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Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?

Posted by Salty_Dog on January 13, 2004, at 2:29:55

In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by biogurl on January 11, 2004, at 22:48:06

> > These symptoms are pretty normal and lasted a week or two for me. I would try and stick to it, I have been on Effexor XR 75mg a day for 3 months and truely feel I am starting to get better, I was having very bad panic attacks and had become extremely withdrawn. My panic attacks went away almost instantly and am now starting to put my life back together, though am still a high degree of procrastination and a lack of drive, can anyone help me out on that one.
>
> I've had very similar effects with effexor that you have had. I've been on 75 mg since mid November and think I'm ready for an increase. I start back to school tomorrow and it's my last semester before I graduate and I'm scared because I can't help my own procrastination and lack of drive and I only have 6 credit hours. I want to run away and skip out on school this semester. Who cares about graduation anyways? Oh yeah, my parents do!
> So... I am also looking for any advice on lack of drive and procrastination problems. Thanks
>


Most SSRI's fog or make the patient feel unable to think on all 8 cylinders (8 out of 8). I was facing multiple technical interviews/tests in hopes of obtaining a job when I first started on Effexor XR, so, my Dr. gave me samples of Provigil (Modafinil) which I am happy to report, saved the day. Provigil is a class 4 prescription used primarily for exessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy and other uses as determinied by your Dr.

Provigil does not seem to be addictive or need increasing as other stimulates do. Once you and your Dr. have established the dosage (My dosage is 600 mg per day in two dosings) then you need to maintain vigilance and care as not to go over the prescribed dosage. This will better ensure a lack of "addiction" and less re-bound latter when 'finals' are over and a rest is warranted. This is a far better alternitive than crawling under a rock. This drug is one of those 'mind drugs' discussed on 60 minutes some time back. Provigil will not interfere with normal sleep patterns provided it is taken early in the day (Before noon if you are on a daytime schedule). If you take it too late in your day it will still allow sleep (After the first 2 or 3 days) but I find it is not as satisfying as it would have been otherwise.

I take 600 mg of Effexor XR daily and I can tell you that sleeping for 2-4 days at a shot is what my body would like to do. During my sleep, I am allowed to dream as though I was watching a 'good movie' packed with freinds, family, action and surpizes. So, I think you can see what I would do left to my own devices (Total Reality Avoidance)
Recently I asked my Dr. to add Mirtazapine (Remeron) to my now short list of medications. I am happy to report it is begining to clear the really 'bummer' depression I have lived with for about 3 years now. The Effexor XR kept me from suicide but was not going far enough toward a normal life again and I was already on a very high dosage. With some luck I will taper down the Effexor XR to a more normal dosage (~300 mg) and then possibly taper off completely.

I am a Bi-Polar (Rapid cycling) to the extreme which has cost me practicly everything on more than one occasion. I can't believe it took so long for someone to spot what I was going through. I used to treat my Bi-Polar with Alcohol and "Street" drugs to the extreme. I was 14 years clean and sober before reaching this diagnosis. By no means does this mean I have solved my addiction (drugs/alcohol) problems but it will help ensure I won't return to that Hell again if I continue my treatment (Which includes A.A.)


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poster:Salty_Dog thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040109/msgs/300070.html