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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Capri on June 16, 2003, at 17:52:26
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Susy on June 13, 2003, at 22:46:07
> Hi, I been taking Xanax for years also and lately I've been feeling like I don't have energy to do anything but still, I feel agitated inside.
> My pdoc gave me Paxil and recommend that I take it along with Xanax to overcome Paxil's side effects. I am scared...whenever I read the instructions it says not to take an AD with a Tranquilizer, have anyone of you do it before?
> By the way...I took Paxil alone and I experienced the strongest panic attack I ever had!
> Please help me with your experiences.
>
> Susy
Hi Susy,
I was on Paxil 4 years ago and took Klonopin for the first week or so to offset the side effects. Doc and pharmacist both recommended it. I never heard of not taking them today. They work quite well. By the way, I'm super sensitive to meds and I wasn't afraid to take AD's as long as I can take a "benzo" to offset the initial side effects. Go for it and feel good again!
Capri
Posted by zinya on June 16, 2003, at 18:08:18
In reply to Re: monitoring what we say, posted by stjames on June 14, 2003, at 14:34:46
Thanks. I'm sure i've forgotten things from when i first joined this site back in December.
Would that include access to knowing where this monograph is you mention?
Please direct me to it. Seems some others here would be interested too ... and forgive me if i'm not adequately brainstorming how to track it down on my own [my excuse for today will be a 36-hr-and-counting headache that's a bit of a killer :)]
Thanks!
Posted by zinya on June 16, 2003, at 18:17:37
In reply to Re: My Story Day 13 » zinya, posted by CaptainD500 on June 15, 2003, at 22:27:59
Hi all,
After four days or so last week of virtually no side effects at my new level (starting 9 days ago), since Sat. two things, one new, another too familiar have kicked in.
The new one is a degree and type of sweating that for me is totally unprecedented. I actually had thought i was going to make it out Sat. night to an event that had some anxieties going for it but was rallying to feel fairly calm about the whole thing, and got dressed up to go. But then before leaving the house, for whatever reason, i started sweating over my whole body - but my skin was clammy and cool ... It persisted to such an extent i had to get out of the clothes, give up the outing and eventually after some hours it eased somewhat. But then Sunday i went out in the afternoon for some errands, with no anxiety whatsoever to explain anything and not 'dressed up' but the cold-sweating and clammy skin happened again and remained for some hours back home too...
Is this familiar to any of you? and a plausible side effect of effexor? I hadn't had this one yet if so.
Meanwhile, i've had a horrid left-temple headache recur, something i've gotten before (pre-Effexor) and usually lasts 2-3 days, now already on the 2nd, and nothing helps, not vicodin or anything else i know to make it go away. aargh. But this is why i've disappeared for a bit.
zinya
Posted by stjames on June 16, 2003, at 18:23:47
In reply to Re: monitoring what we say » stjames, posted by zinya on June 16, 2003, at 18:08:18
> Would that include access to knowing where this monograph is you mention?
Use google, search for drug name and monograph
Posted by worrier on June 16, 2003, at 19:49:46
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Susy on June 13, 2003, at 22:46:07
> Hi, I been taking Xanax for years also and lately I've been feeling like I don't have energy to do anything but still, I feel agitated inside.
> My pdoc gave me Paxil and recommend that I take it along with Xanax to overcome Paxil's side effects. I am scared...whenever I read the instructions it says not to take an AD with a Tranquilizer, have anyone of you do it before?
> By the way...I took Paxil alone and I experienced the strongest panic attack I ever had!
> Please help me with your experiences.
