Posted by pellmell on August 3, 2001, at 13:19:23
In reply to Re: just started effexor xr today, posted by Snuffy on August 3, 2001, at 12:40:35
Effexor has been great for me. I felt my anxiety symptoms dissapate in the first two weeks, and after six weeks at 150mg my symptoms of depression have (finally!) almost completely lifted. As a result of this, the relationships in my life have improved significantly. I can be spontaneous and clever again, and find it easier to concentrate. Just two weeks ago I was afraid that Effexor was slowing me down mentally, but now I'm nearly positive that my slowbrainedness was just a more stubborn symptom of depression that took longer to resolve. In the middle there I found it sort of odd to be feeling relaxed and mentally dull at the same time, because before Effexor when I felt that way it'd usually trigger a good bit of anxeity in me. I'm glad my pdoc when I saw him two weeks ago didn't decide to raise my dose. He said something like, "It's still early. Let's take it slow." Good advice.
As for side-effects: the first two weeks the stuff made me drowsy, so I took it at night. Then it started disturbing my sleep, so I switched to mornings. From what I've read on this board it's not uncommon for Effexor to go from sedating to activating as treatment progresses. I also have some minor dry mouth, but that seems to be going away, and some bruxism (clenched jaw, grinding teeth), which seems to be less of a problem now as well. As for sexual side effects, I saw my libido actually *increase* on this stuff, but my erections are kinda rubbery and it takes longer to get to orgasm.
So, good luck, and hang in there. Try to ride the side-effects out for a couple of weeks before giving up. If you find them significantly screwing with your life, though, there're many other options out there.
-pm
poster:pellmell
thread:72806
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/73350.html