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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by utopizen on October 12, 2004, at 11:12:47
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » utopizen, posted by saw on October 12, 2004, at 9:31:15
> She isn't aware yet that I am wanting to change. I think she is in for quite a shock when she sees this list. I have had bad reactions to a number of other AD's so some digging is required. Am not familier (I don't think) with Cymbalta.
>
> SabrinaCymbalta came out in late August. You should always make a point of calling your doc each week if you're not finding progress, since they can make adjustments. ESPECIALLY if you notice side effects. Waiting until the next appt. slows your treatment down.
Posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 12:12:46
In reply to My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by saw on October 12, 2004, at 7:26:34
Before I respond item by item to your list of SEs below, I want to say that you listed a few things that could be signs of hypothyroidism---edema in hands and feet, extreme fatigue, and hair loss. Since hypothyroidism causes skin problems as well, perhaps even the sores, as well (don't know about that one). Though not the sharp pains you describe, when I was hypothyroid, I had lots of muscle and joint aches. Please check out some information at the following pages at about.com.
main page: http://thyroid.about.com
Start here--the basic overview: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/thyroid101.htm
Next--Hypothyroid symptom checklist:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/hypochecklist.htmThen--key tests and result ranges.
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/newsinfo/l/bltest_values.htmQuestions to ask your doctor:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/6questions.htmMore about interpreting tests:
http://thyroid.about.com/library/howto/htthyroid-test.htman article about thyroid test interpretation:
http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthy.net%2Fhwlibraryjournals%2Fnaturopathic%2Fvol1no1%2Fthyroid.htmAlso--here is the link to Dr. Bob's Psychopharm Tips page, where pdocs discussed thyroid and depression--
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Thyroid-replacement.htmlOK, here are the item by item comments:
> 1. Sedative effect--I actually have the opposite of this. I've found from reading here that some people find it sedating, while others find it very activating.
> 2. Short term memories issues--I have had this and it is very dose-dependent for me. The specific memory issue for me is word retrieval problems. When I lowered the dose, it got better.
> 3. Yawning, frequently & deeply--I have had this and it is dose-dependent. At higher doses, I'd feel the need to yawn a lot but the yawns were hard to complete normally--so I'd still feel like I had to yawn again. Don't have that anymore on lower Effexor dose.> 4. Very bad leaking eye--I did not have this.
> 5. Developed sores in nose on starting Efexor--I did not have this. Do you think it is an allergic type reaction? Did you tell your doc about this one?
> 6. Loss of hair and hair has become dry and brittle-----I definitely have had loss of hair, though I don't think my hair is more brittle.
>
> 7. Increasing lack of motivation and concentration at work. Continuous battle to apply myself. Spend a fair amount of time “just doing nothing” and am becoming alarmingly overwhelmed with backlog that I just “can’t get into./> 8.Motivation in tackling existing projects at home, keeping house tidy etc. has never returned. Still battle to “get going”-----I do have the motivation problem, especially at home. I, too, spend a lot of time doing nothing. I was discussing this very recently (again) with my pdoc. He agreed it could be from the Effexor, but that it could also be residual depressive symptoms, too. He thinks it's hard to figure out which unless I make a change in meds, either increase or decrease significantly. I am not ready to do either at the moment. But in terms of lack of concentration--I had that in the extreme when I was hypothyroid. I would sit at work and look at my desk and be totally confused and unable to figure out what I was supposed to do with the stuff on my desk. I felt like the entire content of my head was made of cotton balls.
>
> 9. Physical and mental exhaustion--I don't have physcial exhaustion from Effexor, by had it in the extreme when I was hypothyroid.>
> 10. Extreme flatulence and disturbed stomach (no constipation though)--no, I don't have this.>Stomach distends uncomfortably to double its size. (Have even been asked how far along I am)--
--Hmm....I'm wondering if this is related to the weight gain you mention below. I don't remember where I heard or read this but I think that I heard that ADs like Effexor can cause weight gain in the abdominal area, where the fat tissue holds a lot of hormones. I have had this. Whereas I always used to gain weight in other parts of my body, after being on Effexor, I started gaining around the middle, losing my waist, which used to quite a bit smaller than my hips and thighs. Now they're all huge.
