![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 25. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by A0102 on February 11, 2002, at 2:34:57
I have been taking Effexor XR for the past 3 weeks. I was last taking 150mg/day. 4 days ago, I decided to stop taking Effexor and that ranks among the most successful experiences I've ever had with antidepressants. No nausea, no headaches, no withdrawl whatsoever. My depression is about 50% better than it ever was while I was taking it. My conclusion to taking Effexor is GOOD RIDDANCE!!! While on it, I had been sleeping 18 hours a day easily and sometimes not even waking up for 2 to 3 days at a time. My eyes were constantly bloodshot (bad). Couple that with the fact that they were always half closed from being so tired and most everyone I knew thought I was coming down from a crack high every time they saw me :( Not to mention that during all this my depression was as bad as it has ever been. Of course, everyone is different and I can't say that it won't help anyone, but in my opinion this med is shite. I can definitely feel justified in telling everyone not to go with this as a first line treatment. As a matter of fact, put this one just ahead of ECT. Thank goodness for that short halflife, thought, onward to MAOIs before depression returns. Best of luck everyone...
Adam
Posted by sid on February 11, 2002, at 10:31:49
In reply to Success with Effexor XR!, posted by A0102 on February 11, 2002, at 2:34:57
> I have been taking Effexor XR for the past 3 weeks. I was last taking 150mg/day.
Are you self-medicating? 3 weeks only to get to 150mg, no wonder you felt like sh**. If a doctor made you do that, he needs to learn about Effexor XR. You were way to high way too fast in my opinion. And stopping an AD cold turkey is no better. You could have been very sick and with some ADs, it can even be lethal. Why are you playing with your health this way? I hope it's the depression making you take irrational risks like that, and I hope you'll know better in the future.
Posted by A0102 on February 12, 2002, at 17:14:12
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR! » A0102, posted by sid on February 11, 2002, at 10:31:49
>Are you self-medicating? 3 weeks only to get to 150mg, no wonder you felt like sh**. If a doctor made you do that, he needs to learn about Effexor XR. You were way to high way too fast in my opinion. And stopping an AD cold turkey is no better. You could have been very sick and with some ADs, it can even be lethal. Why are you playing with your health this way? I hope it's the depression making you take irrational risks like that, and I hope you'll know better in the future.
Actually, it was under my pdoc's instruction to get to 150mg in 3 weeks. 37.5 the first, 75 the next and then 150 the third week. The first two weeks, I took Effexor straight from Wyerth's starter pack so it wasn't so much my pdoc's idea as it was the manufacturer's. Why did I stop so suddenly? Frankly, I'd probably never felt worse my entire life. I am not so ignorant as to flush the remainder down the toilet, so in the event that I did suffer some horrible withdrawl symptoms it's not like I couldn't resume taking them. I think a better question would ask why the hell I would continue. I would definitely prefer to have tapered back down, however there's not way to break an XR capsule and have any assurance of how much one would be taking and whether the release would be consistent. Not to mention, if a medication had a warning in the literature (not to mention a big sticker on the side) about fatal discontinuation symptoms, do you really think I would do that? The point is, some people have a terrible time trying to stop Effexor and I didn't. My decision to stop in that manner turned out to be a great one, and I think other people should know about that. There is no since in everyone being scared to death of stopping or even starting a med (Effexor) if the problems that they may be scared of don't even apply to them. In conclusion, many many many people in the world are capable of making their own decisions without someone like you to come along and say how idiotic and wreckless he or she may be for not doing things exactly how you approve. Next time, before you try to blame me for making horrible decisions because you think I might be horribly and psychotically depressed (or whatever your opinion is) please realize that the material you read to draw your conclusions about such matters is available to everyone and you may or may not be right.Adam
Posted by sid on February 12, 2002, at 19:30:54
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR! » sid, posted by A0102 on February 12, 2002, at 17:14:12
> There is no since in everyone being scared to death of stopping or even starting a med (Effexor) if the problems that they may be scared of don't even apply to them. In conclusion, many many many people in the world are capable of making their own decisions without someone like you to come along and say how idiotic and wreckless he or she may be for not doing things exactly how you approve. Next time, before you try to blame me for making horrible decisions because you think I might be horribly and psychotically depressed (or whatever your opinion is) please realize that the material you read to draw your conclusions about such matters is available to everyone and you may or may not be right.
