![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 697 to 721 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
In reply to Case Studies......More FACTS to come......, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 9:03:17
Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
Thank goodness I have extensively studied all aspects of all antidepressants available in Canada (and most of those available in other parts of the world).
Thank goodness I understand physiology (physical and chemical processes in the body), pharmacology (preparation, properties, uses, and actions of drugs), pharmacodynamics (how an antidepressant acts in the body , including duration of response relative to plasma concentration), pharmacokinetics (including absorption, onset of action, distribution, biotransformation, metabolite action, and excretion route), and pharmacogenetics (including the effects and differences of antidepressant action in different people). Otherwise partial explanations of these factors involving a small subset of people who did not withdraw from the drug in a proper manner, might scare me into not taking this drug.
Even if I do happen to get withdrawl symptoms while being weaned from this drug, I know of several strategies to minimize these withdrawl effects. Most of which have been posted several times on this site. In the past, this drug has not been understood as well as it is today, although I and my colleagues knew of the withdrawl syndrome and it's extent in a minority of people, for at least the past 3 years and we have dealt with it appropriately. Withdrawl syndrome still occurs in some of our patients, but this is almost always due to nonadherence to the treatment regimen.
Since I know how to wean myself from this drug if and when need be, I am very confident the this drug has the ability resolve my depressive symptoms and PTSD so that I may be able to lead a more productive and "normal" life, again. I see this drug as a useful tool, not an evil demon.
Sincerely - Cam
Posted by Michele on March 29, 2001, at 22:19:11
In reply to Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
AMEN!
Posted by Julie L on March 30, 2001, at 0:05:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawal after 6 YEARS, posted by Pamela on March 28, 2001, at 10:00:56
hi-
I just wanted to clarify that I've been on the regular Effexor not the "XR" version for 6 yrs. i wasn't sure if you were insinuating something because I sure wasn't ingesting candy...Julie
Posted by Johnny on March 30, 2001, at 8:16:52
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Cindy W on June 1, 2000, at 9:42:07
I have been on paxil for about 5 years now and in the past year figured out it has caused me to gain about 50 pounds. I have tried to get off of it, but didn't work. I am getting together with my psychiatrist to try and switch meds to one that won't cause weight gain. I go to the gym 4x a week and it doesn't help. any suggestions? My email is anendtopain@cs.com. THanks
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 8:22:24
In reply to Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
> CAM, just out of curiousity. Who are your colleagues? Are you in the medical profession? There is one thing that really upsets me. I have noticed that doctors and the medical profession listen more to pharmaceutical companies than they do their patients. I can't tell you how many times I have told my doctor of strange symptoms and he says "oh, that can't be the drug". What really gets me is I told my doctor of these symptoms and told him they began when I started the drug and he just didn't believe it so he did
FSH/LH testing and also tested my thyroid. Now here are lots of people writing in and telling of the same exact symptoms I have. It's a relief to know that I can verify that it is indeed the drug that is causing these problems and that I know going off of it will relieve them. Why are the people who take this drug and speak of the many SIMILAR side affects ignored and pooh-poohed off like we're idiots who couldn't possibly know what we are talking about because we don't have the "medical" knowledge that you have. Take the medicine, enjoy the ride, but don't tell us that we don't know what is happening to our bodies. I hope these emails keep someone else from taking it and ending up like some of us have. What scares me is how many people are out there who don't know enough to look on the web and read this information. Experience is knowledge and your medical research is wrong. The medicine will work for you in the beginning, it did for me, but I hope it is all worth it to you in the end. I am still on it and trying to figure out when I can ween myself off of it with minimal disruption to my life. I have to work full-time, take care of a 14 year old and finish out the semester. I am not looking forward to the struggle of getting myself off this stuff. By the way, another FACT. I attend college at night. Since I began taking this drug I went from an "A" student to a "C" student with even more effort on my studying. This is very real, so is the delay in being able to come up with the words sometimes when I am trying to get a thought out of my head. So is the memory lapses I experience at least 3 times a day. So are the hot flashes that make me feel like I am on fire and then the sweating. So is the fear when I wake up suddenly because I stop breathing. You see, it is NOT just the withdrawl that has patients upset, it is the side effects. I hope to God they go away after I stop taking the medicine. I'm not buying it, your medical knowledge, and I hope people read these emails before they start taking Effexor. I believe that drug is dangerous and should be taken off the market. People with depression don't need these added burdens, life with depression is hard enough without more struggle from a medication that is suppose to help.Fish
Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
>
> Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
>
> Thank goodness I have extensively studied all aspects of all antidepressants available in Canada (and most of those available in other parts of the world).
