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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1772 to 1796 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 6, 2002, at 11:00:48
In reply to Re: tinnitus, posted by Trisha on March 6, 2002, at 7:48:47
> I agree with you that there are many different things that can cause tinnitus. Although I know several people (including myself) that have experienced this as a direct side-effect to a med. I never experienced tinnitus until AFTER I started on the ssri's. It's been about 3 months since I stopped the meds. and I still experience it to some degree.
> Trisha
Hi, Trisha and those others who are asking about tinnitus. I have a bit of information that may be useful to some of you. Tinnitus is one of the MOST common side effects of ASPIRIN, as well as other over-the-counter or prescription medications including meds like Motrin. It is also listed as a side effect of Effexor. Tinnitus with vertigo OR dizziness may be associated with inner ear dysfunction. Tinnitus may also be idiopathic (no known cause). If you take these meds, try stopping the NSAIDs (which include aspirin) or switching to Tylenol. Many, many other meds also cause tinnitus. I've had it for years, well before I ever started any psychotropic meds. Taking aspirin or other NSAIDs increases it dramatically. Sometimes it drives me nuts-especially when the room is quiet. White noise at bedtime may make it easier to go to sleep. Use a small fan or a white noise generator (you can buy these from many places, including Sharper Image, Brookstone, etc). You can even turn you television onto a station that is off the air (if you can find one or if your tv doesn't drop the noise after a few seconds).Good luck to you.
Jannbeau
Posted by colin wallace on March 6, 2002, at 11:58:48
In reply to tinnitus » colin wallace, posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 5:36:37
Agree with you absolutely: what I meant though is that if tinnitus comes on simultaneously WITH a depression, and it's not been experienced prior to the depression, then in all probability the depression (or even the med.) is the cause.
On the other hand, my sister for example, has never been depressed, never gets ill, and has suffered loud tinnitus for years.Who knows??!
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:01:02
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 19:21:08
> > Hi Dot, I thought effexor worked great until I noticed I gained 10 pounds. We were all told that effexor didn't put weight on you??? I am also on wellbutrin and I like that a lot seems to give me more energy. I went back on my dose of 37.5 and when I see my doc on friday I am going to ask him if he could put me on something else so the withdrawals aren't so bad. I have read many post where people were successful doing it this way. Let me know what you doc says I will be interested to hear what advice he gives you.
Take Care,
Renee
Posted by cmm22 on March 6, 2002, at 17:07:00
In reply to Re: just started effexor today 3-4-02 » cmm22, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 20:51:17
Hey Renee.. thanks for the info.. after reading many reports on effexor I have decided not to take it..
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:07:15
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by LisaDiann on March 5, 2002, at 23:58:08
>
Wow, you are a brave person!! I couldn't last 5 days without effexor before I went back to my 37.5 dose. I couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't functioning at all. I will see my pdoc on friday - he told me to get back on the 37.5 dose til we talk on friday.Good luck and let me know how you are progessing.
Renee
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 6, 2002, at 17:23:42
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Jetson on March 4, 2002, at 23:03:33
> Hi, Jetson:
Gosh, sounds like you have covered all the bases! Your doctor really sounds rather cavalier, though!
Have you tried Viagra? It seems to have some side effects (my husband has slight headaches and some "fuzziness" in his thinking) but maybe it would help if you can tolerate the medication if you can tolerate the side effects (which only some folks seem to get) and you have no medical contraindications for taking Viagra.
Good Luck!
JannbeauI have had a check-up and the doctor says that I should not complain, because I CAN get an erection, but it is not as hard and does not last as long as it used to before I started taking Effexor in Sept 1996 (I stopped around Dec 1997). I have been given a clean bill of health by doctors, which leads me to the conclusion that Effexor has indeed had something to do with my permanent dysfunction.
>
> I have followed doctors' suggestions in doing some physical therapy exercises to strengthen my pubococcygeal muscle. I have been doing PC exercises for over two years now only to notice minimal improvements in my erections.
>
> During intercourse I do experience pleasure, but about 50% of the time, my erection will just randomly disappear before orgasm. This never used to happen before I started taking Effexor. I used to be able to orgasm every time. These days, it varies from day to day.
