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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 4, 2003, at 8:47:29
For anyone who is thinking about starting Effexor:
Days 1 & 2, 37.5 dosage, slightly upset tummy, difficulty sleeping @ night, yet sleepy all day. No problem, I started Effexor over the weekend.
Days 3-6, tummy feels better. Sleeping better during night with aid of Benedryl (thanks group!), noticed i'm much more laid back at high-stress job. Have slight problem trying to keep focused and not "zone out". Noticed slight edginess towards end of workday. Must be building up a tolerance. I go to 75 mgs on Friday (in 2 days).I have more energy. My desk is organized. My co-workers are noticing an improvement without knowing that i've started taking Effexor. Yes, it is working for me.
:) Kim
Posted by kalyb on June 4, 2003, at 10:39:18
In reply to Effexor Day 6: No Horror Stories Yet, posted by KimberlyDi on June 4, 2003, at 8:47:29
KimberlyDi,
I'm coming up to a month on Effexor and it's great for me, too. It suits me like no other AD has done before. The disorienting side effects went away within the first few days and now I just have a little trouble getting to sleep at night, but even that's improving.
I know some people on this board were sceptical, but I genuinely *did* feel some effect from it within the first week. According to the mfrs website, some people can, and do. It switched off my anxiety like pulling a plug or building a soundproof window across half my mind.
My confidence has soared. The day after my first dose I was due to have a driving lesson and felt vaguely fuzzy and disconnected but thanks to the way it affects my confidence I decided to have the lesson anyway, warning my instructor that I was starting some new meds, and to stop me if he felt my driving or responses were shot. But in fact I drove so well, he joked: "Better take two next week!"
People around me have commented on the genuine positive effect on me, and no, I do not feel like a Stepford Wife. I still have emotions here, and they still will surface from time to time, as they did at the weekend when I found myself getting sad and crying a little, missing an ex boyfriend. But my bounce-back has improved and I could *stop* feeling sorry for myself if I wished, and when I wished, which I simply COULD NOT do before Effexor.
I too have more energy and have completely lost the urge to go to bed for a "nap" during the day. Although I have been waking up much later than usual, possibly because it's taking me longer to fall into real sleep. I may try Benadryl but where I live it's pretty expensive and I'm broke.
Just got to repeat what has already been said a thousand times: YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY. Effexor works great for some people, not good for others, but wow - if you had known me even 4 weeks ago, you would not recognise the person typing this now.
Glad it is working for you Kim!!! You must be feeling as good as me!!! and it's great, isn't it? :) Woooo hooo!
Kalyb xx
> For anyone who is thinking about starting Effexor:
>
> Days 1 & 2, 37.5 dosage, slightly upset tummy, difficulty sleeping @ night, yet sleepy all day. No problem, I started Effexor over the weekend.
> Days 3-6, tummy feels better. Sleeping better during night with aid of Benedryl (thanks group!), noticed i'm much more laid back at high-stress job. Have slight problem trying to keep focused and not "zone out". Noticed slight edginess towards end of workday. Must be building up a tolerance. I go to 75 mgs on Friday (in 2 days).
>
> I have more energy. My desk is organized. My co-workers are noticing an improvement without knowing that i've started taking Effexor. Yes, it is working for me.
>
> :) Kim
>
Posted by CherC68 on June 4, 2003, at 19:47:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 6: No Horror Stories Yet, posted by kalyb on June 4, 2003, at 10:39:18
I'm on day 4. My tummy ache is starting to slowly ebb away, but I feel like something is inside my forehead pushing out, my head is weird (not a headache just a pressure inside) its a weird feeling, and I feel like I'm really zoning out. I keep staring and my son thought it was creepy. I too am having trouble sleeping at night. Please someone tell me this feeling, (like i'm not real) will go away.
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 5, 2003, at 8:11:58
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 4 , posted by CherC68 on June 4, 2003, at 19:47:51
The "staring/zoning out" seems to go away but every time the dosage is increased you may have to deal with it again. I'm feeling great except I wake up at 4.00 am every morning now. And I've yet to have any of those vivid dreams I see everyone posting about! Try benedryl (generic is cheaper and works just as well) to help you sleep. Good luck!
> I'm on day 4. My tummy ache is starting to slowly ebb away, but I feel like something is inside my forehead pushing out, my head is weird (not a headache just a pressure inside) its a weird feeling, and I feel like I'm really zoning out. I keep staring and my son thought it was creepy. I too am having trouble sleeping at night. Please someone tell me this feeling, (like i'm not real) will go away.
Posted by CherC68 on June 5, 2003, at 12:23:25
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 4 , posted by CherC68 on June 4, 2003, at 19:47:51
Today is day 5 on 37.5. I'm not going to take it. I know I am horrible at taking pills and I will not last long, but, I need to quit now before I get too far, because I'm so terrified of the side effects. I'm going in for my stress test today, I have carpal tunnel in both hands and will probably have surgery in the next month or two, so I have to stop now. I will see my doctor during the stress test and tell him. I'll post back if I change my mind or get more side effects. Thanks for posting on my post Kimberly.
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 5, 2003, at 13:21:38
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 5 - I Quit » CherC68, posted by CherC68 on June 5, 2003, at 12:23:25
> Today is day 5 on 37.5. I'm not going to take it. I know I am horrible at taking pills and I will not last long, but, I need to quit now before I get too far, because I'm so terrified of the side effects.
