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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by winddancer on March 11, 2005, at 16:32:54
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » corafree, posted by Phillipa on March 11, 2005, at 15:50:12
Is Valium addictive?? Any downside??
Posted by Phillipa on March 11, 2005, at 17:02:57
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » Phillipa, posted by winddancer on March 11, 2005, at 16:32:54
Every drug is addictive if you abuse it. They told us the AD's weren't addictive, and now look at the trouble people are in? I feel, and this just my opinion, that even though it is a benzo, they have been given a bad name. If you take valium to relieve symptoms of anxiety, and aren't the addictive type [alchol, illegal drugs], you have nothing to worry about. you will not abuse it and take more than you need. When discontinuing it, it's like any other drug taper down. The good part is the long half-life, so you don't experience a lot of side effects. I guess that's why a lot of Posters use prozac to get off Effexor, the long half-life. I hope this has been of help to you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 18:42:00
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » corafree, posted by winddancer on March 11, 2005, at 16:10:41
Glad you got Ambien! Are you a professional dancer or do you just love dancin' as I do? I called my provider today and told them the trazodone and Seroquel weren't working well for sleep, and asked that my P rethink Ambien. I'll keep after them about this tho', cf
Posted by S. Bartel on March 11, 2005, at 20:05:11
In reply to sleep med w/Effexor? » S. Bartel, posted by JaneB on March 11, 2005, at 12:00:06
> Now you take Elavil? What dose for sleep? Or does it also help anxiety/depression? I want to be like you and feel better than I have for years. You have inspired me. Blessings. Jane
>
> > You may do better on sleep and anxiety after you have been off the effexor awhile. I was awake for days and my anxiety level went through the roof when I was going through withdrawls. Now I only take elavil to help me sleep and try to keep a regular sleep schedule. I exercise and eat healthy, staying off caffeine, sugar, and fats. Those things can all cause anxiety. I feel better than I have for years. I hope things get a lot better for you soon.
> > God Bless you. Sammi
>
>
I only take 50mg. I don't take anything for anxiety. I have learned to do relaxation therapy with tapes. It has worked very well for me. I still have anxiety, but I'm able to manage it without medication. I don't have to use the elavil everynight. I have been off effexor for 4 months now. I have taken myself off all meds except the elavil once in a while. I have more energy and I'm not tired all the time.
Blessings, Sammi
Posted by S. Bartel on March 11, 2005, at 20:27:58
In reply to what I meant to ask » S. Bartel, posted by JaneB on March 11, 2005, at 12:04:37
No, I didn't take elavil until I went off effexor.
I don't take it everynight now. I have learned to use relaxation tapes and it's working very well. I have also taken myself off all other meds except elavil once in awhile. The relaxation methods work very well when I have anxiety too.
Sammi
Posted by winddancer on March 12, 2005, at 2:21:19
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » winddancer, posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 18:42:00
No, I'm just a social dancer and just rediscovered the joy of it after many years of not dancing. I'm single now but have taken swing lessons and go to dances occasionally and do a free form social dance. I really feel that as I finally started seeing a little relief from the depression and anxiety, and I started dancing that the dancing was the best and quickest therapy and I started enjoying life again, but as I went off some of the drugs, I started having lots of body aches and couldn't sleep and was tired all the time, I sometimes hurt too much to dance. I'm doing physical therapy which is helping get my body back in shape so I don't hurt as much and I'm seeing an acupuncturist/Chinese medicine herbalist to help with sleeping, constipation, headaches, and some body ache and am starting to feel like dancing again.
I'm convinced that moving to music is some of the best therapy toward uplifting a person's mood. I recently saw an announcement of a physical therapist who using dance movements to fascilitate healing. I'm off to take an Ambien and get some sleep tonight!!
Winddancer
Posted by Elroy on March 13, 2005, at 20:46:56
In reply to Re: 4 Wks off Effexor-/joint pain, posted by zach on May 27, 2002, at 11:49:20
Don't know if you're still catching these posts, but there is a VERY definite connection between Effexor and prostatitis. Run a search on this board and you'll find some quotes right from the manufacturer's warning labels. I was on it for about three days last summer (I have a prostate that's very sensitive to irritating substances like that - and it went crazy)!
BTW, Cymbalta is the same way, it's just more subtle and takes quite a bit longer for the prostatitis to surface (if you afre prone to that side effect). I lasted about ten days on the Cymbalta.
Apparently has to do with both of them being SSNRIs that are also increasing Norepinephrine levels as well as the serotonin leevls - and it's the former (apparently) that creates the inflammation with the prostate and / or inflammation of the urinary tract.
Even would need to be cautious with something like amino acid DLPA and deprenyl combination as DLPA can cause release of Norepinephrine and cause prostatitis flare up.
Only about 5% of prostatitis cases are believed (by some authorities) to be caused by bacterial infection and yet the first thing most uros do is to prescribe very strong antibiotics!
