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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ms. Jones on December 9, 2002, at 7:36:54
I have been on Effexor for 5 years at 75mg/3xday. I am manic/depressive and believe that Effexor, not the Lithium, is the cornerstone of my drug therapy. Very recently my dosage was increased to 150mg/2xday and I have experienced sedating side effects as a result. My Dr. and I are trying different routines and times to alleviate the side effects. I have experienced Effexor withdrawl as the result of my own laziness at not getting a refill in time and I have to agree that it is hell. I am incapacitated. I would higly suggest this being done with the assistance of a Dr.I would never go off my meds (and I take several) first of all, but I certainly would never go off without the guidance from my Dr. Taking Effexor, or any drug for that matter, is only part of my recovery and therapy for the M/D. I have other responsibilites besides swallowing a bunch of pills everyday to ensure ongoing mental health and peace of mind. Clinically speaking, it bites but that's just the way it is. And the life I lead now is far better than the life I lead without medications. Going on medication is a personal choice between you and your Dr. And what has worked for some people may not work for others. That doesn't mean that that drug is "bad." It just so happens that Effexor has worked for me so far but it was not the first medication my Dr. prescribed. It was a trial and error thing and I think that was worse than the disease itself but I was willing to stick it out. I didn't really have a choice. When I first went on Effexor I went through a period of blurred vision. I couldn't even drive. But it didn't last. And as I said before, with this new increased dose I feel sedated and a little high, actually but other than that Effexor's been good to me. I hope this helps someone.
Posted by AnneL on December 10, 2002, at 0:27:09
In reply to My Experience With Effexor, posted by Ms. Jones on December 9, 2002, at 7:36:54
Ms. Jones,
I am glad that you have found a med combo that works for you. I also take Effexor and at every increase I have felt "high", some wierd visual perception changes and well "high" just describes it perfectly. I found that the highest dose I could tolerate is 225 mg. I tried 262.5 mg. for about 2 weeks and after the "high" feeling passed, I thought I had it made, but unfortunately, the increased dose made me very, very irritable and hostle. Back to 225 and within 24 hours I was my "sedate" being. Yes, Effexor does cause me to be less active than I would really want, but it seems to work. I like your attitude toward your needing medication. It is a good reminder for me. Take care, :) Anne
Posted by Ms. Jones on December 10, 2002, at 18:16:16
In reply to Re: My Experience With Effexor » Ms. Jones, posted by AnneL on December 10, 2002, at 0:27:09
Dear Anne,
I'm glad you mentioned the visual disturbances. I feel very tall with this new dose. My cabinets etc. seem smaller! I know what you mean. As for my attitude re: my medications, it didn't come easy! If a friend or family member happens to stumble across my meds while visiting, I joke and say, "You are holding my sense of humor, my soul, my checkbook, and my sense of style in your hands!" I'm still trying different times of taking the Effexor. If I take 150mg in the a.m. then my day is pretty much over. If I take it all at night, then I'm hungover in the a.m. I guess it's just getting used to it, huh? Thanks for your kind post, Anne. :)
This is the end of the thread.
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