Posted by drac on February 20, 2006, at 12:40:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » drac, posted by TinMan on February 20, 2006, at 10:30:24
> Drac,
>
> I have had the problems you have listed as well. However, not quite as bad. Is your dose too high?
>My psychiatrist's approach to switching meds is to stop one and start another (only if the patient is in agreement with it). I don't usually have problems changing meds, so that is how I went from Luvox to Effexor. Although I went from 100mg (day 1), 200mg (days 3-6), and 300mg (day 7 onward).
I'm currently maintaining 300mg first thing in the morning.
> Here is a list of things that have helped me:
>
> For lethargy: Try splitting your dose. I take one 150 mg pill along with 7.5 mg of Remeron (mitrazapine) at night.
> I take two 150 mg pills in the morning.Because of the potential for sleep disturbance my psych advised me to take it in the am. My panic is often brought on at the point of falling asleep so I do as much as possible not to mess with my sleep cycle.
But I like the idea, and will speak to him regarding this possibility.
>
> For sex drive: I have added DHEA and Ginko Biloba
>
> For memory: Ginko BilobaGood idea. I will have to check and see if there are any known interation problems with the BP meds I'm taking. I'm still trying to figure out the physiological implications of taking a selective noreinephrine reuptake inhibitor in conjunction with an angiotensin inhibitor.
>
> For sleep: 7.5 mg of Remeron
>I was on a regimin of taking Clonazapam .05mg of clonazapam before bed, but have weaned off it unless I get twitchy legs, feel agitated, or anything that would otherwise allow me to fall asleep normally. I don't take it that often anymore.
> I am due for a physical with my MD and will find out what my BP is. I, like you, get off of the couch and am winded sometimes.
>It's crazy. I am out of shape, and trying to start an exercise program. Yeah I know - for anyone thinking that being out of shape can cause the shortness of breath. But although I'm out of shape, I'm no more out of shape than before I started with Effexor and my energy level was higher (all things considered) than it is now.
> It does help me. However, I am also on Hormone Replacement Therapy (birth control pills) for my periomenopause. If I miss taking a bc pill, I get really down and depressed. I am wondering after reading another post, if the Effexor is messing with my hormones.
>I wouldn't rule it out (although I'm no expert). It appears that there is a great number of unknowns with this drug. I would like to come off of it, and had planned to after reading the many similarities in this BB. But then I thought, am I being overly impulsive - yet another side effect of Effexor. : )
Actually I have always been overly impulsive. It appears that this is one side-effect that alludes me. I seem to be able to keep this in check while taking Effexor.
poster:drac
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060219/msgs/611409.html