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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by omegon on October 7, 2003, at 18:41:38
Hi,
I'd like some advice on an odd side effect, from anyone who's used venlafaxine / efexor.
I switched from paroxetine (20mg) to efexor XR (75mg) four days ago, due to strong side effects, mood swings, anxiety and little antidepressant effect from paroxetine.
So far, I'm finding efexor much better in every way. However I have one weird symptom: twitches of my lower eyelids! The lid "vibrates" up and down; feels like a tiny muscle contraction near the outer corner. This happens on and off all day. Maybe not quite continuous, but near enough. It's not particularly noticeable to others (as far as I can tell looking in a mirror) but it's occasionally a bit annoying and is probably not helpful for my social confidence!
I've noticed over the last year or so (during which time I've used St John's Wort, selegiline, and then paroxetine) that I get occasional muscle jerks / twitches (myoclonus?), usually of shoulder or back muscles, but they were single jerks rather than the vibrating thing I'm getting here, and now it's in this one eyelid muscle / group and started when I switched.
Anyone else had this? Is it efexor (and will it fade with time) or paroxetine withdrawal, in as much as there IS any withdrawal when switching meds?
thanks...
Posted by sarita0001 on October 7, 2003, at 20:46:02
In reply to Advice: efexor eye(lid) twitches, posted by omegon on October 7, 2003, at 18:41:38
Hi,
I had almost the same eyelid twitching twice when I was on TOPAMAX, not effexor. When that happened, the doctor told me to lower the dosage. Hopefully that is all that needs to happen for you. The twiching only went away if I took a nap or closed my eyes for a long time. I know it's weird. Good luck
Sara
Posted by omegon on October 7, 2003, at 20:55:43
In reply to Re: Advice: efexor eye(lid) twitches, posted by sarita0001 on October 7, 2003, at 20:46:02
Hmm. Thanks for your advice; however, lowering the venlafaxine dosage (now 75mg) is probably not an option. I'm getting fairly mild relief from it (though much better than paroxetine, which was a bit of a disaster / rollercoaster) and the side effects are almost non-existent so far, aside from this eyelid thing! If anything I was thinking of raising the dose, in a couple of weeks.
Guess I'll just keep on twitching... yikes
> Hi,
>
> I had almost the same eyelid twitching twice when I was on TOPAMAX, not effexor. When that happened, the doctor told me to lower the dosage. Hopefully that is all that needs to happen for you. The twiching only went away if I took a nap or closed my eyes for a long time. I know it's weird. Good luck
>
> Sara
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