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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by spencer on November 1, 2002, at 7:22:55
In reply to Re: Sex life and Effexor...Help!!, posted by FrustratedMale on October 31, 2002, at 13:47:54
I also experienced great difficulty in having an orgasm for the first two to three months. Then it got better but I have to be honest and say that although it took longer to have an orgasm, they were very intense and I didn't hear the wife complaining. I just hope things get better for you. Despite a lot of early side effects, the difficulty in reaching orgasm was the only one that persisted. I tapered off completely about four months ago and the orgasm issue went away immediately.
Posted by chefdog35 on November 1, 2002, at 21:27:11
In reply to Re: Electric sensations on the top of the head, posted by jannbeau on October 29, 2002, at 10:16:57
> > I am sorry to hear that your parents passed away. How old were they and what happened to them? How old are you, if I may ask.
>
> Yes, the electric sensations, or "brain zaps" as many of us know them, do stop after you stop taking the medication. At least, for me, this was the case. The tapering is not bad. Don't let this board scare you. You will very likely do fine with the tapering. The secret seems to be not to take it too fast and, if you find that you are feeling too ill with a ster-down, back off, either to the previous dose for a couple of days, or to an intermediate dose.
>
> Good Luck,
> Jannbeau
>
> Both my parents died in 1998 and I went on Prozac, only to gain weight. After a year, I switched to Effexor, which seemed to be effective for a while. Now, after one year on Effexor, I feel the electric sensations in my head and I am sweating like crazy! I didn't know how to describe the head sensations before until I read postings here. I always described it as a feeling of falling a few inches. I want to get off and am worried about the dreaded tapering off, etc. Do the electric sensations go away after you stop?
>
>I have the same thing but mine also feel like extreme burst of panic help
Posted by clementine on November 3, 2002, at 14:41:12
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
Well, I've read most of the posts and have appreciated the input. I am going to talk to my doc about effexor but when I tried prozac many moons ago, I truly hated the zombie feeling, especially sexually (sorry to speak in mixed company). Does effexor have that same sort of reaction?
Thanks. K
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on November 3, 2002, at 14:55:22
In reply to Re: Sex life and Effexor...Help!!, posted by spencer on November 1, 2002, at 7:22:55
> I also experienced great difficulty in having an orgasm for the first two to three months. Then it got better but I have to be honest and say that although it took longer to have an orgasm, they were very intense and I didn't hear the wife complaining. I just hope things get better for you. Despite a lot of early side effects, the difficulty in reaching orgasm was the only one that persisted. I tapered off completely about four months ago and the orgasm issue went away immediately.
Effexor is well-known for sexual side effects.It is I understand the worst of all the ADs for it.
Posted by cherry on November 4, 2002, at 0:02:33
In reply to Embarrassing question, posted by clementine on November 3, 2002, at 14:41:12
>I am going to talk to my doc about effexor but when I tried prozac, I hated the zombie feeling, especially sexually. Does effexor have that same sort of reaction? Thanks. K
Interesting question. The day my doctor prescribed Eff. to me, he said it was because it was better sexually than the other meds (eg Serzone). BUT it seems from more than half the people on this list that it does affect a lot of people.
Also in case you're interested, after 4 days of feeling disgusting (8 side effects), I went off Effexor, called my doctor and asked why he'd put me on it in the first place. The day I got it, he said it was a recent med, more mild than others (plus better for sex). BUT actually it turns out that he only prescribes THREE types of meds because in a practice his size, he doesn't have enough patients with depression etc, to try every new thing etc.
In other words, the drug WASN'T chosen because it suited me, but because it was one of only three he prescribes. (And judging by his surprise at all my side effects, either his other patients are not telling him about their effects or I'm just super-sensitive! I suspect the former - which means he doesn't know a whole lot about it anyway. And let's face it, most of these doctors haven't tried this stuff themselves and so can't really comprehend how bad the side effects can be)
Food for thought eh. And dangerous as hell in my opinion. I felt as sick as a dog, and wasn't at all convinced it would all go away. Plus this drug seems to have bad withdrawal problems.
