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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by tizza on March 25, 2006, at 4:17:34
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anything, posted by jacobs on March 24, 2006, at 21:43:14
> i would strongly sugest that you research this drug before you decide. be informed! the insert with this does not tell you how hard this is to get off of. i myself think if you are going to be taking this for anxiety there are better options. but that is just my though. see that is why i was put on it. well got over the panic through therapy but hooked on effexor. and it is a bitch to come off of. i know im trying right now. it sucks. now for some people this drug is great for them. im just telling you how i feel about it.
I could not agree with Jacob more. I can not BELIEVE that any doctor would put you on anything that STRONG if you have never been prescribed anything like this for yourself before. Effexor is horrendous to come off for some people and I was one of them, it was pure hell on earth and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I personally think it should be banned but on the other hand it has helped my sister greatly. I personally would go for something that isn't so addictive and so strong. Maybe try a SSRI first (prozac, luvox, zoloft, celexa etc......instead of a SNRI like effexor. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you but taking effexor first isn't a good idea in my opinion. Paul
Posted by detroitpistons on March 25, 2006, at 10:28:58
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anythingstrungo, posted by tizza on March 25, 2006, at 4:17:34
>>Effexor is horrendous to come off for some people and I was one of them, it was pure hell on earth and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I personally think it should be banned but on the other hand it has helped my sister greatly.
It's a good drug for people who don't respond to SSRI's. I knew fully about the drawbacks of Effexor when I started taking it, but I was so depressed that I felt it was the lesser of two evils....Also, if you withdraw with your doctor's assistence, I think it's possible to have a relatively good withdrawal. I think taking Prozac for a few weeks to come off Effexor is a underutilized strategy. Effexor has a very short half life and Prozac has a very long half life, so it makes for a smooth transition and withdrawal.
Posted by LisaH817 on March 25, 2006, at 11:00:01
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anythingstrungo, posted by tizza on March 25, 2006, at 4:17:34
> > i would strongly sugest that you research this drug before you decide. be informed! the insert with this does not tell you how hard this is to get off of. i myself think if you are going to be taking this for anxiety there are better options. but that is just my though. see that is why i was put on it. well got over the panic through therapy but hooked on effexor. and it is a bitch to come off of. i know im trying right now. it sucks. now for some people this drug is great for them. im just telling you how i feel about it.
>
> I could not agree with Jacob more. I can not BELIEVE that any doctor would put you on anything that STRONG if you have never been prescribed anything like this for yourself before. Effexor is horrendous to come off for some people and I was one of them, it was pure hell on earth and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I personally think it should be banned but on the other hand it has helped my sister greatly. I personally would go for something that isn't so addictive and so strong. Maybe try a SSRI first (prozac, luvox, zoloft, celexa etc......instead of a SNRI like effexor. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you but taking effexor first isn't a good idea in my opinion. PaulI've been on Effexor XR for about 9 months now. I had gone thru a rough period with my one son, other family issues, and work was extremely stressful. I became extremely depressed and began to suffer extreme anxiety so that I could not eat, or sleep and would cry for no reason. I was losing weight, exhausted all the time, headaches, nervous and fidgety all the time, suffered irritable bowel, had trouble getting thru work and never felt like leaving my house. My doctor first prescribed trazodone which did not help me sleep much at all and when I did manage to drift off, I had such strange dreams that I woke up more anxious. Then I was prescribed Effexor XR. I was started on 37.5mg and slowly increased the dosage to 75mg at first. After about a month at 75mg, some of my anxiety was reduced and some depression, but I still had problems so I was worked up to 150mg that I’ve been on ever since. It worked for my depression rather quickly, the anxiety and nervousness took longer, and at times I felt very jittery, uncontrolled twitching of my legs and feet even when the rest of me felt lethargic and mild nausea, I slept better most nights, but some nights, I just couldn’t sleep no matter what I tried. After being on this dose for over 6 months, I have been sleeping better, have no depression, the anxiety is better and the jitters are gone, the nausea comes and goes, but I feel very lethargic most of the time. My work is stressful and requires concentration, I find that the Effexor seems to dull my brain, and I have little desire to do the things I used to do. I literally have to force myself to go out and do things with friends or family, or other things I once did all the time and really enjoyed. I’ve gain close to 20 lbs., I have no energy and when stressful issues arise, I feel this strange flush, heart palpitations, and sweats. Other side effects include dry mouth and eyes, itching skin, constant yawning, jaw clenching, cold sweats, and increased blood pressure. The other scary part is whenever I forget to take a pill, I would start to feel like I was getting a major head cold, my brain would start to fog up and I’d feel dizzy, ringing in my ears and nauseous. My vision would be impaired, as I would have trouble focusing and speaking clearly as well as constructing sentences. Almost like a migraine, but not quite the same. I felt as though I couldn’t move my head too fast and eventually I felt as though something strange was happening to my brain, like it was being prodded all over or as some have said, like electric shocks in your brain. Once I was able to take the dose I missed, these symptoms would start to subside, but it could take awhile depending on how long since your last dose. I saw my doctor today and asked to be taken off of it now, so I’m starting that process and she said that it should be done over the next six weeks, cutting back 37.5mg for two weeks at a time. I’m more than a little concerned after what I’ve experienced and from what I’ve read here!
