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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Leo on February 28, 2001, at 23:02:01
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am now 18 days with no Effexor. With the exception of what feels to be chronic fatigue and
occsional "flashes" of the withdrawal effects, I am mentally better than I've been in years. The difference between my personality now versus the last 3 years is the difference between night and day. I can hardly believe it. I lived a nightmare of despair, anger and anxiety while on this horrific drug. I went for years with no motivation and an ever continuing sense of hopelessness. This has all but dissapated since getting off effexor. My physical health declined tremendously while on this drug. As the effects of the drug wear off I am realizing just how bad that has been as well. Those of you that are still taking Effexor must beware of whats happening. These posts on this website about the terrible effects of effexor are 100% true. These people are living the same nightmare I did. I am 100% certain that the effexor I took worsened my condition. The drug itself contributed to my depressed state. All this time I've been looking for other causes of the depression and it was most likely the medicine. Effexor robbed me of 5 years of my life. Look out Weyth-Aeryst.....I'll be having my day in court with you as I'm sure will hundreds just like me.
Posted by willow on March 1, 2001, at 7:38:08
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Leo on February 28, 2001, at 23:02:01
Leo
I too have lived with all the symptoms (and more) people are complaining about during their withdrawal since the spring of '96. The difference for me is that the effexor is relieving the problems. Perhaps we should be looking at the doctors who are prescribing these medications? I've gone through many different anti-depressants which made my problems worse and a doctor said I had a different perception of medications and because of this I had the side effects.
I had worked and enjoyed it immensely as a pharmacist's assistant for four years. I enjoyed it because I felt that I was doing a good service. I have seen medications give my father back some peace of mind. Though the doctors had kept him on such a high dose after five years he had a heart attack. I had kept asking them to lower the dose, which they finally did after he had the heart attack.
My point is that the medication isn't corrupt but the ignorant doctor who doesn't listen to his patients and communicate better with the pharmascists regarding these drugs. In the past I had complained that some of the meds have made me aggressive, gave me heart palipatations, severe electric shocks through my whole body, on and on. The doctors said it was anxiety not the drugs. The only one to acknowledge that it could be the medications was the pharmascist.
As an individual we have to advocate on our own behalf concerning our health. Doctors should be open about all literature concerning prescriptions and respect an individuals choice not to choose a certain course of treatment. If you want to castrate someone, let's go get all the close-minded dinosaur doctors! I'll stand on the front-line of the charge ...
Willow
Posted by Alli on March 1, 2001, at 8:51:41
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Leo on February 28, 2001, at 23:02:01
Leo ~ I had great success on Effexor. It gave me a good two years (and 12 lbs.). I went through (am still going through???) the hell of withdrawal and, like you, am now living with constant fatigue and I also have a racing heart. However, if Effexor didn't cause weight gain, I would go back on in a second. I'm in the process now of looking for something similar, but without the chance of weight gain. Not everyone is alike in the meds they take.
Posted by Lorraine on March 1, 2001, at 11:28:10
In reply to Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Leo on February 28, 2001, at 23:02:01
> I am mentally better than I've been in years.
I hope you stay that way. I just want to warn you though that that was how I felt when I got off Effexor. I was off it for a year. The thing is that it takes time for a relapse into depression to occur sometimes. Keep your eyes open and your finger on the pulse. I found at the end of the year that one by one the lights in my internal world had gone out and I was sitting alone in a cold dark room. In short, I was vegetative and hibernating. So please just watch yourself, you will know if you need help. At first going off a drug you feel great because all the benefits of the drug are still there and the side effects are gone. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones that doesn't relapse. I hope so.
Posted by Leo on March 1, 2001, at 13:01:09
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Lorraine on March 1, 2001, at 11:28:10
Lorraine,
Thank you for your input. I will keep everything you have said in mind, however, I do want to once again state that it is because I am off the effexor that I am feeling much better. Compared to the way I feel now versus when I was on the drug, indicates that the drug was most likely the culprit of keeping me in a depressed state of mind. Being on the effexor had nothing to do with my "recovery." Getting off the drug did. What's that tell you? The majority of the posts on this site as well as the others out there that you participate in, all predominately share the same common denominator. There are major problems with effexor, possibly permanent, that the manufacturer has yet to disclose to the user. It's time for that to change....Wouldn't you agree?
