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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by leckroj on January 17, 2001, at 15:22:27
In reply to Re: any sexual side effects?, posted by Elaine on January 15, 2001, at 12:32:11
> Well...... I don't think I can relate to you guys and your sexual side effects. But thanks anyway for the positive info. I have just switched to Effexor from Paxil, and I am hoping that this change in med. will change my total lack of desire. My marriage right now is in jeopardy because of my lack of desire.
Honey, my lack of desire began many years before I began Effexor. Effexor (and some other SSRIs) may make it worse, but it's seldom been great. However, I've been married for 35+ years to the same man, so we've got some OTHER things going for us...Good luck to you. Jan
Posted by leckroj on January 17, 2001, at 15:38:58
In reply to RE: Insomnia on Effexor., posted by Kane on January 16, 2001, at 14:18:06
>
> I'm just starting on 37.5 mgs of effexor xr it's been 14 days now.I know it's such a low dose,but I'm not sleeping well at night,when I close my eyes my brain starts going 100 miles an hour it seems,I feel exhausted at bed time but with out the zanax I can't relax.Has anybody tryed taking this just before bed time? And if I increased this dose I wonder if it would help slow down my thinking episodes as I'm trying to fall asleep?
>
> Any input would be great. ThanksHi, Kane. I see you've gotten lots of input. So, here's mine: I take Effexor XR, 300 mg. + Seroquel, 50 mg. at bedtime. I don't often remember any of my dreams (if I have them, which I'm sure I do, because everybody does), and I always get up at least one time during the night. Of course, I'm older, too (56 y/o), and it doesn't bother me to get up once. In fact, we have our coffee pot set on a timer to come on ~4:45 am, and I look forward to hearing it come on. I anticipate my 1st hot cup of coffee in the dark, early mornings.
I was told NOT to take Effexor in the morning, because, unlike Paxil, it's sedating--could make me tired. I know that if I forget to take it at bedtime, I can count on a disturbed sleep with wild, colorful, and usually stressful dreams. At these times I wake my husband up by talking/yelling in my sleep. Oh, well.
I WISH my mind would go 100 mph.DURING THE DAY, anyway--even 70 mph would be an improvement. I have always been a "slow"--I prefer to say "considering, thoughtful"--thinker. Others can usually speak their piece(s) before I can draw a deep enough breath. It's a bit frustrating...
Don't know if I helped YOU any, but I had a good time talking about myself. Good luck to you. Jan
Posted by Kim Hazell on January 17, 2001, at 22:40:08
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Janey on April 18, 2000, at 17:59:12
Anyone come off Effexor succesfully? How long did it take? Please reply soon!!
Posted by AngMoriss on January 18, 2001, at 1:03:12
In reply to Whats up with these dreams, posted by Kara on August 30, 2000, at 13:16:02
I have never had that tingly feeling in the back top of my head but oh LORD have I had "the dreams". They're increadible! I share a room with my sister too and she says i do the same. Laughing and tossing and talking and crying and yelling. The dreams are either really nice or really weird or really bad or really sad. When I remember the dreams, I just think to myself "Where in the HECK did this come from!?!?!?!!??!?!" I have had a dream, that the girl with pigtails thats for the Wednys fast food ad, well I was walking down the street and I turned arounf and there was about 6 men dressed up as that Wendys girl, with red wigs in pigtails and all. They followed me home and one came up and tapped me on the shoulder, right before I walked in the door, and said "The next time you hear a knock, and then a scream, it means I'm killing someone". So I walked in the house and right when I put my keys down, I heard a knock, and then a scream. And then I wake up. That was a reacurring dream. Ive had it about 7 times. Now WHAT is up with THAT!?!? hAHHAhhahAH. Just thought I would share my strange dream with you all so you dont think yours are so bad. HAHAHhAHAHaHA.
Posted by Amy on January 18, 2001, at 6:37:35
In reply to Re: withdrawal - effexor ...how long??, posted by Kim Hazell on January 17, 2001, at 22:40:08
> Anyone come off Effexor succesfully? How long did it take? Please reply soon!!
