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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 KimberlyDi on August 26, 2003, at 15:19:04
Hello there,
I've been on Effexor, 300mg daily, non-XR version, for several months now. The side effects (SE's) I experienced at first have subsided, but now I'm experiencing some new ones.My son has ADHD and I've always wondered if I had a *touch* of it also. Now, it's driving me to distraction. In my house, I can't walk into a room w/o getting distracted from my original intent to fix something else only to be distracted by yet another thing. Happening OVER and OVER. It's driving me nuts. And at work, OMIGOSH, I can't start any single project and finish it. I have 10 things going at once. I can't friggin focus!! Has anyone else experienced this on Effexor? Did anyone ever take Effexor unsuccessfully before being diagnosed as an ADHD?
The other one is my violent dreams. I am running from something in my dreams and I wake myself or my husband up with my scurrying feet under the covers. Or, it gets worse, when I fighting for my life in my nightmares and I wake myself up karate-like kicking and punching. Luckily I had my back to poor dear unsuspecting hubby.
I don't want to stop Effexor because it's helped me so much. I'm afraid to stop it. But I don't know if I can continue like this either...
Any recommendations?I see my pdoc next September 4th.
KDi in Texas
Posted by DissTired on August 27, 2003, at 0:05:55
In reply to Effexor SE's?, ADHD symptoms and sleep-fighting, posted by KimberlyDi on August 26, 2003, at 15:19:04
Hi,
I wish I had some advice, but I can only tell you that I've had the same problems, though to a lesser degree. The ONLY reason mine are to a lesser degree, however, is that I can only tolerate a small dose before I need to sleep 10-12 hours a day. I had violent dreams on higher doses too, a common side effect I think.
I am actiually scheduled to see my pdoc next week to discuss this very thing, plus I lack motivation and my cognitive ability seems to decline when on effexor. This is bad since I am supposed to be writing a dissertation (hence the name DissTired) but can't seem to get around to it bc of my motivation problems and sleepiness.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
> Hello there,
> I've been on Effexor, 300mg daily, non-XR version, for several months now. The side effects (SE's) I experienced at first have subsided, but now I'm experiencing some new ones.
>
> My son has ADHD and I've always wondered if I had a *touch* of it also. Now, it's driving me to distraction. In my house, I can't walk into a room w/o getting distracted from my original intent to fix something else only to be distracted by yet another thing. Happening OVER and OVER. It's driving me nuts. And at work, OMIGOSH, I can't start any single project and finish it. I have 10 things going at once. I can't friggin focus!! Has anyone else experienced this on Effexor? Did anyone ever take Effexor unsuccessfully before being diagnosed as an ADHD?
>
> The other one is my violent dreams. I am running from something in my dreams and I wake myself or my husband up with my scurrying feet under the covers. Or, it gets worse, when I fighting for my life in my nightmares and I wake myself up karate-like kicking and punching. Luckily I had my back to poor dear unsuspecting hubby.
>
> I don't want to stop Effexor because it's helped me so much. I'm afraid to stop it. But I don't know if I can continue like this either...
> Any recommendations?
>
> I see my pdoc next September 4th.
>
> KDi in Texas
Posted by Quixote on August 27, 2003, at 5:34:26
In reply to Effexor SE's?, ADHD symptoms and sleep-fighting, posted by DissTired on August 27, 2003, at 0:05:55
>Yes! i have had both of your experiences....
i hated effexor, and my MHNP kept insisting that i continue and increase dosage until i finally just QUIT and refused to take it again. She was not pleased but went to zoloft, then lexapro... i am presently on Adderall for ADD (for the first time in my life), but then, _perhaps_ i have always been this way a *touch*. At 48 yrs old, it seems odd to me, too, that i am so scrambled now, and it has never been suggested before.Hope this helps,
Quixote
Hi,
>
> I wish I had some advice, but I can only tell you that I've had the same problems, though to a lesser degree. The ONLY reason mine are to a lesser degree, however, is that I can only tolerate a small dose before I need to sleep 10-12 hours a day. I had violent dreams on higher doses too, a common side effect I think.
>
> I am actiually scheduled to see my pdoc next week to discuss this very thing, plus I lack motivation and my cognitive ability seems to decline when on effexor. This is bad since I am supposed to be writing a dissertation (hence the name DissTired) but can't seem to get around to it bc of my motivation problems and sleepiness.
