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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cocohoneynut on March 3, 2004, at 19:37:25
I just started Effexor days ago? I'm extremely tired and yawning all the time. I take 37.5mg in the evening and 37.5 in the morning. I take for depression, PMS and perimenopause. What are the side effects I can expect and will I gain or loss weight? Tell me anything and everything I NEED to know!!! Thanks...
Posted by rainyday on March 4, 2004, at 6:45:51
In reply to EFFEXOR - - - when will I feel better?, posted by cocohoneynut on March 3, 2004, at 19:37:25
It took a full 8 weeks before I felt the benefits of this drug. The side effects were nasty - I gained weight, sweated excessively, and my blood pressure shot up to a dangerous level. I made it up to 150mg per day of effexor xr, and now I've been bumped down to 75mg. Waiting to see if the benefits remain.
Remember, everyone is different. I was put on effexor for bipolar 2.
Posted by Dirtylowdown4 on March 4, 2004, at 12:21:24
In reply to EFFEXOR - - - when will I feel better?, posted by cocohoneynut on March 3, 2004, at 19:37:25
> I just started Effexor days ago? I'm extremely tired and yawning all the time. I take 37.5mg in the evening and 37.5 in the morning. I take for depression, PMS and perimenopause. What are the side effects I can expect and will I gain or loss weight? Tell me anything and everything I NEED to know!!! Thanks...
I have been taking Effexor XR (extended release) for over two months now. I take 150 mg once a day. When I first tried it my doctor suggested that I take it in the morning with breakfast. Immediately my energy level dipped dramaticaly and I was tired and yawning all the time. I experimented with taking it different times of the day to find what time was right for me. I was trying to find a time which would make me least tired during my "awake hours". For the past several weeks I have been taking it at dinner time and find that although I am still very tired during the day I am able to get through work without falling asleep. Other symptons I have realized are dry mouth, muscle tension in my legs which makes it difficult to fall asleep no matter how exhausted I am. Sometimes I have to take a sleeping pill or I'd never get to sleep. Many users report sexual side effects such as decreased labido and ability to feel anything. For me personally my labido has increased but I feel less sensation and many times an unable to climax because of this. Although the side effects have been more than I expected I intend to stick with Effexor because for the first time in many years my mind is able to race at only 55 miles per hour unstead of the usually 100+. My appetite has increased tremendously and since I hate to gain weight, I have had to maintain my calorie intake by eating more food with less calories. Many users report that the symptoms deminish over time and I have found this to be partly true. Good luck! I hope it works for you.
Posted by Lizzy7711 on March 5, 2004, at 19:02:31
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - - - when will I feel better?, posted by Dirtylowdown4 on March 4, 2004, at 12:21:24
My doctor had me take 37.5 for one week, 75 the next, and then 150. From other posts i've read where people increase really slowly, it almost sound like that causes more problems. I noticed by the second week a marked increase in my patience level, so much less irritable, which really got better on 150. I do remember in the beginning the dry mouth and lots of insomnia--for me taking it before or around lunchtime is best, too late in the day and I wake up at 2 or 3 and can't go back to sleep. I also experienced after about 3-4 weeks on 150 that I was actually feeling kinda HAPPY...now that was new!
My doctor had me try 300 for a week, but by the end of the week I was so tired and zonked out all the time, I just went back to 150, which feels fine for me for now.
Even though I like it so far, i'm seriously debating if I should stay on, based on other's stories of going off of it...it's a major drug that sounds like often it can have more side effects later on...anyway, haven't decided yet.
good luck to you,
Liz
This is the end of the thread.
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