Effeoxor XR help please.

[Guest Guest_agio_*]

Hiya

I used to post a bit on the old boards but damn if I didn't forget my user name.

First off , I've been ganked for sometime, my pdoc says I'm "treatment reisitant" Personally I think I'm simply stupid and or lazy but enough of that.

Anyhow, six months back I came off Celexa and went onto Effexor XR after much deliberation and some excellent input from the peeps here/there. I'm also taking Rivotril(2.5g per day) because I got hooked on the crap 12 years ago and we, me and the pdoc figure the withdrawal at this time would be not so good.

Last 4 months I've been at 300 per and here's the deal. At 300 per I'm so so mood at best, can't sleep worth shit at night. Bed at 2, up at 5. Power out by noon and then sleep nicely for a few hours during the day, wake up with massive anxiety and or sadness, have lots of coffee to heighten the feeling and then think about conquering the world and promptly do nothing. Even though I'm not eating much I still haven't lost any f'kng weight.

Everything seems to point to this puppy being a bust for me however prior to coming off this one I want to know if anyone here has A: Experienced the same type of listlessness/aimlessness on Effexor and B: If you did, did you increase the dose or try a new med?

The pdoc is probably going to want to jack me up to 350 or more or he's thinking Cymbalta as nothing else seems to be working.

Any input would be appreciated.

[bcbrain]

I was just started effexor xr and have some similar side effects. I only take 75mgs My lows are not as bad but I don't get sh#* done. There is the spurt of juice now and then and I'm doing my best to take advantage of the energy when it comes, but it is always followed by heavy lethargy. I complained to my dr and he sugested an increase to 150mgs but I fear the side effects will increase without improving much else.

[robotlove29]

Hmmm, don't know what to tell ya.  I've been taking Effex for a while and was lucky enough to feel effects at 150mg, although I know alot of people here didn't respond until at least 300mg so I wouldn't be scared to increase it a bit before giving up.....

If you do give up however, I'm sure you've heard...TAPER SLOWLY.  The other day I went down to 150 for the hell of it from my usual 225 and man did I have a crappy headache.  If I were you, I'd give it some more chance only because Effex has done wonders for me when an SSRI did jack squat.  If it's not for you, go slow and hopefully you'll be able to titrate onto something else while tapering off Effex...

What is your main problem just out of curiosity??  I have suicidal type depression when I'm low, but the most crushing element for me was anxiety.  I think Effex is a godsend for that.  Depression?  Ehh, there might be something better but I'm unwilling to give up on something that leaves me as relaxed as I finally am.

[Greenyflower]

I was on Effexor XR for about a year. It was never great, but better than nothing, until it pooped out altogether. My replacement has been a combination of Wellbutrin and Zoloft. It's worlds better than the Effexor ever was.

However, people with a lot of anxiety in addition to depression sometimes have trouble with Wellbutrin. But, for me, it's been good.

If you decide to make a change from the Effexor, do not be surprised by a rough transition. I had a lot of rebound depression and crappy physical effects. Eventually, they pass.

Greeny