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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 27. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 12:06:06
Hello everyone, this is my first time posting here. I have been having severe depression for approximately 2 years solid, quite often thinking of suicide and lost any desire for activity. I finally decided to go to a doctor and he told me to take effexor, this seemed all fine and dandy at the time. But soon after I got home and had taken the first pill, I found this site. While browsing these forums I have seen some absolute HORROR stories about effexor(mainly the withdrawl). My question is, is it worth it to stay on effexor or should I ask my doctor for a different medicine. Just the thought of brain shivers makes me want to dump all the pills down the toilet.
Posted by Robin David John on September 6, 2002, at 12:51:06
In reply to starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 12:06:06
HI ADJ .I myself had a very disappointing experience with effexor. I only took it for 11 days ..this was not the medication for me. I got drastically worse . I had to put myself in the hospital to find other meds and to prevent myself from doing harm.I feel like I have a new life already and have been thinking about my new future..Hopefully I not floating on a pink cloud..Now then if you have been depressed for 2 years and have not committed suicide yet this is good , then this is only a thought .
I would read back in the archives and read how effexor has helped others to find a great and a new way of life..the downside though is, from what I understand you need your Docs help or it could be very uncomfortable with stopping effexor and I'm sure that is some of the things that you have read,but it can be done and others have lived to post about there experience.
I take to meds well in the past and when I started taking Effexor XR it hit me like a ton of bricks , I new it was not for me ...You will also read from the archives that others have said that it can take a few weeks up to 8 weeks before you notice a change...Keep posting and asking Questions there are a grand bunch of blessed people on this site with alot of great suggestions
Hope your feeling better soon
Robin
Posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 13:53:30
In reply to Re: starting effexor.... » ADJ, posted by Robin David John on September 6, 2002, at 12:51:06
>
>
> HI ADJ .I myself had a very disappointing experience with effexor. I only took it for 11 days ..this was not the medication for me. I got drastically worse . I had to put myself in the hospital to find other meds and to prevent myself from doing harm.I feel like I have a new life already and have been thinking about my new future..Hopefully I not floating on a pink cloud..Now then if you have been depressed for 2 years and have not committed suicide yet this is good , then this is only a thought .
>
> I would read back in the archives and read how effexor has helped others to find a great and a new way of life..the downside though is, from what I understand you need your Docs help or it could be very uncomfortable with stopping effexor and I'm sure that is some of the things that you have read,but it can be done and others have lived to post about there experience.
>
> I take to meds well in the past and when I started taking Effexor XR it hit me like a ton of bricks , I new it was not for me ...You will also read from the archives that others have said that it can take a few weeks up to 8 weeks before you notice a change...Keep posting and asking Questions there are a grand bunch of blessed people on this site with alot of great suggestions
>
> Hope your feeling better soon
> RobinI guess I will stick with it for a while then. I don't feel like im doing good. I have very seriously contemplated suicide and nearly gone through with it a few times, but I guess in the end I am just a coward still and have some hope that the med will help eventually.
Posted by Roo on September 6, 2002, at 14:41:56
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 13:53:30
You _will_ find a med that works eventually. Hopefully
effexor is it and you'll get some much needed relief soon.
Have you started yet? Keep posting, I'm curious about how
you'll be doing. Hang in there...it's tough feeling that damn
miserable for that long. Is this the first time you've tried
medication for your depression?
Posted by Robin David John on September 6, 2002, at 15:15:31
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 13:53:30
Please let me say ..I am alive today ONLY because of the friends that I have met on this site and the deep heartfelt support that they have given me ..I was hanging on by my fingernails if you know what I mean. ( I"m also a mountain climber) Read, listen,hope, faith , trust , encouragement, sincerity,understanding ,compassion,prayers,and just plain humanity at it's best is right here ..
Let me know how things go ..if I can help with any of the above it would be my gift to you that has been freely given to me at babble.I have a tear in my eye for you I know where you are and am sure you will get to where you really want to be ..
Robin DJ
Posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 15:34:41
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by Roo on September 6, 2002, at 14:41:56
> You _will_ find a med that works eventually. Hopefully
> effexor is it and you'll get some much needed relief soon.
> Have you started yet? Keep posting, I'm curious about how
> you'll be doing. Hang in there...it's tough feeling that damn
> miserable for that long. Is this the first time you've tried
> medication for your depression?This is the first one, I have grown up into a real new agish type of family, where I kind of learned not to take medicine, so I just didn't do anything about it til now.
Posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 22:37:23
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 15:34:41
Also a big concern of mine is the speed in which hes upping it. He said go with 75mg for first week, then 150 for second, then 225 for third and fourth, when i meet him again. Is this normal? Should I be weary about this? Seems a little fast.
Posted by Sulaf98 on September 7, 2002, at 7:19:08
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 22:37:23
> Also a big concern of mine is the speed in which hes upping it. He said go with 75mg for first week, then 150 for second, then 225 for third and fourth, when i meet him again. Is this normal? Should I be weary about this? Seems a little fast.
I've read/heard that changes are made around 4 day intervals to help the side-affect symptoms not be as severe. He must have his reasons for getting to the 225 mg dosage right away. My doctor was more conservative & changed my doses every 2 weeks & each time I went through the nausea and dizziness each time! I am now on 150 mg daily & it has been working fine now for 10 months. The past 3 or 4 months have been the best for me in quite awhile! Hang in there! :-)
Posted by nmk on September 7, 2002, at 10:53:44
In reply to Re: starting effexor.... » ADJ, posted by Sulaf98 on September 7, 2002, at 7:19:08
That is not too fast, I think it is pretty typical. My doctor had me on the identical dosage increase but when I got to 225mg just this past week, I got extremely dizzy and felt "spaced-out" so I backed down to 150mg. Am feeling better...less depression and anxious but am not 100%. I would be curious to know how you are tolerating 225mg and how long the side effects last. I would be all for sticking it out if I knew it would relieve some of the pain.
Posted by ADJ on September 7, 2002, at 12:27:35
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by nmk on September 7, 2002, at 10:53:44
> That is not too fast, I think it is pretty typical. My doctor had me on the identical dosage increase but when I got to 225mg just this past week, I got extremely dizzy and felt "spaced-out" so I backed down to 150mg. Am feeling better...less depression and anxious but am not 100%. I would be curious to know how you are tolerating 225mg and how long the side effects last. I would be all for sticking it out if I knew it would relieve some of the pain.
This is only my 3rd day now, but when I get up to 225 I will be sure to report it to you. I was pretty confidant about effexor until I looked on the net and read about all the withdrawl symptoms. Those scare the hell outta me. Hopefully, like others have said, people who dont get them dont feel the need to post about them.
Posted by nmk on September 7, 2002, at 15:52:28
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 7, 2002, at 12:27:35
Try to hang in there. My first two weeks on the med was pure hell but I don't know if it was because of the effexor or because I was weaning off zoloft at the same time. You will never know if this is the right med for you unless you wait 6-8 weeks. Try not to even think about withdrawl at this point (I know, easier said than done) but focus on getting some relief for your depression. I have noticed that at 150 mg, my thoughts of death have diminished greatly. What helped me get through the first few weeks on effexor was .5 mg of Ativan as needed for the anxiety. I don't know if you have the anxiety that I did but this was a great relief. Please keep posting, this is a wonderful group of people with great insight and support.
Posted by ADJ on September 7, 2002, at 21:09:25
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by nmk on September 7, 2002, at 15:52:28
Thanks. I am thinking about something to relieve the anxiety as well. I had always put anxiety and depression into the same boat and had never realize which was which, then when someone described it to me the whole time I was going "I am feeling EXACTLY what your saying on a day to day basis." I'll ask him next time I go about that, unfortunately thats a month from now.
Posted by johnlund on September 8, 2002, at 19:42:10
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 7, 2002, at 21:09:25
I have posted here a number of times about Effexor because I have been on it for three years now, and it has been a very good in treating both my depression and panic attacks. First, I think Effexor gets a bad reputation because it does have some unusual side-effects in starting out and quiting. However, I think they are worth the effort. Just think about the bad side-effects of the old ADs like Elavil. I used to take that, and those side effects were horrible. But no one seemed too upset about that. But with Effexor, which works great for some people like me, the side-effects become a major concern. Plus they are not really true side-effects because they appear only when starting and stopping, and not during treatment.
Posted by KIAQueen on September 9, 2002, at 7:51:20
In reply to starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 12:06:06
Hi ADJ,
First of all, I hope you're doing well these days, and keeping healthy. Secondly, please don't believe everything you read or hear. Just because some people have experienced bad things on a medication certainly doesn't mean it will be the same for you. Don't live your life dwelling about what can happen, it's not healthy and things will only get worst.