>
> Sorry I could not be of more help.
>
>
> > Hello there,
> > I've been on Effexor, 300mg daily, non-XR version, for several months now. The side effects (SE's) I experienced at first have subsided, but now I'm experiencing some new ones.
> >
> > My son has ADHD and I've always wondered if I had a *touch* of it also. Now, it's driving me to distraction. In my house, I can't walk into a room w/o getting distracted from my original intent to fix something else only to be distracted by yet another thing. Happening OVER and OVER. It's driving me nuts. And at work, OMIGOSH, I can't start any single project and finish it. I have 10 things going at once. I can't friggin focus!! Has anyone else experienced this on Effexor? Did anyone ever take Effexor unsuccessfully before being diagnosed as an ADHD?
> >
> > The other one is my violent dreams. I am running from something in my dreams and I wake myself or my husband up with my scurrying feet under the covers. Or, it gets worse, when I fighting for my life in my nightmares and I wake myself up karate-like kicking and punching. Luckily I had my back to poor dear unsuspecting hubby.
> >
> > I don't want to stop Effexor because it's helped me so much. I'm afraid to stop it. But I don't know if I can continue like this either...
> > Any recommendations?
> >
> > I see my pdoc next September 4th.
> >
> > KDi in Texas
>
>
Posted by KimberlyDi on August 27, 2003, at 12:13:30
In reply to Re: Effexor SE's?, ADHD symptoms and sleep-fighting, posted by Quixote on August 27, 2003, at 5:34:26
Thank you for your posts. Though there's no new answers, it helps, as always, to know that other folks are experiencing the same odd Side Effects.
I'll post what my pdoc says and hope y'all will do the same.
KDi in Texas
Posted by Kacy on August 28, 2003, at 9:20:09
In reply to Effexor SE's?, ADHD symptoms and sleep-fighting, posted by KimberlyDi on August 26, 2003, at 15:19:04
Kimberly: I use Effexor. It's what my Dr. started me on for depression. Later, with an Adhd-inattentive diagnosis (the h meaning hypo- not hyper) I began stimulants (dopamine). My doctor traded those out for Straterra (norepineprine). I really need both of those but he won't give me both. Effexor doesn't help with the Adhd symptoms unless you are getting some of the norepinephrine effect. I went up to 225 and never got that; I just got serotonin.
I know just what you are experiencing. What you described is me, too. As one of thousands examples, I over-watered a hanging plant. The water poured out onto my hardwood floor. I turned immediately to go to the bathroom and get a towel. It was seven steps away and I still had the water pitcher in my hand. By the time I got partway there, I forgot all about it, and I love my floors. This was a more urgent task than just, say…meaning to put in a load of laundry. I noticed it a few hours later when I returned to the room.
I think you should consider trying Wellbutin. I was allergic to it. For one day, three weeks into taking Wellbutrin, I experienced a great affect. That was followed by terrible hives, unfortunately. It's a good drug for Adhd. It gives you norepinephrine and dopamine. It's in a class of it's own. I wish it had a competitor. I've been looking for that effect since. You might try that instead of Effexor or with Effexor. If if were me, I'd try them together since you are used to Effexor and are getting benefit. If not, add stims or Straterra to Effexor. Straterra is helping me with focus as well as anxiety. Effexor helps me with obsessive ruminating and negativity, but not adhd.
Posted by KimberlyDi on August 28, 2003, at 14:13:46
In reply to Re: Effexor SE's?, ADHD symptoms and sleep-fightin » KimberlyDi, posted by Kacy on August 28, 2003, at 9:20:09
Thanks so much for your reply!
> I think you should consider trying Wellbutin. I was allergic to it. <
I took Welbutrin successfully for depression for several years. Then my med needs changed when I was hired for a high-stress job. Welbutrin probably helped with any ADHD symptoms I might have had then. My new pdoc won't prescribe it now after confessing that I am an above normal risk for seizures. I read into the 3 types of ADD/ADHD and I believe I would qualify for inattentive also. Can you write down telephone numbers or take down names easily? I only remember the last few digits and have to ask someone to repeat constantly.
>If not, add stims or Straterra to Effexor. Straterra is helping me with focus as well as anxiety. Effexor helps me with obsessive ruminating and negativity, but not adhd. <
That's great. I'll ask about Straterra when I see my pdoc on the 4th of Sept. Thanks so much for your helpful reply!!!
KDi in Texas
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