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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 13:09:09
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 12:42:21
I haven't gained much weight on any of these meds (thank goodness) But exercise is great for anxiety and depression. I had said before that I joined Curves for Women (and even worked there over the Summer, begore starting college.) I loved it. I haven't been going due to lack of time, but IT DOES HELP! I nedd to get myself back there! I know I would see a difference!
dsbk
Posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:07:39
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 13:03:35
My guess is the dosage or time of day taken prevents its anti-anxiety properties to work.
If I don't take a second dose, I have anxiety; like a short-term, 2-3-4+ hour detox, actually causing the anxiety; drug gone.
It's about metabolizing. For consideration :-) cf
> My Dr. said it has been know to help with anxiety, but half the time I don't think they know what they're talking about. Also the research Iv'e done on the net showed that it helps some people for anxiety. It's not helping me, so it's time to do something else. Thanks for your response!
>
> dsbk
Posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:10:46
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by mickybear on December 1, 2004, at 12:34:33
Is there no one out there who has not gained weight at all on Eff-XR, like me? cf
Posted by Gia on December 1, 2004, at 14:12:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » mickybear, posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:10:46
Hi there,
I have been taking Effexor XR now for almost 3 months and have not gained weight, I am hoping I will not, I guess not everyone does, I am taking 75 mg daily
Gia
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 15:17:58
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain » mickybear, posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 14:10:46
I have only gained a few pounds in the past few months since I've been on Effexor, but I do have a bigger appetite, so who know what would happen if I stayed on it. I don't plan to find out!
dsbk
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 15:38:31
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'm taking 2x 37.5mg effexors/day and have been for a few weeks now. I'm trying to combat depression and very minor social anxiety disorder--a problem which I used to fight off day by day, moment by moment, without medication. I don't know if the effexor is working properly on either problem though. How much of a change should I preceive in terms of not feeling so hopeless in life. I'm trying to get that feeling again of being able to move forward in life, and I don't think the effexor is working. Has anyone had positive experiences on it and to what degree should I feel a change? Is it very perceptible? Do I need to supplement the effexor with another drug? (Unfortunately, I have vomited from taking my dose on an empty stomach, so upping the dosage may not be a good idea for me.)
Also, I've been feeling incredibly jittery too but can't let it out. It's like I'm jumping out of my skin, but can't do anything active to expel the energy. It's like my skin is crawling, and I have to run around the block or something. I'm not hyper or physically jittery or on edge or anything like that--it's just this feeling inside of me that I can't get rid of--and it's driving me crazy! And it prevents me from getting to sleep, sometimes keeping me awake for 3 hours before I finally get some shut eye. Has anyone else experienced this side effect, and, if so, how did you get over it.
Thanks!
Posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:54:15
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 15:38:31
> I'm taking 2x 37.5mg effexors/day and have been for a few weeks now. I'm trying to combat depression and very minor social anxiety disorder--a problem which I used to fight off day by day, moment by moment, without medication. I don't know if the effexor is working properly..."
Your doseage is a little low... Most people use 150-225 or even 300mg. I myself am on 150 BID in the morning.
I usually try to make certain that I take it with some food, even a piece of toast and jam. That was most likely your problem, not the doseage.
Some people have good results with split dosing (i.e. corafree...), but Effexor is *usually* not taken later in the day since it can interfere with sleep. I use 50mg of Seroquel at night for sleep.
The usual course is to increase doseage by 37.5mg a week up to 225 or so and then back off if need be. I found that my body is unusually senitive to medications and that I do very well at 150 compared to 225. 300 made me jittery. 225 is twice as expensive as 150, because all the doseages cost the same...
In the end, work with your doctor to find the right solution.
Tony
Posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:55:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:54:15
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 16:24:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 15:54:15
> Your doseage is a little low... but Effexor is *usually* not taken later in the day since it can interfere with sleep. I use 50mg of Seroquel at night for sleep...
Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely going to start taking my meds earlier in the day... I was taking it rather late. I'll also consult my doctor about dosage. Thanks a million.Also, if anyone has ever experienced skin crawling and a feeling of agitation with effexor, how did you combat it?
Many thanks, everyone!
Posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 16:38:16
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 10:50:52
Right.
I went from paxil to effexor because of anxiety. The theory is that anxiety is caused by lack of NorE, so effexor should help....
It didn't help the anxiety, not one whit. Of course at the time I was so out of it (sick) that I didn't question anything. I had to make lists just to remember to shower and eat.
Eventually I got enough energy (barely - and it took a couple of months to get anywhere) to do some web searching and figured I was a few quarts low on dopamine. That's when we added the wellbutrin (300mg on top of the 300mg effexor).
Of course I still had anxiety. But the anxiety I felt was not the psychological type, it was the physical type. Constant antsiness, feeling like I needed to jump out of my skin. That's when I tried inderal and eventually cut the effexor in half. And after that we added provigil for more energy.
A good mix for me. Not a great one, a good one.
good luck
Posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 16:49:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 16:24:09
"Also, if anyone has ever experienced skin crawling and a feeling of agitation with effexor, how did you combat it?"
For me, like almost all of the Effexor side effects, it went away with time. However, 300mg of Wellbutrin made me want to crawl the walls.
A low dose of Wellbutrin works great to offset the sexual side effects of Effexor.
Tony
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 18:02:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » ask, posted by PoohBear on December 1, 2004, at 16:49:48
Thank you all. You've been so helpful.
One more question though:
How perceptible is the change in mood resulting from Effexor? Should I notice a definite change in how I feel, or is it subtle and hard to pin down? Many people have told me that it's hard to notice because you don't feel anything per se. Rather, you just function a whole lot better. What are the tell-tale signs that it's working (a feeling, a behavior, anything!)?
