![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5944 to 5968 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Lyrical13 on December 28, 2003, at 23:47:04
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by dragonfly25 on December 28, 2003, at 17:21:20
i am not clear if it has helped your GAD and depression. if it hasn't it doesn't make sense to add anotehr drug to treat a side effect that you are getting from a drug that is making you feel any better. > >
As I understand it, the Seroquel is not to treat the side effects of the Effexor (I am on the same combo but different dosages). It is to make the Effexor work better. effexor is supposed ot help with depression and GAD. For me the depressoin was improving but I was still incredibly anxious all the time.
When I started the Seroquel the anxiety got better quickly as did my mood. It just gives the Effexor a boost. It really has nothing to do with you being psychotic or anything. It is just a med that was traditionally designed as an AP that they have discovered helps with mood/anxiety too. Just like they discoverd that pediatric seizure meds work as mood stabilizers and ADs help migraine sufferers. And it works fast. If you're in a really bad spot, it will work faster than other methods of augmentation to help you feel better more quickly. I was at the point where I just couldn't take it anymore (depression/anxiety) I was getting desperate and so frustrated that I was doing everything I knew how to do..taking my meds religiously, exercising every day, avoiding caffeine and sugar, getting enough rest, going to counseling etc..and was still having such a rough time. The Seroquel produced results within a couple days.
Hope this clears up the confusion and eases your mind a bit about the Seroquel.
Posted by Jaynee on December 29, 2003, at 13:17:39
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by maxx44 on December 28, 2003, at 19:50:51
Are you sure you wife didn't leave the "keen entrpreneurial edge of easy fortune" as opposed to the "'hot-temper-aggressive' personality"? Just an observation.
I am sorry to hear about your misfortune, I really am, but I don't think you should try and scare others with statements that these type of medications change someones personality for good, because for most or the majority of people they don't.
Posted by maxx44 on December 29, 2003, at 13:26:39
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by Lyrical13 on December 28, 2003, at 23:37:03
re:seroquel---you're right, it has not been around long enough for the negatives to display. from experience and observation of others i advise extreme caution with any neuroleptic---trazadone will aid sleep, do no harm, and no chance of futzing your deep-brain, or effecting 'core' personality. it's an old 'atypical' AD often scripted for sleep aid.
the AD properties are very good for most. 1st, search any potential adverse interactions with effexor, then ask your dr. you will find in the lit, all APs seem to be more likely to adversely effect 'affective-disorder' clients than 'thought-disorder' people. in fact, you will find affective-disorder is considered a risk-factor for AP negatives, except for the short-term control of Acute mania. you will also find APs may 'bop' you, even at low-dose, at any time. you need sleep aid? ask about trazadone, please. it's old, safe, no withdrawal syndromes--you'll probably sleep like a babe. good luck, watch your step. best wishes
Posted by maxx44 on December 29, 2003, at 15:26:24
In reply to Heh Max,..............., posted by Jaynee on December 29, 2003, at 13:17:39
1st, my ex had a history of 'fighting' with her father and other significant relatives, obviously before we met. she would become pms aggressive, exhibit hysteria then seek 'making-up'. she openly stated her best sexual events followed a 'fight' (screaming, throwing, attempting to leap out of our car, etc.). marriage/couple therapist are quite familiar with this personality type, where the 'fight/makeup' cycle seems needed. 2nd, although people do love prosperity vs. being busted flat, this woman stuck by me for 25 years, 9 children, through IRS 'very-wealthy' years And intermittent periods of living in tents on welfare. she continues these behaviours with our children and has been arrested for assault on both sons and daughters, even post menopause. the fact she 'fell-out-of-love' after my lithium use eliminated my 'co-fighter/makeup' status obviously takes precedence over money.
