Posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 8:57:06
Can taking Effexor/Effexor XR at a different time alleviate side effects for some people?
I started Effexor XR on March 8, 2002.
My time of dosage was between 6 pm and 7 pm. I wasn't perfect so I sometimes took it at 8 pm or 10 pm. But for the most part, I took it around 6 pm ish. I have never missed a dose.
I started and have gone through the zombie phase when I moved up to 150 mg once a day. I started the 150 on March 27, 2002. I slept so much for two weeks that I wasn't doing much of anything else.
Around April 8 or so, I started to have difficulty sleeping. I wasn't able to sleep comfortably anymore - frequently tossing and turning, waking up trying to get back to sleep, and become irritable because I couldn't put myself to sleep. Eventually I did get some sleep for a few hours and was able to wake up early and ready for the day.
However, I didn't like being able to not sleep well.
So I started taking Effexor XR at 2 pm instead with the advice of my psychiatrist with the intention of moving my dosage time to early morning like at 8 am.
As I stated, the day immediately that I changed to 2 pm, which was on Wednesday, I had plenty of energy to do what I needed to do in the evening and was able to go to be at around 1030 pm, which was a big improvement from going to bed at 1 am, then 2 am, and well....
I dreamed, I slept like a baby, and I also noticed feeling quite sedated, which was something I hadn't felt when I was taking it at 6 pm (this excludes the zombie phase...the zombie phase completely knocked me out and I didn't really feel a thing).
So I saw how this affected my alert level yesterday at work and I was fine. I enjoyed my day and I thought that I would try 2 pm dosage time again as opposed to moving it up to 9 am because I had a good response in sleeping.
So last night I slept very well and again experienced the sedated effect when I had to get up and go to the bathroom somewhere around 2 am.
Was able to go right back to bed with no problem.The other difference I have noted is waking up. Yes, it has been a bit more of a challenge as I feel totally relaxed, enjoying my sleep, and just not wanting to wake up out of bed. I think that I could continue feeling that way if I chose to but I know I have to get up to go to work. So what I have also noticed is that usually taking a bath after petting the cat, wakes me up and snaps me out of the deep relaxed feeling that somewhat feels a bit sedative too.
I am out of the shower and happy. And ready to go.
So today, day number three of changing the time, I am sticking to the 2 pm time because it seems to be working and minimizing my sleep disturbance, which is one of maybe three issues I have with the drug, which none are really all that bad.
I am wondering then, if for some of you, have you tried to change the time of taking the drug versus maybe taking other stuff to combat the side effects or increasing the dosage and feeling worse?
I know we are all different, and I don't work for the manufacturer, but I really can't complain about my experience so far. And I am coming up two months next week.
I am a bit concerned though if my psychiatrist does recommend to increase the dosage as she says 150 mg is a bit below normal prescribed dosage, but I think I am fine right where I am.
poster:Gare
thread:103511
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103511.html