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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jannbeau on September 13, 2002, at 13:51:44
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by mamawriter on September 13, 2002, at 11:30:36
> Hi, Mamawriter:
I've COUNTED those little suckers (and weighed them, too)! There are roughly 100 beads in each capsule. That means it will take you about three and 1/2 months to taper to 0. Let us know if this works: perhaps THIS is a good idea for those who have major discontinuation syndrome.
Cheers,
jannbeau
I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one experiencing awful withdrawal symptoms from Effexor. I've tried a couple times to get off the medication, but the experience is too terrible.
> I'm actually only on a keep-me-from-going-berserk dose of only 75 mg a day, so now what I'm doing is opening up each XR capsule and removing one granule one day, two the next, three the next, and so on. I'm hoping I'll be able to come off this stuff more easily that way. Too soon to tell if it's working yet.
Posted by jal on September 13, 2002, at 14:53:11
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by marlene on February 25, 2002, at 16:57:37
I've been on effexor xr for the past 4 months, went from 37.5mgs up to 225mgs now and the only thing I feel is numbness in my penis and my sex drive is way down from where it was before effexor xr.Is this common for men to feel this?
Any men out there have the same numbness down there? Whats the cure ? Help my girlfriend thinks its her but I'm telling her its my meds.
Posted by mamawriter on September 13, 2002, at 15:06:02
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor » mamawriter, posted by jannbeau on September 13, 2002, at 13:51:44
Pretty funny -- I didn't think about how long it would really take to get down to 0! Three and a half months. Okay. Hey, I've got time. If it goes all right, I'll say so. If not, I'll say so.
Posted by DebraA. on September 13, 2002, at 15:28:25
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by jannbeau on September 12, 2002, at 10:51:37
Hi There. I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that after several weeks of "tapering" down off my 375 mg dose of effexor, I finally went cold turkey 14 days ago. It was holy hell the first 5 days - brain tremors, anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, extreme fatigue, etc. I thought I was dying. But I had decided to wait it out because I felt very strongly that anything that felt this bad to get off of had to be something I NEVER wanted in my system again. After the first two days of withdrawal I decided that I needed to put all my normal activities on hold until I got through this. So, for the next 3 days, I canceled all my appointments and practically stayed in bed the whole time - trying to sleep and rest. I drank tons of water, tried to eat right, and didn't drink any alcohol (alcohol seemed to exaggerate the already bad symptoms for me). The ordeal reminded me of when I had a major depressive episode. On about the 5th or 6th day, I started having "waves" of feeling better which as the days have gone by have been progressively increasing. On day 14 I am still dealing with some extra anxiety, and I've still got some of those brain tremor things (although much more mild than at first - they also seem to be more present in the evening that during the day).
I'm not sure I would recommend the "cold turkey" route for everyone. For me though, I could hardly take the "slow death" of tapering off versus the "sudden death" of just quitting altogether. I just wanted to get it over with. I can say with great confidence that you will get through this and it will pass. I can also say that I understand that feeling of "this is never going to end" too. I think my first post to this website simply asked the question "will this ever end?" It will so hang in there!
Sorry I wrote so much. Good luck to you.
Posted by jal on September 13, 2002, at 15:48:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Noa on January 7, 2000, at 16:08:50
Whats the difference between Effexer and Effexer xr?
Posted by jannbeau on September 13, 2002, at 16:39:23
In reply to Effexer and Effexer xr, posted by jal on September 13, 2002, at 15:48:57
> Effexor XR is an extended release formulation of venlafaxine (generic name for Effexor).
Jannbeau
Whats the difference between Effexer and Effexer xr?
Posted by jotho on September 13, 2002, at 16:58:22
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by DebraA. on September 13, 2002, at 15:28:25
Hello all...
