![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2141 to 2165 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by me too on May 19, 2002, at 10:00:48
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR, posted by Sara T. on April 16, 2000, at 12:17:40
>We have a 21 yr old daughter with ADD.OCD symptoms that were triggered by ritalin about 14 yrs ago and have seemed to subside with medication. Latest diagnosis was depression treated with prozac which helped, but the ADD has always been a problem. About 9 months ago our pediatrician, who has been the most help to her throughout these years, prescribed Effexor XR. She tried it and seems to have had good effects from it. Her grades at Jr.College were the best this semester than in her whole life, and she seems to be on a smoother more relaxed mood with the med. The only problem we see is her resistence to med. She simply does not like the idea of being on med. I'm not sure why, and she never has been able to express her feelings or ideas very well. So she takes the med when she feels like it and may skip a day or two or week now and then. What do you think? me too
Posted by gare on May 20, 2002, at 7:15:27
In reply to Dry mouth day 7, posted by SandraDee on May 18, 2002, at 19:45:50
Hi SandraDee:
Thank you and to others who have been posting positive experiences with the drug. Reading about Effexor/Effexor XR, the good and bad about it, is refreshing and at least there are success stories.
I guess now that you mention having to empty your bladder quite frequently, I too remember having to go pee about every 15 minutes - not joking.
So if you are experiencing dry mouth and are urinating a lot, please make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, especially in these warmer getting hotter months coming up ahead.
Continuous luck with the journey on Effexor!
Gare
Posted by gare on May 20, 2002, at 7:21:00
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR, posted by me too on May 19, 2002, at 10:00:48
I think it is important for your daughter to take Effexor as prescribed; when you are tinkering with your brain's manufacturing of serotonin, NE, and dopamine, you want to make sure there is a constant level of the drug going in.
As we all know, there are side effects coming off of Effexor and perhaps there are others that we are unaware of it the medication isn't taken as prescribed.
Just to be on the safe side, maybe if your daughter is doing well at the current dosage, but skipping, is the question really about adherence to the medication or not liking the drug itself?
If it is an adherence issue, then talk with your medical doctor.
However, if it isn't so much a problem taking the drug, then perhaps a lower dose than the one being prescribed now could do just as well since she is skipping doses but having good results.
Just some food to think about.
Posted by me too on May 20, 2002, at 9:34:15
In reply to Re: From Wellbutrin for Dep. and ADD to Effexor XR, posted by gare on May 20, 2002, at 7:21:00
It's hard to say. We think she is doing better, but can definitely tell when she is not taking it. I really think it is a matter of her forgetting to take it and also not wanting other people to know she is taking it.But she's 21 and has always been "the strong-willed child".
Thanks for responding. me too
Posted by JANNBEAU on May 20, 2002, at 10:27:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Lilypad on May 17, 2002, at 21:15:33
>Lilypad, what is your cardiac diagnosis? Why are you being told you will be a "cardiac cripple?" There are many ways to reverse some cardiac problems, including significant changes in diet and exercise--this from a fat old woman who does not exercise or watch what she eats and who has hypertension! JUst curious. Good luck with your treatment both cardiac and central.
Cheers,
Jannbeau
Good Evening all! I started taking Effexor XR a week ago. Was on 150mg for 2 days then went to 150mg morning and evening. So far, so good. I've been on every SSRI the pharmaceutical companies make. Was taking Paxil until the day I was switched to Effexor XR. I feel fine. No side effects except I'm not particularly hungry. I've had bi-polar disorder for about 40 years. Lithium and the tricyclics didn't work for me. The depression was so bad it's' a wonder I'm still alive. I recently had to quit my job for medical reasons and undergo two surgeries in one month. I was told I had about 2-3 years before I become a "cardiac cripple". The Paxil just couldn't deal with all the bad news and I got severly depressed. I recognized the warning signs of severe depression and sought medical treatment and hospitalization before I could do something really stupid. The Effexor seems to be doing the trick.
>
> I realize I'm fortunate not to have the side effects that some of you have mentioned. I can empathize. I had VERY serious side effects with Wellbutrin.
>
> Here's to all of us trying to cope with depression......
Posted by supergirl on May 20, 2002, at 20:43:08
In reply to Re: Dry mouth day 7 / Peeing, posted by gare on May 20, 2002, at 7:15:27
I'm noticing the same thing while getting off of effexor (still at 75 from 150), I am peeing 3X as much as is normal for me
supergirl
Hi SandraDee:
>
> Thank you and to others who have been posting positive experiences with the drug. Reading about Effexor/Effexor XR, the good and bad about it, is refreshing and at least there are success stories.
