Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
I've been on Effexor long enough to transition from the starting dose, past 75mg, and now I'm on 150mg. I didn't notice any side effects until being on 150 for a week or two, but now I'm really getting the sleepiness, loss of appetite, and I wake up covered in sweat!
My doc said that usually when the dose is increased (like to the next dose up from 150 all the way to 300) then the side effects go away.
Has anyone had a similar experience to what my doc described? Does your body adjust after 4-6 weeks and side effects subside a little? Just wondering as I'm thinking of calling to see if she'll adjust me to a higher dose sooner rather than later.
My doc said that usually when the dose is increased (like to the next dose up from 150 all the way to 300) then the side effects go away.
Has anyone had a similar experience to what my doc described? Does your body adjust after 4-6 weeks and side effects subside a little? Just wondering as I'm thinking of calling to see if she'll adjust me to a higher dose sooner rather than later.
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My 6mo twin DD's are EBF and just started rice cereal on the first. Everything has been going fine except this morning one of them had a diaper rash (lots of redness around her anus). I read this as one of the signs of an allergy. BUT I did just buy a different brand diaper yesterday (which they have used randomly before w/no issues). Do you think its the cereal or the diaper? Im ready to start...
Effexor has saved my life. I've used it for over a decade, on and off as I reach tolerance level and have to change.
It is a drug that takes about 6 weeks to settle down so I'd give it that time.
I do not though believe increasing a dose will remove the side effects. There's no logic to that statement at all.
I'm currently on 300 mgs but on previous uses I went to 550 mgs. Normal docs cannot prescribe past 300 and usually don't know much about the drug. A shrink is usually best when using FX.
Do not increase your dose if you haven't coped with the lower dose, that makes no sense and is based on her advice only. It's not correct. Think about it. If your body is struggling with 150 how on earth will it cope with twice that? It's a dumb statement from your doc. Wait until it settles down at 150 and if it doesn't in 5 - 6 weeks then it's not for you.
I say this although it has been by far the most succesful for me but if a drug hurts you, don't take it beyond the time frames suggested by the manufacturer.
Just hang in there and good luck
We should all remember we are all different and what heps me may be useless to others. Still, we can only try and help can't we? I like your comment about hanging on like grim death too. That's what it was like until Effexor and Lithium for me. Grim with death pending. God I couldn't go back to that again, ever.
To I'm,
If she's had 30 years experience then she should know FX well as it's been around for 15 years or so. But the comment about doubling the dose is absolute rubbish. Don't know why she'd say it as any responsible doc would want to wean you off based on that logic.
Don't stick with it beyond the time recommended and don't just stop it. COme off very slowly as it' has a down side when weaning. Stopping it cold turkey is like jumpiunt off the top of that roller coaster.
By now I'm hoping it's started to kick in for you or at least the side effects have eased up. One of my long term depression budies from the net tells me that Effexor has no real medicinal effect up to 150 mgs but I wouldn;t know. Never been that low! Not a good thing I guess but whatever works, right?
Lots of luck.