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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Noa on October 9, 1999, at 3:02:07
I've been on this higher dose of effexor xr now for about 5 weeks, I think, and now I am noticing some new annoying effects. They are things I have experienced before at times, but are worse. I was sleeping well for the first few weeks on this dose, but now am having difficulty in the middle of the night. I wake up feeling agitated and end up being up for a while. Then of course I am exhausted in the morning and at times during the day. Also, I am developing some wierd tic-like things that show up when I am going to sleep or waking up or just sleepy. This is in addition to the myoclonus, which is the totally involuntary muscle twitches (it is funny how muscles I never new I had, and could never willfully flex because they are in random places in my body, will just suddenly flex, causing a twitch). I have had the myoclonus for a while, but it is a bit worse on the higher dose. The tic-like things are different. There is the nonsense babble speech that suddenely comes out of my mouth, like when someone is talking incoherently in their sleep. It feels like my mouth is possessed and talking on its own. I wonder if this is what "speaking in tongues" is. Also, I go through these random shoulder shrugs, wierd hand movements, snorts and grunts, nose scrunching, and jaw flexing. It hasn't invaded my more alert waking hours, and I hope it won't, but I really don't like it at all. I feel agitated and antsy and "squiggly" as someone called it a few months ago in a previous thread. Throughout the day, my fingers are tapping, my foot, legs are shaking. There is all this serotonin-induced nervous energy/movement. I do feel better in the sense that my mood is a lot less depressed, but I am anxious (partly due to fears I have about not being able to trust in my improving mood) but partly due to this medication reaction, I think. Should I wait longer? Should I ask my doc to try a diffreent route (naltrexone? lithium? lamictal? neurontin?)
4 am......gonna try to go back to sleep....
Posted by saint james on October 9, 1999, at 3:47:16
In reply to Tics and sleep problems, posted by Noa on October 9, 1999, at 3:02:07
> I've been on this higher dose of effexor xr now for about 5 weeks, I think, and now I am noticing some new annoying effects.
James here....
How high are you (effexor dose) ? I get the effects you mention at 400 to 500 mgs, but I am not a good example because I have always been able to take massive doses of anything with few problems. If the effexor is doing some good, how about dropping the dose to a level you can deal with and adding another med to help with the sleeping problem. Remeron might be a good choice,
at 15 mgs it will give you good sleep (it does with me) and this combo is considered a big gun for mood problems. Talk to your doc !j
Posted by Noa on October 9, 1999, at 9:39:26
In reply to Re: Tics and sleep problems, posted by saint james on October 9, 1999, at 3:47:16
J, I take serzone to help me sleep and until last week, it was pretty good. I also take Ritalin, cytomel and synthroid. All four are to augment the effexor.
Posted by Noa on October 9, 1999, at 9:40:57
In reply to Re: Tics and sleep problems, posted by saint james on October 9, 1999, at 3:47:16
ps-I am taking 375mg effexor xr. Had been on 225 for a few years, then up to 300 a couple of months ago, and about 5 weeks ago up to 375.
Posted by noa on October 9, 1999, at 9:41:40
In reply to Re: Tics and sleep problems, posted by Noa on October 9, 1999, at 9:40:57
also-yes, I will talk to my doc, have an appt on wednesday.
Posted by saint james on October 9, 1999, at 21:26:34
In reply to Re: Tics and sleep problems, posted by noa on October 9, 1999, at 9:41:40
> also-yes, I will talk to my doc, have an appt on wednesday.
James here...Silly of the to think you were on just 1 med... how complex you are Noa ! I guess only to above of my sugestions applys.
j
This is the end of the thread.
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