'scaring' people is not my goal. corroborated data is all i wish to convey. if you feel long-term use of neuroleptics or benzos may not produce possible irreversible changes in 'core' personality, perhaps an intense web search will resolve your doubt. i have repeatedly stated my ignorance of the new ADs. off-and-on use of tcas/maois/trazadone all left me 'as i was'. no major withdrawal, no addiction. however, many posts on this board do indicate 'addictive-type' withdrawal syndromes from the newer ADs. whether these drugs may precipitate protracted or permanent personality change? i don't know. i have no argument against the fact that many benefit from the newer ADs and am happy for those.
my 'style' annoys some and pleases others---but i do not wish to frighten, rather, from experience of myself and known others, present an adversarial position for all who may benefit. i appreciate your post and feel a 'strong' net-search on your part will lead to a better understanding of my purpose. we're all unique, but meds are serious biz. this is a med-board. not a 'pat-on-the-back' one. if dr. bob perceived my posts as simple 'scare' bunk---you would not be reading this. regards
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 29, 2003, at 16:10:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by Gummybear on December 28, 2003, at 19:25:08
Personality change? Heck yes. I went from a suicidal emotional wreck to someone much calmer and rational. I started being more social; starting conversations with strangers waiting in line at a grocery store. Started smiling at people, and they smiled back. Change isn't always bad.
:) KDi in TX
> Hey drangonfly and maxx, thanks for your input. The Effexor XR HAS actually helped me since I'm doing 10X better than I was 3 weeks ago where I couldn't get out of bed all day and was crying everyday. Now I'm not crying anymore and am starting to do day to day activities again... though I still have anxiety and attacks and then get down about them. But progress has been made and that's why I'm hopefull and sticking to them.
>
> The twitches really freak me out though... anybody else on Effexor XR experience them and did they ever go away????
>
> And what did you mean that these meds can alter a person's personality permanently???? that's sooo scary??? Has anybody noticed their personality change???? I've changed but that's a result of my sudden bout of anxiety and depression not the meds.... also, my "core" self I still believe is the same.
>
> I'm really reluctant to be taking the Seroquel (anti-phycosis med.) - the DR. told me to take 25mg at night to rid me of my constant worrying thoughts... but it makes me feel like their is a void in my head, or just emptiness and in the morning I am groggy. But I'll be stopping the Seroquel this week.....
>
> Please share any experiences you've had with Seroquel and Effexor XR side effects - like the twitching....
>
> Thanks a millionn,
> G. Bear.
Posted by maxx44 on December 29, 2003, at 16:45:47
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by KimberlyDi on December 29, 2003, at 16:10:30
that's why i said 'it works, it works'---my 'personality change' posts relate to benzos/neuroleptics---never said nuttin' 'bout ADs on that deal---boy howdy
Posted by mom_cheeks on December 29, 2003, at 18:49:39
In reply to Heh Max,..............., posted by Jaynee on December 29, 2003, at 13:17:39
I couldn't agree more. I remember reading posts on all kinds of sites and reading about Effexor and its "evils" and how it was worse than death. I acutally contemplated not trying it. But, it didn't work on its own, I also took a long hard look and myself and how I see the world, and had to retrain my mind. I think what it did was give me some breathing room in what seemed to be an out of control mind and body.
The rest - long term - was up to me. I see that now.
I think alot of the issues around meds. and their neg. or lack of effects are because in addition to the meds, some people just don't see things for what they really are; or themselves for that matter.
Hey, don't get me wrong, its not like I have been the poster-child for honest self-analysis - until recently, quite the opposite.
One thing I do know, though, is that the anxiety and depression only started to disappate when I took a long hard look at myself (in combo with the drugs), and realized that this was "me", and I couldn't sit by on the sidelines waiting for it to change. That I had to actually be a part of my own recovery. The pills would NEVER have gotten me to here alone. However, at rock bottom the certainly help.
Change the core? Absolutely. The pills didn't do that though - I am still here...just without the shakes, the fear -- and the blinders.
Posted by maxx44 on December 29, 2003, at 20:58:03
In reply to Re: Heh Max,............... » Jaynee, posted by mom_cheeks on December 29, 2003, at 18:49:39
well said. and thank you. and exactly why 'talk-therapy' And meds have such greater efficacy. but neither addresses the recent findings, printed in the dec. 1 issue of 'newsweek' pretty much confirming there are no mental illnesses, rather symptoms of simple pathogen invasion of nervous systems. current meds may not whack the pathogen (germ, parasite, toxic mold, lhyme-disease post pschycosis, etc.etc.), they suppress symptoms, at a price. the key proof of this 'pathogen' explanation is the 'contageous' nature of disorders. just as flu, varying disorders appear as localized epidemics. for 3 years i've researched this former hypothesis, now fact. many years ago, european drs. were curing anorexia with cheap anti-biotics. curing a 'mental-illness' With anti-biotics? yes. search 'biological basis for mental illness' and it's other permutations. most shrinks would 'retrain', not lose their jobs to gps, as no doubt, the specific pathogen to be 'wasted' would require a specialist to pin-down. and meanwhile, 'talk-therapy'would remain the dominant method for the 'personal' issues you elegantly explained. no talk will 'instantly' seem to cure an acute manic episode---good old freudian neurosis? yes, but it takes time. it's still important, as 'thought' drives us. it's both a matter of 'trained' ways to help the client see themselves, and a curious matter of current physics, no room here for that. whole new thread stuff. my angst centers on the tens of millions having their brains 'kaboomed' to needing neuroleptics, bromocriptine, l-dopa---'till dead, perhaps. when they may be cured with anti-virals (odd that lithium carbonate can do this--kills herpes), and odd the medical industry is not concentrateing on this. i'm sitting here in a clinical state of 'treatment-resistent' 'refractory' depression, a 'life-threatening' illness that could be cured, and wondering what hemingway may have writ? savvy?
