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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by psychosage on May 8, 2004, at 16:05:28
Okay, I am on 37.5mg of Effexor XR, and I have been on for only a few days, and i have been napping everyday. I have been on Effexor before, but it was 4 years ago, and I don't remember how bad it was in the beginning, but i do remember napping a bit.
I really want this to work, but I am discouraged by this now. I have no nausea or dizziness. I have nappiness.
I am also on Trileptal {300mg twice a day-lowered from 1200mg because provigil made it stronger}, and I wonder if Effexor makes it stronger. My provigil is not helping with the naps, but I am on a low dose. I take as little as 50mg a day.
Could I take all the Trileptal at night? Wouold that ruin the modd stabilizing effects?
Please help!!! I really just want to be on 37.5mg and make that work for depression and anxiety. I am a mixed mood type who can't take high doses of serotonergic drugs.
Posted by Buckeye Fan on May 8, 2004, at 17:56:06
In reply to Effexor XR 37.5mg Naps -Trileptal help too, posted by psychosage on May 8, 2004, at 16:05:28
Unfortunately the effective theraputic dose for EFFEXOR is at least 150mg.
300 is the recommened dose for hospitalized patients.
75 mg is good only for going up or down , while adjusting your dose.
Seretonon isnt activated until at least 4 weeks of 150-300mg
Good Luck
BF
Posted by beatrix34 on May 8, 2004, at 21:28:41
In reply to Re: Effexor XR 37.5mg Naps -Trileptal help too, posted by Buckeye Fan on May 8, 2004, at 17:56:06
I heard that the therapeutic dose was 75mg...my dr prescribed me a max of 75mg and I definitely can feel the effects. I actually had side effects on the 37.5mg and even experienced a lessening of anxiety for the first week at that dose...it took me longer to move up to 75mgt and at the end of my 37.5mg week and a half, I was back to my mood swings. I am hoping that I do not experience this again at 75mg. I have not been on it for very long but do not want to increase beyond 75mg due to the side effects...too scary.
I did sleep too at first but my motivation came back and I am currently job searching and running 3-4 times per week. I think it's different for everyone...the only thing that doesn't seem to be going away is my lack of sexual interest...that could prove to be a problem in the long run considering I'm a newly wed...eek.
Bea
Posted by psychosage on May 8, 2004, at 23:12:05
In reply to Re: Effexor XR 37.5mg Naps -Trileptal help too, posted by beatrix34 on May 8, 2004, at 21:28:41
> I heard that the therapeutic dose was 75mg...my dr prescribed me a max of 75mg and I definitely can feel the effects. I actually had side effects on the 37.5mg and even experienced a lessening of anxiety for the first week at that dose...it took me longer to move up to 75mgt and at the end of my 37.5mg week and a half, I was back to my mood swings. I am hoping that I do not experience this again at 75mg. I have not been on it for very long but do not want to increase beyond 75mg due to the side effects...too scary.
>
> I did sleep too at first but my motivation came back and I am currently job searching and running 3-4 times per week. I think it's different for everyone...the only thing that doesn't seem to be going away is my lack of sexual interest...that could prove to be a problem in the long run considering I'm a newly wed...eek.
>
> Bea
Thanks for the optimistic message. I just took my second nap of the day, and now it's midnight. EEK for me now. I took 75mg of Provigil today, and that did not keep me awake all day. Perhaps this is my reward for enduring a year of agitating wellbutrin with its inner tension feeling.Does anyone know if I can take my 600mg per day of Trileptal in one shot at night as opposed to split between 300mg doses twices a day???
Posted by psychosage on May 9, 2004, at 4:07:26
In reply to Re: Effexor XR 37.5mg Naps -Trileptal help too, posted by beatrix34 on May 8, 2004, at 21:28:41
> I heard that the therapeutic dose was 75mg...my dr prescribed me a max of 75mg and I definitely can feel the effects. I actually had side effects on the 37.5mg and even experienced a lessening of anxiety for the first week at that dose...it took me longer to move up to 75mgt and at the end of my 37.5mg week and a half, I was back to my mood swings. I am hoping that I do not experience this again at 75mg. I have not been on it for very long but do not want to increase beyond 75mg due to the side effects...too scary.
>> I did sleep too at first but my motivation came back and I am currently job searching and running 3-4 times per week. I think it's different for everyone...the only thing that doesn't seem to be going away is my lack of sexual interest...that could prove to be a problem in the long run considering I'm a newly wed...eek.
>
> Bea
This reminded me of your post:http://nytimes.com/2004/05/04/health/psychology/04PSYC.html
registration is free
Has the Romance Gone? Was It the Drug?
By ANAHAD O'CONNORPublished: May 4, 2004
For most people taking antidepressants, the risk of a diminished sex drive may seem like a worthwhile sacrifice for the benefits from the drugs.
Up to 70 percent of patients on antidepressants report sexual side effects, yet the number of Americans who take the drugs has ballooned since Prozac was introduced in the late 1980's. Last year, studies show, doctors in the United States wrote 213 million prescriptions for antidepressants.
But what if the sexual side effects of the drugs, often considered little more than a nuisance, had more serious consequences, impairing not only sexual desire in some people, but also the ability to experience romance? The question, which experts are beginning to ask, was at the center of a talk this weekend at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in New York.
see link for more
Posted by T_R_D on May 10, 2004, at 14:12:36
In reply to Romance/Sex article NYTimes.com and ADs » beatrix34, posted by psychosage on May 9, 2004, at 4:07:26
Hi psychosage, would you be able to post the article in its entirety on the board? I'm having trouble signing on to the Times...and yes, my cookies are enabled...modern technology...*sigh*
Thanks,
Karen
Posted by finelinebob on May 10, 2004, at 16:38:46
In reply to Re: Romance/Sex article NYTimes.com and ADs, posted by T_R_D on May 10, 2004, at 14:12:36
http://www.psychlinks.ca/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=221
Psychlinks posted the text of the article. Gotta love that Google!
Posted by beatrix34 on May 11, 2004, at 0:49:27
In reply to Article posted elsewhere...., posted by finelinebob on May 10, 2004, at 16:38:46
Thanks for that...it is true I find. I have to be more aware to cuddle and be attentive with my spouse since going on the meds. I might even try to keep a mental check list, just to make sure that I have shown affection and said some loving words throughout the day. I don't want my trying to better my mental well being to ruin my relationship...yike.
Posted by minstrel on July 30, 2004, at 11:25:46
In reply to Re: Article posted elsewhere...., posted by beatrix34 on May 11, 2004, at 0:49:27
I hope you also read my comment at the end of that article - see http://www.psychlinks.ca/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=221#221 ...
"PsychLinks Online Admin Note
Many people taking SSRI medications do not experience decreased libido; in fact, some experience the opposite (indeed, one woman found that after starting Effexor she became consistently multiorgasmic for the first time in her life, after previously having difficulties with low libido and anorgasmia). For those who experience this adverse effect, there are several options, including (1) switching to another medication in the same family whicb is less likely to cause the side-effect, and (2) adding a small dose of Wellbutrin to the current medication."
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