>
> QUESTION: Has anyone experienced any long term sexual side effects similar or even less severe as mine?
>
> Please email me at jetson@poboxes.com if you have. Or just post to this board.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I think you should have a thorough checkup to rule out some other cause of your erectile dysfunction (ED). Although I could not (and would not)tell you that your ED is NOT due to having taken Effexor five years ago, that seems an excessive length of time to attribute an adverse event to a medication. There are many for ED, including: age-related hormonal changes; physical illness to include diabetes mellitus (recognized or unrecognized); vascular disorders; psychological illnesses unrecognized anxiety or depression; medications you currently take that might include over-the-counter meds--just a few examples. I don't pretend to be an expert. The point is go to see a GOOD urologist, endocrinologist, or other internal medicine specialist for a work up. Don't take "no" for an answer from your GP or psychiatrist.
> >
> > Thanks for listening.
> > Jannbeau
> >
> > > I have been off of Effexor since 1997.
> > > I still do not get erections as easily as I used to. I can have orgasms, but they are mostly not as intense. In general I am frustrated with the side-effects of Effexor that do seem to last for a long time after termination.
> > >
> > >
> > > > 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?
Posted by sue doe on March 6, 2002, at 17:40:56
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 19:21:08
I decided that it is okay to cry. Creative "juices" are flowing again. Poetry is my way of coping. When I start feeling a mood switch, I lay down and let my mind be creative. I used to play the piano. Here is a quote from Patty Duke's book on her life with bi-polar, "It had been quite a while since I had had any symptoms of depression. Working [on the show It Takes Two], of course, had a lot to do with it. I usually didn't get depressed when I was working."
Creative exercises help me, the moodiness passes and then I'm fine to go ahead.
So what if my productivity is down for a while, my creative side is alive again!
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 21:26:24
In reply to Day four effexor free for me, posted by sue doe on March 6, 2002, at 17:40:56
> I decided that it is okay to cry. Creative "juices" are flowing again. Poetry is my way of coping. When I start feeling a mood switch, I lay down and let my mind be creative. I used to play the piano. Here is a quote from Patty Duke's book on her life with bi-polar, "It had been quite a while since I had had any symptoms of depression. Working [on the show It Takes Two], of course, had a lot to do with it. I usually didn't get depressed when I was working."
> Creative exercises help me, the moodiness passes and then I'm fine to go ahead.
> So what if my productivity is down for a while, my creative side is alive again!
Sue, What a wonderful and positive way of thinking. What a inspiration you are. Please tell me how you have survived those many days. I couldn't do it. I know exactly what you mean about the crying!! I am going to my pdoc on friday so he can give me something to help with the withdrawals. I could hardly even stand without losing my balance and boy was I sick.
Hang in there!
Renee
Posted by dot on March 6, 2002, at 21:37:16
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update » dot, posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:01:02
> > > Hi Dot, I thought effexor worked great until I noticed I gained 10 pounds. We were all told that effexor didn't put weight on you??? I am also on wellbutrin and I like that a lot seems to give me more energy. I went back on my dose of 37.5 and when I see my doc on friday I am going to ask him if he could put me on something else so the withdrawals aren't so bad. I have read many post where people were successful doing it this way. Let me know what you doc says I will be interested to hear what advice he gives you.
>
> Take Care,
>
> Reneei didn't notice any weight gain with effexor, if anything i lost a bit of weight since i didn't really feel as hungry anymore. i was worried it would make me lose a lot of weight since that is what happened when i tried prozac. i stopped eating for over a month before i had to stop taking it.
i think trying another med to help you ease off the effexor is a good idea. i am feeling ok now but wouldn't recommend cold turkey to my worst enemy. i stopped taking the dramamine today to see how i felt and i was ok, just a bit dizzy but it isn't interfering with work and i feel like i could drive a car now.
i told the doctor that i was going to wait a few weeks to decide if i was going to start another med. the idea of having a sex life again is pretty tempting so i might just try to go without anything and see if i get depressed again...
i'll keep you posted on futher developments.
thanx, dot
Posted by sue doe on March 6, 2002, at 22:15:29
In reply to Re: Day four effexor free for me » sue doe, posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 21:26:24
ReneeB: Thanks for the encouragement. I have been a bit dizzy occasionally, but I've also had viruses which have made me dizzy. If I had pneumonia I would accept the need to stay in bed for a while. Why not now? The problem is that most people can't understand "mental storms." It is easier for them to find fault of character.
