Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 79722

Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

New to effexor xp

Posted by Nat A. on September 27, 2001, at 12:09:58

Hi, I am starting effexor xr this morning. It is rather scarey to see how it works or doesn't work for different people. This is the first med that
I have ever tried. I got it from my gp for anxiety
and depression. I just feel so glad that i am not the only one with this.. it seems from what I am reading that it is not the "wonder drug" that I
was hoping for. My gp also gave me some ativan to sleep
at night.. from what I hear about that, it is horrible stuff and to stay away from it. She said to just take it at night durring the first two weeks as
I start on the effexor xr. Anyone with any imput for
me... I would be greatful. This is so scary and new to be taking something although I know I need something. I just want my life back and to
be able to be "normal" in life. I am starting on 37.5 mg for the
first week and then bump up to 75 for week two. Thanks!!

 

Re: New to effexor xp » Nat A.

Posted by jay on September 27, 2001, at 16:33:08

In reply to New to effexor xp, posted by Nat A. on September 27, 2001, at 12:09:58

> Hi, I am starting effexor xr this morning. It is rather scarey to see how it works or doesn't work for different people. This is the first med that
> I have ever tried. I got it from my gp for anxiety
> and depression. I just feel so glad that i am not the only one with this.. it seems from what I am reading that it is not the "wonder drug" that I
> was hoping for. My gp also gave me some ativan to sleep
> at night.. from what I hear about that, it is horrible stuff and to stay away from it. She said to just take it at night durring the first two weeks as
> I start on the effexor xr. Anyone with any imput for
> me... I would be greatful. This is so scary and new to be taking something although I know I need something. I just want my life back and to
> be able to be "normal" in life. I am starting on 37.5 mg for the
> first week and then bump up to 75 for week two. Thanks!!

I have found this is such apowerful med, you need to *really* treat it with respect. So, a couple of points:

1)You may want to stick with the 37.5 mg dose for a few weeks, to *really* let your body get used to it. There are some who even find 75mgs too much, and there isno law saying you *have* to take 75mgs. Gauge your reaction, and go from there.

2)Take the dose at the *exact* same time each day. *Even* if you feel a bit tired by taking it always in the morning, or anxious whenyou take it at bed. IOW's, make sure you stick to the same schedule.

Being such a powerful med, I think it can both either do wonders, and also possibly cause nasty problems if used the wrong way, or at too much of a dose level.

I've used themed over a few years now, and that's my advice. :-)

Jay

 

Re: New to effexor xp

Posted by Janelle on September 27, 2001, at 21:56:47

In reply to Re: New to effexor xp » Nat A., posted by jay on September 27, 2001, at 16:33:08

Based on personal experience, I would *second* (agree with) everything that Jay has mentioned in his response.

EffexorXR proved far more powerful than I ever would have thought. Titrate up on it SLOWLY.

 

Re: New to effexor xp thanks

Posted by Nat A. on September 28, 2001, at 11:47:55

In reply to New to effexor xp, posted by Nat A. on September 27, 2001, at 12:09:58

Hi, I am starting effexor xr this morning. It is rather scarey to see how it works or doesn't work for different people. This is the first med that
> I have ever tried. I got it from my gp for anxiety
> and depression. I just feel so glad that i am not the only one with this.. it seems from what I am reading that it is not the "wonder drug" that I
> was hoping for. My gp also gave me some ativan to sleep
> at night.. from what I hear about that, it is horrible stuff and to stay away from it. She said to just take it at night durring the first two weeks as
> I start on the effexor xr. Anyone with any imput for
> me... I would be greatful. This is so scary and new to be taking something although I know I need something. I just want my life back and to
> be able to be "normal" in life. I am starting on 37.5 mg for the
> first week and then bump up to 75 for week two. Thanks!!
>Thanks, Janelle and Jay, I have been so worried since I am new to all of this and greatful for any help learning more and hearing from people have tried
effexor xr, so far all I have been feeling is as if I have had a pot of coffee and I read to avoid that so I have. I have just been doing decaf. Other than
that just not a good nights sleep last night, I wanted to try it a couple of night without anything to "help" me sleep to see how much it would affect it.
Looks like I might need somthing after all. I woke up about every 45 min. Oh well, what a trade off if this does work! I can handle that. Thanks Again!!

 

Re: New to effexor xp » Nat A.

Posted by kregpark@yahoo.com on September 28, 2001, at 13:19:55

In reply to New to effexor xp, posted by Nat A. on September 27, 2001, at 12:09:58

Hi Nat:

I think that Effexor is being increasingly
recognized as one of best medication for GAD,
with or without depression. For many people
Effexor increases anxiety - but surprising, people
with GAD seem to get the opposite effect, often
gaining substantial relief from anxiety.

If it's too stimulating, SSRI's like Paxil
and Celexa are worth trying.

The MAOI Parnate can be very effective for GAD
(and depression) also. It is a med usually to
try later though. Parnate often makes people
anxious but again ironically for those with GAD
often has the reverse effect. It has the
fortunate benefit (at least in low doses) of often
providing pro-sexual side effects as well!

Good Luck with Effexor. My brother loves it
for GAD (I have Social Anxiety by the way -
in control with treatment)...

kregpark@yahoo.com
http://www.socialfear.com/


> Hi, I am starting effexor xr this morning. It is rather scarey to see how it works or doesn't work for different people. This is the first med that
> I have ever tried. I got it from my gp for anxiety
> and depression. I just feel so glad that i am not the only one with this.. it seems from what I am reading that it is not the "wonder drug" that I
> was hoping for. My gp also gave me some ativan to sleep
> at night.. from what I hear about that, it is horrible stuff and to stay away from it. She said to just take it at night durring the first two weeks as
> I start on the effexor xr. Anyone with any imput for
> me... I would be greatful. This is so scary and new to be taking something although I know I need something. I just want my life back and to
> be able to be "normal" in life. I am starting on 37.5 mg for the
> first week and then bump up to 75 for week two. Thanks!!

 

Re: New to effexor xp

Posted by galtin on September 29, 2001, at 23:20:51

In reply to New to effexor xp, posted by Nat A. on September 27, 2001, at 12:09:58

> Hi, I am starting effexor xr this morning. It is rather scarey to see how it works or doesn't work for different people. This is the first med that
> I have ever tried. I got it from my gp for anxiety
> and depression. I just feel so glad that i am not the only one with this.. it seems from what I am reading that it is not the "wonder drug" that I
> was hoping for. My gp also gave me some ativan to sleep
> at night.. from what I hear about that, it is horrible stuff and to stay away from it. She said to just take it at night durring the first two weeks as
> I start on the effexor xr. Anyone with any imput for
> me... I would be greatful. This is so scary and new to be taking something although I know I need something. I just want my life back and to
> be able to be "normal" in life. I am starting on 37.5 mg for the
> first week and then bump up to 75 for week two. Thanks!!

I have been using Effexor successfully for several years. While it is good to begin with low doses, some people stay at doses too low to attack the depression. In fact, when an insufficiency of norepinefrine is a contributing factor, you may need to get up to at least 150 mgs. Also,a couple of my friends (I know alot of depressed people) paid me no mind and quit after two days of unpleasant side-effects that might well have subsided after seven to ten days.

Last of all, there is the caffeine (especially in coffee) issue. After I began Effexor I needed to trim my "normal" coffee consumption from six or seven cups a day to no more than two. For whatever reason, coffee, especially hot,hot coffee, teams up with the Effexor to produce an unpleasant jittery feeling. At least in this body.

Good luck with it,

galtin


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