Cherry
Posted by siuFrank on November 4, 2002, at 0:56:15
In reply to Embarrassing question, posted by clementine on November 3, 2002, at 14:41:12
Hi all,
I have been on effexor for more than 2 weeks and it is starting to affect me. My thinking is foggy and I react slower to stimulants. When I was dining with my friends, I was like I can't not digest and react to the conversations I used to be able to. Does anyone experience these?
and what is "withdrawal" exactly?
Thanks, Frank
Posted by jannbeau on November 4, 2002, at 11:19:04
In reply to Embarrassing question, posted by clementine on November 3, 2002, at 14:41:12
> Unfortunately, many people seem to experience both of these side effects.
Jannbeau
Well, I've read most of the posts and have appreciated the input. I am going to talk to my doc about effexor but when I tried prozac many moons ago, I truly hated the zombie feeling, especially sexually (sorry to speak in mixed company). Does effexor have that same sort of reaction?
> Thanks. K
Posted by Sioux on November 4, 2002, at 19:44:23
In reply to A Slow down, posted by siuFrank on November 4, 2002, at 0:56:15
That's my most grievous complaint, too. It's quite frightening for me.
Withdrawal is the chemical imbalance that occurs when you stop taking the drug. It is important to slowly decrease the amount that you're taking, when going off of it, to allow the brain's chemistry to balance itself without any cataclismic seesawing.
S
> Hi all,
>
> I have been on effexor for more than 2 weeks and it is starting to affect me. My thinking is foggy and I react slower to stimulants. When I was dining with my friends, I was like I can't not digest and react to the conversations I used to be able to. Does anyone experience these?
>
> and what is "withdrawal" exactly?
>
> Thanks, Frank
Posted by siuFrank on November 4, 2002, at 20:32:27
In reply to Re: A Slow down, posted by Sioux on November 4, 2002, at 19:44:23
Hi Sioux,
Thanks for your response. So did the slow-down get better over time? What did you do? Yes it is frightening to me too Sioux.
: O Frank
> That's my most grievous complaint, too. It's quite frightening for me.
>
> Withdrawal is the chemical imbalance that occurs when you stop taking the drug. It is important to slowly decrease the amount that you're taking, when going off of it, to allow the brain's chemistry to balance itself without any cataclismic seesawing.
>
> S
>
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I have been on effexor for more than 2 weeks and it is starting to affect me. My thinking is foggy and I react slower to stimulants. When I was dining with my friends, I was like I can't not digest and react to the conversations I used to be able to. Does anyone experience these?
> >
> > and what is "withdrawal" exactly?
> >
> > Thanks, Frank
>
>
Posted by Sioux on November 4, 2002, at 21:30:35
In reply to Re: A Slow down, posted by siuFrank on November 4, 2002, at 20:32:27
Well, I'm on 37.5 mg for pain. The slow down did seem to get somewhat better, plus I got used to it some. But, still, I'm definitely not back to my old self.
I'm due to get my electric wheelchair soon and then I hope to be able to leave many of my pain meds behind, including the effexor.
>>>> Thanks for your response. So did the slow-down get better over time? What did you do? Yes it is frightening to me too Sioux.<<<<<
Posted by sleepy lizard on November 4, 2002, at 21:39:16
In reply to Embarrassing question, posted by clementine on November 3, 2002, at 14:41:12
Effexor definately has sexual side effects. I had anorgasmia on it. I tried Wellbutrin to counter the side effect but it did not work, in fact it made me anxious. The following antidepressants, from my research, have low or rare sexual side effects:
Remeron, Serzone, Parnate, Ludiomil, Wellbutrin, Dyserel (for sleep disorders).
But then I read that many people have problems even with Wellbutrin. What to believe? Some have tried viagra as a remedy (both sexes) but it is very expensive. Buspar is also used as a remedy and some use Wellbutrin.
Posted by LynnPerley on November 4, 2002, at 21:47:30
In reply to A Slow down, posted by siuFrank on November 4, 2002, at 0:56:15
What dosage are you taking, and are you on a schedule to increase gradually? What time of day do you take it? This effect went away gradually for me, about the time I got up to 150 mg, and especially after I started taking it at night. Be sure you are getting enough sleep. The first few months I had to get 8 hours sleep - if I did not I was worthless. Now I am more back to normal - I can go with less than 8 for a few days and then get essentially "caught up" with one good night sleep.
