Posted by jay on May 10, 2002, at 16:39:12
In reply to How long does it take for Effexor XR to work?, posted by renelso1 on May 10, 2002, at 9:21:49
> I started effexor a little over two weeks ago after going off celexa. The first week was horrid. I could barely get out of bed and everything hurt. The next was okay but I am still crying everyday and my mood is not improving. I am up to 150mg now and I want to give it a chance to work, but it is so frustrating. If I am still feeling this bad, then I might as well be on nothing. Any tips on how long I should hang on before giving up?
Hi:
Well, 150mg's is a bit high to be taking at just two weeks, and that may explain your side effects. Your doctor likely doesn't understand this though. But, there are a few things you might want to try.
1) Try adjusting your time of dose. I found taking it with a large meal helped ease it into my system.
2)Use some other meds for side-effects. For nausea, cramps, stomach distress, I found Gravol (or Drammamine, I believe it is called in the U.S.) helpful. Take plenty of it as you need it.
3) Be quite dramatic in explaining to your doctor about your ill feelings, and major mood swings, and ask if you can have a benzo (like clonazepam, lorazepam, etc), even short-term. This ALSO helps majorly.
I feel for you, because I know the punishment Effexor can cause to us who are sensitive to it. If things get REALLY bad, just get to a walk-in clinic, or a emergency room asap, as there is NO way you should have to live with feeling so horrid. ESP if you have had, or do have, problems with suicidal thinking, because you can't fool around with that. Something *must* be done by the doctors.
Anyhow, best wishes...keep posting...there are many supportive people on here with many similar experiences. Esp when you feel so sad and alone, it is a place to take a bit of comfort.
Take GOOD care of yourself...
Jay
poster:jay
thread:105869
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020510/msgs/105914.html