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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MaggieB on April 30, 2001, at 16:49:52
I have been taking effexor xr for 2 weeks. Severe fatigue and mental muddiness began immediately. The constant tiredness, lack of motivation and mental slow-down are contributing to my depression. I am now totally disfunctional. I have been reading this message board for over a week and have been encouraged to keep taking it because of the posts acknowledging similar symptoms and assurances that they normally go away. Each day I hope for some small improvement that would indicate that I have turned a corner, but there has been none. My questions is: does the severity of my side-effects indicate that I will not be able to take this drug? Is there something I should look for after 2 weeks that should indicate progress? I cannot afford to remain in this state much longer. I don't want to contact my doctor about changing the medication until I know I have given it a chance to work, but I'm beginning to think no one should feel this bad while adjusting to a new med. I took 37.5 mg. for 7 days and have been taking 75 mg for the past 7 days -- in the a.m. only. Does anyone have any thoughts on when to give up -- or not give up -- under these circumstances?
Posted by kid47 on April 30, 2001, at 17:15:58
In reply to extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by MaggieB on April 30, 2001, at 16:49:52
Hi MaagieB. Sorry you're having a rough time. Conventional wisdom is to try most AD's at least 6 weeks. Is this your first AD? Did you feel this bad at 37.5mgs? If not u might ask your doc if you can stay at 37.5 longer & titrate up more slowly. Of course FXR might not be the right drug for you, but u won't know for sure without an adequate trial. It was the only AD out of 7 I tried that worked for me. Hope this helps. Take care.
> I have been taking effexor xr for 2 weeks. Severe fatigue and mental muddiness began immediately. The constant tiredness, lack of motivation and mental slow-down are contributing to my depression. I am now totally disfunctional. I have been reading this message board for over a week and have been encouraged to keep taking it because of the posts acknowledging similar symptoms and assurances that they normally go away. Each day I hope for some small improvement that would indicate that I have turned a corner, but there has been none. My questions is: does the severity of my side-effects indicate that I will not be able to take this drug? Is there something I should look for after 2 weeks that should indicate progress? I cannot afford to remain in this state much longer. I don't want to contact my doctor about changing the medication until I know I have given it a chance to work, but I'm beginning to think no one should feel this bad while adjusting to a new med. I took 37.5 mg. for 7 days and have been taking 75 mg for the past 7 days -- in the a.m. only. Does anyone have any thoughts on when to give up -- or not give up -- under these circumstances?
Posted by cole on April 30, 2001, at 17:43:21
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help » MaggieB, posted by kid47 on April 30, 2001, at 17:15:58
I would say if you've been on it for several weeks and you feel worse, it isn't the one for you. I often respond within a week if a med is going to work out, and the severe side effects usually drop off within a few days. I felt as you describe when I tried wellbutrin, and because my doc wanted to give it a fair shot I stayed on it for 2-3 weeks. It didn't make my depression better, and it made life even more difficult because I was in a fog continually. It's your call, but in my experience a med shows signs of helpfulness within the first week, though it will take a month or so to fully take care of the depression.
cole
Posted by Anna P. on April 30, 2001, at 18:36:51
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by cole on April 30, 2001, at 17:43:21
> I suggest for you to try trycyclic medication such us DEsipramine. Not all people
respond to SSRI's. I was one of these people.Anna P.
Posted by Michele on May 1, 2001, at 0:52:47
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by Anna P. on April 30, 2001, at 18:36:51
I was always told to give it 4-8 weeks... but I know what you mean. That's exactly how I felt on effexor after 2 weeks... and it continued to the full 8. I then got off it... and all the "clarity" came back. Is this your first AD? I still stand by my thoughts on this shouldn't be a first AD... but when the more, shall I say "milder" ones don't work. Keep in mind too.. you know your body... you know how your feeling... and the longer you are on it, the worse the possible withdrawal might be. I wish I stopped after 2 then waiting the 8. I wouldn't continue it.... there are so many one's out there to try..... but that's just my opinion... most will probably differ.... Talk to your doc.... and just do what YOU feel is right.
