Posted by johne on June 4, 2001, at 10:07:42
In reply to Re: up the dosage effexor XR???? Johne, posted by DebbieLynn on June 3, 2001, at 11:12:53
> > > > allright .. i'm on 75mg of the XR a day and i think i need to up my dosage. i felt great after a few days on the 75's but that only lasted about a week then it kinda tapered off. now i'm feeling the anxiety again. My question to you all is if i up my dosage.. say to 150 a day, do i then feel great for say a month and after that does the anxiety start coming back again so i will have to up my dosage again? and if so then where does it end? will i be on 10,000 mg's a day eventually? and i know it will be that much harder to level off or eliminate the drug- that i do not intend on taking forever - from my life the higher i dose .
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> > > >
> > > > > > Debbie.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks again. Hanging in there as you suggested. My anxiety and insomnia started after menopause.
> > > > > I know what you mean about worry. Been kind of hyper and a worrier all my life but had it under control. Somehow menopause escalated the anxiety.
> > > > > Good luck to you. Take care.
> > > > >
> > > > > Depression and anxiety. I worry excessively.(I mean EXCESSIVELY!) Effexor is the answer for me. I guess it does make sense to stay at a low dose, especially if you have a sleep disorder. At higher doses, like I am on...Sometimes I have trouble sleeping, but I also go to college. I am up late studying, which keeps my brain going. I never thought I needed an antidepressant...but Effexor has really helped me.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Hang in there!
> > > > > > Debbie
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Debbie,,Hi..Thanks for the response. It's great to hear some good news about Effexor. You asked what I am being treated for. Well, sleep disorder and anxiety. Think the plan for my dose is to stay at 75. Just entered second week and sleeping better, but I'm knocked out at 9 p.m. I guess depression and anxiety go hand-in-hand, but I never saw it that way. Have never taken meds before, just vitamins and an occasional aspirin. Are you being treated for anxiety?
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> > > > > > > > Just finishing second week on Effexor XR. Graduated from 37.5 to 75. Best thing that has happened is that I am finally sleeping at night. Drymouth has eased up and the initial jitters have passed. Feeling more relaxed and not getting anoyed at others. Is anyone happy with Effexor?
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I AM VERY HAPPY WITH IT!!
> > > > > > > > I take Effexor XR...225mg a day. 150 in the am and 75 mg in the pm. I must say that at this dose, I see a HUGE difference. I feel GREAT actually.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > I too started out at 37.5 mg, then went to 75mg. The side effects I had problems with the most were dry mouth and anxiety. The anxiety passed quickly, but the dry mouth took a bit longer to go away. It bothered me so bad at first, I asked to be switched to another med...BIG MISTAKE!! After a week on Wellbutrin 75 mgs 2x a day, I quickly went back on Effexor. I worked up to 150 mg--75 mg in the am and 75 in the afternoon, but I was extremely tired at this dose. Then my doctor told me to go up to 225mg, and believe me, it took awhile, @ 4 weeks, I noticed a huge change in the way I feel. I actually wake up in the morning in a good mood! This med has been a miracle for me.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Hang in there!! The side effects can be unpleasant, you could take something like Xanax to curb them until you get used to it. Drink lots of water...it dried me out so bad, my skin was dry and burned when I washed my face. But it will go away. I never thought it would...but it did! BUT it is worth the wait. By the way, what are you being treated for??????????
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> > > > > > > > Just give it a fair chance and let me know how you are doing, I know how unpleasant this med can be. I am new to the anti-depressant world.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Debbie
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> > > Guess what? I have been telling you how great my experience is with 225mg. For the past few days I have going downhill. I have been a little anxious and somewhat tired. If I don't feel better in a few days, I am going to ask for an increase in dosage. Effexor is expensive! I dont have insurance either. I was reading that Effexor has a class action lawsuit! Do you know anything about this????????
> > >
> > > Debbie
> >
> > yah i just read the same thing.. about the horror stories of people going through the tremors and such years after getting off the effexor.. it scares me a little, but i know that i am not ready to quit taking it. i am definately going to ask my doctor to up my dosage the next time i see him. i've been taking some gingko biloba daily and it helps a little but i really feel like the 75's where just a teaser of what benefits i can actually achieve from this drug. oh and one more thing about the lawsuit, hey don't sweat it if it is legit and people get rich from this, we will eventually benefit.. think of it as a positive thing and keep living yur life as you would day to day ..
> >
> > johne
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> You know what I have realized? I cannot tolerate caffeine. I drink sodas sometimes, like coke and pepsi. I can tolerate one maybe. I also take Excedrin when I have a headache, which is loaded with caffeine. Effexor alone is stimulating to me. I couldn't take a nap if I tried. But with caffeine, I get extremely anxious, tired, and irritable. I used to be the "caffeine queen." Before starting the Effexor, I would try to keep myself awake and energised with coffee, tea, etc. Not no more! I don't need it. I have cut back and feel much better. I would still like to talk to my doctor too, to get his opinion about increasing my dose. There is always room to feel better, huh? Also, I read Effexor's drug monograph...it does state in there NOT to stop the med suddenly due to "discontinuation effects." It also tells some of the withdrawal symptoms a person may have by discontinuing suddenly. I don't plan on stopping the med any time soon, unless it goes up in price. For a months supply @ 225mg per day (90 Pills) is $218.00!!! OUTRAGEOUS! But I guess since I feel better, I will pay for it.
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> Debbieyou should get some health insurance. an individual plan with blue cross/blue shield is less than what you are paying for your medication. on bc/bs all prescriptions are only $5.00 and you will recieve other benefits as well. just a suggestion.
johne
poster:johne
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/65339.html