Lisa
Posted by tizza on March 25, 2006, at 16:21:10
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anythingstrungo, posted by LisaH817 on March 25, 2006, at 11:00:01
> > > i would strongly sugest that you research this drug before you decide. be informed! the insert with this does not tell you how hard this is to get off of. i myself think if you are going to be taking this for anxiety there are better options. but that is just my though. see that is why i was put on it. well got over the panic through therapy but hooked on effexor. and it is a bitch to come off of. i know im trying right now. it sucks. now for some people this drug is great for them. im just telling you how i feel about it.
> >
> > I could not agree with Jacob more. I can not BELIEVE that any doctor would put you on anything that STRONG if you have never been prescribed anything like this for yourself before. Effexor is horrendous to come off for some people and I was one of them, it was pure hell on earth and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy. I personally think it should be banned but on the other hand it has helped my sister greatly. I personally would go for something that isn't so addictive and so strong. Maybe try a SSRI first (prozac, luvox, zoloft, celexa etc......instead of a SNRI like effexor. Good luck and I hope you find something that works for you but taking effexor first isn't a good idea in my opinion. Paul
>
> I've been on Effexor XR for about 9 months now. I had gone thru a rough period with my one son, other family issues, and work was extremely stressful. I became extremely depressed and began to suffer extreme anxiety so that I could not eat, or sleep and would cry for no reason. I was losing weight, exhausted all the time, headaches, nervous and fidgety all the time, suffered irritable bowel, had trouble getting thru work and never felt like leaving my house. My doctor first prescribed trazodone which did not help me sleep much at all and when I did manage to drift off, I had such strange dreams that I woke up more anxious. Then I was prescribed Effexor XR. I was started on 37.5mg and slowly increased the dosage to 75mg at first. After about a month at 75mg, some of my anxiety was reduced and some depression, but I still had problems so I was worked up to 150mg that I’ve been on ever since. It worked for my depression rather quickly, the anxiety and nervousness took longer, and at times I felt very jittery, uncontrolled twitching of my legs and feet even when the rest of me felt lethargic and mild nausea, I slept better most nights, but some nights, I just couldn’t sleep no matter what I tried. After being on this dose for over 6 months, I have been sleeping better, have no depression, the anxiety is better and the jitters are gone, the nausea comes and goes, but I feel very lethargic most of the time. My work is stressful and requires concentration, I find that the Effexor seems to dull my brain, and I have little desire to do the things I used to do. I literally have to force myself to go out and do things with friends or family, or other things I once did all the time and really enjoyed. I’ve gain close to 20 lbs., I have no energy and when stressful issues arise, I feel this strange flush, heart palpitations, and sweats. Other side effects include dry mouth and eyes, itching skin, constant yawning, jaw clenching, cold sweats, and increased blood pressure. The other scary part is whenever I forget to take a pill, I would start to feel like I was getting a major head cold, my brain would start to fog up and I’d feel dizzy, ringing in my ears and nauseous. My vision would be impaired, as I would have trouble focusing and speaking clearly as well as constructing sentences. Almost like a migraine, but not quite the same. I felt as though I couldn’t move my head too fast and eventually I felt as though something strange was happening to my brain, like it was being prodded all over or as some have said, like electric shocks in your brain. Once I was able to take the dose I missed, these symptoms would start to subside, but it could take awhile depending on how long since your last dose. I saw my doctor today and asked to be taken off of it now, so I’m starting that process and she said that it should be done over the next six weeks, cutting back 37.5mg for two weeks at a time. I’m more than a little concerned after what I’ve experienced and from what I’ve read here!