Posted by Stamper on November 5, 2002, at 21:39:38
In reply to Re: A Slow down, posted by Sioux on November 4, 2002, at 19:44:23
Have any of you fallen in love with your therapist or have the therapist fall in love with you? Apparently there is a lot of this going on but never heard of it before until I read about it on another post. I'm on effexor-300 mg and wellbutrin-400 mg. Have been lurking here for some time.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 6, 2002, at 7:54:34
In reply to Love with therapist, posted by Stamper on November 5, 2002, at 21:39:38
> Have any of you fallen in love with your therapist or have the therapist fall in love with you?
This is a good question, but it has more to do with psychology than medication, so I'd like follow-ups to it to be redirected to Psycho-Psycho-Babble:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020829/msgs/1466.html
Thanks,
Bob
PS: And follow-ups regarding posting policies to be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Posted by Elle on November 6, 2002, at 21:31:30
In reply to Re: FXR XR Discontinuation Steps » SLS, posted by kid47 on September 26, 2001, at 14:09:03
I recently attempted discontinuing Effexor XR 150 mg after two years and it was definitely a mistake. I felt terrible within approx. 36 hours of the missed dose. I went to my doctor and am now tapering; 75 mg for 2 wks. then 37.5 mg for 2 wks. I asked for an rx for prozac as well because I read this can help with the withdrawal. He had no idea about this and, unbelieveably, he said he had never heard of someone having such a tough time stopping Effexor. Anyway, any info regarding the prozac addition would be great. Thanks!
Posted by Geezer on November 7, 2002, at 9:12:45
In reply to Re: FXR XR Discontinuation Steps, posted by Elle on November 6, 2002, at 21:31:30
Hi Elle,
Your experience RE: the Prozac for FXR withdrawal is very typical. I have not been able to tell if pdocs won't admit the truth about using Prozac for this purpose or if they are just ignorant. In any case you are correct, substituting Prozac (10mg. every other day for about 5 days - then stop the Prozac) will help a great deal due to the long half life of the Prozac. The fact that he is "surprized" about the withdrawal is a farce (if they told us about the withdrawal we would never take the stuff). As a psyc. patient we are in a consumer's market, sadly, we have to determine what is right for us based on our own education.
Wish you the very best,
Geezer
Posted by japonica on November 7, 2002, at 14:00:21
In reply to Re: FXR XR Discontinuation Steps » Elle, posted by Geezer on November 7, 2002, at 9:12:45
Hello group,
I have been taking Effexor XR for 1 month now. I read many of these postings prior to beginning the medication. Although there is much negativity here, I saw some hopeful posts. As someone who has tried various medications since the age of 19 (I am now 42) I am pleased to say I am VERY encouraged by my early experience with Effexor.
I was off medication more than on throughout the duration of my struggle with dpression. Many years ago before SSRIs and the newer generations of drugs I was placed on some harsh chemicals at a time when I felt literally "out of my mind." Drugs like Lithium. These only served to convince me there was no hope and furthered my steady decline into depression. After the birth of my first child I was able to redirect my energies for quite some time and lead a relatively normal life. Then I had my second child and continued to maintain.
Around the time my younger child turned 2 I began, again, a steady downward spiral and immediately went for help. I was presribed Prozac which saved my life. The only problem was I went from 110 to 87 pounds (I'm very small). That coupled with the fact that my spouse could not handle the stigma of my need for medication in order to be "normal" made me decide to quit --I had no side effects.
In February of 2001 I had another major depressive episode and again sought help. Prozac again. Except this time it didn't help. I "bucked-up" (bad idea) and decided to go it alone again.
In Jan. of 2002 I separated from my husband and felt not only depression but anxiety. I went on Zoloft in June of 2002 and was close to losing my professional job of 16 years because I could no longer concentrate. After 4 weeks on Zoloft gained 25 and felt, in general, like cr*p.
Am now on Effexor XR, have lost all of the weight and have been given some high prioity tasks at work, the kind I'm used to being assigned to.
My only side-effect was a yeast infection (immediately)for which I took Ascidophilus (spelling?). These are the "active cultures" found in yogurt. It cleared up immediately and I feel very well.
Sorry for the long post. I wanted to introduce myself and say thank you to all who give their time here. You have been most helpful.
japonica
Posted by jannbeau on November 7, 2002, at 14:32:57
In reply to Effexor Newbie, posted by japonica on November 7, 2002, at 14:00:21
> You're very welcome, both to the board and for your "thanks".
