Posted by Ann NY on May 14, 2001, at 1:38:58
In reply to Apathy/Fatigue Is it the Effexor?, posted by AnneL on May 13, 2001, at 11:41:05
Anne: I just deleted a very detailed response to your two posts. AAHhHHHHH!
The long and short of it is: the sleepiness is exactly what I went through, and others here as well. Some here stopped Effexor b/c of it. If you do indeed have Major-depression I'd ride it out, twice as many people with M-depression respond to Effexor (a dual action AD) as compared to Prozac,(a single action AD).You say it's not acceptable for you to just sit around. I know it's different if you've got kids(?) but you're sick! Looking back, I just accepted it - it was just a different way of suffering and that is what I did well.
Have you read any my previous posts? Generally I only post regarding Effexor. I haven't joined the ranting club, YET :). Try to read my first post:
Effexor: My positive experience Ann NY 5/11/01
I know exactly what you mean about not getting up and out till 4:00. My sleepiness-fogginess lasted several weeks (I think-it's all a blur and I was hiding under my covers to begin with so ...) That's part of the reason why I was on Ritalin. Although it can aggravate anxiety I had to use it because I couldn't keep up at work or school. I was getting paranoid that I was going to get fired. I couldn't think, focus, or hold a thought let alone READ! It was taking me so long to get projects done at work. And to make it worse I then couldn't even brief people at meeting or field questions. I looked so incompetent - it makes me cringe. (This was apart of my depression not b/c of the Effexor)
BUT the Ritalin was also a great help with the Effexor induced sleepiness. I, like you, was awake during the day but I wanted to go to bed at 6 but I still had work to do. Even with the Ritalin, I still needed lots of sleep. But the sleepiness is now completely gone! I'm back to remembering my dreams and I can smile and think good thoughts for a few after I hit the snooze button. The first time in a VERY long time.
For me Ritalin is like sophisticated caffeine. I remember the first day playing around with it trying to find the right dosage; too little=nothing; too much and I'm completely wired for a couple of hours. When it kicked in I was being tortured in Civil Procedure and suddenly I SMILED! I could actually remember the last sentence my Prof. said, the fogginess lifted, I could actually hold a thought, and read! (It lasted a couple of hours) I was so shocked to suddenly feel like me! I thought I had been forever damaged by depression. Tears started welling up – I know, a little sappy. But I was so shocked and relieved that I found a Dr. who knew exactly what to give me. (I never would have thought to ask for Ritalin). Believe me – as I'm sure many of you here know – it was one of the rare times in my life when someone actually knew how to help me. This is when I thought I may actually get out of this depression if I stick with my Dr. and trust her.
When I stabilized at 150 mg Effexor, I was either going to go up to 225mg or stick with the Effexor/Ritalin combo. I was told that Ritalin does have a mild AD effect. But like caffeine, I've started to developed a tolerance to it. And I'd prefer to stick with the fewest number of drugs as I can.
Re: PMS
If you think it is depression/anxiety related like mine, hopefully the Effexor will squash it. Since Ritalin aggravates anxiety and your PMS is a big concern, I don't think it would help. My PMS is completely under control now that the Effexor finally kicked in. I just have one or two days of "fogginess" now (not sleepiness, I'm just not as sharp as I like to be). That’s why I now use the Ritalin, I only take it a couple days a month as needed.
Regarding my sister's experience, she took the Zanax "as needed" so it was only a couple of days a month. If you don't want to wait and see till next month, you should talk to your doctor.
I don't know what Klonopin is. A couple of years a go I was on Trazadone. It is an AD that isn't used as a primary AD because it is a better sleeping pill. I'm pretty sure it is an SSRI. It is compatible with lots of ADs. I (as well as a friend) took it to help me sleep while depressed and to get some extra help until the Prozac kicked it (which it never did). Both me and my girlfriend thought the stuff was great. It keeps you asleep the whole night instead of just getting you to sleep and taking off like Ambien (I've got a stand by bottle of that too .)
Hang in there and have faith! I hope you've found a Dr. who you trust and respect - and listens to you. I recall my Dr. assuring me it would all get better and thinking it was just a cliché. It does! It just takes time!
poster:Ann NY
thread:62740
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010507/msgs/62845.html