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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 25, 2006, at 17:44:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Sergeant on February 24, 2006, at 19:36:16
All I can say is grab some gravol and hold on for the ride. If you have any plans for the next week or two you may want to reschedule. I know when I stopped cold turkey I was very nauseous and I don't know how my husband survived...I bet you we'd win bigtime if he went on the show...hahaha...sorry just my corny sense of humor. I always say that if you can't laugh at yourself, you should laugh at anyone else. :)
> I have been taking Effexor XR 75mg for over 2 years now.. I was started on them due to marital issues and work related stress (working in a prison). I was warned of sexual side effects with this med.
>
> As stated above I have taken it for over 2 years, and it has helped me greatly. The only side effect I have suffered is sleeplessness. But my problem is now, that I have received a letter from Medco stating that they will no longer provide benefits for Effexor XR. I have talked to my doctor (who is new, since I just moved) and he has no clue of an alternative for this med. My local pharmacy has no clue either and stated that there are no alternatives!
>
> I have gone 4 days one time without my med (due to a re-fill problem) and let me tell you they were 4 of the worst days of my life...anxeity, diziness, heart thumping... Now I cant even get a perscription for it filled at a lower dose to ween myself off this med.
>
> I am about 8 pills away from going cold turkey and the effects are horrid. Has anyone ever just stop taking this med? If so what kind of effects did you have and how long did they last?
>
>
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 26, 2006, at 3:35:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Sergeant, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 25, 2006, at 17:44:26
Sorry that was supposed to read "you shouldn't laugh at anyone else."
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 26, 2006, at 17:07:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 26, 2006, at 3:35:11
Some of the people that have been on this thread have mentioned suicide or suicidal thoughts. I don't know if Dr Bob will let this link go through, but I have uploaded a pamphlet about suicide prevention on to the net. This is the link http://spaces.msn.com/matt666cindy666
just click on the photo album, there's 2 pages. You may have to download it so that you can increase the text size enough to read. It's definitely worth a look.
Posted by luckday on February 27, 2006, at 13:11:56
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by bangersgirl on February 23, 2006, at 17:54:34
> > One more question, I have read lots of information on effexor and everything seems to state: Avoid Alcohol, with no further explanation.
> >
> > Does anyone have experiences to share about this?
> >
> > I going out occassionally and will have a few drinks with friends, or going out to dinner, etc.
> > I wanted some insight on what AVOID alcohol actually MEANS....
> >
> > Is it that the drug increases the effects of the alcohol, you could get very sick, what?
> >
> > Any help/thoughts would be appreciated. I am going out this weekend with some friends to a local bar/restaurant and would like to know what to expect...
>
> The way I understand it from my doctor is, you are taking Effexor due to depression...alcohol is a depressant..if you are already depressed, why would you take depressants to bring you further down when the effexor is trying to help you to stay up? Therefore AVOID alcohol(depressant) so your Effexor (ANTI-depressant) can do it's job!!!
> Make any sense??
>Makes sense to me. Alcohol is definitely a depressant. Fortunately, Effexor seemed to take away the effects of alcohol and I just felt numb and then tired so stopped after one drink. I can take a glass of wine but no more. I definitely do not want to depress my system ever again and experience the terrible side effects of not wanting to get out of bed. I am taking 75 mg. per day and having a good, normal life with no depression. I have my bad days and spoke to my doctor who said I have a low dose so I can funtion and not be a zombie. I started on a higher dose but 75 mg. is maintenance and I am happy. Effexor gives me time to think before I do something impulsive and I know alcohol is a depressant so have left it alone. Wish I could say the same for cigarettes. I do have a problem however. When something happens that upsets me instead of reacting I get very tired. Is this Effexor's way of calming me down so I don't do anything rash? After a sleep I see things differently.
Posted by rigamarole on February 27, 2006, at 21:19:22
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by luckday on February 27, 2006, at 13:11:56
I've recently gone on effexor XR and one of the first nights I was also going through a horrid cold, I took some Robitussin cough suppressant not thinking it would react but BOY was I wrong, the whole day I was completly out of it. Has anyone else had experiences with other off the shelf medicine?