Posted by mtm on May 1, 2001, at 15:23:06
In reply to extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by MaggieB on April 30, 2001, at 16:49:52
Maggie-
I've been taking Effexor xr for a few months and
had a very different reaction to it at first. I felt
energized and sharper. After a month, that started
to wane and for the past several weeks it's like
being on a delayed reaction sedative. Everyone's
different but if I were you I'd talk to your doc
soon about your concerns.
Posted by Cindylou on May 1, 2001, at 19:16:08
In reply to extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by MaggieB on April 30, 2001, at 16:49:52
Maggie --
I would definitely stop it. I had the SAME reaction at first on Effexor -- it made the depression WORSE --but the docs wouldn't believe me, acting like it was all in my head! Eventually, my mood did get better, however, the exhaustion and mental fog NEVER went away -- in 8 months. All I wanted to do was sleep. This was difficult with a one-year-old to take care of!I truly believe now that if you feel that way on a drug at first, it isn't the one for you. It took me about 5 SSRIs and the same reaction on all of them to finally reach this conclusion.
Good luck to you -- I know it's a difficult decision especially when the docs keep pushing you to stay on it.
In your corner,
cindy
> I have been taking effexor xr for 2 weeks. Severe fatigue and mental muddiness began immediately. The constant tiredness, lack of motivation and mental slow-down are contributing to my depression. I am now totally disfunctional. I have been reading this message board for over a week and have been encouraged to keep taking it because of the posts acknowledging similar symptoms and assurances that they normally go away. Each day I hope for some small improvement that would indicate that I have turned a corner, but there has been none. My questions is: does the severity of my side-effects indicate that I will not be able to take this drug? Is there something I should look for after 2 weeks that should indicate progress? I cannot afford to remain in this state much longer. I don't want to contact my doctor about changing the medication until I know I have given it a chance to work, but I'm beginning to think no one should feel this bad while adjusting to a new med. I took 37.5 mg. for 7 days and have been taking 75 mg for the past 7 days -- in the a.m. only. Does anyone have any thoughts on when to give up -- or not give up -- under these circumstances?
Posted by dreamer on May 2, 2001, at 7:24:02
In reply to extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by MaggieB on April 30, 2001, at 16:49:52
Been on 75mg effexor for 3 years and use it for it's sedative effect instead of mood stabilizer.
All other side effects have gone except for the tiredness,I use reboxetine for motivation which helps.
Posted by MaggieB on May 2, 2001, at 9:48:45
In reply to extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by MaggieB on April 30, 2001, at 16:49:52
> I have been taking effexor xr for 2 weeks. Severe fatigue and mental muddiness began immediately. The constant tiredness, lack of motivation and mental slow-down are contributing to my depression. I am now totally disfunctional. I have been reading this message board for over a week and have been encouraged to keep taking it because of the posts acknowledging similar symptoms and assurances that they normally go away. Each day I hope for some small improvement that would indicate that I have turned a corner, but there has been none. My questions is: does the severity of my side-effects indicate that I will not be able to take this drug? Is there something I should look for after 2 weeks that should indicate progress? I cannot afford to remain in this state much longer. I don't want to contact my doctor about changing the medication until I know I have given it a chance to work, but I'm beginning to think no one should feel this bad while adjusting to a new med. I took 37.5 mg. for 7 days and have been taking 75 mg for the past 7 days -- in the a.m. only. Does anyone have any thoughts on when to give up -- or not give up -- under these circumstances?
5/2/01: Thanks to all of you who have responded. The information you all have shared has been very helpful. I stopped taking effexor-xr Monday and am actually somewhat mobile today for the first time in over 2 weeks. I am feeling some mild withdrawal symptoms but much prefer that over the effects of taking the medication. I have appt. w/ dr. to talk about what to try next. No, effexor was not my first AD. I took paxil for about 7 years and it worked very well for me until a few months ago. Then, it just stopped working altogether. Prior to taking paxil, I tried zoloft and prozac -- neither worked for me. Again, thanks to all of you who shared your thoughts and experiences with me. I really needed the feedback.
