Posted by Noa on April 26, 2000, at 13:21:51
In reply to Re: This is scarier than I thought , posted by Cindy W on April 26, 2000, at 9:26:15
Jennifer, please don't make your decisions based upon a few people's bad experiences with Effexor XR. Many of us have reacted badly to one or another medication, but done well on others. And the sensationalism of some authors really doesn't help matters at all.
I have been taking Effexor XR for a few years, at 375 mg/day. I take it all in the morning. I think many of the medications have labels warning against operating heavy machinery, etc. The most important thing is to see how it affects YOU. For some people, effexor can make them a bit drowsy. When I first heard this, I laughed because it was hard for me to believe that, given that it is quite activating for me and makes sleep harder. Each of us responds differently. Negative effects for me have been, difficulty falling asleep, and fidgetiness, and possibly some bladder problems. But these are dose related, it seems.
My most important advice about Effexor is to taper up gradually, starting at 37.5 mg/day. That way, the initial side effects will be minimal to nonexistent, hopefully. Same with going off of it, if that comes up. Go slow.
My understanding is that it is not addictive, per se, but does cause withdrawal symptoms, especially if you have been on higher doses for a long while. But it is not addictive in the sense that you will crave more and more of it.
BTW, how has your first day on it been so far? Keep us posted
poster:Noa
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000420/msgs/31347.html