>
> I guess now that you mention having to empty your bladder quite frequently, I too remember having to go pee about every 15 minutes - not joking.
>
> So if you are experiencing dry mouth and are urinating a lot, please make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, especially in these warmer getting hotter months coming up ahead.
>
> Continuous luck with the journey on Effexor!
>
> Gare
Posted by azurebay on May 20, 2002, at 22:35:15
In reply to Re: watch out girls-renelso 1, posted by supergirl on May 15, 2002, at 23:48:06
> I didn't want to scare anyone, its just that it took almost 3 weeks to figure out what was wrong with me.
> How has Effexor been working for you so far? Don't be afraid of it because of what you hear or read, all that matters is that you feel better.
The last guy you date is always the one that hangs around. Until you find that man, MEN ARE ALL PIGS! :) no offense to any guys... Thats just relationships for you.
>
> Good luck to you
> supergirlTFF supergirl <smiles>,
Yet you're right about Effexor XR or any other AD med; there is NOT one med that works for everyone. However, I can tell you as one of those "male pigs" (lmao), it's definitely worked well for me in combination with other such neuro-selective drugs.
In all seriousness... my personal opinion after being in this game for, let's say several YEARS, is that Effexor-XR is by far the most promising medication on the horizon!! To be frank (no, not that jerk you dated last week), I use Effexor with a small dose of Celexa. Now why this combo works is a mystery, but by god it does for me. Perhaps it's the enhancement of SSRI with the SNRI's or something along those lines. You'd think one of the old drugs like Trazadone would boost the NE component.... NAWT! And I guarantee most of you you're General Practitioner would think you whacked in the head to consider such a combination :) However, in these matters... GET THE BEST PSYDOC you can find!
The one peev I have is seeing people post on this (and other sites) where a family practioner has prescribed a psycotropic medication. That's as NUTS and the psychos... JEEEESH! Get to a professional with years of experience, stay out of the health food stores, and mostly feel what your heart (not your mind) is telling you!
Smiles Always,
Von
Posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'm new to Effexor XR, been on it for about a month, 2 weeks at 37.5mg and now 2 weeks at 75mg. I'm not having any troubling side effects, but I don't really feel any better.
My Dr. said I should be starting to feel better after 4 weeks, less sad, less crying, but all I really feel is numb, spaced out, distant, isolated, almost invisible... my mind is foggy, I can't concentrate, I hardly do any work anymore. A few days ago I started to cry at my desk, I've never done that before, but lately it seems like everything upsets me, before I used to wish I was dead, couldn't really bear living, couldn't see a way for life to get better so why draw it out, every day is so painful - now that I'm on Effexor I've started planning to kill myself, where, how, when... I thought I was supposed to get better, how long until this medication starts to work?
Did anyone else feel like this?
Posted by gare on May 21, 2002, at 11:12:16
In reply to how long until you felt better?, posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
yes, at the beginning i asked myself the same things when i began to wonder what it would be like to jump into oncoming traffic while i was out for a jog....but i believe that was just the real me being dramatic and not really the Effexor.
i wonder when people describe feeling numb if that is somewhat similar to the zombie phase that i had experienced - basically a month of not really having motivation - desire was there but certainly there was a lack of motivation and a plethora of sleeping.
i tend to think of suicide only when i don't get my way and i have come to realize it's the little inner child who is throwing a temper tantrum and i have to somehow find a creative way to soothe him rather than indulge him in his reactions to the way things are.
i hope that you are seeing a therapist and that a psychiatrist prescribed the Effexor for you as opposed to a family practitioner, as they tend to not follow up with how you are feeling on Effexor and allow you some room to talk about your feelings.
if you do get anxious or feel that you can't stop thinking about suicide, please consider visiting your mental health services unit in your hometown or call a suicide hotline. ironically, i use to volunteer for one and it can help when you have no one else to talk to.
i hope that you can work through why you have these thoughts as opposed to just giving them more power and time to develop a progression of how, when, where, etc.
i know it sounds silly to try to stop what you are thinking, count to twenty or even one hundred very slowly, but go somewhere completely different than where you were thinking suicidally, and just breath.
i took Effexor because i couldn't escape from my racing thoughts, my anxiety rollercoaster. my mind was my worst enemy and now even though i do have a disasterous thought about every four days or so, i can control it and ask myself why am i feeling like that? what am i missing or didn't get that i could possibly fullfill myself in the moment.
then i notice it's time to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies and curl up with my cat, Pooh, who gives me the perfect excuse to not commit suicide, as i would never want to imagine him be mistreated by anyone ever. he's the best thing in my life.
i hope you can find that one best thing in your life that will give you purpose to work through your thoughts, realize that yes they seem strong but they will only be as strong as you let them be.
the dilemma is knowing this and not being overpowered or disillusioned.
if you can, please talk to someone about your feelings.
gare
Posted by Denise528 on May 21, 2002, at 12:04:23
In reply to how long until you felt better?, posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
Sly, this time round I had really bad suicidal ideations on Prozac, seroxat and prothiaden although they all worked really well about 4 years ago. Anyway I too have recently started Effexor (about two weeks ago) and am now taking 150mg a day. Thankfully this drug has not caused the anguish that I experienced on the other SSRIs but I am however not really feeling an uplift of the depression.