I just need to remember people like Handel. When I studied music in college I was told he was on drugs when he wrote the Halleluia chorus. Later I read that he claimed to have seen "heaven open before him." Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for him to explain his "mood". Now I am told he suffered from manic-depressive disorder. Just think, with effexor the world may have never heard the Halleluia chorus!
I'm not Handel, but you know what, if I'm a little "wierd" people are just goin' to have to deal with me. Did you know that I sometimes laugh to myself in a loud jovial laugh without making a sound. I can even keep a straight face. The laugh is in my mind. Try it when the going gets rough! Oh well, here ends day four.
Posted by Reneeb on March 7, 2002, at 15:21:40
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 6, 2002, at 21:37:16
> > > > Hi Dot, I thought effexor worked great until I noticed I gained 10 pounds. We were all told that effexor didn't put weight on you??? I am also on wellbutrin and I like that a lot seems to give me more energy. I went back on my dose of 37.5 and when I see my doc on friday I am going to ask him if he could put me on something else so the withdrawals aren't so bad. I have read many post where people were successful doing it this way. Let me know what you doc says I will be interested to hear what advice he gives you.
> >
> > Take Care,
> >
> > Renee
>
> i didn't notice any weight gain with effexor, if anything i lost a bit of weight since i didn't really feel as hungry anymore. i was worried it would make me lose a lot of weight since that is what happened when i tried prozac. i stopped eating for over a month before i had to stop taking it.
> i think trying another med to help you ease off the effexor is a good idea. i am feeling ok now but wouldn't recommend cold turkey to my worst enemy. i stopped taking the dramamine today to see how i felt and i was ok, just a bit dizzy but it isn't interfering with work and i feel like i could drive a car now.
> i told the doctor that i was going to wait a few weeks to decide if i was going to start another med. the idea of having a sex life again is pretty tempting so i might just try to go without anything and see if i get depressed again...
> i'll keep you posted on futher developments.
> thanx, dotHi Dot, Since I have lowered my dose of effexor and use a higher dose of wellbutrin, my sexual drive has gone crazy!! I love it...LOL
Renee
Posted by broadville on March 7, 2002, at 17:44:39
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I am on Effexor XR (150mg) but was always SLEEPY--Effexor helped the depression but I found I had no motivation and just wanted to sleep all day long while the kids were at school at husband at work.
I told my new doctor this yesterday and he started me on something called Focalin which is a pure form of Ritalin--has anyone ever tried this combo either Effexor and Focalin or Effexor and Ritalin? If so could you please tell me if this helped with the fatigue?
Thanks
Posted by Reneeb on March 7, 2002, at 21:21:53
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by gurl on March 7, 2002, at 15:54:57
> > Hi
> > I am still on EffexorXR @ 75mgs twice a day.
> > Have less anorexia than I did. :( But am also on
> > Remeron at 45mgs at nite. I am eating like a pig!
> > Sleeping a *little* better- only a little.
> > Sweating Just as Much. I thought these 2
> > drugs were supposed to counteract each others'
> > weaknesses.
> > I get jumpy,especially with chocolate.Klonipin
> > helps.In spite of these side effects:I FEEL BETTER
> > THAN I'VE FELT IN A REALLY REALLY REALLY LONG TIME
> > !!!
> > The Remeron-Effexor duo has to be commended at
> > least as far as *feeling* better. I think
> > I'll stay on them a while and enjoy the ride
> > a little, and hope the less desirable effects
> > fade further into the background:?) Keeping
> > fingers crossed.(for all of us)Watch- for me the
> > worst side effects will probably be doubled!
> > LOL!
> >
> > lgHi, I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. I haven't heard of your combo. Please keep us informed on how it is working for you.
