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Posted by MaxTex on May 7, 2003, at 0:07:12
In reply to Effexor and Anxiety, posted by Scorch on May 1, 2003, at 13:27:50
Snoozy -- don't know if my observation will be any comfort, but taking 5 years + to complete a "3 year PhD" doesn't sound so bad. I don't know your specifics, but most PhDs (especially in the social sciences and humanities) typically take considerably more than 3 years.
I took 6 years to get my PhD from the time I completed coursework. I was unhappy about that, BUT most people NEVER finish, and 6 years was still better than average! That's because most have to work fulltime while trying to work on the PhD. So, unless yours should be brief for particular reasons, don't the 5 years get you down.
Best wishes,
MaxTex
> Has anyone else been prescribed Effexor for anxiety and panic disorder? [...]. I've not been able to function for 2 YEARS - I have no concentration span and have taken 5 years (so far) to complete a 3 year PhD. Any advice would be helpful.
Posted by MaxTex on May 7, 2003, at 0:29:35
In reply to Re: Please provide website » Maureen17, posted by Napaba on May 6, 2003, at 11:58:29
Napaba -- my own non-professional suggestion is that stepping down by 75MG might well be too much, if you were previously maintaining on 150. I'd suggest splitting the dose and going first to 112.5 for a couple of weeks.
However, you might just be fine until you drop from the final dose to zero. With any luck, you'll be fine anyway, but I would reduce your withdrawal risks, based on my own and others experiences.
Good luck!
MaxTex
> I've started cycling down on my dose of EXR. Today was my first day at 75 instead of 150. Can anyone say if this is too large a reduction at one time? I don't see my doctor for another month. I have a script for 75 and 150, so I thought I'd start getting off it now.
Posted by catri on May 7, 2003, at 6:26:43
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR SIDE EFFECTS!! Not all bad » Maureen17, posted by melley on May 6, 2003, at 13:51:34
hello, after about six months on 75/day, I want to come off it. I'm seeing the doc tomorrow, and I would really like help in deciding what withdrawal/tapering programme people have found that works best. Please help....
Posted by Napaba on May 7, 2003, at 8:45:02
In reply to Re: Please provide website, posted by jtc on May 6, 2003, at 21:01:05
Good luck getting your daughter off Effexor.
How long has she been on it? How long were you taking EXR?
Sorry about all the questions. I really want as much invformation as I can find about EXR and it's side effects (short and long term), depression, and anxiety.
My son is also one of those anxious kids. He's 15 and has always been a worrier. After researching natural remedies he has started taking St. Johns Wart and a couple other natural vitamins. I'm hoping it will help him. Also like your daughter he's very smart. He's a straight A student and takes all advanced and accelerated classes. I've read anxiety is a trait that goes hand in hand with the smart over-achiver type personalities. Are you a single parent and is your daughter a first born? I’ve read those kids have more anxiety then other children. The son I’m referring to, is my eldest and I’m also an oldest child.Hi, in response to your question of tapering from 150 to 75. I did the same thing and it wasn't bad. I took 75 for about 2 months then went to 37.5 every other day for about 2 weeks and then just stopped alltogether. At first I had dizziness and feelings of unreality. I am now off of Effexor for about six weeks. Thank the Lord I got off of it. Now I need to get my eight year old daughter off of it. I hope she does alright. I will never forgive myself if she doesn't. She is taking it for anxiety. She also just started Adderall. I have been told by her psychologist that she does not have ADD, that she is just very anxious for her age. She is actually very intelligent but her teachers say she cannot concentrate on her school work so her psychiatrist and I decided to give Adderall a try. Does anyone know anything about it? I am afraid she is going to get more anxious and nervous on Adderall because it is a stimulant. I just want her to have a good quality of life and her anxiety is affecting her functioning greatly. May God help us. Take care, jc
>
>
>
> Please provide the name of the web site you got your information from. Sense starting EXR my cycle has been totally messed up. Before EXR, it was every 28 days, three days long. I've also had feelings in my breast that remind me of when I was breast feeding. Did you have a lot of hot flashes while on EXR?
> >
> > I've started cycling down on my dose of EXR. Today was my first day at 75 instead of 150. Can anyone say if this is too large a reduction at one time? I don't see my doctor for another month. I have a script for 75 and 150, so I thought I'd start getting off it now.
> >
> > I don't want to take this *&^% anymore.