I just feel really tired all the time, listless and like I could just stay in bed all day. I'm not sure whether or not to increase the dose, I am just really glad I haven't felt any agitation this time.
One thing you might try and it really helped me when I was feeling desparate and I mean really desparate, I have never felt so agitated and deranged in all my life, but the only thing that helped at the time was 10mg of Zyprexa. It might be worth you asking your psychiatrist about this to get you through the really bad spells. It is an antipsychotic and it may not work for you but many other people who have posted on here say that it has helped them with their suicidal ruminations. But then again a few people have said it made them worse. But there is no harm in trying if you are feeling that bad anyway.
Denise
Posted by supergirl on May 21, 2002, at 12:52:49
In reply to Re: watch out girls-renelso 1, posted by azurebay on May 20, 2002, at 22:35:15
Hey, I take offense at your pet peev! No, not really, it was probably the worst thing for me to go to a physician and get on a drug, but the only other person that could get me something (according to my therapist) was gone for 3 weeks. oh well, its all in the past now and there isn't anything I can do about it except clean up the doc's mess. Glad to know I'm not the only one that hates that.
supergirl
supergirl> > I didn't want to scare anyone, its just that it took almost 3 weeks to figure out what was wrong with me.
>
> > How has Effexor been working for you so far? Don't be afraid of it because of what you hear or read, all that matters is that you feel better.
> The last guy you date is always the one that hangs around. Until you find that man, MEN ARE ALL PIGS! :) no offense to any guys... Thats just relationships for you.
> >
> > Good luck to you
> > supergirl
>
> TFF supergirl <smiles>,
>
> Yet you're right about Effexor XR or any other AD med; there is NOT one med that works for everyone. However, I can tell you as one of those "male pigs" (lmao), it's definitely worked well for me in combination with other such neuro-selective drugs.
>
> In all seriousness... my personal opinion after being in this game for, let's say several YEARS, is that Effexor-XR is by far the most promising medication on the horizon!! To be frank (no, not that jerk you dated last week), I use Effexor with a small dose of Celexa. Now why this combo works is a mystery, but by god it does for me. Perhaps it's the enhancement of SSRI with the SNRI's or something along those lines. You'd think one of the old drugs like Trazadone would boost the NE component.... NAWT! And I guarantee most of you you're General Practitioner would think you whacked in the head to consider such a combination :) However, in these matters... GET THE BEST PSYDOC you can find!
>
> The one peev I have is seeing people post on this (and other sites) where a family practioner has prescribed a psycotropic medication. That's as NUTS and the psychos... JEEEESH! Get to a professional with years of experience, stay out of the health food stores, and mostly feel what your heart (not your mind) is telling you!
>
> Smiles Always,
>
> Von
Posted by gare on May 21, 2002, at 13:00:45
In reply to Re: watch out girls-renelso 1, posted by supergirl on May 21, 2002, at 12:52:49
i can't believe how many (okay i've only read a handful of posts) of us were prescribed Effexor (and possibly other psychotropic medications) by a family physicial or general health practitioner.
at least in my experience, the internal medicine doctor who wrote out my prescription for Effexor XR at my request (because this is the second time I am on it and it worked the first time so why bother with anything else - however, the first time it was prescribed by a psychiatrist) back in March 2002 hasn't even bothered to check-in with me.
I knew anyway that I was already set up with an appointment with a psychiatrist but I couldn't wait for a prescription for another month.
So I started my sample pack and worked my way up to 150 mg per day, which brings me to present time.
And with a decent psychiatrist and very generous therapist.
gare
Posted by renelso1 on May 21, 2002, at 13:05:32
In reply to how long until you felt better?, posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
sly,
i have also been on effexor xr for a month. i started much quicker than you though. 75 for a week and then jumped up to 150 right away. looking back i wish my doc had started me out slower cos the side effects were horrid. once i had been on 150 for about a week the numbness went away. i certainly don't feel 100% better but my suicidal tendencies are really decreasing and i'm making slow progress. i would talk to your doc about bumping up your dose. then give it another month. i know the waiting is crazy, but i'm all out of other solutions. good luck to you!!
r.
