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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by scruff on September 16, 2004, at 14:51:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by charming on September 16, 2004, at 12:46:46
I'm so sorry to hear this, Charming. And yet it vindicates the other folks who've had rotten effoxor experiences.
It's been two weeks since I stopped taking the drug altogether. I still get brain shivers though not as frequently .The bad dreams have softened. What hasn't changed is the rages I feel, the extreme agitation, the fits of unstoppable weeping..
The whole experience of getting off of this really dangerous-seeming drug has left myself and my doctor confused, and me terrified. Are these rages another withdrawal effect of the effexor? IS the extreme agitation a side effect of the new med. I'm on, Welbutrin?
Should I be taking mouthfuls of Ativan to calm the effects? Could this be a hypo-mania episode presenting itself?If it turns out that all this whole nightmare has been caused STOPPING a medication, I think I'll just go right off the deep end. And Yet it seems that effexor IS to blame for most of these recent and dramatic changes I've experienced.
Medicine is supposed top help. I signed no contract with Effexor promising that I would be on it for the rest of my life or if I stopped that it would come back and torment me for weeks ( actually from the time I started ramping down effexor its been MONTHS).I'll let you know if it's all because of the Wellbutrin or if I turn out to be bipolar doubt it.
Please be warned if you decide to start taking this drug.
Charming, try to note down what's happnening to you now. Some folks just don't believe this stuff is going on.
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:22:32
In reply to Re: feeling sleepy on effexor, posted by 4WD on September 14, 2004, at 13:49:24
Maybe that's why a lot of people complain of nightmares when they stop taking it.
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:28:01
In reply to Re: Quit Effexor cold turkey--meow71877, posted by sexylexy on September 14, 2004, at 15:19:31
Birth control hormones can be a HUGE reason for depression. I had been taking the deprovera shots. Another big one for depression is the thyroid!!!!! Hypothyroidism was mine. Then of course there's the weight gain that comes with the underactive thyroid. mix that with the hormonal problems and having depression problems for years...........what a nightmare that was.
I distontinued the depo shots, got my thyroid levels in order and started effexor around the same time. Changed my life, one or all of those things. Other than the thyroid medication, I am off all others. Effexor I'm off about 2 months now.
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:34:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 8:01:53
Shyla, I've shared this here before and other women have written they tried it with success. Ask your doctor about taking viagra. I know, for women? YES. My doctor explained to me that the way it works is it increases the blood flow in our genitals which is stimulating as well as allows for orgasm.
My problem wasn't lack of desire, but lack of response. It didn't work the first time, like the package insert mentions it might not for men, but after that, after about 1/2 hr to 45 mins later, the results were positive.
Good Luck
Posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:40:20
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by scruff on September 16, 2004, at 14:51:47
Someone posted a link here that there are very serious side effects to ADs that actually can cause worse depression and suicidal thoughts etc. Some people just can not take certain medications. Some people get tired when they drink coffee for instance.
My effexor withdrawals seem to be gone, although I thought that weeks ago and I can tell a difference from then to now. I've been off for 2 months
Posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 16:31:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by lorily on September 16, 2004, at 15:34:48
Hi Lorily, because of you, I did try Viagra. You told me how it helped you a while back. The problem I seem to be experiencing is just not having interest in making love, EVER! I hate it! However, I have not given up the fight. I have tried Viagra a couple of times, and it helps me achieve a pretty good orgasm. It's just getting there. But I'm doing research, and am finding other possible options. So on I go. But thank you for telling me about V. I will keep using it because it does help.
Posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 16:37:58
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by scruff on September 16, 2004, at 14:51:47
Scruff, it most definately could be the Wellbutrin that is causing your agitation and irritation. My husband was on it for a while, and he was unbearable! Every little thing set him off. We were told that some folks just don't respond well to the dopimine drugs. I have just started taking it with the hope of offsetting the lack of libido from the Effexor XR. I don't experience agitation - yet.
S
Posted by corafree on September 16, 2004, at 17:28:37
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » scruff, posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 16:37:58
I was tiring easily on Effexor because my daily follow-up dose was not taken at the right time, and my thyroid med was too low. Now I take 75mcg thyroid med and am doing very well on Eff-XR 150 upon waking and 75 about 3p in afternoon. JUST SO YA KNOW ... cf
Posted by scruff on September 16, 2004, at 17:39:37
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » scruff, posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 16:37:58
Shyla,
Darn - that's what my doc said today on the phone in the middle of a Hpyerattack of SOMETHING. Oh well.