I have to say (not to be argumentative) that i just don't see the advantage of either extreme of 1.) coming down from Effexor all at once, when the odds of a "cleaner" break accompany a slow, downward titration of dosage, or
2.) taking one bead out of an Effexor capsule at a time as a efficient withdrawal method.It would appear to me, regarding the former, that according to this board only the smallest minority succesfully stop Effexor all at once without at least some side-effects....most suffering horrendously. Why take that chance when you know the crap you're gonna feel when you stop is as bad as the crap you felt while on it?
As for the latter, I would think if you are actually that sensitive to one singular bead of Effexor, that the full dose you were on would have sent you to emergency ward in the first place. And i've never heard of a doctor titrating up or down a meager bead or two, or know of no medication that is packaged in that fashion (though, yes, i realize we all frequently must resort to making our own 'adjustments' with a pill cutter). Ultimately, it does seem that this method would be, by its very nature, the gentlest *possible* method of eliminating the drug from your system. It just seems for the most part, and for most people, that it would be overkill, and could be done more quickly, and as safely, in larger steps. Just my two-cents worth of blather.
Posted by Starwatcher on September 13, 2002, at 17:36:06
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by jal on September 13, 2002, at 14:53:11
I have been on 37.5 mg. for about three months now for fibromyalgia pain - and I still feel groggy when I wake up in the morning and my eyes look wasted for a little while - those side effects have never gone away.
I have sometimes been feeling some numbness on the bottom of my feet - but not in my private parts. My sexual response is still as good or even better in some ways than before taking the drug.
I just wonder if I ever did decide to stop taking it, if I'd have withdrawals from only having been on 37.5 mg a day for most of the whole time. What's the lowest continuous dosage anyone here as come off of and still felt bad side effects?
Posted by jannbeau on September 13, 2002, at 17:58:53
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Starwatcher on September 13, 2002, at 17:36:06
>Hi, Stargazer:
I had SOME slight discontinuation syndrome even though most of the time I was on Effexor, I was only on 37.5 mg --like you, I took it for fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc. The discontinuation effects were not bad: increased anxiety, brain zaps, dizziness, especially when I turned my head quickly, nausea- and they didn't last long; certainly less than a month, decreasing with each passing day. I've been off for two or three months, now, and I'm fine, back totally to normal.
the pain is back, too, unfortunately, but I just couldn't tolerate the medication althogh it really helped my pain and anxiety.
Each person seems to have a different experience in coming off this medication. I'm not sure whether the degree of difficulty with coming off Effexor is due to the medication, itself, the person's personality, his/her expectation of problems, or a combination. Perhaps some of all??
My advice for now is, if the medication is working for you and you can tolerate the side effects, that you should just take each day as it comes and don't worry 'til you have to! Maybe it will not be a problem for you.
Cheers,
jannbeauI have been on 37.5 mg. for about three months now for fibromyalgia pain - and I still feel groggy when I wake up in the morning and my eyes look wasted for a little while - those side effects have never gone away.
>
> I have sometimes been feeling some numbness on the bottom of my feet - but not in my private parts. My sexual response is still as good or even better in some ways than before taking the drug.
>
> I just wonder if I ever did decide to stop taking it, if I'd have withdrawals from only having been on 37.5 mg a day for most of the whole time. What's the lowest continuous dosage anyone here as come off of and still felt bad side effects?
Posted by Starwatcher on September 13, 2002, at 20:47:25
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by jannbeau on September 13, 2002, at 17:58:53
Thanks, jann, for the reply. I'm not really seriously contemplating going off of it. I did miss one dose (ha,ha! I fell asleep and slept through the night without taking it!) and I had no withdrawal problem. So far, the grogginess in the mornings and strange looking eyes and occasional numbness on the soles of my feet seem to be the only problems. I have seemed to also have increased headaches, though very mild ones. If this is all I trade for being out of pain the majority of the time - I can live with it!
You were on much higher doses for awhile, though, correct? If you don't mind sharing, what happened with the medication that made you decide to go totally off of Effexor? What side effects did you have experience that made it so you couldn't tolerate continuing to take it, even at the low dosage?
