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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by zip_code on May 10, 2009, at 16:15:03
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by sowhysosad on May 10, 2009, at 8:52:31
Thank you for the feedback. I started taking Effexor xr about 5 years ago after the death of a freind. I think the whole world should be on it. It has really helped. I suffer from pmdd (like pms but worse). It has almost eliminated that all together. It has been in the past 2 years the rage has started. I'm not talking about being mad. I am talking about somewhat uncontrolled rage and anger. Maybe linked to pmdd. I'm afraid to get off of it, after I read about the withdrawls. I'm just scared to. I forget to take it sometimes. The rage is how I know I haven't taken it. I wonder sometimes if the meds mask the real world. When I don't take it, it all comes crashing in and I get overwhelmed. Maybe that's where the rage comes from.
Posted by Jeroen on May 10, 2009, at 16:20:24
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by zip_code on May 10, 2009, at 16:15:03
stay on it, if you need it but dont stay on it if you will start to behave psychotic
i want to warn people on what happened to me and almost, will take my life someday
Posted by zip_code on May 10, 2009, at 16:33:32
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by Jeroen on May 10, 2009, at 16:20:24
I do have thoughts of suicide. I think it is a side effect too. I have great faith. I hope that will substain me when those feelings come. My husband and daughter both have bipolar disorder. Life gets really "crazy" around here sometimes. My husband attempted suicide 3 years ago. My daughter just got home from the mental hospital about 3 weeks ago. Mental hospital sounds so ... Mental ... I guess. My family refers to it as the county club. Just to make it seem like a better place to be. haha
Posted by Jeroen on May 10, 2009, at 16:55:12
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by zip_code on May 10, 2009, at 16:33:32
i hope you get well and your family too : )
Posted by zip_code on May 10, 2009, at 17:06:15
In reply to to zip code, posted by Jeroen on May 10, 2009, at 16:55:12
Thank you!! My daughter came home with this tid bit from the country club... If you can't handle life day by day... handle it minute by minute... that's how we're doing it minute by minute. Blessings :)
Posted by Budzoid on May 10, 2009, at 19:08:29
In reply to Re: Effexor Newbie » Budzoid, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 18:31:35
Phillipa,
I haven't kept up with this post in a couple of months. A lot has happened. First, I have given up on the Lymes quest for now. I have also NOT started taking the Effexor crap.Too many bad side effects reported.
I am currently under a pain contract with my PC doc. for chronic pain in my neck. Currently on 30mg. MS-Contin (time release Morphine) for a base and a couple of 5mg. Percocets a day for breakthrough pain.
I hate the constipation caused by the Morphine and am going to request to switch to Oxycodone (Oxy-contin).
I know a lot of people in pain would love to be in my shoes, but I am not happy. Without Valium for my muscle stiffness, the pain meds. are only a bandaid. The Valium would help the muscle spasms in my neck, therefore requiring less Opiates.
Since my mental health doc. is BENZO-PHOBIC, I can not get the combo. that I need.
I am considering ending my pain contract and seeing a doctor outside of the VA who is not Benzo-phobic. One med. is no good without the other.
It's funny how my Phsyc. can say that Benzo's are too addictive to be prescribed. I guess a schedule 4 narcotic (Valium) is more dangerous than a schedule 2 narcotic (Morphine & Oxycodone).
Am I crazy, or does this logic not compute?
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2009, at 20:58:15
In reply to Re: Effexor Newbie, posted by Budzoid on May 10, 2009, at 19:08:29
Oh wow anything you may babblemail me and then if wish exchange e-mails your choice. VA won't give benzos? My Son takes ativan for PTSD through VA and is working for DAV. If you contact may have contact with my Son through VA? Agree the opiods more addiction is VA giving them out? Love Phillipa ps Son works helping vets obtain their benefits.
Posted by chumbawumba on May 10, 2009, at 23:55:20
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by zip_code on May 10, 2009, at 16:33:32
For me it wasn't Effexor but Zoloft that sent me over the edge into suicidality. Some would say that's a "soft" sign of bipolar disorder.