> I'm new to Effexor XR, been on it for about a month, 2 weeks at 37.5mg and now 2 weeks at 75mg. I'm not having any troubling side effects, but I don't really feel any better.
>
> My Dr. said I should be starting to feel better after 4 weeks, less sad, less crying, but all I really feel is numb, spaced out, distant, isolated, almost invisible... my mind is foggy, I can't concentrate, I hardly do any work anymore. A few days ago I started to cry at my desk, I've never done that before, but lately it seems like everything upsets me, before I used to wish I was dead, couldn't really bear living, couldn't see a way for life to get better so why draw it out, every day is so painful - now that I'm on Effexor I've started planning to kill myself, where, how, when... I thought I was supposed to get better, how long until this medication starts to work?
>
> Did anyone else feel like this?
Posted by Reneb on May 21, 2002, at 13:25:27
In reply to Re: how long until you felt better?, posted by renelso1 on May 21, 2002, at 13:05:32
> sly,
> i have also been on effexor xr for a month. i started much quicker than you though. 75 for a week and then jumped up to 150 right away. looking back i wish my doc had started me out slower cos the side effects were horrid. once i had been on 150 for about a week the numbness went away. i certainly don't feel 100% better but my suicidal tendencies are really decreasing and i'm making slow progress. i would talk to your doc about bumping up your dose. then give it another month. i know the waiting is crazy, but i'm all out of other solutions. good luck to you!!
> r.
>
>
> > I'm new to Effexor XR, been on it for about a month, 2 weeks at 37.5mg and now 2 weeks at 75mg. I'm not having any troubling side effects, but I don't really feel any better.
> >
> > My Dr. said I should be starting to feel better after 4 weeks, less sad, less crying, but all I really feel is numb, spaced out, distant, isolated, almost invisible... my mind is foggy, I can't concentrate, I hardly do any work anymore. A few days ago I started to cry at my desk, I've never done that before, but lately it seems like everything upsets me, before I used to wish I was dead, couldn't really bear living, couldn't see a way for life to get better so why draw it out, every day is so painful - now that I'm on Effexor I've started planning to kill myself, where, how, when... I thought I was supposed to get better, how long until this medication starts to work?
> >
> > Did anyone else feel like this?
Oh Yes!!! I was on effexor for over a year. I became extremely numb to everything around me. Things I liked to do I wasn't doing anymore. I had no motivation to get anything done and was always tired!!! As soon as I started to wein myself off effexor I felt my energy level come back.. it was amazing. I did realize what a fog i was in. I think effexor works great. I think you have to decide if feeling nothing is okay for you. I just couldn't deal with it. I didn't like the fact that I wasn't living anymore.Renee
Posted by Reneb on May 21, 2002, at 14:54:50
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Bad experience, posted by kpo2002 on May 18, 2002, at 1:53:32
> Whatever I said before--I changed my mind. I started Effexor XR 37.5 at the end of March. The first 4 weeks were very good, increased energy and pain relief. A few regular swimmers even commented on my stroke. Then, I experienced a dramatic decrease in pain relief and energy, which was replaced by a sense of calm, causing 10 days of depression. I shook myself out of that convincing myself that I had at least held on to a portion of the pain relief, plus I did feel less aggravated by my whole "pain, poverty and filth" situation. But then the CALM just kept on coming, until I realized that I had been unable to do anything all week. Most of my time from Sun.-Thurs. had been spent lounging on the couch. The problem was that I didn't feel bad or tired, I actually felt very awake and alert--I thought that I was just being lazy, I felt good, I just had no energy for physical movement. On Friday I felt weak and dizzy upon getting out of bed--But I didn't feel bad. I went straight to the couch, then back to bed, then I decided that I had had enough of that Effexor and made the decision to discontinue. I spent the day on the couch,I went to the pool in the evening and sat in the car for 45 minutes before I could face that pool. I could not finish my normal 15 minute workout and became dizzy and weak. In the shower my hand passed over my heart and it was racing. My pulse was 120 and the paramedics were called. My blood pressure was 136 the first time that they took it and 126 the second time they took it after they had given me oxygen for a minute or two (normally 110 is high for me). I'm finished with Effexor, unless I need to take some to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Boy, I understand what you are saying! I exercise everyday. In the spring I increase my exercise to get ready for the races. I love to run!! I couldn't believe the difference it made being on effexor. It would take everything I had to run what I used to run with ease. My friends were really concerned because they couldn't believe that my energy level had fallen so much. I too decided that was enough. I wein myself off which took at least 2 months. I am so glad to be rid of that stuff.Renee
Posted by gare on May 21, 2002, at 15:00:18