>
> Susy>Susy, you are by no means alone. I also took paxil (after trying Prozac and Welbutrin which I thought had bad side effects) But the Paxil just about killed me...I had the most severe panic attack I have ever had...imagine your worst one and multiply it by a million. I went to the ER the next day, as the symptoms had only subsided a tiny bit...the ER doc gave me xanax and sent me back to my MD (who was the one who prescribed all the other meds including paxil) She said I was experiencing "breakthrough anxiety" and needed to increase my paxil dose. I did like an idiot and things went to hell fast...uncontrollable tremors,vomiting,sweating,agitation so severe I literally paced the floor all night or went for long walks outside (I live oon an 80 acre farm,so I had lots of room to pace). I finally realized I had to do something or die. Got in quickly to a pdoc who recognized my symptoms as a serotonin storm caused by the paxil. That was a year ago. Like you I'm still taking xanax, but the internal agitation/anxiety still remain.(By the way, before this I "only " had panic attacks, not this generalized agitation/anxiety. I just started taking xanax ER 2mg once a day...it's alot smoother than the regular xanax, no peaks and valleys and it has helped somewhat more, but still that internal feeling remains. My pdoc has suggested that I start on a tiny dose of zoloft with the xanax. Needless to say I am scared silly to try another SSRI, but he feels that in a very small dose (starting with 12.5mg) may help with the agitation. He does stress the need for a very small dose and caution if/when we increase the dose. He at least is very aware that people with panic/anxiety need to be extremely careful with these drugs. To make a short story even longer than I already have, you might want to give the combo a shot...knowing you've got the xanax in case the panic happens again should be of some comfort. Easy for me to say as I have not yet worked up the nerve to try the zoloft. Good luck to you and let me know how it goes. Worrier
Posted by sierra1 on June 16, 2003, at 20:48:28
In reply to new symptom: inordinate sweating!!, posted by zinya on June 16, 2003, at 18:17:37
hi zinya:
I have sweated terrible since day 1 of effexor. My hair looks as though i've just come out of the shower. It just drips off me. I have been on effexor for 4 and a half weeks and the sweating has not let up. this goes on during the day and night. I have to wear a towel around my neck at work to catch the drips.....
I hope it will end but who knows????????????? I try to avoid situations because of it too, no one else sweats that much. i hope it helps knowing someone else if feeling it too....lynn
Posted by Susy on June 16, 2003, at 23:10:28
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Capri on June 16, 2003, at 17:52:26
> Hi again; Capri, Worrier, you guys have no idea of how greatfull I am with your comments. It really makes me feel that I am not alone, It's just that my life had changed so completely bad, I am not even able to work anymore =( always feeling this lack of energy, this agitation and worryness about everything and the worst thing I am also super sensitive to meds, the first time happen with an antibiotic I took and I experienced a really bad panic attack or something else, I don't know an awfull reaction and then again with Paxil and by the way with Paxil I was also very stoned, like If I took and LSD or something like that, I wasn't even able to coordinate my own thoughts; since then, I've developed some kind of paranoia to medications or any kind of drugs; say alcohol, mariguana, etc...... because I still smoke tobaco.
Well, thanks a lot for your support, hopefully one day I can be the way I just to be at least 3 years ago.
>
> Hi Susy,
> I was on Paxil 4 years ago and took Klonopin for the first week or so to offset the side effects. Doc and pharmacist both recommended it. I never heard of not taking them today. They work quite well. By the way, I'm super sensitive to meds and I wasn't afraid to take AD's as long as I can take a "benzo" to offset the initial side effects. Go for it and feel good again!
> Capri
>
Posted by Rickey on June 17, 2003, at 4:11:30
In reply to new symptom: inordinate sweating!!, posted by zinya on June 16, 2003, at 18:17:37
Had the same problem for about the first week..has since stopped.
Posted by Shari H. on June 17, 2003, at 7:44:15
In reply to new symptom: inordinate sweating!!, posted by zinya on June 16, 2003, at 18:17:37
Yes, sweating was a side effect for me especially at the beginning. Mine cam mostly in the form of night sweats. I would wake up in the middle of the night needing to completely change evrything I was wearing. I have been on Effexor for 15 months now and it hasen't happened in awhile (about a year) so it should go away after a few months once your body adapts.
