Benzos Effexor (SSRI) and Klonopin

[Life is a Road]

Hey guys,

I just started taking Effexor (37.5 mg) two days ago. Even though I know it's supposed to take weeks to actually kick in, I already feel loads better. I've been suffering from bad anxiety and depression since August/ September, and was very reluctant to go on any medication, but I have just started seeing a psychiatrist. I feel a lot more confident, decisive, focused, and over-all a lot more relaxed. The problem is how TIRED I feel. My mom was on a cocktail of anti-depressants and had really bad reactions to them by the end of it, she said she felt pretty numb and void of emotion. This was about 5 years ago and now it took her a year to taper off all of them, and is totally fine! I've also been taking 1 mg of Klonopin at night. I've been running pretty much every day which helps a lot and gives me energy but it's a real fight to get past this fatigue.

I know SSRI's aren't an exact science, and really do not want to up my dose, or be on them any more than two months as I am graduating college, moving to a new city, with a great job and a great boyfriend. I'm so happy, but come on now can't I have the good side effects without the bad? How long will these last for? I'm pretty sensitive to medication as it is; I'm 120 lbs.

Thanks, all

 

[MrRoot]

Thinking about that mild amount of venlafaxin and that the progress started within days I guess it is just a placebo effect. Youd better off taking some chocolate.

 

[Life is a Road]

That's what I thought, but I've used dark chocolate and Gatorade in the past which boosts my mood, but never for the entire day.

MrRoot, do you have any idea how long the sleepiness from starting a venlafaxin lasts? I've heard it may be up to 2 weeks, which I can handle but a month seems crazy.

 

[MrRoot]

I have never had sleepiness from venlafaxine but I have problems with sleep so that might explain why I dont get drowsy. I start my dose from 75mg and after a week up it to a 150mg when I have depressive stage.

 

[Life is a Road]

I had bad insomnia off and on for almost a year now, and was taking Tylenol PM and Excedrin PM. After a while, though I started having lucid nightmares. When I stopped taking them I actually had an easier time sleeping, and the benzo's help me sleep really really well. Also the fact that I just finished finals.

Do you like being on SSRI's? Or do you wish you had just tried to work through the depression on your own?

 

[MrRoot]

I dont like being on SSRI's as the weaning off from them is quite awkward with head zaps etc. Though venlafaxine has much less withdrawals than for example a citalopram at equivalent therapeutical doses. Also I do have to watch myself to stop as soon as the depressive stage might lead up to a manic state when doing SSRI's too long.

 

[Life is a Road]

Would you suggest being on them for two months if I think I'm already starting to see effects or stop immediately?

I had this huge question mark about them for about 9 months now because I've heard so many bad things, and also because mood altering medications creep me out, unless someone really needs them. But now that I'm on this small dose I kind of like it, I'm just scared of what will happen in the future...

 

[Peels]

The bad side effects will normally wear off in 2-4 weeks. I'm glad you found an SSRI that makes you feel better! It took me a while to find the right SSRI.

Most doctors will recommend a minimum of 6 months before weaning off, but all doctors are different, and you could of course wean off of them by yourself (be careful!).

I'm wondering why you're wanting to get off of the medication so quickly, especially if it's making your life much better for the most part? You can stay on SSRI's for years without any harm.

Bottom line, the bad effects should wear off in a couple of weeks, but unfortunately, as you said, "SSRIs aren't an exact science." Good luck!