>
> Thank goodness I understand physiology (physical and chemical processes in the body), pharmacology (preparation, properties, uses, and actions of drugs), pharmacodynamics (how an antidepressant acts in the body , including duration of response relative to plasma concentration), pharmacokinetics (including absorption, onset of action, distribution, biotransformation, metabolite action, and excretion route), and pharmacogenetics (including the effects and differences of antidepressant action in different people). Otherwise partial explanations of these factors involving a small subset of people who did not withdraw from the drug in a proper manner, might scare me into not taking this drug.
>
> Even if I do happen to get withdrawl symptoms while being weaned from this drug, I know of several strategies to minimize these withdrawl effects. Most of which have been posted several times on this site. In the past, this drug has not been understood as well as it is today, although I and my colleagues knew of the withdrawl syndrome and it's extent in a minority of people, for at least the past 3 years and we have dealt with it appropriately. Withdrawl syndrome still occurs in some of our patients, but this is almost always due to nonadherence to the treatment regimen.
>
> Since I know how to wean myself from this drug if and when need be, I am very confident the this drug has the ability resolve my depressive symptoms and PTSD so that I may be able to lead a more productive and "normal" life, again. I see this drug as a useful tool, not an evil demon.
>
> Sincerely - Cam
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 8:48:49
In reply to Re: Goofy or Anyone how do you know the mg in EFXR, posted by goofy on March 29, 2001, at 17:55:39
Goofy, thank you for getting back to me. It sounds like this is the best solution from what I have read in these emails. Were you able to function on the job, etc.? How bad were your side effects? Can you share some of your experience of withdrawl with me and include severity of them? I think it will help me stay focused if I know what to expect. I appreciate your input.
If I am prepared and know there is an end to the withdrawl symptoms I know I can do it! FishI don't reccomend opening the capsules because the granules are of varying sizes and so you won't know how much you are really taking at one time.
>
> some of the granuales are fused together and some are a little smaller it is very easy to eye ball this and divide the granuales equally by size. As far as the dose it may differ a slight bit but I don't think it matters that much. It was time consuming but it was worth it!
>
> goofy
Posted by SLS on March 30, 2001, at 8:56:14
In reply to Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
Dear Cam,
> Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
I hope you have decided to continue with Wellbutrin while you add Effexor as an adjunct. It makes for a hell of a combination. I know of someone personally and have seen people on this board experience a robust antidepressant response to the combination who had not when they each had tried both monotherapeutically without success.
When my friend tried 300mg Wellbutrin, she gleaned an improvement in energy and vigilance. It helped to activate her mentally, but did not do much for motivation and anhedonia. When she tried Effexor (dosage?), she experienced motivation to do things with some improvement in anhedonia, but remained anergic and without mental focus and vigilance to accomplish tasks. She actually asked her doctor to try both together, using the soft argument that she felt that each drug had what the other one lacked and that they would be complimentary. She is working happily at a demanding job, planning vacation trips, and smiling.
Zoloft + Wellbutrin also seems to work well.
I cannot produce the data from a recently completed study, and it might not yet be published, but I was told by an assistant professor at New York University that the data demonstrated a significant and distinct advantage in efficacy for Effexor (venlafaxine) over all of the SSRIs. He feels that this reflects well his own clinical experience.
> Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
I wish you had the time to contrast the differences between all of these methods of investigation, but I'll settle for one question. Can you describe the details of a naturalistic study? Do the investigators have to work directly with each subject included?
I hope you too find an improvement from Effexor such that you can't help but to smile all day long.
With affliction... Ooops
I mean affection,Scott
Posted by DavidHIFI on March 30, 2001, at 9:22:19
In reply to Re: Started Effexor XR Today » Cam W., posted by SLS on March 30, 2001, at 8:56:14
Thanks for your post. I, too, have just started and have decided to stay at 37.5 for at least the couple of months this drug is said to need to have its' effect. I wrote a prior post that spoke of the side fx and they are starting to taper off. With all the pain out there in this group, I'm glad you made mention of the differing perspectives that people have concerning depressive illness. Those of us with a mild case have to understand that the 'heavy-anti' crowd most certainly are telling their stories accurately -FROM THEIR OWN PLACE-, but that they might not have relavance as to how Effexor XR will help or hinder us. Let's keep the positive posts coming, too, so that newbies (such as ourselves) can get a more balanced view of this drug.