I quite 150 mg of effexor 2 weeks ago today cold turkey. My doctor is aware, although he wanted me to slowly wean off the medication for 2 weeks. I am not doing very well - never knew the side effects unitl I found this website a couple of days ago. Dizziness - yes, Mood Swings - Definitely! Unhappy and Unmotivated? Yes. I am considering Sam-E herb to help - My husband and I are trying to get pregnant - thus the situation. I have never been through any type of withdrawel like this! Hope it goes soon! Keep me posted!
Posted by Elaine on January 18, 2001, at 7:39:46
In reply to Re: any sexual side effects?, posted by leckroj on January 17, 2001, at 15:22:27
Thank you Jan. I've been married 15 years.... and I don't see it getting any better. But thanks for responding.
Posted by Alli on January 18, 2001, at 8:48:10
In reply to Re: withdrawal - effexor ...how long??, posted by Kim Hazell on January 17, 2001, at 22:40:08
> Anyone come off Effexor succesfully? How long did it take? Please reply soon!!
Kim ~ Slowly, but surely! Decreased the amount, added Kava-Kava in the morning, St. John's Wort at night, then started skipping every other day with the Effexor. One week from today I'll be off completely... I HOPE. It hasn't been easy. Yesterday I wasted the whole day in an exhausted daze. Today? It's still early... I could crash in an hour. Good luck! P.S. Read Natalie's post!
Posted by Alli on January 18, 2001, at 8:53:21
In reply to Re: Whats up with these dreams, posted by AngMoriss on January 18, 2001, at 1:03:12
AngMorris ~ Freak me out! I just said to my husband this morning, "I wonder if it's the withdrawal that's causing my dreams?" They are so deep and vivid... and weird! I've dreamt the typical ones; pregnant AGAIN, going back to college (YUK), etc. The typical stress ones that everyone has. But then some are just so out of nowhere. I wake up exhausted. Alli.
Posted by Kara on January 18, 2001, at 9:50:42
In reply to Re: Whats up with these dreams, posted by AngMoriss on January 18, 2001, at 1:03:12
Have any of the women on Effexor XR had changes in their menestrual cycle? I have now been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia since being on Effexor XR for almost 5 months now. I take 150mg per day and I seem to be getting new side effects every week. I get migraines every day, terrible nightmares, blurred vision and now absense of my period (I am not pregnant!), etc.I am so scared to get off this drug! I missed one pill and I thought I was dying, I felt like a walking zombie, shaky and numb. Plus my heart was racing and I had difficulty breathing. My internal medicine doctor looked at me with complete concern when I told her that I was on this drug. I know its different for everyone, but I am now worried about the effects of this med and what my body is going through. I hope that I am not perminately damaged. What the hell should I do? If one day off this med is so terrible, I dont even want to go through the complete withdrawl.
Posted by N Michele on January 18, 2001, at 19:06:36
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
>I have been on Effexor XR (150 mg) for about 2 years now and have gained about 35lbs. I have only had success in losing about 10 of it. I am now on my second week of coming off of Effexor XR and I am wondering if there is anyone who has lost the weight they gained after they come off of this drug. How long did it take to lose the weight and did you have to really work at it or did it just happen?? Any encouragement you can give me would be wonderful!! I am tired of being happy but overweight. Thanks!
Posted by N Michele on January 18, 2001, at 19:06:40
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
>I have been on Effexor XR (150 mg) for about 2 years now and have gained about 35lbs. I have only had success in losing about 10 of it. I am now on my second week of coming off of Effexor XR and I am wondering if there is anyone who has lost the weight they gained after they come off of this drug. How long did it take to lose the weight and did you have to really work at it or did it just happen?? Any encouragement you can give me would be wonderful!! I am tired of being happy but overweight. Thanks!
Posted by Shell on January 18, 2001, at 23:35:01
In reply to Re: withdrawal - effexor ...how long??, posted by Kim Hazell on January 17, 2001, at 22:40:08
> Anyone come off Effexor succesfully? How long did it take? Please reply soon!!
