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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Joe in rancho mirage on March 13, 2006, at 16:29:21
I started Effexor XR on March 2nd. I did 37.5 mg for the first 7 days, and now on 75 mg for the past 5 days. I have been taking them at night, sleeping okay. I have been waking up though to being completely lethargic, spaced out, skin is tingling, eyes watery. I feel like I can't function. It pretty much started on day 5 and has been consistant since. I keep thinking it's just a side effect and will subside or ease up each day, but it's not. I feel mentally better already, but the physical part is about to drive me insane. I relate to someone who wrote they feel kind of dumb, you feel like you can't speak, very numb. If I'm laying on the sofa, I am okay, but trying to get out, go to work, etc, it takes everything I've got. Almost feels like when you've had WAY too much caffeine and no sleep. I have a call into the Dr. but I'm about ready to just quit this now. I first started on Welbutrin, was on that for 30 days. That also in the third and fourth week started making me feel this same way. Does it go away? Or can I just not tolerate this medication? Anyone have anything like this and how long before it went away?
Posted by LynneDa on March 13, 2006, at 18:38:10
In reply to Severe spacy, lethargic side effects, posted by Joe in rancho mirage on March 13, 2006, at 16:29:21
Hi Joe - I also take Effexor XR - at 150 mg. Started a couple of months ago at 75mg and went up to 150mg a few weeks ago. I can't shake the lethargy and fatigue, although the insomnia is receding, depression is okay, but other ADs made me feel less depressed (but more sleepy!). I think I will have to make a change soon, though, because I feel dumber by the day (it may have been my previous post you read!) - can't think of words, can't make decisions, feel numb and like I just don't care. This is NOT my normal state!
I know this is probably not helpful or encouraging to you, but thought I should share my experience as I've tried many ADs over the past few years. Very best of luck to you and post how you're doing and/or if you make a switch. I"ll be curious to hear how you're doing!
~ Lynne
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> I started Effexor XR on March 2nd. I did 37.5 mg for the first 7 days, and now on 75 mg for the past 5 days. I have been taking them at night, sleeping okay. I have been waking up though to being completely lethargic, spaced out, skin is tingling, eyes watery. I feel like I can't function. It pretty much started on day 5 and has been consistant since. I keep thinking it's just a side effect and will subside or ease up each day, but it's not. I feel mentally better already, but the physical part is about to drive me insane. I relate to someone who wrote they feel kind of dumb, you feel like you can't speak, very numb. If I'm laying on the sofa, I am okay, but trying to get out, go to work, etc, it takes everything I've got. Almost feels like when you've had WAY too much caffeine and no sleep. I have a call into the Dr. but I'm about ready to just quit this now. I first started on Welbutrin, was on that for 30 days. That also in the third and fourth week started making me feel this same way. Does it go away? Or can I just not tolerate this medication? Anyone have anything like this and how long before it went away?
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2006, at 20:00:34
In reply to Re: Severe spacy, lethargic side effects, posted by LynneDa on March 13, 2006, at 18:38:10
Goggle effexor on the Dr. Bob side. A lot of posts will come up. Maybe one of them will help you. Good luck. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by LynneDa on March 14, 2006, at 11:45:10
In reply to Re: Severe spacy, lethargic side effects » LynneDa, posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2006, at 20:00:34
Thank you Phillipa, I will do that!
~ Lynne
***********************Goggle effexor on the Dr. Bob side. A lot of posts will come up. Maybe one of them will help you. Good luck. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Racer on March 14, 2006, at 12:38:01
In reply to Severe spacy, lethargic side effects, posted by Joe in rancho mirage on March 13, 2006, at 16:29:21
I'ts been a long time since I started Effexor XR, back in 1998, and I no longer take it. What I can tell you, though, is that it worked better for me when I added a low dose of Prozac. Before that, it didn't fully treat my depression, but with the low dose Prozac, it did, and I had fewer side effects from the Prozac when it was in combination.
The start up effects of Effexor that I had lasted a few weeks, but mostly eased. I always get more than a little sedated on ADs -- even stimulants often make me need a nap. So, on Effexor and Prozac, I do remember taking naps when I could. But mostly it wasn't so bad -- not nearly as bad as the SSRIs or TCAs sedated me.
Also, I switched from a drug that made me miserable to Effexor, so just getting off the old one was such a relief, it made start up effects much less annoying for me. But the start up effects went away within about the first month.
Hope that helps.
This is the end of the thread.
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