Posted by Kacy on February 19, 2004, at 7:58:33
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR for ADD? frustrated w/ my psychiatris, posted by francesco on February 18, 2004, at 13:52:38
Francesco:
I was afraid of Effexor and put off starting it for several weeks. I had small bouts with dizziness and nausea the first few days. I had some sleeping problems for a while and dry mouth for the first couple of weeks, mostly at night. The third month, I had embarrassing bouts with flatulence, something I'd never had problems with before. I learned not to eat overprocessed pasta like Lean Cusine, and have given up beans and molasses-based licorice.
One side affect I can't get over is blurred, close-up vision. It's hard for my eyes to adjust and I had to start carrying reading glasses and leaving them all over the house. I couldn't read the phone book at all. When I went off Effexor to see how Strattera would be without it, I could immediately read the phone book again. I went back on Effexor and ten days later–I could no longer read it. Since then, a great eye doctor has helped me read and see up close again, but I still have trouble switching from up close to across the room and vice-versa.
The sexual side affects seem to be permanent for me. Since I couldn't take Wellbutrin to counter it and no other stimulants have helped bring back my libido for very long, I'll quit Effexor and try another SSRI as soon as I'm comfortable with my other medication. I've had relief from that when I lowered the amount of Effexor I was taking and when I started Strattera and Adderall. But after a brief change, the problem comes back.
The side affect of missing a dose is nausea. It's like having the flu. I had to lie down until the pill took affect. That took an hour and a half to four hours depending on how long I went without taking it. Once, I didn't really feel okay until the next morning. Withdrawal usually started at about eight hours after I missed the dose. Since going down to 75 mg. (as it works so much better with Strattera) I skipped one dose to see what would happen. The withdrawal symptoms didn't start until the next morning. I got these 'head hits' that were like the ones you can get with a bad head cold or with the flu when you move your head too much or too quickly. It wasn't really very painful–just a little strange.
I never had terrible trouble quitting it like others have reported. I was at 112.5 mg. when I quit once. I just went down to 75 mg. for a couple of days, then to 37.5 mg. for a couple of days and then went off. I had mild nausea late afternoons for about a week and some tiredness. That was it.
If I could afford SamE, I'd try that with tryptophan. I'm not trying to discourage you from trying Effexor. I do think it's a good drug and it helps me by stopping excessive ruminating, as my doctor calls it.
I hope this helps.
poster:Kacy
thread:312542
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040218/msgs/315541.html