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Bad experience » kpo2002, posted by Reneb on May 21, 2002, at 14:54:50
> > Whatever I said before--I changed my mind. I started Effexor XR 37.5 at the end of March. The first 4 weeks were very good, increased energy and pain relief. A few regular swimmers even commented on my stroke. Then, I experienced a dramatic decrease in pain relief and energy, which was replaced by a sense of calm, causing 10 days of depression. I shook myself out of that convincing myself that I had at least held on to a portion of the pain relief, plus I did feel less aggravated by my whole "pain, poverty and filth" situation. But then the CALM just kept on coming, until I realized that I had been unable to do anything all week. Most of my time from Sun.-Thurs. had been spent lounging on the couch. The problem was that I didn't feel bad or tired, I actually felt very awake and alert--I thought that I was just being lazy, I felt good, I just had no energy for physical movement. On Friday I felt weak and dizzy upon getting out of bed--But I didn't feel bad. I went straight to the couch, then back to bed, then I decided that I had had enough of that Effexor and made the decision to discontinue. I spent the day on the couch,I went to the pool in the evening and sat in the car for 45 minutes before I could face that pool. I could not finish my normal 15 minute workout and became dizzy and weak. In the shower my hand passed over my heart and it was racing. My pulse was 120 and the paramedics were called. My blood pressure was 136 the first time that they took it and 126 the second time they took it after they had given me oxygen for a minute or two (normally 110 is high for me). I'm finished with Effexor, unless I need to take some to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
>
>
> Boy, I understand what you are saying! I exercise everyday. In the spring I increase my exercise to get ready for the races. I love to run!! I couldn't believe the difference it made being on effexor. It would take everything I had to run what I used to run with ease. My friends were really concerned because they couldn't believe that my energy level had fallen so much. I too decided that was enough. I wein myself off which took at least 2 months. I am so glad to be rid of that stuff.
>
> ReneeHi Renee...I think you replied to one of my post's before. I, too, am a jogger - maybe not fast like you, and do yoga, and during the first eight weeks on Effexor XR, I didn't have any motivation to do much of anything even though I didn't lose my desire.
As I mentioned before, I was taking Effexor XR at 6 pm in the evening and it's made a world of a difference taking it at 2 pm.
I am still at 2 pm with great results.
I have been back on my yoga routine and built up to my regular 1 hour jog this Sunday.
I don't have zaps in energy and I don't claim that Effexor XR gives me the boost either but I feel that I am able to do all my activities that I loved to do before.
Now if I could only write my book!
Did you ever try adjusting the time you took Effexor XR?
Has anyone else adjusted the time and found their best time to take Effexor XR?
Gare
Posted by Reneb on May 21, 2002, at 15:06:39
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience, posted by gare on May 21, 2002, at 15:00:18
> > > Whatever I said before--I changed my mind. I started Effexor XR 37.5 at the end of March. The first 4 weeks were very good, increased energy and pain relief. A few regular swimmers even commented on my stroke. Then, I experienced a dramatic decrease in pain relief and energy, which was replaced by a sense of calm, causing 10 days of depression. I shook myself out of that convincing myself that I had at least held on to a portion of the pain relief, plus I did feel less aggravated by my whole "pain, poverty and filth" situation. But then the CALM just kept on coming, until I realized that I had been unable to do anything all week. Most of my time from Sun.-Thurs. had been spent lounging on the couch. The problem was that I didn't feel bad or tired, I actually felt very awake and alert--I thought that I was just being lazy, I felt good, I just had no energy for physical movement. On Friday I felt weak and dizzy upon getting out of bed--But I didn't feel bad. I went straight to the couch, then back to bed, then I decided that I had had enough of that Effexor and made the decision to discontinue. I spent the day on the couch,I went to the pool in the evening and sat in the car for 45 minutes before I could face that pool. I could not finish my normal 15 minute workout and became dizzy and weak. In the shower my hand passed over my heart and it was racing. My pulse was 120 and the paramedics were called. My blood pressure was 136 the first time that they took it and 126 the second time they took it after they had given me oxygen for a minute or two (normally 110 is high for me). I'm finished with Effexor, unless I need to take some to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
> >
> >
> > Boy, I understand what you are saying! I exercise everyday. In the spring I increase my exercise to get ready for the races. I love to run!! I couldn't believe the difference it made being on effexor. It would take everything I had to run what I used to run with ease. My friends were really concerned because they couldn't believe that my energy level had fallen so much. I too decided that was enough. I wein myself off which took at least 2 months. I am so glad to be rid of that stuff.