Posted by MG on May 4, 2001, at 17:57:07
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help » MaggieB, posted by kid47 on April 30, 2001, at 17:15:58
>Hi,
I've been on Celexa and Wellbutrin for about a year and have just recent;y been noticing extreme fatigue and mental slowdown. Is this something that can happen after your on the pills for a while?
MG
>
>
>
>
Posted by Joy on May 5, 2001, at 3:16:12
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by MaggieB on May 2, 2001, at 9:48:45
Maggie,
Paxil worked for me also, but I was always hungry and stayed on it only 4 months. I am on Prozac now and had to go to 40 mg for very good results. Previously, you may have started too high a dose on Prozac, or not tried it long enough. It's worth a re-try, and it could work since Paxil did [at least in my case] work for you, and Prozac has been around many years and studied extensively. Effexor is called Side Effexor by its drug reps. This is just my two cents worth; I hope you find the right med soon.
Joy
> > I have been taking effexor xr for 2 weeks. Severe fatigue and mental muddiness began immediately. The constant tiredness, lack of motivation and mental slow-down are contributing to my depression. I am now totally disfunctional. I have been reading this message board for over a week and have been encouraged to keep taking it because of the posts acknowledging similar symptoms and assurances that they normally go away. Each day I hope for some small improvement that would indicate that I have turned a corner, but there has been none. My questions is: does the severity of my side-effects indicate that I will not be able to take this drug? Is there something I should look for after 2 weeks that should indicate progress? I cannot afford to remain in this state much longer. I don't want to contact my doctor about changing the medication until I know I have given it a chance to work, but I'm beginning to think no one should feel this bad while adjusting to a new med. I took 37.5 mg. for 7 days and have been taking 75 mg for the past 7 days -- in the a.m. only. Does anyone have any thoughts on when to give up -- or not give up -- under these circumstances?
>
> 5/2/01: Thanks to all of you who have responded. The information you all have shared has been very helpful. I stopped taking effexor-xr Monday and am actually somewhat mobile today for the first time in over 2 weeks. I am feeling some mild withdrawal symptoms but much prefer that over the effects of taking the medication. I have appt. w/ dr. to talk about what to try next. No, effexor was not my first AD. I took paxil for about 7 years and it worked very well for me until a few months ago. Then, it just stopped working altogether. Prior to taking paxil, I tried zoloft and prozac -- neither worked for me. Again, thanks to all of you who shared your thoughts and experiences with me. I really needed the feedback.
Posted by NikkiT2 on May 6, 2001, at 9:32:15
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help » MaggieB, posted by Joy on May 5, 2001, at 3:16:12
I am on Effexor, and the fatigue, and the mental slow down wzs getting beyond a joke.. I was on 300mg, so I started to very slowly to lower it, and at 150mg I feel a whole lot better. The emotions have come back, but I feel them easier, not straight to suicidal, and I can say whole sentances without getting in a muddle, and remember thinhgs for more than 5 minutes. I have added a low dose of am anti-psychotic too which has helped me a huge amount aswell. All in all, I now have energy I haven't had for a long time, and feel alot mentally clearer.
I hope this is some help to you.
Nikki xx
Posted by Ann NY on May 11, 2001, at 16:50:43
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by MaggieB on May 2, 2001, at 9:48:45
Maggie,
I hope you are feeling well soon. I too was extreemly exhausted while on Effexor. It took several weeks and a dosage of 150 mg. I started to feel a little better and then one morning I felt great!
I hope your next med is better for you. I felt so horrible that the side-effects were better than staying where I was. Hang in there!
Posted by magaria on August 12, 2003, at 12:55:26
In reply to Re: extreme fatigue and mental slow-down - please help, posted by mtm on May 1, 2001, at 15:23:06
My doctor prescribed Effexor for depression and irritability. Well for the first two months it seemed to work; at least it slowed me down and I felt more relaxed. Then the migraines came - and stayed. For six weeks I thought I had a brain tumor.Had to have a catscan. Headaches that I cannot describe. I finally got off those "toxic terrors". Effexor is definitely not for everyone. I've decided to live with depression. It's a lot better than what I've been through.
This is the end of the thread.
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