> >Hi, Stargazer:
>
> I had SOME slight discontinuation syndrome even though most of the time I was on Effexor, I was only on 37.5 mg --like you, I took it for fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc. The discontinuation effects were not bad: increased anxiety, brain zaps, dizziness, especially when I turned my head quickly, nausea- and they didn't last long; certainly less than a month, decreasing with each passing day. I've been off for two or three months, now, and I'm fine, back totally to normal.
>
> the pain is back, too, unfortunately, but I just couldn't tolerate the medication althogh it really helped my pain and anxiety.
>
> Each person seems to have a different experience in coming off this medication. I'm not sure whether the degree of difficulty with coming off Effexor is due to the medication, itself, the person's personality, his/her expectation of problems, or a combination. Perhaps some of all??
>
> My advice for now is, if the medication is working for you and you can tolerate the side effects, that you should just take each day as it comes and don't worry 'til you have to! Maybe it will not be a problem for you.
>
> Cheers,
> jannbeau
>
> I have been on 37.5 mg. for about three months now for fibromyalgia pain - and I still feel groggy when I wake up in the morning and my eyes look wasted for a little while - those side effects have never gone away.
> >
> > I have sometimes been feeling some numbness on the bottom of my feet - but not in my private parts. My sexual response is still as good or even better in some ways than before taking the drug.
> >
> > I just wonder if I ever did decide to stop taking it, if I'd have withdrawals from only having been on 37.5 mg a day for most of the whole time. What's the lowest continuous dosage anyone here as come off of and still felt bad side effects?
>
>
Posted by pregnant on September 14, 2002, at 4:47:35
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by jotho on September 13, 2002, at 16:58:22
Hello All,
Help,Help, Help. I have just read many of these posting and I am in so much fear right now. I have been taking effexor xr since 3/02. My doctor had me start slow until I was up to 300 mg. a day. I am pregnant and he told me to stay on the effexor, but my nurse prac. and high risk pregnancy new doctor told me to gradually get off. My reg. doc. told me it was o.k. and o.k. to breast feed once I delivered. My prenatal office said effexor has not been tested enough to prove it would be safe. I immediately cut the dose in half to 150 mg. the day I walked out of the prenatal office. I took 150 mg for 5 days and started then reduced the dose to taking 75 mg. I noticed the withdrawal symptoms started, but at first didn't relate it to the effexor because I have been feeling a little sick with the pregnancy. So I took the 75mg for 3 days and took 37.5 for 2, and today is the first day taking nothing. I am scared for my unborn child, and don't want to take anymore, but I am going crazy tonight. I went to bed at 7 p.m. and left my 3 year old and 8 year old boys up with their dad. I woke up at 11 p.m. and it is now 2 a.m. I am dying to take the effexor. I went to make toast to help my stomach, but I usually get gestational diabetes in my pregnancies, and all this carb eating is going to really put my sugar levels soaring. It is the only thing that keeps my stomach feeling o.k. The nausea with effoxor is worst than any nausea feeling I have had in any pregnancy. I thought maybe since this was the weekend I could get off this stuff and be good to go on Monday. I had a great day this morning. The withdrawal symptoms keep hitting me at night. If I stay in the bed the next 2 days can I recover from this? Should I run downstairs and grap a pill? I'm buzzing in my head every now and then, feeling sick, tired then unable to sleep. I don't want my husband and children and child to be to have to suffer from this. I am about 11 weeks pregnant and want to be able to function at my best for the safety of my unborn. I also take night classes, although I have a BA. The effexor was working so well for me, I made a decision of a career change, enrolled in school and received an A in my class. My marriage and relationship with my children have been great since taking the effexor, but this withdrawal stuff is not worth all the happiness I have had the last 6 months. Do I need to find a withdrawal specialist? Does such a person exist? This is my only source right now. I am trying to not call the er line at my prenatal doc's office, because I would like to see myself make it through the weekend. My classes start on 9/23, should I consider dropping them because it is no way I will be totally off this stuff. I thought maybe since I have not been on it a year, it would not be this bad. Help someone please. Pregnancy symptoms plus withdrawal is a tough battle and I am in great need of support.