Another thought about the distended abdomen--do you have any menstrual problems or pain? The reason I ask is that my friend had the distended abdomen when she had fibroids.
>
> 11. Severe water retention and swelling, particularly on hands and feet-
---no, I don't have this with effexor, but did have it with Lithium. Again, see my comments on hypothyroidism.
>
> 12. Sharp, stabbing sensations ---
--Don't have this on Effexor, except some pain in calf muscles sometimes.
>
> 13. Hyper-vigilance ---I don't have this but do have internal energy/agitation--ie energy not of the type that I can mobilize and make good use of.
>
> 14. Sleep problems, night terrors. Get frights while sleeping causing whole body jerks and pounding heart-----I defintely have sleep problems on Effexor: mostly insomnia. In the beginning, I also was very aware of bizarre dreams and in the beginning I did feel anxious or frightened at these. I still dream a lot but it's strange now that no matter how grotesque the dreams are, I have very little feeling associated with them. I also usually don't remember my dreams.
The way I've dealt with the insomnia and with other sleep problems like myoclonus, which is the muscle jerking you describe, is that my pdoc and I decided to lower my Effexor dose and add another AD (for me it is nefazodone) that is sedating. I take this at night to offset the sleep problems of Effexor. This worked for the insomnia and myoclonus, but not so much for the restless legs I get from Effexor, so I also take a very small dose of lorazepam before bed and this controls the restless legs.
As for the myoclonus, sometimes it would be the huge, whole-body jerking, with the feeling of falling or some other sudden startle--apparently, it is normal to have these once in a while for most people, but I'm talking about extremely frequent and much more intense. Besides these whole-body jerks, when at rest, either before sleep or when stretched out on the couch to watch tv or read, I also used to get these random small single muscle jerks in muscles in different places--muscles that I couldn't possible have flexed on purpose if I tried. I got these on Paxil as well--in fact, on Paxil, it was even worse--once as I was lying in bed, my arm pretty much shot straight up in the air!
But I'm thinking that perhaps you should investigate whether you have a sleep disorder related to this--if you have myoclonus and it is preventing you from staying fully asleep through the entire sleep cycle, this could also explain your fatique and concentration problems.
Other sleep disorders that are common are from acid reflux disease, and sleep apnea.
>
> 15. Anxiety--for me, there is some restlessness and internal agitation from Effexor.>No tolerance in crowded situations too much noise, too loud TV etc.
---I have always had difficulty being in large crowds, and I'm very sensitive to loud noises. The noise sensitivity is much worse when I'm depressed (like not even being able to tolerate the radio on in the car). I don't think Effexor has increased these issues for me.
>
> 16. WEIGHT GAIN. Yes, I very definitely have had this.Here are a few I have had that you didn't mention having:
1. Headaches--at higher doses, I had frequent bad headaches.
2. Sweating. At higher doses, I used to sweat profusely, especially on my head.
3. Orthostatic hypotension--ie, feeling like I was going to faint when I stood up from sitting. Or if I stretched vigorously. I did actually faint once. This was another SE that was dose dependent, so I don't get it anymore.
4. Acne (although my pdoc thinks the Adderall is a more likely culprit for this).
5. Sexual SEs--at higher doses, unable to achieve orgasm. At current dose, orgasms are what I call "fragmented"--as if 2 or 3 different components of orgasm occur at different times, taking away from the full intensity experience.
Posted by saw on October 18, 2004, at 1:40:50
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » saw, posted by Noa on October 16, 2004, at 12:12:46
Hi Noa
Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to answer each SE individually and for all the links on hypothyroidism.
I had been thinking about the above for a while and will mention it to my pdoc. Finally, I am seeing her tomorrow.
I have revisited the list and changed one or two small details as well as added a few. I now have 21 (some known, others suspected) SE's.
I underwent a laparoscopy last year for mentsrual issues. They largely cleared up after that. I have noticed that my period is very much heavier since Effexor but that the PMS is much much better. After that, my cycle is relatively regular and problem free.
