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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Wilkie on September 27, 2000, at 15:37:16
In reply to Re:Intractable Effexor Withdrawl , posted by cjl on August 23, 2000, at 21:07:19
I was on Effexor 75 mg a day for about 3 months for depression and to counter the extreme fatigue and lethargy brought on by Depakote. The biggest side effect was how it affected my dreams. I basically felt like I was tripping in my sleep every night, which I at first thought was pretty cool. But as time went by my dreams became more and more vivid and intense and sometimes a little too fucked up, and I was waking up in the mornings feeling exhausted from dreaming all night long. So I talked to my psychiatrist about this and she switched me to Serzone, taking me off of Effexor cold turkey. I thought nothing of it, trusting the MD behind her name. A day after stopping Effexor I became really sick, experiencing the whole multitude of withdrawal symptoms associated with Effexor. I called her and she thought I was experiencing side effects from Serzone so she told me to stop taking it. She had no idea that what I was experiencing was withdrawal. I didn't find out until I watched 20/20 one night and then got on the internet and looked up "effexor withdrawal" which is where I came across all of these threads. So needless to say I fired her and found a new psychiatrist. My point of all of this is to address everyone's concerns about withdrawal. There was obviously no weaning off of it for me. I went off it cold turkey. The first week was brutal -- vicious withdrawal. The second week wasn't as bad, much more bearable. Withdrawal effects lingered for an additional 2 weeks or so and now I don't feel anything from it. I just stuck it out and suffered through it, knowing that I wanted to be free from what I consider to be a horrible drug which I will never ever take again. I need antidepressants, so my new doc put me on wellbutrin which is supposed to have fewer side effects and no withdrawal associated with it. We'll see, but anything has to be better than Effexor. So for all of you trying to get off of Effexor, keep at it, and just stick it out as long as possible and I can promise from my experience that after the first 2 weeks or so it gets much better and WILL eventually go away.
Posted by Tammie on September 28, 2000, at 11:36:49
In reply to Quiting Effexor and Why, posted by Wilkie on September 27, 2000, at 15:37:16
I went to the doc due to occassional days of feeling blue, sad, emotional. This happens just a few times each year. And when it does, it tends to be around the time of my menstral cycle. She had me take Zoloft, which gave me headaches, then switched to Serzone, which did not help at all. Now she wants me to take Effexor XR. I am curious if anyone else was given this med for just having a few days of feeling sad a couple of times out of the year? I am hesitant to take it due to all the negative feedback about withdrawals. Thanks for any info you want to share...
Posted by StaceyLacy on September 28, 2000, at 13:42:00
In reply to Is Effexor XR the right pill?, posted by Tammie on September 28, 2000, at 11:36:49
I changed 4 weeks ago from 60mg of Paxil and 15 mg of Buspar per day to 37.5 mg of Effexor XR per day. Since the change over, I have had nothing but irritation/anger all day long which ends in explosive, hour long crying spells. When I explained this to my Dr. last week, she increased the dosage to 75 mg per day. Today is one week later and there has been no improvement. I am concerned and wondering if anyone else has experienced feelings of severe irritation, anger or crying while adjusting to this drug?
Posted by smokingun35 on September 28, 2000, at 19:27:04
In reply to Is Effexor XR the right pill?, posted by Tammie on September 28, 2000, at 11:36:49
> I went to the doc due to occassional days of feeling blue, sad, emotional. This happens just a few times each year. And when it does, it tends to be around the time of my menstral cycle. She had me take Zoloft, which gave me headaches, then switched to Serzone, which did not help at all. Now she wants me to take Effexor XR. I am curious if anyone else was given this med for just having a few days of feeling sad a couple of times out of the year? I am hesitant to take it due to all the negative feedback about withdrawals. Thanks for any info you want to share...
WOW, I hope you have read all the withdrawl side effect probs of this drug on here before considering it unless you REALLY need it. I'm definately no doc but it's obvious from what I've read and experienced that this stuff is the last resort. I know I have mild depression and anxiety, runs in the family, but that crap made me feel like a zombie!! I only took it 9 days and thank god had no withdrawls but am still dealing with a side effect, I feel much better off it than on, all I can tell you is research the hell out of it before you try it!! Good Luck....
