Posted by bluedog on December 2, 2002, at 10:39:27
In reply to Re: just starting, posted by Eve on December 2, 2002, at 5:05:26
>
> One thing that happens to me alot is that i have alot of sudden twitches throughout my body - i take it that this is normal?
>
> One question to Mr. Cushing and Bluedog - how long were you on the drug before you seen its benefit? and how long did you have to remain on the drug? Are you drug free now?
>Hi Eve
Similarly to Mr Cushing the side effects also lasted also about 2 weeks before they subsided for me. After that whenever I increased my dose I would have a new round of side effects but they were much milder than when I first went onto the drug and also did not last quite as long (usually about 4-7 days).
I noticed a lift in my mood after about 4 weeks and my mood also became much more stable at that time. I was on the drug for nearly 18 months the drug enabled me to remain functioning (and to hold down my job) despite my alcohol abuse. I know the drug was working for me because I twice attempted to cease using the drug and both times I crashed into a pretty severe depression within a week of stopping. I was able to stabilise my mood each time by recommencing the effexor. Because you are not abusing alcohol I believe that the drug will work much more efficiently for you than it did for me.
I am not drug free at the moment (I currently take 20mg of generic Prozac per day) but I am functioning at a much higher level than I have in years. I would go so far as to say that I am practically depression free at the moment but I continue to take anti-depressants because I am still treating my primary condition which is social anxiety. (depression is actually secondary to my social anxiety and was worsened by my alcohol abuse).
I would recommend that you give the effexor at least a 6-8 week trial to see if it's really going to help you but you will probably begin to notice some stabilising in your mood within 2-4 weeks.
I would also discuss any concerns you have with your doctor and you may even want to let him/her see a copy of what we have said in our posts in this thread and hopefully your doctor can confirm that our experiences are similar to other patients that he/she has started on effexor!!
keep well
bluedog
poster:bluedog
thread:129698
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/130247.html