effexor timing of dosage

[Sue357]

Hi. Has anyone experienced that if they don't take their meds at the same time, their symptoms come back?  Today I thought I took my meds, but looked at my pill case and saw that I hadn't.  I had woken up with anxiety ( I take my pills at 4 am when I wake up then go back to sleep until 5.  I woke up with much anxiety then checked and saw I had not taken my pills.  First time this has happened.

[Sue357]

I know.  I never had a surgery in my life until 4 years ago.  The hernia, the surgeon said, was from my colon operation as the other surgeon went through the belly button ( hand assisted laproscopy), which caused adhesions and the hernia.  I guess all the trauma from my first surgery caused this episode, but I have never been diagnosed as BP2, just depression and GAD.  I seem to be better after I got back on my med schedule.  I still will have back days and then good days.  Thank God the good days seem to be outnumbering the bad days.

[4Maddie44]

Golly Sue is there anything left inside you?  What a lot of surgery.  Poor you.

I do hope you are feeling better now.

Take care

[Sue357]

I do feel better after the surgery but it took about a year and a half for all the pain to go away.  You are lucky you are in the UK.  I have been wishing for years that the US would  have that type of health care but as I understand it , you pay more taxes.  I would be willing to do that as I had 2 more surgeries since that one.  I work with an organization that helps people who have lost anyone through violence.  That has helped me a lotSince my colon surgery I have been fine.  They took out 7 inches that were infected.  Last year I had my gall bladder out and the year before that I had an umbilical hernia fixed.  

[4Maddie44]

Oh Sue, you have been through a lot.  I am so sorry about your son.  What a terrible thing to cope with.

Also to have that huge operation on your colon.  Do you feel better for that?  

I am lucky in UK as I do not have to pay for meds.  Under 16s and over 60s get them on NHS.  I did have a struggle with doctor recently to put me back on Effexor from the generic.  Not much difference in the price he admitted.  

I do hope you are feeling better.  I am low now because I have a throat infection and loss of voice which has hung around for ages.  As I get older I find I cannot fight these things so well.

Take care,

Anne

[Sue357]

forgot to add that I am also on HRT and Prevacid.  The last one for acid reflux.

[Sue357]

Thanks to you both.  Yes, I am on Klonopin 1 mg 3 times a day.  He also prescribed what I call a "rescue drug"  Ativan, that I take when I have breakthrough anxiety.  However, I don't have to take it often, maybe 1 every 2 weeks or so.  I have been on Effexor for about 4 or 5 months or so.  We tried a lot of different drugs but they did not work or would work for a month or so and then poop out.  I am also on Lamictal and Seraquel ( PM)  I am on the generic Effexor.  Have never been on the regular one.  I am diagnosed BP 2 with GAD.  I am 55 and have suffered with depression before in my life.  At age 9, 16 and 38.  That last time I was hospitalized and put on Zoloft which worked for years.  4 and a half years ago, this episode started.  Not sure why.  6 months before that I had my first surgery ever, 7 inches of colon removed due to multiple episodes of diverticulitis which would not respond to antibiotics.  Also, need to tell you both that in 1997 my 19 year old son was shot and killed.  I have has many traumas in my life but of course that was the worse.  

[4Maddie44]

Hi, I am Effexor.  Was changed to the generic and found it was not as effective, and have now been put back on Effexor.

I have depression for 20 years, and yes, I do have breakthrough depression from time to time.  Like you, if I do not take the tablet, I do feel different.  

I find the Effexor has got rid of my anxiety and panics.  I expect as I am a senior citizen, drugs act differently on me to younger people.

I will always need anti-depressants.  My depression  is not caused by anything specific in my life, it is just there.  

[remar]

I took Effexor for 5 years so I do have experience with it. Sometimes I would miss a dose or take it at a different time and it did'nt matter. I did have break through anxiety sometimes. I think this can happen with all antidepressants. That's my opinion. I'm glad to hear your feeling better. Can I ask how long you have been on this med? Did your Dr give you an anti anxiety med just in case you have a panic attack? Mine did, even though I rarely ever needed them. It was good to know I had them, just in case.  

[Sue357]

Yes, I feel better.  I took my meds on time today.  Is it normal to have breakthrough depression and anxiety even on meds?  I heard somewhere that if you don't take Effexor at the same time everyday you will feel horrible.  Have you heard that?

[remar]

These meds build up in your system over time and then stay built up for awhile. You may have had some break through anxiety, which can happen even if you're on meds. Are you feeling alright now that your back on schedule with your dose?