Posted by Mr Cushing on November 24, 2002, at 13:38:46
In reply to Just started Effexor XR - please advise, posted by nilla on November 24, 2002, at 8:47:14
I'm just trying to get off of Effexor XR myself at the moment. Aside from the withdrawal being absolute Hell, the drug did work for me. Which is surprising since I've been diagnosed since as being Bi-Polar 1 and if I timed the doses just right Effexor would level me out rather nicely for the first few months that I was on it. However, if you're Bi-Polar, then ADs without a mood stabilizer already in your system (I've been on Depakote now for 3 weeks)is just not advised.Anyways, when you first start on Effexor, expect to feel horrible for maybe the first 2 weeks. No energy, sleeping too much, not interested a whole lot in food, sweating profusely, very vivid dreams, etc. That's all normal for about the first 2-4 weeks. I noticed a huge improvement in the side effects around day 15.
From what I was told, the differences between Effexor and Effexor XR is that Effexor XR releases itself more slowly into your system and doesn't upset your stomach as much. It also has a longer half-life.
Out of all the SSRIs I've tried (Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor) Effexor was probably the most stabilizing out of them all. The only real problem I've found with this medication was the horrible first two weeks on it and that it's VERY hard to come off of.
poster:Mr Cushing
thread:129029
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129060.html