>
> AdamFirst, I was trying to be helpful, there's no point in getting angry and unpleasant. I was not trying to blame anyone, but rather to inform.
Second, if you read all the material, then you must have known that 3 weeks to get to 150 mg is unusual and you must have discussed the matter with your pdoc. It is perfectly normal that you felt like sh** at that rate. He should have made you go slower and perhaps you would have tolerated the med then.
Finally, if all the useful info on ADs were available to everyone, as you seem to say, then there would be no point for any of us to post anything here about our own experiences. Not even about how great it was for you to stop Effexor XR cold turkey.
Posted by Reneeb on February 12, 2002, at 21:51:47
In reply to Success with Effexor XR!, posted by A0102 on February 11, 2002, at 2:34:57
> Adam, congrats! for figuring out sooner than later. I have been on effexor for a year and am now weaning myself off - slowly. I thought the stuff worked great til I started to wean myself off and realized how much more energy I had. Yeah its great stuff if you just want to exist.
Renee
Posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 1:24:02
In reply to Success with Effexor XR!, posted by A0102 on February 11, 2002, at 2:34:57
> I have been taking Effexor XR for the past 3 weeks. I was last taking 150mg/day. 4 days ago, I decided to stop taking Effexor and that ranks among the most successful experiences I've ever had with antidepressants. No nausea, no headaches, no withdrawl whatsoever. My depression is about 50% better than it ever was while I was taking it. My conclusion to taking Effexor is GOOD RIDDANCE!!! While on it, I had been sleeping 18 hours a day easily and sometimes not even waking up for 2 to 3 days at a time. My eyes were constantly bloodshot (bad). Couple that with the fact that they were always half closed from being so tired and most everyone I knew thought I was coming down from a crack high every time they saw me :( Not to mention that during all this my depression was as bad as it has ever been. Of course, everyone is different and I can't say that it won't help anyone, but in my opinion this med is shite. I can definitely feel justified in telling everyone not to go with this as a first line treatment. As a matter of fact, put this one just ahead of ECT. Thank goodness for that short halflife, thought, onward to MAOIs before depression returns. Best of luck everyone...
>
> Adam
Adam,I see that you tore the other guy a new a## for getting on you for increasing the dose of Effexor so fast. Well, hate to tell you, but he is most likely right. A little harsh, but right. Go to EffexorXR.com if you don't believe him. Any antidepressant will not be, and should not be, judged over a few weeks. Especially when someone is playing Russian Roulette with the med! If you don't want other's advice, you should not be on this site! Effexor may suck. ( I would not know because I have never taken it. ) I have heard a lot of negatives. But, you should at least consult with your doctor before screwing around with dosages. Unless you don't want to receive any benefits. I hate to see what you will write back to me, but the other guy and myself are only getting on you because it is dangerous to toy with these medications like this. A serotonin syndrome would likely be an uncomfortable death!
Frankie.
Posted by sid on February 15, 2002, at 10:15:43
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 1:24:02
> Adam,
>
> I see that you tore the other guy a new a## for getting on you for increasing the dose of Effexor so fast. Well, hate to tell you, but he is most likely right. A little harsh, but right.
(...)
> Frankie.He's a she... And she takes Effexor XR, augmenting very slowly (1 month to 6 weeks between dosage increases), and it is doing wonders for her.
Posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 12:08:31
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR! » Frankie, posted by sid on February 15, 2002, at 10:15:43
> > Adam,
> >
> > I see that you tore the other guy a new a## for getting on you for increasing the dose of Effexor so fast. Well, hate to tell you, but he is most likely right. A little harsh, but right.
> (...)
> > Frankie.
>
> He's a she... And she takes Effexor XR, augmenting very slowly (1 month to 6 weeks between dosage increases), and it is doing wonders for her.
I was referring to A0102 when I was talking about jumping doses of Effexor. Nobody else. My brother takes Effexor with good results himself. I would like to try it too, so I am not knocking the medicine. But, what I did say is this. Not taking it properly will surely decrease it's effects! I am haappy to hear that you are having success on it. Good luck.Frankie.
