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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by emiliej87 on November 16, 2006, at 12:12:06
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hey there. I am a 19 year old female. I started taking effexor in June. I started on 37.5 miligrams, but that wasn't doing anything, so I went up to 75, then 150, and now 225. Over time, I've become addicted to it and I can't skip a pill or I feel extremely sick. Also, it tends to keep me up at night. Sometimes I'll stay awake for 3 days straight. It is for this reason that my psychiatrist also prescribed clonazapam for me in August. I'm not sure if that's how you spell it but its an anti psychotic. I take 5mg an hour before bedtime and it knocks me out for 8-9 hours. When I wake up in the morning I feel disoriented, and this only gets worse when I take the Effexor. I started taking Effexor because I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I still get panic and anxiety attacks quite often. Some are worse than others, but needless to say, the effexor doesn't seem to be very effective for me. I'm just tired of all the dosage changes and taking the clonazapams, although my body is also addicted to them. Anyways, that's my personal experience with Effexor.
Posted by corafree on November 16, 2006, at 18:17:21
In reply to Re: 225mgs in 4 weeks...Is this too soon?, posted by KristiVegas on November 13, 2006, at 22:32:57
How do U feel right now on the 225mg? Better?
tks, cf
Posted by KristiVegas on November 16, 2006, at 19:15:48
In reply to Re: 225mgs in 4 weeks...Is this too soon? » KristiVegas, posted by corafree on November 16, 2006, at 18:17:21
Not really-I was hoping for better results by now. My mood is still lousy and I'm waking up 2-3 times a night. I'm continuing to experience dizziness. I think I'm going to change Docs.
Kristi
Posted by emiliej87 on November 17, 2006, at 0:08:11
In reply to Re: 225mgs in 4 weeks...Is this too soon? » KristiVegas, posted by corafree on November 16, 2006, at 18:17:21
I feel just the same. A lot of anxiety, still having panic attacks and anxiety attacks. I worry about everything. I just feel like me... The Effexor doesn't seem to have helped much although my mom said that I'm not as irritable as I was before I went on it, but the month before I started taking it, I had a micarriage, so I was pretty up and down and would have been so whether or not I had GAD. Effexor just doesn't seem to be working out for me although who knows what it'll do to anyone else. We're all different.
Posted by corafree on November 17, 2006, at 15:39:01
In reply to Re: 225mgs in 4 weeks...Is this too soon?, posted by emiliej87 on November 17, 2006, at 0:08:11
I started mine shortly after a 'bad life event' (So sorry to hear of yours.) again (Have been on it in the past w/ and w/o success.) and it's not working for me either.
cf
Posted by KristiVegas on November 17, 2006, at 21:38:30
In reply to Re: 225mgs in 4 weeks...Is this too soon?, posted by emiliej87 on November 17, 2006, at 0:08:11
Emilie & Cora,
Thanks for sharing. I'm going to have a chat w/ my doc on Monday about Effexor. All the feedback I'm getting is negative. It's nice to know that there are people out there to talk to about this. It's hard talking to family-there's a part of them that just doesn't get it.
Thanks----KRISTI
Posted by cristyleigh on November 18, 2006, at 18:31:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on November 6, 2006, at 12:39:24
> I have been on the 150 mg for about 1 week and 10 days and I don't feel any different. I still worry and feel horrible. I am in a bad mood most of my days. I was on the 75mg for 3 weeks. So for about a month I have been on this medicine and I am not sure if it's going to work for me. I don't want to up my dose anymore. I was just wondering from everyone if they think I should give it more time or try something new. I don't want to try something new when maybe if I gave the effexor some more time it could kick in completely. I just don't know what to do. I'm confused and my mind is always racing. I just want to be back to thinking clearly and feeling good.
