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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 9:33:04
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Just got off Effexor and now starting Topamax. Any body have any thoughts. I amy really depressed and anxious. Danny
Posted by TinMan on October 22, 2005, at 9:52:37
In reply to Any one using Topamax, posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 9:33:04
Hey Danny! Thanks for keeping us posted on how you are doing. I am not familiar with Topomax and am wondering if it is an AD, SSRI or what?
The depression and anxiety: did they come back in full force after stopping the Effexor? If I remember correctly, you were going to try to be "drug free" for a while. How has it been for you without the Effexor?
Sometimes I wonder; there is so much about the human mind, hormones and chemistry that is unknown and misunderstood. Is our depression and anxiety an outcome of our "nurturing" or is it "nature" like diabetes, asthma, hypertension? Combo of both? Am I being niave and optimistic thinking that I don't need to take an AD or SSRI?
Where and Who is that man behind the curtain?!? ~Tinman
Posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 10:22:12
In reply to Re: Any one using Topamax, posted by TinMan on October 22, 2005, at 9:52:37
I was able to stay off the meds for a month and was really happy. I laughted alot but I also had almost uncontrolable rage after comming off the Effexor. I know it can be a side affect of the Effexor but this post. Everything was going well then I had a rough argument with the wife and a teenager failing classes and it was like boomb. The great feeling was gone, the rage was gone and clininal depression and anxiety hit like they were never gone. The aregument or what ever was enough to throw off the brain chemistry. I started of Topamax a SSRI on Thursday and sure wish it would kick in. I guess I will never go meds free but I hope I never have to go back on Effexor. Right now I am pretty sad. Do not know if I should lie down and rest or keep moving fighting the depression in hope something will click? Danny
Posted by corafree on October 22, 2005, at 13:46:15
In reply to Re: Any one using Topamax, posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 10:22:12
Hey .. it's Saturday.
Thought Topomax was a mood stabilizer; tks for education.
I do have a friend that said it was a very good drug for her.
If you are tired .. I'd think rest. While resting, try make a plan on how you will accomplish any NECESSARY errands of your day.
bestwishes cf
Posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 13:58:03
In reply to Re: Any one using Topamax, posted by corafree on October 22, 2005, at 13:46:15
I am on Lexapro not Topamax. Sorry
Posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2005, at 17:44:12
In reply to My Mistake not Topramax but Lexapro, posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 13:58:03
That makes more sense since Topamax is a mood stabalizer. But lexapro is an antidepressant. I tried it but it made me too anxious. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by TinMan on October 22, 2005, at 18:19:55
In reply to My Mistake not Topramax but Lexapro, posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 13:58:03
When my sister took Lexapro, after about 2 weeks nothing seemed to bother her. She was in too much of a "whatever" mode. My husband is on Lexapro and seems to like it although it doesn't seem to effect him too much. When my sister-in-law took it, she was so dizzy and tired that she couldn't get out of bed. It is different experience for everyone, I am sure.
I am sorry to hear about your argument and teen not doing well in classes. Did the argument come on while you were feeling "enraged"? Was there something legitimate that happened for you to feel that way? I am trying to get a feel about what to expect when I go off the Effexor. I don't need the "raging" side effects!
If you feel tired, lie down for a while. Take care of yourself. Hopefully, the Lexapro will kick in and you will feel more like yourself. (I think I have forgotten what it is to feel like me - I mean, on the Effexor, my mood is blah. All the time. Blah.)
Posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 21:04:54
In reply to Re: My Mistake not Topramax but Lexapro, posted by TinMan on October 22, 2005, at 18:19:55
The arugument was justified but in poor timing. I took the lexapor and it made me very sleepy all day. I took one of my wifes Mededates and it went away. That might be the combo for me. Danny
Posted by Graceneeded on October 24, 2005, at 20:53:19
In reply to Re: My Mistake not Topramax but Lexapro, posted by Graceneeded on October 22, 2005, at 21:04:54
Having a rough time. The Lexapro has a sedation affect on me and with depression thats not good.