Posted by sid on February 16, 2002, at 0:51:19
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 12:08:31
> > > Adam,
> > >
> > > I see that you tore the other guy a new a## for getting on you for increasing the dose of Effexor so fast. Well, hate to tell you, but he is most likely right. A little harsh, but right.
> > (...)
> > > Frankie.
> >
> > He's a she... And she takes Effexor XR, augmenting very slowly (1 month to 6 weeks between dosage increases), and it is doing wonders for her.
>
>
> I was referring to A0102 when I was talking about jumping doses of Effexor. Nobody else. My brother takes Effexor with good results himself. I would like to try it too, so I am not knocking the medicine. But, what I did say is this. Not taking it properly will surely decrease it's effects! I am haappy to hear that you are having success on it. Good luck.
>
> Frankie.
I know. But I believe you were referring to me when you spoke about the "guy" that A0102 tore a new a## to. I simply told you that I'm a she, not a he. Then I added that I am having sucess with Effexor XR myself.- sid
Posted by Frankie on February 16, 2002, at 17:19:14
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR! » Frankie, posted by sid on February 16, 2002, at 0:51:19
> > > > Adam,
> > > >
> > > > I see that you tore the other guy a new a## for getting on you for increasing the dose of Effexor so fast. Well, hate to tell you, but he is most likely right. A little harsh, but right.
> > > (...)
> > > > Frankie.
> > >
> > > He's a she... And she takes Effexor XR, augmenting very slowly (1 month to 6 weeks between dosage increases), and it is doing wonders for her.
> >
> >
> > I was referring to A0102 when I was talking about jumping doses of Effexor. Nobody else. My brother takes Effexor with good results himself. I would like to try it too, so I am not knocking the medicine. But, what I did say is this. Not taking it properly will surely decrease it's effects! I am haappy to hear that you are having success on it. Good luck.
> >
> > Frankie.
>
>
> I know. But I believe you were referring to me when you spoke about the "guy" that A0102 tore a new a## to. I simply told you that I'm a she, not a he. Then I added that I am having sucess with Effexor XR myself.
>
> - sid
Yes, I was sid, but, I was referring to him not taking the Effexor correctly, which you pointed out in the first place. You somewhat defended your position of not taking the medicine as prescribed, but A0102 is the one that we both got on for upping the dose so rapidly. I apologize for insulting you and calling you a him. Nothing personal. I would like to ask you a question sid. How does Effexor do for motivation and drive? I have been considering the medicine because I am on Celexa, which works pretty well, but I feel terribly unmotivated. Numerous others have suggested Effexor to me. But, I have heard that it is overstimulating more than anything. What do you say about this? I have never been on it. I have heard mostly good though, I must say.Frankie.
Posted by Reneeb on February 16, 2002, at 20:10:59
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by Frankie on February 16, 2002, at 17:19:14
Frankie, I think if you go thru some of the threads you find here regarding effexor you will find that most everyone that is on effexor is weaning themselves off including me.
Renee
Posted by sid on February 18, 2002, at 0:50:47
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by Frankie on February 16, 2002, at 17:19:14
> I would like to ask you a question sid. How does Effexor do for
motivation and drive? I have been considering the medicine because I am on
Celexa, which works pretty well, but I feel terribly unmotivated. Numerous
others have suggested Effexor to me. But, I have heard that it is
overstimulating more than anything. What do you say about this? I have
never been on it. I have heard mostly good though, I must say.
>
> Frankie.No problem about calling me a he. My reply was not clear at all, I suppose. The internet has its limitations in terms of voice modulation and such... I was trying to be funny but failed miserably at it.
A lot of people writing here are weaning themselves off Effexor XR, it's true, but people who don't have trouble with their meds don't write much here, it seems to me. So, on this web site, you hear about treatment resistant depression and problems. I don't find the sample representative of what goes on in general, and many people have written to me that it was like that, according to them as well. People who get better and do well tend not to write as much or as long. They move on to an actual life rather than writing about their illness and meds, because they are doing better. That's what I'm doing myself: I used to write a lot here but now not so much, and I check the web site less often too because I feel like doing more active things. Anyway, that was my 2 cents about Reneeb's answer.