Most of these medications do have black box warnings about suicidality as an uncommon side effect. Also there have been rare but well publicized cases of people going into homicidal rages.
Maybe talk to your doctor about trying a different medication if you really think the medication is causing a worsening of your symptoms and it isn't just the depression itself.
And regarding the withdrawal from Effexor, I believe that can be alleviated by taking Prozac for a just a few days. The Prozac slows the rate at which the Effexor is metabolized by messing with liver enzymes. So the Effexor doesn't leave your system so quickly and your body can adjust
Posted by zip_code on May 11, 2009, at 18:43:03
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by chumbawumba on May 10, 2009, at 23:55:20
I went to my phyco-therapist today. I told him of my rage. He said "take your meds, problem solved". I didn't tell him, I feel suicidal sometimes. I was afraid he would try to put me in the hospital. He however, didn't think the meds were "masking" real life. He said they just take the edge off. When I take them daily, I really don't care to much about anything. The rage concerns him. He said the benefits of the meds taken regularly out weigh the bad side effects.
Posted by zip _code on June 28, 2009, at 0:00:28
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by chumbawumba on May 10, 2009, at 23:55:20
Oh my!!! Can it get any worse? My dr has decided to change my Effexor XR to Savella. I have been on 150mg for abought 5 yrs. I have been weening myself off Effexor for 9 days now. I thought things were going well, but I'm not sure anymore. I feel like my brain is loose. When I turn my head it feels like my brain is in a time warp. Kinda like everytime I turn my head, it takes a few seconds for my eyes and mind to catch up. It remindes me of one of those compasses you see that are round like a ball and float in water. I think people mount them to the dash of their car. The dizziness, upset stomach, and diarrhea are the worst. My body aches. I am exausted. I'm a rural mail carrier. I'm having a really hard time keeping my mind on my work. The Dr told me to take 150mg one day then skip a day. Then repeat the process for two more days. Then do the same at 75 mg and 37.5 mg. I should be on my second round at 37.5 mg. I decided to skip the last 37.5 mg and start the new med tonight. I am hoping as the dose of Savella increases the withdraws of the Effexor will decrease. If it doesn't I may have to tell the dr forget it. She said since we are replacing one with the other, I shouldn't have any major problems. I do well on Effexor when I take it everyday. She just thinks the Savella will help with my fibromyalgia pain and act as an antidepressant also. I have been randomely having rage but it hasn't been to bad. I have been really trying to keep that in check since I know I have potential for it. If you'all have any advice on how to handle the withdrawl or if you think it was ok to start the new med 2 days early... Please let me know. I'm literally SICK of feeling like my brain is in a fog and my stomach being upset
Posted by hugsandkisses on July 3, 2009, at 14:23:55
In reply to Re: Stay on it!, posted by chumbawumba on May 10, 2009, at 23:55:20
Quick cycle Bi-polar is what I have. I have been on the same meds since 1991 and they work great for me. I take 600 m aday of lithium and clonopin as needed for anxiety which even happens in my sleep sometimes. My Dr. says I have the cheapest,easiest program there is for my condition but I went off my meds in 2000 and ended up three states away. I was told by a friend that I was demon possessed so I stopped my meds so now I only listen to my DR. and to hell with everyone elses opinion,even mine.
Posted by Laura R on July 11, 2009, at 13:07:24
In reply to Re: anyone been on effexor xr for more than 1 year, posted by jvalori1 on March 16, 2001, at 22:22:19
I was on effexor for several years and would feel it immediately if I missed a dose by even a few hours. I'd get a really strange dizzy feeling that seemed to be related to movement of my eyes. I also felt that I was having unusual memory loss that I had at first chalked up to aging...(I'm 45). I had a very hard time getting off the drug with the dizzy feeling lasting for weeks rather than the few days my doctor suggested it took the drug to get out of my system. After about 2.5 months I felt like it was finally out of my system. I then went through a period where I had absolutely no appetite (a great "side effect"). I wasn't ill, just didn't really want anything to do with food even things I normally loved. In hind sight, I think the effects of effexor were dramatic but subtle enough that I really didn't see them until later. #1 my normally straight hair turned curly...now off effexor for 5 months my hair is returning to it's normal texture and losing it's curl. #2 weight gain while on the drug ...one of my withdrawal side effects was total loss of appetite (the only good one), and I lost 20 lbs #3 my memory which was normally excellent faded ...now it's returning but not to where I was pre-effexor #4 the loss of my memory was clearly understood but I sort of joked that the effexor made me not care...off the drug I care and am no longer "numb" to changes #5 I almost lost my capacity to prioritize and accomplish tasks...again something I was very good at before. That is coming back but not to pre-effexor levels.