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Angel,
> > > I'm glad you're doing good on effexor. Just keep an eye on your female functions. Mine were the picture perfect, book example until I started on effexor. 2-1/2 years ago after I started taking EXR, my cycle started varing, then got to the point that I would have them for 2 weeks (heavy), off a week then get it for 2 weeks, off a week, etc. At 40 I thought I was too young for menopause but my family Dr. said I was starting peri-men. Went to my gyno and he said it could be possible but I should get a DNC. This worked for about 6 mo. but my cycle was still off-kilter (not heavy and lasted 5 days). Then the heavy came back and went into 6 weeks straight, Only to make an emergency appt. with my gyno. Guess what! I had a tumor (cyst) the size of a 6 mo pregnancy! It's been 8 weeks since my hysto. now and after reading the side effects on a website that was referred to from this site, I down loaded it 'pdf' format to take to my lawyer.
> > > Adverse effects (just to name a few)
> > > "Urogenital system - Frequent: metrorrhagia,* prostatitis,* urination impaired, vaginitis*; Infrequent: albuminuria,
> > > amenorrhea,* cystitis, dysuria, hematuria, female lactation,* leukorrhea,* menorrhagia,* nocturia, bladder pain,
> > > breast pain, polyuria, pyuria, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, urinary urgency, vaginal hemorrhage*; Rare:
> > > abortion,* anuria, breast engorgement, breast enlargement, fibrocystic breast, calcium crystalluria, cervicitis,*
> > > ovarian cyst,* prolonged erection,* gynecomastia (male),* hypomenorrhea,* kidney calculus, kidney pain, kidney
> > > function abnormal, mastitis, menopause,* pyelonephritis, oliguria, salpingitis,* urolithiasis, uterine hemorrhage,*
> > > uterine spasm.*
> > > *Based on the number of men and women as appropriate."
> > > Jusy be careful and really take an interest in your health while you're on this.
> > > I hope it works for you...
> > > God Bless,
> > > Maureen
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Dysfunk on May 7, 2003, at 9:43:48
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR SIDE EFFECTS!!!!! » Dysfunk, posted by Napaba on May 5, 2003, at 13:22:41
I switched to Lexapro. I am still taking 40 mgs of Prozac, and 20 mg of Lexapro. It took almost 9 weeks to feel any positive effects. I was about to give up, then suddenly it kicked in.
Posted by Dysfunk on May 7, 2003, at 9:47:04
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Cheri on May 5, 2003, at 18:37:19
Withdrawak for me from Effexor was as bad as being on the medication. I dropped 37.5 mgs each week and as I did, the aches and pains increased. I also had anger with the medication. It wasn't until a couple weeks after the medication was completely out of my system that I felt better.
Posted by stlouisdude on May 7, 2003, at 9:50:46
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR SIDE EFFECTS!! Not all bad » Maureen17, posted by melley on May 6, 2003, at 13:51:34
I really like the effexor. This is my first and only experience with an AD or anything even close. I was having some issues and went on the 75 mg, and was doing okay on that. I seemed to lose focus sometimes, so i went to the 150's and then i started seeing the side effects. I was constipated, couldn't lose weight, sweats, and very jittery. Since that episode, I have been on the 75's for a little bit and as time goes on, I get better and better. The only side effects from the 75's are severe gas in the morning..(cause I take them before i go to bed) and very vivid dreams. Both of those things I can handle. I'm not sure my gf can handle the gas in the morning tho. lol. So my experience has been.. the higher the dosage, the more side effects. After another month or two, i plan on dropping to 37.5 and seeing if that works too. Hope this helps.
Mark
Posted by Snoozy on May 7, 2003, at 13:02:35
In reply to I'm going off- please help!, posted by catri on May 7, 2003, at 6:26:43
Hi -
I wish I had had a chance to find a good taper schedule! I wasn't warned about withdrawl and went off cold turkey - miserable experience.
I didn't have a chance to try this either, but I have heard of small amounts of Prozac being used to help withdrawl, because of its very long half-life. Part of what makes Effexor withdrawl so bad is its short half-life.
Go slowly and listen to your body. Hopefully someone here has had an ok experience coming off Effexor and can tell you what they did!
Good luck to you.
> hello, after about six months on 75/day, I want to come off it. I'm seeing the doc tomorrow, and I would really like help in deciding what withdrawal/tapering programme people have found that works best. Please help....