CHER,
I took Effexor 1 year ago for several months. I quit because my boyfriend didn't like the decrease in sex drive. Beyond that, I had very few side effects, and NO withdrawal problems. I'm sure they happen to a percentage of all users. Just like I'm sure a percentage of all drivers have car wrecks. I still drive though. I wish you wouldn't quit because of the negative posting. Your situation will be unique. I wish you would make your decision to stay on it or quit based on how it is working for you. It takes a few weeks to find that out.
Kim
P.S. I went back on it because I remembered how well it was working for me. I never should have quit because of a boyfriend's complaints.
Posted by CherC68 on June 5, 2003, at 15:55:15
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 5 - I Quit, posted by KimberlyDi on June 5, 2003, at 13:21:38
Thanks Kim. I just got back from my stress test, which my doctor performed. He wants me to stay on the Effexor until next Thursday. I quit smoking Sunday and it seems to actually be helping with me with the withdrawals of the smoking. I'm afraid of the weight gain everyone keeps talking about because I gained 40 pounds without taking this medicine recently (since November!) Also, next Thursday my results from my EMG come in (its carpal tunnel, the doctor just needs the "proof" and I will be having surgery in the next month, meaning I will probably lose my job because I only work 2 days a week and I'll probably need to take a month off work. I suppose I'll try to stay on it for a little while longer, but the crazy feeling in my head better go away before I go on the higher 75 dosage! Thanks for listening everyone!
Posted by jrt on June 5, 2003, at 16:49:08
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 5 - I Quit » KimberlyDi, posted by CherC68 on June 5, 2003, at 15:55:15
Hi,
I have been on Effexor xr at 75mgs for 11 days now and I have heard many horror stories on how bad the side effects are but I have yet to feel one that I thought was worth getting off the effexor. I unlike everyone else get really sleepy when I take it so I started taking it at night and it has worked out pretty well so far. As far as you worried about gaining weight, if anything you will lose weight because effexor is also noted to cause anorexia. I started to scare myself cuase I didn't eat anything the first four days I was on it. Don't be afraid to go to a higher dose, I started on 75 mgs and from everything I have heard the higher the dosage the less the side effects. I tend to zone out as well but I think I have always done that so that's not new to me. You are going to have to base weather or not you think this medicine is right for you on how well it makes you feel verses how bad the side effects make you feel. Just hang in there!
Love,
jrt
Posted by CherC68 on June 5, 2003, at 21:57:59
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 5 - I Quit, posted by jrt on June 5, 2003, at 16:49:08
Dear JRT, Thank you so very much for your wonderful post. I decided to take my 5th day. Sorry, if I scared people with my post, I've heard Borderline Personalities have a flair for the dramatic, but I am seriously scared and new to this (besides the 4/5 days on Zoloft. One thing positive I can say about Effexor is this is the easiest time I've ever had quitting smoking. Take Care everyone, and I'm sure I'll be trying to get help with my 6th day. Love, Cher
Posted by 2sense on June 6, 2003, at 8:05:13
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 5 - I Quit » jrt, posted by CherC68 on June 5, 2003, at 21:57:59
I started Effexor XR @ 37.5/day last Saturday, 5-31. Today is my 7th day. I have had all the side effects described above plus all the sexual side effects. I'm already on Wellbutrin, T3(low, low dose)/T4 for Hashimoto's-hypothyroid, Ritalin for AD/HD ...my pdoc is good and says the dose is too low too soon for me to see a change.
I've never, ever experienced this kind of depression before. I don't want to do *anything*. I have 3 kids, two teens, today is the last day of school... I am going to go to 75 mg./day ... he didn't say whether to take it in one dose or split ....
Q. When dose one see any difference ... I feel like I can't stand another day.
Thank you all, 2sense
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 6, 2003, at 10:31:32
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 5 - I Quit, posted by 2sense on June 6, 2003, at 8:05:13
2Sense:
Today was my first day at 75 after 1 week on 37.5. I've noticed a difference from Day 1. But Effexor is all that I'm taking. I feel emotionally insulated. I'm not anxious. But I'm also not taking Welbutrin, which stimulated me, or Ritilin, which is also a stimulant. All those stimulants may be counter-acting the calming effect some of us experience on Effexor. Don't just rely on the meds, go out & do something nice for yourself. I had a surprisingly good time last weekend just going to see Finding Nemo with my 14-year-old son.
Good luck, Kim
> I started Effexor XR @ 37.5/day last Saturday, 5-31. Today is my 7th day. I have had all the side effects described above plus all the sexual side effects. I'm already on Wellbutrin, T3(low, low dose)/T4 for Hashimoto's-hypothyroid, Ritalin for AD/HD ...my pdoc is good and says the dose is too low too soon for me to see a change.
>
> I've never, ever experienced this kind of depression before. I don't want to do *anything*. I have 3 kids, two teens, today is the last day of school... I am going to go to 75 mg./day ... he didn't say whether to take it in one dose or split ....
>
> Q. When dose one see any difference ... I feel like I can't stand another day.
>
> Thank you all, 2sense
Posted by 2sense on June 6, 2003, at 10:52:27
In reply to Re: Effexor Day 5 - I Quit, posted by KimberlyDi on June 6, 2003, at 10:31:32
Too depressed to do anything ... it's like the chicken and the egg ... thanks for writing back though.
This is the end of the thread.
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