>
> LisaDetroitpistion, thanks for the advice, I didn't know about that when I was coming off effexor but I did know about benadryl which help to smooth out the bumpy ride. This post will probably get redirected to the withdrawal board but I just wanted Lisa to know that when I went from 150mg of effexor to 75 for a month I was fine. I did a six week taper from 75mg over a 6 week period and it was still terrible. I was opening the capsules and taking out a few more pellets every day until there was almost none left. I actually felt fine throughout this time but it hit me like a ton of bricks after my last few pellets. If you are on 150mg go even slower while tapering off effexor and try the prozac thing, I have heard loads of people say it worked wonders for them, the benadryl just helps a little with the shocks and spins and yes I mean only a little, good luck, Paul
Posted by SLS on March 25, 2006, at 21:44:28
In reply to This is my first time taking anything, posted by strungout on March 24, 2006, at 10:42:16
> Hi there,
> My doc just prescribed me Effexor XR 75mg and I've never been on any sort of anti-depressant before. Occassionally i'll take one of my dad's anxiety pills if I REALLY need it but other than that nothing. Should I be worried? What am I to expect on average?
I don't think Effexor is the demon some people make it out to be. Like many other drugs, it can be difficult to discontinue. However, there are several strategies that can minimize the withdrawal symptoms. Discontinuation syndromes can occur with all of the SSRIs, including Prozac.By the way, the drug manufacturer's label (package insert) that accompanies the drug is very explicit in alerting people to the withdrawal syndrome that can occur upon abrupt discontinuation or dosage reduction.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic4/effexor_wcp.htm#P
Of course, it should be the job of the doctor to describe to their patients the possible side effects a drug can produce, including withdrawal.
Nausea is fairly common when first starting Effexor. It almost always disappears. Other possible side effects include sweating, constipation, sleepiness or fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety, tremor, blurred vision, reduced libido, and anorgasmia. Some of this stuff gets better with time. Some stuff doesn't. You might only get one or two of these things. Each person is different in the way that they react to a given drug.
What are you being treated for?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on March 25, 2006, at 21:49:26
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anything » strungout, posted by SLS on March 25, 2006, at 21:44:28
Something that I forgot...
Effexor has a tendency to produce an increase in blood pressure. This is not usually a problem, but it should be taken into consideration when choosing Effexor as a treatment.
- Scott
> > Hi there,
> > My doc just prescribed me Effexor XR 75mg and I've never been on any sort of anti-depressant before. Occassionally i'll take one of my dad's anxiety pills if I REALLY need it but other than that nothing. Should I be worried? What am I to expect on average?
>
>
> I don't think Effexor is the demon some people make it out to be. Like many other drugs, it can be difficult to discontinue. However, there are several strategies that can minimize the withdrawal symptoms. Discontinuation syndromes can occur with all of the SSRIs, including Prozac.
>
> By the way, the drug manufacturer's label (package insert) that accompanies the drug is very explicit in alerting people to the withdrawal syndrome that can occur upon abrupt discontinuation or dosage reduction.
>
> http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic4/effexor_wcp.htm#P
>
> Of course, it should be the job of the doctor to describe to their patients the possible side effects a drug can produce, including withdrawal.
>
> Nausea is fairly common when first starting Effexor. It almost always disappears. Other possible side effects include sweating, constipation, sleepiness or fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety, tremor, blurred vision, reduced libido, and anorgasmia. Some of this stuff gets better with time. Some stuff doesn't. You might only get one or two of these things. Each person is different in the way that they react to a given drug.
>
> What are you being treated for?