Posted by Crazyhorse00 on September 29, 2000, at 0:42:04
In reply to Irritability/Crying a side effect of Effexor XR?, posted by StaceyLacy on September 28, 2000, at 13:42:00
I think this drug, Effexor stinks. I have taken Prozac, Zoloft, and Serzone for baseline depression. (symptoms being fatigue, feeling low, grumpy, loss of interest). Effexor made me a ZOMBIE all day long. I could not go to sleep, wanted NO SEX, and felt like I was in a FOG all day long for weeks. It also broke my face out in these huge boils. I took myself off of it and thre it away and got back on Zoloft. Feeling much much better, even back to my old hobbies and happy. Be careful with that drug, my friend is a pharmacist and she says the withdrawal can kill you.
Posted by stephen william on September 30, 2000, at 0:05:33
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
>hi there,
I have been on effexor xr ,225 mg per day , for about 6 weeks. Previously had tried a long list of antidepressants without any sucess. Effexor xr has certainly lifted my mood but also made me very very agressive. Has any one else had this problem ?
Stephen
Posted by Larry on September 30, 2000, at 20:33:02
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I wish to heck I knew how you post a follow-up to someone's subject: In any event I've been on this Effexor XR for 5 or 6 weeks now and I have no bad complaints. The side effects I regard as minor and care to do nothing about them. Prescribed so I could continue to function in a high stress job and it has changed my life so favorably. Everyone seems to react differently from what I have read here so you just have to plug along and when necessary put all your cards on the table with your doctor.
Posted by JH on October 1, 2000, at 19:37:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Larry on September 30, 2000, at 20:33:02
I've been on Effexor XR for 8 weeks and it is working wonderfully. I'm also in a high stress job and Effexor has gotten me back on track. I'm able to multi-task, make strategic decisions again, and lead a team of people without feeling overwhelmed. I feel like I'm back to my old self again.
Posted by Cindy W on October 2, 2000, at 8:42:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! » Larry , posted by JH on October 1, 2000, at 19:37:35
> I've been on Effexor XR for 8 weeks and it is working wonderfully. I'm also in a high stress job and Effexor has gotten me back on track. I'm able to multi-task, make strategic decisions again, and lead a team of people without feeling overwhelmed. I feel like I'm back to my old self again.
Larry, I've been on Effexor-XR for about l0 months now, at 375 mg/day currently, and it has really helped me (decreased depression, depressed social anxiety, ability to cope increased). The only problems I have had are insomnia and flattening of feelings.--Cindy W
Posted by Lisa B on October 2, 2000, at 14:08:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Cindy W on January 11, 2000, at 9:14:46
I was just wondering how an antidepressant can help with anxiety when it causes it? I have tried multiple antidepressants, and my doctor insisted I give this one a try. I take Remeron at night to help sleep. Does the side effect of anxiety ever go away and then it cuts it? My mouth is extremely dry too. I can't imagine gaining weight on it - it has caused me to lose weight. Please give me good stories on Effexor
Posted by CynJ on October 2, 2000, at 14:08:44
In reply to for Racer, posted by jp on October 26, 1999, at 4:13:49
Hi I just started taking Effexor XR a few days ago, and my DR Told me to take it in the morning, but it makes me so tired, I took it before going to bed lastnight and slept pretty well, I was just wondering why you should take in the morning, when bedtime seems to work better. Also since I started taking it I have had some aching on the lsft side of my body, mostly my wrist foot and leg, weird.
Thanks,
Cynthia
Posted by Cam W. on October 2, 2000, at 18:59:23
In reply to New to Effexor XR, posted by Lisa B on October 2, 2000, at 14:08:03
Lisa - The anxiety with Celexa™ (citalopram) usually lasts only a couple of weeks. Some serotonin receptors (5HT-1A) have to become less sensitive to the effects of the neurotransmitter, serotonin. This readjustment in the sensitivity of the receptor takes a couple of weeks. Then you should starting seeing some relief from anxiety.
Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by Shirley on October 2, 2000, at 20:12:12
In reply to Irritability/Crying a side effect of Effexor XR?, posted by StaceyLacy on September 28, 2000, at 13:42:00
> >I am concerned and wondering if anyone else has > >experienced feelings of severe irritation, anger or crying while adjusting to this drug?