Gabbie,
You have really been on my mind lately. I have been gone for 2 weeks with no access to the internet so I hadn't been keeping up with this website. You have crossed my mind quite a few times in those two weeks though b/c I went from Lexapro (that was working but I was getting fat) to Effexor (that didn't do a thing for me even after three months). I have since stopped the Effexor...over two weeks ago...and started back on the Lexapro. I know how I felt when I started the Lexapro the first time and I just never felt good with the Effexor....just like you. I know that it is confusing to know what to do but there are other drugs out there to try and it is not worth wasting time and being miserable on something that isn't working. Hope to hear some good news from you soon!
Cristy
Posted by gabbie on November 20, 2006, at 17:42:56
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by cristyleigh on November 18, 2006, at 18:31:13
Aw, I appreciate you thinking about my situation. I feel like nobody answers my questions haha. I am still on the effexor it's been almost 2 months, but I am going to call the doctor to switch because I figure it's been a while and if it was going to work it would have kicked in by now. I hope you are doing better. Let me know. I think switching scares me so much because I've looked at other peoples posts who say it took them a couple months to feel better and I really don't have time to wait around for 5 months to feel happier. I mean I am not insane or anything, but I can't stand my horrible moodswings and the actions from me when I start to feel uncomfortable and nervous. I just want it to go away. We'll see... I am going to call there tomorrow. Good luck with you, though. Thank you for paying attention!
Posted by KristiVegas on November 20, 2006, at 19:46:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on November 20, 2006, at 17:42:56
Gabbie - I feel like cristyleigh - you don't want to have to go thru all the bad stuff to feel good. I don't put up with it either. If something doesn't feel right, I'll tell my doc. They're the ones with the medical degree but YOU are the one that knows your body best, right? The best way to deal with the docs is to read, read, read about all this stuff. Know what you're talking about when you go in there. My doc has become alot more attentive since I got a little more educated.
Good luck and let me know how it goes.....
Kristi
Posted by cristyleigh on November 21, 2006, at 7:14:43
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on November 20, 2006, at 17:42:56
Gabbie...I am very relieved to hear that you are going to try something else. There are too many choices out there to stick with one that isn't working after two months. I actually have a wonderful withdrawl story...(quite rare on this site)...I just stopped taking 150mg of Effexor XR cold turkey and started back on 10mg of Lexapro that same day and had absolutely NO side effects at all!!! I don't know if your Doctor thinks that Lexapro will be the right drug for you or not but if so, you can hopefully look forward to the the same EASY transition. Other drugs might work just as well so give them a shot if they are what your Doc proposes...I only have experience with these two and Paxil (which I couldn't take at all)! Good luck and keep me posted!
Cristy
Posted by gabbie on November 21, 2006, at 10:40:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by cristyleigh on November 21, 2006, at 7:14:43
It's amazing that you had no problems stopping the medicine. I was on effexor before for a month and 2 weeks and I stopped taking it cold turkey as well. My only problem was with my stomach. I started having horrible pains everytime I ate. It was as if I was stuffed even though I hardly ate. Now that I have been back on it I havn't felt the pains in my stomach, but now it's starting up again which lets me know this probably isn't the drug for me. I don't want to be one of those people that tries many different medicines and none work. i am scared of that happening to me because I just want to go back to normal with my life and my personality. Some days are alright, but every day is a hassel feeling like crap. Who knows what is going to happen, but I hope something works sooner than later. Best of luck. I will let you know what happens.
Posted by fredwb on November 21, 2006, at 16:35:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on November 21, 2006, at 10:40:49
So my wife finally took the 37.5 mg dose for a week and is now back on the 75 mg dose. Her complaint is that she's a zombie (with only occasional shakes now) until about 2-3 pm the next day. I talked her into taking it a bit earlier in the evening, 6PM. But this didn't help. Her doc had her cut the Wellbutrin to a quarter dose too (she was on a half dose, 75 mg). She almost fell down the stairs today and off a ladder yesterday. She can't leave the house because she's afraid to drive. She told me that she'd rather be depressed than go through this any longer. Her doc says it takes time but in the meantime this is MAKING her depressed! Any thoughts from anyone. Wellbutrin never affected her like this. Maybe a full dose of Wellbutrin would have been better as she never did try that.