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by CEK on March 25, 2006, at 22:56:24
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anythingstrungo » LisaH817, posted by tizza on March 25, 2006, at 16:21:10
I was started on a sample pack of Effexor 6 years ago. It starts you out on a low dose and gradually goes up to 75mg. For me it had it's plus and minuses. The plus for me was that it did take away all of my anxiety. It made me less emotional. I too was going through a lot of bad things in my life at that time and all I did was cry or get mad, couldn't sleep, was very irritable and would jump out of my skin over little things that normally wouldn't have scared me. Within a week the crying stopped, the awefull vengfull anger got less and I was no longer irritated by every little thing. I felt more in control. Before the Effexor anything that happened that wasn't just right would get me fighting mad. Even my children whinning or crying Momma,Momma, Mommaaaa all the time didn't bother me anymore. I could get in an arguement with my father or husband and not feel like I wanted to punch their face in. It no longer felt like the end of the world when ever little things went wrong. That was definitely my big plus. Now the minus for me was that I too had major brain fog. I thought about going back to school and tried refreshing my geometry skills and could not get a thought to stay in my head. I would read something and could not get it to register in my brain. I was always good in school and never had problem getting good grades but on Effexor I felt like an idiot. Even if someone tried to teach me a new card game, I couldn't get it. Another problem was weight gain. The information on the drug never stated weight gain, only weight loss, but people do gain weight on it. It would give me the munchies so bad. I wanted to eat sugary and fattening things all the time. I would get bad cravings like if I didn't get to eat peanut butter cookies right now I'd lose my mind. It was very hard for me to control it. At one time my doctor increased my dose to 150mg and I gained 5lbs a week for two months. 40lbs total in 2 months! Duriing that time I would forget what I ate for breakfast and it was only lunch time! My doctor lowered me back down to 75mg. It also made me nausiated within 20min. after taking it and this never went away. I took it for almost 6 years. The nausia itself would only last about an hour but still it was bad. I started taking the 75mg tablet instead of the capsule so I could break it in half and then the nausia went away with only 37.5mg. I had tried Celexa, Lexapro and Wellbutrin instead of the Effexor but none of them worked for me so I had to go back to Effexor. Effexor was my first antidepressant also. I tried to take diet pills while on Effexor to help with the weight gain but found out later that the diet pills would cause the Effexor not to work and after 3 days of taking them I would start having withdrawl symtoms. The only way that ever worked for me to come off of the Effexor was my doctor having me take it and another antidepressant at the same time for 10 days, then slowly taper off of the Effexor for two weeks. She said that this allowed the new antidepressant to be fully in my system when I started tapering off of the Effexor. She said it takes a good 10 days for the new drug to be in your system. Eveytime before when I would try another antidepressant she would stop it cold turkey and immediately start the new one. After 3 days withdrawl symptoms were awfull and I would have to go back to Effexor. Everyone is different as far as how a drug will effect them, but this was my experience.
Posted by CEK on March 25, 2006, at 23:04:58
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anythingstrungo, posted by CEK on March 25, 2006, at 22:56:24
Also another problem with Effexor was that it made me too easy going. God gave me the ability to get angry or irritated about reasonable things for a reason, to do something about it. On Effexor you could call me turtle and let everything roll off my back. I put up with a lot of crap during those years and I should've stood up for myself and made major changes in my life, but I didn't. It bothered me, but Hey,it wasn't that bad is how I'd think. Without the Effexor I was alble to take control of my life and quit being stepped on.
Posted by Aim on March 27, 2006, at 8:50:36
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anythingstrungo, posted by CEK on March 25, 2006, at 23:04:58
I have been taking Effexor for about 1 1/2 months now. I have enjoyed my elevated mood change. I feel as though I have returned to the person I like best, "myself." I now see that I was carrying around a cloud of doom for quite some time. Every little thing irritated me and my mood would switch from "happy" to miserable if one little thing bothered me. What I have come to realize is that I was never truely happy, but trying my hardest to be that way and then when life wasnt smooth, it was a "reason" to be able to be miserable.
I am only on 37.5 mg of Effexor XR. My doctor is surprised that it has helped me at such a low dose. I have never been on meds before for anything, so I wanted to take it slow. I am hopeful to not have to increase my dosage, but I am just taking it day by day to see how I feel and so far so good.
Does anyone know how I would be able to tell if I needed to increase my dose?
I would like to one day come off the med completely. I hope to not have to take it everyday for the rest of my life. The way I see it is some time in the next few years I plan on having a baby and since you cant take it while being pregnant I would like to try it without to see how my body reacts and how my mood maintains.