Elroy
> Wow! Well... I've been on Effexor XR for nearly one year. It has helped significantly decrease the level as well as the frequency of my depressive episodes. I am concerned (very much so) about the joing pains. From the beginning I have noticed a tightening of the jaw muscles. I had to get a mouth guard for when I sleep. I also wake up most mornings with sore muscles in my forearms, which I presume is from clenching my hands. I did not have either of these problems before one year ago. Recently, I was diagnosed with tendonitis of the wrists as well as arthritis of the knees. I take aspirin, and it helps but does not cure. I am 27 years old, and a professional musician. I also am a competing martial arts practitioner. If I knew for certain that there was a corrolation between joint pain and Effexor XR I would have to rethink my decision to take it. I started Effexor as a response to the sexual side-effects of Celexa. By the way, I also have been diagnosed with prostatitis. It has also crossed my mind that Bactrim could be causing or agrivating joint pains. I can't help wondering what the relationship between the medications and the physical ailments is. I did bloodwork to test for Reiter's syndrome. My HLAB-27 was positive. Remember, I am only 27, and in excellent shape. I stretch daily before and usually after I excercise. If anyone has any information for me please email me at zachburd@yahoo.com. This is my personal spam-free email address. Please respect this, and keep me off all lists. Thank you. -Zach
Posted by minnewa on March 14, 2005, at 0:40:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
Just started it about 3 months ago.. So far haven't noticed a great deal of difference..
Posted by winddancer on March 14, 2005, at 0:45:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by minnewa on March 14, 2005, at 0:40:10
So why do you still take it? Do you experience any side effects?
winddancer
Posted by countydude on March 16, 2005, at 20:58:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by minnewa on March 14, 2005, at 0:40:10
I have been on Effexor for going on 4 weeks and I am up to 225 mg and for me this medication is the BEST. Been on just about everything else. No more Anxiety or Depression...
Posted by Nesser on March 16, 2005, at 21:21:24
In reply to Re: sleep med w/Effexor? » JaneB, posted by S. Bartel on March 11, 2005, at 20:05:11
Posted by corafree on March 16, 2005, at 22:07:49
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » winddancer, posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 18:42:00
Going backwards posting here.
At hospital all meds changed as follows:
Off Effexor every 3 day taper down 37.5, off Xanax x3 a day, off trazodone h.s. ..... to Seroquel 300mg h.s. and 25mg x3 a day, Trileptal 300mg a.m. and evening, and Xanax 1mg evening.
Mainly because felt like zombie in a.m., different P said take Seroquel 100mg h.s.
Now on Seroquel 100mg hour of sleep (h.s.)
Problem waking @ 3a or 4a, so when see P again, will try up the Seroquel to 200mg h.s.
I think I didn't give it a chance initially. I felt like such a zombie after the 300mg h.s. dose that I just freaked about it.
Now thinking went too far down; maybe zombie feeling may have dissipated if had given it a chance. Still, will only go to Seroquel 200mg h.s.
Just mentioning, best wishes, cf
Posted by corafree on March 16, 2005, at 22:11:24
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » corafree, posted by corafree on March 16, 2005, at 22:07:49
Going backwards posting here.
At hospital all meds changed as follows:
Off Effexor every 3 day taper down 37.5, off Xanax x3 a day, off trazodone h.s. ..... to Seroquel 300mg h.s. and 25mg x3 a day, Trileptal 300mg a.m. and evening, and (ERROR HER)>>>>Valium x3 a day.
Mainly because felt like zombie in a.m., different P said take Seroquel 100mg h.s.
Now on Seroquel 100mg hour of sleep (h.s.)
Problem waking @ 3a or 4a, so when see P again, will try up the Seroquel to 200mg h.s.
I think I didn't give it a chance initially. I felt like such a zombie after the 300mg h.s. dose that I just freaked about it.
Now thinking went too far down; maybe zombie feeling may have dissipated if had given it a chance. Still, will only go to Seroquel 200mg h.s.
Just mentioning, best wishes, cf
Posted by Captnswench on March 16, 2005, at 23:25:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by countydude on March 16, 2005, at 20:58:37
I've been on effexor for about 6 months. I'm going through menopause and cant take hormones because I had a heart attack last year. The effexor really has been the best for me and I finally feel like ahuman being again.
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 0:02:16
In reply to What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post » corafree, posted by corafree on March 16, 2005, at 22:11:24
Corafree, I always wake up at about that time, and then take some more medication. I've finally decided that that's when I have to use the restroom. It doesn't matter what they give me at hs, I still wake up. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by winddancer on March 17, 2005, at 0:32:48
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post, posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 0:02:16
Same with me. If I only awaken once at 3 or 4am it is an excellent night. But since Effexor (without Benzos or Ambien) I awaken many times and have trouble going back to sleep. I just got some Benedryl - maybe that will help with the sleep. I don't want to use the benzos - I'm afraid of their addiction and my dependance and also of the unnatural sleep when on drugs.
winddancer
Posted by corafree on March 17, 2005, at 9:00:55
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post » Phillipa, posted by winddancer on March 17, 2005, at 0:32:48
Think needed change title of post for following.
