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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Gia on November 26, 2004, at 14:20:06
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by medlib on April 22, 2000, at 4:21:02
I have been taking Effexor for about two months now. I find it has really helped me and I feel a lot better about myself lately and have been getting excellent sleep minus the weird dreams. I once had a eating disorder besides depression and this also has seemed to disapear. I would recommend to anyone with depression to read Elizabeth Wurtzel's books, she is amazing!!
Posted by dancingstar on November 26, 2004, at 17:57:10
In reply to Re: King and Queen( Wow I'm Blessed!), posted by pianomama on November 23, 2004, at 12:34:10
If your bp is up and your weight is up for no other reason, then it is likely that it is because of the Effexor. The sooner you quit taking it, the easier it will be for you to stop is about all I can say. I just wish that they told us that there were side effects.
Over dinner yesterday one of the things that came up is how silly I felt but how common it was that we actually managed to take this drug -- and others -- without being fully aware of the possible side effects. Suggestions? Well, first speak with your doctor; but don't expect him or her to know tons about this as I don't think that our experience has made its way into their literature...and I don't know why. I would like to find that out.
I want to write to the press, maybe Oprah. Why didn't we know what we were in for before we took this drug? Why was it prescribed for fatigue or hot flashes or various other things having nothing to do with depression? Why were we so vulnerable? How many other drugs are treated in a similar fashion?
Treating the paying public like lab rats is unconscienable. All I can say to you is that I don't believe that anyone besides you will take good care of your health; so you might as well try to find a way out of this as quickly as possible. Some like to do it slowly, and that kind of makes sense because of the way that brain chemicals work. They say that Prozac (sp?) helps to make withdrawal from Effexor easier; so you might want to try that. Others say it doesn't help at all. It seems like it's kind of dependent on your body's own chemistry, but I would give it a try because anything you can do to make this easier is worth trying. Some people do not have any trouble at all when they stop taking Effexor; they just stop and that's it. If you are lucky enough to be one of those people, don't look back. Don't do it a second time because you may not be that lucky twice...know what I mean? I'm afraid something in the brain chemistry changes.
Anyway, be glad you became aware of any changes in your body now and not later.
Blessings!!
Posted by dsbk on November 27, 2004, at 22:20:37
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dancingstar on November 4, 2004, at 0:40:41
At one time I took Paxil for GAD and liked its results except for the sexual side effects. Then I started taking Effexor and at first thought it was going to work for me, now I'm just not getting the results that I want (I don't feel like myself yet.) My Dr. is having me swicth to Lexapro and now I am itching all over from head to toe. With the research that I've done on the net I have found that people have had problems with itching while taking Effexor and Lexapro. I don't know witch is causing it (I'm taking both right now.) It's driving me crazy and making me more anxious! I'm about ready to go back to Paxil and just deal with the sexual side effects, I don't know witch is worse! Will this insane itching go away with time?
Any suggestions? dsbk
Posted by dsbk on November 27, 2004, at 22:21:27
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dancingstar on November 4, 2004, at 0:40:41
At one time I took Paxil for GAD and liked its results except for the sexual side effects. Then I started taking Effexor and at first thought it was going to work for me, now I'm just not getting the results that I want (I don't feel like myself yet.) My Dr. is having me swicth to Lexapro and now I am itching all over from head to toe. With the research that I've done on the net I have found that people have had problems with itching while taking Effexor and Lexapro. I don't know witch is causing it (I'm taking both right now.) It's driving me crazy and making me more anxious! I'm about ready to go back to Paxil and just deal with the sexual side effects, I don't know witch is worse! Will this insane itching go away with time?
Any suggestions? dsbk
Posted by dsbk on November 28, 2004, at 13:36:38
In reply to Re: I'M FREE - SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT MARKETING, posted by BlueBleep on November 5, 2004, at 9:12:20
BlueBleep
I can't believe your Dr. has left you on this if it's making you feel so bad! My Dr. told me that these kinds of medicines work different for everyone and it is all just trial and error. If your not feeling better in a few week try something new (especially if it has been more than the 4-6 weeks that it can take to work!) I liked Paxil, except for the sexual side effects and since then I have tried Effexor and now Lexapro. Either the Effexor or Lexapro is making me itch all over so I'm thinking about going back to the Paxil-I just want to feel better-NOW!