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 9:44:04
In reply to Re: Started Effexor XR Today, posted by DavidHIFI on March 30, 2001, at 9:22:19
In heavy I am assuming that you are speaking of individuals with extreme depression that are taking larger doses. I started medication because of mild depression and have only taken 75 mg once a day for a year and a half. Even at this low dosage I have terrible side effects and the positive effects of the medication are no longer working. I respect your decision to do what you feel you must, but you must remember that the people writing these "negative" postings are speaking from experience. If the depression is worse than the side effects, I can understand why you would stick with it. My doctor told me that getting the medicine into your system was very difficult, but worth the trouble because of the end results. I had the really bad beginning of the drug jitters also, and they did pass with mild side effects remaining. These side effects were worth it since the medication was like a miracle drug for me. After being depressed for a year, you can only think of the way you feel better emotionally. It changed my life for the better emotionally, especially after a year of mild depression. When you are in that state and something works, you don't care about anything but getting out of that rutt. I can respect that if it works you want to continue treatment. I am not saying not to take it, every individual has a right to make their own decision, as they should. I think I, and the others on this posting board are just trying to make people aware of what can happen to them if they choose to use Effexor as a treatment for depression. I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you do not experience the side effects we have. I truly hope this all works well for you and that your experience is a positive one! Best of luck and health. Fish
Thanks for your post. I, too, have just started and have decided to stay at 37.5 for at least the couple of months this drug is said to need to have its' effect. I wrote a prior post that spoke of the side fx and they are starting to taper off. With all the pain out there in this group, I'm glad you made mention of the differing perspectives that people have concerning depressive illness. Those of us with a mild case have to understand that the 'heavy-anti' crowd most certainly are telling their stories accurately -FROM THEIR OWN PLACE-, but that they might not have relavance as to how Effexor XR will help or hinder us. Let's keep the positive posts coming, too, so that newbies (such as ourselves) can get a more balanced view of this drug.
Posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 9:46:56
In reply to Re: The Tip of the Iceberg.............. » Leo, posted by kid47 on March 29, 2001, at 11:52:55
> > What I have just posted is the tip of an enormous iceberg. I could spend days posting the facts associated with the devistating effects of effexor. This drug makes Prozac look like an M&M.
> > In the future I will post the sources of information about the drug so that you can go to the sites and spend whatever time you feel i necessary navigating through all the information.
> > An excellent source to start with is:
> >
> > www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
> >
> > This site will lead you to an abundance of sources and information about this "wonderful" drug.
>
> Hi Leo. I promise this will be my last post re: FXR withdrawal. I understand this is an important issue for you. To put this in some perspective I might suggest you check out some other AD sites like Paxil etc. You will see the same type horror stories about these meds as you see about FXR. The FDA sites also post similar side effects as FXR about several AD's. Meds effect all of us differently. I think any widely prescribed med will have its share of bad press. Penicillin has been known to kill people. Some chemotherapy patients experience side effects that very nearly destroy them. But many of us feel the good out weighs the bad. I do appreciate all your hard work in bringing this info to our attention. Add this to what already exists in the archives & I would venture to say this is probably the most comprehensive site on the net for FXR info. Perhaps the next generation of FXR will have fewer problems as a result of sites like PB. I do agree with you that drug co. monitor these sites. Maybe they've learned something!
>
> Those of us with chronic long term illness are an impatient & sometimes desperate bunch. As long as there has been reasonable testing as to a drugs effectiveness & safety bring it on!!! We would however hope the drug cos. & the FDA would be forthcoming with any & all info as it becomes available. Lawsuits are so prevalent against drug companies that the federal govt. actually will pay for there defense & settlement if any. Otherwise it would not be feasible for these cos. to R&D new drugs & bring them to the market place. Yes we are "dollar driven" here in the US. But I hope these companies continue trying to find better drugs w/fewer side effects not just for mental disorders but for all illness (Boy I do sound like I work for a drug Co.)
>
> The FXR continues to work well for me & others. There are folks who have successfully withdrawn from FXR with little or no problem. People are now more aware that there is a potential as with many powerful drugs for some severe & possibly as yet unknown side effects. I think the potential consumer has an opportunity to make an educated decision about FXR especially if we try & present a "balanced" view free from hype & drama.
>
> Well I'm rattling like an old truck. Hope you are feeling better. Take care.Hi Leo,
Boy..... do I pray for these people! Thank you for this info, I have printed off all that you have updated us on and am sending to the ER where I was ignored (twice) and to my doctor. This darn virus and inner ear infection I have (and 1000's others) had for 10 days just won't go away! RIGHT!
Don't know if it will do any good, but it will make me feel better and selfishly so that is about the only person I am concerned with these days.