Thanks again, everyone.
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:05:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 15:38:31
ask
The crazy thing about these drugs are that they can cause these 'crazy' feeling and these are the feeling that we are trying to get rid of. My Dr. gave me a low dose of Xanax to help me sleep. It works wonders. I haven't had much luck with Effexor. I have also experienced so forms of social anxiety, but not so much of a fear of being social, but the fear of having a panic attack in public. Hang in there, the side effect may subside with time. Talk to your Dr. about the Xanax to get you through some of these side effects. Be cautious, Xanax can be addictive!
dsbk
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 18:07:21
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? ask » ask, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:05:24
...no more addictive than effexor.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 18:11:11
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » dsbk, posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 16:38:16
It was probably the drugs that were causing the problems in the first place.
If you go to www.wyeth.com and do some thorough reading you can see which symptoms are caused by Effexor.
I'll bet you can do the same for each of the drugs that you are taking. Each problem that you have was probably caused by one of the drugs, and you have to take another to counteract the first.
Bummer.
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:12:04
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 16:24:09
ask
I felt very aggitaed with Effexor at first, that went away, but I never felt like I was getting back to my self, so I'm going back to Paxil! If you don't start feeling better consider switching meds.
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:18:39
In reply to Re: Effexor works for me » dsbk, posted by AuntieMel on December 1, 2004, at 16:38:16
AuntieMel
My anxiety unfortunately is heredity. I come from a long line of 'crazy people' of course now that we all understand it a little better, we can joke about it. (both of my parents and a brother have dealt with anxiety and depression at some time.) Not to mention that my Grandmother committed suicide when my dad was still a teenager. The thing to remember is that your're not alone and that there are med to help, it just takes finding the right ones.
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:24:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 18:02:45
ask
With me, I just all of a sudden noticed that I was functioning better. My biggest complaint with my anxiety are dizzy spells and not being able to think or concentrate. When I'm on the right meds, Ifind myself thinking 'Wow, I'm not dizzy and I can think clearly' which is so wonderful. It will hit you some day that you're feeling better, if you have found the right meds!
dsbk
Posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? ask » dsbk, posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 18:07:21
You know, none of my Dr.'s have ever said anything to me about Effexor being so addictive. Which makes me wonder, WHY? But since I started chatting with all of you, I've been freaking out. Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!) I have still decided to go back to Paxil, I felt 'normal' except for the sexual side effect and there are meds for that, so I hope to get back on it this week. I'm a college student, I can't continue like this!
Thanks you all for your help!dsbk
Posted by jclint on December 1, 2004, at 18:38:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » dancingstar, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
Posted by jclint on December 1, 2004, at 18:39:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » dancingstar, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
> But since I started chatting with all of you, I've been freaking out. Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!)
Man... I hate the fact that people are scared off potentially helpful drugs by such extreme stories! If this is the severity of heroin withdrawal, heroin sounds quite tempting :) Down to 10mg from 150mg, be off completely within a couple of days.But on the other side, I wish you all the best with Paxil, maybe its best to stick to something you know at the moment. Take care! John :)
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:02:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar » dancingstar, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:31:01
"Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!)..."
Yeah! What's the deal with that! Is the withdrawal really that bad. I haven't noticed any physical or psychological draw to the drug, and I've dealt with my own serious addictions not to mention have helped multiple friends come off of serious IV herion addictions. I can't imagine that it's that bad. Herion withdrawal is indescribably awful. Could someone elaborate on the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. How bad are they REALLY!?!?!
Thanks,
ask
Posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:05:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?ask » ask, posted by dsbk on December 1, 2004, at 18:24:22
Many people in this discussion seem to be on Effexor for anxiety or social anxiety. Is there anyone out there who is taking it for depression? And, if so, how did the med make you feel?
Thanks.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 19:37:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:02:26
I don't know what heroin is like, but it can't be any worse than this was and kind of is...I'm left is something like colitis and bad stomach neck and back pain.
It doesn't affect everyone in the same way. I can't imagine why anyone would take the risk. Doctors do not know how badly some of us are affected, and I am now doing my best to change that. It has obviously been kept under wraps for whatever reason. Drugs that mess with your brain are very serious, and you better have a good reason for taking them and take them with complete and informed knowledge. Once you have all the facts, go for it.
Check it out for yourself. Do all the reading you want to at www.wyeth.com. It's old information, but if you get into the meat of the material, you can find out anything that you really need to know. I think the only thing I couldn't find was the weight gain. I don't remember whether or not it addresses the fatigue as most of us say that after a while on Effexor you will develop severe fatigue even though you are amped in the beginning.
Believe me, don't believe me. Whatever. I'm going to an art show; so I'll leave you to your reading as I can't make anyone believe anything.
Posted by dancingstar on December 1, 2004, at 19:42:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? dancingstar, posted by ask on December 1, 2004, at 19:02:26
> "Someone said that it was like coming off of heroin (which I've never done, but I'm sure it can't be good!)..."
>
> Yeah! What's the deal with that! Is the withdrawal really that bad. I haven't noticed any physical or psychological draw to the drug, and I've dealt with my own serious addictions not to mention have helped multiple friends come off of serious IV herion addictions. I can't imagine that it's that bad. Herion withdrawal is indescribably awful. Could someone elaborate on the withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. How bad are they REALLY!?!?!
>
> Thanks,
> askINDESCRIBABLY AWFUL!!! I thought I might die at week 3. No kidding. don't know if I have something they call a European gene that makes it more difficult to withdraw from E or not, but I have had the runs for two solid months since then.
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