Hope you feel better soon! dsbk
Posted by corafree on November 28, 2004, at 17:35:39
In reply to Re: Fibromialgia Anyone???Elivil for chronic pain » corafree, posted by S.Bartel on November 26, 2004, at 9:36:56
So, Depo-Medrol is a combo steroid, correct? Thank you for response!
I do have fibromyalgia, especially legs, arms.
For extruded cervical spine discs, I've had trigger point injections with lidocaine and Aristocort (a steroid).
Last time saw current PCP; he did six pokes (trigger points) in the muscle between top shoulder blades. Did not have Aristocort; used something supposed to be like it; name not recalled. Good news is did not have break-through pain!
Is Depo-Medrol used in epidural injections? Seems maybe that was one of the choices I wasn't given. For me, epidural injections w/ triamcinolone are totally ineffective.
I'm at a place where can print. Don't worry, I do not print names or sites. Keeping info for future.
Re: Elavil; if in position to d.c. Eff-XR, toss it and Prozac back and forth.
Best wishes in this 'merry-or-moody season' to you and all friends, .. cf
> It is a combination of drugs. Pain killers, steroids, etc. It is much safer than prednisone and is given in the hip. I could'nt function without it. Compared to going without it I am virtually pain free with it. Ask your Dr. about it.
Posted by HermanMunster on November 28, 2004, at 23:59:10
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dsbk on November 27, 2004, at 22:20:37
sometimes if a toe itches you need to find somebody with a foot fetish to suck it good.
Posted by S.Bartel on November 29, 2004, at 6:14:27
In reply to Re: Fibromialgia Anyone???Elivil for chronic pain » S.Bartel, posted by corafree on November 28, 2004, at 17:35:39
I have had no luck with the epiderals either and I don't believe depo-medrol can be used that way. all I know is that it works and I know others that it works for too. Good Luck and Happy Holidays.
Posted by linkadge on November 29, 2004, at 9:26:42
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by HermanMunster on November 28, 2004, at 23:59:10
Posted by dsbk on November 29, 2004, at 9:57:20
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by HermanMunster on November 28, 2004, at 23:59:10
Thanks, Herman Munster, but I'll pass on the toe sucking! I stopped taking my Lexapro and the itching is better, not gone but better! Maybe less drugs is the answer!
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on November 29, 2004, at 10:24:03
In reply to Day 6 and feeling much better...., posted by yoopergirl on November 3, 2004, at 14:59:38
Yoopergirl
Exercise! This is great for anxiety and depression! I joined Curves for Women earlier in the year. Didn't loose lots of weight, but lost like 12 inches. (I also didn't diet) It really helped with the anxiety and depression!!!!
dsbk
Posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 12:41:15
In reply to Effexor works for me, posted by Gia on November 26, 2004, at 14:20:06
Great. Hope it continues to do all the wonderful things in two or three years that it seems to be doing for you today and that you never have to stop taking it for the rest of your life. They forgot to finish making the part of the drug that keeps it working long term and lets you stop taking it when it begins to go in reverse.
Posted by corafree on November 29, 2004, at 13:07:49
In reply to Re: I'M FREE - SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT MARKETING, posted by dsbk on November 28, 2004, at 13:36:38
I've seen lots of posts re: itching, and something is wrong. I think most know I'm on Eff-XR, but have been on Paxil and think tried Lexapro. Had no 'itching' w/ any. No, it's not in your head. You need a diff' drug/ diff' dosage, or something, I would think. cf
Posted by corafree on November 29, 2004, at 13:20:36
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 12:41:15
Like I said once before, it's like the movie 'Awakenings'. I'm staying w/ it for now. Helps anxiety a lot. I've been on it since April. Recently shifted the time of day of my second daily dose around a bit and that helped some. I do believe it 'plateaus'. I'm in no position to detox off Eff-XR currently; very depressed over these holidays .. no Dad, no love, alone. Unhoho, cf
> Great. Hope it continues to do all the wonderful things in two or three years that it seems to be doing for you today and that you never have to stop taking it for the rest of your life. They forgot to finish making the part of the drug that keeps it working long term and lets you stop taking it when it begins to go in reverse.