The most interesting of all is........you take "ANY" supplement on the market and "ONE" person has a reaction to it and it is off of the market so fast that it makes your head spin.
St. John's Wort here I come.
Natural or Bust.
Pamela
Posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 9:55:40
In reply to Goofy or Anyone how do you know the mg in EFXR, posted by Fish on March 29, 2001, at 13:02:14
> Goofy, you had mentioned you divided the granuals in the capsules while you lowered your dosage. How do you know the mg amount when you divide them? I want to stop taking this drug and your way has seemed to have the most favorable results. Thanks! Fish
Hi Fish,
I am not Goofy (or maybe I am, these days), but I didn't care what the mgs. were I just started eying it every day and dumping out the granuales little by little. I had weaned down to what I believe was about 12 -15 mg over a period of 2 mos and "STILL" when I stopped totally I ended up having to go back on due to no one helping me (ER and doctor) and now I believe I am at around 7 - 8 mg. As I have posted before I will take it down to 1 or 2 granuales if I have to, don't know how well it will work, but I like everyone am desparate to minimize the effects.
Good luck.
Pamela
Posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 10:13:44
In reply to Re: The Tip of the Iceberg..............Kid47 » kid47, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 13:22:00
> I respect the stand you take in strongly attempting to nuetralize the facts surrounding effexor. And yes, I do strongly suspect that you are employed by Wyeth-Ayerst. But thats OK to. Yes we can all look at the other drugs out there. And yes, we can read all the horror stories about all the other drugs. The people coming to this site are interested in only the one drug that is adversly affecting them........effexor. Attempting to nuetralize what people are saying about the drug is an of obvious form of "damage control." So we will respect your attempts to do so. However, the one thing that you can't neutralize are the experiences posted here and on the hundreds of other sites out there. They are real and exacting.
>
> Let me give you some more facts:
>
> 1) All the side effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy are disclosed prior to treatment beginning. This is done so that the patient knows what to expect....both short and long term. I know because I'm a cancer survivor.
> And of course the good (living) undergoing treatment outways the bad (certain death)left untreated. I think you'll agree that this is a no brainer.
>
> 2) Those of us that will not be exposed to the next gerneration of effexor aren't concerned about what fewer problems may be associated with the drug. We are victims of the existing drug. That is our concern.
>
> 3) Those people out there that suffer from depression, chronic or otherwise, seek medical treatment to help cure or abate their illness. They trust that what their doctor is prescribing is going to make them better. Not worsen their condition by presenting a whole new set of side effects that exaserbate the problem.
>
> 4) All legal drugs undergo reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety.....as did Phen Phen. I think everyone is aware of the aftermath associated with its "reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety."
>
> 5) I know of no federal aid ever being available to any drug company for defense or settlement money. I do know that the government gets invloved as an arbitrator involving any settlement amounts and dispersion. They don't finance legal defense fees, nor do they delve out settlement money. This comes out of the drug companies pocket.
>
> 6) If people were more aware of the potential side effects of the drug prior to taking it then there wouldn't be so many bewildered or frightened people coming to sites like this.
>
>
> DISCLOSURE......DISCLOSURE.......DISCLOSURE
>
> Regards,
> LeoDear Leo,
This made my heart warm, angry and determined. Thank You....Thank You....Thank you!!!!!
Pleae stay with us!
Pamela
Posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 10:23:55
In reply to Re: Correction Leo, posted by kid47 on March 29, 2001, at 17:14:00
> > I respect the stand you take in strongly attempting to nuetralize the facts surrounding effexor. And yes, I do strongly suspect that you are employed by Wyeth-Ayerst. But thats OK to. Yes we can all look at the other drugs out there. And yes, we can read all the horror stories about all the other drugs. The people coming to this site are interested in only the one drug that is adversly affecting them........effexor. Attempting to nuetralize what people are saying about the drug is an of obvious form of "damage control." So we will respect your attempts to do so. However, the one thing that you can't neutralize are the experiences posted here and on the hundreds of other sites out there. They are real and exacting.
> >
> > Let me give you some more facts:
> >
> > 1) All the side effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy are disclosed prior to treatment beginning. This is done so that the patient knows what to expect....both short and long term. I know because I'm a cancer survivor.
> > And of course the good (living) undergoing treatment outways the bad (certain death)left untreated. I think you'll agree that this is a no brainer.
> >
> > 2) Those of us that will not be exposed to the next gerneration of effexor aren't concerned about what fewer problems may be associated with the drug. We are victims of the existing drug. That is our concern.