Posted by Geezer on September 14, 2002, at 11:03:37
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by pregnant on September 14, 2002, at 4:47:35
Hi pregnant,
I am so sorry you are in this situation. I don't know why pdocs won't be honest with their patients (about withdrawal symptoms) before they start these drugs. My pdoc's favorite response..."well, not all patients have withdrawal symptoms".....if you are one that does that makes withdrawal 100% for you.
My suggestion (it has appeared many times on this board) ask your pdoc for about 5 each, 10mg Prozac tablets. Take one 10mg. Prozac tablet every other day, (stop Effexer), then just stop the Prozac. The long half life of the Prozac allows for a more gradual adjustment to the serotonin changes in the brain, thus reducing withdrawal symptoms. Many people have found this technique helpful......as always, check it out with your pdoc, but don't be surprised if he never heard of it.
My heart goes out to you.
Geezer
Posted by pregnant on September 14, 2002, at 11:40:37
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor » pregnant, posted by Geezer on September 14, 2002, at 11:03:37
> Hi pregnant,
>
> I am so sorry you are in this situation. I don't know why pdocs won't be honest with their patients (about withdrawal symptoms) before they start these drugs. My pdoc's favorite response..."well, not all patients have withdrawal symptoms".....if you are one that does that makes withdrawal 100% for you.
>> My suggestion (it has appeared many times on this board) ask your pdoc for about 5 each, 10mg Prozac tablets. Take one 10mg. Prozac tablet every other day, (stop Effexer), then just stop the Prozac. The long half life of the Prozac allows for a more gradual adjustment to the serotonin changes in the brain, thus reducing withdrawal symptoms. Many people have found this technique helpful......as always, check it out with your pdoc, but don't be surprised if he never heard of it.
>
> My heart goes out to you.
>
> GeezerThanks for your quick response. I will try contacting my doctor's office to see if they can do this. Hopefully between the primary or prenatal office someone will help me. It is hard on the weekend to sometimes get what you need. I made it through the night and I don't want to take 1 little granule. If I can get the prozac, I think I can make it. The dizziness and zips through my brain are at the max this morning. I am trying to remain strong. Pregnant
Posted by KIAQueen on September 16, 2002, at 9:40:14
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by pregnant on September 14, 2002, at 11:40:37
Hi Pregnant,
I feel so badly for you, I would not want to be in your situation, but unfortunately you have to do what's best for your unborn child right now. I'm not sure why doctor's all have a different answer when it comes to medication, you'd think they would know more about what they're prescribing their patients. As far as being on the drug while pregnant, I don't think it's a good idea to be taking any kind of drug, but it's all left in your own hands if wether you want to quit or not. I tried weaning off slowly a few months ago, and it almost did me in, so you might want to take some counselling if you decide to quit all together. I'm sure it will not be easy, but you have to start somewhere, after all, your unborn child deserves the best care possible.
I know you'll do what's best, hang in there, and best of luck. Keep me posted.
KIAQueen
Posted by jannbeau on September 16, 2002, at 13:23:51
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Starwatcher on September 13, 2002, at 20:47:25
> Hi, Starwatcher:
Re your question of side effects of Effexor that I couldn't tolerate: Complex tale: I was given an introductory dose-pack of Effexor-XR starting with 37.5 mg/day along with Ultram 50 mg every 4-6 hours. I promptly developed serotonin syndrome-felt as if I were dying (memory loss, chills, hot flushes, nausea vomiting, diarrhea, cognitive dysfunction, other signs). Stopped the Ultram and got closer to normal. Built up to 150 mg/day, which I only took for a couple weeks, then decreased on my own to 75 mg/day. Stayed there about a month. Then, still feeling bad, I dropped back to 37.5 mg/day. Even at the lowest dose, I experienced worsened insomnia followed by day-long somnolence, difficulty thinking and concentrating; balance problems. Also, even at low doses, I felt detached, depersonalized, unable to react to any emotional stimuli and I noticed a deficit in motivation. I just didn't want to do anything except go to bed and vegetate (others have described this state as "zombie-like" and I think that fits my reaction to Effexor). All-in-all, the pain relief wasn't worth the loss of emotional, intellectual, sexual, and physical function. Oh, yes, I had massively increased cravings for carbohydrates, too.