Posted by Gia on November 29, 2004, at 13:22:29
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 12:41:15
Well now you got me scard, I was so happy that I finally found something to help me out after all the drugs I previously tried which include Prozac, Paxil and Celexa. What did you mean by this message, is it hard to come off Effexor or does it make you worse as time goes on???
Gia
Posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 13:24:33
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » dancingstar, posted by corafree on November 29, 2004, at 13:20:36
Hey Corafree, that post was directed to the person that had been taking it for just two months. You already know all of the risks/benefits and are making a completely educated and informed decision.
Posted by jclint on November 29, 2004, at 13:28:54
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by Gia on November 29, 2004, at 13:22:29
Lol I think its discussed a LOT here. Some people have nasty withdrawals. Chances are you wont, no use worrying about it. If it works for you, great! I'm down to 20mg from 150mg, the withdrawal so far is certainly not bad enough to outweigh the good it did me.
John :)
PS, remember, bad experiences you read anywhere are most likely to be the extreme end of the spectrum... I think this board is strongly weighted towards that. Inevitably, its not balanced, just keep it in mind when you get scared :)
> Well now you got me scard, I was so happy that I finally found something to help me out after all the drugs I previously tried which include Prozac, Paxil and Celexa. What did you mean by this message, is it hard to come off Effexor or does it make you worse as time goes on???
>
> Gia
Posted by Gia on November 29, 2004, at 13:35:19
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » Gia, posted by jclint on November 29, 2004, at 13:28:54
Thank you John for your kind words. I am only taking 75mgs or Effexor at the moment so I am sure I will be fine, (at least I hope). I don't want any withdrawl when I am taken off it because I don't plan to be on meds. my whole life! So I am guessing that it helped you out a lot?? I don't want to end up in the hospital again over depression I am sure a lot of people here know how hard it gets. Thanx..........
Gia :0)
Posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 13:47:32
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by Gia on November 29, 2004, at 13:22:29
Both. Honest. Read everything you can possibly read.
Click on the numbers of the people that signed the Effexor petition. I didn't realize that you could read what people said until someone here pointed out that you could.They will try to tell you that you can withdraw slowly and that will make it easier. I've heard that isn't so. It will either be easy for you to quit or it will holy hell.
Before I stopped taking Effexor, I had no idea why I gained weight or why I was in bed all day long or why I could no longer teach kickboxing classes or spinning or run my own business. I had no idea why I had all these pain symptoms that I never had before except for in my back. I had no idea why I couldn't lose weight even if I ate almost no food whatsoever.
When I stopped taking Effexor, I thought I would die. Now over two months later, I feel like I have a hole in my stomach, the nerves in my neck and back feel like they are shattered, and I've had to give up two classes at UCLA this quarter that I really want to finish but can't get out of the bathroom long enough to stay on the freeway, I want to move but don't have the energy...but do feel better in a lot of ways and I guess obviously have lost all the weight I had gained. I didn't know how muddy my brain had become. It's like a steel trap again.
Okay. Enough. You make your own decisions. I cannot tell you how far diet and exercise will go toward helping with depression. I know you won't believe me, but it's only cause you are not now moving to music. If you were, you would understand what I mean. Now I only wish I could do that again myself. When I do it now, I have to run back to the bathroom again...that is, since I have stopped taking Effexor-XR and only cause my stomach is wrecked.
I know this will not happen to everyone, but please read, read, read. It happens to a lot of people, an awful lot of people. There are some who have taken it for like 9 years, and they don't realize the changes in their own bodies. They have gained weight, they are really, really tired, and can't do the things they used to do. They have heart and blood pressure problems and don't know why. I know why. They won't admit that it could possibly be because of the drug even though there is a known relationship between Effexor and these problems.
It was a glimmer of, say, intuition that told me to stop taking this drug, that it was making me ill...so I did. I cannot tell anyone else what to do.