Danny
Posted by Bets43 on October 25, 2005, at 17:46:22
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by TinMan on October 5, 2005, at 18:52:06
Hi All! I am a 43 year old mother of 4. I have just started Effexor. I have been on Zoloft for a couple of years....I am starting the effexor and dropping the zoloft. Zoloft wasn't to bad especially compared with the paxil I was on for about a year. It made me a ZOMBIE! However, the zoloft seemed to lose it's affectiveness with me and lately I have been extremely anxious, have had some obsessive type symptoms and inability to concentrate in some situations. I was even thinking about suicide MAYBE being a viable option. Luckily, I didn't seriously consider it. I often wonder if my problems have anything to do with the large amount of drugs I took as a teenager and into my early 20's...alcohol too. I do none of that stuff now and haven't for many years but can't help but think I did some harm to myself.....
Posted by chrispy_85 on October 25, 2005, at 22:32:08
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by Bets43 on October 25, 2005, at 17:46:22
> Hi All! I am a 43 year old mother of 4. I have just started Effexor. I have been on Zoloft for a couple of years....I am starting the effexor and dropping the zoloft. Zoloft wasn't to bad especially compared with the paxil I was on for about a year. It made me a ZOMBIE! However, the zoloft seemed to lose it's affectiveness with me and lately I have been extremely anxious, have had some obsessive type symptoms and inability to concentrate in some situations. I was even thinking about suicide MAYBE being a viable option. Luckily, I didn't seriously consider it. I often wonder if my problems have anything to do with the large amount of drugs I took as a teenager and into my early 20's...alcohol too. I do none of that stuff now and haven't for many years but can't help but think I did some harm to myself.....
hey there,
my name's chris, and i'm only 20, but i can totally relate to your anxiousness. i've had problems with anxiety since i was a kid and i've just started on effexor and zanax a couple of months ago now. i' can't say that i've done a lot of drugs, but i have learned very quickly that alcohol and zanax are not a pleasent mix. when i started taking the zanax, i pretty much had a weekend binge drink and for days afterward, i was completely spaced out. almost like you said, like a zombie. but i've been on 150mg daily effexor xr now for about 2 months and it is making a noticable difference in my anxiety level. it's just that with the zanax combined with it, i'm tired all the time, which i'm starting to learn to live with, but i'm sure you'll adjust to the effexor and it'll definately do you some good. good luck!-chris
Posted by spierson1253 on October 25, 2005, at 22:47:17
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am new to Effexor. 37.5 mg.
And very wary.
All this talk of withdrawal doesn't sound good to me.
But we've tried everything all my life, and the problem always returns.Was awake sweating, freezing, sweating, freezing all night, but still got up feeling rested.
It did not alleviate my panic drive across town this afternoon, but then I've only taken it one night. There should be an early warning system when I am forced out on the road. (I was t-boned on my driver's side while in my truck a year ago, totalled my truck and busted up my ribs really bad, and that feeling of eminent disaster/doom still hasn't gone away.)
Will have to be careful with the appetite decrease, as I am a Type II Diabetic.
I am also hoping this will help with the extreme outbreaks of screaming anger. I feel so sorry for people afterwards, the guilt is killing me.
Thanks to all of you for just being here. I don't think that here I will hear "why don't you just get over it".
Posted by LynnPerley on October 25, 2005, at 23:38:14
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by spierson1253 on October 25, 2005, at 22:47:17
> I am new to Effexor. 37.5 mg.
> And very wary.
> All this talk of withdrawal doesn't sound good to me.
> But we've tried everything all my life, and the problem always returns.
>
> Was awake sweating, freezing, sweating, freezing all night, but still got up feeling rested.
>
> It did not alleviate my panic drive across town this afternoon, but then I've only taken it one night. There should be an early warning system when I am forced out on the road. (I was t-boned on my driver's side while in my truck a year ago, totalled my truck and busted up my ribs really bad, and that feeling of eminent disaster/doom still hasn't gone away.)
>
> Will have to be careful with the appetite decrease, as I am a Type II Diabetic.
>
> I am also hoping this will help with the extreme outbreaks of screaming anger. I feel so sorry for people afterwards, the guilt is killing me.
>
> Thanks to all of you for just being here. I don't think that here I will hear "why don't you just get over it".You won't hear that in this forum.
