Posted by SLS on May 29, 2001, at 18:11:48
In reply to Effexor Long term usage, posted by paulk on May 27, 2001, at 20:36:28
> I never could take more than 75mg and function. I would lose the ability to concentrate – memory problems – I would be unable to remember a phone number I give out several times a day. Problems with word choice. Recently, I had to cut the dose to 37.5mg or my concentration became so poor that I couldn’t work. It is as if a metabolite just keeps collecting but not the one that does me good. I am wonder if anyone else here has had the experience of memory/ concentration problems with long term use of Effexor-xr??
Hi Paul.I haven't researched the matter or checked out people's experiences here, but I don't recall memory problems associated with Effexor as being a complaint. It might be, so please don't consider my guessing as fact.
I think it might be worth looking at your memory problems as being more a symptom of depression rather than a side effect of Effexor. Impairments of concentration and memory are very common features of depression, and are used to help diagnose it.
It is possible that Effexor, at a subtherapeutic dosage, is actually amplifying the memory impairments that are part of the depression itself. I have seen this pattern myself with certain drugs on symptoms of depression, although for me they tend to involve functions of the autonomic nervous system. I am beginning to see a pattern with Effexor that presents as the appearance of great fatigue at dosages between 75mg - 150mg that disappears when the dosage is raised to 225mg and higher. For some people, this fatigue has appeared only after a long period of time at the same dosage. This might be your pattern as well with memory and concentration impairments. If you find yourself with no better choice than to return to Effexor, you may consider the possibility that such a biphasic pattern exists for your memory, and try raising the dosage rather than trying to finesse the it between 37.5mg and 75mg.
Just a thought.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010522/msgs/64642.html