> >
> > Renee
>
> Hi Renee...I think you replied to one of my post's before. I, too, am a jogger - maybe not fast like you, and do yoga, and during the first eight weeks on Effexor XR, I didn't have any motivation to do much of anything even though I didn't lose my desire.
>
> As I mentioned before, I was taking Effexor XR at 6 pm in the evening and it's made a world of a difference taking it at 2 pm.
>
> I am still at 2 pm with great results.
>
> I have been back on my yoga routine and built up to my regular 1 hour jog this Sunday.
>
> I don't have zaps in energy and I don't claim that Effexor XR gives me the boost either but I feel that I am able to do all my activities that I loved to do before.
>
> Now if I could only write my book!
>
> Did you ever try adjusting the time you took Effexor XR?
>
> Has anyone else adjusted the time and found their best time to take Effexor XR?
>
> GareHi Gare, No I didn't try doing that. I was on 300mg of effexor. I was taking 150mg in the morning and 150mg in the afternoon/evening time. I just think that it was to much for my system. I did work on my depression..almost too good. I wasn't feeling anything and that's not good either. I just started taking a yoga class. I couldn't believe how unflexible I am. It's all those years of running and biking and not enough stretching. I am going to continue the yoga. I thought it was great!!! what kind of yoga do you do?
Renee
Posted by gare on May 21, 2002, at 15:20:00
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience » gare, posted by Reneb on May 21, 2002, at 15:06:39
I use to live in NYC so that is where I picked it up on the advice of my then boss.
I mostly practice Iyengar yoga, which can easily be obtained by Living Arts video series featuring Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden. Excellent if you are a beginner and very well priced (if you have a Target or Wal-Mart, you can get the VHS versions for as little as $6.99).
I think power yoga is great too for those who feel that regular yoga class isn't challenging enough.
I use to hate downward facing dog but now I use it to release the tension I store in my shoulders and upper back.
As with drugs not working overnight, don't expect to become a pretzel over night either. Just know that one day you will be able to. It's not important what the date is, but that today you just practice your yoga, or whatever your heart's desire is.
I find that doing a 20 minute yoga routine prior to my jogging gives me the endurance and comfort than without.
Are you a follower of warming up before a jog or just after?
gare
Posted by Reneb on May 21, 2002, at 16:03:06
In reply to Re: Effexor - Exercise - Better Experience, posted by gare on May 21, 2002, at 15:20:00
> I use to live in NYC so that is where I picked it up on the advice of my then boss.
>
> I mostly practice Iyengar yoga, which can easily be obtained by Living Arts video series featuring Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden. Excellent if you are a beginner and very well priced (if you have a Target or Wal-Mart, you can get the VHS versions for as little as $6.99).
>
> I think power yoga is great too for those who feel that regular yoga class isn't challenging enough.
>
> I use to hate downward facing dog but now I use it to release the tension I store in my shoulders and upper back.
>
> As with drugs not working overnight, don't expect to become a pretzel over night either. Just know that one day you will be able to. It's not important what the date is, but that today you just practice your yoga, or whatever your heart's desire is.
>
> I find that doing a 20 minute yoga routine prior to my jogging gives me the endurance and comfort than without.
>
> Are you a follower of warming up before a jog or just after?
>
> gare
Gare, thanks for the info. Well, they are telling us know that you should stretch much before a run??? most of your stretching should be done after.Renee
Posted by LynnPerley on May 21, 2002, at 20:46:52
In reply to how long until you felt better?, posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
Give it a few more weeks, sly. I'm not sure if you found my post 8 Weeks of Effexor or something like that - it's on another thread. I experienced a great lift of that foggy feeling around the sixth week or seventh week of 150 mg. I also agree you should seek some form of counseling if you are not seeking it already.
Incidentally, I was prescribed Effexor by a family doc after a licensed "counselor", not a psydoc or psytherapist, recommended that I talk to my doc about medication for anxiety and depression. He first gave me generic prozac and set the follow up appt at two weeks. I had to stop due to side effect (bruxism). Then he switched me to effexor xr, gave me a starter pack and a scrip, and set the follow up appt at three months because he said it might take that long for me to ascertain if it truly was beneficial. He did encourage me to call earlier if I needed to discuss any concerns. I also have not experienced suicidal thoughts at all, before or after meds, just anxiety and depression that was long lasting and interfering with work and family life.
Posted by Spencer on May 22, 2002, at 4:13:23
In reply to how long until you felt better?, posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
Sly
What you describe is exactly what I experienced, but I eventually came right.
