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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fires on July 11, 2004, at 13:20:04
Hi,
Have been on Effexor XR for some time. Decreased dose to 112.5 mg about 4 weeks ago and switched to taking it in AM.Past few days I've awoken very tired and then have either almost, or did, fall asleep before finishing breakfast!?
I also take 2 mg of Klonopin in late evening/bedtime. I don't know if this is due to meds or not. I also take other meds for other conditions, but they don't usually cause sleepiness.
Any ideas? See new PDoc on Wed..
Thanks
Posted by partlycloudy on July 11, 2004, at 15:52:54
In reply to strange sleepiness, posted by fires on July 11, 2004, at 13:20:04
Effexor is such a twitchy med; I'm not surprised that a change of any kind (increase or decrease) would have a reaction. It's serious medicine, and it took me a long time (12 weeks) to adjust to it. Change the dose; rinse & repeat.
Posted by fires on July 11, 2004, at 17:42:48
In reply to Re: strange sleepiness, posted by partlycloudy on July 11, 2004, at 15:52:54
My only other successful anti-D was Parnate and it was no problem after only about 6 weeks.
I've been on Effexor since around Christmas and I'm still having problems with the dose (apparently). I was up to 225 mg with 30 mg of Remeron!! and was horrible ("adrenalin surges")
. I almost stopped Effex. after each dosage increase above 75 due to side effects, but I began to notice a change for the better around 150 or 187.5. Tapered off Remeron, then reduced Effexor down to my present 112.5 mg.
Maybe I need to go down to 75 mg? I guess time will tell. Clonazepam is left over sleep help from when I was on Parnate.
The new Pdoc that I see this Wed. doesn't even use Parnate.
Are you doing well on your Effex.. dose or just so-so? Don't answer unless you really want to.;)
Thanks
Posted by partlycloudy on July 11, 2004, at 19:29:43
In reply to Re: strange sleepiness, posted by fires on July 11, 2004, at 17:42:48
I'm not as depressed, but sweat badly about an hour after the dose.
Thanks for asking. I've just had a long period of adjustment every time I changed dosages on effexor xr (35.7mg, then 75mg, then 150mg, - blood pressure went too high - then 112.5mg, _ cried too much - then back to 150mg and I stabilized.
Otherwise I doing very well, thanks!
Posted by fires on July 11, 2004, at 19:46:07
In reply to Re: strange sleepiness » fires, posted by partlycloudy on July 11, 2004, at 19:29:43
Glad you are doing well. I had bad GI upset after high doses and then got hyper also. Now I sometimes get a little hyper after activity. I don't get manic, just mentally and physically hyper -- also irritable sometimes.
I do seem to sweat more in hot weather since I've been on it, also.
Bye
Posted by pablo1 on July 12, 2004, at 17:43:45
In reply to strange sleepiness, posted by fires on July 11, 2004, at 13:20:04
Effexor made me take naps in the day & wake repeatedly at night. I fiddled with the time I took it & ended up with an evening dose of 75 mg. The sleep interference was my biggest complaint. I'm off it now for a few days after 7 weeks of trial.
> Hi,
> Have been on Effexor XR for some time. Decreased dose to 112.5 mg about 4 weeks ago and switched to taking it in AM.
>
> Past few days I've awoken very tired and then have either almost, or did, fall asleep before finishing breakfast!?
>
> I also take 2 mg of Klonopin in late evening/bedtime. I don't know if this is due to meds or not. I also take other meds for other conditions, but they don't usually cause sleepiness.
>
> Any ideas? See new PDoc on Wed..
>
> Thanks
Posted by fires on July 12, 2004, at 22:18:09
In reply to strange sleepiness fires, posted by pablo1 on July 12, 2004, at 17:43:45
Thanks for your input. I don't understand why you would stop it after being on it for only 7 weeks. ? Also, when you say trial -- do you mean you may stay off it? Very curious.;)
In my situation I plan to stay on it indefinitely (forever if possible) due to multiple episodes of Dep. since 1976. I don't want to risk another episode of Major Dep..