On looking back at my experience discontinuing this medication, the only really important problem I noticed was difficulty controlling anger. I felt angry most of the time and I am just now, after three or four months, returning to a more normal state (easily provoked, but ablt to contain myself). I was so UNLOVING during that time.
Does this description help?
Cheers,
jannbeau
Thanks, jann, for the reply. I'm not really seriously contemplating going off of it. I did miss one dose (ha,ha! I fell asleep and slept through the night without taking it!) and I had no withdrawal problem. So far, the grogginess in the mornings and strange looking eyes and occasional numbness on the soles of my feet seem to be the only problems. I have seemed to also have increased headaches, though very mild ones. If this is all I trade for being out of pain the majority of the time - I can live with it!
>
> You were on much higher doses for awhile, though, correct? If you don't mind sharing, what happened with the medication that made you decide to go totally off of Effexor? What side effects did you have experience that made it so you couldn't tolerate continuing to take it, even at the low dosage?
>
>
>
>
>
> > >Hi, Stargazer:
> >
> > I had SOME slight discontinuation syndrome even though most of the time I was on Effexor, I was only on 37.5 mg --like you, I took it for fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc. The discontinuation effects were not bad: increased anxiety, brain zaps, dizziness, especially when I turned my head quickly, nausea- and they didn't last long; certainly less than a month, decreasing with each passing day. I've been off for two or three months, now, and I'm fine, back totally to normal.
> >
> > the pain is back, too, unfortunately, but I just couldn't tolerate the medication althogh it really helped my pain and anxiety.
> >
> > Each person seems to have a different experience in coming off this medication. I'm not sure whether the degree of difficulty with coming off Effexor is due to the medication, itself, the person's personality, his/her expectation of problems, or a combination. Perhaps some of all??
> >
> > My advice for now is, if the medication is working for you and you can tolerate the side effects, that you should just take each day as it comes and don't worry 'til you have to! Maybe it will not be a problem for you.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > jannbeau
> >
> > I have been on 37.5 mg. for about three months now for fibromyalgia pain - and I still feel groggy when I wake up in the morning and my eyes look wasted for a little while - those side effects have never gone away.
> > >
> > > I have sometimes been feeling some numbness on the bottom of my feet - but not in my private parts. My sexual response is still as good or even better in some ways than before taking the drug.
> > >
> > > I just wonder if I ever did decide to stop taking it, if I'd have withdrawals from only having been on 37.5 mg a day for most of the whole time. What's the lowest continuous dosage anyone here as come off of and still felt bad side effects?
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Starwatcher on September 16, 2002, at 16:35:43
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr » Starwatcher, posted by jannbeau on September 16, 2002, at 13:23:51
Thanks, jann. Yes, it does help. It sounds like you may be a bit more sensitive to Effexor's side effects than I am, or maybe it was the Ultram.
I've ALWAYS been a carbo craver already, so that's nothing new - and I haven't noticed an increase in cravings. So far my weight is staying at an even level, although it's way more than it should be anyway. I haven't gained or lost.
As far as emotions, I'm fine - I don't feel angry or depressed or emotionally numbed. Now I did temporarily feel complete emotional numbness when I took 75 mg. a day over that first weekend.
I'm getting broken sleep sometimes now throughout the night, and sometimes I'm sleepy in the day - but I was that way before taking Effexor. Today is one of the few days that I've hurt all over upon waking up, too - I got too much exercise over the weekend, I think!