I quit taking Effexor last Wednesday (300 mg). I had an uncomfortable first few days and it has gotten a little better each day since then. Yesterday (Wednesday) was the first day I didn't notice any of the withdrawal symptoms at all. I did notice a little of the dizziness this evening, but I think the fact that I was tired (I worked 14 hours today and had 4 hours sleep last night) probably had something to do with it.
It does get better; it just doesn't feel that way when you are going through it. I wish I could tell you that you'd be fine in week, but it varies so much. I'm sure there are people here for whom it lasted weeks or even months. The important thing is that it will end eventually. If the symptoms are really bad, tell your doctor. There are things that can be done to help.
Shell
Posted by Kane on January 21, 2001, at 22:44:28
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello: Just wondering if anybody has a doctor who recomends taken this evey other day? Had some problems sleeping at nights,irritable,also my brain was going 100miles when I would wake up in the middle of the night.Is this lapse good to have with this medication?I do seem to be sleeping a whole lot better at night with this skip.Does anybody know about how long one dose of 37.5mgs last in the body?Any advice would be appreciated.
Posted by Alli on January 22, 2001, at 13:01:25
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by N Michele on January 18, 2001, at 19:06:36
N Michelle ~ Hey, sounds familiar. I was on 75 mg. for two years and gained 12 lbs. I'm in the process of weaning myself off and look forward to the losing some weight, too. I'll keep reading the posts and hopefully we'll read some promising ones! It HAS to come off; doesn't it???? Alli.
Posted by betsy on January 23, 2001, at 11:12:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by N Michele on January 18, 2001, at 19:06:36
> >I have been on Effexor XR (150 mg) for about 2 years now and have gained about 35lbs. I have only had success in losing about 10 of it. I am now on my second week of coming off of Effexor XR and I am wondering if there is anyone who has lost the weight they gained after they come off of this drug. How long did it take to lose the weight and did you have to really work at it or did it just happen?? Any encouragement you can give me would be wonderful!! I am tired of being
happy but overweight. Tha
How did you loose the 10 pounds you lost? I have gained 15 pounds and I work out everyday and watch everything I eat?
Posted by NMichele on January 23, 2001, at 16:39:41
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by N Michele on January 18, 2001, at 19:06:36
> >My Christian counselor put me on a special diet that eliminated sugar, whote flour and caffeine from my diet. It took a little over a month but I slowly lost about 10 pounds. The first 4 days of this were rough though. I felt terrible because I was going through caffeine and sugar withdraws. But after that I had so much energy and felt great!! I was very careful to check the sugar content on everything. I was also told to cut out all sodas and drink lots of water. I didn't exercise through this and I stil was able to loose a little of the weight. But most of all it made me feel better because the effexor always made me so tired and NON motivated. I hope this helps!!
Posted by leckroj on January 23, 2001, at 16:47:38
In reply to Effexor XR Every other Day, posted by Kane on January 21, 2001, at 22:44:28
> Hello: Just wondering if anybody has a doctor who recomends taken this evey other day? Had some problems sleeping at nights,irritable,also my brain was going 100miles when I would wake up in the middle of the night.Is this lapse good to have with this medication?I do seem to be sleeping a whole lot better at night with this skip.Does anybody know about how long one dose of 37.5mgs last in the body?Any advice would be appreciated.
I take 300 mg. at bed time, every day. I can't imagine taking it every other day. My sleep, when I forget one day, is VERY disturbed. I'd feel exhausted and scared if I took it as you do. Now, I looked up the half-live of Effexor--how long it takes before there is half the peak amount in your blood stream--and found that, for the medicine itself, the half-life is between 6-8 hrs. BUT: there's an active metabolite, and that, too, has a half-life of ~6 hrs. So we're talking of a duration of action of, roughly, 12 hours. Don't know if this helps; you're on a very small dose, it seems to me. But the 1/2-life for small or large dose should be the same.