It occurred to me only yesterday that the reason that this is not being brought to light in a more public way by the FDA at this time is because they are waiting for some sort of tort reform to be voted through the current Republican Congress, where it is more likely to pass than it would have prior to this time which would limit the ability of the public to bring lawsuits against Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for not letting people know about how dangerous Effexor/Effexor-XR and others in this class of drugs, like Paxil, are. I suggest that if we care about this issue, we do something about it as quickly as is humanly possible.
Posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 13:53:10
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » Gia, posted by jclint on November 29, 2004, at 13:28:54
"no use worrying about it."
Lovely sentiment. Until it happens to you. My own wonderful internist said he was glad to see me get that poison out of my system.
Posted by Gia on November 29, 2004, at 13:56:45
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 13:47:32
Where is this petition I would like to have a look at it. I am very concerned about this because my doctor or physicatrist did not tell me any of this could happen or has happend to people in the past taking Effexor. I need to do something because I am useless without it, always moody, and so sad its not worth fighting it I rather just give up and die. But now I finally feel free and have happiness again and am not so snappy and moody with people but I don't want those problems in the long run thats for sure. I will go back to my doctors and find out more about this drug. I do find I am just happy being at home now though and don't need to be out all the time, just relaxed, very relaxed.
Lisa
Posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 14:12:13
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by Gia on November 29, 2004, at 13:56:45
You can click on the numbers to read what people say.
I am sorry, though, to hear how badly you were feeling. I wish the psychiatric community handled these things differently than the way that they do. I understand that it is chemical, but still....I should read the book you suggested and see what it says. It's not like I haven't been depressed, but I honestly have to tell you that after three years on that drug, I now appreciate every single feeling that I have, every laugh and every tear even though I never took it for depression in the first place. Isn't being sad part of being alive? I'm totally serious here. Isn't it the only way that we know what happiness feels like? I don't want to be an automaton with no feelings, and doctors seem to only want to take away the immediate symptom with no concern for the whole person.
I need to go get some work done now. Best of luck in whatever you decide. At least you now have information to make an informed decision.
Please drop me a line if you have any questions about this.
Here: the website:
Posted by jclint on November 29, 2004, at 14:38:15
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by Gia on November 29, 2004, at 13:56:45
I think its my duty to provide the other side of the efexor crowd's view... :)
Yes it helped me a lot. I took it for 2 years at 150mg. I have had little trouble tapering off slowly. I have had no physical problems because of this med (and I really must point out, despite the anecdotes, I have never seen scientific research that efexor causes physical damage...??)
My personal opinion, (one I really, really beleive in) is that there is no use worrying about what *could* happen. If you have found something that works, stick with it, I believe the alternative can in many cases be infinitly more damaging.
Out of all the risks, I would say the withdrawal is the most significant. You say you have taken paxil - many people view that drug's withdrawal as equally horrific, just to get things in perspective.
Whatever, make sure you don't make your decision based solely on the horror stories people describe. :)
John
Posted by PoohBear on November 29, 2004, at 14:48:40
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by jclint on November 29, 2004, at 14:38:15
"I think its my duty to provide the other side of the efexor crowd's view..." :)
John:
Thanks for the balanced view...
Those with negative effects seem to outweigh those with positive effects of the medication. Too many people come here looking for balanced advice and end up going away scared. Too bad. I too have had a great experience with it and will continue until my doctor tells me otherwise...
Tony
Posted by dancingstar on November 29, 2004, at 15:06:21
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » jclint, posted by PoohBear on November 29, 2004, at 14:48:40
"Those with negative effects seem to outweigh those with positive effects of the medication. Too many people come here looking for balanced advice and end up going away scared. Too bad."
This could be an indication that a significant number of people proportionately are having a problem with the drug.
Some have very tough systems while others are more fragile. As addressed in previous posts there are many reasons why a drug company would keep the problems with a drug undisclosed as seems to be the case with Effexor/XR. Even physicians are not fully aware of the problems with Effexor. While I have been able to find these by doing a tremendous amount of research online, I doubt that this same information can be found in, say, the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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