Posted by mom_cheeks on December 29, 2003, at 21:36:20
In reply to Re: Heh Max,..............., posted by maxx44 on December 29, 2003, at 20:58:03
I can see your point, and think the virals hypothesis is interesting and no doubt extrememly logical. I had a stomach ulcer for 15 years as a child, and it was cured in 2 weeks with anti-biotics "h pylori". My father, a century before me, had the same bleeding ulcers (probably a viral picked up from world travels) and had half of his stomach removed. Which leads me into the point that I feel so strongly about now.
Like so many centuries of mental illness that came before us, and will come after we are all dead, you can only work with what you have. I guess I am just glad we (we, meaning those with access and/or money for prescription drugs) have so many more options than did our gradparents.
Having dealt with the "black dogs" for so many years, I was glad beyond words to see a pin prick of light and a break in the cycle.
There is no "correct" experience, only what I have experienced, and those experiences of others around me. I am also not foolish enough to think this is over for me. I just want to have access to and be educated about all the options, instead of convincing myself -- like I did for so many years -- that I should be able to suck it up.
Another post/thread that I would find interesting would be to guestimate on the number of people with GAD and its sister disorders who were raised in a religious enviornment...not for blame, but mainly for humourous irony. :)
But as they say...thats a whole new ballgame.
Posted by Jaynee on December 29, 2003, at 21:46:01
In reply to Re: Heh Max,..............., posted by maxx44 on December 29, 2003, at 20:58:03
I was out of line Max and please accept my apologies, with regards to your personal life. That was B.S. on my part, I had no right, for that I am sorry.
Posted by maxx44 on December 29, 2003, at 22:37:20
In reply to Re: Heh Max,............... » maxx44, posted by mom_cheeks on December 29, 2003, at 21:36:20
loud and clear--gad, panic disorder with no physical cause, just high anxiety forever? yup. and my cognitive guy has shown what i knew was true. childhood anxiety from 'excess religiousity' or other stressors do cause trouble---mostly depression/anxiety. no doubt---solid proof---no bull---how? simple--that stress made your stomach 'anti-pathogen' immune factor drop. so you got ulcers. it would appear much mental illness is like a 'brain-ulcer'. i want to be cured. adverse symptom-relief is not adequate.
i pray the lucky, rich people get off their butts and find the neural pathogens, as they did your ulcer event.
Posted by Lyrical13 on December 30, 2003, at 7:53:51
In reply to Re: Heh Max,............... » Jaynee, posted by mom_cheeks on December 29, 2003, at 18:49:39
It's so comforting and such a relief to read people's posts and see the same thoughts, same experiences...Looking at myself and my past behaviour..I was always "shy" and never knew what to say to people..often the "observer" though I would put in my 2 cents when I wanted to. Now I wonder if social anxiety is part of my brain chemical mess. For me though, I spent years in couseling trying to do it with tx alone. If I just tried hard enough and thought positive enough I thought I would be OK. And when I wasn't I was beating myself up because I wasn't "good" at getting better. I was very resistive to trying meds. My mom tried to get me on meds back in the early 90s (she's an RN... I resented her trying to "fix" me all the while saying I was co-dependent. She was right...I was and have come a long way...but the thing is... she is too!!!! Isn't that the definition of co-dependency? Focusing on the other person and their problems and trying to "fix" them?!!!!!) Anyway, I tried a couple different meds then and was more miserable on them than I was off so I quit taking them. It wasn't until about 1996 and I was in grad school and having a LOT of difficulty that I finally, very reluctantly and with much fear tried an AD. My endocrinologist referred me to a pdoc. She said I did have blood sugar problems but she thought there was a brain chemical thing going on as well. She was right. It was amazing how much "better" I got at recovery with the help of medical science. Better living through chemistry! My new motto. But I don't go into meds blindly either. I research them all before I start on any of them. Ask the pdoc a lot of questions..am very cautious. Maybe there's a little paranoia...but I'd rather be paranoid and have my eyes wide open going into it than to just pop a pill blindly and be majorly messed up.