Posted by Leo on March 1, 2001, at 13:27:33
In reply to Wyeth or doctor Leo, posted by willow on March 1, 2001, at 7:38:08
Willow,
If the manufacturer isn't disclosing all the information about the drug, why blame the doctors? The doctors only know what we, the patients, are telling them. They are as much a victim as the people that have been adversely effected by this drug. You can't blame the doctor. It's the manufacturers duty and responsiblilty to disclose ALL the necessary information about the drugs that they develop. How can a doctor be accountable for something he hasn't been told. The pharmacist doesn't even have ALL the information. Do yourself a favor. Go to 5 local pharmacy's in your area and ask them to give you the med report for Effexor. The information on that report is supplied by the manufacturer of the drug. Read it. Then compare it to what the majority of the users of the drug are reporting. Weyth-Aeryst IS NOT disclosing all the facts on the drug. If they did, the law suits would cripple them. Their only form of "damage control" is hoping that people like me and the others out there that have been adversly affected by this drug, shut up. That's not going to happen.
Posted by Gracie2 on March 2, 2001, at 18:47:03
In reply to Insomnia and depression, posted by Richie on February 25, 2001, at 2:46:53
Richie-
I haven't been here for awhile or would have answered sooner. Anyway, when I was having problems with high anxiety and insomnia, my pdoc prescribed depakote (500 mg. at bedtime) and seroquel (100 mg. at bedtime). The depakote is an anti-convulsant and the seroquel is an anti-psychotic so I took my pills and thought, "How is this going to help me sleep? Why didn't she give me something..." Wham, I was out cold. I always slept very, very well on the depakote and seroquel so it could be worth a try. Congratulations on giving up the drinking.
-Gracie
Posted by Effexor Junkie on March 4, 2001, at 14:56:07
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Yes I am a longtime Effexor Junkie. I have taken it for 5 years! Don't masturbate after you take it, you'll waste your time. It makes me last longer than Viagra! And don't forget to take it, because it will transform you into a vampire. When I forget to take it, I get electrical pulses through my brain, and my eyes become sensitive to bright light. Then my teeth grow into fangs. But after I take it, I'm a pretty daisy.
Effexor also makes me short of breath. Just the other day I was chasing some squirrels and I ran out of breath while the squirrels ran up the trees. Then they threw acorns at me.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Posted by Amy3877 on March 5, 2001, at 2:42:08
In reply to SIDE EFFEX, posted by Effexor Junkie on March 4, 2001, at 14:56:07
Posted by Frank on March 5, 2001, at 11:45:24
In reply to Re: lots of success - gaining weight, posted by maxx on February 18, 2001, at 16:19:44
I saw many posts said taking Effexor can gain weight.
Has anyone lost weight while taking effexor? I have
been on effexor 75mg for about one month and I
lost about 6 lb since I took effexor. Thanks! Frank> Has anyone solved/reduced the problem of gaining weight from EFFEXOR?
>
> Thanks for any input! Max
Posted by Amy3877 on March 5, 2001, at 14:47:15
In reply to Re: lots of success - gaining weight, posted by Frank on March 5, 2001, at 11:45:24
Yes,
I have lost lots of weight on Effexor. I started taking it about eight weeks ago and I have lost about fifteen pounds. When I first started taking it my appetite totally dissapeared and then after several weeks my appetite returned but when ever I would think about food I would get sick to my stomach. Now, food just doesn't excite me, but I can eat with no problem. It is strange that Effexor can have opposite effects in some people, some gain and some lose. I'm cutting my dose today because of the side effects I mentioned in my last posting so maybe my weight will normalize. I'm down to 109 and I really shouldn't lose anymore.
Posted by willow on March 5, 2001, at 21:07:40
In reply to Re: Lost 15 pounds on Effexor, posted by Amy3877 on March 5, 2001, at 14:47:15
Me too, when I initially started taking it I became indifferent to food and craved coffee. I've been on it now for five months and it's not the indiffernce isn't as bad, I actually had a sensation of hunger today. Like Amy I too have had a difficult time maintaining my weight so I've tried to make a conscious effort to eat. Now though I don't think I'm losing any weight and I've bablanced back to my normal size.