So to answer your question to me... Effexor XR was overstimulating at the beginning, as I had terrible reaction to it for the first week or so. I barely slept then, and I was only at
37.5mg. I toughed it out though and I have increased to 75mg 6 weeks later, which I am still on after about 8 weeks. Some people have zero reaction at that level, mind you, but I felt drugged initially (37.5mg). The transition to 75mg was not as bad as the initial dosage; in fact I only had sleep problems but much less severe than the first week on 37.5mg.About motivation? Now I am more active and I WANT to do things rather than tell myself that I
should do them. I feel like going out, I am happy just to be alive, which I had not felt for so long (21 years of dysthymia). I'm still having sleep problems (too little for a while and then too much b/c I get so tired). If I can manage my sleep pattern better, I'll feel even better - I'm working on yoga routines for the evening that could help, and my doc prescribed some sleeping aids for when it gets too dificult (zaleplon, because I have trouble FALLING asleep, but once it's achieved, I sleep well, 7 to 8 hours nonstop). My motivation is not at its best yet, but it's certainly better than it's been before Effexor XR. More importantly for me (given my previous symptoms), my self-confidence is better, which enables me to do more things and to believe in their fruition. Better motivation therefore, because I believe in myself more. Rationally, I had no reason not to believe in myself, but it was not sufficient to feel self-confident. I also had anxiety which made it hard to work in a constructive manner; at times I was too nervous to do anything right. Effexor XR makes a difference.I suppose I'll get to a higher dose in a couple of weeks when I go back to see my doc, but I'm not sure. I'm using it for long-standing dysthymia and anxiety, so we may not have to go very high, dosage-wise; rather, I expect it'll be a long treatment (1 year+). Effexor is often used for major depression, which I've had in the past. Given my history and latest symptoms, my doc decided to try Effexor XR first. I must say I was initially turned off by the side effects, but after 10 days at 37.5mg, I felt a bit better in ways that were not clear. I was less anxious and my thoughts were less negative, especially about myself. After 21 years, that was a welcome change !
In conclusion, for me, Effexor XR is not over-stimulating anymore although it definitely was in the beginning. And it is helping my motivation
directly because I want to do things and indirectly because I feel better about myself. Experiences vary a lot however, and as we both wrote, increasing dosage slowly and weaning off slowly later are important strategies.- sid
Posted by A0102 on February 18, 2002, at 0:58:54
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by Frankie on February 15, 2002, at 1:24:02
Frankie,
Sorry, I have been out of town for the past couple days and I did not want to start a thread and leave it. With that aside, I would like to repeat that the doses of Effexor that I was taking were directly *from the starter pack* up to 75mg/day. The jump from 75 to 150mg/day was under the direction of my (former) pdoc.
>Any antidepressant will not be, and should not be, judged over a few weeks. Especially when someone is playing Russian Roulette with the med!
Ok, I WILL judge an antidepressant over a few weeks if the only thing it does during those few weeks is make me feel as bad as I ever have by being ineffective and adding terrible side effects on top of that! In the case of someone who is suicidally depressed, do you think it would make ANY SENSE AT ALL to tell the patient to ride out an experience with an AD that is making them worse overall?!! Secondly, I don't have any idea where you guys keep getting this self-medicating/russian roulette stuff from. As I've clearly stated, my dosing came directly from the Wyerth starter pack and my pdoc beyond that.
>If you don't want other's advice, you should not be on this site!
I've never hinted that I don't want anyone's advice. I actually feel quite to the contrary, however I do not need anyone who will make false assumptions about my conditions and treatment or try to use me as a bad example.
>Effexor may suck. ( I would not know because I have never taken it. ) I have heard a lot of negatives.
I have no opinion on that, or at least no objective opinion. For me, it was a total mistake, but there are others on this board who seem to do quite well with it.
>But, you should at least consult with your doctor before screwing around with dosages. Unless you don't want to receive any benefits.