Bye
Posted by pablo1 on July 12, 2004, at 23:16:22
In reply to Re: strange sleepiness fires, posted by fires on July 12, 2004, at 22:18:09
I've been going through a divorce and am through that now. Not sure I want to be on AD's the rest of my life & won't have insurance for much longer. Also it hasn't cured my core problem of procrastination... was hoping to get some meds for ADD though I tried those alone & with Wellbutrin with no joy, maybe mixed with a less powerful/addictive antidepressant than Effexor. I am not sure the medications are the answer, I've been self medicating all my life & may be ready to learn some meditation. The little bit I"ve done has been helpful.
> Thanks for your input. I don't understand why you would stop it after being on it for only 7 weeks. ? Also, when you say trial -- do you mean you may stay off it? Very curious.;)
>
> In my situation I plan to stay on it indefinitely (forever if possible) due to multiple episodes of Dep. since 1976. I don't want to risk another episode of Major Dep..
>
> Bye
Posted by fires on July 13, 2004, at 0:17:56
In reply to strange sleepiness fires, posted by pablo1 on July 12, 2004, at 23:16:22
Sounds like we are very different. I can't imaging living without an antiD.:)
Therapy didn't help my dep. one bit. I've come to believe that some Dep. is due to immunological disturbances (perhaps caused by viruses) that upsets ones' brain chemistry.
This theory is actually not new, but still unsubstantiated. I think that those of us with the following problems are in that group: allergies, history of asthma, frequent canker sores, neurally mediated cardiac problems (dysautonomia), arthritis, food sensitivities, fibromyalgia, etc...
Thanks
Posted by pablo1 on July 13, 2004, at 0:33:37
In reply to Re: strange sleepiness fires, posted by fires on July 13, 2004, at 0:17:56
Yes I agree we may be very different. I've never had allegrgic problems, I do get acne and various minor infections, no arthritis or food sensitivities, fibromyalgia, etc.
I will agree that therapy does not help my mental state noticeably. Meditation is not psychotherapy though, it's more like cognitive behavioral treatment. Do you think that might help you? I might be naive thinking I can fix my problems with breathing exercises but I'm optimistic at this point.
Had an interesting session with the psychologist tonite: she had a good laugh over the idea that what I had described as "uncomfortable spacey mind frame" might actually be the verge of nirvana but I've been too anxious to relax and enjoy it. LOL!!! she admits it was a joke but damned if I don't think there might not be a grain of truth to that joke.
Anyways, I'd be in heaven if I could be a zen monk in the mountains and still be allowed to get stoned out of my mind on pot once in a while LOL!
> Sounds like we are very different. I can't imaging living without an antiD.:)
>
> Therapy didn't help my dep. one bit. I've come to believe that some Dep. is due to immunological disturbances (perhaps caused by viruses) that upsets ones' brain chemistry.
>
> This theory is actually not new, but still unsubstantiated. I think that those of us with the following problems are in that group: allergies, history of asthma, frequent canker sores, neurally mediated cardiac problems (dysautonomia), arthritis, food sensitivities, fibromyalgia, etc...
>
> Thanks
Posted by fires on July 13, 2004, at 23:32:15
In reply to doctors [should] prescribe it for anxiey, posted by pablo1 on July 13, 2004, at 0:33:37
I've tried meditation and found it to be counter productive.
My mind tends to "race" when it is devoid of normal input. Meditation makes it race.
I fall asleep with the radio on a local talk show. One of the few great talk shows I know of.
(Mr. KABC on KABC Radio, Los Angeles).Thanks,
Posted by pablo1 on July 14, 2004, at 0:18:41
In reply to Re: doctors [should] prescribe it for anxiey, posted by fires on July 13, 2004, at 23:32:15
I can concentrate on deep breathing for a little while and that feels good. I listen to talk radio in the car to keep my mind busy. If you are ever obsessive or hyperfocus, that can be applied to breathing exercises with good results. Meditating for me is not an empty mind but learning to focus my mind and boring as it sounds breathing can be the focus of attention allowing me to get in touch with my body and mind. This is all very preliminary, I'm light years from being any kind of disciplined zen master LOL!
>
> My mind tends to "race" when it is devoid of normal input. Meditation makes it race.
>
> I fall asleep with the radio on a local talk show. One of the few great talk shows I know of.
> (Mr. KABC on KABC Radio, Los Angeles).
>
> Thanks,
Posted by fires on July 14, 2004, at 11:58:39
In reply to Meditation - racing mind, posted by pablo1 on July 14, 2004, at 0:18:41
Deep breathing sounds ok. I don't see any negatives to it. :)
This is the end of the thread.
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