The leaking eye thing was isolated. (I think to the sores in my nose blocking something). It hasn't reoccured and I updated this to the problem vision (blurring etc) that I experience.
The distended abdomen is from both weight gain and AD. The rest of me is growing steadily as well.
I too, have read that Effexor causes weight gain around the stomach area. I think mine is a bit of both.I suspect a sleeping disorder. I had severe insomnia about 4 years ago and have never really slept "normally" again.
I have added frequent headaches to my list. They are not severe, just frequent.
Sweating. At higher doses, I used to sweat profusely, especially on my head."Orthostatic hypotension" I used to have this quite frequently even before Effexor, so never thought to add it as a SE.
Acne - phew - one I don't have.
Sexual SEs - haven't mentioned it as a SE as I seem to be ok. I don't orgasm but then never really used to anyway. I know I would rather just do without, but have not inflicted this on my husband.
Once again Noa, thank you for all your input. It helps to be able to compare and identify with other SE's.
Regards
Sabrina
Posted by Lyrical13 on October 18, 2004, at 16:48:17
In reply to My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by saw on October 12, 2004, at 7:26:34
I was on Effexor last year. I had several of the same side effects, especially the sweating. BUt it made me manic. I'm off of it now, but am having similar SE's to you on Trileptal. Esp. the yawning. I wasn't sure if that could be caused by a med but it has been pronounced since I started the Trileptal. Also have the lethargy, weight gain, no motivation, no energy, trouble keeping eyes open, tired etc. But people are always commenting on the yawning and I really feel like I need to get a deep breath...like when I do breathe deeply or yawn and it turns into a deep breath, I feel like I really needed the oxygen. It must be some biochemical thing I guess.
Posted by saw on October 20, 2004, at 10:19:20
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by Lyrical13 on October 18, 2004, at 16:48:17
I started tapering today and will be off Effexor in about 3 weeks when I will slowly phase in Lamictal. My doctor said that it is a mood stabilizer with strong AD qualities and that it is often used for those with treatment resistant depression and a low tolerance on other AD's - ME!
I know little about the drug and am nervous of the skin rash side effect which if toxic can kill you!
Any thoughts on this change would be appreciated. I will eventually be taking 50mg Lamictal twice a day.
Sabrina
Posted by Noa on October 20, 2004, at 19:23:25
In reply to Follow-up - changing to Lamictal, posted by saw on October 20, 2004, at 10:19:20
Good luck--I hope this works out better for you than Effexor did.
I am not that familiar with Lamictal but I think the rash thing either happens early on or doesn't, so monitoring in the beginning is the key. Others here will know more about this than I do.
Posted by Lyrical13 on October 21, 2004, at 17:20:19
In reply to Follow-up - changing to Lamictal, posted by saw on October 20, 2004, at 10:19:20
My rash started appearing 3-4 days after starting Lamictal. I discontinued it and it went away. So even if you get the rash, as long as you d/c it right away it shouldn't be toxic. (Stephen Johnson's Syndrome)
Posted by Wendy1000 on October 27, 2004, at 21:59:35
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » saw, posted by jujube on October 12, 2004, at 7:38:17
Hi Sabrina,
I too have had some terrible side effects from taking Effexor XR, and I'm on a fairly low dosage of 75mg. I actually went from Cipramil to Effexor XR to stop my weight gain! So far I've seen no positive results from the drug, I actually feel worse. I have severe brain fog and feel "stupid" as you've said. My memory is shocking and as someone else has said, I forget words or muddle up sentences when I have to speak. I too feel like I can't keep my eyes open most of the time, and everything does seem overwhelming and the smallest things will make me anxious. My temper is very short too and I blow up at everyone around me for no reason, even though I was always very calm before. I too have had some muscle aches, though I attribute this to my increased "laziness" and inability to excercise. The worst thing for me though is dizziness. My head feels like it is spinning and I can bearly turn my head without feeling nauseous. This is made worse if i forget a dose. I was wondering if anyone else has had this side effect?