StaceyLacey,
About three years ago, I was on Effexor and doing reasonably well. But due to my concentration problems, my psychiatrist thought Effexor SR might
be helpful. NOT!I had the exact same experience as you did. I knew it had to be a side effect because I had not experienced this problem with the regular effexor.
Also, it couldn't have been stress because I really liked the person I was working with that day. Thank god, she was real understanding.Just wanted to let you know that you weren't alone.
Shirley
Posted by RL on October 4, 2000, at 23:22:03
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr » smokingun35, posted by kdw on September 24, 2000, at 14:53:44
> > I started taking effexor xr 2 almost 2 weeks ago,my first anti-depressant(possibly last), and felt tired and terrible and dazed every waking hour of the day while taking it, headaches, cannot reach an orgasm at all. I took 37.5 mg aday for 7 days and 75 mg for 2 days and have now stopped cold turkey. I have yet to experience any side effects, been about 55 hours since last dose, still cannot reach an orgasm, wife is very upset and I'm not far behind her. Will this go away or could this be a pemanent development?
>
> I,too, have this problem. For me, it is weighing which is worse--the depression or lack of orgasm. I am now on 225mg. per day and I read a post somewhere that the higher dose could possibly help the situation because of increased dopamine. I certainly don't know about the long term effects. I have only been on this dose for two days.
Don't give up!! I had sexual side effects with everything that I took except for Serzone, and serzone didn't work. I started on Wellbutrin a couple of months ago, and it didn't cause sexual side effects, but it didn't work completely. Wellbutrin is believed to affect norepinephrine primarily. Since Effexor affects only Seratonin, I decided to take them together and they work! No sexual side effects!
I understand that taking Wellbutrin can actually reverse the sexual side effects of other antidepressants for some people. Another supplement that does not have sexual side effects is Busbar. Ask your doctor about giving these options a try. If your doctor isn't helpful, dump them and find someone who is helpful.
Don't give up. I have chronic depression. It began when I was 11 and continues still (I'm 42). My life began when I started taking antidepressants 5 years ago.
Best of luck to you.
Posted by Georgina on October 5, 2000, at 16:25:48
In reply to New to Effexor XR, posted by Lisa B on October 2, 2000, at 14:08:03
> I was just wondering how an antidepressant can help with anxiety when it causes it? I have tried multiple antidepressants, and my doctor insisted I give this one a try. I take Remeron at night to help sleep. Does the side effect of anxiety ever go away and then it cuts it? My mouth is extremely dry too. I can't imagine gaining weight on it - it has caused me to lose weight. Please give me good stories on Effexor
Hi,
I've been taking Effexor XR for several months for anxiety. I had tried Paxil and Prozac without success. I like Effexor XR. I am not anxious and am feeling better all the time. As to your question about taking something for anxiety that gives you anxiety...I understand that Effexor XR actually stimulates the anxiety sensors in the brain. It takes a few weeks for your brain to think "enough of this" and ignore the stimulant, thus relieving you of the anxiety for which you are taking the drug. I know that is a gross over simplification but its something like that : )I have had the dry mouth thing too. It passes and regarding sleep, to assure me a good deep sleep I sometimes take Lorazipam or Clorazipam before bed. Its great!!!!
Hope you are beginning to feel better.Regards,
Georgina
Posted by RL on October 6, 2000, at 1:49:10
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by RL on October 4, 2000, at 23:22:03
> > > I started taking effexor xr 2 almost 2 weeks ago,my first anti-depressant(possibly last), and felt tired and terrible and dazed every waking hour of the day while taking it, headaches, cannot reach an orgasm at all. I took 37.5 mg aday for 7 days and 75 mg for 2 days and have now stopped cold turkey. I have yet to experience any side effects, been about 55 hours since last dose, still cannot reach an orgasm, wife is very upset and I'm not far behind her. Will this go away or could this be a pemanent development?
> >
> > I,too, have this problem. For me, it is weighing which is worse--the depression or lack of orgasm. I am now on 225mg. per day and I read a post somewhere that the higher dose could possibly help the situation because of increased dopamine. I certainly don't know about the long term effects. I have only been on this dose for two days.
>
>
> Don't give up!! I had sexual side effects with everything that I took except for Serzone, and serzone didn't work. I started on Wellbutrin a couple of months ago, and it didn't cause sexual side effects, but it didn't work completely. Wellbutrin is believed to affect norepinephrine primarily. Since Effexor affects only Seratonin, I decided to take them together and they work! No sexual side effects!