Good luck to you. I hope you continue to do well on Effexor.
Cheers,
JannbeauHello group,
>
> I have been taking Effexor XR for 1 month now. I read many of these postings prior to beginning the medication. Although there is much negativity here, I saw some hopeful posts. As someone who has tried various medications since the age of 19 (I am now 42) I am pleased to say I am VERY encouraged by my early experience with Effexor.
>
> I was off medication more than on throughout the duration of my struggle with dpression. Many years ago before SSRIs and the newer generations of drugs I was placed on some harsh chemicals at a time when I felt literally "out of my mind." Drugs like Lithium. These only served to convince me there was no hope and furthered my steady decline into depression. After the birth of my first child I was able to redirect my energies for quite some time and lead a relatively normal life. Then I had my second child and continued to maintain.
>
> Around the time my younger child turned 2 I began, again, a steady downward spiral and immediately went for help. I was presribed Prozac which saved my life. The only problem was I went from 110 to 87 pounds (I'm very small). That coupled with the fact that my spouse could not handle the stigma of my need for medication in order to be "normal" made me decide to quit --I had no side effects.
>
> In February of 2001 I had another major depressive episode and again sought help. Prozac again. Except this time it didn't help. I "bucked-up" (bad idea) and decided to go it alone again.
>
> In Jan. of 2002 I separated from my husband and felt not only depression but anxiety. I went on Zoloft in June of 2002 and was close to losing my professional job of 16 years because I could no longer concentrate. After 4 weeks on Zoloft gained 25 and felt, in general, like cr*p.
>
> Am now on Effexor XR, have lost all of the weight and have been given some high prioity tasks at work, the kind I'm used to being assigned to.
>
> My only side-effect was a yeast infection (immediately)for which I took Ascidophilus (spelling?). These are the "active cultures" found in yogurt. It cleared up immediately and I feel very well.
>
> Sorry for the long post. I wanted to introduce myself and say thank you to all who give their time here. You have been most helpful.
>
> japonica
Posted by Sioux on November 7, 2002, at 17:03:52
In reply to Effexor Newbie, posted by japonica on November 7, 2002, at 14:00:21
Hello to you, too, Japonica!
I'm delighted to read of your success with Effexor. It sounds exactly like the situation for which the drug was designed and I'm glad you found it. I wish you every good thing.
Speaking only for myself, my negative relationship is not with the drug per se. I believe it does well what it was designed to do. My concern has been with what I experience as irresponsible prescribing. This is to say, prescribing without a proper diagnosis, prescribing inappropriate levels of the drug, prescribing without the patient's truly *informed* consent (i.e. not telling folks about the side effects), and inappropriate attention to the patient's report of the experience with the drug. The irresponsible prescribing of this drug is on a par with irresponsible surgery. The surgery itself may be good, but its inappropriate application can have seriously deleterious effects on the patient.
(Actually, I can talk like that too if I remember to put my teeth in first... <G>)
Love and very best wishes. Thanks for your post.
S
> Hello group,
>
> I have been taking Effexor XR for 1 month now. I read many of these postings prior to beginning the medication. Although there is much negativity here, I saw some hopeful posts. As someone who has tried various medications since the age of 19 (I am now 42) I am pleased to say I am VERY encouraged by my early experience with Effexor.
>
> I was off medication more than on throughout the duration of my struggle with dpression. Many years ago before SSRIs and the newer generations of drugs I was placed on some harsh chemicals at a time when I felt literally "out of my mind." Drugs like Lithium. These only served to convince me there was no hope and furthered my steady decline into depression. After the birth of my first child I was able to redirect my energies for quite some time and lead a relatively normal life. Then I had my second child and continued to maintain.
>
> Around the time my younger child turned 2 I began, again, a steady downward spiral and immediately went for help. I was presribed Prozac which saved my life. The only problem was I went from 110 to 87 pounds (I'm very small). That coupled with the fact that my spouse could not handle the stigma of my need for medication in order to be "normal" made me decide to quit --I had no side effects.
>
> In February of 2001 I had another major depressive episode and again sought help. Prozac again. Except this time it didn't help. I "bucked-up" (bad idea) and decided to go it alone again.