Posted by StefL on June 17, 2003, at 16:37:36
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by Susy on June 13, 2003, at 22:46:07
Hi all, new to this group & new to the med game. I was on Lexapro for depression, got so agitated I was loosing it! New doc lead to bipolar diagnosis. She dropped me down to .5mg of the Lexapro & started me on Trileptal. After 2 weeks, not feeling any better & not sleeping well, she upped me to 900mg Trileptal. But she also added Ambien & Abilify at the same time. Having never heard of Abilify, started to search the web & found you guys! But most of what I read about it scared me! Last night was my first PM with the higher Trileptal dose & both the Ambian & Abilify. I thought that was a little much to start new all at one time, but that's what the doc said! Last night I felt light headed & shakey. And today I still do, but I feel more sick to my stomach than anything! It's so awful I could barely drive & actually got pulled over this morning! The doc says stick with it. Any advice? Anyone had similar med combos? I'd appreciate anything anyone can offer on this topic! Thanks for your time! StefL
Posted by zinya on June 17, 2003, at 17:30:28
In reply to Re: new symptom: inordinate sweating!!, posted by Shari H. on June 17, 2003, at 7:44:15
thanks to all of you for responding!
Indeed, Shari, just last night a new wrinkle got added to my symptoms, one that would seem to fall into your experience, except for one variation:
Last night i fell asleep at an hour i *never* fall asleep, which was in advance of taking my pill. I had still been dealing with sweats off and on yesterday and evening (plus a nonstop 2-day left-temple damnable headache), but when I awoke from this inadvertent "nap" it was 3:45 in the morning, completely damp, sheets, nightshirt, me... ugh! when i returned to bed, only by fluke, thinking about it being the first time sweating had awakened me, it dawned on me that i'd failed to take my Effexor, about 4-5 hours overdue. I know posters have said here that if they miss a dose by 3 hrs or more, they start to feel side effects. I immediately took my dose but wondered if the sweating-myself-awake had actually been a *withdrawal* effect rather than a regular side effect getting more pronounced with time (since it just started last Sat.)
But my guess now from reading your post is that you would wager it was not so much withdrawal (the 5-hour delay) as it was a part of the process of adapting to the drug. Is that right, Shari? Or anyone?
It's also most reassuring to here that it passes. I've already had more than enough of this side effect, even though there's no pain involved and should seem 'harmless' it sure makes even the prospect of socializing all the more remote.
At least, knock on wood, the 2-day headache seems gone today.
wishing you all okay,
zinya
Posted by brian green on June 17, 2003, at 17:49:05
In reply to New needing help!, posted by StefL on June 17, 2003, at 16:37:36
Hi stef, no experience with those except the Ambien. Interested to hear more about the rediagnose to bipolar.
Brian
Posted by NThompson on June 17, 2003, at 19:41:21
In reply to Re: My First Day on Effexor » NThompson, posted by zinya on June 14, 2003, at 12:50:25
Thank you for the words of incouragement. Today is day five and my effexor has been raised to 75mg along with the paxil 25mg. I think I am doing okay. Still don't quite like who and what I see in the mirror yet, but I'm getting there. I still feel guilty for what I have done and that means everything! But I want to be here. And my husband, well, he is awesome. For him to love me so much that he is still with me... he is helping me in every way, shape and form. From doing all of the bills with me, calling me from work to see if I'm alright, to asking me how my day was when he gets home, to helping with kids and house work. On top of that, he compliments me and tells me how much he loves and needs me in his life. We are communicating great now. I actually feel like I can talk to him! Before when I was hiding everything I would purposely get into arguements so he wouldn't talk to me. Just incase the topic came to the bank account or bills. Now, it is great. We have spent hours talking. I understand that he doesn't trust me with the account and bills anymore and he's still angry about me lying and hiding things from him, but he doesn't remind me of it. That's not something he is harping on. He just wants to help me feel and get better. We are even going away this weekend to Carson City, NV, just us, no kids! We have some friends going for the amature car races and they have a room at a hotel that we are staying in--really nice of them to share. All we have to worry about is gas and food. I can't wait.
I appreciate your words of incouragement. I like talking to someone who really knows what I feel like. You seem so sweet, thank you.
Write me again, anytime!
