![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JBreda on November 14, 2003, at 18:56:33
Hi, I'm 17 and my doctor just started me on Effexor XR for depression. He started me off on the 75mg pills once a day but on my first day I vomited multiple times, had an emotional breakdown, experienced extreme dizziness, extreme confusion, anxiety and a few other minor side effects. That kind of sucked because I experienced just about every side effect in my first day. I called the doctor and he told me to stop taking them for 3 days and then to take half a pill per day. So now for the past week I have been taking a half a pill a day and I'm still feeling alot of the side effects like nausea, the occasional dizzy spell, grogginess, inability to sleep, dry mouth. Another thing that I've noticed these pills do to me is they make me feel stoned. I must admit, I have used marijuana, and I believe that is a big reason why I got so depressed in the first place. I'm through with that now so it is ok. I was just wondering if everyone that takes these pills notices this weird feeling? These pills are soooo weird, some days I just stare off into blank space and think about stuff for hours totally unaware of whats happening around me. Other days I'm really happy talking to everyone having a nice time. It is like a roller coaster. I'm not sure whether or not I like it. I was just wondering how long this roller coaster lasts and I'm a little scared of when I stop taking these pills now. I've been reading some other people's threads and it looks like pretty bad withdrawls. Knowing my luck with side effects I will probably experience all of the withdrawal symptoms. Oh well.. thats 6 months away, I don't have to worry about that yet. Anyways... these pills kind of let my mind wander alot so I'm not sure how all this has turned out. Another thing is I noticed on the label these pills aren't for people under 18 and I'm 17 so do you think that has to do with me feeling pretty much all the side effects? Anyways... I really should stop here. Bye.
Posted by sarita0001 on November 14, 2003, at 21:09:14
In reply to New effexor user, posted by JBreda on November 14, 2003, at 18:56:33
Hi,
Welcome to the forum. You sound like me when I was 17- that is when I started on Lithium. I'd like to offer you advice if you don't mind- I guess because I can remember feeling like you did then. It is really helpful if you can talk to someone about the side effects and the feelings you have about the medication. Do you go to counseling or anything? That is helpful- it is hard but it helps. You can always just try the medication for a few months and see if it helps you- people often suggest medication is helpful with therapy. Do you have any friends or family to talk to about this? This is helpful too- it can take a couple tries and sometimes it is hard for people to understand, but you'll be able to find one or a few people you can confide in.
Generally, if the side effects get annoying and interfere with daily life, the doctor usually changes it. You have a good point about your age and the effects the meds are having- your body is changing a lot right now. An important thing to ask yourself is if you really need the medication-17 was a tough age for me, it could be there are a lot of things going on. Anyways, if you have any questions just address them to me.Sara
Posted by Bananafish on November 15, 2003, at 15:33:54
In reply to New effexor user, posted by JBreda on November 14, 2003, at 18:56:33
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. Effexor is not one of my favorite drugs, I must admit. I don't take it anymore, but it used to make me feel wired and it made me sweat so much that I had to change my shirt 3 times a day. I think your doc started you on too large a dose. I started taking 1/2 tablet (37.5mg) each day, then went to 1/2 tablet twice a day after 2 days. Also, Effexor SR is a slow-release formula, and it minimizes side effects because you are not hit with the entire dose all at once. If you don't adjust to it in a couple days, i would ask the doc if you can try something else.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.