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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by frustratedconfused on September 6, 2001, at 20:38:36
I've been taking Effexor (a little over 200mg.) for about 5 months. My Boss called me into her office and told me that the position I have been training for cannot be mine until I get straightend out. She now asks me when she talks to me if its me or my evil twin. She said I am no longer focused (I screwed up a loan closing the other day) I have not been able to act profesionally or make rational descisions. My husband claims that I'm acting like I have alziamers disiese. I can't spell, I can't remember simple things, I feel like an idiot when I'm talking because I forget what I'm saying in the middle of a sentence. I can't afford to lose my job. We are barely making ends meet as it is. I see the doctor tomarrow. What should I say or do? I'm desparate!! The Effexor no longer works like it used too. Somebody Please?
Posted by Cam W. on September 6, 2001, at 21:32:23
In reply to Desperate, Somebody Please Help, posted by frustratedconfused on September 6, 2001, at 20:38:36
FC - Was the evil twin around before you started taking the Effexor? The symptoms you describe (forgetfulness, etc.) could be the Effexor or they could be depression rearing it's ugly head again. The Effexor can cause personality changes like you describe, but I haven't seen it very often.
I would explain these symptoms to the doc (write them down, with specific incidences, so that you don't forget to tell him/her. The doc may decide to increase the dose, or may plan to switch you to another antidepressant.
Also, are you seeing a therapist or psychologist? They can help you understand your disorder, and help you to cope and live with it. They cn also help with the cognitive problems. I believe that the antidepressant is only part of the solution to depression, and counseling can make all the difference in the world.
Just some thoughts. - Cam
Posted by adamie on September 6, 2001, at 21:54:11
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help » frustratedconfused, posted by Cam W. on September 6, 2001, at 21:32:23
> FC - Was the evil twin around before you started taking the Effexor? The symptoms you describe (forgetfulness, etc.) could be the Effexor or they could be depression rearing it's ugly head again. The Effexor can cause personality changes like you describe, but I haven't seen it very often.
>
> I would explain these symptoms to the doc (write them down, with specific incidences, so that you don't forget to tell him/her. The doc may decide to increase the dose, or may plan to switch you to another antidepressant.
>
> Also, are you seeing a therapist or psychologist? They can help you understand your disorder, and help you to cope and live with it. They cn also help with the cognitive problems. I believe that the antidepressant is only part of the solution to depression, and counseling can make all the difference in the world.
>
> Just some thoughts. - CamCounseling could give you some good advice and give you someone to talk to but dont expect talking to someone to heal your brain which is really in need of some medication. It really looks like you may need a new med and should talk to your pdoc about every such problem. good luck
Posted by frustratedconfused on September 6, 2001, at 22:09:30
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help, posted by adamie on September 6, 2001, at 21:54:11
> >I don't feel as depressed but the way I'm acting has every one frustrated. I didn't even know what I was doing until now. Nobody at work wants to even talk to me which is different from the way it was months ago. I am seeing a counselor but I feel my personality is not the same. My boss said that I used to be thoughtful and kind. Now I have an evil twin that is acting up more and more. I don't feel as depressed but I feel more aggresive. I say and do things impulsivly which is getting me in alot of trouble.
My medicine doesn't give me the same feelings that it did a few months ago. I used to have really vivid happy and peaceful dreams when I first started Effexor now they are frustrating. In my dreams I can't seem to make anything work. I also dream about dead relatives which makes me wake up very anxious. They are just plain disturbing now.
FC - Was the evil twin around before you started taking the Effexor? The symptoms you describe (forgetfulness, etc.) could be the Effexor or they could be depression rearing it's ugly head again. The Effexor can cause personality changes like you describe, but I haven't seen it very often.
> >
> > I would explain these symptoms to the doc (write them down, with specific incidences, so that you don't forget to tell him/her. The doc may decide to increase the dose, or may plan to switch you to another antidepressant.
> >
> > Also, are you seeing a therapist or psychologist? They can help you understand your disorder, and help you to cope and live with it. They cn also help with the cognitive problems. I believe that the antidepressant is only part of the solution to depression, and counseling can make all the difference in the world.
> >
> > Just some thoughts. - Cam
>
> Counseling could give you some good advice and give you someone to talk to but dont expect talking to someone to heal your brain which is really in need of some medication. It really looks like you may need a new med and should talk to your pdoc about every such problem. good luck
Posted by frustratedconfused on September 7, 2001, at 9:00:23
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help, posted by frustratedconfused on September 6, 2001, at 22:09:30
> Thanks for your responses. I feel so isolated. The evil twin has only appeared in the last few months, about the time I started feeling alot of anxiety. Sometimes I felt like throwing our dining room chair through our large picture window in the living room. I have never felt anything like it before. I don't feel as depressed but the way I'm acting has every one frustrated. I didn't even know what I was doing until now. Nobody at work wants to even talk to me which is different from the way it was months ago. I am seeing a counselor but I feel my personality is not the same. My boss said that I used to be thoughtful and kind. Now I have an evil twin that is acting up more and more. I don't feel as depressed but I feel more aggresive. I say and do things impulsivly which is getting me in alot of trouble.
> My medicine doesn't give me the same feelings that it did a few months ago. I used to have really vivid happy and peaceful dreams when I first started Effexor now they are frustrating. In my dreams I can't seem to make anything work. I also dream about dead relatives which makes me wake up very anxious. They are just plain disturbing now.