> I understand that taking Wellbutrin can actually reverse the sexual side effects of other antidepressants for some people. Another supplement that does not have sexual side effects is Busbar. Ask your doctor about giving these options a try. If your doctor isn't helpful, dump them and find someone who is helpful.
> Don't give up. I have chronic depression. It began when I was 11 and continues still (I'm 42). My life began when I started taking antidepressants 5 years ago.
> Best of luck to you.Correction: I am taking Wellbutrin with Serzone, not Effexor.
Sorry for the confusion
Posted by Mary Jane M on October 6, 2000, at 16:15:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Cindy W on October 2, 2000, at 8:42:10
Posted by Cindy W on October 6, 2000, at 22:21:40
In reply to Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia, posted by Mary Jane M on October 6, 2000, at 16:15:52
>
> I've just worked up to 225 grams of effexor xr and can't figure out whether it's better to take bigger dose during the day or at night? Please give feedback if this drug causes you daytime drowsiness or nightime insomnia. Do these side effects wear off? I'm also taking 500mg depakote bid, wellbutrin 100mg am and afternoon, topomax 25 mg at night, and klonopin (clonazepam)1 - 2 mg at night and prn for anxiety and panic attacks (about .25 mg occaisionally during the day.) I also am experimenting with ambien and sonata along with the klonopin to see how I'll get the best night's sleep with no side effects. pdoc doesn't want me to take any more antidepressants for fear I may go into a hypomania.
> Thankyou, MaryMary, I take all 375 mg of Effexor-XR first thing in the morning...I couldn't remember to take it twice a day, and haven't had any problems taking it once in the early morning. It helps to take it early, for me, since it makes me feel more energetic and not sleepy (and makes it harder to sleep at night I think; the Seroquel and Serzone I take help me sleep). Hope this helps.--Cindy W
Posted by Ishmael on October 15, 2000, at 13:43:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by shan on January 6, 2000, at 4:38:49
I have been on Effexor XR for just over one year, @ 300 mg/day. I decided to stop taking it and went cold turkey. Big mistake, I had severe withdrawal symptoms. So, I went back on it am on now going off slowly. I open the capsules, weigh out the dose, and then refill the capsule with the amount I’m after. I’m a chemist so this is easy for me. I thought the following information might help those of you also trying to go off this stuff.
Each 150 mg capsule of Effexor XR contains 500 mg of white beads (so, the beads are 30 % by weight Effexor). 25 beads contain 11 (+/-2) mg of Effexor. All you need to do is open the capsules, pour out the beads, count out how many you need, and then put the lowered dose back in the capsule. Do not swallow the beads directly, be sure to put them back in the capsule. I do a bunch of pills at once, first emptying several capsules into a vial or envelope, then measuring what I want back into the empty capsules. You will notice that the Effexor beads are fairly uniform in size, but there will be some smaller ones as well as some that are fused together. Try to count out the beads randomly, don’t go for just the large one or just the small.
Hope this helps, seems to be going ok with me. I am experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms but they are nothing compared to the first time and I can easily control the symptoms with the dosage size and length time I am at that dose before decreasing further.
Good luck
Ishmael
Posted by Sheryl on October 16, 2000, at 9:35:44
In reply to I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by CKT on April 27, 2000, at 14:12:52
> I just started on the effexor xr a few days ago,and an wondering if it's even what I need. I have never been to a psychiatrist, but my regular Dr, gave me the starter kit when I explained my feelings to him. The only side effect I have noticed is drowsiness, and decrease in my sex drive which worries me. Im 23 in a new relationship and can't even stand for my boyfriend to touch me now. Is this normal. I would really like to talh with someone about this that is also on this medication for depression. Im scared, my life is pretty bad right now, and it hasn't been a bed of roses since I can remember. Im ready to give up, and I hsve children so I know this feeling isnt a good one. Can someone please help me and talk to me. I have know one to talk to. Thanks....My email is SLeitner246@aol.com or simply instant message me to chat. Please someone help me..Screenname is SMleitner246.....Thank you
Posted by KARIN C. on October 20, 2000, at 7:59:16
In reply to withdrawal, posted by jeanette on April 12, 2000, at 16:31:48
> Does anyone out there have any idea how long the withdrawal from Effexor XR lasts?
