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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angel Girl on February 24, 2002, at 17:46:15
Hi! I'm new here and very glad to find this forum. I have been taking Effexor since Oct 2001, starting with 37.5mg and changed 5 days ago to Effexor XR 225mg. I was not experiencing any relief to my depression until I started taking 225mg. At that time I noticed the change immediately on the same day. I finally now can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Prior to this I was ready to give up on life. However, I have had constipation and unable to have a bowel movement for 5 days now on this increased dosage. Does anybody have this problem and what would you suggest on a daily basis to manage it and also for immediate relief. I also have an extremely dry mouth and would like advice on that too. If I can get this constipation under control then I am extremely pleased with the Effexor XR 225mg.
Thanks,
Angel Girl
Posted by sid on February 24, 2002, at 21:20:27
In reply to Effexor XR Side Effects, posted by Angel Girl on February 24, 2002, at 17:46:15
Hi Angel Girl,
I'm glad you're doing better.About constipation: yes, many people have that on Effexor XR. Some people have mentioned Metamucil taken daily with juice for example. I personally eat large navel oranges (1 a day) and when that's not enough, I eat prunes in syrup (Del Monte's for example). Also: wheat bran or raisin muffins for breakfast (healthy ones). Fresh fruits and veggies are usually good. Also, beans can help. There was a thread about a month ago on that very subject:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020110/msgs/90304.htmlAbout dry mouth: people have that, but I think it goes away for most - perhaps not at 225mg though. When I had that, I drank lots of water (it helps fight constipation too!) and I used lip balm on my dried lips. You could also chew non-sugar gum, it makes your mouth produce more saliva than usual, although it's not great for your jaw.
Good luck, and take care.
- sid
Posted by ST on February 26, 2002, at 3:05:07
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Side Effects » Angel Girl, posted by sid on February 24, 2002, at 21:20:27
Hi,
Yeah, I had the severe constipation, too. I did have dry mouth for awhile, but I drink about a gallon of water a day (Depakote has always kept me parched) so I didn't really notice it. The constipation goes away once you've hit a level that you're staying at. I take fiber/cascara sagrada/psyllium husk powder pills at night and even in the morning and am now going two times a day, thank god. I feel as if soon I won't need to take the fiber pills.
Good luck!
Sarah
Posted by Angel Girl on February 27, 2002, at 21:08:01
In reply to Effexor XR Side Effects, posted by Angel Girl on February 24, 2002, at 17:46:15
Thanks for your help. The constipation is getting better. I've had the extreme dry mouth from almost the beginning and it is getting worse with each dosage increase. It is soooo bad that sometimes I have a very hard time swallowing. I drink water CONSTANTLY.
Posted by livingghost on June 17, 2002, at 19:23:48
In reply to Effexor XR Side Effects, posted by Angel Girl on February 24, 2002, at 17:46:15
Hi-
I've been taking effexor for over three years. I had to do it in order to keep myself alive because my life was insane pain before- to me and to everyone around me. I believe it was hell, I was one of Hell's creatures. Now I am the closest to my previous "normal" self- the self before the depression- now that I'm taking the drug.
The catch is, I had to trade my sex life for my sanity. I consider myself a "non-sexual." I also have what others in this chat room have called hypersomnia (I think) in which I sleep so much that it seriously hinders my career and relationships. Obviously the lack of sex adds incredible amounts of stress to my soul-mate relationship, especially in this human society in which all things are linked to sex. BUT NOTHING WILL EVER BE AS BAD AS THE PAIN WAS BEFORE MY DEPRESSION WAS CURED BY EFFEXOR. I also condider effexor something my life depends on because if I don't take it, I will most definately self destruct in a short matter of time.
I have tried other drugs- Wellbutrin, which made me too giddy and silly; and I tried Prozac, which caused me to loose my creativity, which is unacceptable to me when it is the most inherent part of my personality that I've grown up with.
For my ugly side effects, I wonder if there's another drug that would work better, but it's an incredible hassle in a million ways- I could write a book.
Good luck to you all out there who know the things I know, and if you haven't hit all the bumps I have yet... please remember that there is a universe out there of things to live for that you don't even know about yet, and that there are many different solutions that you probably don't know about yet, either. DON'T GIVE UP, life can change dramatically in any situation.
Posted by krazy kat on June 22, 2002, at 9:30:26
In reply to 3 Plus Years on Effexor, posted by livingghost on June 17, 2002, at 19:23:48
livingghost:
i am hopeful that others with experience with effexor (i've never taken it) will have some thoughts re: these side effects. The last week I have slept so much I am terrified another depression is creeping in, so in that matter, I can empathize. But yours is continuous, and that must be terribly disruptive.
I mainly wanted to post to tell you that your name is one of the most beautiful I've seen. It's up there with Paxvox, another poster here, but so very tragic as well.
- kk
This is the end of the thread.
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