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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 noa on April 18, 2003, at 13:44:13
As planned with my pdoc, I lowered my Effexor dose from 262.5 to 225 a week ago today. We had planned this once we saw the improvement I felt with the fish oil, and to see if some of the side effects will abate somewhat.
I think so far, so good as far as my mood. I've been somewhat grumpy but not too bad, and that is easily attributed to stresses I'm experiencing. In fact, considering these stresses, which really blew up a week ago, I am doing better than expected.
Has anyone lowered their dose of Effexor? I really hope it doesn't hurt my mood, but if I am going to see lowered mood, how long do you think it would take?
One strange thing I have noticed is this: Usually when I take my dose of Serzone and ativan, which I take at night, I usually start feeling quite sedated after about 90 minutes to two hours. But over the past week, and I don't know if it is related to having lowered my Effexor dose, I don't feel sedated at all. I started taking the Serzone and ativan earlier, in fact, because I am not getting that sedated effect. But I am sleeping ok. In fact, I've been sleeping more than usual. BTW, Effexor is very activating for me. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there a reason lowering the Effexor dose would cause me to have a less intense effect with the Serzone and ativan?
Thanks.
Posted by Janelle on April 18, 2003, at 17:41:53
In reply to Lowered Effexor Dose Update, posted by noa on April 18, 2003, at 13:44:13
I continue to *marvel* at the dose of EffexorXR you are able to tolerate - I could barely deal with 150 or even 75!
I am someone who lowered their dose of Effexor - from 150 to 75. Heck, I had a pdoc who had me monkeying around with the dose back and forth between 75 and 150 for months!
I found that the HIGHER dose (for me 150) made my mood WORSE, I became extremely irritable and agitated for days at a time (a form of hypomania) only to crash into a deep depression that lasted a few days. EffexorXR 150 for me ='d mood swings that became more and more frequent/rapid.
YESSSSS! EffexorXR being activating sure DOES sound familiar to me - it definitely activated me into becoming aggressive at times and able to maintain a high level of irritability and anger but my body then became exhausted from pouring out all that adrenalin (cortisol?) and the result was debilitating depression in part as a way to recharge my battery.
In the end, going OFF EffexorXR was the best thing for ME. This is just MY experience.
I'm sorry but I have no idea why/a reason why lowering the Effexor dose would cause you to have a less intense effect with the Serzone and ativan. If anything I would expect the opposite since you've lowered an activating med. Hmmmm ...
Posted by noa on April 18, 2003, at 20:17:17
In reply to Re: Lowered Effexor Dose Update » noa, posted by Janelle on April 18, 2003, at 17:41:53
It does sound like it wasn't the med for you. Some people do have hypomania triggered by some ADs.
This is the end of the thread.
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