I figure you need to be on the med for a period of time, but not sure how long, before trying to ween off. Maybe 6 months? I dont know.
Posted by CEK on March 28, 2006, at 9:05:47
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anything, posted by Aim on March 27, 2006, at 8:50:36
I too was just like you with the Effexor. It took away my irritabiliy and stressors seemed not to bother me so much. Effexor was the first antidepressant I had ever taken. When I got up to 75mg I felt really good but it made me crave food all the time and even though I did not want to gain weight I was like" Hey, I feel so good, lets go get pizza and ice cream!" I'd say heck with it and eat it anyway. It also was hard to think on the Effexor. That was good in the sence that I was not able to dwell on my problems, but bad if I needed to learn how to do something. I also got very nausiated on 75mg and found if I only took 37.5 I would not have the nausia or feel like I wanted to eat all the time. I didn't feel so elated on 37.5, but I got enough effect to be able to handle things better. Four months after starting it we started to go through the process of buying our first house, which was very stressful and I felt like I needed more than the 75mg because the stress and anxiety was getting so bad. My doctor upped the dose to 150mg to see if that would help. On 150mg, I couldn't even remember what I ate for breakfast by lunch time and I gained 5lbs a week for 2months. I could not get satisfied when I ate and never felt full. My doctor started to ween me off the medicine slowly and added Buspar to help when I told her what kind of side effects I was having. This was my experience and everyone is different so you might not go through this. They say that higher doses are suppose to be very helpfull for people that are bad off, but if 37.5 was working for you then I wouldn't change it. I wouldn't want to risk loosing my brain function. If you feel good why tamper with it.
Posted by 3djp on March 28, 2006, at 9:44:48
In reply to Re: This is my first time taking anything » Aim, posted by CEK on March 28, 2006, at 9:05:47
> I too was just like you with the Effexor. It took away my irritabiliy and stressors seemed not to bother me so much. Effexor was the first antidepressant I had ever taken. When I got up to 75mg I felt really good but it made me crave food all the time and even though I did not want to gain weight I was like" Hey, I feel so good, lets go get pizza and ice cream!" I'd say heck with it and eat it anyway. It also was hard to think on the Effexor. That was good in the sence that I was not able to dwell on my problems, but bad if I needed to learn how to do something. I also got very nausiated on 75mg and found if I only took 37.5 I would not have the nausia or feel like I wanted to eat all the time. I didn't feel so elated on 37.5, but I got enough effect to be able to handle things better. Four months after starting it we started to go through the process of buying our first house, which was very stressful and I felt like I needed more than the 75mg because the stress and anxiety was getting so bad. My doctor upped the dose to 150mg to see if that would help. On 150mg, I couldn't even remember what I ate for breakfast by lunch time and I gained 5lbs a week for 2months. I could not get satisfied when I ate and never felt full. My doctor started to ween me off the medicine slowly and added Buspar to help when I told her what kind of side effects I was having. This was my experience and everyone is different so you might not go through this. They say that higher doses are suppose to be very helpfull for people that are bad off, but if 37.5 was working for you then I wouldn't change it. I wouldn't want to risk loosing my brain function. If you feel good why tamper with it.
When I started I too was only on 75mg, and yes some of the anxiety were still hanging around. I spoke to my Dr. and he up to only 112.5 mg which seems to helped alot. He didn't want to up it to 150 mg he felt that was too much for my attacks. The anxiety have slowed alot it just picked up alittle these past couple of weeks, I am waiting to hear from a job interview I did a few weeks ago. But all in all I feel pretty good.
Posted by unknown_usr on March 29, 2006, at 11:06:16
In reply to FINALLY, AN END TO EFFEXOR!!! PLUS NEW HELP!!!, posted by Dr. Pritt on March 20, 2006, at 15:16:55
I just started this Effexor stuff. I have been taking Welbutrin 150mg for a long time, but its success has been minimal, leaving me feeling foggy. Before that, it was Prozack which made me robotic. Before that Norpramine, which also had minimal results.
The passed 2 days I have been on 37.5 mg of Effexor and 150 mg of Welbutrin XL. The plan is to take a week at 37.5 with the Welbutrin. Go up to 75 for two weeks and take the Welbutrin every other day, and then go to 150 and drop the Welbutrin altogether.