Good Luck,
Renee
Posted by RIgirl on March 7, 2002, at 23:52:56
In reply to Re: Trying to get off Effexor » RIgirl, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 18:14:59
It's definitely better than the first few days when the nausea and dizziness was unbearable, but still have some weird things going on. I'm having a horrible time falling asleep and night sweats once I do. The frequency of panic attacks is much greater than before I went on it, but I'm not ready to consider that among the withdrawel symptoms yet.
This sucks, huh?
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 8, 2002, at 11:09:02
In reply to effexor/focalin (ritalin) combo?, posted by broadville on March 7, 2002, at 17:44:39
> I experienced the same horrible side-effect with Effexor as I increased my dose to 150 mg. I found myself staring dumbly at my computer screen all day - simply could not think - and I work full time. This was funny, too, because when I first started Effexor, I couldn't sleep.
I discussed the somnolence with my doc, who prescribed Welbutrin. After I read the product insert for Welbutrin, I decided I was afraid of the possibility of seizures with Welbutrin, so my doc Rx'd phentermine, an appetite suppressant that has stimulant effects. It works very, very well at quite low doses (15 mg 1 to 2 times per day). I am back to my "normal" function most of the time.
Sometimes a stimulant can make you "hyper." If this happens to you, perhaps your doc would ok a lower dose or a divided dose.
Take care. Good luck with your meds.
Cheers,
Jannbeau
P.S. I've noticed a couple of other phenomena with Effexor, too. One thing is that I cannot take an over the counter antihistamine like Benadryl or Chlortrimeton with the Effexor or I am really wiped out! Also, I have to be careful to keep my phentermine dose as low as possible or I find myself acting stereotypically.
J
I am on Effexor XR (150mg) but was always SLEEPY--Effexor helped the depression but I found I had no motivation and just wanted to sleep all day long while the kids were at school at husband at work.
>
> I told my new doctor this yesterday and he started me on something called Focalin which is a pure form of Ritalin--has anyone ever tried this combo either Effexor and Focalin or Effexor and Ritalin? If so could you please tell me if this helped with the fatigue?
>
> Thanks
Posted by Angel Girl on March 9, 2002, at 14:17:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been taking Effexor since last November. I never felt any improvement in my moods and constant suicidal thoughts until my dosage was increased 2 weeks ago to 225mg. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad. :( I started having severe muscle twitches and jerks and it was hard to get to sleep. So when I went to my doctor last Thursday he decreased my dosage back to 150mg with hopes that the twitches/jerks would go away and then when I go back this Wednesday, he wants to start more slowly to increase it again.
Unfortunately, even though I was severely depressed before, on the first day on the reduced dosage I was manic. I haven't had a manic episode since last summer. I thought they were a thing of the past. I actually like the manic episodes but what I don't like is the inevitable crashes that follow and that is where I have been ever since. I can't stop crying. I feel sooooo sad again. AND to make matters worse the twitches and jerks are still here. :( I HATE feeling so depressed. I had finally had some relief for 2 weeks and now I'm back into this once again. I'm so tired of dealing with this all the time. I need the higher dosage but yet I can't take these side effects. All I can do is cry, cry, cry!!!! And I've yet to find a dosage that has given me any slight bit of motivation to do anything. :( :( :(
Sorry to be such a downer. I just felt like getting it out. :(
Angel Girl
Posted by Ron Hill on March 9, 2002, at 14:34:00
In reply to I'm soooooo depressed!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 9, 2002, at 14:17:16
Angel,
Are you bipolar? Have you told your pdoc about your mania/hypomania? Are you taking a mood stabilizer? If not, could it be that you are bipolar and a mood stabilizer is needed to, among other things, facilate to effectivenes of the AD?
-- Ron
-------------------> I've been taking Effexor since last November. I never felt any improvement in my moods and constant suicidal thoughts until my dosage was increased 2 weeks ago to 225mg. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad. :( I started having severe muscle twitches and jerks and it was hard to get to sleep. So when I went to my doctor last Thursday he decreased my dosage back to 150mg with hopes that the twitches/jerks would go away and then when I go back this Wednesday, he wants to start more slowly to increase it again.