Nyia
Posted by NThompson on June 17, 2003, at 19:58:57
In reply to New needing help!, posted by StefL on June 17, 2003, at 16:37:36
Hi there StefL. I'm glad you found us. This is my second time being here too. So I'm new also. Five days ago I started 25mg of Paxil along with now 75 mg of Effexor to take in the mornings. And I'm taking Trazadone 50mg at night so that I can sleep. Feeling kinda weird myself but my doctor said that when my body gets use to the meds I should be fine. However, if your having these side effects and they aren't getting better, I would talk to your doctor about re-medicating you differently. The whole purpose of these meds are to help us feel better right? So, if they aren't, and getting pulled over doesn't help you feel good, change them or the dosage. If this doctor isn't helping you or listening to you the way you want them to, change doctors. Yes, doctors are there to help you, but you need one you are comfortable with.
I hope you are starting to feel better and this is a very scary thing to deal with. I hope you have a good support system at home! If not you can always get in touch with me or us on the posts. That is why we are here. To help give and get support from people who won't judge because we are there and living the same thing you are.
Congratulations for reaching out, great step to take!
I'm here for you!
NThompson
Posted by medlib on June 17, 2003, at 20:18:34
In reply to New needing help!, posted by StefL on June 17, 2003, at 16:37:36
Hi Stef--
Welcome to Babble! The mechanics of this board can be confusing, but I think that you might get a better response if you reposted your inquiry as a new thread. You can do that by scrolling down to the bottom of the page to "Start a new thread" and click on "Go to Form". That way, your questions about Lexapro-Trileptal-Ambien-Abilify won't get lost in someone else's thread about Effexor. (There's been a running thread about Effexor ever since I joined PB in '99.)
That said, I think that there's not much logic to making several med changes at once, and I wouldn't respect a pdoc (psychiatrist) who did so. You can't know now whether the SEs (side effects) you're experiencing are caused by increasing the Trileptal or starting Abilify. Similarly, you won't know which is responsible for any improvement you may experience. Ambien is a short-acting sleep med, so it is less likely to be a culprit.
From what you've told us, your pdoc's actions seem precipitate, if not ill-considered. It's particularly helpful to be clear about the nature of a chronic medical problem at the outset and to understand the long-term treatment strategy proposed--not just the "whats", but the "whys". If I were you, I'd seek a second opinion on your dx (diagnosis) and meds ASAP. In the meantime, there are many excellent resources available to learn more about bipolar disorders and meds. Babble has quite a number of well-informed bipolar posters who can share their experiences and favorite resources with you.
Good luck and keep posting!---medlib
Posted by lovemybabies on June 17, 2003, at 20:28:59
In reply to Re: inordinate sweating!! to Sierra, Rickey and » Shari H., posted by zinya on June 17, 2003, at 17:30:28
Hi.
I've been on Effexor for five months. Since upping the dose to 150mg, I've had night sweats about three times a week. Mostly my legs sweat. ??? Bizarre. It's never happened during the day. I think if I get the LEAST bit warm during the night, my body goes into overdrive with the sweating. I'm not hot at all--cold and clammy, like you mentioned. No other side effects, really except VIVID dreams and constipation. Lovely, eh?
Jen
Posted by zinya on June 17, 2003, at 20:41:15
In reply to Re: inordinate sweating!! to Sierra, Rickey and, posted by lovemybabies on June 17, 2003, at 20:28:59
hmm, yeah, i know whatcha mean ... the constipation too... aargh.
