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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Delma on April 28, 2003, at 14:52:08
I'm 61 year old female who started Effexor XR 37.5 mg. 6 days ago. I'm physically feeling pretty lousy and loosing a lot of sleep so far. My main complaint on the drug is a creepy crawly feeling in my muscles. It is hard to sit still because of it. Agitation, I guess. I've had some twitching and muscles moving on their own. I feel tired and sleepy most of the time, and it is getting harder to stay asleep every day that I take it so far. Last night I slept in 1 hr. segments. My ears are ringing so loud it's hard not notice it. There is thirst and constant potty breaks. The dizziness I expected. I've had an almost constant headache since the first day. I could go on, but my main question is WHEN DOES IT START TO GET BETTER?! How long should I wait to call the doctor and say this isn't worth it? She said it is an experiment, and she would probably have to try several things. I'm not a depressed person. My body seemed to react to even mild situations of anxiety with too much adrenaline. That causes my blood pressure to be too high, I'm too tense almost all the time. I also suffer from fibromyalsia, a neck problem that causes a lot of pain from muscle spasms. Evidently because of the anxiety reaction that causes my high BP, I have mild mitral valve and aortic valve regurgitation, thickening and some enlargement of the left ventricle and a fast heart beat. This is why the doctor whats to try a drug like Effexor. I'm not on BP medication, but just finished a 24 hr. BP monitor and probably will be. I tried Celexa for 10 days a month ago but stopped because it raised my BP and caused similar symptoms as this Effexor. Not sure if the Effexor is raising the BP yet.
I really need another opinion if this is what I need to be doing, and how long to wait on the trial??
Posted by linkadge on April 28, 2003, at 21:12:11
In reply to When will sideaffects subside?, posted by Delma on April 28, 2003, at 14:52:08
Those side effects sound pretty toubblesome
to me. When it comes down to it, you really
have to ask yourself if it is worth it.If you are still having unbearable side effects
after two weeks, I think it is time to
try something else.Effexor is not particularly good for people
with heart conditions, as it is a noradrenic
enhancing drug. In higher doses it can raise
blood pressure and heart rate.I had to stop it because it did this to me.
The drugs work diferently for everyone.
So you have to give it a fair trial.I am surprised Celexa raised your heart rate,
you should perhaps try another drug in this
class such as Paxil or Zoloft.What other side effects did you have with the
celexa. Were they tolerable.
Good LuckLinkadge
Posted by Delma on April 28, 2003, at 22:05:09
In reply to Re: When will sideaffects subside?, posted by linkadge on April 28, 2003, at 21:12:11
Linkadge: Celexa felt almost the same as what I have experienced with Effexor. The same jittery feeling, ringing ears, dry mouth, little sleep, some nausea. The reason I quit was because of about 20 points gain in systolic pressure, but with a slight reduction of diastolic and heart rate. I didn't care if I ate or not on Celexa. So far I don't see that with Effexor.
What do you mean by Effexor being a "noradrenic" drug? I'm not familiar with that term.
Posted by linkadge on April 29, 2003, at 13:48:24
In reply to Re: When will sideaffects subside? » linkadge, posted by Delma on April 28, 2003, at 22:05:09
Well, Celexa raises only one brain chemical:
Serotoin, while Effexor raises two chemicals:
serotonin and Norepinephrine or (noradrenaline)The drugs work differently for different people,
so give it a chance. If it was only anxiety you were dealing with, you might try St. John.s wort.
I had an excellent responce with this herb. Don't take in in combination with perscription antidepressants though.
Good LuckLinkadge
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