This seems like a logical plan. But now I hear about the horrors of quitting this med. I am scared. I am also having funky side-effects from this stuff, but nothing unexpected. Like I experienced my first ever bout of insomnia last night, but I'm not surprised since both Effexor and Welbutrin have insomnia as a possible side-effect. I also feel like my heart is racing a little, but I think that's from the coffee and lack of sleep.
Is it worth the risk of withdrawal problems to take this? Does it work well?
Posted by amberlee on March 29, 2006, at 11:15:06
In reply to OK now I am afraid, posted by unknown_usr on March 29, 2006, at 11:06:16
I'm so happy I found this site!!! I have spent many many years on Effexor and I thought I was the only one in the world who had brain zaps!! Thank God for you all!!! They are the worst...I don't have a good doc so I have to kinda figure this out on my own. My Effexor was upped in Jan because of a severe bout with depression. I am now trying to go back to my regular dosage, but hte withdrawals drive me mad. I was on 75ml and then I started taking an extra 37.5 a day....I wanna go back to 75ml, but even trying to decrease by 37.5ml gives my brain zaps!! Anyone got any ideas how to avoid or lessen the severity!!!Thanks
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on March 29, 2006, at 13:53:13
In reply to OK now I am afraid, posted by unknown_usr on March 29, 2006, at 11:05:46
I was also on Wellbutrin and Effexor, when my doctor put me on the effexor he increased the wellbutrin. The effexor did not end up working for me but I am still on the wellbutrin. Not everyone has a hard time getting off of effexor. I didn't, I stopped taking it when I ended up in the hospital because it was making my mania spin out of control. For me it was safer to just stop taking it than to try and ween myself off. I wanted to hurt myself on it and during the withdrawal the thought never even crossed my mind.
If your scared tell your doctor that you want to increase it very slowly. Maybe wait 4-6 weeks before you do the increase, instead of 1 week. Everyone reacts differently going onto or coming off of any med. It's ok (even good) to be scared, it will keep you more alert to the changes in your body.
> I just started this Effexor stuff. I have been taking Welbutrin 150mg for a long time, but its success has been minimal, leaving me feeling foggy. Before that, it was Prozack which made me robotic. Before that Norpramine, which also had minimal results.
>
> The passed 2 days I have been on 37.5 mg of Effexor and 150 mg of Welbutrin XL. The plan is to take a week at 37.5 with the Welbutrin. Go up to 75 for two weeks and take the Welbutrin every other day, and then go to 150 and drop the Welbutrin altogether.
>
> This seems like a logical plan. But now I hear about the horrors of quitting this med. I am scared. I am also having funky side-effects from this stuff, but nothing unexpected. Like I experienced my first ever bout of insomnia last night, but I'm not surprised since both Effexor and Welbutrin have insomnia as a possible side-effect. I also feel like my heart is racing a little, but I think that's from the coffee and lack of sleep.
>
> Is it worth the risk of withdrawal problems to take this? Does it work well?
>
Posted by detroitpistons on March 29, 2006, at 14:47:00
In reply to OK now I am afraid, posted by unknown_usr on March 29, 2006, at 11:06:16
> Is it worth the risk of withdrawal problems to take this? Does it work well?
Hi,
Don't be scared off by the horror stories. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of people who have come off of Effexor without incident, but you don't hear about those people. Don't let this kind of stuff hold you back from a possibly effective treatment.
Like anything else, you have to weigh the pros and cons. In my case, I had to start taking Effexor again. It was either that or constant misery, no appetite, etc. Effexor has been a great help to lots of people, especially for some who SSRI's don't work for. I don't know how severely depressed you are, so ultimately you have to be the judge.
Some of the SSRI's have easier withdrawals (Paxil is the next worst thing to Effexor though), so you may want to try something like Lexapro. I weaned myself off of Lexapro, however, it still took months to do it, and at the end, I was still having to take 2.5 mg (a tiny dose) every 4 days in order to avoid the symptoms. Lexapro is probably easier than Effexor, but none of these drugs are easy to come off of for most people.
However, you said you didn't like Prozac because it made you feel robotic. Different SSRI's like Lexapro will very likely have a similar effect on you.
>Like I experienced my first ever bout of insomnia last night, but I'm not surprised since both Effexor and Welbutrin have insomnia as a possible side-effect.