Take care of yourself,
Wendy
Posted by Wendy1000 on November 2, 2004, at 18:27:53
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » saw, posted by jujube on October 12, 2004, at 7:38:17
Hi Sabrina,
I've been trying to find out more about Efexor XR, I too have had some horrible side effects since starting 75mg capsules about 2 months ago. I have the same feeling of "can't keep my eyes open", increased anxiety, inability to concentrate and I agree that I sometimes must appear "stupid"! I've had some extremely vivid dreams that I sometimes have trouble distinguishing from reality upon awakening. I am extremely irratable with everyone, even though I was a very calm person before. But the biggest one for me and the most worrying is dizziness. My head constantly feels like it is spinning and I can bearly turn my head without feeling nauseous. This is much worse if I forget to take a dose. I was wondering if anyone else has had this?Take care of yourself,
Wendy
Posted by fayeroe on November 2, 2004, at 18:27:54
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by Wendy1000 on October 27, 2004, at 21:29:45
I took 75mg for one and a half years.....I had the dizziness, nausea, felt like my head was full of rocks and lost 38 lbs. I only ate every third day or so. People stared at me, now I know that I looked anorexic. I,with the help of my pharmacist, worked my way off of Effexor. I tapered very, very, very slowly. Missing a dose would definitely be the cause of your symptoms also. My doctor wouldn't help me get off it. I understand that taking prozac while going off of it will help. Good luck, if you continue it or decide to get off it. Pat
Posted by becksA on November 2, 2004, at 18:27:54
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » Wendy1000, posted by fayeroe on October 27, 2004, at 21:58:32
I stil can't understand it...I was up to about 200mg or thereabouts of Effexor XR daily...for about a month. It was doing nothing for me, so I stopped it cold turkey, and I did not have one side effect. Anybody else?
Posted by saw on November 2, 2004, at 18:27:55
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by becksA on October 29, 2004, at 21:58:32
Posted by Wendy1000 on November 2, 2004, at 18:27:56
In reply to Not sure how my thread landed up on health?? (nm), posted by saw on November 1, 2004, at 1:32:33
Sorry, must have accidently selected a new board!
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 2, 2004, at 18:46:13
In reply to Re: Not sure how my thread landed up on health??, posted by Wendy1000 on November 1, 2004, at 15:29:19
Posted by dazedandconfused on November 2, 2004, at 19:14:28
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by becksA on October 29, 2004, at 21:58:32
Yup - no discontinuation problems. I didn't go cold turkey, but tapered rather quickly...150 * 1 week, 75 * 1 week, 37.5 * 1 week. No problems coming off and I also didn't think it was doing anything. However, about three weeks after discontinuing my depression reemerged tenfold. Am on Cymbalta now and feeling better.
dazed
Posted by saw on November 3, 2004, at 0:03:23
In reply to Re: BecksA, posted by dazedandconfused on November 2, 2004, at 19:14:28
I am tapering like that from 150. You say quite quickly, I thought it was slow. I am going into my 37.5 week tomorrow and after that will be starting Lamictal.
I have had no physical discontinuation problems. Perhaps a few headaches in the first week of 112.5. What I did notice in my 75 week was a crashing suicidal depression. I feel a bit more steady now but am nervous for my first 37.5 day tomorrow.I feel very fortunate that I have not experienced the physical problems so many do from withdrawing from Effexor. (But the mental problems weren't exactly a joy ride either!)