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2006, at 18:02:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fredwb on November 21, 2006, at 16:35:48
Sorry I just don't see this antidepressant theory of helping anxiety. As benzos have a clean track record for all the years they have been out and they act right at the first dose no waiting. And ad's been on them all make me worse. Love Phillipa
Posted by KristiVegas on November 21, 2006, at 22:06:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fredwb on November 21, 2006, at 16:35:48
Fred-my doc keeps saying the same thing "it takes time" but you don't want to feel bad to feel good. Why did her doc switch from Wellb to Effex?
Kristi
Posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2006, at 22:18:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by KristiVegas on November 21, 2006, at 22:06:09
Sounds like she was on both and the wellbutrin may have been too stimulating? Love Phillipa
Posted by dsm3r on November 21, 2006, at 22:29:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by KristiVegas on November 20, 2006, at 19:46:27
Hi, I'm new so please forgive the intrusion. I saw this website and this post regarding Effexor XR and my heart felt compelled to reply. I have Bi-Polar D/O with Psychosis, PTSD, Seasonal Affective D/O and OCD. I was diagnosed about 10 years ago.
I am currently on Effexor XR 300mg at night as well as Seroquel 300mg at night. These medications work for me. I have been on these meds for 4 years and have not cycled out of them, and continue to remain stable. Do I like these meds? No. I don't like any meds, but considering the alternative, I take my meds.
Does it make you gain weight? I have- over 70 lbs. Libido - almost zero. My teeth are falling out of my mouth - side affect for me. So why? Because I'm alive and I'm happy. If you have time, here's a short story:
1st suicide attempt at age 4. Self mutilating - in the teens. Hospitalizations- 2 psychosis/suicide attempt, psychosis. Dissociative D/O, there are huge chunks of my life I have absolutely no memory of. Like I was asleep and then woke up.The depression was beyond painful, it was cold and numbing. Then the mania would set in with the racing thoughts and irresponsible behavior, fast forward until I smacked into a wall. Not only do I or did I have the major systems of cycling - depressions for months on end punctuated by bouts of mania, but I had mini cycles during the DAY.
I have been through the litany of meds, Haldol, Respiradol, Lithium, Wellbutrin, Buspar, Depakote, Trazadone, Perphenazine, Mellaril, etc. I was a zombie, I was fat, I was skinny, sick, tired, depressed, hateful, spiteful, remorseful, lost, confused, and dazed and so on.
So here is what I can say -
The treatment of mental illness is not a science. There are no hard and fast rules. It is trial and error.Only you know how you feel. If something is not working or doesn't feel right, change it and keep changing until something does work. The best way to get from the darkness into the light is to know yourself. Then arm yourself with as much information as you possibly can and keep learning. YOU dictate the treatment. This is YOUR life. If Depakote doesn't work, say so and try something else until something does work. Don't be ashamed, nor afraid. Keep fighting, because the reward for all the crap is a life you want to live.
And when you have no strength, remember that we mentally ill people keep good company. I.e., Abraham Lincoln, Salvador Dali, Albert Einstein, Van Gough, Mozart, Beethoven, Poe, Hemingway,Robin Williams, etc.
There are those of us who will help you when you fall, carry you until you walk, hold you hand when you are afraid. And then we will let you go to walk that part of the journey that only you can do, and we will be waiting for you with open arms when you return.
I will keep you in my prayers. Please don't hesitate to contact me.
Blessed journeys,> Gabbie - I feel like cristyleigh - you don't want to have to go thru all the bad stuff to feel good. I don't put up with it either. If something doesn't feel right, I'll tell my doc. They're the ones with the medical degree but YOU are the one that knows your body best, right? The best way to deal with the docs is to read, read, read about all this stuff. Know what you're talking about when you go in there. My doc has become alot more attentive since I got a little more educated.
> Good luck and let me know how it goes.....