I'm curious: Do you take your Effex. at night too? I wonder if it has anything to do with number of hours after a new dose cycling thru the body?? I know XR is supposed to be time released but i imagine there's some variation, isn't there? or not? I guess, come to think of it, there shouldn't be that much w/ time release but i am just now processing that for the first time actually ...
thanks for responding -- How long have you been at the 150 dose? have you noticed a change in something you might think of as adrenalin levels? energy? What positive benefits have you felt?
zinya
Posted by Nissy on June 17, 2003, at 21:21:49
In reply to Re: inordinate sweating!! to Sierra, Rickey and » lovemybabies, posted by zinya on June 17, 2003, at 20:41:15
Hi guys,
I just found this site. I can so relate to the sweating. I take 300 mg of Effexor XR in the morning and I sweat my butt off. I will be getting ready to go out and my head will sweat and it will run down my face. So much for the make-up, huh? I do get hot easier it seems and most of the sweating is from my scalp. I just recently got my hair cut really short but it didn't help much. I wish I knew of something to help this problem. I also have been on Effexor for several years and the sweating hasn't ever gone away. I have also tried to go off of it but also had serious side effects and had to go back on it to get relief. I went through an entire pregnancy on it and my daughter seems to be just fine, thank God.
I also have the constipation. I also noticed in my stool the little white "balls" that are inside of the Effexor capsule. Aren't they suposta desolve? Anyone else have this?
Thanks
Nissy
Have a good one,
Nissy
Posted by CherC68 on June 17, 2003, at 22:23:23
In reply to Re: Sweating and other stuff, posted by Nissy on June 17, 2003, at 21:21:49
Hi everyone. I'm still keeping up with the posts and wanted to let you all know that I am thinking about all of you and wishing you all no SE's, and no anxiety.
I've been off Effexor for 9 days now and I'm not on anything, but know I need some kind of help and friggin' soon! I have never had a drinking problem, drinking rarely to occasionally and I'm going to grab a wine cooler I just bought because I'm thinking I need something to sleep. I'm a bit upset about it.
Last Thursday I went to my doctor (who's an internist and prescribed the Zoloft first and the Effexor XR. I couldn't follow through with either cause of the SE freaking me out too much (I'm probably a hypochondriac). He wanted me to see the shrink there, and had the nurse give me name & the recommendation so I can get the appointment. When the nurse tried to give it to me - I told her I'd pass. Another Big Mistake, huh!
I am feeling the anxiety already pushing up, the stress building, the panic and...I miss the 6 days of no cares, no worries, nothing matters, so what of the Effexor (except the SE's) but I CANNOT do the SE again,I'd just lose it completely.
I know I should not be posting in this section of Babble re: Effexor, but...you guys were all so nice to me on the Effexor.
I truly hope you are all doing well, and getting good sleep, NO Side Effects, and true happiness.
Thanks for listening to me.
Hugs, Cher
Posted by CaptainD500 on June 17, 2003, at 22:36:49
In reply to Re: Sweating and other stuff, posted by Nissy on June 17, 2003, at 21:21:49
Hi All,
It's interesting that everyone seems to be having a sweating problem, which I have not encountered, YET. However, I always sweat anyway so I'm not sure I would tell the difference, especially when it gets 100+ degrees here in Texas.
Currently I am on day 10 at 150mg and I did have something interesting happen today. Normally I'm quite fatigued all day, but this morning I actually had some energy that lasted through noon, then I became somewhat agitated for the remainder of my day. I am once again fatigued and about to try to go to bed and get some sleep, but I'm still a little wound up. Other than that, I'm just peachy! :) At least I can keep my sense of humor, for now.
Obviously I am just a novice at this whole AD thing and I am not qualified to advise anyone else, but I can just tell you my experiences and learn by your experiences. I enjoy reading the posts and appreciate the information that I am getting from it.
Take care all,
Cap
Posted by brian green on June 17, 2003, at 22:39:06
In reply to Re: Sweating and other stuff, posted by CherC68 on June 17, 2003, at 22:23:23
> Hi everyone. I'm still keeping up with the posts and wanted to let you all know that I am thinking about all of you and wishing you all no SE's, and no anxiety.
>
> I've been off Effexor for 9 days now and I'm not on anything, but know I need some kind of help and friggin' soon! I have never had a drinking problem, drinking rarely to occasionally and I'm going to grab a wine cooler I just bought because I'm thinking I need something to sleep. I'm a bit upset about it.