While you're starting up on Effexor, insomnia is not uncommon. If it's really bad, your doctor can give you something temporarily to help you sleep. I also have a rapid heartbeat while starting Effexor, and it raises my blood pressure, but not by much.
I think you will eventually find a good solution. Just don't stress yourself out too much with the things you read on the internet.
Posted by jacobs on March 29, 2006, at 22:31:06
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by amberlee on March 29, 2006, at 11:15:06
hi i just dropped from 75 to 37.5. but the way i did it was start opening the pills and start taking about 15 to 20 beads out at a time. like the first 3 days i removed 20 beads then the next 3 days i removed 20 more beads till i have gotten down to 37.5(there are about 100 beads in a 37.5)i tried to just drop like my dr said from 75 to 37.5, and the withdraws were just to hard. so havent had it to bad doing it this way. i'm working my way off this med. it worked when i needed it but for me the side effects were not worth it for me. but i think it is just different for everyone, got friends who swear by it. and like i said it worked when i needed it. just got to take it slow getting off it.
Posted by LisaH817 on March 30, 2006, at 16:38:25
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by amberlee on March 29, 2006, at 11:15:06
> I'm so happy I found this site!!! I have spent many many years on Effexor and I thought I was the only one in the world who had brain zaps!! Thank God for you all!!! They are the worst...I don't have a good doc so I have to kinda figure this out on my own. My Effexor was upped in Jan because of a severe bout with depression. I am now trying to go back to my regular dosage, but hte withdrawals drive me mad. I was on 75ml and then I started taking an extra 37.5 a day....I wanna go back to 75ml, but even trying to decrease by 37.5ml gives my brain zaps!! Anyone got any ideas how to avoid or lessen the severity!!!Thanks
I was on 150 mg a day and a week ago dropped to 112.5 mg a day. The very first day, I woke up early and had a headache and feeling like I was having withdrawl effects. I took my next dose and started to feel better within about an hour. Every day since it's been getting better. It's been a week now and today I feel pretty good. I have taken some benedryl some days and this other medication I have that's a tranquilizer on occassion that have helped.
Posted by tizza on March 30, 2006, at 23:35:41
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by LisaH817 on March 30, 2006, at 16:38:25
benadryl does help a little to get you through the really rough patches, all the best Paul
Posted by CWN266 on April 2, 2006, at 17:46:24
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My doctor took me off Effexor (37.5mg x 3 daily) on Tuesday of last week, March 28th. I have had the worst 5 days you can imagine. Brain zaps, dizziness, and headaches are the problems. I am able to spend about 2 hours up, and then back to bed for 2 hours. My appetite is fine. I also take 300mg of Wellbutrin daily. I won't go back on this monster. Good luck, my fingers are crossed for you.
Posted by renecoston on April 3, 2006, at 14:17:15
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by lg on November 7, 1999, at 19:11:05
I was given Effexor XR by my doc (in the trial packs) and started it - taking it for 8 days total. I stopped only because I found information online that said it was worse than Paxil to wean off of - and I went through living hell trying to stop taking Paxil.
I want to find out more on Effexor XR before taking it. It was doing wonders for me during the short time I was taking it. I didn't want to sit on my butt all day like usual, as a matter of fact I was constantly looking for more to do and never felt more energized! I know they say it takes like up to 8 weeks to work, but I saw a difference in 2-3 days!
Can anyone give me some cold hard facts about this stuff? I want to know what you take it for and what it has done for you...and if anyone knows first-hand what it is like to stop taking it, I'd love to hear it!
Posted by Aim on April 4, 2006, at 13:20:30
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by renecoston on April 3, 2006, at 14:17:15
I have had much success so far. I take effexor xr for depression. I have maintained on 37.5 mg for about 1 1/2 to 2 months now and still feel really good. The only bad thing is I have noticed weight gain. My weight does fluctuate so I am uncertain if it is directly due to the effexor or my eating habits. Anyway, life is no longer gloomy for me and I have mroe energy than before. Effexor did not change my "laziness" and the fact that I enjoy plopping in front of the tv, but now if there isnt anything "good" on I look for something else to do, (unlike before).