And I was very groggy when I woke up this morning, and I still seem to be fuzzy around the edges every morning. I feel and look loaded for a little while, and then that side effect goes away.
Posted by trella77 on September 16, 2002, at 19:15:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Ceeg on December 31, 2000, at 14:00:08
Hi, the Dr just gave me Effexor today and I was doing some research. I found this website posting and I am scared to death now. the withdrawls seem to be horrible. If anyone has any advice as to start this med or get on a different one please help me!!! I am getting on Effexor to help with Depression and Anxiety and to help wean myself off Xanax (which I have been on for 5 years) THANKS ... I am also scared of weight gain and sexual side affects
Posted by Starwatcher on September 16, 2002, at 19:50:33
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by trella77 on September 16, 2002, at 19:15:58
> Hi, the Dr just gave me Effexor today and I was doing some research. I found this website posting and I am scared to death now. the withdrawls seem to be horrible. If anyone has any advice as to start this med or get on a different one please help me!!! I am getting on Effexor to help with Depression and Anxiety and to help wean myself off Xanax (which I have been on for 5 years) THANKS ... I am also scared of weight gain and sexual side affects
I would talk to your doctor about it as soon as possible. How many mgs. has he put you on per day? Do you work? It may be possible to split the dosage to minimize side effects. I waited and started my dose at 75 mg. on the weekend, and I surewas glad I did. It made me VERY sleepy! But - that's the amount my doctor SUGGESTED I start at - and my treatment is for fobromyalgia, not depression and anxiety.
Posted by butterbay on September 17, 2002, at 0:26:37
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by pregnant on September 14, 2002, at 4:47:35
i have been taking effexor for 3 years and like you said it is wonderful for depression and anxiety, it is the only thing that ever helped me. if i were you, i would feel the same way about the effexor and my pregnancy. i'm sure there are very safe anti-depressants for pregnancy. maybe you could look that up on the internet and then relay the info to your doctor or psychiatrist. i have came off of effexor twice, once cold turkey, which didn't work at all, i had the most awful backset with my depression and then another time was slowly with the help of prozac. i did fine that time. my doctor advised that when coming off effexor, come off with an ssri, such as paxil, zoloft or prozac. i would maybe call an emergency doctor and ask these questions to be on the safe side, tell them you no longer want to take the effexor, but want to know how to alleiviate the side effects.
Posted by butterbay on September 17, 2002, at 0:40:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Starwatcher on September 16, 2002, at 19:50:33
i have been on effexor for 3 years and to me, it is the miracle drug. my depression, well, is gone. i almost never even get down anymore. it helps with the anxiety too. yes, i do know that the withdrawl symptoms when trying to come off of it are horrible, but it isn't if you do it the right way.. i came off of effexor twice, once cold turkey, which didn't work at all, i hit rock bottom with my depression. the other time was with prozac.. i started decreasing my dosage of effexor while taking prozac and never had a bit of problem. i was off of effexor for 3 months and then started back after a panic attack and depressed episode. it is wonderful if you truly need help for depression and anxiety. different medicnes work different for different people, but i would personally recommend effexor to anyone. as far as the sexual side effects, it is kind of funny because at first, it was like i kept feeling like i was going to orgasm and almost never did, it was very frustrating, but after a couple of months, that didn't happen anymore and now my orgasms are more powerful and wonderful than they ever were, i don't know if that is effexor related, but anyways, the sexual thing will subside, if you even have that side effect, a lot of people i've talked with don't have a sexual side effect. i really never had drowsiness that bad, maybe a little at first and then it subsided also. i get constipation from time to time ever since taking the effexor, but to me, it is worth it, if you aren't depressed.