Effexor did help my depression which I would classify as chronic but not major. However, I do not feel my doctor or the general community has a clear understanding of the lasting and substantial side effects of this drug. The information I received from my doctor was uninformed at best. Trust your own body and it's signals. Effexor might be suited for major depression but understand that in cases like mine and I'm sure others, this drug has some insidious side effects.
Posted by Budzoid on July 11, 2009, at 20:38:19
In reply to Effexor made my hair curly, posted by Laura R on July 11, 2009, at 13:07:24
Thanks for all the posts about Effexor's effectiveness. I have held back on starting this drug until I got some feedback from current users. The way I see it, Effexor's side effects outweigh the benifits. My Doc. took me off the winning combo of Prozac & Xanax because of the addictive nature of Xanax. The only side effect I experienced from Xanax was the beginning of withdrawals if my 'script was a couple of days overdue. Otherwise, I thrived on this combo.
My Doc.'s reason for taking me off this combo. was that Xanax was easily abused. He doesn't understand that if you take more than you are supposed to (in order to get a buzz), you are cutting your own throat by using up your meds before your next re-fill and this would cause you to go through withdrawals. The fact that you will start withdrawing within 2 days of running out is more than enough to prevent over-use. Yes, Benzo withdrawal is severe, but if that is the only down-side (which is easily prevented by never running out or by slowly stepping down if you are going to stop) it has to be better than all the side effects from Effexor.
Prozac & Xanax has never caused any of the bad side effects listed in all these posts. Did I make the right decision?
Posted by 49er on July 12, 2009, at 8:04:17
In reply to Side effects too much for me, posted by Budzoid on July 11, 2009, at 20:38:19
> Thanks for all the posts about Effexor's effectiveness. I have held back on starting this drug until I got some feedback from current users. The way I see it, Effexor's side effects outweigh the benifits. My Doc. took me off the winning combo of Prozac & Xanax because of the addictive nature of Xanax. The only side effect I experienced from Xanax was the beginning of withdrawals if my 'script was a couple of days overdue. Otherwise, I thrived on this combo.
> My Doc.'s reason for taking me off this combo. was that Xanax was easily abused. He doesn't understand that if you take more than you are supposed to (in order to get a buzz), you are cutting your own throat by using up your meds before your next re-fill and this would cause you to go through withdrawals. The fact that you will start withdrawing within 2 days of running out is more than enough to prevent over-use. Yes, Benzo withdrawal is severe, but if that is the only down-side (which is easily prevented by never running out or by slowly stepping down if you are going to stop) it has to be better than all the side effects from Effexor.
> Prozac & Xanax has never caused any of the bad side effects listed in all these posts. Did I make the right decision?Only time will tell if you didn't or didn't.
Personally, I can't understand a doctor who would mess with a winning combination just because of a benzo phobia.
Don't get me wrong, I am not glamorizing benzos by any means. But any drug you taper from is most likely going to have withdrawal problems. It is isn't just limited to benzos.I am shaking my head.
49er
Posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on July 12, 2009, at 10:25:26
In reply to Side effects too much for me, posted by Budzoid on July 11, 2009, at 20:38:19
> Thanks for all the posts about Effexor's effectiveness. I have held back on starting this drug until I got some feedback from current users. The way I see it, Effexor's side effects outweigh the benifits. My Doc. took me off the winning combo of Prozac & Xanax because of the addictive nature of Xanax. The only side effect I experienced from Xanax was the beginning of withdrawals if my 'script was a couple of days overdue. Otherwise, I thrived on this combo.