Jan
Posted by Shell on January 23, 2001, at 20:51:48
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by NMichele on January 23, 2001, at 16:39:41
> > >My Christian counselor put me on a special diet that eliminated sugar, whote flour and caffeine from my diet. It took a little over a month but I slowly lost about 10 pounds. The first 4 days of this were rough though. I felt terrible because I was going through caffeine and sugar withdraws. But after that I had so much energy and felt great!! I was very careful to check the sugar content on everything. I was also told to cut out all sodas and drink lots of water. I didn't exercise through this and I stil was able to loose a little of the weight. But most of all it made me feel better because the effexor always made me so tired and NON motivated. I hope this helps!!
That reminds me of some advice I once heard. It was a very simple diet; it had only one rule. Eliminate all white powders from your diet. These are sugar, salt and white flour. Unfortunately, that eliminates all my favorite things!
Shell
Posted by ronda on January 24, 2001, at 16:34:29
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Janey on April 18, 2000, at 17:59:12
I hope this helps everyone who is experiencing withdrawal
because it helped me. I was one effexor for about
7 months and began to wean myself off of it because
I was just too numb. No sex drive, tired, no
emotions. Don't get me wrong, effexor made me feel
a lot better, I just didn't like the side effects.
Anyway, while trying to wean myself off of this
drug, which by the way was MURDER, somehow I caught
a cold. Anyway, you could imagine the pain I was
going thru trying to wean myself off of this medicine
I mean guys, I thought I was going crazy and would
die, I took some Theraflu (nighttime formula). In
less than 10 minutes, and I am not kidding, all of
the dizziness, headaches, swimming of my head,
sweatiness, went away. I didn't know what the hell
was going on. Well, I took the theraflu and Niquil
for about a week, and that was it. No withdrawal
no nothing. Now, I don't know if this will work
for you guys, but it worked for me. I don't know
why cold medicine worked, but it did. I asked my
doctor, and she said she didn't have an answer.
Anyway, I thought I'd let you guys know. I know
how withdrawal is, and I know I would have done
anything to make it stop. If anyone tries this,
let me know if it worked. Good luck.Ronda
Posted by Kara on January 25, 2001, at 9:00:30
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by ronda on January 24, 2001, at 16:34:29
Well I have decided to get myself off this drug all together. Today is my second day off this med, I am quitting 150mg of Effexor XR. I feel
light headed, numb and my stomache is killing me. I am starting to think that I am making the wrong decision of going cold turkey. I dont want to give in to taking a pill to stop this state that my body is in. It is definately worse than yesterday. Any suggestions?
Posted by NMichele on January 25, 2001, at 9:48:44
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Kara on January 25, 2001, at 9:00:30
> I am on my third and final week of coming off of Effexor. I have taken 150mg for 2 years. Other than a few days of light anxiety I have not felt anything unusual. I did feel for a day or two like I had the flu but my doctor said to expect that. I would suggest that you do it gradually. It will be so much easier for you that way. The first week I was to take 105mg. The second week 75mg and the third 35.5. So far so good. Maybe this will help for you too!! Good luck!!
Posted by Kara on January 25, 2001, at 17:14:54
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Well, I posted a message this morning when I arrived at work about myself going cold turkey. I am starting to think that I have made a terrible mistake. Why, well I feel like a walking/stumbling zombie. My eyes are killing me and they take a couple of seconds to catch up with my brain. I have not felt like this before and I wouldnt wish it upon anyone! I dont even think that I am fit to drive myself home, I just want to crawl into my bed and sleep this off. But this is only 48 hours since my last dose and it only seems to be getting worse. I will see how I feel tomorrow, the way that this is going right now the outlook doesnt look so good. I dont think that I will be able to make it to work tomorrow, the way my body is reacting right now is scary and I dont know what to do. I AM NOT GIVING INTO TAKING ANOTHER PILL! I hate myself for ever putting myself on this med and I hate the doctor that said that it is a great pill and not addictive and that is ABSOLUTE B.S.! Now I see how it is for a drug addict to go through withdrawl. This is drug addiction and I hope you all realize that your problem is not only depression/anxiety, now you can add drug addiction to your list. Best of luck to all of you trying to get off this drug and take this as a sincere warning to anyone thinking about taking Effexor XR. Please email me your comments or suggestions to Karap@tommel.tzo.com
Posted by Janus on January 26, 2001, at 4:40:00
In reply to I AM NOT GIVING INTO TAKING ANOTHER PILL! , posted by Kara on January 25, 2001, at 17:14:54
I have been on effexor retard for one year and i have tried literally avery available antidepressant exept tricyclycs. Yes even nonreversible monoamioxidaseinhibitors.