I've been taking Effexor XR since last November. I'm presently taking 112.5mg and I feel great. I started off at 37.5mg and didn't increase to 75mg until about 4 months later. I always increased very slowly and only when I felt comfortable doing so. Only you can tell. Also, I have never experienced any side effects what-so-ever while taking this medication. The only time I had a hard time was a few weeks ago when I took it upon myself to decrease my dosage to 75mg. I was having some side effects and decided to go back to 112.5mg. Right now my body is comfortable at that dosage, and I'm not going to change anything just yet.
Give it some time, you won't see a big improvement just yet, it will take time. Be patient, and keep in mind that everyone has reacts different to medications, focus on yourself. Best of luck, and take care of yourself, keep me posted.
KIAQueen
Posted by KIAQueen on September 9, 2002, at 7:54:09
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by johnlund on September 8, 2002, at 19:42:10
Johnlund,
I totally agree with what you said. Effexor has really helped me out with my panic attacks, I have great confidence in this medication. I have nothing bad to say about the drug, except that it was a bit hard for me when I decreased to 75mg, but it might not be the same for everyone. I think people have to remember that they have to give it time, it doesn't work instantly.
Good luck,
KIAQueen
Posted by J200 on September 9, 2002, at 9:25:00
In reply to starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 12:06:06
Thr problem with Effexor is that pharmacologically, it is very close to a combination of cocaine and amphetamines in both chemical structure and effect. It sure made me feel high and good for the first couple of weeks, but then other problems kicked in, like a propensity to consume large quantities of alcohol. Others here have pointed out this effect. Too, it does have some rather severe withdrawal problems for many people. You might want to check out web sites such as http://www.drugawareness.org for more info, or read Dr. Peter Breggin's book "Talking Back To Prozac" before going further with A/D drugs. You'll find some real food for thought there. I wish I had had that information many years ago before I got involved with the newer A/D drugs.
Posted by ADJ on September 9, 2002, at 14:56:51
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by J200 on September 9, 2002, at 9:25:00
After 4 days of being on it, I decided that drugs aren't the answer to me, I was already beginning to lose interest in anything and everything. Even things I once really loved, I just had no desire to mess with. Like I have been learning Maya and 3dsmax(3d animation programs to make movies and video games like shrek, monsters inc etc etc...) and I had NO desire to do those. I felt like I couldn't do anything. It did decrease my paranoia somewhat, but thats about it. If I get worse I still have the pills and will go back on them.
Posted by shellir on September 9, 2002, at 15:12:28
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 9, 2002, at 14:56:51
ADJ,
I'm sort of surprised that your doctor gave you effexor as a first try for your depression. Generally effexor is given after more simple SSRIs have failed. What about trying a regular SSRI first, like Prozac or Zoloff? Two years is a long time to battle severe depression with no medication to help.
Shelli
Posted by KIAQueen on September 9, 2002, at 16:02:12
In reply to Re: starting effexor.... » ADJ, posted by shellir on September 9, 2002, at 15:12:28
Hi Shelli,
For your information my doctor did put me on two other different medications before the Effexor XR.
First I tried Paxil and then Zoloft, both gave me really bad side effects. So far I've been very
comfortable with Effexor, it's done wonders for me.KIAQueen
Posted by shellir on September 9, 2002, at 21:14:56
In reply to Re: starting effexor.... » shellir, posted by KIAQueen on September 9, 2002, at 16:02:12
Hi KIA
Well you are sort of supporting the point I was trying to make. The fact that your doctor gave you two simplier SSRIs was a good place to start. And I'm glad that effexor works better for you.
I have nothing against effexor, just think if something else with less side effects and much easier to get off of might work, why not try that first? Then I don't have any problem with a pdoc prescribing effexor.
Shelli
Posted by ADJ on September 9, 2002, at 21:38:47
In reply to Re: starting effexor.... » KIAQueen, posted by shellir on September 9, 2002, at 21:14:56
Well... its been 36 hours since my last pill and already I can see the symptoms coming back. I really don't like being depressed and I really dont like...well....not liking anything. Right now its a decision between the two. I am already experiencing the suicidal thoughts, the paranoia(this is back in full burst now), anxiety and just general depression. I am not feeling all that bad right now, but I have a good feeling that in another 24-36 hours everything will be like it was before I started effexor. This good or bad...so complex. Depression or horrible side effects, maybe its better for me to be dead than to go around like a zombie, like I did while I was on effexor. I just don't know!!
