Effexor And Sleepiness

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I am on 150 mg, I have been taking it in the morning as my dr said to, but I can't focus in the mornings at all, I feel really sleepy and I start to feel myself by the afternoon around 3p. Should I try to change it to the evenings when I take it? When does everyone else take it?

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1

I have been on 150 Extended Release for a few months; if I take it at night I cannot sleep; the pharmacist recommended taking it in the morning. I also have morning blahs but also a bad habit of hating to go to bed, like I'm going to miss out on my "free time". So it's my own fault not keeping a good sleep schedule. I found it helped to have a friend or "assistant" to do things with in the mornings to get me motivated. Once I'm up and showered, I'm fine. We switched to Effexor from Lexapro because I was always exhausted.

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2

Thank you, mine is ext release also and I was wondering how it would be if I took it at night. I work in the morning, so I really need to function better. I was worried about how to switch it, so if it keeps you awake at night, I won't try it. I'll just figure out a way to deal with the blah's in the morning. Maybe a sip or two of 5 hour energy LOL

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Hi Shari,

I just wanted to add that if Effexor is making you feel sleepy, maybe it's having a different affect on Debra due to underlying individual factors, such as body chemistry, age, weight, diet, etc - who stated that it keeps her awake at night...Looking at this aspect with an understanding that everyone tends to react and respond differently to the same types of medications, my assumption is that only trial and error can provide the right answer as to when it might be best to take it... However, it would still probably be a good idea to double check with your prescribing doctor first, just to be on the safe side.

Hope this helps!

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4

Very true, David, all meds react differently with different peoples' chemistry. That's why it's often necessary to switch types of meds as you age. Also, it might be significant that this past winter was particularly bad as well as the previous winter where I live and my therapist says I am having SAD effects on top of depression/anxiety. One thing I've discovered, however, with Effexor XR, if I skip a dose accidentally as I did yesterday, I'm fine that day, but the following day, today, I'm overwhelmed with fatigue and sadness, even dreamed last night that I was crying and woke up to go have a good sob in the other room... it's much pickier than Lexapro, but still seems to handle the anxiety whereas the Lexapro did not.

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5

Thanks David, you're right, I guess I'll run it by him again. Even though I mentioned it before with the fact that I've gained some weight and have no libido at all, which is the total opposite for me. I am at menopausal age and was having some anxiety and just generally in an angry state all the time even though my life is better now than it has ever been. But the non focus, sleepy, no libido and weight gain is making me question it. But now after reading how people have a horrible time stopping it, I'm not sure I"d change! lol It does help though with the anxiety and my general mood.

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6

Hi Shari. I'm definitely feeling the same thing- I take 75mg in the morning along with lorezepam and I feel super tired/lethargic all day long. I have to force myself out of bed and I finally feel more awake in the evenings. I've been told that these 'side effects' will go away over time. It's only been about 4 weeks for me, here's to hoping they go away!

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7

Absolutely Meg!!! Its hard to function all day when you feel like its in the middle of the night! LOL

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8

The good news is that this is the first anti-depressant/anxiety med I've taken that DOES NOT effect my libido much. :)

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9

I can't say that, it has affected mine horribly!! :(

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10

Meg, how long have you been taking the Lorazapam? Lorazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines and is used to treat anxiety disorders, but it is VERY addictive, and coming off it is pure HELL! Trust me, I have come through that. It has been almost 5 years since I stopped taking it, and I STILL have withdrawal symptoms. And taking it in the morning WILL make you sleepy. Have you ever considered taking a natural (herbal) supplement for your anxiety?

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11

I would be interested in an herbal supplement...

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12

I have been taking the lorezepam now for about 5 weeks. I take .5 mg in the morning and 1mg at night. I never thought about that honestly. I would definitely consider an herbal supplement instead. Do you have any suggestions?

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13

I take it in the morning and I'm fine try taking it at night before bed. If it doesn't work get in touch with your doctor. Good luck

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