Sabrina
Posted by juliette on November 3, 2004, at 12:20:02
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » utopizen, posted by saw on October 12, 2004, at 9:31:15
i have most of the same side affects still very anxious lose of hair big time night sweats bad dreams always tired etc. i thought it was just me wow this drug is pretty crazy
Posted by juliette on November 3, 2004, at 12:21:41
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by Wendy1000 on October 27, 2004, at 21:29:45
oh i forgot my vision has gotten pretty bad in my left eye and i never want to eat
Posted by Smeegle on November 7, 2004, at 22:43:08
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by juliette on November 3, 2004, at 12:21:41
After being on Effexor XR 300 mg for three years, I am finally getting off it. I have been suffering from extreme fatigue, brain fog, total lack of energy and/or motivation to get off the couch, unfreshing sleep, every day is a yawn-fest all day, falling asleep at inappropriate times, etc. I had two sleep studies and MSLT (slight apnea, severe abnormalities on the nap tests...rem patterns whacked out on both). Hypothyroid...TSH is up and down. Thyroid meds not seeming to help. Had an AHA! moment that perhaps it was the Effexor and immediately spoke to pdoc. Hoping the switch to Lamictal will help. Once the Lamictal kicks in we will start the ramp down off Effexor. Provigil has helped a lot. It keeps me awake and alert. Significant cognative improvements.
Smeegs
Posted by brockstar on November 9, 2004, at 0:30:13
In reply to My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by saw on October 12, 2004, at 7:26:34
> i just wanted to make a few notes on the side effects yu mentioned, i found this site really helpful for me wondering if it was all in my head or a part of the medication!
>
> 1. Sedative effect,this wasn't something i experienced personally, but when my brothers doctor tried him on the same medication, he refused to take it as he felt he was being supressed and felt very sedated. i feel the opposite, even if i don't sleep well the night before, i still feel more awake than before i started on effexor-xr
>
> 2. Short term memories issues.i hve noticed this a little bit, if someone asks me what i did last night i'd have trouble remembering and would have to really concentrate. but the worst is the inability to remember the correct words for what i'm trying to say.
>
> 3. Yawning, frequently & deeply.i was put on effexor for anxiety rather than depression, and one of my symptoms was excessive yawning when tired, so i guess i never considered it to be a side-effect as it was something i'd always had anyway.
>
> 4. Very bad leaking eye (Right eye).never had this problem, however i did notice vision problems, a sort of double vision, or halo/fuzzy effect around certain objects. and quite often my pupils remain enlarged.
>
> 5. Developed sores in nose on starting Efexor.not a side effect i'm aware of.
>
> 6. Loss of hair and hair has become dry and brittle.now that i think about it i have certainly lost a lot of hair, but i'm pretty sure that was before i started the meds as a symptom of anxiety, but its possible its also happening from the meds.
>
> 7. Increasing lack of motivation and concentration at work.
i thought i was actually doing better in the motivation part, especially at work, as i'm not as tired as i used to be, but thinking about it now, all i ever want to do is sit on the computer, rather than doing any of the physical jobs i'm required to do, i tend to leave them until someone else does them for me, so yea definately lack of motivation, all i want to do is the work that can be done whilst i sit here.
>
> 8. Motivation in tackling existing projects at home, keeping house tidy etc. has never returned.
this is one sysmptom i'm definately going to have to mention to my boyfriend whom i live with, as he's contantly complaining about my laziness around the house! in the last couple of weeks i've managed to be fairly vigilant and kept on top of things, but if it piles up in the slightest then i have no interested in fixing it. i find that if i come home from work and sit down, thats it, i'm not moving until bedtime, but if i go home and get straight into the housework then i feel much better and get much more done.>
> 9. Physical and mental exhaustion fairly common.if i let myself then yea, definately, but i'm trying really hard to keep at it. except for exercise, which i simply cannot motivate myself to do at all.
>
> 10. Extreme flatulence and disturbed stomach (no constipation though).oh hell yes! i have disturbed stomach problems anyway as i also have irritable bowel syndrome, but definately an increase in flatulance, and at the risk of embarassing myself, a definately unpleasant smell!
>
> 11. Severe water retention and swelling, particularly on hands and feet.nothing i've noticed out of the ordinary
>
> 12. Sharp, stabbing sensations on various parts of body which only occur for a few seconds but are very startling.i think i may of had this a couple of times, but not often enough to consider it a SE i don't think.
>
> 13. Hyper-vigilance has become extreme and is distressing and sometimes embarrassing for me.i'm actually not too sure what hyper-vigilance is to be honest, but i noticed someone else mentioned they experienced 'nervous energy' and thats something i can identify with. sometimes i feel like i just need to run around and expend some energy, but in actual fact i'm too tired to do so!