>
> Unfortunately, even though I was severely depressed before, on the first day on the reduced dosage I was manic. I haven't had a manic episode since last summer. I thought they were a thing of the past. I actually like the manic episodes but what I don't like is the inevitable crashes that follow and that is where I have been ever since. I can't stop crying. I feel sooooo sad again. AND to make matters worse the twitches and jerks are still here. :( I HATE feeling so depressed. I had finally had some relief for 2 weeks and now I'm back into this once again. I'm so tired of dealing with this all the time. I need the higher dosage but yet I can't take these side effects. All I can do is cry, cry, cry!!!! And I've yet to find a dosage that has given me any slight bit of motivation to do anything. :( :( :(
>
> Sorry to be such a downer. I just felt like getting it out. :(
>
> Angel Girl
Posted by Scott Hendrix on March 9, 2002, at 21:16:25
In reply to Re: I'm soooooo depressed!!! » Angel Girl, posted by Ron Hill on March 9, 2002, at 14:34:00
I just completed my first 7 days of the 37.5 Effexor XR 1xday. Really the only good thing I have to say about it is that my original complaint of sleeping to much has been resolved. I now have begun to have mixed thoughts / depression but now I'm awake, but sleepy by 5pm. I have been haveing really vivid and sometimes anxiety type nightmares, also I am still having Anxiety during the day, although a little less than before taking effexor but its also making me more unfriendly, edgie, and thinking negatively about other people in the office, which I didn't have before, and very slightly depressed, with the negative thoughts. I have started to seem to gain weight and eat lots more than normal (Went shopping and bought two 1/2 gallons of Chocolate Ice Cream. I have also notice an increase in weired out of the norm type thoughts, which scare me, I have never had before while on prozac. I am suppose to start to the next increased dose of 75mg today for 7 days. I have noticed increased sweating since not taking my next dose today. I called my Primary Care doctor yesterday and left a message, he has yet to return my call. I told him I wanted to go back on the Prozac that he took me off of 7-8 days ago, because he said it would help me wake up and lower my anxiety so he could take me off xanax and prozac with one drug (Effexor). I have been waking up like at 5am everyday and then forcing myself back to sleep till 7 am sometimes waking again before 7 at 6am. Traditionally I have been a very heavy sleeper and enjoy my sleep, but with the negative dreaded oversleeping syndrom in the mornings. So with all this hype about withdrawl and it's really not making me happier like the prozac did, I think I am calling it quits on Effexor. I just read about Brain Zaps today?? What is that?? I have never heard of that side effect, should I expect it from quiting Effexor after only 7 days on the 37.5mg dose? I am concerned about stopping it now. I had some left over prozac so I started taking those today, until my doc calls me back. I still have my anxiety med. xanax but at a low dose of .25mg 2xday to keep the prozac jittery side effects and my panic attacts in control. Any suggestions? By the way I am Mixed Bi-polar or Bi-polar II. I have tried lithium, and it doesn't work for me, metalic tastes, flat mood, no emotions, zoobie type attitude. I have heard about the other bi-polar meds, but my main problem is deppression not the mania as much just anxiety. I keep asking my doctor for Ambiem to help me with my sleeping patter, which really is my only problem when taking prozac and xanax. He for some reason doesn't want to prescribe Ambiem, He just wants to keep changing my meds that work for everything but sleeping too much. What are everyones thoughts.
> Angel,
>
> Are you bipolar? Have you told your pdoc about your mania/hypomania? Are you taking a mood stabilizer? If not, could it be that you are bipolar and a mood stabilizer is needed to, among other things, facilate to effectivenes of the AD?
>
> -- Ron
> -------------------
>
> > I've been taking Effexor since last November. I never felt any improvement in my moods and constant suicidal thoughts until my dosage was increased 2 weeks ago to 225mg. Unfortunately, with the good came the bad. :( I started having severe muscle twitches and jerks and it was hard to get to sleep. So when I went to my doctor last Thursday he decreased my dosage back to 150mg with hopes that the twitches/jerks would go away and then when I go back this Wednesday, he wants to start more slowly to increase it again.