> My Doc.'s reason for taking me off this combo. was that Xanax was easily abused. He doesn't understand that if you take more than you are supposed to (in order to get a buzz), you are cutting your own throat by using up your meds before your next re-fill and this would cause you to go through withdrawals. The fact that you will start withdrawing within 2 days of running out is more than enough to prevent over-use. Yes, Benzo withdrawal is severe, but if that is the only down-side (which is easily prevented by never running out or by slowly stepping down if you are going to stop) it has to be better than all the side effects from Effexor.
> Prozac & Xanax has never caused any of the bad side effects listed in all these posts. Did I make the right decision?
If Prozac + Xanax works well for you. Find a way to keep it.
Posted by zip _code on July 12, 2009, at 20:09:31
In reply to Re: Side effects too much for me, posted by Alexanderfromdenmark on July 12, 2009, at 10:25:26
I did really well on effexor xr for 4-5 years. The only time I had side effects was when I missed a dose or two in a row. I would then have dizziness and anger issues. I have recently had to switch to Savella. The withdrawl was killer. My brain felt like it was loose in my head. I was dizzy, sick at my stomach, and very angry. I had to look at the ground while I was walking or driving or the world would spin. I highly recommend Effexor xr. That is if you plan to take it forever. If you want something for short term, I don't. It is to hard to get off of. The only way I got clear of it was alot of prayer. I have been off for three weeks now. I've read on the internet some people have to go to the extent of counting the tiny pills inside the capsule and reduce it by one everyday. It wasn't that bad for me, but I can see where it could have been. If I didn't have people praying for me I would have never made it. I still have anger issues but the other problems have subsided.
Posted by Budzoid on July 13, 2009, at 19:21:26
In reply to Re: Side effects too much for me, posted by zip _code on July 12, 2009, at 20:09:31
> I did really well on effexor xr for 4-5 years. The only time I had side effects was when I missed a dose or two in a row. I would then have dizziness and anger issues. I have recently had to switch to Savella. The withdrawl was killer. My brain felt like it was loose in my head. I was dizzy, sick at my stomach, and very angry. I had to look at the ground while I was walking or driving or the world would spin. I highly recommend Effexor xr. That is if you plan to take it forever. If you want something for short term, I don't. It is to hard to get off of. The only way I got clear of it was alot of prayer. I have been off for three weeks now. I've read on the internet some people have to go to the extent of counting the tiny pills inside the capsule and reduce it by one everyday. It wasn't that bad for me, but I can see where it could have been. If I didn't have people praying for me I would have never made it. I still have anger issues but the other problems have subsided.
Right! I have enough problems in my life without adding more. I get my fair share of side effects from all the opiates I'm on for chronic pain. When I see my Doc. next week I will DEMAND that he put me back on the Prozac & Xanax and stop using me as a "drug testing guinea-pig". If he doesn't, then he is no longer part of the solution; he is now part of the problem and I will exercise my right as the CEO of my body and health and FIRE HIS *SS.
Posted by Budzoid on September 28, 2009, at 19:57:12
In reply to Re: Side effects too much for me » Budzoid, posted by 49er on July 12, 2009, at 8:04:17
> > Thanks for all the posts about Effexor's effectiveness. I have held back on starting this drug until I got some feedback from current users. The way I see it, Effexor's side effects outweigh the benifits. My Doc. took me off the winning combo of Prozac & Xanax because of the addictive nature of Xanax. The only side effect I experienced from Xanax was the beginning of withdrawals if my 'script was a couple of days overdue. Otherwise, I thrived on this combo.
> > My Doc.'s reason for taking me off this combo. was that Xanax was easily abused. He doesn't understand that if you take more than you are supposed to (in order to get a buzz), you are cutting your own throat by using up your meds before your next re-fill and this would cause you to go through withdrawals. The fact that you will start withdrawing within 2 days of running out is more than enough to prevent over-use. Yes, Benzo withdrawal is severe, but if that is the only down-side (which is easily prevented by never running out or by slowly stepping down if you are going to stop) it has to be better than all the side effects from Effexor.