When I first went to my GP with severe depression (August last year), he put me on Prozac and warned me that it would take 6-8 weeks to feel better and that things would get worse before they got better. After a week of no sleep (following about two months of very little sleep) and feeling much much worse that when I first went to him, he sent me to a psychiatrist who started me on Efexor XR (37.5mg building up to 150mg) also with the warning that I would get worse before feeling better. They were right......I was desperate. Somehow I dragged myself out of bed and to work every morning, but actually didn't do anything for about 2 months. But then things slowly slowly turned around....I went to a psychologist for therapy and eventually I felt fine and better than I had for many years. The whole process took about 4 months including the therapy, although the Efexor was working properly after after about 2 months. I also had very good family and friend support.
I was on the 150mg XR until a week ago and am now weaning off ...I take 75mg XR plus 35mg plain Efexor...so far so good.
Don't give up, Sly.......it may take another 2-4 weeks and if you don't feel better, you may need a higher dose. Get help from somebody who understands the medication. There seem to be a lot of people who are seeing doctors who are ignorant of what happens with Efexor and the subsequent withdrawal.
Good luck and please keep us all informed of how you get on.
Posted by sly on May 22, 2002, at 8:16:13
In reply to Re: how long until you felt better? » sly, posted by Spencer on May 22, 2002, at 4:13:23
Thanks Spencer, it's nice to know someone else feels the same way.
It was actually my family Dr. that prescribed Effexor, I went to see him after I met with a counsellor who told me to speak to my Dr. about medication, she said therapy might be easier if I was on meds. because it would give me more energy and help me feel better about myself - no one really prepared me to deal with the possibility that it would get worse before it got better. My family Dr.'s ok, he follows up with me every 2 weeks, I have to go in and meet with him and let him know how I'm doing. So far I've just been seeing a Social Worker, but this week I'm starting therapy with a Psychologist - I'm up in Canada, the wait for a Psychiatrist is too long and besides, Psychiatrists don't talk (from what I've been told) - I know this depression won't lift until I deal with some of the issues that send me to bed crying at night.
Thanks again for your help!
> Sly
>
> What you describe is exactly what I experienced, but I eventually came right.
>
> When I first went to my GP with severe depression (August last year), he put me on Prozac and warned me that it would take 6-8 weeks to feel better and that things would get worse before they got better. After a week of no sleep (following about two months of very little sleep) and feeling much much worse that when I first went to him, he sent me to a psychiatrist who started me on Efexor XR (37.5mg building up to 150mg) also with the warning that I would get worse before feeling better. They were right......I was desperate. Somehow I dragged myself out of bed and to work every morning, but actually didn't do anything for about 2 months. But then things slowly slowly turned around....I went to a psychologist for therapy and eventually I felt fine and better than I had for many years. The whole process took about 4 months including the therapy, although the Efexor was working properly after after about 2 months. I also had very good family and friend support.
>
> I was on the 150mg XR until a week ago and am now weaning off ...I take 75mg XR plus 35mg plain Efexor...so far so good.
>
> Don't give up, Sly.......it may take another 2-4 weeks and if you don't feel better, you may need a higher dose. Get help from somebody who understands the medication. There seem to be a lot of people who are seeing doctors who are ignorant of what happens with Efexor and the subsequent withdrawal.
>
> Good luck and please keep us all informed of how you get on.
Posted by azurebay on May 22, 2002, at 18:17:50
In reply to Re: watch out girls-renelso 1, posted by supergirl on May 21, 2002, at 12:52:49
About Those Pet Peeves:
Yikes! Trust me to offend someone my second post (lol supergirl). Of course you'll have to take into account the fact that alcohol (my one night fling per week) may have played a part in that dubiously misspelled mess of a post. Sorry about that.
In all seriousness, Gare is right about a good combo of a psychiatrist + therapist, and that was my honest intent - better said, "The bottom-line."
Let me just say this, and I'll stop before I put foot-in-mouth again. THE PROBLEM WITH PSYCHIATRIC DRUGS, at least IMHO, is the range and scope of any Tom, Dick or Harry, M.D. who is unquestioningly given power to prescibe them! I mean think about it; would you see an OBGYN for a Neurological problem? A psychiatrist for a pregnancy test (and believe me, I once asked my pdoc to do that for my g/f, now wife, and he didn't have the foggiest clue about how to order the test... whew, thank God!)?
Unfortunately, the public in general has fallen prey to heavy media influence, with a lot of "unspecialized" practitioners also falling prey to both patient pressure as well as the wine-me-dine-me pharmaceutical reps. Next thing ya know, millions of people are taking psychotropic medications... and THAT should (for the most part) be left to the pros, aka the psychiatrists.
