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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by redcat on January 26, 2002, at 10:02:51
Took ONE 37.5 mg of Effexor XR yesterday and I feel terrible. HELP...Am I having normal side effects or am I just sick as a dog. My head is pounding, I am jittery, got no sleep, agitated, sad, stomach hurts..etc. AND i only took 1 pill....
I was given Effexor for a migraine/balance/vertigo disorder with associated anxiety. I feel terrible after one dose, no sleep and it sure adds to my brain fog, dizziness and feeling bad...Should I be patient and let the side effects subside....I hate feeling terrible and I know side effects take a while to calm down...but I feel terrible....HELP HELP
Redcat
Posted by Lorraine on January 26, 2002, at 11:23:40
In reply to First day on Effexor.....HELP..HELP, posted by redcat on January 26, 2002, at 10:02:51
Talk with you doctor. My experience on Effexor was that it significantly made things worse for about 3 weeks then made things great. I was on it for 3 years. You can get rebound headaches from it. Also ask you pdoc for a benzo to tide you over the initial rough patch. YMMV
Lorraine
Took ONE 37.5 mg of Effexor XR yesterday and I feel terrible. HELP...Am I having normal side effects or am I just sick as a dog. My head is pounding, I am jittery, got no sleep, agitated, sad, stomach hurts..etc. AND i only took 1 pill....
>
> I was given Effexor for a migraine/balance/vertigo disorder with associated anxiety. I feel terrible after one dose, no sleep and it sure adds to my brain fog, dizziness and feeling bad...Should I be patient and let the side effects subside....I hate feeling terrible and I know side effects take a while to calm down...but I feel terrible....HELP HELP
>
> Redcat
Posted by MaKi on January 26, 2002, at 17:53:21
In reply to First day on Effexor.....HELP..HELP, posted by redcat on January 26, 2002, at 10:02:51
I think you should hang in there and continue with
the Effexor XR for at least another few weeks. When
I first started taking it, I had no side effects and
I was never tired but as soon as I increased to 75mg,
I had headaches for about one week and then they
disappeared. Now I'm still taking 75mg per day and I'm
feeling more tired than ever. I was told that it will
get better.Hang in there, I think it's still too early to predict
what effect it's going to have on you.Good Luck,
MaKi
Posted by sid on January 27, 2002, at 19:33:48
In reply to First Day On Effexor (Redcat), posted by MaKi on January 26, 2002, at 17:53:21
Hey Maki,
glad to hear from you. I was away for about a week and read the posts much less during this time.I am doing very well these days. Doing more exercise than I have in a long time, and feeling upbeat. I don't know how high I'll be going in the dosage of Effexor XR. I'm only at 75mg and I rarely have signs of depression at this point. I feel down from time to time, which I think is normal. Overall, I'm quite glad.
I started yoga a few weeks ago too. I love it! It helps a lot with the anxiety. I want to include it in a daily routine forever.
Well, I hope you get an energy kick soon... Take care.
- Sid
Posted by MaKi on January 28, 2002, at 7:58:00
In reply to Re: First Day On Effexor » MaKi, posted by sid on January 27, 2002, at 19:33:48
Hi Sid, glad to hear things are going well for you.
I'm still taking 75mg per day and the doctor said I
should stay at that and not increase. It's been working
good so far. Same as you, I still have some bad days
but most of them are usually good. I started Yoga classes
last week and I love it as well. I was so relaxed when I
got home, I wish I would have started them a long time ago.
My second class is on Tuesday night, I can't wait. I've also
been taking vitamins every day to help boost my energy and I
think it's helping a little. Over the weekend I got out a few
times and got some fresh air, that helped as well. Being
crooped up in the house isn't going to make me better that's
for sure.Anyways, keep up the good work and keep me posted! Take care!
Joanne (MaKi)
Posted by sid on January 28, 2002, at 10:46:41
In reply to Re: First Day On Effexor (Sid), posted by MaKi on January 28, 2002, at 7:58:00
That's so odd! You're starting yoga too! A friend of mine who lives abroad started at the same time as me and we just realized it yesterday. I love it. The breathing exercises, the postures and the meditation.
I'm playing badminton once a week with some friends and I will start swimming a couple of times a week this week. I'm finding out that being physically active helps me a lot at this point, and I feel like doing it too, unlike before when the mere thought of it made me want to crawl back into bed.
I don't know how long I'll be at 75mg, I'll see my doc next week. I'd be fine staying at 75mg a day because I feel fine. A couple of weeks ago I asked, on this web site, what "feeling good" was like. I must say that I'm as good as I've been since I was 13 years old, so if I stayed like this I'd be OK. But perhaps there is even more benefits to be gained from a higher dosage. I can't imagine what it would be like, but we'll talk it over, my doc and I.