With the help of the meds, I am able to take a hard look at myself and the things I do that perpetuate my misery. I get better and better all the time..it's been a lot of hard work but it's worth it.
Best of luck to everyone!
PS I don't remember if this was in the post I was replying to or in one of the others I read just before it...someone mentioned talking to people in the grocery line, etc. I felt like I could have written that whole paragraph..my experiences exactly!
L13
Posted by maxx44 on December 30, 2003, at 13:24:03
In reply to My apologies Max........., posted by Jaynee on December 29, 2003, at 21:46:01
you were not out of line. perhaps partially correct---a 30-year-old lady may be quite diffy from one 40 years of age. check out newsweek dec. 1 article 'diseases of the mind?', or some such.
it was on the msnbc website. pathogenic invasion of neuro-systems got ya. got most of us. mental illness is seemingly proven as symptomatic of pyhsical illnesses as TB, hiv, etc.,etc. search 'viral basis for mental illness'.
no apology required---when talk doesn't work that is the main indicator of 'pathogen infestation' of the nervous system. the genetic link would relate more to inherited immune system probs rendering some more vulnerable. then symptomatic relief from ADs is fine. please don't accept a benzo or neuroleptic trial. and thank you.
Posted by Chandelen on December 31, 2003, at 0:38:23
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi, I switched from Serzone to Effexor a few years ago, and found the Effexor to work just alittle better. The Serzone tired me out even more than the Effexor. The tiredness, sweating, and the increased irritability went away in about 3 weeks I'd say, shortly after they bumped me up to 75 which I was worried about going up to. I would have taken the Effexor XR forever as once the side effects went away it was awesome for my anxiety, but a month or so later, I had a kidney stone, which they never found, and continued to have some kidney pain for the next couple months...almost got addicted to Percocet during that time. So I switched back to Serzone on a hunch and the kidney problem vanished. Probably just a freak rare side effect.
Now I take Serzone (75 2X/day) and Wellbutrin (75 2X/day) to help with the tiredness. This plus a very small dose of Buspar(2.5 mg 3X/day) has been an awesome combo for my anxiety. Amazing. Also I still take Propranolol(Inderal) 3X/day at 10 mg. That was the first one I took for anxiety to slow down the racing heartbeat and shaking hands. It worked for that but not for other things.
Posted by Chandelen on December 31, 2003, at 0:56:04
In reply to Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by Gummybear on December 28, 2003, at 14:59:56
> Hi, I am 23 years old and have developped GAD and major depression about 4 weeks ago. I have since been on Effexor XR at 37.5mg for one week, 75mg for another week, and now 150mg.
>
> When I increased my dose from 75mg to 150mg, I have started to get uncontrollable muscle twitches. It's really scaring me.... Do these go away????? They are not major but the worst part is that they are uncontrollable... have I messed up my nervous system somehow??? Please help....
>
> Also, I wake up constantly during the night - I think this is from the Effexor XR.... does this also go away???? Will I ever be able to sleep again???
>
> The Doctor has prescribed 25mg of Seroquel at night, which I have been taking... can this drug have serious side effects on such a low dose??? it's an anti-phsycotic drug which I am very reluctant in taking.
>
> Please any help would be greatly appreciated??? Do this problems go away with time??? It's only been 4 weeks.... thanks,
>
> G. Bear.Hi Gummy Bear!,...First, this is very important: please IMMEDIATELY QUIT taking the Seroquel if you have any twitching! And please tell your doctor about the twitching. If he keeps you on Seroquel at that point, it's time to find another doctor.
For me, the Effexor side effects went away
in a few weeks, but if they would have persisted I would have switched back to Serzone for anxiety disorders. I am now on Wellbutrin/Serzone plus 2.5mg Buspar 2X/day. The Wellbutrin stimulation counteracts the Serzone tiredness. Anxiety greatly improved!