Willow
Posted by Clara on March 6, 2001, at 9:53:12
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Cindy W on June 1, 2000, at 9:42:07
I took Paxil for about 5 months. I gained over 20 pounds. I did try to quit "cold turkey" and got really sick - dizzy, upset stomach and extremely tired. I talked to my doctor and he put me on Wellbutrin because he too had heard that Paxil can make you gain weight. But I read here that Wellbutrin can also make you gain weight? Am I correct? Also now that I am taking Wellbutrin, I think I am worse off than before I started taking Paxil. I am incredibly unhappy with everything - my weight, my job, my relationships - and I can't seem to be nice to ANYONE. I snap at people without thinking and I have always been a very likable, fun person and now I am making a lot of enemies. Any suggestions on something that might help and also has anyone successfully lost the weight they put on and if they had, was it off medicine completely or did they continue taking something? I have been exercising but I usually get so frustrated when I can't do something or when I get tired that I just want quit and feel like I am going to lose it. These feelings have really been controlling my life and I have noticed I do not want to leave my room in my own house. This can't be healthy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by crylt73 on March 6, 2001, at 13:04:14
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Clara on March 6, 2001, at 9:53:12
> I took Paxil for about 5 months. I gained over 20 pounds. I did try to quit "cold turkey" and got really sick - dizzy, upset stomach and extremely tired. I talked to my doctor and he put me on Wellbutrin because he too had heard that Paxil can make you gain weight. But I read here that Wellbutrin can also make you gain weight? Am I correct? Also now that I am taking Wellbutrin, I think I am worse off than before I started taking Paxil. I am incredibly unhappy with everything - my weight, my job, my relationships - and I can't seem to be nice to ANYONE. I snap at people without thinking and I have always been a very likable, fun person and now I am making a lot of enemies. Any suggestions on something that might help and also has anyone successfully lost the weight they put on and if they had, was it off medicine completely or did they continue taking something? I have been exercising but I usually get so frustrated when I can't do something or when I get tired that I just want quit and feel like I am going to lose it. These feelings have really been controlling my life and I have noticed I do not want to leave my room in my own house. This can't be healthy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I gained 65 pounds taking paxil. I took it for 2 years. Now I take effexor xr. I have been on it for 2 years now and have not gained anymore weight, but I was wandering if anyone out there that has been taking effexor for a while has nightsweats or nightmares. Not people who quit taking it , but people who are still taking it.
Posted by lissy on March 7, 2001, at 9:43:36
In reply to Re: Lost 15 pounds on Effexor, posted by willow on March 5, 2001, at 21:07:40
> Me too, when I initially started taking it I became indifferent to food and craved coffee. I've been on it now for five months and it's not the indiffernce isn't as bad, I actually had a sensation of hunger today. Like Amy I too have had a difficult time maintaining my weight so I've tried to make a conscious effort to eat. Now though I don't think I'm losing any weight and I've bablanced back to my normal size.
>
> Willow
No need to worry girlfriends I too lost about 12 pounds at the beginning of taking effexor but eventually you get your appetite back w/ a vengence!! I gained the 12 back later and added 40 pounds to that. My sister in law who weighed 110 and lost 5 pounds at the beginning of taking it now weighs about 175 and she could'nt put on weight if she tried before. Give it a few months and you will be craving carbos just like the rest of us.
Posted by Leo on March 7, 2001, at 17:23:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'm now four weeks off effexor. Things have changed drastically for the better. I am still experiencing "flashbacks" of the withdrawal. Namely the dysphoric feeling and light headedness. Joints aching pretty bad. Still have occasional severe headaches. Still lack much motivation but I'm forcing myself to get up and get going. With this effort, there is still a great deal of fatigue. I think that this is probably due to the "no desire to do anything" while on the effexor. I am actually starting to look forward to things. I'm excited about future propects. Effexor was a debilitating drug that kept me in a depressed state of mind. It has created a "poor health" syndrome that requires a great deal of effort and stamina to overcome. Now I understand what those of you who have e-mailed me with that "hoping today will be the day" comment are experiencing. I know what I was like before the "hook" of effexor. I also have come to relize that I may never get back to where I was, but at least I know why. With my physical condition now I expect at least 9-12 months of physical rehab. I have been working with several doctors. I have had a complete and thourough physical because I was beginning to think that there was something more wrong. They have done CT's, of the head because of the vertigo and dysphoria to eliminate any other possible problems there. Sinus's and ears are clear however, they want to do more tests on the heart. I gained alot of weight while on the effexor. This, according to the doctor's, is because of a severe lack of activity while on the drug. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the effexor has effected my physical well being. The question is, how badly, how much and to what extent. I've been reading the posts about weight gain. It's the effexor that causes that "I don't want to do anything" syndrome. This sneaks up on you slowly and because of the stealthiness of the drug you don't really realize it. I am now taking the steps necessary with an attorney in Philadelphia to go after Weyth-Aeryst. I'll let you know how that goes. It's time for them to come clean.