Posted by Mary Magdalene on September 10, 2002, at 3:18:56
In reply to starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 6, 2002, at 12:06:06
'NO' TO EFFEXOR
I just went off it (sort of Cold Turkey) after 8 mnths. 8 months of no feelings at all. Anxiety, depression, anger, sadness, happiness, ambition: all gone. Lived in a sort of semi dreamworld, and loved it. Realise now that was not me. Also side effects: constipation, no appetite, lots of sweating, communication problems, short term memory loss, all this whilst on the drug. I was on 300mg/day. Decided to change my life. Sold house, moved across the country (from depressing Lismore in Northern NSW, Australia - to Broome, Northern West Australia). Depression gone so started weaning off the drug. BAD MOVE. Tried alternating: 300mg one day, 175mg next. The days i took 175mg were too long. Dizzy, balance, swishing in head and spinning = a couple of hours before and after taking the 300mg tablet. Went to see a new doctor in Broome, did not know anything about side effects of weaning off effexor, so said it had nothing to do with the drug, it was just some blockage in my oxygen supply to the brain - and to do some neck rolling exercises!!!!! ($45 fee, thank you).
Decided to go it alone and started taking the 175mg every day for 4 weeks. Sort of allright. Bit of buzzing in the head, feeling funny, not 'with-it' etc. Then after 4 weeks went 'cold turkey'. Thank the Goddess, I had found this message board on effexor, and realised I was not going mad, but that my symptoms were more than common. Never felt so bad in my life, and scared "Sh...less". Electric currents running thru my brain, constantly, as if I was picking up all the micro waves and telecommunication waves of the whole area. Also feeling sick, nausea, iritable, feeling misunderstood and neglected by my partner, and the most vivid dreams at night. I also started getting the depression symptoms again (crying for no reason, howling at times for the littlest thing). These full on symptoms lasted 2 weeks. The third week only in the evenings, or when I felt tired. Now I'm in my fourth week of No Effexor, and I gradually am shaking it. Only a little of the swooshing left in my head.
So please, to anyone reading this and thinking of going on the drug: Pls consider looking for another alternative.
For those on the drug and trying to get off: Pls DO - and just hang in there. Take a few weeks off work (or whatever you're doing), check into a health farm, a holiday resort, a caring and understanding friends place, a convent, whatever.... and hang in there. Drink lots of spring water, try to get some clean healthy air, and tell yourself that the suffering you are going thru is only temporary, untill all the chemicals have left your body. AND DO NOT GIVE UP. It does get better, and what you're experiencing are 'normal' withdrawal symptoms (and won't killl you).
But please do not grab for the drug as a relief, it will only prolong the healing process, you have to get off it sometime.
Lots of love and support to all those struggling out there.
Mary Magdalene
Posted by KIAQueen on September 10, 2002, at 7:02:23
In reply to Re: starting effexor...., posted by ADJ on September 9, 2002, at 21:38:47
Hi again,
I wasn't aware that you were getting off the Effexor just now.
I'm sorry to hear that things didn't work out, and that you're
not feeling well while getting this drug out of your system.
Please hang in there, even though you feel like total crap right
now, remember that things will get better, it takes time. As for
the suicidal thoughts and being badly depressed, have you tried
speeking with someone, maybe a psychiatrist or even just a counsellor?
Maybe you need more than medication, sometimes just a good friend to
talk to can help in a bigger way that you might think.I wish you the best of luck, please keep me posted, if you ever need
someone to talk to, I'm here to listen.KIA
Posted by KIAQueen on September 10, 2002, at 7:06:20
In reply to Re: starting effexor.... » KIAQueen, posted by shellir on September 9, 2002, at 21:14:56
Hi Shelli,
I am scared shitless right now, just from reading some of the new
posts this morning. I wasn't aware of all these major bad side
effects people get when getting off Effexor. I never once had any
side effects starting or increasing, I always wondered why, maybe it
was too good to be true, maybe it will all happen when I'm getting off!
Now you all have me really worried, I don't even want to think about
getting off, not if it brings me right back to where I was before taking
Effexor!KIA
Posted by ShelliR on September 10, 2002, at 20:06:19
In reply to Re: starting effexor.... » shellir, posted by KIAQueen on September 10, 2002, at 7:06:20
KIA,
I wouldn't worry if I were you. You have something that is working for you, after two SSRIs that didn't. Only some people have difficulty in getting off effexor, and even if that happens, I still believe it's well worth it, since it has been so effective for you. Adding prozac as they taper off effexor has helped many people get off the drug easier, because it has a longer half-life.
It's just a difference of opinion about effexor as the first AD to try.
Shelli
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