I recently decided to discontinue all current meds. I was on Effexor-XR, and trazodone worked well for sleep.
Yes Winddancer and Phillipa, some awakening here and there isn't bad ... I guess I shouldn't complain!
Sometimes maybe go to the bathroom or hear a noise, yep! Do fall pretty easily back to sleep. I've gotta' keep those earplugs in!
I don't use a benzo for sleep.
I do use 100mg Seroquel (used for mood stabilization) and wake w/ no 'fogginess' at all.
After what I went through ..... I do take Valium x3 a day, but not for sleep; last dose around 5p.
cf
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 16:06:14
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post, posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 0:02:16
Benzos are no more addictive than an AD. And you don't build up a toleranc, at least I don't. All I have to do is read the Posts about w/d from AD's and the side effects, and I know I'd rather stick with a benzo that really doesn't have side effects. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by corafree on March 17, 2005, at 16:25:57
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 16:06:14
Hey guys I'm totally lost about this whole post, so I'll just 'shut up' and pay attn a bit. Happy St. P's Day; don't wear it and someone you like might pinch you! Wishes, cf
Posted by winddancer on March 17, 2005, at 19:31:08
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 16:06:14
Thanks, I guess I hadn't looked at it that way. I suppose it is an addiction to the ADs since the weaning off is such a challenge. I guess maybe I don't want to use another drug as a crutch for weaning off another, only to still be addicted to something.
I've been using Scott's suggestion and have been dividing my 75mg EX Effexor into fourths and taken only a fourth at a time - so I'm now taking 3/4 of the capsule a day. By spreading it out over the day, I seem to be doing pretty well.
In addition to the Effexor causing some insomnia, I have pain from an SI joint that seems to be worse when I lay down to sleep for the night so some of my waking is from the pain and not being able to get into a comfortable position.
winddancer
Posted by corafree on March 17, 2005, at 20:03:41
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post » Phillipa, posted by winddancer on March 17, 2005, at 19:31:08
Is it being suggested that I am using one drug for a CRUTCH to get off another?
Is this a discussion of withdrawal?
sincerely, cf
Posted by winddancer on March 17, 2005, at 21:02:50
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post, posted by corafree on March 17, 2005, at 20:03:41
To anyone:
I was sharing on what for me seems like a crutch if I get off one addition by being addicted to something else in order to alleviate withdrawal symtoms. That's how I see it for me, and I don't have opinions about others. I suppose one could say that eating nutritious food is a crutch for getting off junk food, except that the trade off is potentially going to result in more overall healthyness and less physical challenges. So to me that wouldn't be called a crutch.If being addicted to benzos (with less side-effects) instead of ADs is a more healthy situation, then it would not be a crutch. Also if switching to benzos makes it easier to withdraw from all drugs, then its a healthy step to take. At any rate, being addicted to either drug is better than being dibilitatingly depressed and nonfunctionally prone to panic attacks. For some it may be as necessary as insulin is to diabetics, and we wouldn't say that insulin is just a crutch.
I would personally prefer to take a nutritional supplement or herb to stay emotionally healthy rather than a pharmaceutical drug which always seems to have a scary side. And give up chocolate ????? if that's what it takes ??? it would be hard ???? but I'd sure rather do that if that's what it takes.
Do you do regular aerobic exercise? I'm getting back into that after not being as regular with it. I know it helps even my moods and give me more energy. And have you tried dancing?
Winddancer
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 21:10:15
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post, posted by winddancer on March 17, 2005, at 21:02:50
I love you winddancer! You're so on target. I wouldn't give up chocolate either, but I can eat yogurt and banannas at breakfast, a protein shake at lunch, excercise, and induldge in my chocolate after all that. Yes, if all natural were possible it would be nice. Maybe it will if we continue to work on the other aspects of our lives. Fondly, Phillipa PS Sorry I didn't capitalize your name, I'm too lazy to back and risk messing up this post.!
Posted by corafree on March 17, 2005, at 21:50:33
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post, posted by winddancer on March 17, 2005, at 21:02:50
I discontinued a regimen and began a new one because of a nervous system 'shutdown'.
It was happenstance that it may have made withdrawal less difficult.
After 30yrs of head meds, thinking of quiting chocolate or running with the wind seems like an impossibility to me.
I am VERY thankful to be alive after ALL. I am still ill; still need a lot of counseling. I am looking for a life, and NOT ANOTHER LIFE TO SAVE!
(I believe that's called codependency.)
I've been searching my soul and trying take a good look at how to do this.
cf
p.s. I love chocolate and used to be a runner.
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2005, at 22:21:20
In reply to Re: What I meant to ask - Copied,Pasted,Error In Post » winddancer, posted by corafree on March 17, 2005, at 21:50:33
I used to run 5k's, too. My best time was a 7.5minute mile. I had my own aerobic dance program business, but gave it up my last year of nursing school as I had 3 kids at home and was going through a divorce. Graduated magna cum laude, with full scholarships. God, I used to be an achiever! Fondly, Phillipa
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