Effexor has been the only one that has really keeped on working. Every other either stopped working after 3-6 months (SSRIs)or did not work at all (MAOinh.)
I have also found that combining efexor with tymelyt (maprotilin) enhances the AD effect. Also combining with Mianserin boosts the effect, but mianserin makes me tired gives me huch wiaght-gain. But mianserin actually boosted more than maprotilin.
So i and my shrink have concluded my depression can best be treated with ADs that address noradrenaline.
Maybe there are two distinctive neurotransmitterdisorders, that relate to either serotonine or noradrenaline and effexor can work wonder for the one but not for the other?
Here are some sideeffect, that bother me. I startefd with 75 mg effexor and that was fine. After 3 months i had to add maprotilin 10-30 mg varying, as the would give an almost immediate relief from what i call "bad mood seizures". However i have recently had to increase the dose of effexor to 150 mg. I dont wan-t get into a more and more addiction, but ill return with further comments in a few months about wether i need more still then.
Another sideeffect, that sets in after some months, is not actual tirednes (SSRIs all made me intollerably tired), but a feeling of being energy-depleted. Like i have difficulty getting myself started. My body feel, like, too heavy to get mooving. But thats all i have to complain about.
I have to take effexor and maprotilin in the morning, because i do not sleep well on them. When i supplemented with mianserin i took minaserin before bed and slept like a log. I have tried replacing meprotillin with Mirtazepin (Remeron) and found that Remeron greatly improves my sleep (no more nightmares! Without Mirtazepin or mianserin i have several nightmares every night, awfull). Mirtazepin makes me very tired if taken in the morning (like all SSRIs do to me).
I also tried boosting effexor with Buspiron, but found buspiron, though an SSRI, does not seem to have an AD effect, It gave a nice soft feeling to the body and mind, though.
I've considered trying Anafranil or some other tricyclic alone or in combination with at first effexor and later maybe som other?
Can anyone relate to this with similar or other experiences?
Janus
Posted by MarkinBoston on January 26, 2001, at 13:10:55
In reply to Effexor is very different from SSRIs Try a combina, posted by Janus on January 26, 2001, at 4:40:00
I recently switched from Effexor XR (retard?) to the original, short halflife pills with 2x/day dosing and sleep much better now and don't feel tired anymore. Poor sleep does that.
> I have been on effexor retard for one year and i have tried literally avery available antidepressant exept tricyclycs. Yes even nonreversible monoamioxidaseinhibitors.
>
> Effexor has been the only one that has really keeped on working. Every other either stopped working after 3-6 months (SSRIs)or did not work at all (MAOinh.)
>
> I have also found that combining efexor with tymelyt (maprotilin) enhances the AD effect. Also combining with Mianserin boosts the effect, but mianserin makes me tired gives me huch wiaght-gain. But mianserin actually boosted more than maprotilin.
>
> So i and my shrink have concluded my depression can best be treated with ADs that address noradrenaline.
>
> Maybe there are two distinctive neurotransmitterdisorders, that relate to either serotonine or noradrenaline and effexor can work wonder for the one but not for the other?
>
> Here are some sideeffect, that bother me. I startefd with 75 mg effexor and that was fine. After 3 months i had to add maprotilin 10-30 mg varying, as the would give an almost immediate relief from what i call "bad mood seizures". However i have recently had to increase the dose of effexor to 150 mg. I dont wan-t get into a more and more addiction, but ill return with further comments in a few months about wether i need more still then.