I'm so tired of switching meds. I sill think effexor withdrawal is involved in elevated mood.Anyway -After a day on the cieling, i'm jusy tired enough to be somehwat calm.
Thanks for your input - I'll let you know If I switch again.
Appaernetly the MED in the wings is Remiron ( sp?), Time to search the web again!
Peace,
Posted by salina on September 16, 2004, at 17:42:17
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Shyla on September 16, 2004, at 8:01:53
hi. i'm new here and have been reading everyone's postings. it's so good to know there's others. i was on effexor last year for about 6 months and i felt great. the dr. said i had a reactional depression from a stay in the hospital last year. i got off of it in april this year and although i did get sick and stuff while getting off, i was able to and was fine til this august. just about 3 weeks ago i started having these depressed feelings again along with anxiety so i went back on the effexor (37.5 mg, last time i was on 75 mg). within 1-1 1/2 weeks i felt better. about a week after feeling better i started feeling junk again so asked the dr if i could go up to 75 mg. started taking that last friday, and started feeling sick and stuff again. plus having a lot more anxiety and difficulty sleeping, which i only have getting on the meds. i was just wondering if anyone else got off the meds and back on and if the feelings went away again the second time, or did you have to up your dosage to something higher then the first time? feeling so junky... thanks for any comments, salina
Posted by corafree on September 16, 2004, at 17:47:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Parks, posted by SLICK on September 15, 2004, at 21:34:46
Yes, totally. 150mg awakening and 75mg 3pm and also increased my thyroid med to 75(Ithinkmcg). cf
Posted by fork on September 17, 2004, at 5:48:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by corafree on September 16, 2004, at 17:47:29
Hi, I just started effexor xr (47 year old male with depression and anxiety, otherwise good health), I am 2 weeks into it, starting with a week at 37.5 then 75mg. In the distant past I have taken Celexa and could never get past a jittery nasuea like feeling. I have been taking lorazepam (atavan?)0.5mg as needed for years.I may go months without it and then I may go a long strech where I take several times a day, as many as 3 times daily. I have had depression issues for over 25 years and dealt with them with by self medicating using weed (very limited a few times a year to "clear " my head) and alcohol very often, including binge drinking to escape the reality of my depression (which made me feel more depressed afterwards, but I continued anyway, seemed like the only to feel happy). Recently due to some extremely stressful situations in my life I sank into the worst depression of my life to the point where I couldn't function and it was destroying my life. With the support of my wonderful wife, and realizing I couldn't "go it alone" any longer I finally started therapy a 5 weeks ago. I still was not willing to take the step to going on anti-depressants. The therapy began to help me see things differently. I then on my medical doctor and therapist advise I started effexor xr. I was very nervous about it (even more so after I found this message board and read some of the bad experiences). I was afraid of sexual side effects and becoming a emotionless zombie. For me, I felt positive effects within the first week, could have been the therapy or maybe even a placebo effect just from starting something new, either way I was feeling releaf from my depression. I did feel a little wierd at first kind of a slight "stoned" feeling but that passed within a few days. I also was sleeping alot in the daytime(I also do that when I am depressed) so I began taking the effexor xr before going to bed, that seemed to clear up my daytime sleepiness. I had an interesting sexual side effect, not the one I feared, I have been experiencing a mild delay in reaching climax which for me(and my wife) is a enjoyable side effect. One side effect I am having trouble with is I can't sleep more than 5 or 6 hours at night. Two weeks in to the effexor xr, and 5 weeks of therapy I feel so much better. I still have a lot of bad situations going on in my life, but they aren't crushing me like before. So far I am very happy with the effexor. I also have stopped drinking, which I didn't think was possible, but I strongly reccomend it if it's messing your life up, or your self medicating. I don't really have the desire to drink now. As long as I don't have problems with the effexor I intend to stay with it. My doctor advised me that this isn't a life sentence, but when I am ready to go off effexor it will be a slow process and warned me not to try to stop alone. I don't ever want to go back to the nightmare I was in. This drug may not be for everyone but for me it's been a lifesaver. I welcome any comments and I will post ever now and then with updates to my experience,good or bad.
Posted by Shyla on September 17, 2004, at 8:55:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fork on September 17, 2004, at 5:48:40
Fork, you might ask your doc about Gabatril as a sleep aid. It puts you into the deep delta-wave sleep. I tried that alone at first, but found I was still waking up after 4 or 5 hours. Now I take 5 mgs of Ambien to put me to sleep, and 4 mgs of Gabatril to keep me asleep. It has worked very well for me. I'm happy to hear you are doing better. Keep up the good work!