This is something you or Sid made up. Everything about my experience with Effexor was strictly in accordance with my pdoc's instruction. I do not claim to have toyed with my dosage and never have. The only thing that wasn't under my pdoc's instruction was my decision to quit. (That decision, by the way, seems to have been the best one in my entire experience with it.)
>I hate to see what you will write back to me, but the other guy and myself are only getting on you because it is dangerous to toy with these medications like this. A serotonin syndrome would likely be an uncomfortable death!
I am not trying to attack anyone with an informed opinion or anyone who took enough time reading my original post to understand the situation. However, when I am accused of the whole self-medication/russian roulette thing, it only shows me that some people would rather respond in a condescending manner with irrelevant statements than actually learn from my experience or try to help. The last statement of yours is a perfect example of this. You are hanging serotonin syndrome over my head for *quitting* an AD??? What kind of sense does that make?
Nonetheless, the point of my original message was that I dropped EffexorXR from 150mg/day and had no withdrawl symptoms. That was it. The reason for the post was to comfort some people who are apprehensive about starting treatment with it because they may think that they are doomed to suffer the withdrawl symptoms that are so horrible for some. I thought it may also be interesting to some who are interested in trying to figure out how these medications function from a neurological standpoint. Perhaps someone is collecting examples or experiences regarding (the lack of) withdrawl in some people and they will find this information helpful. I was not trying to start an argument or get advice on therapy (which I had already discontinued). So if that is how it appeared then I apologize.
As a follow-up to my original post and my experience quitting Effexor:
After the better part of 2 weeks off of Effexor, the only symptom I've experienced is a very brief dizziness when turning my head quickly. It appears likely that after this time and considering the very short halflifes of Effexor and its active metabolite, there will be no other withdrawl symptoms. As far as mood, I feel MUCH better (currently med free!) than I did while taking Effexor and even better than I did even before it. Finally, to the assuredly great relief of Sid and Frankie, I am switching pdocs and I will perhaps get one who does not believe in increasing Effexor doses from nothing to 150mg/day in 3 weeks ;)Adam
PS (to Sid and Frankie): I know the two of you were only trying to help, but please next time try to understand the situation a little better. Seriously though, thanks to both of you for taking the time and thanks for being concerned.
Posted by sid on February 18, 2002, at 12:06:39
In reply to Re to Frankie/Effexor/Etc. (long), posted by A0102 on February 18, 2002, at 0:58:54
Well, I'm glad you're doing well.
You increased your dosage under your pdoc's supervision, I get that now. Perhaps he was not a great pdoc because if he knew how you felt, I believe he should have slowed the process to get to 150mg. That's what's happening to me. I reacted greatly initially, kept in touch with my doc, and so we took it in very little steps.
You were lucky not to have much side effects of quitting cold turkey; I am not putting blame or anything negative here, I just read many posts of people who tried that and had problems for a while.
Good luck to you with future treatments. You mentioned this pdoc was your *previous* pdoc - it sounds like a good idea to make a change there.
- sid
Posted by Frankie on February 18, 2002, at 18:03:11
In reply to Off Effexor XR » A0102, posted by sid on February 18, 2002, at 12:06:39
A0102,
I was not at all aware that you were told to increase that medication to that high a dose by a doctor. I apologize greatly. I can only say that the doctor probably knows more than me, but I have seen some that I would not let treat my dog! So, I think you have made a good move in changing doctor's. I must also say that I can not fully understand your situation because I am not suicidal at all. Just pretty bad anxiety at times, with ADHD, and depression. Not suicidal tendencies. So, I can see your point about becoming very desperate. I have too heard about many negative side effects from Effexor. I only brought up the serotonin syndrome because I was making the point that too much can build fast increasing the dose before you should. But, I also know that it is highly unlikely that a person would get that from an SSRI by itself. Combining a few, in very high dosages, maybe. Well, I hope you achieve success from your new doctor. Have you ever tried Nardil? Supposedly excellent for about anything. Something to think about for you if this Effexor fails. Take care.
Frankie.