> Kristi
Posted by fredwb on November 21, 2006, at 23:18:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by KristiVegas on November 21, 2006, at 22:06:09
The way I understand it Effex is used as a booster for meds like Wellbutrin. But I think because of her lethargy on the combo he's reducing the Wellbutrin. When you're like this it's like you're not living. She wants to just go go turkey but I cautioned her not to do that and call the doc again to complain. And her doc wanted to increase the dose to 150 mg this week! No way
> Fred-my doc keeps saying the same thing "it takes time" but you don't want to feel bad to feel good. Why did her doc switch from Wellb to Effex?
> Kristi
Posted by vanni on November 22, 2006, at 11:37:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by dsm3r on November 21, 2006, at 22:29:22
Hi dsm3r,
Thank you so much for adding your experience to this site. I am 53 and have been taking EffexorXR for 8 months for anxiety, and trazadone 50mg at night so I can sleep. I feel like a new woman. My history is not as dramatic as yours but I do feel sad for the years I didn't live to my full potential because of periods of low level anxiety and depression I thought was normal. I am also in recovery from compulsive eating/starving and realize now that I used food as a drug to handle my feelings, which of course just worsened the problem. I am abstinent from my food addiction right now and I think the medication is helping. There are other behavioral and spiritual things I do so with it all working together I feel fantastic. I hope the next generation of people who suffer from mental illness get the medical help they need sooner, and without the stigma that still exists.
I work with adolescents in a counselling role and it is so hard to get the medical help they need and to support families in accepting medical help for "psychological" issues. With brave people (like you) sharing their stories on websites like this change will happen.
Vanni
Posted by Phillipa on November 22, 2006, at 17:59:39
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by fredwb on November 21, 2006, at 23:18:06
Wellbutrin is the booster. Gives energy and helps in weight loss with all meds. How old is your wife? And maybe effexor isn't the right med for her? Love Phillipa
Posted by dbc on November 22, 2006, at 23:49:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » fredwb, posted by Phillipa on November 22, 2006, at 17:59:39
My effexor experiance was with caliifornia rocket fuel (effexor + remeron). The sheer amount of neurotransmitters will almost floor you, its by far the most extreme drug combo i've tried. Its to bad it was the wrong neurotransmitters for me...actually its not to bad, i was scared to hell of this combo.
Definetly not for the squeamish.
Posted by fredwb on November 23, 2006, at 22:10:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » fredwb, posted by Phillipa on November 22, 2006, at 17:59:39
I figured this might be the case from other posts here so after she tried two night at a 37.5 mg dose and Wellbutrin and 75 of Effexor and feeling even more tired I told her to go back on her "regular" dose of 75 mg Wellbutrin. And of course she was much better energy wise. Still tired but better. I think she really needs the full 150 mg dose of Wellbutrin but I'll leave that up to her doc. He's the one that wrote a subscription for 37.5 mg and the pharmacy didn't have it so I split a pill for her (not the time release version). She's 59. Thanks for your advice and concern.
> Wellbutrin is the booster. Gives energy and helps in weight loss with all meds. How old is your wife? And maybe effexor isn't the right med for her? Love Phillipa
Posted by janette44 on November 29, 2006, at 8:31:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by gabbie on November 20, 2006, at 17:42:56
Hi all. I have been lurking on this board for years now on & off gathering great information from all your direct experiences. For that I say thank you to all who haved shared here. I'm a 40-somthing mom and have had issues with depression since I was 16. I never sought treatment, just toughed it out until 5 years ago when a depressive episode finally caused me to go to a pdoc. My life is generally good, I have a lovely husband, nice kids, good job, I really felt like it was absolutely absurd that I was anything but happy in that situation.
First, to all those not wanting to seek treatment, I wish I had done it sooner. I didn't realize that I could actually feel really happy, I didn't know how not-happy I was all the time since it was normal for me. I had learned to settle for just enjoying the times that I wasn't *really* down and I wish I had wanted better for myself sooner.