Posted by Maureen17 on May 7, 2003, at 18:34:17
In reply to Re: Please provide website » Maureen17, posted by Napaba on May 6, 2003, at 11:58:29
Here's the site. Sorry it took me awhile to find it again.
www.effexorfx.freeuk.comI'd say try the 75ml each day and if you start to feel funky take a 150ml at your next dose. Then go back to the 75 and keep doing this until you don't have to take the 150 anymore. Then try to drop to half the 75 and do the same as above only with the smaller doses. Then half of 37.5 and so on. Eventually you'll be able to get off this stuff. I'm now taking half of the 37.5 every other day. seems to be working with minimal withdrawl.
Posted by Maureen17 on May 7, 2003, at 18:44:57
In reply to Effexor causing hysterectomy? Seriously?? » Maureen17, posted by Jack Smith on May 6, 2003, at 13:46:05
I don't think you're being insensitive. But it did seem awefully strange that all my trouble started after taking effexor. Before that, I was the textbook female specimen of health. Never had any trouble before.
As far as the lawyer end of it, mine wanted to see the info from this website: www.effexorfx.freeuk.com. Apparently there is a class action lawsuit against the makers of Paxil for withdrawl symptoms and even suicide cases.
And, thanks I'm doing GREAT.
Posted by Maureen17 on May 7, 2003, at 18:47:04
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR SIDE EFFECTS!! Not all bad » Maureen17, posted by melley on May 6, 2003, at 13:51:34
Melly,
Here's the site!
www.effexorfx.freeuk.com
Posted by lia mason on May 7, 2003, at 21:47:54
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR SIDE EFFECTS!!!!!, posted by Napaba on May 5, 2003, at 9:39:21
Hi,
I'm confused. After a month at 150 I have severe tension headaches. I have had these TEMPORARILY when I raise the dose, but I haven't raised the dose. Anyone? I'm mystified.
Lia
Posted by LeeLee on May 7, 2003, at 23:14:07
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Kathy on April 19, 2000, at 0:16:56
Responding to Kathy's message:
> I have just started on the Effexor XR and am really hoping I don't gain weight from it. I have gained about 35 pounds in the last few months I think from Celexa. I started the Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and did lose about 5 pounds because I felt so nauseous all the time. I broke out in hives the second week and was taken off the Wellbutrin and that's why I'm now on Effexor. Gaining weight from an antidepressant is so depressing! Kathy
(This is my first time here, so I hope I post this right!)
I did well with the Paxil for a little while, then the weight just seemed to come all at once. My doctor then prescribed Meridia, which made me stop eating and therefore lose weight, but I began having awful hallucinations that scared the pants off me. (I saw smoke coming out of my bathroom, felt spiders and things crawling on me, etc.) I quit both medicines and was switched to Effexor, which is working much better. I haven't gained weight, and I've been working hard to drop what I did gain. I came here in search of other people taking this medicine because some days, like today, I feel so down. It never occurred to me that it was from skipping a dosage. Anyway, good luck to all! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.LeeLee (75 mg)
Posted by Maureen17 on May 7, 2003, at 23:39:46
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR headache?, posted by lia mason on May 7, 2003, at 21:47:54
Go back to the next lower dose. Headaches should subside.
Posted by melley on May 8, 2003, at 6:58:18
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by LeeLee on May 7, 2003, at 23:14:07
Hello,Since I have been on effexor I have gained 30 pounds. I have tried losing it to no avail. I am thinking of asking my dr to switch me to wellbutrin. Sounds like you didn't have a good experience with it, but I have talked with several people who are happy with it. Thought I could give it a try at least.
mel
> Responding to Kathy's message:
>
> > I have just started on the Effexor XR and am really hoping I don't gain weight from it. I have gained about 35 pounds in the last few months I think from Celexa. I started the Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and did lose about 5 pounds because I felt so nauseous all the time. I broke out in hives the second week and was taken off the Wellbutrin and that's why I'm now on Effexor. Gaining weight from an antidepressant is so depressing! Kathy
>
> (This is my first time here, so I hope I post this right!)
> I did well with the Paxil for a little while, then the weight just seemed to come all at once. My doctor then prescribed Meridia, which made me stop eating and therefore lose weight, but I began having awful hallucinations that scared the pants off me. (I saw smoke coming out of my bathroom, felt spiders and things crawling on me, etc.) I quit both medicines and was switched to Effexor, which is working much better. I haven't gained weight, and I've been working hard to drop what I did gain. I came here in search of other people taking this medicine because some days, like today, I feel so down. It never occurred to me that it was from skipping a dosage. Anyway, good luck to all! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
>
> LeeLee (75 mg)
Posted by catri on May 8, 2003, at 7:00:08
In reply to Re: I'm going off- please help! » catri, posted by Snoozy on May 7, 2003, at 13:02:35
Hi, Snoozy - saw the doc today and he's making me drop down to 37mg/day - I have already taken a lower doasge, and I'm feeling totally weird - my eyes are going slightly mental and I'm feeling dizzy and sick! Its amazing the total lack of knowledge about this drug - I questioned my pharmacist, and he seemed to think that the only side effects from the withdrawal were going to be restlessness at night!!!!! My doc didn't seem to think that I would get all that much either, because I've only been on it for half a year. Does anyone know of any advice to help with the withdrawal symtoms?