Posted by Shyla on September 17, 2004, at 9:47:56
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by salina on September 16, 2004, at 17:42:17
Salina, my experience is that after a few weeks, those "icky" feelings go away. Then my emotions stabilized. Good luck!
Posted by Shyla on September 17, 2004, at 9:53:19
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overratedshyla, posted by scruff on September 16, 2004, at 17:39:37
I used to be on Remeron. If you want guaranteed good night's sleep, that's the drug of choice. The problem I had was in order to offset the sleepiness, my doc presribed Ritalin. That was working pretty good. Then the insurance co. decided that the use of Ritalin was not a prescribed use, and wouldn't cover the cost any longer. It's expensive stuff! Hence, the switch to Effexor. Another word of advice, patience with these drugs is important. Some need time to actually take effect. If you switch around too quickly, you may not know the full extent of the benefit. S
Posted by Shyla on September 17, 2004, at 9:55:43
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated - Thyroid, posted by corafree on September 16, 2004, at 17:28:37
Glad to hear that Cora. It does take a bit of responsibility on our part to try different things. Good for you!
Posted by Bubblehead on September 17, 2004, at 11:08:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fork on September 17, 2004, at 5:48:40
Fork, please don't be discouraged by the negative posts on here. Effexor was also a life saver for me as it was for many others. I would not be here today if it wasn't for the Effexor. Some of us just had side effects that became intolerable. If you have no problems with the Effexor, keep at it. Life is so much grander without depression and self medicating. I'm not going to lye to you, the withdrawl is terrible but you don't need to worry about that right now. You need to worry about feeling better and continueing on keeping the alcohol out of the picture. That is something to be proud of. Many people don't realize how it in itself can control your life and contribute to your depression. I think you have the Effexor to thank for the loss of even wanting to drink because it naturally removes the addictive nature that your depression brought on. Great job, Fork! Keep your head up, your on the right road. The rest of us are trying to get there. It just might take a different medicine or type of therepy. Good Luck!
Posted by PoohBear on September 17, 2004, at 11:37:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fork on September 17, 2004, at 5:48:40
Fork:
Much in your experience with Effexor resonates with me, as I am also a 47 year-old male.
I have experienced the sames side effects and the same benefits of Effexor.
I want to let you know that some of these go away with time, i.e., the sexual side effects, tiredness, etc. In fact, even though it's harder to climax on Effexor, the climax itself is far stronger than before.
I have been trying to combat the sleep, and have tried everything from Trazodone to Seroquel and unfortunately have had a lot of weight gain from Remeron and Seroquel. We will now try Abilify and see if we get sleep without weight gain...
One small thing though:
As some others have noted, missing a dose can be a less-than-stellar experience.
I had a home emergency a cople weeks ago (broken water fitting spewing water inside wall and subfloor...yuck!) and missed my morning dose of both Effexor and Straterra. I took half a dose of each when I remembered in the late afternoon.
WOW!
I felt queasy and crappy with headaches and brain zaps for the next three days. Finally after the fourth day I began to get back to normal. It didn't make me want to get off Effexor, but rather was a potent reminder to be careful about not forgetting. My pDoc said that I should have taken the FULL DOSE in the afternoon, not a half dose.