>
> 14. Some sort of hyper-vigilance continues when sleeping. Amount of quality sleep I am getting is not healthy. Frequent, sometimes almost constant dreaming. Often night terrors that I am unable to wake from but that I am aware of. Sense evil. Screaming, crying or hitting out in sleep. Get frights while sleeping causing whole body jerks and pounding heart. Feel sedated and unable to wake up out of the dream even though terrified. If I do wake up, sedated feeling sends me back to sleep and the dream just takes up where it left off.this is the part that got me. i have real trouble with my sleep patterns. i wake up constantly throughout the night, usually drenched in sweat, and quite often my mind is a little slower to wake up than the rest of me resulting in sleep hallucinations which are terrorfying and have actually resulted in me pole-vaulting over the bed in my sleep to get away from whatever it was i saw!!
>
> 15. Anxiety relative but panic attacks appearing to be on the increase.considering i was put on this medication for anxiety, i do actually find i'm much better. only extreme situations can bring on an attack.
>
> 16. WEIGHT GAIN.yea to the weight gain around my middle, which sux. but i've also had an increased appetite and lack of exercise, so it could be due to either
>
i also had to have tests due to a high level of the hormone prolactin in my blood (causing nipple discharge) went thru a scary week of tests for tumours on my pituatary gland but luckily was given the all clear. read somewhere on the net this high level can be a side effect of effexor-xr however my doc didn't think so, she thought it would just go away on its own. just recently upped my dosage to 150mg and noticed the discharge again, sposed to get another blood test but really don't want to go thru all the tests again!! seeing a different doc this arvo tho, will make sure to mention all this and hopefully come up with a solution!oh and thank god i never had any problems with orgasm unless i thought about it!
Posted by saw on November 9, 2004, at 1:29:09
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » saw, posted by brockstar on November 9, 2004, at 0:30:13
It is always good to read that others experience so much of the same. That is why I was bold enough to post such a long list.
Today was my last day of Effexor, I have been tapering over about 3 weeks. I start Lamictal tomorrow.
So far, many of the niggling side effects have gone away, but a couple of nasties have taken their place while I've been tapering.
I never did mention my lack of sex drive and inability to orgasm as a SE because I was afraid that if I spoke about it, it would become really, really real!! But it was there all the time. Now, I shall brush that one back under the carpet!!
Wishing you well
Sabrina
Posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 6:41:50
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg » brockstar, posted by saw on November 9, 2004, at 1:29:09
After getting off Effexor due to the bad side-effects while on it AND while getting off, I started L-Tryptophan. It is definitely better for me than any anti-depressant I have used (Zoloft, Paxil, Seqoquel, Wellbutrin, Effexor XR). See www.healthrecovery.com.
Posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 6:51:29
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 6:41:50
I meant to say Serzone in my previous post, not Seroquel.
Posted by brockstar on November 9, 2004, at 18:22:23
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 6:41:50
well i went and saw my doc and he confirmed that increased sweating (especially night sweats) and a higher level of prolactin in the blood are indeed side effects of effexor-xr - rare ones, but still at least now i know for sure. anyway, i was given the option of swapping to a different medication, but have decided to start weaning me off the effexor instead, so hopefully all goes well and i can once again me medication free!!
Posted by Smeegle on December 8, 2004, at 20:34:09
In reply to Re: My list of 17 side effects from Effexor XR 150mg, posted by brockstar on November 9, 2004, at 18:22:23
The transition has gone much smoother than I expected. I started ramping up on Lamictal while ramping down the Effexor. Was on 300mg for 3+ years. After 3 weeks I am just went down to 75mg today. Hope to be off in another two weeks. Still working up to a theraputic dose on Lamictal and having some breakthrough depression and major mood swings. Nothing major though at this point. Staying in close contact with Pdoc just in case. (had major SI problems due to Effexor which I did NOT have before).
Several drs (non pdocs) have all said that Lamictal is relatively benign as far as side effects and no discontinuation problems. I sura am hoping that's the case.
Smeegs
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