> > Prozac & Xanax has never caused any of the bad side effects listed in all these posts. Did I make the right decision?
>
> Only time will tell if you didn't or didn't.
>
> Personally, I can't understand a doctor who would mess with a winning combination just because of a benzo phobia.
> Don't get me wrong, I am not glamorizing benzos by any means. But any drug you taper from is most likely going to have withdrawal problems. It is isn't just limited to benzos.
>
> I am shaking my head.
>
> 49er
>
After a year of continued major depression, I have an update. It's a shame that I had to experience a horrific trauma in order to get the help I needed.Let me explain:
A week ago my wife and I were in bed watching a movie late on a Friday night. I heard a strange noise from the front of my house and before I could get to the end of the bed, 3 armed men had entered my bedroom pointing guns at us demanding money. One of them began beating and pistol-whipping me while the other two rummaged through our stuff. I managed to get between him and my wife so I was beaten severely about the head and arms. They took $400.00 and a couple of cheap gold chains. Luckily no bones were broken, but I look like the elephant man.This all took less than 2 minutes. They were pros.
They saw all the stuff in my house (computers, stereos, tv's) so I knew they would be back for the rest.
I spent the next week afraid to go to sleep and sat up every night with my gun next to me just waiting. When I did slip into sleep, I woke up from a nightmare and panic attacks. I was exhausted!
I found a house outside of the city to move to, but I was soo tired I had no energy. My wife is disabled so It was all up to me to get us out.
When I went to my Primary Doc to have the metal staples removed, I went and talked to a new mental health Doc. for help.
He put me back on Prozac and Klonipin to help me sleep. Things are slowly getting better. At least I can sleep a few hours again.
It's a SHAME I had to go through this just to get back on some sort of Benzo.
The world is full of evil people. Never let your guard down!
Posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2009, at 21:16:24
In reply to Update, posted by Budzoid on September 28, 2009, at 19:57:12
That's horrible. I'm just glad you're now safe and got the meds yes a sorry state of affairs. Phillipa
Posted by Jeroen on September 29, 2009, at 2:07:04
In reply to Re: Update » Budzoid, posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2009, at 21:16:24
that's terrible man, good thing you survived
lot of things are evil these days :( i know
Posted by Budzoid on September 30, 2009, at 21:01:25
In reply to Re: Update » Budzoid, posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2009, at 21:16:24
> That's horrible. I'm just glad you're now safe and got the meds yes a sorry state of affairs. Phillipa
Thank you for your concern.I do appreciate it!
Posted by Budzoid on September 30, 2009, at 21:03:32
In reply to To Budzoid, posted by Jeroen on September 29, 2009, at 2:07:04
> that's terrible man, good thing you survived
> lot of things are evil these days :( i knowThank you for your concern. Time heals all wounds (with a little help from my meds).
Posted by Blossom on June 20, 2010, at 21:24:47
Hi Babblers,
I was wondering if anyone is taking the 37.5 mg dose of Effexor. I am a pretty small woman and I tend to be very sensitive to medication, so, based on previous experience with Effexor, my pdoc has decided to keep me at 37.5 mg for the foreseeable future. I've only been on for a little over a week, so I'm still going through the start-up phase with all of the negative side effects, but I was wondering if anyone here has had a positive mood effect with this dose.
Thanks,
Blossom
Posted by DocRon on June 23, 2010, at 13:49:34
In reply to is anyone taking a low dose of Effexor (37.5mg)?, posted by Blossom on June 20, 2010, at 21:24:47
I'm a pretty tiny guy, and 37.5 has most assuredly worked for me in the past. In general, for me, Effexor works pretty well. I'm currently not taking it, as I find that Cymbalta mixed with Deplin works even better, but I think you should see results with that dose.
Good luck!
DocRon
Posted by CaffeinePoet on June 23, 2010, at 19:59:55
In reply to is anyone taking a low dose of Effexor (37.5mg)?, posted by Blossom on June 20, 2010, at 21:24:47
I took 50mg of the non-XR version for many years. It worked well for me.
Some people are slow metabolizers or very sensitive to meds and don't need large doses.
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