Posted by sid on December 5, 2001, at 11:02:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Pamela Lynn on December 5, 2001, at 10:40:12
Hi all,
I'm using Effexor XR to try to curb my long-standing, chronic depression. My doctor put me on 1-month 37.5 mg of it, although I read everywhere that you're supposed to increase to 75 mg rapidly. Any thoughts on that? I'm seeing her in a couple of weeks and will discuss it with her of course.My sleep pattern is disturbed by it, that's the mains drawback so far (8 days on it). Although I tend to sleep too much, so sleeping less is not so bad. Some nights it's not enough though; I'll crash at some point if I don't find a way to sleep more (no other meds though - hot milk, warm bath before bed perhaps - I don't like to take meds in general).
One good thing however, already: I have more energy, feel more upbeat and my concentration is the best it's been in years. I'm writing my PhD dissertation, and these days I am making great progress. Easier than before to write a mathematical proof from beginning to end. Perhaps I just need this little of it? I don't know. I've had chronic depression all my adult life, so I'm not sure what it feels like to be OK.
Well, another good thing: loss of appetite. I eat well, I force myself to (I know what starving your body does in the long run: more weight gain !), but I've already lost 3 lbs. My depression makes me eat too much carbs and sleep too much in general, so that's a welcomed side-effect. Over the years I've turned into the little Pillsbury woman thanks to depression.
Has 37.5 mg made a difference to anyone else? I don't think it's placebo b/c after reading about the med, I did not expect anything to happen at all with such low dosage. I have not had major depression in 5 years, so I'm thinking that perhaps such low dosage is enough to give me some benefits? Probably up to 75 mg next month. I wonder why she's leaving me at 37.5 mg for so long though. Any thoughts?
poster:sid
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86045.html