Keep up the good work!
- Sid
Posted by MaKi on January 28, 2002, at 11:28:26
In reply to Effexor and yoga... » MaKi, posted by sid on January 28, 2002, at 10:46:41
Hi again Sid,
It's good that you're being more active, you're right, doing
more with yourself helps, it's alot better than sitting around
doing nothing. Ever since I've increased to 75mg, I've been
so tired, I can hardly keep my eyes open during the afternoon.
Like I said, I've been taking vitamins as well and it seems to
help a little but about an hour after I take my meds, that's when
I really notice the tiredness. Was it like that for you at all?
I'm trying to keep busy and active but it's sometimes hard when
you feel so drained. Any suggestions?MaKi
Posted by sid on January 28, 2002, at 12:48:12
In reply to Re: Effexor and Yoga (Sid), posted by MaKi on January 28, 2002, at 11:28:26
Hi Maki,
I was extremely sleepy during the day the first 2 weeks at 37.5mg. So much so that my doc suggested I take the med at noon so I could get some work done in the morning at least. After about a month I went back to taking it in the morning.
Also, since starting to take Effexor, I started drinking caffeinated coffee again, which I had stopped during my major depression on the advice of my acupuncturist. I now take one strong coffee in the morning with breakfast (and Effexor), and I take another one around 10 or 11AM if I am sleepy. Now I get sleepy around 3 or 4, but it only lasts about 15 mins and then I'm fine. At night I have trouble sleeping though - I often don't fall asleep before 2AM.
One suggestion: yoga/meditation. I am asking an individual consultation to my yoga teacher to find a routine that will help me fall asleep faster in the evening and wake up with lots of energy in the morning. I will likely do a routine in the evening and another one when I get up, including yoga movements, deep breathing and meditation. She said it can be done and geared towards achieving these very specific goals. I prefer self-discipline (and beneficial exercise!) to taking more meds, especially since meds for sleep are often addictive. I'll let you know how it goes... although it could take a while since she is teaching full time and does not have many spots for individual consultations.
So right now, at 75mg a day of Effexor XR, I am not very tired, but my sleep pattern is problematic still, as it was on 37.5mg, although at the beginning it was much worse than now.
- Sid
Posted by ST on January 29, 2002, at 1:50:59
In reply to First day on Effexor.....HELP..HELP, posted by redcat on January 26, 2002, at 10:02:51
Hi-
I've been on Effexor for a little over a month now and I had horrible beginning side effects. Look through some of the old posts here - they will be very helpful. I had the headaches and nausea and stomach aches. I couldn't sleep at night. Taking the herb Valerian Root did wonders, though. I slept like a baby with no spaciness the next day... I'm now up to 225 mg and pretty much have no more side effects. I have been very tired lately and I don't know whether it's the Effexor. Hang in there.
Sarah
> Took ONE 37.5 mg of Effexor XR yesterday and I feel terrible. HELP...Am I having normal side effects or am I just sick as a dog. My head is pounding, I am jittery, got no sleep, agitated, sad, stomach hurts..etc. AND i only took 1 pill....
>
> I was given Effexor for a migraine/balance/vertigo disorder with associated anxiety. I feel terrible after one dose, no sleep and it sure adds to my brain fog, dizziness and feeling bad...Should I be patient and let the side effects subside....I hate feeling terrible and I know side effects take a while to calm down...but I feel terrible....HELP HELP
>
> Redcat
Posted by sid on January 29, 2002, at 11:01:18
In reply to Re: First day on Effexor.....HELP..HELP, posted by ST on January 29, 2002, at 1:50:59
Well,
I am doing weel mood-wise, but my sleep pattern is still messed up. It improved and then worsened again. I apparently can't take valerian because it interacts with Effexor (more info to come on that in a few days), so I don't know what to do for now.I will get a yoga routine to help me sleep at night in 2 weeks, but what do I do in the meantime? I find myself listening to music or reading until 2 or 3AM and then at 8AM I'm supposed to be at the office, working. And I have a lot of work these days! I came back home at 11PM last night, so tired I thought I'd fall asleep quickly, but no... turn on one side, turn on the other... until 3AM. Mint tea doesn't do a thing. And other, more potent herbal teas and natural products, my doc doesn't want me to take with the Effexor.
I've been on 75mg a day for almost 3 weeks now, you'd think it would have settled. Anyway, if anyone has ideas, please let me know... I'm also seeing my doc next week, so I'll mention all this, but in the meantime, I am groggy in the morning, not having slept enough. Then I feel great later during the day, i.e., not depressed or anxious as I have for so long, but I don't think I can go on much longer with the sleep problems.