The sleep problem went away with Effexor for me, but I quit due to a rare side effect of kidney
pain/stone. So it was back to Serzone alone, which is great for sleep, but really ...zoned me out during the day. The Wellbutrin has been awesome.As for Seroquel, I would immediately stop taking it, as it can cause permanent tardive dyskinesia, a terrible condition, and tell your doctor about the twitches. Sorry to shout up at the top, but that and be an extremely dangerous high risk drug, and there are much better drugs to help you sleep with no risk of a horrible permanent condition.
Take care,
Chandelen
Posted by joeyD on December 31, 2003, at 8:09:23
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by Chandelen on December 31, 2003, at 0:56:04
Hey guys sorry about taking up time here. I hope I'm posting in the right place. I have a few questions. I have just started taking 75 mg of Effexor XR about a week ago for GAD and mild depression. Since I started I have not been able to sleep, however I have been able to function surprisingly well. As of last night I have been having some extreme OCD symptoms!! I could not even think about going to sleep last night so I took 1mg of Klonopin and when I woke up this morning the OCD is still here but even worse! Its driving me crazy! I never had these feelings before and its really bothering me. BTW, they are not dangerous in any way to others or myself. Could the Effexor be causing this? Also, does this med generally cause extreme aggitation? I've been getting angry extremely easilly for a few days now. Sorry to bother you guys about this stuff but my doctor wont talk to me over the phone and my appointing is not until another two weeks. And yes, I am currently looking for a new one.
Thanks in advance!!
Joey
Posted by Zellie on December 31, 2003, at 8:24:55
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by Gummybear on December 28, 2003, at 19:25:08
Hi, Gummybear. Cool name.
The twitches you are experiencing are likely intesified by the quick titration upwards (dosage increase) of the Effexor. My doc had one full month between the increments, so my body had time to adjust to each new dosage level. Many docs have a one-week titration of Effexor. It intensifies the side-effects that way.
I still have twitches as I am falling off to sleep, and during my sleep (I had the odd twitch before the Effexor, too...my husband has the odd twitch, too, as he is falling off to sleep, and he has never taken any meds and has no psychological issues). So, twitching per se is normal, I think. I just twitch a little more now than previously.
As for altering one's personality, I can only speak here for myself when I say that the Effexor has not altered my personality....it was the anxiety and depression, OCD and ADHD that altered my personality!! Now that I have been on Effexor since last spring, I am able to be who I really am, and NOT be edgy, irritable, annoyed, tense, worried all the time, over-controlling, etc. etc. etc. It's been wonderful for me.
I am on 150 mg Effexor XR, and 100 mg Wellbutrin. The Wellbutrin is to further target the ADHD, and to counter the sexual side-effects of the Effexor.
I still feel slight depression during PMS for a week each month, but it sure beats feeling it to the max, 365 days a year, all my life!!
I am a candidate for never coming of the meds. I had an early onset of all my disorders, for sustained periods. Should I ever have the need to switch from the Effexor, I shall heed the warnings of the postings here to go reeeeeeally slowly titrating off (several months at each decreased dosage), to minimize the side-effects.
Hope all goes well with you.
Kindest regards,
Zellie> Hey drangonfly and maxx, thanks for your input. The Effexor XR HAS actually helped me since I'm doing 10X better than I was 3 weeks ago where I couldn't get out of bed all day and was crying everyday. Now I'm not crying anymore and am starting to do day to day activities again... though I still have anxiety and attacks and then get down about them. But progress has been made and that's why I'm hopefull and sticking to them.
>
> The twitches really freak me out though... anybody else on Effexor XR experience them and did they ever go away????
>
> And what did you mean that these meds can alter a person's personality permanently???? that's sooo scary??? Has anybody noticed their personality change???? I've changed but that's a result of my sudden bout of anxiety and depression not the meds.... also, my "core" self I still believe is the same.
>
> I'm really reluctant to be taking the Seroquel (anti-phycosis med.) - the DR. told me to take 25mg at night to rid me of my constant worrying thoughts... but it makes me feel like their is a void in my head, or just emptiness and in the morning I am groggy. But I'll be stopping the Seroquel this week.....
>
> Please share any experiences you've had with Seroquel and Effexor XR side effects - like the twitching....
