion. I have not been depressed at all but the exhaustion was starting to depress me because I didn't feel like doing anything. Just returning a phone call was exhausting. I was feeling like I must be the laziest person in Maryland. I will find a new doctor and explain my situation along with the information you all have provided me.I am definitely not depressed - just want to sleep all the time. What is strange is that when I was taking a higher dose, I didn't remember being this tired. I take it in the morning. When do most people take the effexor? Morning or night?
Posted by michael on March 22, 2001, at 23:52:12
In reply to Re: responses to my request for help, posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 23:17:35
Maybe you should consider increasing your dose again? Sometimes it is less sedating at higher doses.
Was there a reason (side effects?) that you decreased it? That might be an easy solution...? Good Luck. michael
> > > Hi Everyone -
> > >
> > Thank you all for your insightful information. I had no idea that something could be added to help with the exhaustion. I have not been depressed at all but the exhaustion was starting to depress me because I didn't feel like doing anything. Just returning a phone call was exhausting. I was feeling like I must be the laziest person in Maryland. I will find a new doctor and explain my situation along with the information you all have provided me.
>
> I am definitely not depressed - just want to sleep all the time. What is strange is that when I was taking a higher dose, I didn't remember being this tired. I take it in the morning. When do most people take the effexor? Morning or night?
Posted by JB on March 23, 2001, at 10:14:25
In reply to Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 6:13:48
Regarding chronic fatigue,excessive daytime sleepiness, lethargy, etc., your pychiatrist ought to help you determine if these are possible side effects fo your anti-depressant. A number of anti-depressants, particuarly SSRI's, can induce lethargy as a side effect. Wellbutriin is less know to do this. Parnate, and irreversible MAOI, is know to be rather stimulating. I believe Prozac (fluoxetine) can also be somewhat stimulating. So, you should discuss the side effects with your psychiatrist. However, I have found not all psychiatrist are equally expert pharmacologists (expert in drug actions, willing to seeking alternative drugs in combination or augmentation therapy).
Drugs known to help with narcolepsy, lethargy, excessive daytime sleepiness, an so on, include Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Provigil (modafinil). Modafinil is relatively new on the US market.
In managing your symptoms, it's important that your psychiatrist understand all of your symptoms. That way, he or she can either prescribe an alternative anti-depressant, prescribe a combination anti-depressant, or prescribe an augmentation agent (such as Ritalin or Provigil).
My psychiatrist, for example, feels comfortable augmenting (means prescribing a different class of drug, such as a non-antidepressant with an anti-depressant)Serzone with Ritalin. Some psychiatrists, as you will find, are much more conservative, and will not do this. So, change psychdocs if you can find one sufficiently agressive and informed about psychopharmacology to meet your needs.
JB
Posted by Bill L on March 26, 2001, at 7:47:25
In reply to Re: Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Cindylou on March 22, 2001, at 12:42:10
Cindylou - Sice you are feeling good with 37.5, maybe you should consider staying on that amount instead of completely stopping the Effexor.
> Kalina,
> I feel for you! I am just now getting off Effexor after being on it for 8 months. I was horribly fatigued ALL THE TIME, no matter how long I slept at night, or how many naps I took. It was a drugged-out kind of tired. I was taking 112.5 mg. a day.
>
> My doctor added Wellbutrin, which helped a bit with the fatigue, but not nearly enough. I am now weaning off of the drug -- I am down to 37.5 and feel MUCH better.
>
> If you can find a doctor who will prescribe Wellbutrin, or maybe Aderall to help with the fatigue while you are weaning, that could help. Also, my doctor prescribed Effexor in 25 mg. tablets to help me wean off more slowly. My next step will be to go down to 25 mg., and then I'll cut the tablet in half. We're doing it this way because I got very sick when I went from 75 mg. to 37.5 mg. It is a bad drug.
>
> Hang in there -- you will eventually feel more alive every day as you get off the #@%$ effexor. And you're definitely not alone in your symptoms.
>
> I'm pulling for you, and I'm sure many others who have struggled with this drug are too.
>
> - cindy
>
>
> > Hi Everyone -
> >
> > I have been taking Effexor for almost two years. I was taking upto 150 mg. I have been on 37.5 for about two months now. All I want to do is sleep. I can sleep about 12 hours a day. Wondering if this is because of the effexor? My doctor is no longer practicing (he moved to research). I don't have a doctor right now to ask about this. I am not working and I don't know how I will even be able to get a job. No desire to interview. Rather sleep instead. I don't feel depressed though. Just very tired. If anyone could help me, I would be very grateful.
> >
> > Thinking about going to every other day on the 37.5 to gradually wean myself off and see if I am less tired. Thought about taking vivarin or no-doze to get me out of bed. Any thoughts?
> >
> > Thank you all for your posts! I have read some and they are a big help to me.
Posted by Cmat on March 27, 2001, at 0:41:26
In reply to Please help - tired all the time!!!, posted by Kalina on March 22, 2001, at 6:13:48
Kalina,
Your doctor should check you for hypothyroidism as a possible cause if it has not been done.Cmat
This is the end of the thread.
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