Posted by sly on September 17, 2002, at 8:09:03
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'm currently on 75 mg/day, and have been for about 5 months now, things are great except I find myself extremely irritable. I'm so anxious and angry, I have day dreams about yelling at people, I'm giving my boss at work major attitude and I want to rip off everyone's head for any minor annoyance. Anyone else have this problem?
Maybe it's just me, I am stressed out, but I'm sleeping well. I just feel so... ANGRY and I don't know why!?
Any suggestions?
Posted by mamawriter on September 17, 2002, at 9:15:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by trella77 on September 16, 2002, at 19:15:58
> Hi, the Dr just gave me Effexor today and I was doing some research. I found this website posting and I am scared to death now. the withdrawls seem to be horrible. If anyone has any advice as to start this med or get on a different one please help me!!! I am getting on Effexor to help with Depression and Anxiety and to help wean myself off Xanax (which I have been on for 5 years) THANKS ... I am also scared of weight gain and sexual side affects
Hi there. As my spouse pointed out, every single drug used to treat depression has message boards just like this one, with people complaining about side effects and/or the ineffectiveness of the drug. Unfortunately, every drug affects every person differently. Prozac made me so nuts, I would have rather just stayed crazy than take it. Other people wouldn't live without Prozac. Effexor worked very well for me. The mood swings went away, and got even better when I reached a therapeutic level of the medication (225 mg). No problems with sexual function and I LOST weight. I felt my feelings and could talk about them. It helped me be the best I could be.
The only reason I want off of Effexor now is, I've used it for nearly 3 years, I feel pretty good and would like to try life drug-free for a while. But the withdrawal is very hard.
Using Xanax as long as you have sounds very serious. Good luck with Effexor. It truly worked wonders for me. It doesn't mean it will be great for you, but you won't know until you give it a try. 150 mg is supposedly the lowest therapeutic level, so when you get up to there, you may have an idea how it works for you.
Posted by mamawriter on September 17, 2002, at 9:25:44
In reply to Anger Management, posted by sly on September 17, 2002, at 8:09:03
> I'm currently on 75 mg/day, and have been for about 5 months now, things are great except I find myself extremely irritable. I'm so anxious and angry, I have day dreams about yelling at people, I'm giving my boss at work major attitude and I want to rip off everyone's head for any minor annoyance. Anyone else have this problem?
>
> Maybe it's just me, I am stressed out, but I'm sleeping well. I just feel so... ANGRY and I don't know why!?
>
> Any suggestions?Hello. Yes, I've had freaky mood swings before and lots of angry stuff happening. It could be a form of depression. I know when you're depressed, you think you're supposed to be sad and quiet, but you can be very, very angry, too -- for "no reason."
Drugs are one way of coping. Is it time for an appointment with your pdoc?
Talk therapy with a highly qualified therapist is even better. Good luck.
Posted by jannbeau on September 17, 2002, at 12:38:40
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Starwatcher on September 16, 2002, at 16:35:43
Hi, Starwatcher,
Sounds as if you have Effexor under YOUR control, whereas I felt as if the medication controlled ME! Maybe that's the difference in our "take" on this medicine. I hope Effexor continues to serve you well and, as I said before, I would not worry about discontinuing as long as it DOES serve your needs.
Cheers,
jann
Posted by Ritch on September 17, 2002, at 13:19:19
In reply to Anger Management, posted by sly on September 17, 2002, at 8:09:03
> I'm currently on 75 mg/day, and have been for about 5 months now, things are great except I find myself extremely irritable. I'm so anxious and angry, I have day dreams about yelling at people, I'm giving my boss at work major attitude and I want to rip off everyone's head for any minor annoyance. Anyone else have this problem?
>
> Maybe it's just me, I am stressed out, but I'm sleeping well. I just feel so... ANGRY and I don't know why!?
>
> Any suggestions?Hi,
It could be med-induced dysphoric hypomania. Have you had these experiences on other antidepressants? If it doesn't resolve over a reasonable amount of time you may need to switch AD's. The one that really gets me in the anger department is Wellbutrin .
Mitch
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