> FC - Was the evil twin around before you started taking the Effexor? The symptoms you describe (forgetfulness, etc.) could be the Effexor or they could be depression rearing it's ugly head again. The Effexor can cause personality changes like you describe, but I haven't seen it very often.
> > >
> > > I would explain these symptoms to the doc (write them down, with specific incidences, so that you don't forget to tell him/her. The doc may decide to increase the dose, or may plan to switch you to another antidepressant.
> > >
> > > Also, are you seeing a therapist or psychologist? They can help you understand your disorder, and help you to cope and live with it. They cn also help with the cognitive problems. I believe that the antidepressant is only part of the solution to depression, and counseling can make all the difference in the world.
> > >
> > > Just some thoughts. - Cam
> >
> > Counseling could give you some good advice and give you someone to talk to but dont expect talking to someone to heal your brain which is really in need of some medication. It really looks like you may need a new med and should talk to your pdoc about every such problem. good luck
Posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2001, at 9:04:44
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help, posted by frustratedconfused on September 6, 2001, at 22:09:30
FC - Ask the doc; it might be time for a med change. If you have to withdraw from the Effexor, do it slowly.
Good luck - Cam
Posted by frustratedconfused on September 7, 2001, at 9:11:56
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help » frustratedconfused, posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2001, at 9:04:44
>Can I take new medicine along with tapering off the Effexor? How long does it normaly take to wean off Effexor? I really do appreciate your advice!
FC - Ask the doc; it might be time for a med change. If you have to withdraw from the Effexor, do it slowly.
>
> Good luck - Cam
Posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2001, at 9:33:48
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help » Cam W., posted by frustratedconfused on September 7, 2001, at 9:11:56
FC - It really depends upon what medication the doctor thinks will work. If it is an SSRI, yes; if it is an MAOI, no. The doc will tell you what to do and how to manage it. For a second (and third) opinion, come back to us. - Cam
Posted by frustratedconfused on September 7, 2001, at 15:12:35
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help » frustratedconfused, posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2001, at 9:33:48
> Cam, my doctor took me down to 75mg of Effexor for 4 days then I am to go half of that for four days. She gave me a choice of Paxel or Prozac. I don't know anything about either one so I chose Prozac because I've heard the name more (logical reasoning huh!). So starting today I take 10mg of Prozac with the 75mg. of Effexor. After I stop taking Effexor in 8 days, she is going to raise the dose of Prozac. I'm worried about the withdrawl of Effexor. I'm already sweating and shaking. If this is all thats going to happen then I'll be o.k. Cam, what do you think of her plan? Any suggestions? Should I have gone with the Paxel? Do you have any information on the Prozac? Like I said earlier, I have no knowledge of any of this. I really appreciate your help. Thanks so much!
FC - It really depends upon what medication the doctor thinks will work. If it is an SSRI, yes; if it is an MAOI, no. The doc will tell you what to do and how to manage it. For a second (and third) opinion, come back to us. - Cam
Posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2001, at 15:34:01
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help » Cam W., posted by frustratedconfused on September 7, 2001, at 15:12:35
FC - The Prozac was probably a good choice, as it will probably stop any serotonergic withdrawl symptoms that could be caused by the Effexor. The Prozac has a long half-life, so missing a dose (once you get up to proper, steady state, blood levels) won't be as big a deal, as it is with Effexor.
Prozac doesn't have the effects on the norepinephrine system that the Effexor does, so you can possibly expect to have fewer side effects. I would think that the sweating and shaking is a sign that your body has too much serotonin right now, but this will go away in a few days, as you continue the switch.
Hopefully, the Prozac will settle your moods, but give it at least 6 to 8 weeks to fully kick in. Good luck and keep your doc informed of any changes that you notice. - Cam
Posted by frustratedconfused on September 7, 2001, at 15:52:09
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help » frustratedconfused, posted by Cam W. on September 7, 2001, at 15:34:01
Posted by JohnL on September 7, 2001, at 17:52:52
In reply to Re: Desperate, Somebody Please Help, posted by frustratedconfused on September 7, 2001, at 9:00:23
Hi there,
Based on what you have described, I think it would indeed be best to get off of Effexor. Normally I would instead suggest adding something to it. But in this case, not. There is obviously something very wrong with the interaction between the Effexor molecule and your unique chemistry.Sometimes tapering off a med can actually make you feel a lot better, although short lived. Unfortunately the withdrawals from Effexor are difficult, so any goodness would likely be drowned out.
One method is to take Prozac in small doses while tapering down on the Effexor. Prozac has a very long halflife and will smooth out the bumps in the road. It has happened more than once, but sometimes when people use Prozac to withdraw from Effexor they accidentally discover, and happily so, that the two meds together work great. If that is to happen, it usually does so within a week. It's an outside chance, but a chance nevertheless. It wouldn't be the first time.
In any case, it seems to me that getting off of Effexor is the immediate priority and goal. In the process, Prozac may prove useful to help ween off the Effexor, and may even prove to be a great combination to stay with.
I wish there was an easier way. The problem with both Paxil or Effexor is that when they don't work out, they are tough to get off of. You have all my support! Please talk to your doc about tapering with Prozac. If he hasn't heard of that and won't do it, then you might also have an additional problem of finding a new doctor who knows what he's doing. Hopefully though your doctor will be receptive, and hopefully he may have some good ideas of his own. Simply withdrawing from Effexor though, without any other battle plan, is not acceptable in my book.
John
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