Posted by fairy princess on March 1, 2006, at 12:57:09
In reply to responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 13:22:49
Hiya
Just had to say I totally agree, im on effexor (225mg for almost a year now!),but to me going out with friends & having a drink is a major part of my social life. I am at uni&socialising is a major part of uni life aswell as having a few drinks.
Although alcohol is a depressant for me it doesnt make that much difference to the way I feel. The hangovers have never been any worse/better from when I wasnt on the meds and if I do feel down after a night out I always put it down to the drink rather than my illness and try carry on as normal as possible.
Depression affects so many aspects of your life and to me cutting out parts of my social life would only make me feel more depressed as it is so important to me. I sure like me you could go out without drinking but its nice to be able to have the choice.Hava good weekend watever you decidexx
> I am the type of person that while on medication, I will not drink. But in the previous years the medication I was taking was only for colds, like antibotics, etc.
> As for the alcohol thing. At the moment I am experiencing fear. I understand what was said about why would someone that is depressed willingly take a depressant, etc...but, I just dont see it that way. I enjoy the taste of beer and the socializing (i did think about the non alcoholic beer suggestion)I will take it slow and see how I feel. I just dont want the hangover of all hangovers. I tend to drink beer (wine occasionally). Honest usual amount if I am out for the night can it can range from 3-6 beers or 3 glasses of wine. I do not care for liquor.
>
Posted by beaubeau on March 1, 2006, at 18:50:27
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by fairy princess on March 1, 2006, at 12:57:09
hey...sorry to interrupt! I've just started with effexor xr 37.5mg once/d for 3 days. I've already developed this bitter taste in my mouth and a constant headache. Is it normal or my imagination? I also feel so nauseated after each meal. According to my family, I seem to be not as anxious and sad as b4, but honestly speaking, I dont really see the difference. O YEAH...and the insomnia's just killing me, eversince I started effexor, my mind just gets overexcited at nights, or am I excited about the new medication? I really duno. Any suggestions or advice?
Posted by jacobs on March 1, 2006, at 21:46:39
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by beaubeau on March 1, 2006, at 18:50:27
hi i had the headaches at first and the sick feeling after eating, but it went away after a couple weeks. still get the headaches sometimes though. i have been on it for a couple months and it did help me, but i didnt notice till after about 3 weeks a big difference. i'm taking 75 right now but thinking about dropping it down to 37.5 again then ween myself off it because it is effecting my sex life. plus i started taking it for anxiety and im in an intensive program and how am i going to know if the program is working or the meds? anyway take care! tonya
Posted by bangersgirl on March 2, 2006, at 17:23:04
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by beaubeau on March 1, 2006, at 18:50:27
>beaubeau--what time of day do you take your effexor?that can affect your sleep i know.you should be taking it in the morning.
hey...sorry to interrupt! I've just started with effexor xr 37.5mg once/d for 3 days. I've already developed this bitter taste in my mouth and a constant headache. Is it normal or my imagination? I also feel so nauseated after each meal. According to my family, I seem to be not as anxious and sad as b4, but honestly speaking, I dont really see the difference. O YEAH...and the insomnia's just killing me, eversince I started effexor, my mind just gets overexcited at nights, or am I excited about the new medication? I really duno. Any suggestions or advice?
Posted by weaubleaumo on March 3, 2006, at 20:44:43
In reply to responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 13:22:49
I like Effexor. But, I do not take it as perscribed. I live pretty much a normal life but, do get lethargic about once a month - I take 1 37.5 (and rantidine (Zantac)for the stomach) early in the day. I too experience the wired sleepiness & short term spaciness- but usually I'm ok the next day and able "carpe diem" with the best of them.
I quit drinking at age 45 ( 2002) - was in a "non-drinking environment" for a while and was planning to catch-up once I was able.
