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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Stryker88 on September 25, 2004, at 19:58:29
I have been on Effexor Xr 150mg for almost three years and i am beginning to get realy sick of it, i go through extreme foggiheadedness and legarthy on a daily basis, the problem is i dont know if it is just me or the medication. Could someone tell me how their energy felt after quitting effexor and comapare to when they were on? Effexor makes me soooo tired soooo bored, and soooo fogged up that it is effecting my life, I would really like to know if Effexor has this sedative effect and if quitting would give me more energy.
Posted by laurie_lu on September 25, 2004, at 22:30:29
In reply to Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by Stryker88 on September 25, 2004, at 19:58:29
I was up to 150mg myself and then I quit taking it two weeks ago after slow & careful tapering. Right now I'm going through withdrawl symptoms but that is to be expected. But I can tell you what my last 2 months on Effexor were like. I began having night sweats and soaked my bed sheets and T-shirt nightly. I was having very disturbing dreams. My hands and fingers began twitching uncontrollably and tremors were always there. I began feeling more depressed than usual. My vision became very blurry and my head felt 'funny'. I could tell something was definately not right and yes I was feeling more tired and was feeling very forgetfull. I chose to go 'med free' and it is working for me while it may not work for others. Be prepared for a hellish withdrawl though if you decided to stop taking it. Slow tapering is a must.
Posted by karaS on September 26, 2004, at 0:54:15
In reply to Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by Stryker88 on September 25, 2004, at 19:58:29
> I have been on Effexor Xr 150mg for almost three years and i am beginning to get realy sick of it, i go through extreme foggiheadedness and legarthy on a daily basis, the problem is i dont know if it is just me or the medication. Could someone tell me how their energy felt after quitting effexor and comapare to when they were on? Effexor makes me soooo tired soooo bored, and soooo fogged up that it is effecting my life, I would really like to know if Effexor has this sedative effect and if quitting would give me more energy.
Why stay on it (other than fear of withdrawal)? It doesn't seem to be doing anything for you at all - and it may be making you worse.
Posted by jerrympls on September 26, 2004, at 7:22:51
In reply to Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by Stryker88 on September 25, 2004, at 19:58:29
> I have been on Effexor Xr 150mg for almost three years and i am beginning to get realy sick of it, i go through extreme foggiheadedness and legarthy on a daily basis, the problem is i dont know if it is just me or the medication. Could someone tell me how their energy felt after quitting effexor and comapare to when they were on? Effexor makes me soooo tired soooo bored, and soooo fogged up that it is effecting my life, I would really like to know if Effexor has this sedative effect and if quitting would give me more energy.
I have the same feeling and I'm sick of it. I'm going to go off of it as soon as I can. Effexor sucks.
jerry
Posted by jujube on September 26, 2004, at 12:02:37
In reply to Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by Stryker88 on September 25, 2004, at 19:58:29
I was only on it for six months (max dose 225 mg, which was reduced to 150 mg (at my request) late July). I was feeling the same way you are: lethargic, unmotivated, apathetic. I was also feeling extremely apprehensive all the time, which is weird since I was put on the Effexor for an anxiety problem. It didn't matter what I did, I just couldn't seem to get jazzed about anything. I went off Effexor just over two weeks ago (weaned off over a period of two weeks) and started Celexa. When I stopped the Effexor, I did feel a return of real emotions (I no longer felt like one of the original Stepford wives) and a bit more energy. Hopefully the Celexa will help me so I can get on with my life.
> I have been on Effexor Xr 150mg for almost three years and i am beginning to get realy sick of it, i go through extreme foggiheadedness and legarthy on a daily basis, the problem is i dont know if it is just me or the medication. Could someone tell me how their energy felt after quitting effexor and comapare to when they were on? Effexor makes me soooo tired soooo bored, and soooo fogged up that it is effecting my life, I would really like to know if Effexor has this sedative effect and if quitting would give me more energy.
Posted by appadoo on September 26, 2004, at 14:02:28
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!! » Stryker88, posted by jujube on September 26, 2004, at 12:02:37
I have discontinued prozac last week and started taking Efexor XR at 150mg and feel energetic and full of vigor.Prozac made me tired,unmotivated and all I wanted to do is stay in bed.I increased my dosage up to 60mg per day over a period of 5mths.Prozac was meant to be the most activating SSRI.