Second, yes, seeking treatment and reading about all the strange and terrible side effects of these drugs can be and often is overwhelming. I was usually overwhelmed with just getting through the day much less making a major decision. I also wanted something to help but didn't want to take the risk that my pdoc would try several drugs and none would work for me and then I'd have no hope of being better. I guess I just didn't want to find that out. Sounds a bit crazy, perhaps, but for me it was real. It was a comfort to come to this board and learn that it is OK for drugs to not be a match and to have to try several to find the right one.
On to my experience. I thought I had seasonal affective disorder but upon examination the pdoc diagnosed major depressive disorder given that I often have trouble in August as well as Feb/March. Right around the solstice is the worst for me. Anyway, I was put on Celexa and did OK. Not great, but OK, my mood improved and life went from just bearable to decent. I got the bright idea after several months to stop taking the meds because I felt better. When I came crashing down a couple of months later I went back to my pdoc and confessed. He put me on Lexapro which is a cousin of Celexa and it totally didn't work at all. Placebo effect for a week and then boom, back down again, in August no less. But, thanks to knowing that not all meds work for all people thanks to research on this board and other places I went back after 3 months and was put on Effexor XR 37.5 mg increasing to 75 by the end of the first few weeks. Boy did that feel great for me. I wasn't instantly happier or anything but each day was a step uphill. Eventially my pdoc raised my dosage and I've been on 150mg for a couple of years now. It has been by far the best years of my life.
Practical matters: I take it at night because I think it makes me a little jittery followed by sleepy if I take it in the morning. I've gained 20 lbs, don't know if I should blame the effexor, my age or my appetite for that. I forget to take it sometimes (yes, I know I shouldn't but this is the real world) and I've noticed a 3-4 day 'boomerang' effect when I miss a dose. For example, if I miss Friday night's dose I'll feel down on the following Tuesday. Don't ask me why, maybe it's all in my head (pun intended ;).
I wish you all the best of health and happiness.
Posted by chickey on November 29, 2006, at 11:53:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by janette44 on November 29, 2006, at 8:31:52
Thank you so much for your post. I have now been on Effexor XR for 4 months, that now seem to have flown by. I started with 37.5 and am now taking 75 in the morning and 75 at night and things seem to be going well. After finding out what it is truly is like to be happy, I feel that I have been depressed for many many years without knowing. I had a very tragic childhood and was raised by my Grandparents. Due to the generation gap depression was not something people spoke about. I am so glad that in this day and age it is starting to be accepted and there are places like this that people can go for support and discussion.
My doctor plans on me to be off the drug at the end of one year of treatment. Does anyone feel this is attainable?
He also wants me to go to 150 day and night. Does anyone think this is required? or too much?
Thanks for everyone's comments!
Posted by Sweetie on November 29, 2006, at 21:53:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Thank you, thank you for this board. I am a 58 yr old female and new to antidepressants,just started Effexor XR 3 wks ago. Started with 37.5mg for 1 wk then 75 mg. for depression. 1st week was not bad at all and depression lifted after about the 3rd day. The 2nd wk with the higher dose was almost unbearable with the side effects, lethargy, weird thoughts, background noise in my head. Could barely drag out of bed for a wk, luckily was on vacation or i could not have worked. 3rd week not so bad still have the constant background noise in my head and a few tremors. No energy spurts yet.Now today I'm starting to have intermittant what seems like flashing bright light in my right eye. has anyone ever had anything like this? I am so afraid and would have stopped taking it if not for the postings on this board that says it does get better. Wondering if i would do better on the 37.5? Met with my dr today he says try the higher dose another 3 wks. the noise in my head drives me crazy. is this a common side eff?
Posted by KristiVegas on November 29, 2006, at 23:23:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Sweetie on November 29, 2006, at 21:53:16
What does the noise in your head sound like? R U having any ringing in your ears? Some anti-dep can cause tinnitis - Paxil is a bad one for that.
I'm on 225mg Effexor per day and not much is happening except side effects. I've been on this dose for 6 wks. My mood is still bad, short-tempered and having tremors. My sleep has improved and I'm not as tired. I haven't experienced the flashing light in the eyes. Do you have it mostly in the daytime or at night, too?
Kristi
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