> >
> > 3) Those people out there that suffer from depression, chronic or otherwise, seek medical treatment to help cure or abate their illness. They trust that what their doctor is prescribing is going to make them better. Not worsen their condition by presenting a whole new set of side effects that exaserbate the problem.
> >
> > 4) All legal drugs undergo reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety.....as did Phen Phen. I think everyone is aware of the aftermath associated with its "reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety."
> >
> > 5) I know of no federal aid ever being available to any drug company for defense or settlement money. I do know that the government gets invloved as an arbitrator involving any settlement amounts and dispersion. They don't finance legal defense fees, nor do they delve out settlement money. This comes out of the drug companies pocket.
> >
> > 6) If people were more aware of the potential side effects of the drug prior to taking it then there wouldn't be so many bewildered or frightened people coming to sites like this.
> >
> >
> > DISCLOSURE......DISCLOSURE.......DISCLOSURE
> >
> > Regards,
> > Leo
>
>
> The government money available for defense & settlement of lawsuits for drug companies is only when it involves vaccines. My only excuse is I take a fairly heavy drug cocktail. Sorry for the error.Kid47,
Not much to say about Leo's FACTS! Hit a nerve? Or beter yet "THE TRUTH"!!!!
It doens't seem as though you are surving too well on this site, maybe you should start a site for masicists, who LOVE feeling like #$!& everyday, Yeah that's the ticket.
Posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 10:35:24
In reply to Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Cam W. on March 29, 2001, at 21:04:08
> Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
>
> Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
>
> Thank goodness I have extensively studied all aspects of all antidepressants available in Canada (and most of those available in other parts of the world).
>
> Thank goodness I understand physiology (physical and chemical processes in the body), pharmacology (preparation, properties, uses, and actions of drugs), pharmacodynamics (how an antidepressant acts in the body , including duration of response relative to plasma concentration), pharmacokinetics (including absorption, onset of action, distribution, biotransformation, metabolite action, and excretion route), and pharmacogenetics (including the effects and differences of antidepressant action in different people). Otherwise partial explanations of these factors involving a small subset of people who did not withdraw from the drug in a proper manner, might scare me into not taking this drug.
>
> Even if I do happen to get withdrawl symptoms while being weaned from this drug, I know of several strategies to minimize these withdrawl effects. Most of which have been posted several times on this site. In the past, this drug has not been understood as well as it is today, although I and my colleagues knew of the withdrawl syndrome and it's extent in a minority of people, for at least the past 3 years and we have dealt with it appropriately. Withdrawl syndrome still occurs in some of our patients, but this is almost always due to nonadherence to the treatment regimen.
>
> Since I know how to wean myself from this drug if and when need be, I am very confident the this drug has the ability resolve my depressive symptoms and PTSD so that I may be able to lead a more productive and "normal" life, again. I see this drug as a useful tool, not an evil demon.
>
> Sincerely - CamYes thank God you do know "ALL" this unfortuanely....Our issue is if you have been reading is.........WE DIDN'T!!!!!!
Please inform us of your feelings when you do decide to go off.
Being one who is down to about 7-8 mgs after 2 1/2 mos, and going totally off at about 10-12 mgs.still feeling like #$%^, I don't know how much more responsibly I can do it and since I have no HELP from my docotr and two ER trips, any KNOWLEDGE is appreciated. Then I want to hear experinces to back it.
Pamela
Posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 10:39:45
In reply to Re: Withdrawal after 6 YEARS-Pamela, posted by Julie L on March 30, 2001, at 0:05:44
> hi-
> I just wanted to clarify that I've been on the regular Effexor not the "XR" version for 6 yrs. i wasn't sure if you were insinuating something because I sure wasn't ingesting candy...
>
> Julie
Hi Julie,
Not sure what you mean. I am sure you weren't taking candy and I knew you weren't on XR since it is new. Only trying to give a little support.