I'd started Effexor about a week before (37.5 bid). I took the first long awaited drink and it was completely satisfying - little voice said "That's enough" and it has been.
The compulsion, desire etc was gone- This may be totally unrelated to the drug- It's what happened to me. No meetings, no experts-
Posted by destruksean on March 4, 2006, at 7:13:55
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by weaubleaumo on March 3, 2006, at 20:44:43
i just started taking effexor 3 days ago, tonite at work was the first i noticed any effects from it which were, feeling disconnected and kinda "high", forgetfull and basically not very sharp witted. i dont want to take this if its going to effect my work. has anyone else experienced anything like this. thx in advance
Posted by Aim on March 4, 2006, at 9:53:37
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by destruksean on March 4, 2006, at 7:13:55
I too felt kind of "high" and out of sorts day 2, 3, and 4...at times I was a little speedy and aloof...I stuck with it and those feelings subsided. I now feel "normal" (sounds funny to write that). But, my mood has leveled out. I was quite depressed before crying on a whim and having a difficult time dealing with life responsibilities...I laugh more and have my light-hearted personality back, you could say the black cloud of doom has found someone else to bother.
Stick it out, let your body adapt a little, if it doesn't go away by the next few days or gets worse contact your doctor. Just give your body an opportunity to try it out before stopping it completely.
Best of luck!
Posted by beaubeau on March 4, 2006, at 10:42:24
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on March 4, 2006, at 9:53:37
its my 6th day on effexo xr...i've been sleeping like a baby for the past 2 nights. it felt so good to be able to sleep again I just didnt wanna get up till noon. The bitter taste, headache and nausea subsided but is it normal to sleep so comfortably that i just cant get up in the morning? or i'm just making up what i've lost b4? i feel more calm but the afternoon drowziness's def affecting the graduation exam preparation...
hows everyone doing?
Posted by destruksean on March 5, 2006, at 6:36:42
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by beaubeau on March 4, 2006, at 10:42:24
my doctor prescribed this to me for anxiety and says its caused from anger and depression.... well maybe some anger but i dont feel depressed, after reading about the side effects and eventuall withdraw i will prbly experience i dont think this is the right choice for me. i just take half of a .5mg xanax when im feeling ready to blow and im cool
Posted by Aim on March 5, 2006, at 11:35:06
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by destruksean on March 5, 2006, at 6:36:42
you have to make your own decisions, but xanax is very addictive
Posted by luckday on March 6, 2006, at 7:30:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I love Effexor XR. This drug has changed my life. I am happy and not impulsive. Before I was on this drug and refused to accept I was depressed and would not take anything except a tranquilizer or wine because it had an immediate effect. I especially loved the rush alcohol gave me and once I started to drink found it hard to stop. Effexor has given me impulse control. I can do everything now that I did before but I don't have the extreme highs and lows that I used to experience. I am not a zombie and I can still feel stress, but somehow I can take a minute to think of an appropriate response rather than allowing my feelings to develop into full blown anxiety attacks. The side effects have been minimal. I experienced a lot a weird dreams at first and sometimes sweating. That has all subsided and I feel very normal and in control. I cannot say enough goods things about this drug, but I weant to point out that everyone is different. Fortunately, I was monitored closely for the first few years I was taking Effexor. That is very important.
Good luck to everyone who contemplates taking Effexor.
Posted by TinMan on March 6, 2006, at 9:17:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by luckday on March 6, 2006, at 7:30:26
> I love Effexor XR. This drug has changed my life. I am happy and not impulsive. Before I was on this drug and refused to accept I was depressed and would not take anything except a tranquilizer or wine because it had an immediate effect. I especially loved the rush alcohol gave me and once I started to drink found it hard to stop. Effexor has given me impulse control. I can do everything now that I did before but I don't have the extreme highs and lows that I used to experience. I am not a zombie and I can still feel stress, but somehow I can take a minute to think of an appropriate response rather than allowing my feelings to develop into full blown anxiety attacks. The side effects have been minimal. I experienced a lot a weird dreams at first and sometimes sweating. That has all subsided and I feel very normal and in control. I cannot say enough goods things about this drug, but I weant to point out that everyone is different. Fortunately, I was monitored closely for the first few years I was taking Effexor. That is very important.
