Posted by Colleen D. on April 7, 2005, at 21:43:04
In reply to Re: Thanks Colleen, posted by tiredguy on April 7, 2005, at 11:25:40
I also have three children, ages 1.5, 3 and 5 and I'm 43 (late bloomer!). I feel like my taking the Effexor has very much been a benefit for them. I am happier and my emotions are so much more appropriate for situations than they were before meds. I cry when I need to and laugh so much more now. I am really enjoying them rather than being short tempered or over-emotional all the time. Zoloft made me feel somewhat flat emotion-wise so that's why I tired the Effexor. It also helps me socially as I'm more outgoing and talkative while taking it. When it was first prescribed for me I scoured the internet for information and found lots of the negatives too and I almost didn't take it because of what I read. I called my GP before taking the first dose and talked to her nurse about what I was reading and she said my doc would help me through discontinuing it by titrating down and that most complaints have come from patients who have stopped it abruptly. It's important to be on a strict dosing schedule as Effexor has a short half-life. In order for it to be effective, you need to take it at the same time every day and NOT skip a dose so that you can maintain a steady level of it in your system. I began by taking it at night, but had to switch to taking it in the morning because of the energy it gives me. Nighttime dosing gave me insomnia that was worse than before I started taking it.
Anyway, I hope this helps. Try to get 2 start-up packs. Each one contains seven 37.5 and seven 75mg caps. If you're anxious about how it will affect you, take the 37.5 for two weeks and see how it goes. Then decide if you want to go up. I felt the effects of this med within a day or two unlike when I took the Zoloft. It seemed like weeks passed before I felt anything that resembled "better."
:-) Colleen
> Colleen,
>
> I'm glad that it worked for you. I look at boards like http://www.rxlist.com/rxboard/effexor.pl?noframes;#2827
>
> and read nothiing but horror stories. Worse things that I have read about any other anti depressant. Does Effexor kill your emotions? I have three kids and are concerned that I will become an emotionless robot.
>
> Thanks again!
>
>
>
> > Hi!
> >
> > By activating, I mean it makes me feel energized. I need less sleep than normal and feel good even when I get less than 8 hours. Without meds, I am a wreck if I don't get 8 to 10 hours of sleep. My house has not been this clean and organized in years! My husband also tried Effexor for a short time and had no problems discontinuing it. If you don't stop it abruptly you may not have go through the dreaded "withdrawal" that so many here talk about. Your pdoc or GP can give you a couple of start-up packs if you should decide it's not for you and titrate down slowly. Good luck!
> >
> > Colleen
>
>
poster:Colleen D.
thread:480243
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050404/msgs/481387.html