Posted by Sleepless in Seattle on March 2, 2004, at 4:03:56
In reply to New Effexor User - Input Welcome, posted by amaranta on March 1, 2004, at 21:01:50
Hi Amaranta:
Something to remember when reading these posts is that when people find a med that works well, and they start getting a life again, they become free to shift their focus away from depression. Often, they quit reading and posting on mental health boards. People tend to frequent the forums more when things aren't going well, to get advice and support.
So the posts are sometimes a little one-sided, making a drug or therapy appear to be a lot worse than it is. When they're useful, we tend to want to get on with our lives and forget about our mental health issues!
I've been struggling with depression for nearly nine years now, beginning when I finally started to realise that my nerve damage from a repetitive work injury would be permanent. I've been on many different anti-depressant combinations since. I've been on Effexor XR for nearly a year now. I am currently taking 300mg a day, with 400mg of Wellbutrin SR, as well. It was hard for me at first also. Don't give up on it. Take it slow. It seemed to help me almost immediately. After a week or so, the light-headed, doped-up feeling stopped. At about three weeks, it seemed to quit working and the amount was slowly increased. This pattern repeated itself again and again: relief with side-effects, relief without side-effects, and then no relief, until I reached 300mg a day (broken into two doses.) It has been working consistently for months now.
I continue to have a dry mouth. This is something to discuss with your dentist, as you'll be more prone to gum disease and decay. I now use a Sonicare toothbrush 2-3 times a day, and my teeth and gums are fine. I also have been very heat-sensitive, turning down the thermostat until my whole family complained! Though annoying, these "Side-Effexor's" as I call them, are much easier to deal with than my thoughts of suicide, every hour of the day. One thing I learned the hard way, TAKE EVERY DOSE. When I forget the afternoon pill, I tend to get irritable and edgy. If I forget it twice in one week, I'm like a "black hole," sucking everything around me into my nothingness. With most anti-depressants, I could forget a dose twice, sometimes even three times a week, without any problems. Now I always wear a watch with a timer!
Sorry this is sooo long. Hope it helps.> I just started taking Effexor 3 days ago at 75mg for mild depression/fatigue. It kind of feels like I'm on speed. My main side effects are cotton-mouth, dehydration, and a kind of spacey feeling. Hoping in a couple of weeks I'll feel better but am told I'll be up to 150mg by that time. All these postings are really scaring the hell out of me and I'm wondering if anyone has anything positive to say. Is there anyone who has not had those horrible side effects??
poster:Sleepless in Seattle
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040228/msgs/319292.html