>
> Last Thursday I went to my doctor (who's an internist and prescribed the Zoloft first and the Effexor XR. I couldn't follow through with either cause of the SE freaking me out too much (I'm probably a hypochondriac). He wanted me to see the shrink there, and had the nurse give me name & the recommendation so I can get the appointment. When the nurse tried to give it to me - I told her I'd pass. Another Big Mistake, huh!
>
> I am feeling the anxiety already pushing up, the stress building, the panic and...I miss the 6 days of no cares, no worries, nothing matters, so what of the Effexor (except the SE's) but I CANNOT do the SE again,I'd just lose it completely.
>
> I know I should not be posting in this section of Babble re: Effexor, but...you guys were all so nice to me on the Effexor.
>
> I truly hope you are all doing well, and getting good sleep, NO Side Effects, and true happiness.
>
> Thanks for listening to me.
> Hugs, CherCher, advise. Go see the shrink, right away. You are doing exactly what I did, and I cruised for a while at low function and then one day suicide was creeping in. Next day I had to check in to the hosptial where I was back on Effexor in a controlled, medical enviroment. The side effects were treated there and I am glad it happened to me, but you have an opportunity with the pdoc to do it out of the hosp. Am I making sense?
B
Posted by brian green on June 17, 2003, at 22:49:56
In reply to Re: Sweating and other stuff, posted by CaptainD500 on June 17, 2003, at 22:36:49
Cap, I am not really a novice, but this my second bout with depression has been a learning experience that I shall not soon forget. I at at 375 mg and I have never had a side effect other than feeling better. I add Wellbutrin in the morning now ever since a setback last week. I am keeping a fairly good mood through almost everything, even practically losing my job because of this disability. ( I am on temp dis now because my company can't find a place for me to return to 1/2 days until I am well, and my perfomance was so poor while I have been barely functioning for the past 2 years, they are probably not too hip on my coming back at all). Anyway, I am sure your doc will bump you up gradually, it should be about time for you. My bumps have come at my desperation to my pdoc when I would call him and tell him I was feeling bad. Glad to talk to you.
B
Posted by CaptainD500 on June 17, 2003, at 22:54:55
In reply to Re: Sweating and other stuff, posted by brian green on June 17, 2003, at 22:49:56
Thanks Brian for the tip. I am going to schedule an appointment with my pdoc soon, there are a lot of questions I have to ask him. Glad you're doing better now. Keep your chin up. Cya.
Cap
Posted by zinya on June 17, 2003, at 23:15:23
In reply to To Zinya from NThompson » zinya, posted by NThompson on June 17, 2003, at 19:41:21
gosh, NT, your news sounds very good. Solid. And like the beginnings of a real silver lining. And you get "credit" don't forget, even though not in the way you'll hopefully ever think is the only way again, but for sounding the alarm -- as much to yourself perhaps -- and finding a way to emerge from the hiding. And sounds like you've got a real partner there, the kind who first and foremost is a friend, a best friend. That's the best kind of spouse, imo.
I'm here for anything you want to talk about, and for things like wishing you a wonderful weekend ... Sometimes it's darkest just before the dawn. I think you've found dawn.
:)
zinya
Posted by zinya on June 17, 2003, at 23:24:20
In reply to Re: Sweating and other stuff, posted by CherC68 on June 17, 2003, at 22:23:23
Hi Cher!
it's great that you're still posting here too... plus never hesitate to e-mail me either. I know i've been a bit erratic lately in responding for a variety of reasons...
I'm so sorry to hear what sounds like angst for lack of a better word... Since it sounds like you yourself feel you should have taken the name of the shrink, why not just call your doctor's office and ask for it by phone and follow it up?
We all should probably be having a "p-doc" as they seem to call shrinks here, if only cuz they have to be more aware of side effects and fine-tuning a-d's than your avg (or even above avg) internist... Like mine who knew nothing about side effects!! sheesh.
As noted, i'm having a week of sweats - and at the moment my right thumb won't "work" :)) -- which i doubt has anything to do with anything but it's making typing a bit painful so i'm going to sign off here.
speaking of hands, what's the news on yours?
with love and hugs and wanting relief for you soon!
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