> >
> > Unfortunately, even though I was severely depressed before, on the first day on the reduced dosage I was manic. I haven't had a manic episode since last summer. I thought they were a thing of the past. I actually like the manic episodes but what I don't like is the inevitable crashes that follow and that is where I have been ever since. I can't stop crying. I feel sooooo sad again. AND to make matters worse the twitches and jerks are still here. :( I HATE feeling so depressed. I had finally had some relief for 2 weeks and now I'm back into this once again. I'm so tired of dealing with this all the time. I need the higher dosage but yet I can't take these side effects. All I can do is cry, cry, cry!!!! And I've yet to find a dosage that has given me any slight bit of motivation to do anything. :( :( :(
> >
> > Sorry to be such a downer. I just felt like getting it out. :(
> >
> > Angel Girl
Posted by Angel Girl on March 9, 2002, at 21:36:12
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Since I've been depressed I have had absolutely NO motivation whatsoever. All I want to ever do is to be by myself and watch mindless hours of TV. Does anybody else have this problem? And what do you do about it????
Angel Girl
Posted by Allen F. on March 9, 2002, at 23:40:52
In reply to Bi-polar- Just finished First 7days on Effexor XR » Ron Hill, posted by Scott Hendrix on March 9, 2002, at 21:16:25
Did you go "cold turky" off of the Xanax? I was on Prozac and Xanax for years, the doc then took me off of them and put me on Effexor. I learned the hard way about withdrawals from Xanax ... wasn't fun.
The things you have talked about during the first seven days on Effexor are simular to what I experienced. I have been on it for six months and have not tolerated it well. I am into week two of wiening off the Effexor and it is not fun. Next week is the last week I will be on it. The doc wants me to go onto Remeron and I am really hesitant. After Xanax and now Effexor withdrawals I am not sure I want to take anything else.
I have asked the "post" if anyone has had any experience with Remeron but did not hear anything.
Hope things go well for you.
Posted by Ron Hill on March 10, 2002, at 12:00:28
In reply to Bi-polar- Just finished First 7days on Effexor XR » Ron Hill, posted by Scott Hendrix on March 9, 2002, at 21:16:25
> I called my Primary Care doctor yesterday and left a message, he has yet to return my call. I told him I wanted to go back on the Prozac that he took me off of 7-8 days ago, because he said it would help me wake up and lower my anxiety so he could take me off xanax and prozac with one drug (Effexor).
My opinion: Your Primary Care doctor is in over his head. Find a good pdoc. If it cost extra money to see a pdoc, spend it!
>Any suggestions? By the way I am Mixed Bi-polar or Bi-polar II. I have tried lithium, and it doesn't work for me, metalic tastes, flat mood, no emotions, zoobie type attitude. I have heard about the other bi-polar meds, but my main problem is deppression not the mania as much just anxiety. I keep asking my doctor for Ambiem to help me with my sleeping patter, which really is my only problem when taking prozac and xanax. He for some reason doesn't want to prescribe Ambiem, He just wants to keep changing my meds that work for everything but sleeping too much. What are everyones thoughts.
My opinions: How do you know that you are bipolar? Did the primary care doctor give a bipolar dx? If indeed you are bipolar then you need to get on a mood stabilizer first and foremost. I personally have never heard of treating a bipolar patient successfully with an antidepressant without also using a mood stabilizer. If Li doesn't work for you then try the AEDs (Depakote, Lamictal, etc).
-- Ron
Posted by Pamela Lynn on March 10, 2002, at 12:29:51
In reply to Re: Bi-polar- Just finished First 7days on Effexor XR, posted by Allen F. on March 9, 2002, at 23:40:52
I was on Remeron for 7 months a couple of years back....It is usually given at bedtime, as it can tend to make one very sleepy. As for side effects while on it 'I' had none, and none when I went off of it either. I took the sol-tab for (the tablet melts into your mouth, so it works quicker).
> Did you go "cold turky" off of the Xanax? I was on Prozac and Xanax for years, the doc then took me off of them and put me on Effexor. I learned the hard way about withdrawals from Xanax ... wasn't fun.
