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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Moridin on January 24, 2004, at 0:25:28
Hello and thank you for reading my post.
For one reason or another my Doc decided i was depressed and said i should try some medication. My Doc's always been good with me so i agreed.
I am on a 75 dose daily. I have been on Efexor now for about a week. I have never had any other anti-depressants before.
I can tell they are working.. but i am having some very weird side effects.
Last night i had a terribel panic attack... for some reason i started feeling really nervous .. and it became extreme. No reason at all for this to come on. I managed to calm myself down after a while and later was told (in an on line chat) that this can happen if the dosage is too high ? can some one advise ?
Also - my mind has be racing - think about a lot of "what ifs" Ie .. What if i buy a coke no a pepsi - no a coke ect. Just really strange stuff.,
Also my pupils are dilated and i look like am trippin on speed.
Every few hours i feel like i am about to throw up .. but i never do - i was told to expect this though so i am not too concerned, just hopeing it will pass.
I am having a lot of trouble sleeping, is this common ?
I am not dreaming at all.
- I think the efexor is good though - i have a lot more energy and can keep myself in control without flipping out - i just do not want to have to start taken another med in conjuction with Efexor to level out its side effects
Posted by skitzo on January 24, 2004, at 6:47:33
In reply to Efexor -xr - should i be feeling this way ?, posted by Moridin on January 24, 2004, at 0:25:28
Ihave suffered from depression for about 4 years ,i have been on a few different medications but have settled on efexor-xr 150mg
.i really felt horrible for about 2 1/2 weeks ,including nervousness ,nausia, dizziness as well as a number of other things, wich included really weird thought patterns , anxiety was the worst thing for me, i have been on efexor now for about 9 months and i am happy with the way they are working for me.the only downfall for me is i get nightsweats and have not had a single dream that i can remember since i started on them(wich may be a good thing for some)
i started to feel like a normal person about 1 1/2 weeks after starting them.the best thing is i can think rationally again( or am i,i think heheh )and i finally have some controll over my emotions . but dont foget that is how they worked for me , everyone is different and may require different approaches and medication.Always consult your doctor with these things and try not to miss taking them every day because it can have some yucky side effects till you get the levels back to normal.
Hope this helps you :)
Posted by Cyrus on January 24, 2004, at 11:49:32
In reply to Efexor -xr - should i be feeling this way ?, posted by Moridin on January 24, 2004, at 0:25:28
Hi Moridin. I am taking 75 mg. Effexor with very good results.
But I had to work up to it slowly from a starting dose of 37.5. Dropping back to 37.5 might help you get used to it. I was never as uncomfortable as you describe. I take a benzo or suffer from insomnia and some panic. Did your PDoc start you at 75? Just asking as the starter kit goes 37.5 for a week before bumping up.
Posted by Moridin on January 24, 2004, at 19:41:51
In reply to Re: Efexor -xr - should i be feeling this way ?, posted by Cyrus on January 24, 2004, at 11:49:32
Thanks guys I apreciate your input.
I have only been on it for a little bit now a week or so.
I was not given an evaluation, my Dr just said .."hey .. you sound depressed have these" (and handed me 75mg pack) - I am starting to think i should have been put on 35 MG tabs
Posted by PoohBear on January 24, 2004, at 23:53:05
In reply to Efexor -xr - should i be feeling this way ?, posted by Moridin on January 24, 2004, at 0:25:28
I started on Effexor because I'd tried everything else to no effect before. But, we started slow, with the 37.5mg XR capsules for a week and then 75mg for two weeks, 150mg for two weeks and 225mg for three weeks before wee decided that 225 was too much and then had to gradually come back down.
I had very vivid, violent dreams to start, Tecnicolor, but they have moderated with time. My sleep has been disturbed so we've also been searching for the right sleep med.
I didn't have nausea, but I did have "brain shivers" on the higher doses and dizziness, trouble urinating, frequent urination. All of these moderated or went away with reduced doseage or time.
I did have a problem with racing thoughts/uncontrolable thoughts (I have ADHD as well as depression), but the Effexor has been a huge help in that regard. No more rcing thoughts and I can control my thoughts as I have not been able to in the past.
I have also had some increased ear ringing, but this too is somewhat better the last moth or so. I'm nearly 47, so it's to be expected that I would have at least a little ear ringing.
Do NOT take Effexor at night, it will only make sleep worse. I'm currently on Topomax at night for sleep, though others use Ativan (short term only), Remeron (caused me to gain weight), Seroquel, Trazadone and others. Don't be afraid to tell you doc about your sleep. You'll feel a lot better if you get adequate rest.
Best Wishes!
Tony
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