>
> Good luck to everyone who contemplates taking Effexor.Wow, my response with Effexor has been pretty much as you describe yours. The longer I am on it, the happier and more "even keeled" I seem to be. I "respond" now rather than "react" as it slows my thinking.
Alcohol and Effexor for me do not mix that well. I drank three glasses of wine the other night at a party and suffered the "Effexor Headache" the next day. Not good. I would rather be on Effexor than drink. Not that I can't drink, but I sure do think about how much I have had before reaching for some more!
Everyone is different. Monitor yourself and have your Dr. and those you trust help monitor you.
Paxil was a nightmare for me! I became an impulsive, mean, depressed person who drank way too much on Paxil. Because I wasn't seeing a Psychiatrist, I wasn't being monitored that closely and was "out of it" to monitor myself. My life was a nightmare while I was on Paxil - for about one year and 1/2.
So...IF you are taking any prescription AD, SSRI, Tricyclic, please take care, monitor yourself, communicate with the prescribing Dr. They can and do make a difference in your life although with some, it may not be a mostly positive one.
~TinMan
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on March 6, 2006, at 12:21:44
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by destruksean on March 5, 2006, at 6:36:42
> my doctor prescribed this to me for anxiety and says its caused from anger and depression.... well maybe some anger but i dont feel depressed, after reading about the side effects and eventuall withdraw i will prbly experience i dont think this is the right choice for me. i just take half of a .5mg xanax when im feeling ready to blow and im cool
See if the Effexor works for you at a small dose 37.5 mg. It may take a month or more to figure out if it is helping you or not. You'll hear this over and over again "drugs don't effect all people the same way, only you know how it is effecting you."
I sorry to everyone else but, I've never had any problems stopping medication. If it's not working for me, I just stop taking it. I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS TO ANYONE ELSE!! I don't mean to yell, I just cannot express that enough. That's just always been the way that I have done things, and for me it works (no matter what the drug).
For instance, I completely stopped taking my Effexor the day that I ended up in the ER. It was sending me into rapid-cycling with severe manic episodes. More severe than I had ever experienced in my life. It scared the hell out of me. That was the day that I stopped taking it, and I was taking 2x75mg twice a day. On the same day, I stopped taking the sleeping pills that were prescribed for me because of the insomnia, from the Effexor. In the 2 days after I stopped both meds I slept for about 2.5 hrs. Just nature's way of telling me that I'd done something wrong in the first place.
If your doctor thinks that you are also suffering from depression, ask him "how he is treating the depression, if he's using the Effexor to treat the anxiety?"
Like I said before, Effexor does work for some people. Most of the side effects will start to go away as your body gets used to the drug being in your system. That is, as long as you stay at one dosage, and don't increase the dose until you know for sure how you are reacting to the one you're already at. Use a journal to see how your moods are changing. People tell me this over and over again (but I still don't do it). The whole memory and concentration thing. You may be able to though.
Posted by luckday on March 7, 2006, at 6:18:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on March 6, 2006, at 9:17:44
To Tinman:
I am so glad you are having a positive experience on Effexor. I have asked my doctor how to get off the drug and she says "Why"? It is working for you. I am still being monitored so continue to take it and live happily. I don't have the impulsive urges I used to have or the depression when I did or said something really stupid. I am concerned when I read some of the posts here that people are mixing their prescriptions. That can be very bad.
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on March 8, 2006, at 11:20:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by luckday on March 7, 2006, at 6:18:49
Many of us mix medications because just one doesn't work for us. Personally, the last time that I was feeling "normal" (no such thing), I was on 3 mood stabilizers and 1 anit-depressant.
Have you had any medical training, that would make you think it was ok for you to be making a judgement like that?
