Shown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by marlene on January 4, 2002, at 15:16:23
I am glad that I found this site. I have been on Effexor XR 150 mg twice a day. I have been on this for about a year. Before that 37.5 ( which I complained made me sleepy) so the doctor raised it to 75mg. Then because of stress, he raised it again to 150mg a day. I also have violent episodes, at least use to, with ex husband, never with anyone else, they use to treat it with Zoloft, but that stopped working. I haven't had one violent episode since leaving him, but am sometimes worried they will come back. Then my mom got sick and then past away, all I wanted was to sleep, couldn't, so doctor increased it to 150mg 2times daily. Since I first was put on effexor, I have complained about not sleeping, body jerks as I sleep, talking when I do sleep, headaches, if I even miss on dose I am so sick I can not get out of bed. I am now worried after the things I read here, that it isn't all depression. I have never been this bad before. My family has noticed the difference. Even asking what is wrong as I stare in to space and am all glassy eyes. Is there any place I can download information to take to my doctor, to show him it isn't just me?? If he won't help me stop this medicine, I am just going to have to go to another doctor, as I am now scared to go off of it myself. Any advice?? Sorry this is so long.
Posted by Amy Blue on January 4, 2002, at 17:16:59
In reply to Need Help, posted by marlene on January 4, 2002, at 15:16:23
I had many of the same reactions to Effexor as you did. Almost immediately within taking my first 37.5 mg dose I had severe headache, jaw/teeth clenching, mild muscle jerking and insomnia. I mean going for days with ZERO sleep insomnia. My pdoc knew all this and just kept increasing my dose. I was on it for a total of about 8 weeks before I could convince him it was the Effexor. I also had feelings like I was plugged into an electrical outlet and I would have these electric currents running through my body. I would have constant jittering, especially in my face, my jaw. I was shaking so badly I couldn't type at work, and I could not even sip juice much less eat solid food. It was a total nightmare.
My advice would be to search the archives here and print out all the info you can. Also go to the Psychobabble Tips and see what you can find. If you're having this reaction and it's getting worse as your dose gets higher, it must be the Effexor. Just print out as much evidence as you can from here and elsewhere and take it to your doctor. This was a nightmare, horror-story drug for me. I was put on a medical disability from work to get off of it and return to a state where I could function somewhat normally again.
Good luck, you are not alone.
Posted by jimmygold70 on January 5, 2002, at 2:52:39
In reply to Need Help, posted by marlene on January 4, 2002, at 15:16:23
dear marlene,
if you have temper outbursts, pure depression is not your problem. I personally do NOT recommend Effexor to your condition. SSRIs (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox, Celaxa) in high doses + maybe lithium may be the treatment of choice.
But first, go to the link below:
http://www.mentalhealth.com/fr71.htmlTest yourself for borderline, histrionic, antisocial, paranoid and narccistic personality disorders. Tell me the results.
Jimmy
Posted by CalvaryHill on January 6, 2002, at 1:02:13
In reply to Need Help, posted by marlene on January 4, 2002, at 15:16:23
IMHO you could transition from Effexor to Prozac which will alleviate the withdrawal symptoms effectively.
Other treatments include cyproheptadine for myoclonic jerks
This is the end of the thread.
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