>
> Another sideeffect, that sets in after some months, is not actual tirednes (SSRIs all made me intollerably tired), but a feeling of being energy-depleted. Like i have difficulty getting myself started. My body feel, like, too heavy to get mooving. But thats all i have to complain about.
>
> I have to take effexor and maprotilin in the morning, because i do not sleep well on them. When i supplemented with mianserin i took minaserin before bed and slept like a log. I have tried replacing meprotillin with Mirtazepin (Remeron) and found that Remeron greatly improves my sleep (no more nightmares! Without Mirtazepin or mianserin i have several nightmares every night, awfull). Mirtazepin makes me very tired if taken in the morning (like all SSRIs do to me).
>
> I also tried boosting effexor with Buspiron, but found buspiron, though an SSRI, does not seem to have an AD effect, It gave a nice soft feeling to the body and mind, though.
>
> I've considered trying Anafranil or some other tricyclic alone or in combination with at first effexor and later maybe som other?
>
> Can anyone relate to this with similar or other experiences?
>
> Janus
Posted by JL on January 26, 2001, at 19:18:27
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Stan F. on July 6, 2000, at 23:16:30
This is living Hell! I've been on Effexor for 3 1/2 years - at one point I was on 375 mg/day. Two years ago, the quack that put me on this damn drug tried to change me to Wellbrutrin and had me go off Effexor cold turkey. I ended up in the emergency room due to the severe and sudden withdrawal I went through. The quake WOULD NOT return my call for help and even the emergency room didn't know if it was the Effexor or the Welbrutrin causing the problem. They sent me home, without ANY treatment, because they didn't know what to tell me. After calling everyone on the planet for advise, my primary care physician's on-call doctor told me to take the Effexor immediately and that would solve the problem - it did. The quake psychiatrist didn't call me back until the NEXT DAY! I've since fired that quack and have been seeing a real pyschiatrist for the past year and a half (and have filed formal medical mal-practice charges against to former quake - for the above, and other very serious problems I had with her). At the time I switched to a real doctor, I had been able to SLOOOOWLY get down to 150 mg/day. I've been on that amount for about a year and 1/2 and, since then, with my good doc, SLOWLY got down to 75 mg/day. She wanted to increase the Effexor a few weeks ago for the ongoing depression but, due to the severe withdrawal problems I've had, she agreed to put me on Serzone instead. Since then, I was able to get down to 37.5 mg/day of Effexor with minimal side effects (these do, however, hit me like clock work within 24 hours after taking the previous dose).
This week, we decided to try to take me off completely - here's what happened. Had fairly strong withdrawal problems on Tues., so I took 18.75 mg (1/4 of a pill) that day. Since then, I haven't had any. However, I'm still having nausea, rather severe dizziness, as well as that delightful "space cadet" feeling that seems to be one of those "Effexor things." While it's now been 3 full days since I've taken any Effexor, the withdrawal symptoms remain. Things seem especially bad when I do anything physical. I just called my doc and she said to take a little more Effexor to help reduce the problems, if I wanted to, or to try and suffer it out some more. As I've NEVER gone more than 24 hours, during the past 3 1/2 years I've been on this drug, without taking it, I'm inclined to continue the "cold turkey" routine. (My doc is aware of the withdrawal problems of Effexor.)
The BIG question is, HOW LONG do I have to go through these horrible withdrawal symptoms? My doc wasn't too sure becuase she usually DOESN'T prescribe Effexor, due to problems with it. I just happened to be on it because that's what my original quack had put me on.
I've just seen, elsewhere on the 'net, something about "Serotonin Syndrome" caused by Effexor. Does anyone know about this? So far, I haven't been able to find any information about it, other than this appears to be caused by Effexor.
When I was placed on this awful drug, I was told there were minimal side effects (NOT) and that it wasn't addicting - if Effexor is NOT addicting, then the sky must be green. Have any lawsuits been filed on behalf of people subjected to this horrible drug?
Thanks for your support.
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