I'M WITH YOU! I'M ON DAY THREE OF MY ATTEMPT TO RID MY BODY OF EFFEXOR AND I'M GOING NUTS!! THE DIZZINESS AND TREMORS ARE MAKING ME CRAZY AND EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE I HAVE SOMEONE PLAYING THE MORROCCOS IN MY BRAIN !!I HOPE THIS ENDS SOON! I WOULD LOVE TO CHAT WITH OTHERS GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWEL AND ALSO ABOUT WELLBUTRIN KARIN C.
KARIN C.
Posted by Liz from Phoenix on October 20, 2000, at 9:20:16
In reply to I've had success. Why won't you print that?, posted by A on August 18, 2000, at 9:02:04
Posted by RNC2119 on October 20, 2000, at 19:15:25
In reply to Re: I am scared of this medicine, HELP ME!, posted by CG on July 11, 2000, at 20:39:00
My doctor just gave me this med two days ago. I hate it, I have been SO sleepy and felt like I was going to throw up ALL the time. I do not even know why my doctor gave me this med- I have just found out that I have ADD- and this is what my GP gave me for it. I have no signs of depression. My doctor told me to keep taking them even when I told him how bed I felt. I am stopping NOW after reading all the effects people have had. I am wondering if he is crazy--why would he put me on this medication?
Posted by Janie on October 21, 2000, at 10:22:16
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia, posted by Cindy W on October 6, 2000, at 22:21:40
> >
> > I've just worked up to 225 grams of effexor xr and can't figure out whether it's better to take bigger dose during the day or at night? Please give feedback if this drug causes you daytime drowsiness or nightime insomnia. Do these side effects wear off? I'm also taking 500mg depakote bid, wellbutrin 100mg am and afternoon, topomax 25 mg at night, and klonopin (clonazepam)1 - 2 mg at night and prn for anxiety and panic attacks (about .25 mg occaisionally during the day.) I also am experimenting with ambien and sonata along with the klonopin to see how I'll get the best night's sleep with no side effects. pdoc doesn't want me to take any more antidepressants for fear I may go into a hypomania.
> > Thankyou, Mary
>
> Mary, I take all 375 mg of Effexor-XR first thing in the morning...I couldn't remember to take it twice a day, and haven't had any problems taking it once in the early morning. It helps to take it early, for me, since it makes me feel more energetic and not sleepy (and makes it harder to sleep at night I think; the Seroquel and Serzone I take help me sleep). Hope this helps.--Cindy WHi. I have just the opposite problem. I can't get up in the mornings and feel lethargic all day. I'm starting today on a wean from 75mg to 37.5mg. It's nice to have the anxiety controlled, but what good does it do if you're too apathetic to get dressed and go out?--Janie
Posted by Janie on October 21, 2000, at 10:41:34
In reply to Effexor withdrawal FYI, posted by Ishmael on October 15, 2000, at 13:43:40
> I have been on Effexor XR for just over one year, @ 300 mg/day. I decided to stop taking it and went cold turkey. Big mistake, I had severe withdrawal symptoms. So, I went back on it am on now going off slowly. I open the capsules, weigh out the dose, and then refill the capsule with the amount I’m after. I’m a chemist so this is easy for me. I thought the following information might help those of you also trying to go off this stuff.
>
> Each 150 mg capsule of Effexor XR contains 500 mg of white beads (so, the beads are 30 % by weight Effexor). 25 beads contain 11 (+/-2) mg of Effexor. All you need to do is open the capsules, pour out the beads, count out how many you need, and then put the lowered dose back in the capsule. Do not swallow the beads directly, be sure to put them back in the capsule. I do a bunch of pills at once, first emptying several capsules into a vial or envelope, then measuring what I want back into the empty capsules. You will notice that the Effexor beads are fairly uniform in size, but there will be some smaller ones as well as some that are fused together. Try to count out the beads randomly, don’t go for just the large one or just the small.
>
> Hope this helps, seems to be going ok with me. I am experiencing uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms but they are nothing compared to the first time and I can easily control the symptoms with the dosage size and length time I am at that dose before decreasing further.
>
> Good luck
>
> IshmaelIshmael, would you please mail me privately at oboeeee@aol.com. I have some questions. Thanks--Janie
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