Posted by LG on March 7, 2001, at 18:15:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Cindy W on January 11, 2000, at 9:14:46
I have been on different antidepressants for 3 years as a result of major panic disorder and moderate depression. I was recently switched from Paxil to Effexor. Although I see a lot of info on Effexor and depression, I don't see any information on the effectiveness of Effexor treating panic disorder. Has this worked well for anyone?
Posted by LG on March 7, 2001, at 18:16:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Cindy W on January 11, 2000, at 9:14:46
I have been on different antidepressants for 3 years as a result of major panic disorder and moderate depression. I was recently switched from Paxil to Effexor. Although I see a lot of info on Effexor and depression, I don't see any information on the effectiveness of Effexor treating panic disorder. Has this worked well for anyone?
Posted by darkstar on March 9, 2001, at 2:14:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by annj on February 28, 2001, at 20:34:03
> > I've been on 75 mg of Effexor XR for 2 weeks now, after 1 week of 37.5 mg. A doctor prescribed this to me after a suicidal episode...I've been severely depressed for nearly a year and have anxiety problems as well. At times it seems the effexor is helping and at other times I feel more hopeless and anxious than ever! Can't fall asleep at night, then can't wake up in the morning. How long does it take for this drug to kick in? Do any of you know of another drug that might help? Tried Paxil but hated it.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your help and best wishes to all of you.
>
>
>
> I was on effexor for 9 months and I had a bad experience. It made me angry instead of sad and I had no sex drive.
> Now I am on Wellbutrin. As soon as Ii switched to Wellbutrin my mood improved and I have a sex drive again. Effexor is an evil drug! You should get off of it. My mind doesn't work anymore because of it.effexor is not an evil drug--it is a godsend! started on it a couple of weeks ago. i take 150mgs/day along with 300mgs/day wellbutrin & 25mgs zoloft at bedtime. it has been 6 days since i came home in the middle of the day to sleep. it's been at least 2 years since i could say that--major depression is such a drag. and the side effects have been minimal--just a little vertigo the 1st day & for a day every time my dosage increased. i may actually get my life back with this combination of meds!
Posted by crylt73 on March 10, 2001, at 12:51:59
In reply to Re: lots of success on effexor, posted by CrystalThacker on February 16, 2001, at 9:16:54
> hi
I have been on effexor xr for 2 years now and wandering if anyone else has been on it that long. If you have what type of side effects do you have? And does it lose its effects after you have been on it so long, because I am starteing to feel anxious again, and also a little more depressed.
> >
Posted by Poppy on March 11, 2001, at 2:12:41
In reply to Re: anyone been on effexor xr for more than 1 year, posted by crylt73 on March 10, 2001, at 12:51:59
I have been on effexor for just over a year, and I have noticed that in the last few months I am beginning to slip back into how I felt prior to taking the effexor also, I am trying to figure out if its the medication ceasing to work effectively or ?????
Posted by McGuyver on March 13, 2001, at 7:32:34
In reply to Strange side effects, agitation, posted by Amy3877 on March 5, 2001, at 2:42:08
> Strange side effects? Hmmm. I started taking Effexor a little over a week ago. Severe depression, I've had it forever, but finally decided to get help. I used "Extacy" about a dozen times a few years ago. Side effects,...basically, I feel like I'm "rolling" without any hallucinations. The doc also prescribed Trazadone to help me sleep. It worked a couple of times, but as you can tell, I didn't sleep last night. I'm assuming the "rolling" feeling will go away when my body adjusts. Hang in their.
Note: Do any of you think I should increase the Traz, or decrease the Effex. Although I'm out of it sometimes, I really do feel better. At last! Sleep dep kind of bugs me though.
