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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 LynnPerley on January 12, 2003, at 22:20:37
I've been taking Effexor XR for 10 mos, and settled in on a 225mg dose about 4 mos. My husband is a military reservist and is about to be deployed. Needless to say, my stress level is going up. I'm in a pattern of having trouble falling asleep for several nights in a row, then I'm so exhausted I collapse early and sleep for a long time (if possible). The effexor is wonderful for anxiety - I would be really bad off now if I had not been taking it already. I've tried adjusting the time I take effexor to earlier in the evening, to no avail. Does anyone have any experience with something I could add to take occasionally in the evening that won't make me too tired in the morning?
Posted by JESSsMom on January 13, 2003, at 10:02:01
In reply to Taking effexor plus added stress - suggestions?, posted by LynnPerley on January 12, 2003, at 22:20:37
Lynn, my pdoc prescribed 30mg of restoril for insomnia. It *usually* works. But, for instance last night I only got 5 hours of sleep--not enough for me. Then I drank too much coffee this morning and am very uncomfortable (anxiety-wise). My own damn fault.
JM
Posted by jay on January 13, 2003, at 11:37:43
In reply to Taking effexor plus added stress - suggestions?, posted by LynnPerley on January 12, 2003, at 22:20:37
Lynn:I'd be very careful, because I think sometimes my putting on extra stress while on an antidepressant has caused more problems down the road.
If you have a understanding and considerate doctor, you might want to try some of the short-acting benzodiazepines, like Xanax or Ativan, as they will stop much of your stressful feeling dead cold.
But, most of all, try to keep the stress level down...but I understand it is beyond your control. If you are on an antidepressant, I'd say your best bet, overall, is to use benzos. As usual, you have to use common sense with them, as you have to with most drugs.
Best wishes...let us know how you make out.
Jay
Posted by Noa on January 13, 2003, at 18:18:33
In reply to Re: Taking effexor plus added stress - suggestions? » LynnPerley, posted by jay on January 13, 2003, at 11:37:43
Another thought is to switch to Effexor XR, and dose just once a day in the morning.
Posted by LynnPerley on January 13, 2003, at 19:06:18
In reply to Re: Taking effexor plus added stress - suggestions?, posted by Noa on January 13, 2003, at 18:18:33
I'm taking the xr, and I'm gradually switching the dose earlier in the day. When I started taking it I was really groggy in the am and I found taking it in the evening helped considerably. I am going to try some non medication methods first, but I'm really thinking about something I could have a small prescrip for, just for when I really need it, because I know there will be days coming where things will just be overwhelming to me. I've taken xanax before (way before taking ad's) with no ill effects so maybe that would be a good choice.
This is the end of the thread.
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