Maybe I am experiencing a placebo effect with Efexor I'll have a better indication after one month time.I hope I do not experience lethargy again.Try zyban its supposed to motivate and provide energy.
Posted by jujube on September 26, 2004, at 14:10:45
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by appadoo on September 26, 2004, at 14:02:28
I hope you have good success with Effexor. Everyone is different in how they respond to medication. I a friend that has done extremely well on Effexor. I, on the other hand, did not. Take good care.
> I have discontinued prozac last week and started taking Efexor XR at 150mg and feel energetic and full of vigor.Prozac made me tired,unmotivated and all I wanted to do is stay in bed.I increased my dosage up to 60mg per day over a period of 5mths.Prozac was meant to be the most activating SSRI.
> Maybe I am experiencing a placebo effect with Efexor I'll have a better indication after one month time.I hope I do not experience lethargy again.Try zyban its supposed to motivate and provide energy.
Posted by fayeroe on September 27, 2004, at 7:05:36
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!! » Stryker88, posted by karaS on September 26, 2004, at 0:54:15
when i took effexor for that length of time, i ended up feeling like my head was full of rocks. it was horrible. i don't think it's you. i think it is the med. good luck.
Posted by carriejane on September 27, 2004, at 11:43:42
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!! » karaS, posted by fayeroe on September 27, 2004, at 7:05:36
The first month on effexor made me so tired but now im on a steady dose of 225, i feel loads better. I have tried prosac, mirtazapine, citalapram, all shit in my opinion. This is definately best yet.
Posted by fayeroe on September 27, 2004, at 22:02:57
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!! » Stryker88, posted by jerrympls on September 26, 2004, at 7:22:51
be sure that you taper very, very, very slowly when coming off of it. it is like the nastiest ever for withdrawal. you'll have electrical zaps in your head and neck anyway and just generally feel lousy. be careful. pat
Posted by invisiblemanpa on September 28, 2004, at 12:08:31
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by fayeroe on September 27, 2004, at 22:02:57
I have been on Effexor at different doses for about 1 1/2 years. The highest being 300mgs. Initially it did help my depression. I was not able to tolerate Paxil, Zoloft, etc. etc., This past summer the Effexor started to poop out so the psy doc added Remeron...after two weeks I felt like I was reborn..happy..etc...now 2 months later it is gone...the dr. increased the Effexor to 225 and my depression has gotten worse, no energy, motivation, no interest in anything..a real zombie...except for when I force myself to exercise...for those few hours...I almost feel normal then it it back downhill......I am going to start tapering off Effexor also and keep the Remeron where it is at 45 mg until I get to see the all mighty psy dr. again. I am unsure now about just staying on the remeron and not switching to something else....Cymbalta?? Good luck to all......
Posted by Stryker88 on September 28, 2004, at 16:12:23
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by invisiblemanpa on September 28, 2004, at 12:08:31
When I started Effexor I was not extremely depressed, not even suicidal, in my opinion very mildy depressed. But I wanted a drug to help improve my mood and energy levels, so I basically asked my doc for an rx. At first the Effexor did not effect me that much except I was less talkative. Now after 3 yrs of 150mg xr, I am alot less talkative, my interests have changed from being more spiritual, 12 step group going person to a more independent person that rarely goes to meetings, I also started listening to extreme metal music, death metal, and never meditate anymore.
Posted by Stryker88 on September 28, 2004, at 16:12:58
In reply to Re: Yet another Effexor related subject!!!!, posted by invisiblemanpa on September 28, 2004, at 12:08:31
When I started Effexor I was not extremely depressed, not even suicidal, in my opinion very mildy depressed. But I wanted a drug to help improve my mood and energy levels, so I basically asked my doc for an rx. At first the Effexor did not effect me that much except I was less talkative. Now after 3 yrs of 150mg xr, I am alot less talkative, my interests have changed from being more spiritual, 12 step group going person to a more independent person that rarely goes to meetings, I also started listening to extreme metal music, death metal, and never meditate anymore.
This is the end of the thread.
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