Blessings, Pamela
Posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 10:44:18
In reply to Re: Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 8:22:24
> > CAM, just out of curiousity. Who are your colleagues? Are you in the medical profession? There is one thing that really upsets me. I have noticed that doctors and the medical profession listen more to pharmaceutical companies than they do their patients. I can't tell you how many times I have told my doctor of strange symptoms and he says "oh, that can't be the drug". What really gets me is I told my doctor of these symptoms and told him they began when I started the drug and he just didn't believe it so he did
> FSH/LH testing and also tested my thyroid. Now here are lots of people writing in and telling of the same exact symptoms I have. It's a relief to know that I can verify that it is indeed the drug that is causing these problems and that I know going off of it will relieve them. Why are the people who take this drug and speak of the many SIMILAR side affects ignored and pooh-poohed off like we're idiots who couldn't possibly know what we are talking about because we don't have the "medical" knowledge that you have. Take the medicine, enjoy the ride, but don't tell us that we don't know what is happening to our bodies. I hope these emails keep someone else from taking it and ending up like some of us have. What scares me is how many people are out there who don't know enough to look on the web and read this information. Experience is knowledge and your medical research is wrong. The medicine will work for you in the beginning, it did for me, but I hope it is all worth it to you in the end. I am still on it and trying to figure out when I can ween myself off of it with minimal disruption to my life. I have to work full-time, take care of a 14 year old and finish out the semester. I am not looking forward to the struggle of getting myself off this stuff. By the way, another FACT. I attend college at night. Since I began taking this drug I went from an "A" student to a "C" student with even more effort on my studying. This is very real, so is the delay in being able to come up with the words sometimes when I am trying to get a thought out of my head. So is the memory lapses I experience at least 3 times a day. So are the hot flashes that make me feel like I am on fire and then the sweating. So is the fear when I wake up suddenly because I stop breathing. You see, it is NOT just the withdrawl that has patients upset, it is the side effects. I hope to God they go away after I stop taking the medicine. I'm not buying it, your medical knowledge, and I hope people read these emails before they start taking Effexor. I believe that drug is dangerous and should be taken off the market. People with depression don't need these added burdens, life with depression is hard enough without more struggle from a medication that is suppose to help.
>
> Fish
>
> Today I start Effexor XR (37.5mg daily and increasing to at least 300mg or more - depending on response - over the next 3 months).
> >
> > Thank goodness I know the difference between case studies, case series, post marketing surveillance, restospective studies, naturalistic studies, randomized placebo controlled trials, and other types of articles written about medications and disease states. I also know the merits and limitations of each.
> >
> > Thank goodness I have extensively studied all aspects of all antidepressants available in Canada (and most of those available in other parts of the world).
> >
> > Thank goodness I understand physiology (physical and chemical processes in the body), pharmacology (preparation, properties, uses, and actions of drugs), pharmacodynamics (how an antidepressant acts in the body , including duration of response relative to plasma concentration), pharmacokinetics (including absorption, onset of action, distribution, biotransformation, metabolite action, and excretion route), and pharmacogenetics (including the effects and differences of antidepressant action in different people). Otherwise partial explanations of these factors involving a small subset of people who did not withdraw from the drug in a proper manner, might scare me into not taking this drug.
> >
> > Even if I do happen to get withdrawl symptoms while being weaned from this drug, I know of several strategies to minimize these withdrawl effects. Most of which have been posted several times on this site. In the past, this drug has not been understood as well as it is today, although I and my colleagues knew of the withdrawl syndrome and it's extent in a minority of people, for at least the past 3 years and we have dealt with it appropriately. Withdrawl syndrome still occurs in some of our patients, but this is almost always due to nonadherence to the treatment regimen.
> >
> > Since I know how to wean myself from this drug if and when need be, I am very confident the this drug has the ability resolve my depressive symptoms and PTSD so that I may be able to lead a more productive and "normal" life, again. I see this drug as a useful tool, not an evil demon.
> >
> > Sincerely - Cam
FISH,Well said, I support you 100%!
Pamela
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 10:44:32
In reply to Re: Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Pamela on March 30, 2001, at 10:35:24
Pamela, Thank you for your input and concern. I want to say that I am sorry for what you are going through. I too am afraid and wish there was more I could do to help you. Please post if you need to talk and I will email back with as much encouragement as possible. Your not alone, many of us here understand what you are going through. One day missed on a dosage and I am a mess, so I can't imagine the horror of withdrawl. Hang in there ... you can do it and just remember we are here for you and we know what you are going through is real! Fish
Posted by goofy on March 30, 2001, at 12:02:36
In reply to Re: Goofy or Anyone how do you know the mg in EFXR, posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 8:48:49
> Goofy, thank you for getting back to me. It sounds like this is the best solution from what I have read in these emails. Were you able to function on the job, etc.? How bad were your side effects? Can you share some of your experience of withdrawl with me and include severity of them? I think it will help me stay focused if I know what to expect. I appreciate your input.
> If I am prepared and know there is an end to the withdrawl symptoms I know I can do it! Fish
>
> I don't reccomend opening the capsules because the granules are of varying sizes and so you won't know how much you are really taking at one time.