>
> Thanks a millionn,
> G. Bear.
Posted by maxx44 on December 31, 2003, at 15:06:43
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by joeyD on December 31, 2003, at 8:09:23
odd your dr. won't talk, save in person. he probably wants to look you over, or is perhaps not the right dr. if you're on medicare or any sort of 'bargain' treatment funding, that usually results in a lower level of care vs. cash. i'm termed 'the fine-print man',if there's a paradoxical rare reaction, it often gets me. sounds like the med is not for you. don't just quit, but if my dr. refused contact with such adverse effects i'd lower the dose myself. wellbu made me aggressive within an hour of 1st intake--actually it made me 'dangerous'---i hit the nearest 'big-bucks' er. i have insurance. as for klonopin, watch out. some may need a benzo, just to function, but the current thinking is 'short-term use only' for the average client. check out www.benzos.org.uk and see what i mean. you're 'adverse reactions' deserve immediate attention. given your state i feel no ethical dr. would refuse contact, with rare exceptions.
Posted by maxx44 on December 31, 2003, at 15:46:35
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by Chandelen on December 31, 2003, at 0:56:04
well, maxx here--thank you chandelin. both minor tranqs (benzos) and major ones (neuroleptics)may become trouble. TD may show up rapidly, but usually after long-term neuroleptic use. however, the newer 'atypicals' as zyprexa, risperdal, etc., or the old ones, haldol, thorazine, etc. may produce 'neuroleptic malignant syndrome'. at any time, as TD, but often hit 'affective disorder' people more than 'thought disorder' folk. classic NMS has swift onset and requires immediate hospitalization. as for the 'atypicals', i was hit by risperdal-induced 'atypical neuroleptic malignant syndrome'--a slower deal, i had incontinence in 24 hours, intermittent high fever, and increasing leg rigidity. 'ANMS' was an apparent 'unknown' during my 90 day trial for refractory depression. my drs. thought i looked better, calmer,less hypomanic and ignored my bitching about being 'out-cold' for 18 hours/day, incontinence, loss of mental status, rigidity and odd 'flu-like' fevers that came and went. only when i showed them a print-out on atypical neuroleptic syndrome and its 'spectrum' aspect vs. classic NMS did they understand. 3 years later i have yet to recover full mental status. harm was done. your advice to stop a major tranq, IMHO was well-put in this case.
Posted by maxx44 on December 31, 2003, at 15:59:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Chandelen on December 31, 2003, at 0:38:23
interesting on inderal---it is often used by 'classical pianist'and others the night before a performance, to deal with 'hand-tremor'. just knocked me out for 24 hours. the 'unique' aspects of every single nervous system should always be considered. snowflakes all make the ground white--yet each snowflake is unique----savvy?
Posted by Jaynee on December 31, 2003, at 16:03:47
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP., posted by joeyD on December 31, 2003, at 8:09:23
Hi Joey, I tried Effexor XR for about 4 to 5 weeks, when I finally quit I was taking 75mg. I had really bad anxiety and insomnia, plus constipation, blurred vision, dehydration, felt awful basically. I decided to quit and go back to Celexa and have been fine since.
I know it works wonders for some but the side-effects were just too much for me, and I felt if it wasn't making things better in 4 weeks, and actually making things worse, then there was no point in taking it. You might want to give it more time, but remember there are other meds out there that may not give you as much trouble with side-effects.
Good luck.
ps, Celexa was the first AD I ever tried, it is not perfect, but my symtoms got better in the first week, not worse, like they did with effexor.
Posted by maxx44 on December 31, 2003, at 18:11:09
In reply to Joey, posted by Jaynee on December 31, 2003, at 16:03:47
wise advice--when 'side-effects' are that intense, IMHO most drs. would switch you. re:celexa---seems there is 'new' version i read of. 'improved'. it's basically 1/2 the molecule of celexa. do a search, you'll find the data. my expertise is the old tcas, maois, trazadone ADs. tried others--got trouble---ssris knock me out. re: your AD adverse reactions, i advise a dr. call. why? even sudden stopage of the 'wrong' drug is known to cause problems---you're dr. will advise you of any such risk. and search the net, in case he doesn't. you may need days or weeks of lowering dose, then a 'washout' period---then the new AD. good luck and be careful.