I have never been on anything else, nor have I tried to get off the effexor yet. Reading these entries scared me at first too. I decided to take it slow and allow my body to tell me if my dose was adequate. My dr at first did not agree with the 37.5 mg and wanted to increase me to 75mg, but I held out and I am glad I did. Good luck with it all!
Posted by Manicpanic on April 4, 2006, at 18:30:42
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by Aim on April 4, 2006, at 13:20:30
Hi everyone,
I am new to this thread and have read most of the messages here.
I have dealt with depression and anxiety for most of my life; since I was sixteen. I an now 36 years old and have tried Xanax Alprozalam,
which worked wonders for me for years until I changed doctor's and found out that Xanax is very old and an addictive type of drug. I should have never been on it for 5 years straight.
He put me on Zoloft which caused horrible side effects such as impotence, incredible happiness
which was uncontrollable. I would find myself laughing and giggling for no apparent reason!
Friends and family always asked "what the hell are you laughing about and giggling under your breath all the time for?
I felt stupid afterwards because 15 minutes later I would be so docile and unresponsive that people thought I was strange.
Anyways, After ten years of battling all this I finally took my doctor's advise and visited a
Pyschaitrist. He prescribed me Effexor XR at 37.5mg. I felt the effects immediately! The first few days were amazing! Calm, relaxed, thinking clear and speaking properly. But after a week a started experiencing something my doctor never heard of. It was the opposite of impotence. I had a constant erection and heightened sexual urges for 4 days! Also the sexual activities mu wife and I engaged in went on forever because I could not ejaculate until an hour into it. Not that my wife was complaining though! But it was very frustrating for me because the erection would be back an hour later. It was very hard to sleep with and go through my normal daily duties.
I explained this to my doctor and he felt that perhaps it wasn't working properly due to the dose. He started me on 75mg then on 112.5 mg a day and I have been on this dosage for 3 weeks.
Everthing is fine now, My social interaction is still not there yet. I still find myself avoiding certain social gathering with friends outside of their home or mine.
I feel generally happier and have started to enjoy the things I lost so much interest in before. The anxiety attacks are nonexistant and
I am sleeping better. My energy level is still not there since Exxefor still makes me feel very Lethargic sometimes.
I wanted to quit it after the first month but I am glad I stuck with it because I am now feeling the advantages of it.
Hopefully It carries on this way and I don't need to change drugs again.
a day.
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 4, 2006, at 18:40:38
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by Aim on April 4, 2006, at 13:20:30
Good for you!!!!!! I'm glad you stood up for yourself, and that you are having so much success!!!! For the weight gain, I suggest armchair aerobics...from one couch potato to another. :) During the commercials you pick a muscle group, and concentrating on those muscles do some slow motions to make them work. You may not lose weight, but after a little while you will notice a difference. Keep up the good work!!
> I have had much success so far. I take effexor xr for depression. I have maintained on 37.5 mg for about 1 1/2 to 2 months now and still feel really good. The only bad thing is I have noticed weight gain. My weight does fluctuate so I am uncertain if it is directly due to the effexor or my eating habits. Anyway, life is no longer gloomy for me and I have mroe energy than before. Effexor did not change my "laziness" and the fact that I enjoy plopping in front of the tv, but now if there isnt anything "good" on I look for something else to do, (unlike before).
>
> I have never been on anything else, nor have I tried to get off the effexor yet. Reading these entries scared me at first too. I decided to take it slow and allow my body to tell me if my dose was adequate. My dr at first did not agree with the 37.5 mg and wanted to increase me to 75mg, but I held out and I am glad I did. Good luck with it all!
Posted by texasangel32 on April 4, 2006, at 23:08:20
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos » Aim, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 4, 2006, at 18:40:38
I have been on effexor xr 75 mg's for 1 week now, and has anyone out there on this medication seemed to have lost taste?I cant taste anything anymore,I have lost my appetite (which is a good thing) but was curious to see if anyone has the symptom as well..I also feel very withdrawn in my own world, is this normal?
Posted by texasangel32 on April 4, 2006, at 23:09:05
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos » Aim, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on April 4, 2006, at 18:40:38
I have been on effexor xr 75 mg's for 1 week now, and has anyone out there on this medication seemed to have lost taste?I cant taste anything anymore,I have lost my appetite (which is a good thing) but was curious to see if anyone has the symptom as well..I also feel very withdrawn in my own world, is this normal?
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