I think any General Practioner of Medicine (ya I mean the vast majority of ALL YOU GP's or Family Docs, Physician's Assistants, Nurse Practitioners), have no business playing psychiatrist or writing scripts for these meds except to, perhaps, prescribe-AND-refer. Period. Ya haven't enough time to keep up on the latest anti-fungal agents, let alone grasp the complex neuro-chemistry of these disorders and the faces behind the masks in five-minute office visits, and that's the truth.
Hope the pet peev is now clarified. Oh, btw, I don't have a GP, but now have a great OBGYN, along with my psychiatrist...
Smiles Always,
Azure
Posted by mckmc on May 22, 2002, at 19:15:51
In reply to how long until you felt better?, posted by sly on May 21, 2002, at 10:38:23
Sly,
I'm a Psychology student and I have learned quite a bit recently about anti-depressants that I did not learn from my doc. For example, sometimes the first thing many patients who start taking anti-depressants want to do is to kill themselves. The reason I was given was that the anti-depressant meds will give you some energy and maybe a bit more direction; sort or how you might have felt prior to feeling depressed. Anyhow, my point is that feeling like you want to make plans for anything is a good sign. The problem is that your plans will have a very negative effect. You should really try to see your doc. or get some sort of support network around you. Tell people how you are feeling, don't keep it just for this site. Anti-depressants can make you feel energetic enough to want to follow-through with your thoughts and plans. Get some more help, be as patient as possible and don't be upset that you were crying at work, be glad that you noticed that this was not normal for you. You are obviously noticing behaviour about yourself that is changing, keep a diary or journal of your emotional changes. It takes a lot of time and energy to feel better. I've been there 2 times already, I have a feeling I undertand where you are coming from.
> I'm new to Effexor XR, been on it for about a month, 2 weeks at 37.5mg and now 2 weeks at 75mg. I'm not having any troubling side effects, but I don't really feel any better.
>
> My Dr. said I should be starting to feel better after 4 weeks, less sad, less crying, but all I really feel is numb, spaced out, distant, isolated, almost invisible... my mind is foggy, I can't concentrate, I hardly do any work anymore. A few days ago I started to cry at my desk, I've never done that before, but lately it seems like everything upsets me, before I used to wish I was dead, couldn't really bear living, couldn't see a way for life to get better so why draw it out, every day is so painful - now that I'm on Effexor I've started planning to kill myself, where, how, when... I thought I was supposed to get better, how long until this medication starts to work?
>
> Did anyone else feel like this?
Posted by PamelaLynn on May 22, 2002, at 21:55:18
In reply to Switching from Effexor to Remeron, posted by Butterfly on May 18, 2002, at 11:51:59
Hello to you too Georges.
I too was on Effexor XR for quite a long time. I got the 'euphoria' feelings too, for the first couple of months and liked it. I went off of it, it seemed to just fizzle out on me......I had been on Remeron in the past, didn't seem to help, but my shrink said "let's try it again". I started at the 15mg strength 'Sol Tabs'. (As you get higher in mg's on Remeron you lose the tranquilizing effects). I am now on 30mg's of it, and along w/Lamictal for my rapid mood swings/Borderline Personality Disorder. I seem to be doing better......Getting off the couch w/in the last few days to be honest.....We shall see huh? Good luck to you.
P.L.
> Hi
>
> Went to my physician to find an alternative to Effexor. Not been long on Effexor, but long enough to see some bothersome (sexual for the most part) side-effects as I have reported before.
>
> This time we picked Remeron, 15mg to begin with.
> I like the idea of Remeron since it's supposed to help sleep and I'm sleeping bad for years, a condition worsened by Effexor lately; it's not supposed to have any impact on sexuality either.
> I will monitor my weigh closely though, since weight gain is one possible side-effect (I'm 6'2" 200 lbs right now; I hope Ican write the same thing in 3 months !).
>
> First pill yesterday at 9 PM. Maximum effect is supposed to come 2 hrs after taking the pill. 90 min later I was so groggy and drowsy I had to sleep. Couldn't concentrate, read or do anything. Almost walking as if I was drunk.
>
> Slept long, but awakened a few times during the night.
>
> This morning I'm feeling OK, not drowsy as I was anticipating, but fairly well rest. I don't have this light "euphoria" I was having when on Effexor, - and which I liked (...).
>
> I was also anxious to check if sex would be impaired (seriously delayed ejaculation with Effexor), but everything seems OK on this side as well (...).
>
> So far so good as we say. If things stay like this and I can bring the depression/anxiety to a more reasonable level, I will be very happy.
>
> Georges
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