Posted by Napaba on May 8, 2003, at 7:52:03
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by LeeLee on May 7, 2003, at 23:14:07
I've lost over 30 pounds in the 4 months I've been taking EXR. I have 20 to go. I'd gained 50 pounds over the past 2 years. I'm not sure if the weight lose is a side effect from the EXR or because I eat when I'm stressed, depressed, and anxious and EXR has helped that. For whatever reason I'm greatful for the weight lose. But I am trying to get off EXR, I can't take the side effects. Good luck to you I hope it works for you.
Responding to Kathy's message:
>
> > I have just started on the Effexor XR and am really hoping I don't gain weight from it. I have gained about 35 pounds in the last few months I think from Celexa. I started the Wellbutrin for 2 weeks and did lose about 5 pounds because I felt so nauseous all the time. I broke out in hives the second week and was taken off the Wellbutrin and that's why I'm now on Effexor. Gaining weight from an antidepressant is so depressing! Kathy
>
> (This is my first time here, so I hope I post this right!)
> I did well with the Paxil for a little while, then the weight just seemed to come all at once. My doctor then prescribed Meridia, which made me stop eating and therefore lose weight, but I began having awful hallucinations that scared the pants off me. (I saw smoke coming out of my bathroom, felt spiders and things crawling on me, etc.) I quit both medicines and was switched to Effexor, which is working much better. I haven't gained weight, and I've been working hard to drop what I did gain. I came here in search of other people taking this medicine because some days, like today, I feel so down. It never occurred to me that it was from skipping a dosage. Anyway, good luck to all! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
>
> LeeLee (75 mg)
Posted by jb07 on May 8, 2003, at 8:59:17
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » LeeLee, posted by Napaba on May 8, 2003, at 7:52:03
for the past month I have opened and split a 75mg pill into 4's = 18.75
I had a few side effects the first couple days, but now I feel like i am ready to take the plunge and put an end to this drug.
I have felt much better, less sedated, more alive this past month...maybe a combination of the warm spring weather too.
Any suggestions..Do you think I am ready to go cold turkey, or should I split the 18.75 into
9.375mg for a while longer???
Posted by Snoozy on May 8, 2003, at 11:31:43
In reply to Re: I'm going off- please help!, posted by catri on May 8, 2003, at 7:00:08
Hi - sorry you're having the withdrawl.
If I were in this position, I would go back to the original dose (75) and see if I felt ok. If I felt ok, then I would continue on a more gradual withdrawl schedule. That's just my personal preference and experience - I don't want to tell you what to do :)
jb07 has posted about Effexor withdrawl just below - cutting the 75mg tabs into quarters.
Also, someone else wrote about Prozac and Effexor withdrawl. Let's see if I can copy the link here:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030505/msgs/224984.html
If that link doesn't work, just scroll down and look for it.
When dealing with withdrawl, I think you have to be assertive in saying- your taper schedule isn't working for me, here's what I'd like to try. Unless your dr wants to nurse you and take care of your responsibilities while you're sick from withdrawl!
I can't believe after all these years and probably millions of patients, the word is not out among pdocs and pharmacists about Effexor withdrawl. <sigh>
Hope this helps - let me know how it goes!
> Hi, Snoozy - saw the doc today and he's making me drop down to 37mg/day - I have already taken a lower doasge, and I'm feeling totally weird - my eyes are going slightly mental and I'm feeling dizzy and sick! Its amazing the total lack of knowledge about this drug - I questioned my pharmacist, and he seemed to think that the only side effects from the withdrawal were going to be restlessness at night!!!!! My doc didn't seem to think that I would get all that much either, because I've only been on it for half a year. Does anyone know of any advice to help with the withdrawal symtoms?