Posted by Frankie on February 18, 2002, at 18:19:00
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR! » Frankie, posted by sid on February 18, 2002, at 0:50:47
sid,
You did not fail at anything at all. I just thought you were offended by my remarks. Glad you aren't. What you said is so very true. Those hooked on this site will need to rethink their strategy a lot. No medication in the world will do it all. Getting out and living life to the fullest is the only thing to put depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, etc.. where it belongs. In hell! Human interaction is the key to life and living. Being in a shell is doing nothing but harm to individuals. Confidence and self-esteem are created and fed by others. It is life. It is like a giant snowball rolling down a hill. It just gets bigger and bigger, and goes faster and faster, the further along it goes. I have pulled myself out of many emotional situations, including depression and anxiety without much medication. I did it by getting out and interacting. Sometimes forcing myself. Making someone smile. Or trying anyway. But, I do say that medication is needed. Especially for a condition like mine. OCD. That is something that you can not improve from without at least some medication. But, I try to go with the least amount possible. Right now, it is a combination of 3 different things. I have just recently joined this site, and the main reason is this. I feel that through my experience with anxiety issues for as long as I can remember, I can help others out. It does me good to help someone else out, even if it just makes them think a little. I will not post a lot of notes. But I will send a lot more replies. Good luck with the Effexor.
Frankie.
Posted by Reneeb on February 18, 2002, at 21:01:34
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR! » Frankie, posted by sid on February 18, 2002, at 0:50:47
Sid, I was only trying to let Frankie know that if she needed to get information about effexor all she needed to do is read some of the threads because there is a lot of information from people that have tried it and have been on it for a long time and know its long term effects. One major one for me was the weight gain which was a lot. Not just get one persons opinion. I have been on effexor for a year and if it wasn' t for the information that I received here I wouldn't have known that i was actually having problems with effexor. They brought to light many issues that I didn't or wouldn't have considered. I took the information and made my own conclusions. One was to wean myself off of effexor to see how I felt. After a week of a lower dose I could immediately feel the difference. I had so much more energy. It only continues to get better with time. I didn't realize what a fog I was in and would have continued to feel the nothingness that I was feeling if it wasn't for the information I received here.
I disagree that people hang out here because they don't have a life. I believe they are here to share their experiences with others.
By the way, if it is such a waste of time for people who have no life - what are you doing here???
Renee
Posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 12:00:33
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!SID/FRANKIE, posted by Reneeb on February 18, 2002, at 21:01:34
Hi Sid, I need to apologize for coming on so strong. I felt a little offended by your remarks, but thats not your problem.
I hope that you continue to do well.
Renee
Posted by sid on February 19, 2002, at 18:35:30
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor Sid I Apologize!!, posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 12:00:33
> Hi Sid, I need to apologize for coming on so strong. I felt a little offended by your remarks, but thats not your problem.
>
> I hope that you continue to do well.
>
> Renee
Well, I was hoping you wouldn't feel offended, but you did...I do read things about problems with Effexor, and I certainly appreciate the info I get here. But we do hear a lot of negative things about it on this web site. And many people here have treatment-resistant depression too. They've tried many things which have not worked. I still believe that the success stories don't get written much here. There's not much to say: you go back to work, family, whatever kept you off the streets before the depression, and that's that.
I did not mean that people with depression don't have a life. It's good for them to write here, get info, share info and also for the mutual support. At some point however, when people get better, they move on to other things simply because this web site is not as useful to them as it once was. Plus they enjoy life again, so they want to bite into it as much as possible, and the computer screen suddenly is not so appealing. Depression is so tough, if you can enjoy life again, you jump right into it, it seems to me.
So yes, many people here are weaning off Effexor, like you, but I still don't think they constitute a representative sample, simply because success stories are not reported as much. I did not mean to trivialize what you wrote, I wanted to give a different opinion. So far my experience with Effexor XR has been good. I'm very aware that this could change however.
I do appreciate all the info I've gotten here. For example, I would have stopped taking Effexor XR had I not read here that what I was experiencing initially was normal. And you are certainly right when you say that one person's experience is not enough to make up your mind about an AD. Different people in different phases of depression react very differently to ADs, so ultimately, one needs to try a med to see if it would work on him.
Anyway, I'm sorry I offended you, it was not my intention at all. English is not my mother-tongue and sometimes the tone of what I write is different from what I meant.