McGuyver
> I just found this site and I'm excited to find a group of people discussing this drug. I have been having these very strange side effects and I want to know if anyone out there has any idea what I'm talking about. It is so strange that it is hard for me to describe and put words to but I'll try my best. Every so often I will get this "agitated" feeling in a part of my body. The first time it happened I was on the plane and all of a sudden my legs felt so tense and agitated that I had to move them every 30 seconds or so to relieve the tension. I thought that it might just have to do with sitting on the plane for so long but later that night the same thing happened with my back. It felt like torture! I couldn't stop moving and trying to strech to relieve the discomfort. It hasn't happened for several weeks but yesterday the same thing happened with my neck and today I had the same feeling on my scalp! (very weird) I have talked to my Psychiatrist about it and she prescribed valium because she thought I was having muscle spasms. When I have described this side effect to her she seems to be at a total loss. I am at a total loss as well! I have been taking 112 of Effexor and 200 of Wellbutrin for about a month and a half and I have been doing much better but I have had to tolerate all of this side effect as well as sweaty hands, being freezing cold most of the time, feeling very agitated and angry, and I have a tremor as well. I am really really worried about how these medications may be messing with my brain chemistry but I am also finally "living" and I am scared to go off of them. I had been on paxil for 4 years and I couldn't get off it because of how bad the withdrawl was so I ended up replacing paxil with Effexor and I was able to go right off...but, then end up on another drug that is causing so many problems. Does anyone understand what I'm talking about? Has anyone experienced this kind of agitation? Please help me!
Posted by lambiebird on March 14, 2001, at 3:01:20
In reply to Re: anyone been on effexor xr for more than 1 year, posted by crylt73 on March 10, 2001, at 12:51:59
Hi. I have been on effexor (75mg) for over FOUR YEARS now and it has worked great! However, I'm trying to get pregnant and I am having trouble with withdrawal symptoms. I am on the second week of 37.5 mg, after which I will then take this amount every other day for two more weeks - as advised by my dr. I just hope my marriage and my job survive my moods! I have been dizzy at times and very irritable and depressed! But I'm DETERMINED to become drug-free! I'll keep you all posted!
Posted by McGuyver on March 14, 2001, at 11:01:32
In reply to Strange side effects, agitation, posted by Amy3877 on March 5, 2001, at 2:42:08
>Amy,
My sister's father in law is a pharmasist, and her sister in law has a PHd in the same. I looked into the "aggitation" side effects we both somewhat feel. I wasn't off in my last post, but this information may be a little more accurate. 1st, how much caffine do you consume? Apparently Effexor multiplies the effects of caffine. By three times! For example, one cup of Joe with Effexor is something like three without! Now I'm slowley going to cut the caffine out, not completely and not at once (withdrawl from caffine is bad). Also, caffine dehydrates you. One cup of joe, means you should drink an extra cup of water, on top of that you should already drink. Caffine+effexor=irritation Caffine=dehydration=headache. etc... For as much as I know and am learning about drugs, maybe I missed my calling as a pharm tech.
> I just found this site and I'm excited to find a group of people discussing this drug. I have been having these very strange side effects and I want to know if anyone out there has any idea what I'm talking about. It is so strange that it is hard for me to describe and put words to but I'll try my best. Every so often I will get this "agitated" feeling in a part of my body. The first time it happened I was on the plane and all of a sudden my legs felt so tense and agitated that I had to move them every 30 seconds or so to relieve the tension. I thought that it might just have to do with sitting on the plane for so long but later that night the same thing happened with my back. It felt like torture! I couldn't stop moving and trying to strech to relieve the discomfort. It hasn't happened for several weeks but yesterday the same thing happened with my neck and today I had the same feeling on my scalp! (very weird) I have talked to my Psychiatrist about it and she prescribed valium because she thought I was having muscle spasms. When I have described this side effect to her she seems to be at a total loss. I am at a total loss as well! I have been taking 112 of Effexor and 200 of Wellbutrin for about a month and a half and I have been doing much better but I have had to tolerate all of this side effect as well as sweaty hands, being freezing cold most of the time, feeling very agitated and angry, and I have a tremor as well. I am really really worried about how these medications may be messing with my brain chemistry but I am also finally "living" and I am scared to go off of them. I had been on paxil for 4 years and I couldn't get off it because of how bad the withdrawl was so I ended up replacing paxil with Effexor and I was able to go right off...but, then end up on another drug that is causing so many problems. Does anyone understand what I'm talking about? Has anyone experienced this kind of agitation? Please help me!
Posted by pat123 on March 14, 2001, at 11:41:33
In reply to Re: anyone been on effexor xr for more than 1 year, posted by crylt73 on March 10, 2001, at 12:51:59
Been on Effexor 6 years, taking between 150-300
mgs a day. Sometimes I need more, sometimes less.
I have no indication that Effexor is less effective now than it was in the past.Pat
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