Posted by IsoM on January 29, 2002, at 13:42:56
In reply to Effexor XR and sleep (no sleep rather), posted by sid on January 29, 2002, at 11:01:18
Sid, many people will use Gravol (travel sickness tabs) to help them sleep occasionally. When I bought mine at our pharmacy, the assistant told me that more people buy it for that reason than to settle a queasy stomach.
It takes about 45 min - 1 hr to kick in (normal) & then you'll start feeling drowsy & fall asleep easy - drifting off. Effects generally last only 4-6 hours so you wake up undrugged feeling.
Again, people's metabolism varies so much. This may not help you but it's worth a try. It's cheap (you can buy a small blister pac containing maybe a dozen of them), seems to have no interactions with other meds (I've checked in my thick CPS text) & completely reviersible effects. I've heard of one person who paradoxically couldn't sleep the whole night, so suggest you try it on a weekend instead to test it out.
Posted by sid on January 29, 2002, at 14:14:18
In reply to Effexor XR, sleep and possible help » sid, posted by IsoM on January 29, 2002, at 13:42:56
Posted by petters on January 30, 2002, at 1:18:50
In reply to Effexor XR and sleep (no sleep rather), posted by sid on January 29, 2002, at 11:01:18
> Well,
> I am doing weel mood-wise, but my sleep pattern is still messed up. It improved and then worsened again. I apparently can't take valerian because it interacts with Effexor (more info to come on that in a few days), so I don't know what to do for now.
>
> I will get a yoga routine to help me sleep at night in 2 weeks, but what do I do in the meantime? I find myself listening to music or reading until 2 or 3AM and then at 8AM I'm supposed to be at the office, working. And I have a lot of work these days! I came back home at 11PM last night, so tired I thought I'd fall asleep quickly, but no... turn on one side, turn on the other... until 3AM. Mint tea doesn't do a thing. And other, more potent herbal teas and natural products, my doc doesn't want me to take with the Effexor.
>
> I've been on 75mg a day for almost 3 weeks now, you'd think it would have settled. Anyway, if anyone has ideas, please let me know... I'm also seeing my doc next week, so I'll mention all this, but in the meantime, I am groggy in the morning, not having slept enough. Then I feel great later during the day, i.e., not depressed or anxious as I have for so long, but I don't think I can go on much longer with the sleep problems.
Hi...What you can do is to add Remeron 15-30 mg or Serzone at night. This will impove you sleep.
Best Wishes...//Petters
Posted by sid on January 30, 2002, at 8:30:53
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and sleep (no sleep rather), posted by petters on January 30, 2002, at 1:18:50
Posted by m43 on February 26, 2002, at 7:55:56
In reply to First day on Effexor.....HELP..HELP, posted by redcat on January 26, 2002, at 10:02:51
> Took ONE 37.5 mg of Effexor XR yesterday and I feel terrible. HELP...Am I having normal side effects or am I just sick as a dog. My head is pounding, I am jittery, got no sleep, agitated, sad, stomach hurts..etc. AND i only took 1 pill....
>
> I was given Effexor for a migraine/balance/vertigo disorder with associated anxiety. I feel terrible after one dose, no sleep and it sure adds to my brain fog, dizziness and feeling bad...Should I be patient and let the side effects subside....I hate feeling terrible and I know side effects take a while to calm down...but I feel terrible....HELP HELP
>
> RedcatStop taking it. I was on it for 3 weeks and stopped it, since it wasn't helping. I had problems with my vision, tired all the time, dizziness. Did some research on the web. This drug has a number of problems, including severe withdrawal symptoms. I am not sure that the benefits outweigh the possible long term side effects. The doctors are way to eager to hand you a sample pack and tell you to take it. Mine did not warn me about any of the potential side effects. I am very suspicious of this drug.
Posted by Kai on February 26, 2002, at 22:02:21
In reply to Re: First day on Effexor.....HELP..HELP, posted by m43 on February 26, 2002, at 7:55:56
Effexor has helped me tremendously. I take 225mg at around 7:00am ( I work at 5:30am).I drink a large cup of coffee when I get to work. By 10:30 I am yawning and tired until about 1:00 in the afternoon. I just keep drinking a lot of water. I fall asleep at around 9:00 and will wake up at 12:00 and around 3:00. I get up at 4:30.
I have noticed an improvement in my sleeping. I used to be much more tired. I have been taking effexor since August. I have been at 225 since November. When I get very stressed (which I try to avoid) I get a very bad headache. I then get really afraid that I will get depressed again. I guess that I will always be afraid of that. For me the minimal side effects are a million times better then being depressed and not able to function.
This is the end of the thread.
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