>
> The things you have talked about during the first seven days on Effexor are simular to what I experienced. I have been on it for six months and have not tolerated it well. I am into week two of wiening off the Effexor and it is not fun. Next week is the last week I will be on it. The doc wants me to go onto Remeron and I am really hesitant. After Xanax and now Effexor withdrawals I am not sure I want to take anything else.
>
> I have asked the "post" if anyone has had any experience with Remeron but did not hear anything.
>
> Hope things go well for you.
Posted by Shanti on March 10, 2002, at 13:10:27
In reply to Motivation, posted by Angel Girl on March 9, 2002, at 21:36:12
Hi Angel Girl,
i am into my 2nd week of this new type of antidepressant, after switching from paxil and going straight to that i went through some very high manic behaviour as well, but strangely enough if i thought about it conciously and took notice of my behaviour i was able to bring myself back to balance and not freak out on any one around me. i find that i am speaking up more on this med and my family can see the changes but right now are not willing to give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. i have been reading about all these side effects, i experience a little of them but not severe i am only on 75 mg. i will see my doctor in 2 weeks and talk about this again, i am going to try and stay on it and see if it works (remember it takes 6 weeks or so to really get into your system) as for the depression, i also expereince it but what i do is i go outside or even look out the window and look for all the beautiful things life has to offer and then as hard as it is i will get outside and once i do i feel great (even cleaning the house for me helps because i know to some people that is an everyday thing but for me when things are down they are really down and along with me everything else around my stands still until i can get going again. do you read? when i am feeling really down i always go and look for a book and low and behold i find the book that fits my life right here and right now. also, remember that at this time of year just before spring it always feels like death so to speak because we are waiting for the rebirth of all plants, trees, etc. outside. last week i found myself getting depressed and realized it was partly do to the weather so instead of remaing down, i thought of all the beautiful sights that will arrive with the help of this cold, grey weather, then i looked for buds, saw them and felt better!
For me the weeks of March18-23 & March 25-29 will be the true test to see if this medicine really works, by then i will have been taking it for 4 weeks. You see, two weeks out of the month i am fine and the other two i can barely stay in tuned with life and those around me, so wish me luck and i will post after that.
ps angel girl, if interested i would like your email so i could compare with you somemore!
good luck,
shanti
ps as for tv - gotta love the judge shows and blind date, eliminadate, 5th wheel etc. these are my shows that i watch when i am going through my stuff!
Posted by sue doe on March 10, 2002, at 14:20:09
In reply to Re: Trying to get off Effexor, posted by RIgirl on March 7, 2002, at 23:52:56
> It's definitely better than the first few days when the nausea and dizziness was unbearable, but still have some weird things going on. I'm having a horrible time falling asleep and night sweats once I do. The frequency of panic attacks is much greater than before I went on it, but I'm not ready to consider that among the withdrawel symptoms yet.
> This sucks, huh?I am in my eighth day off of all meds (except for thyroxin, b vitamins, St. John's wort and Omega 3's) Are you still off of your meds, and if, or if not, what's happening?
Sue Doe (Nym)
Posted by Celeste on March 10, 2002, at 19:49:19
In reply to Re: Trying to get off Effexor, posted by RIgirl on March 7, 2002, at 23:52:56
Thought I'd pass along my withdrawal experience-- which was same as the rest of you, including the brain zaps (great name!) which I told my pdoc were head noises that went "Wonnnggga-wonngga" even if I just moved my eyeballs. Anyway, I was 2 weeks into my taper and it was awful. So I got a pill cutter and cut those suckers into halves, then quarters then eighths! I think it took 6 weeks, but it worked. The brain zaps lasted for months, and I had a problem with dairy products the whole time.
But just to show how much I loved being on Effexor-- I just returned to taking it after a year and a half off. Got depressed again. I had no bad side effects once established (had problems with Prozac & Wellbutrin) except for insomnia, and Trazodone 25 or 50mg helped beautifully. Hope this helps someone. I wish I'd seen this site when I was in withdrawal.
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