I hope you feel better soon.
- sid
Posted by Reneeb on February 19, 2002, at 21:06:10
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor Sid I Apologize!! » Reneeb, posted by sid on February 19, 2002, at 18:35:30
> Hi Sid, I would be very interested to see how you do on effexor. I hope yu keep us informed. Like I said, I was really disappointed that it didn't work for me. Actually, It's not that it didn't work. I think it worked too well. I didn't realize that I was so out of it - LOL.
Take Care,
Renee
Posted by shelia on February 20, 2002, at 14:10:29
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR! » Frankie, posted by sid on February 16, 2002, at 0:51:19
Im definetely begginning to think my doctor ( family doctor) is a bit of a quack for giving me THIS DRUG just to quit smoking with?
I treid Well Butrin and had severe anxiety, and thought I was going to have a stroke, after just 3 days..........tried 2x, both same effects.
Since I am a chronic smoker, I did ask IF there was something that was opposite Well Butrin that would make me quit, since it only made me want to smoke more.
Im begginging to see that this seems to be an awfully odd drug to take JUST to quit smoking?( I havent yet started it and after reading these comments, I doubt I will) ;-(
Posted by Frankie on February 22, 2002, at 1:43:24
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by shelia on February 20, 2002, at 14:10:29
Hello Sid, Renee, and Sheila.
I would like to tell you sid that "what goes around, comes around." I referred to you as a "he", and Renee referred to Frankie as a "she" Frankie is a male guys. But, it's all good! Agreed that this site is to be informative Renee, but I believe that sid meant that getting out and about will pull a person up much faster. I am sure you know that though. I like to try to spread my attention around. I suffer from overfocus and OCD issues so I need to work on shifting attention around. I will get on here for a bit, then move on to something different. If I can't get off this computer, I know I am having a bad OCD day!
I would like to say to Sheila that initially, Wellbutrin will certainly cause intense anxiety. It is a norepinephrine and dopamine based drug. Mostly Dopamine. It would be like drinking an overload amount of caffeine for 3 straight days. Chances are, you won't rest too easily. But the human body will adjust. I think you should tell your doctor of the anxiety you experienced with this medication, and ask for a benzodiazepine like Klonopin or Xanax with it, just until you adjust to the medicine. Then you can slowly withdraw that benzo. if you wish. If it still fails, I would try an SSRI with a benzo. My brother-in-law quit smoking with Prozac. I myself have cut in half what I used to smoke since starting the SSRI's. The serotonin reduces the cravings. The stimulant drugs like Wellbutrin just mimic the effect of the cigarette. I believe that, in reality, the SSRI with the Benzo is the better combination to help you quit. I would ask him/her about the benzo though, and try out Wellbutrin one more time, with the benzo. you guys take care.
Frankie.
Posted by sid on February 22, 2002, at 9:40:08
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by Frankie on February 22, 2002, at 1:43:24
> Hello Sid, Renee, and Sheila.
>
> (...)Agreed that this site is to be informative Renee, but I believe that sid meant that getting out and about will pull a person up much faster.
> (...)
> Frankie.Actually, that may be true. My intitial intention however was to say that, as people get better, they do get out and about more (the inverse causation relationship). They feel better after suffering so much, they have some catching up to do! So they're likely not to post here as much. Especially since they don't have so many med and other treatment questions that they hope will be answered here, because whatever they are doing is working for them.
Posted by Reneeb on February 24, 2002, at 17:31:43
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by Frankie on February 22, 2002, at 1:43:24
Sorry Frankie! LOL
Renee
Posted by anna maria on April 7, 2002, at 19:10:15
In reply to Re: Success with Effexor XR!, posted by shelia on February 20, 2002, at 14:10:29
> I have been on effexor for about 3 months, I started at 37.5 and quickly went up to 300 thren back down to 225. things got confused with my insurence and I was tring not to run out so I went down to 150. I finally worked everything out this morning and I took 225 i had none yest. I felt so sick I was dizzy all day, My husband had to go out and get them this morning I could not get up. I feel alot better now 6hrs later but still dizzy. Did this ever happen to anyone else?
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.