I, for one, found that comment very offensive!To Tinman:
>
> I am so glad you are having a positive experience on Effexor. I have asked my doctor how to get off the drug and she says "Why"? It is working for you. I am still being monitored so continue to take it and live happily. I don't have the impulsive urges I used to have or the depression when I did or said something really stupid. I am concerned when I read some of the posts here that people are mixing their prescriptions. That can be very bad.
Posted by grandma on March 12, 2006, at 12:20:09
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Our daughter is six months pregnant and has been on Effexor XR for about 1 year. The results have been great and her OB says there are no known side effects to unborn babies. However there was a warning on our local T.V. news the other night about Effexor XR and pregnancy. We have not told our daughter of this news release so as to not frighten her, but we are feeling confused and frightened. Is there anybody out there that has gone through pregnancy and delivery while on Effexor XR. We would apperciate some feed back if possible.
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on March 12, 2006, at 14:45:52
In reply to Pregnancy and Effexor XR?, posted by grandma on March 12, 2006, at 12:20:09
I have been on drugs for bipolar (manic depression)for 12 years and I have heard many views on this subjet. Personally, I feel that if drinking and smoking throughout your pregnancy can harm a baby, then a pill you take everyday for a chemical imbalance could also do just as much harm.
I guess that it will take a few decades and alot of babies being used as research, for doctors to realize that anything strong enough to change a persons mood is certainly strong enough to have an effect on an unborn baby.
I don't mean to scare you, but just remember the past few decades, and look at the things that doctors didn't think would harm an unborn child (alcohol, smoking). I don't believe that there is enough evidence for a doctor to confidently tell anyone that Effexor...or any other drug used to treat a mood disorder, is ok to take while pregnant.
You may want to check with her doctor and see what kind of statistics he has seen to say that taking the Effexor is safe for the baby. Gather as much information as you can and see what the research tells you. Then decide if you should speak to your daughter about it.
I may be wrong, but I know that if I were ever to get pregnant, the first thing that I would cut out of my life would be all of my medications (no matter what the doctor said). It may be more dangerous for me because of relapse, but I couldn't put my child through the threat of not knowing what the drug would do to them.
> Our daughter is six months pregnant and has been on Effexor XR for about 1 year. The results have been great and her OB says there are no known side effects to unborn babies. However there was a warning on our local T.V. news the other night about Effexor XR and pregnancy. We have not told our daughter of this news release so as to not frighten her, but we are feeling confused and frightened. Is there anybody out there that has gone through pregnancy and delivery while on Effexor XR. We would apperciate some feed back if possible.
Posted by wildcard11 on March 12, 2006, at 15:20:50
In reply to Pregnancy and Effexor XR?, posted by grandma on March 12, 2006, at 12:20:09
actually i know of 3 women that were on effexor xr the entire pregnancy and their children are healthy and happy. 2 were also on benzo's. i have never known of anyone on any a/d or benzo that resulted in problems with the baby. i hope that helps ease your mind some. take care
Posted by grandma on March 12, 2006, at 21:18:14
In reply to Re: Pregnancy and Effexor XR? » grandma, posted by wildcard11 on March 12, 2006, at 15:20:50
Thanks for responding to my question...
Demon child... I agree that the first thought is to discontinue all meds. This was also my daughter's first thought. But after much discussion with both her OB and her psychiatristit it was decided that the risk to her would also endanger the baby ,so I guess we went with what at the time we viewed as the "lesser of two evils" and pray that the doctors are right.Wild child...Thanks for such positive feed back. Yes it does help to ease my mind. This is a very scary time for us all.It is wonderfull that our daughter is healthy enough to start a family and it would seem so cruel to think that the very thing that gave her this freedom could be harmfull to her little one.We pray all goes well.
Posted by antigua on March 13, 2006, at 20:15:52
In reply to Pregnancy and Effexor XR?, posted by grandma on March 12, 2006, at 12:20:09
I had a safe pregnancy on Effexor. My baby was born prematurely, but totally healthy. He's eight now and shows no ill effects. Prematurity was early labor, NOT the Effexor.
antigua
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