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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pretty_paints on March 26, 2004, at 6:32:07
Hi
Could anybody tell me a little bit about how long Effexor takes to work? I know obviously everyone is different, but just hearing about peoples experiences of it would be good.
I'm really worried as I took my 2nd tablet this morning (75mg). No side effects so far, but no good effects either. The thing is, when I took prozac, it took a good 2 weeks at least before I felt ANYTHING - but the reason I'm worried is because everyone seems to be saying that they felt an effect immediately! And now I'm really worried that they're not going to work for me!
Eeeek. Please reply! I'm really really scared, coz I dont know what to do if the Effexor doesnt work.
It feels like something in my brain is broken and no-one knows how to fix it. Does anyone know what I mean? I know its illogical, but I keep thinking that all these "depression treatments" work for everyone else, but for some reason they're just not gonna work for me. Coz my brain has gone wrong differently to everyone elses.
Oh grr.
Well, if any of you guys could just tell me a little bit about Effexor, when you started feeling anything, and at what dose etc, I would be very very grateful.
xxxx
Posted by awatts on March 26, 2004, at 7:05:54
In reply to EFEXOR - PLEASE HEEELP!!!!, posted by pretty_paints on March 26, 2004, at 6:32:07
> Well, if any of you guys could just tell me a little bit about Effexor, when you started feeling anything, and at what dose etc, I would be very very grateful.
>
> xxxxI don't remember exactly, but don't think I felt any effects, good or bad, until 150mg. This would have been about 3 or 4 weeks into treatment.
It this time, 300mg works very well for me. Only side effects are sexual.
Go slowly if you want to give Effexor a chance to work for you.
Posted by T_R_D on March 26, 2004, at 11:40:31
In reply to Re: EFEXOR - PLEASE HEEELP!!!!, posted by awatts on March 26, 2004, at 7:05:54
awatts is correct...the therapeutic dose begins at 150mg and you do need to ramp up slowly to that. Accidentally doubling up as you have should only cause you problems with side effects--and since it hasn't it sounds like you're tolerating the drug quite nicely!
Unfortunately, these drugs aren't miracle cures and sometimes the first one we try doesn't do the trick. Don't get dejected if this happens. Sometimes it takes some experimentation with several drugs to find what is right for YOU. There are lots of drugs to choose from out there and even though things might look bleak, it's important not to give up hope. Your brain isn't any more screwed up than ours so take comfort in that :)
Best of luck!
Posted by Camille Dumont on March 26, 2004, at 12:52:04
In reply to Re: EFEXOR - PLEASE HEEELP!!!!, posted by T_R_D on March 26, 2004, at 11:40:31
You have to give it a few weeks but changes might not happen at the lower dosages ... I felt nothing before 150 ... and it turns out I need 300 Effexor + 20 Celexa to get a decent anti-depressant effect.
I know its hard but you have to be patient.
Posted by jrbecker on March 26, 2004, at 13:18:40
In reply to Re: EFEXOR - PLEASE HEEELP!!!!, posted by T_R_D on March 26, 2004, at 11:40:31
Everyone's ideal dosage range is different. After going as high as 300mg, in the end, I found that my optimal dose was just 37.5 mg. You have to balance efficacy with tolerance of the side effects.
To echo everyone's else advice though, if you do increase, do it very slowly. I'd try at least 3-4 weeks before you jump to a higher dose.
* Remember that that full AD effect upon initiation of an SSRI/SNRI takes at least 4-6 weeks for full response.> awatts is correct...the therapeutic dose begins at 150mg and you do need to ramp up slowly to that. Accidentally doubling up as you have should only cause you problems with side effects--and since it hasn't it sounds like you're tolerating the drug quite nicely!
>
> Unfortunately, these drugs aren't miracle cures and sometimes the first one we try doesn't do the trick. Don't get dejected if this happens. Sometimes it takes some experimentation with several drugs to find what is right for YOU. There are lots of drugs to choose from out there and even though things might look bleak, it's important not to give up hope. Your brain isn't any more screwed up than ours so take comfort in that :)
>
> Best of luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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