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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AnneL on March 16, 2002, at 22:32:45
I am somewhat taken aback that a dose increase of 37.5 mg. of Effexor for a total of 262.5 mg. daily is giving me a lot of side effects. I have been on Effexor for one year and on 225 mg. since last July. No side effects to speak of except some fatigue. Had some breakthrough depression about 2 weeks ago and my pdoc had me increase my dose as a temporary measure until I see a psychopharmacologist on Tuesday. I have been on 262.5 mg. for 3 days and feel spaced-out, like I am on drugs (ha-ha), and at approximately 4 to 5 PM I start to get a little agitated, almost start to get anxious, but it dosen't develop into any anxiety attacks. It feels like I almost will go into an attack, but I don't. Feel like I am "far away" and feel so body-fatigued, but cannot close my eyes. Could it be that the 1 mg. of Klonopin that I take at bedtime wears off by 4 or 5 pm and that is why I start to feel restless on this increased dose? I feel scared of: Seratonin Syndrome, having a Panic attack, of developing some wierd neuro thing like TD or EPS. Does it mean that if I am feeling an "inner restlessness" that I should cut down my dose again? I am so sorry for all the questions, I just feel so darn
wierd on this higher dose. Any suggestions that you might have would be very much appreciated.
Thanks, Anne
Posted by AnneL on March 16, 2002, at 22:39:28
In reply to Scared on higher dose Effexor, is this dangerous?, posted by AnneL on March 16, 2002, at 22:32:45
I feel like such a 'fraidy cat and downright silly and child-like with all these fears (and I know I read too much and am slightly hypochondriacal)but I also feel some tension in my
jaw, not quite bruxism or grinding my teeth, and also some irritability and find myself being very withdrawn and quiet. Like I am living inside my head. I don't like this feeling at all, but I can't decide what is worse, crying and obsessing about suicide (won't do it, no intention) or feeling like a zombie and obsessing about what
potentially "lethal" or "dangerous" side effect I have. I know, I'am getting a little hysterical, but I just feel scared. Thanks again, Anne
Posted by Cressida on March 16, 2002, at 23:03:45
In reply to P.S. - One other thing I am concerned about. . ., posted by AnneL on March 16, 2002, at 22:39:28
You have every right to be scared. Just know that you're not alone. You're most likely right on target with the notion that you're over-analyzing yourself and mental status. If you think you're on too much Effexor, reduce the dosage as soon as you get in touch with your doctor. Other than telling you to force yourself to stay calm and collected, I hope you find a resolution soon. Your experience reminds me of the time I tried Wellbutrin, during which I freaked out and relapsed into my OCD problem just days after the first dose. I was scared too, but it passed, as all things eventually do with time. <8-]
~John (a.k.a. Cressida / Sweenz)
Posted by Janelle on March 16, 2002, at 23:16:16
In reply to Scared on higher dose Effexor, is this dangerous?, posted by AnneL on March 16, 2002, at 22:32:45
Anne,
I am also on Effexor and have had *problems* with dosing. When I first started it and titrated up I was boucing off the walls at a *mere* 150 mg! My pdoc had me cut it in half and I was fine on 75 mg. I won't bore you with the details but I'm now back at 150 mg (the first time I freaked out and didn't give it enough time for the side effects to subside). I'm doing pretty well at 150. I even went up to 225 mg but could not tolerate it.
The side effects I've had with too high a dose of Effexor have been similar to yours. There were times when I felt agitated, jittery like I'd drank like 10 cups of coffee - very caffeinated. I also felt spaced-out and more anxious than I already am (anxiety is part of my problems).
I am also on Klonopin 1mg and I would say that yes, it is possible that the 1 mg. of Klonopin that you take at bedtime wears off by 4 or 5 pm and that is why you start to feel restless on the increased dose of Effexor.
Since I have also felt that "inner restlessness" (good phrase by the way!) I would think (this is only my opinion!) that you should cut down your dose of Effexor again. Give it a few days and see how you feel on the lower dose Then increase it again. If those side effects return you will know for sure that it IS the higher dose of Effexor that's causing you problems.
A pdoc once told me that one way to determine the proper dose of a med for an individual is to titrate up until you get side effects that don't go away, then go down to the next lowest dose and that's the appropriate one.
I hope this is of some help. Let us know what you decide and how you feel.
-Janelle
Posted by Janelle on March 16, 2002, at 23:24:01
In reply to P.S. - One other thing I am concerned about. . ., posted by AnneL on March 16, 2002, at 22:39:28
Pleae don't feel like a 'fraidy cat and downright silly and child-like with all these fears; you are *right* to be concerned. Heck, I bet quite a few folks here (myself included!) get worried and upset about things just like you are.
What you are reporting about feeling some tension in your jaw I've heard of before - in fact, some people do grind their teeth as a med side effect.
I know JUST WHAT YOU MEAN by feeling like you are living inside your head and it is a very UNcomfortable, disconcerting feeling. I find myself in similar situations as you - crying and obsessing about suicide (won't do it either, no intention) or feeling like a zombie and obsessing about what potentially "lethal" or "dangerous" or permanent side effect(s) I have.
I worry a lot about what the meds are doing to my brain, are they causing permanent changes and harm ... I'm especially concerned because my memory seems shot, I'm more absent minded, I can't concentrate or read much and this is coming from someone who was an over-achiever and VERY organized. However, I seem to be a cycler (BiPolarII) and when I'm feeling good all these symptoms go away and I can think and function just fine. So I guess the meds are doing more good than harm in the long run.
You are NOT alone in what you're going through. Hang in there.
-Janelle
Posted by AnneL on March 17, 2002, at 10:48:03
In reply to Re: P.S. - One other thing I am concerned about. . . » AnneL, posted by Janelle on March 16, 2002, at 23:24:01
I want to thank and give big hugs to Cressida and Jannelle for really helping me out. I feel more confident in my ability to choose what may be better for me at this point in time. I have decided to reduce my dose of Effexor to 225 mg. which I am able to tolerate without *any* side effects. I can say this because now I really know what side effects feel like and how they can really limit my ability to function and to feel connected to my loved ones. I have also made a decision that I cannot deal with whatever *ails* me on medications alone. I need to find alternative coping strategies instead of *reacting* to feelings of loss and sadness by becoming engulfed in them. I have put off finding a good therapist for a long time. I was enjoying 1 whole month (imagine that 1 entire month) of feeling ultra-spectacular and thought I was at long-last *cured* and even began a tapering off process that lasted 3 entire days before I crashed and burned. So in summary, in addition to a competent pdoc (hopefully I shall find one), I need to learn how to build trust with a therapist to learn how to un-do some built-in responses and learn new behaviors that will aid me in self-destructive thought patterns that have become rather automatic whenever that particular *button* gets pushed by others or I decide to push it myself. Thank you again, Cressida and Janelle and to all fellow PB'ers.
Anne:)
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