> >
> > some of the granuales are fused together and some are a little smaller it is very easy to eye ball this and divide the granuales equally by size. As far as the dose it may differ a slight bit but I don't think it matters that much. It was time consuming but it was worth it!
> >
> > goofy
Hi Fish,
I expected not to be able to function coming off effexor. The side effects I encountered while going off effexor were very mild and I was able to still function. I was a little fuzzy, tired, emotional and I had some achiness and electrical jolts to my body. None of these symptoms were consistant. I would notice them at different times while I was coming off the effexor. I also noticed a positive difference in the way I felt even with these symptoms. Everybody reacts different, but I was able to still function and be productive. Iam now 20 days free and I feel 100% better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck.
goofy
Posted by Cam W. on March 30, 2001, at 12:53:16
In reply to Re: Started Effexor XR Today, posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 8:22:24
Fish
>Experience is knowledge and your medical research is wrong.
Where is your validated proof? How can you make a statement like that without proof. Just because you want something to be the way you think it should be does not make it true.
"Experience is knowledge"? Did you really think about this statement before typing it and how wrong it really is? Blind faith in one's experiential beliefs is dangerous. We only have 5 senses and it HAS been scientically proven that all 5 can be fooled.
>I'm not buying it, your medical knowledge, and I hope people read these emails before they start taking Effexor. I believe that drug is dangerous and should be taken off the market.No one is asking you to "buy into my medical knowledge". I believe that cigarettes are dangerous and should be taken off the market. Effexor is a safe drug IF used properly. Fearmongers and hype have blown this issue totally out of proportion. I also hope people read these e-mails before starting Effexor, if not just to see what can happen when a drug regimen is not managed properly.
Sincerely - Cam
Posted by Cam W. on March 30, 2001, at 13:22:26
In reply to Re: Started Effexor XR Today » Cam W., posted by SLS on March 30, 2001, at 8:56:14
Scott - I stopped the Wellbutrin back in November. Third time was not lucky, as it didn't seem to touch this latest round of depression (perhaps this last depression was more serotonergic in nature and may have been a reaction to the death of Suzanne, which I am not handling very well, as of late). I am having PTSD-like traits with this depression, so a serotonergic/norepinephrinergic antidepressant may do the trick.
The thing that I like about Effexor is that, as you increase the dose, you increase the efficacy. Whereas SSRI effect, after a certain blood level plateaus.
Naturalistic studies are done in people who do not have pure disorders. Whereas clinical trials exclude people for various reasons (usually to try to minimize cofounding variables of other disease states), naturalistic trials include people with comorbid medical and psychiatric problems. They mimic the "real world" use of the drug to a greater degree. Naturalistic studies can still be double blind, but are done to see if the confounding variables of other disorders and disease state affect the efficacy of the drug being tested. These studies (if done properly) are basically set up the same as the randomized, placebo controlled trial, but the exclusion criteria is greatly reduced. I would think (hope?) that investigators in a naturalistic study watch the groups being investigated much more closely for any potential problems that could arise.
I hope this helps and hope that you are keeping well. Yours in affliction - Cam
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 13:24:35
In reply to Re:Intractable Effexor Withdrawl , posted by cjl on August 23, 2000, at 21:07:19
CAM, I don't feel the need to justify my opinions. You have every right to feel the way you want to feel and I respect that. I wish you luck with the Effexor and hope you have a positive experience. Best of Luck. Fish
Posted by McGuyver on March 30, 2001, at 13:24:50
In reply to Re: Started Effexor XR Today » Fish, posted by Cam W. on March 30, 2001, at 12:53:16
Cam,
Again I agree with you! 'Expierience is knowledge' is what my GM said to me before I took his job. Also, 'I've been doing this for 40 years', well, I said "yah, 40 years the wrong way".
Point being, use it right, and maybe it will work. I've been on it a month now, I'm not jumping for joy, but I feel 10 times better.
Cam, anyone else with positive results, I'm starting a new thread right now.
Mc
Fish
>
> >Experience is knowledge and your medical research is wrong.
>
> Where is your validated proof? How can you make a statement like that without proof. Just because you want something to be the way you think it should be does not make it true.
>
> "Experience is knowledge"? Did you really think about this statement before typing it and how wrong it really is? Blind faith in one's experiential beliefs is dangerous. We only have 5 senses and it HAS been scientically proven that all 5 can be fooled.
>
> >I'm not buying it, your medical knowledge, and I hope people read these emails before they start taking Effexor. I believe that drug is dangerous and should be taken off the market.