Like many others, I am not looking forward to QUITTING
> Hi, I just started effexor xr (47 year old male with depression and anxiety, otherwise good health), I am 2 weeks into it, starting with a week at 37.5 then 75mg. In the distant past I have taken Celexa and could never get past a jittery nasuea like feeling. I have been taking lorazepam (atavan?)0.5mg as needed for years.I may go months without it and then I may go a long strech where I take several times a day, as many as 3 times daily. I have had depression issues for over 25 years and dealt with them with by self medicating using weed (very limited a few times a year to "clear " my head) and alcohol very often, including binge drinking to escape the reality of my depression (which made me feel more depressed afterwards, but I continued anyway, seemed like the only to feel happy). Recently due to some extremely stressful situations in my life I sank into the worst depression of my life to the point where I couldn't function and it was destroying my life. With the support of my wonderful wife, and realizing I couldn't "go it alone" any longer I finally started therapy a 5 weeks ago. I still was not willing to take the step to going on anti-depressants. The therapy began to help me see things differently. I then on my medical doctor and therapist advise I started effexor xr. I was very nervous about it (even more so after I found this message board and read some of the bad experiences). I was afraid of sexual side effects and becoming a emotionless zombie. For me, I felt positive effects within the first week, could have been the therapy or maybe even a placebo effect just from starting something new, either way I was feeling releaf from my depression. I did feel a little wierd at first kind of a slight "stoned" feeling but that passed within a few days. I also was sleeping alot in the daytime(I also do that when I am depressed) so I began taking the effexor xr before going to bed, that seemed to clear up my daytime sleepiness. I had an interesting sexual side effect, not the one I feared, I have been experiencing a mild delay in reaching climax which for me(and my wife) is a enjoyable side effect. One side effect I am having trouble with is I can't sleep more than 5 or 6 hours at night. Two weeks in to the effexor xr, and 5 weeks of therapy I feel so much better. I still have a lot of bad situations going on in my life, but they aren't crushing me like before. So far I am very happy with the effexor. I also have stopped drinking, which I didn't think was possible, but I strongly reccomend it if it's messing your life up, or your self medicating. I don't really have the desire to drink now. As long as I don't have problems with the effexor I intend to stay with it. My doctor advised me that this isn't a life sentence, but when I am ready to go off effexor it will be a slow process and warned me not to try to stop alone. I don't ever want to go back to the nightmare I was in. This drug may not be for everyone but for me it's been a lifesaver. I welcome any comments and I will post ever now and then with updates to my experience,good or bad.
Posted by PoohBear on September 17, 2004, at 11:38:56
In reply to Re: Success on Effexor XR, posted by PoohBear on September 17, 2004, at 11:37:11
Posted by corafree on September 17, 2004, at 20:38:34
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fork on September 17, 2004, at 5:48:40
Advise you read about slow metabolizers. If you are one, I believe that Eff-XR will not last you throughout a whole day. best wishes cf
Posted by corafree on September 17, 2004, at 20:48:58
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated - Thyroid, posted by Shyla on September 17, 2004, at 9:55:43
You're welcome Shyla ... sometimes I just blurt things out and I appreciate your understanding. Once again, I have best wishes for you all. cf
Posted by dianehbc on September 17, 2004, at 21:17:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fork on September 17, 2004, at 5:48:40
I'm 42 and was on Effexor XR 300 for a year and stopped because of the weight gain (about 30 lbs). I had some of the withdrawls that some of the others had on these postings but not all & it only lasted for three days. I started Lexapro at the same time as coming off the Effexor XR and it did nothing for me. So I went back of the Effexor XR & am up to 150 now. I should have never switched. The doctor said (a different MD) it was on too high of a dose at 300. So far the 150 is working fine. It works great for me execpt for some side effects such as only getting 5 or 6 hours of sleep a night. I get night sweats too but not as bad as when I was on the 300 mg. I am so glad these postings are here they have helped me to see that I am not alone in my depression and the battle with the medications that we take.
Thank you ALL!
Posted by salina on September 17, 2004, at 22:09:31
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Shyla on September 17, 2004, at 9:47:56
thanks shyla. i went to my doctor yesterday, and she pust me on a schedule where i need to take 1 mg of ativan 3 times a day. and she said i could take my ambien if i have problems sleeping. i'm still taking my effoxor regularly (75 mg) but my ativan really helped. it may sound wierd, but i have anxiety of anxiety. i actually worry abuut feeling anxious/depressed and create the feelings for myself. the more i think about it the more anxious i get. so the ativan helped that. i was actullay able to sleep all night last night, but i think i'm going to only take half an ambien for sleep because i felt pretty groggy when i woke up. but basically just wanted to say i feel much better as far as the nausea, and side effects... just working on the anxiety.. i'll keep you all posted. its so nice to hear from others.
Posted by pablo1 on September 17, 2004, at 22:21:17
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by corafree on September 17, 2004, at 20:38:34
Do you think that could explain some side effects as daily withdrawal symptoms? Effexor is sort of infamous for it's short half-life.
on a separate topic... anyone know what would be the "smoothest" SSRI to take at a small dose (in conmbination with stimulants for ADHD)? Not the strongest but the most trouble free...
Posted by fork on September 18, 2004, at 4:08:03
In reply to Re: Success on Effexor XR, posted by PoohBear on September 17, 2004, at 11:37:11
Thanks for your comments, encouragement and information Shyla, Bubblehead and Poohbear. The sleep issue (or lack of it)is one that I am going to try to address without additional meds (if possible). I am going to try to increase my physical activity and see if that helps. Have any of you tied over the counter sleep aids, before going to Rx sleeping meds? Thanks again.
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