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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 Tommeh on September 8, 2003, at 15:58:54
Good day all,
I've been reading through a lot of posts here about Effexor, and wanted to get some feedback in regards to it. My girlfriend takes 150mg dosage of effexor a day, with her side effects being tired and insomnia. She has very vivid dreams and has yet to get a good nights sleep in a long time. Previously to effexor she was on Prozac, which she suffered the same side effects (and more). She doesn't have problems with her depression now, but I know is frustrated with the lack of sleep. Has anyone suffered the same problems, do you take something additional to help with this? Is there another anti-depressant anyone would recommend who has suffered the same problems?
Thanks in advance.
Posted by chewy on September 8, 2003, at 20:56:09
In reply to Effexor XR and Insomnia, posted by Tommeh on September 8, 2003, at 15:58:54
I am taking effexor 75mg, which I guess isn't much. I started about 3 weeks ago, and the vivid dreams began recently. I'm an artist and get a kick out of these very clear and strange dreams. There have been a lot of baby animals in these dreams. Even a baby bird sucking a pacifier!
My dreams don't awaken me. I submit to them as I would a hiking path .
Some people mix one drug with another and another and so on in search of peace and a sense of self. Before I would recomend that, I would try taking the Effexor at a different time of day for a while. Like in the morning instead of evening etc. See if that invites sleep.
Good luck!
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 9, 2003, at 9:48:38
In reply to Effexor XR and Insomnia, posted by Tommeh on September 8, 2003, at 15:58:54
Posted by Tommeh on September 9, 2003, at 10:15:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Insomnia, posted by chewy on September 8, 2003, at 20:56:09
Thanks for the followup so far gang. To add a little more information the trazadone, benedryl, and tylenol do not work at all for her. She is sometimes able to get to sleep but doesn't get any rest, mostly due to these dreams.
It doesn't matter what time of day she is taking it, her doctor recommends upping the dosage, however I think it might be a sign to try switching to another drug (based on what i've read about withdrawl symptoms anyways).
I know i've read other people posting about very vivid dreams, sometimes even violent ones (and she's far from a violent person).
I've seen a few herbal sleeping agents such as 5HTP but they strongly recommend not using them with regular anti depressants... now is there something factual to base that on or are they just not wanting people to use herbal remedies??
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 9, 2003, at 13:47:51
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and Insomnia, posted by Tommeh on September 9, 2003, at 10:15:46
> Thanks for the followup so far gang. To add a little more information the trazadone, benedryl, and tylenol do not work at all for her. She is sometimes able to get to sleep but doesn't get any rest, mostly due to these dreams.
>
> It doesn't matter what time of day she is taking it, her doctor recommends upping the dosage, however I think it might be a sign to try switching to another drug
>
Upping or changing should be decided by her and the doc, not a 3rd party. Doctor's looking for a therapeutic level. I hit mine at 300mg. The 3rd party remark may seem like a slap in the face, but it wasn't meant to be. Psycho-Babble will help her more if she was posting instead of you. She could list exactly what her symptoms were, and based upon that, folks could share similar stories and list what worked for them.> (based on what i've read about withdrawl symptoms anyways).
>
Effexor is a powerful medication. Withdrawal can be handled safely by tapering down slowly instead of quitting cold turkey.> I know i've read other people posting about very vivid dreams, sometimes even violent ones (and she's far from a violent person).
>
From what I've read, the majority of violent dreams come when a person quits taking the Effexor XR and goes through withdrawal. I've experienced one violent dream where I was fighting my husband's ex-wife and actually punched and kicked in reality. Lucky that I had my back to hubby.> I've seen a few herbal sleeping agents such as 5HTP but they strongly recommend not using them with regular anti depressants... now is there something factual to base that on or are they just not wanting people to use herbal remedies??
Ask her to contact her pdoc about whether or not she can take 5HTP. Try another post with "Paging Larry Hoover" in the subject. He seems to be really sharp on non-prescription methods.
This is the end of the thread.
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