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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nissy on July 17, 2003, at 16:06:14
Hi all,
My P Doc increased my effexor XR dose to 450 and it's been almost 4 weeks and all I want to do is sleep. It seemed the first few days of the higher dose, I felt better. I have young children so it really is hard to sleep all day but I will lay on the couch and dose all day. I have no energy and I'm just tired and want to be left alone. He mentioned he might try topamax if my binging continued and I read some side effects are being tired. What should I do? If I am already tired Topamax may just wipe me out.
Thanks,
Nissy
Posted by linkadge on July 17, 2003, at 16:20:49
In reply to What is my problem??, posted by Nissy on July 17, 2003, at 16:06:14
Sometimes increases in Effexor do not solve the drowsyness side effect.
Was drowsyness the only reason for dose increase?, or was it depression ?
Linkadge
Posted by Janelle on July 17, 2003, at 16:31:13
In reply to What is my problem??, posted by Nissy on July 17, 2003, at 16:06:14
First, I have no idea if drowsiness is a s/e of Topamax, but I bet someone on here knows!
Second, I would echo the question raised by linkadge - could your symptoms be from depression (I get the exact way you described when I in a bad depression) -- if this is the case, then it is obvious (cuz you're on a VERY high dose and it has been about a month) that EffexorXR is NOT working for you and you may need to try another a-d.
However, EffexorXR must be weaned off SLOWLY and GRADUALLY, especially for you at such a high level. Don't let that scare you; it's just that EffexorXR has a short half life so going off it can create withdrawal if not done slowly.
The a-d I'd suggest given what you wrote would be Wellbutrin because it is supposed to be activating. There are also plenty of SSRI's to try.
Good luckk 2 U.
Posted by Nissy on July 17, 2003, at 17:31:02
In reply to Re: What is my problem??, posted by linkadge on July 17, 2003, at 16:20:49
> Was drowsyness the only reason for dose increase?, or was it depression ?
>
> Linkadge
>*******************
Actually it was because of depression. I think I may be tired as a result of depression. Ya know I just don't want to do anything.
Nissy
Posted by agencypanic on July 17, 2003, at 18:12:03
In reply to Re: What is my problem??, posted by Nissy on July 17, 2003, at 17:31:02
I've been on 300mg/Effexor for about 3 weeks now and am experiencing the same thing: all I want to do is sleep, no motivation to do anything else.
I've got one week left until my next appointment and if it's still not working for me then it's on to Wellbutrin for me.
Posted by Viridis on July 18, 2003, at 1:59:45
In reply to Re: What is my problem??, posted by agencypanic on July 17, 2003, at 18:12:03
Wellbutrin works well for some people, but if you're prone to anxiety, be careful -- it can make some people (like me) extremely nervous and edgy. Alternatives for mood improvement and energy that work well for me are Provigil and (especially) Strattera. Strattera makes me feel mellow yet enthusiastic at the same time, and Provigil (for me) just has a general "lifting" effect without anxiety.
This is the end of the thread.
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