Posted by tl on May 8, 2003, at 11:51:07
In reply to Tapering down??, posted by jb07 on May 8, 2003, at 8:59:17
I have been on effexor for almost 2 years. I started at 50mg and now am at 300mg. I am trying to get off of it because I don't like the way it is starting to make me feel. At first it worked great, I lost 20 lbs immediatley and my depression was easier to handle. But as time went on, I had to keep increasing the dosage (on the advice of my doctor) to get the same effect. The last year or so I have gained almost 25 lbs and have started drinking 5 or 6 glasses of wine a night. very unusual for me, I hardly ever drank before that. Now the pills are not working as well, the effects start to wear off in the afternoon (even though I take a 150mg in the AM and another 150mg about 2:00) so I spend my evenings sitting on the couch, drinking and feeling sad and hopeless. Two years ago I was a marathoner and spent 4 or 5 nights at the gym working out or cycling or doing aerobics. Now I can barely get out the door and run once a week, I am tired of feeling this way so 2 weeks ago I decided (without the advice of my doctor, because I am afraid he will just want to try more doses of E. or another type of medication, neither of which I want) to taper. I started by decreasing my pills to one a day, instead of 2, then I went to one dose every other day. I was feeling great until this morning. Now I feel horrible. I am dizzy, my head hurts and I have this bizzare tingling in my lips. I keep having hot flashes. I feel disorientated and very irritable. I feel like crying. My husband is mad because I won't call my doctor but I know he will just get mad at me for trying to do this on my own. Does anyone know if there are any truly serious side effects of tapering like this? Such as seizures or truly wigging out and hurting oneself?
Posted by jack smith on May 8, 2003, at 12:53:36
In reply to Re: Tapering down??, posted by tl on May 8, 2003, at 11:53:07
I have had a partial but inadequate response to 150 mg of effexor (been on it for about a month at this level following a two week taper up). Has anyone seen a more robust response at these higher levels after only getting minimal relief at 150?? Any advice appreciated.
JACK
Posted by jb07 on May 8, 2003, at 13:06:59
In reply to Re: Tapering down??, posted by tl on May 8, 2003, at 11:53:07
I too have to get off this drug. Funny, the evening drinking binges happened to me?? I guess once the medication wore off, I turned to alcohol for my escape and numb feeling??
If anybody else had the same drinking episodes in the evening, please feel free to share them with the board...I am beginning to think I am an alcoholic???
B/C this alcoholism runs in my family...and I am beginning to get scared!!!
P.S. I have tapered down to 18mg....broke open a 75 mg pill and split it into 4. I feel much better, b/c the drug is slowly getting out of my body, but am still having a few drinks every night to numb me out!!!
Posted by melley on May 8, 2003, at 13:12:23
In reply to Effexor: Better at 225 or 300??, posted by jack smith on May 8, 2003, at 12:53:36
I bumped up from 150 to 225 in the beginning of January because of being sooo tired. Now I feel like the energizer bunny (not always such a good feeling when you are trying to sleep). But it was a significant difference for me. mel> I have had a partial but inadequate response to 150 mg of effexor (been on it for about a month at this level following a two week taper up). Has anyone seen a more robust response at these higher levels after only getting minimal relief at 150?? Any advice appreciated.
>
> JACK
Posted by jack smith on May 8, 2003, at 13:32:28
In reply to Re: Effexor: Better at 225 or 300?? » jack smith, posted by melley on May 8, 2003, at 13:12:23
>
> I bumped up from 150 to 225 in the beginning of January because of being sooo tired. Now I feel like the energizer bunny (not always such a good feeling when you are trying to sleep). But it was a significant difference for me. mel
>Did it also improve your mood? How long at 225 did it take to notice the difference?
Posted by Napaba on May 8, 2003, at 13:51:14
In reply to Re: Tapering down??, posted by jb07 on May 8, 2003, at 13:06:59
I visited a website (www.effexorfx.freeuk.com) given on another post. There was a section that listed increased use of alcohol as a side effect. If I had time I'd look for it and post it, but I don't right now. Go check the site out. I don't drink anymore then I did before EXR.
I too have to get off this drug. Funny, the evening drinking binges happened to me?? I guess once the medication wore off, I turned to alcohol for my escape and numb feeling??
>
> If anybody else had the same drinking episodes in the evening, please feel free to share them with the board...I am beginning to think I am an alcoholic???
>
> B/C this alcoholism runs in my family...and I am beginning to get scared!!!
>
> P.S. I have tapered down to 18mg....broke open a 75 mg pill and split it into 4. I feel much better, b/c the drug is slowly getting out of my body, but am still having a few drinks every night to numb me out!!!
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