I assume you are slowly ramping up your dose. You should see improvement in your anxiety soon. I think the appetite decrease goes away as soon as your stomach adjusts to the medicine. Besure and use a natural laxative like Citrucel if you need one.
Posted by autumrose on October 25, 2005, at 23:55:29
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by lg on November 7, 1999, at 19:55:10
I've been using Effexor 112.5 for about three years now. It has helped me. I did try Remeron before that but gave it a bad review as I was switched from Paxil to Remeron and experienced terrible aggitation, anxiety was jittery and felt "out of body" strange sensations.
However a great thing about it was increased libido. (Currently I have none).However, having missed a day or two a couple of times of Effexor I had the same kind of feelings that I experienced switching to Remeron. No now I'm thinking that maybe the dose was too low going from Paxil to Remeron and therefore I had those symptoms thinking it was Remeron.
Because of the effect on libido, I would be interested in giving Remeron another try, or as I saw in another post perhaps mix the two.
Anyone else experience increased libido benefits from Remeron?
Posted by Chrispy_85 on October 26, 2005, at 8:01:27
In reply to New to Effexor, posted by spierson1253 on October 25, 2005, at 22:47:17
> I am new to Effexor. 37.5 mg.
> And very wary.
> All this talk of withdrawal doesn't sound good to me.
> But we've tried everything all my life, and the problem always returns.
>
> Was awake sweating, freezing, sweating, freezing all night, but still got up feeling rested.
>
> It did not alleviate my panic drive across town this afternoon, but then I've only taken it one night. There should be an early warning system when I am forced out on the road. (I was t-boned on my driver's side while in my truck a year ago, totalled my truck and busted up my ribs really bad, and that feeling of eminent disaster/doom still hasn't gone away.)
>
> Will have to be careful with the appetite decrease, as I am a Type II Diabetic.
>
> I am also hoping this will help with the extreme outbreaks of screaming anger. I feel so sorry for people afterwards, the guilt is killing me.
>
> Thanks to all of you for just being here. I don't think that here I will hear "why don't you just get over it".hey there,
i can't say that i'm an expert on effexor, as i have only been on it for a couple of months...i'm on 150mg now. i had those night chills and sweats as well for the first couple of weeks i was on it. i still have trouble sleeping...i usually wake around 2am and am very restless and have to wander around for an hour or so before i can get back to sleep. this is my first shot at treating my anxiety and panic attacks with meds, but i have noticed that the effexor does help reduce the anxiety, but i do feel like my emotions have just disappeared. i just feel very neutral all of the time. but then again, i am on zanax as well to help with my attacks, so that could also contribute to it.
That car accident sounds like a tough thing to deal with. i can imagine it would be very scary for you. we're always here for you though. just remember that. As for the food thing--do be very careful to make sure you eat. i have to write myself notes to remind me to eat my meals because i just don't get hungry anymore. and i can understand that it is a much more serious matter with diabetes. my ex girlfriend's little brother has it(i know it was the worse of the two kinds), and i remember her mother calling us every morning from work to make sure that we woke him up. i don't want to rant on forever but feel free to babblemail me anytime and just remember, we're all the smae here.-chris
Posted by spierson1253 on October 26, 2005, at 10:47:29
In reply to Long time user » spierson1253, posted by LynnPerley on October 25, 2005, at 23:38:14
Thank you for the heads up on the laxative. I think I'm seeing the tummy thing could be a problem. Went back on the Prilosec yesterday and that is helping lots.
Posted by Zinger on October 26, 2005, at 11:36:54
In reply to Effexor Sexual Side effects, posted by mainjump on October 11, 2005, at 16:31:27
Hi, I was just put on Effexor yesterday to help with "hot flashes". Has anyone taken it for this and if so has it helped?? Thanks for the input.
Debi
Posted by spierson1253 on October 26, 2005, at 11:45:59
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects, posted by Zinger on October 26, 2005, at 11:36:54
For hot flashes? It causes hot flashes in me. And from what I've heard, it's a complaint from a lot of users.
You will have to let me know if it works.