Posted by Lyrical13 on January 1, 2004, at 9:17:32
In reply to Re: Effexor XR - Some Advice Desperately Needed.HELP. » Gummybear, posted by Zellie on December 31, 2003, at 8:24:55
OK..this is a 2-part response to several messages. First re: twitching. My legs usually twitch/jump in the evening..I just can't keep them still and it's very annoying. But it seems to happen regardless of whether I have taken my meds yet. (I take 225mg Effexor, 50mg Seroquel at bedtime and 100mg Synthroid in AM) It usually happens when I'm laying on the couch vegging out and winding down around 10PM or so. But I've had this leg twitching stuff before when I wasn't on my meds. It seemed to happen when my blood sugar was out of whack. So I don't know for sure if it has to do with the meds or not. When it was happening before these meds, it was once in a blue moon. Now it is almost every night. But once I take meds and go to bed, no problems. Anyone have any thoughts about this? It seems to have started since I started Seroquel. I have been on Effexor for a year and just started Seroquel a couple months ago.
Now, re: joey's doc. I hope you are successful in finding a new doc. I just went through a similar experience and changed docs and am SOOOO happy that I did. I had my previous doc kind of by default. I was working with a doc (we'll call him Dr. T.) for a few years and then he moved to the other side of the state. He gave me a list of all the docs in my town..I asked him to narrow it down to the 1 or 2 that he thought I would work well with. Dr. M. was one that he recommended. So I started with Dr. M. in fall of 2001. He was a nice doc when things were going well and he did get me off Serzone (the 'zone' part of that med was accurate for me...) and onto Effexor which has been wonderful for me. But when I was having a crisis he wasn't very responsive. He was very inconsistent in getting back to me. He would talk to me on the phone but sometimes he called back right away..sometimes it was 3 days. That's not good enough when you're in a crisis. I'm sure all of you know that when you're feeling desperate and falling apart an hour can feel like an eternity. His voicemail said go to the ER or call the psych nurse if it's an emergency..well I didn't think it was that much of an emergency that I needed to go to the ER...I live in a small town. everyone knows everyone else's business...I really didn't feel like entering gossip central for the way I was feeling at that time, but I definitely needed assistance. All I needed was for him to tell me how to adjust my meds to feel better. That shouldn't require an ER visit.
Well, I put up with it for the first major crisis in fall of 2002. I couldn't get in to see him for a month and I was falling apart at work. I missed 10 days of work between Sept and Dec. My original doc (Dr. T) would have squeezed me in for an appt within a few days if I was having such a crisis. This doc couldn't even consistently return a phone call. Well, this fall when I started having problems I decided enough was enough. In aug the depression started and I had an appt within a couple weeks so I just went to the appt and we increased the effexor from 75 to 150. It helped for a while but as soon as work started (I work at a school) the anxiety went through the roof. He said to take Attivan (0.5 to 1mg every 6 hrs) which helped some. 3 weeks after upping Effexor dose I was falling apart at work. He said to give it another week. So I did. fAlling apart even worse. Crying jags at work, difficulty being alone at all, starting to having suicidal thoughts...he said "give it another week" again. I was saying I needed to up the dose. Now, I am soemone who is usually very cautious about meds and wants to be on as low a dose as possible. I rarely ask to up the dose. That I was begging to up the dose should have clued him in if he was paying attention. He was very condescening to me on the phone saying that 150 was the dose that worked last year and it should still work and that time of year shouldn't matter (for the past 10 years my worst time has been sept thru jan. 150 was a great dose from jan thru april. after that 75 worked wonderfully...got a little hypomanic around march..but that's another story)
Anyway, I called him back the next day, (after talking to him on the phone on a tues eve and he's being condescending and saying to just give it another week...I'm sobbing uncontrollably and he's saying "wait") Wed I called back and of course he wasn't available so I left a voicemail saying that I had talked to my husband and close friends who had seen how well I did on 150 last year and I wasn't nearly that good right now and i was trying to be pro-active, shouldnt' have to have a total breakdown before I got help and that I felt it was time for a medical intervention..time to increase Effexor. He didnt' call back for 3 DAYS...In fact, I showed up at his office with my husband on Fri afternoon. All of a sudden his tune changed and upping the Effexor was a good idea...but he thought I should enter the day treatment program. At this point I was already trying to set up an appt with another doc. When he saw we weren't going for the day treatment thing (I really didnt' trust him or respect him at this point...why waste my time and miss all that work plus it would bill as a hospitalization....and the whole small town thing again...) All of a sudden he was available for weekly appts. Where the heck were weekly appts last year when I was falling apart and missing so much work?!!!! I agreed to weekly appts and we upped my meds. To make a short story long..... I changed to Dr. Z within a few weeks...just bided my time with weekly appts with Dr. M. until I could get set up with a new doc and make sure I felt comfy with new doc....Best move I ever made in my life. It's hard to make a big change like that when you are in a crisis but if your gut says that you aren't getting the treatment you think is appropriate, your gut is probably right. I should have listened to my gut a year ago.