>
> No one is asking you to "buy into my medical knowledge". I believe that cigarettes are dangerous and should be taken off the market. Effexor is a safe drug IF used properly. Fearmongers and hype have blown this issue totally out of proportion. I also hope people read these e-mails before starting Effexor, if not just to see what can happen when a drug regimen is not managed properly.
>
> Sincerely - Cam
Posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 13:54:55
In reply to Re:Intractable Effexor Withdrawl , posted by cjl on August 23, 2000, at 21:07:19
Your comments are belittling and you send message that give the impression that you are right and anyone who isn't happy with this drug is wrong. You don't have to make smart remarks about other peoples experiences. If you like the drug, so be it, but you don't need to attack other peoples opinions. It's not nice and completely unnecessary. Fish
Posted by Cam W. on March 30, 2001, at 14:06:55
In reply to CAM and MCGUYVER, posted by Fish on March 30, 2001, at 13:54:55
Fish - Sorry if I upset you you, but I base my remarks in scientific fact, not subjective experience. There is a huge difference between the two and the public has a right to know which is which. - Cam
Posted by kid47 on March 30, 2001, at 17:14:38
In reply to Re: The Tip of the Iceberg..............Kid47 » kid47, posted by Leo on March 29, 2001, at 13:22:00
> I respect the stand you take in strongly attempting to nuetralize the facts surrounding effexor. And yes, I do strongly suspect that you are employed by Wyeth-Ayerst. But thats OK to. The people coming to this site are interested in only the one drug that is adversly affecting them........effexor. Attempting to nuetralize what people are saying about the drug is an of obvious form of "damage control." So we will respect your attempts to do so. However, the one thing that you can't neutralize are the experiences posted here and on the hundreds of other sites out there. They are real and exacting.
>
>Leo I'm not trying to neutralize anything. Damage control for what purpose? Are you on any meds now?
> Let me give you some more facts:
> 1) All the side effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy are disclosed prior to treatment beginning. This is done so that the patient knows what to expect....both short and long term. I know because I'm a cancer survivor.
> And of course the good (living) undergoing treatment outways the bad (certain death)left untreated. I think you'll agree that this is a no brainer.>
> For many of us our illness is a life & death struggle. It is estimated that over 15% of folks with untreated or ineffectly treated mental illness will die by their own hand!> 2) Those of us that will not be exposed to the next gerneration of effexor aren't concerned about what
fewer problems may be associated with the drug. We are victims of the existing drug. That is our concern.
>
>It is believed by some that mental illness shows a familial & genetic predisposition. If God forbid either of my children were to have my illness I would certainly be interested in the next generation of meds. In fact I would think anyone with a mental disorder would be hopeful for the next batch of meds-if not for themselves for anyone else who is suffering3) Those people out there that suffer from depression, chronic or otherwise, seek medical treatment to help cure or abate their illness. They trust that what their doctor is prescribing is going to make them better. Not worsen their condition by presenting a whole new set of side effects that exaserbate the problem.
>
> Ya Right.> 4) All legal drugs undergo reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety.....as did Phen Phen. I think everyone is aware of the aftermath associated with its "reasonable testing for effectiveness and safety."
>
>Pick a battle Leo. You mad at the drug companies, the FDA, the docs, me?
> 5) I know of no federal aid ever being available to any drug company for defense or settlement money. I do know that the government gets invloved as an arbitrator involving any settlement amounts and dispersion. They don't finance legal defense fees, nor do they delve out settlement money. This comes out of the drug companies pocket.>
>My mistake. This money is available only when the lawsuits involve vaccines.
> 6) If people were more aware of the potential side effects of the drug prior to taking it then there wouldn't be so many bewildered or frightened people coming to sites like this.>
>Agreed. But I think anyone visiting this site would be well aware of the potential for side effects. Perhaps you should take your case to the National Enquirer. It is read by millions.>
>Leo & Pam. As you might have gathered I am getting a little fed up with the somewhat disparraging tone of your most recent posts. I am partly to blame as I have failed to communicate clearly to you my concerns. First I am afraid that this type of hysteria might put someone off from trying FXR who might desperately need it. Secondly, in the past, I have seen some very wise & helpful people become fed up & exit this site because of..... shall I say people pursuing a questionable agenda with more than adequate zeal. Sue whomever you wish to sue & bring whatever legal action you feel necessary but pleeeeaaaase no more swinging the cat by the tail or I may be forced to call the SPCA. ( Sorry Dr. B I was civil for as long as I could be)
>
>PS What have you got against electrical engineers Pamela?
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