Posted by Zinger on October 26, 2005, at 12:01:28
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects » Zinger, posted by spierson1253 on October 26, 2005, at 11:45:59
In reading some of the posts, I saw that it seems to cause them rather than get rid of them. Makes me wonder.............
Posted by 4wd on October 26, 2005, at 15:08:36
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects, posted by Zinger on October 26, 2005, at 11:36:54
> Hi, I was just put on Effexor yesterday to help with "hot flashes". Has anyone taken it for this and if so has it helped?? Thanks for the input.
> DebiHi. I wasn't taking Effexor specifically for hot flashes and I didn't really notice it helping. HOWEVER...when I stopped Effexor my hot flashes got noticeably worse, so I guess it really was helping.
Marsha
Posted by TinMan on October 26, 2005, at 20:57:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects » Zinger, posted by 4wd on October 26, 2005, at 15:08:36
When I first started Effexor, I got horrible "night sweats" and doing any sort of physical work caused me to sweat in a most embarassing way. Now, after being on Effexor for almost 5 months, the sweating is not at bad, at least not at night.
Previously, I used to like a warmer room rather than a cold one. Now, I like the cold room. The oncoming winter and colder weather is, for the first time in my life, a good thing. Is this menopause? The Effexor? For me, I really don't think that Effexor would work for hot flashes.
My appetite has increased and I have gained weight. The Citrucel is a must and sometimes, it doesn't work that well, for me.
And no, on this board, I really don't think anyone will tell you "to get over it" or to "just deal with it". One thread we may all have in common is that our own hardships have made us aware that it is not simply a moral weakness, a thought to wish away or a feeling to discard and replace with something more "appropriate".
I, too, have had the angry, ragings and feel so guilty afterwards. Effexor definitely helps there. Paxil, for me, made the ragings more frequent and violent. PTSD? Anyway, if a side effect of getting off Effexor is rage attacks, well, then I don't think I will be getting off Effexor anytime soon.
My rusted two cents worth...-TinMan
Posted by SandiDee on October 27, 2005, at 6:34:29
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects, posted by TinMan on October 26, 2005, at 20:57:51
I also suffer from hot flashes since starting the effexor in june. I am warm quite a bit, and sleeping has become difficult because of the sweats. The constipation continues to be a battle, I have had to increase my fiber intake greatly. I haven't gained any weight since starting effexor, I have actually lost 6 lbs. since july, and some might say I don't need to, but I feel better with the weight off. The sexual side effects have lessened dramatically since I started wellbutrin, it really helped alot. This thread has been a great place for me, although I don't know anyone here, I feel comfortable, and understood when I am here. It's hard to find that feeling otherwise, which is truly sad.
Posted by spierson1253 on October 27, 2005, at 19:03:42
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects, posted by SandiDee on October 27, 2005, at 6:34:29
I felt the same way less than a week ago. There are some wonderful people here. It hasn't made all the issues go away, but it has made things a lot easier to deal with.
Posted by Mim on October 28, 2005, at 6:30:04
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects » SandiDee, posted by spierson1253 on October 27, 2005, at 19:03:42
> I felt the same way less than a week ago. There are some wonderful people here. It hasn't made all the issues go away, but it has made things a lot easier to deal with.
It is really great to read this, it makes me feel less alone and less crazy. TinMan, I am glad to hear about the rage and anger and guilt, I thought I was the only one in the world who was that distructive. I wish I COULD just "deal with it" or "not overreact" but I can't. It isn't a choice, and I think I will probably be on something forever.
I wish all of you lots of strength in dealing with everything, thank you thank you thank you
Posted by TinMan on October 28, 2005, at 18:33:09
In reply to Re: Effexor Sexual Side effects, posted by Mim on October 28, 2005, at 6:30:04
Yes, thank you thank you thank you to all who post here! It has honestly been a Godsend for me; to know that I am not alone in these kinds of struggles and battles with myself.
I hate my "hair trigger" and my "flying off the handle" traits. Some of you can relate to how most difficult it is to change them.
Honestly, if it were only as simple as going to see "the Wizard"...or taking a pill...but it isn't. That does not mean I will stop trying to change; it just means that I recognize how terribly difficult it is.
Life is messy. It just is. And that is okay.
I do have a heart I do I do! -TinMan
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