Dr. Z. explained chronic major depressoin and treatment options to me...augmentation etc. Laid out all my options and pros and cons of various meds and then asked me what I wanted to do. Admittedly, it was info overload but he was cool with me taking a week to think about it. When I came back and told him what i'd like to try, he gently pushed me in a direction that I was a bit wary about (Seroquel...he wanted me to try it short-term because it would boost the Effexor and get me feelign better quickly..plan was that I also start Synthroid..it would take a while to get to a level..once it was up, then stop Seroquel...this plan has since changed...at last appt based on info I gave him he now thinks I'm BP2 and not GAD/depression...funny I brought up same concerns with Dr. M last spring..he labeled it hypomanic but blew it off!....if he had expressed concern like Dr. Z. and responded with approp treatment I could have saved us hundreds of dollars in spending sprees.......
Anyway, when I see Dr Z in a couple weeks we plan to d/c Seroquel and I think Synthroid also and start Lamictal.. Eventually will start backing off slowly from Effexor...his predicted end result med combo is either Lamictal alone or with a low dose of Effexor for depression aspect. (we talked about this at dec appt but I didn't want to mess with my meds over the holidays and be all whacked.
HOpefully Joey can get with a different doc. It doesn't sound like your current doc is very responsive. Shouldn't be blowing you off esp when you're having such scary side effects. BTW I only missed a total of one day of work this fall. (2 half days)Big difference.
Good luck.
L13
Posted by maxx44 on January 1, 2004, at 17:31:33
In reply to twitching and doc contact, posted by Lyrical13 on January 1, 2004, at 9:17:32
well put---'restless-leg' syndrome is well-known.if you search 'medicinal caanabis', which stops it cold, you will find the 1998 harvard abstract expressing strong regret that the legal aspects hinder research on this plant's known therapeutic uses. as for seroquel? barring 'NMS', no AP should be stopped abruptly. if your dr. is 'up-to-date', he'll know you must titrate down. why? abrupt cessation may produce the symptoms a neuroleptic was designed for---the schizophrenias. this appears a greater risk for 'affective disorder clients'---do not expect your dr. to be aware of this. 1st, bad drs. abound. you seem to have found a good one. 2nd, even great drs. are so busy treating clients all day, they simply don't have time to rush home, hit the net, and sacrifice their 'family or personal free-time' for your, and other's interest alone. furthermore, even if they did such, the blizzard of data is deep. as i've posted, a trial of the atypical neuroleptic risperdal clearly produced 'slow' 'atypical neurolepic malignant syndrome' in me. after 3 month's of incontinence, odd high fevers, and becoming so 'rigid', i could not stoop or cycle, i knew these symptoms were trouble. i titrated down on my own, and too quickly, and my bp1 became schizophrenia---for months i awoke to terror no bipolar may imagine. you don't want that. 2 years later 'atypical NMS' was finally recognised in the lit. only 3 months ago my shrink, who also teaches at the U of Virginia, returned from a 'dr. conference' which in great part focused on ANMS---a slower titration may have saved me the experience of 'temp' schizophrenia'---go easy,, good luck
Posted by Lyrical13 on January 1, 2004, at 18:31:21
In reply to Re: twitching and doc contact, posted by maxx44 on January 1, 2004, at 17:31:33
thanks for the info re: titrating down on Seroquel. When my doc and I talked about the med change I asked about how we would d/c the seroquel and he said "just stop it". I will have to talk to him about the atypical NMS. I'd like to find out more about it before my appt and maybe have an article to reference or pass along (he seems like the type of doc who would be OK with this..he gives me info and tells me to check it out for myself...seems like he promotes active patient participation in tx decisions.)
So, to further that end...what does NMS stand for? Thanks
L13
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.