>
> In Jan. of 2002 I separated from my husband and felt not only depression but anxiety. I went on Zoloft in June of 2002 and was close to losing my professional job of 16 years because I could no longer concentrate. After 4 weeks on Zoloft gained 25 and felt, in general, like cr*p.
>
> Am now on Effexor XR, have lost all of the weight and have been given some high prioity tasks at work, the kind I'm used to being assigned to.
>
> My only side-effect was a yeast infection (immediately)for which I took Ascidophilus (spelling?). These are the "active cultures" found in yogurt. It cleared up immediately and I feel very well.
>
> Sorry for the long post. I wanted to introduce myself and say thank you to all who give their time here. You have been most helpful.
>
> japonica
Posted by Elle on November 8, 2002, at 0:11:34
In reply to Re: FXR XR Discontinuation Steps » Elle, posted by Geezer on November 7, 2002, at 9:12:45
Dear Geezer,
Thank you for your message. I am very determined to get off the effexor; I've gained approx. 20 lbs. over the past year & half and after the experience with the withdrawal symptoms I felt, I'm very convinced that this drug isn't right for me.
Elle : )
Posted by Kalevi on November 10, 2002, at 16:04:37
In reply to Re: I hate Effexor, be careful with it, posted by LISABECK on January 2, 2001, at 23:43:18
After 3 years with effexor (150 mg)i have now stopped taking it. I have during 2 months slowly decreased the dose from 150 mg to 75 and for the last 3 weeks only 25 mg and now since 3 days back 0. The side effects are terrible!!! I experience muscular effects like ticks, and fenomenons like petit mal (epilepsi), bad headake, a strange flashing experience that feels like electrical fenomenons starting from my head and down my neck, to day it was really horrible i have experienced all the sideeffects above +that i been so dizzy so i had to throw up. I would like to warn people and make them think twice before starting with effexor. It's a great help when you are in a state of depression, but stopping the medication is like going to hell but hopefully i find my way back from there... and NO I want give up now and start taking them again. I feel sometimes that perhaps there is better way of dealing with a depression than taking drugs like effexor. I strongly believe that a couple of weeks on a farm on the countryside with people in the same situation as I and with help from some psychoterapist would had helped better and faster than 3 years om medication. For me it all started with stress that lead to a "burnout" witch lead to a depression.. an all to common problem to day.
Sorry about my poor English, but it's propably better than your finnish ;-))
/Kalevi
mail: spam@privat.utfors.se> I HATED EFFEXOR TOO. THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS ON IT, I HAD THESE STRANGE FEELINGS AND SENSATIONS IN MY CHEST-KIND OF LIKE WEAKNESS. I ALSO FELT FAINT A LOT. WHILE I WAS WEANING OFF EFFEXOR, VERY SLOWLY BY THE WAY, I HAD THE ABSOLUTELY WORST PANIC ATTACK OF MY LIFE...
Posted by h20surfer1 on November 10, 2002, at 19:50:43
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have not been on the board for a month and thought it might help some to give an update.
I have been on Effexor since July (225mg). I just recently started Remerol for increasing libido.
I have had great success on Effexor and wish that I went in for help 12 yrs ago. I have no depression and an 80% reduction in anxiety (the remerol also works on anxiety).
Yes, I went through very uncomfortable side effects for the first 2 months with each increase in dosage. Effexor has now become a normal routine in my life and has helped me tremendously. I will stay on this drug until my Doctor recommends differently.
My only side effect is a decrease in libido.
I hope this post will help some of you just starting out. Not everyone responds the same but give the drug a chance before tossing it.
Good Luck!!!
Posted by sly on November 11, 2002, at 14:23:30
In reply to Positive Effexor Update, posted by h20surfer1 on November 10, 2002, at 19:50:43
Well said. Effexor may have saved my life. Despite all the warnings on this page and the side effects, which eventually all went away after a few weeks, I stayed on the drug and have been on it for 8 months now. Overall I've seen a drastic improvement, I feel alive and happy and have the energy to make positive changes I never thought possible during even the best days of my depression.
Don't give up too early, good things come to those who wait - it really is true - don't expect miracles overnight, it will happen slowly overtime, and possibly without you even realizing it, often others notice the improvement before you.
Posted by nonamedad on November 11, 2002, at 16:33:21
In reply to Re: Positive Effexor Update, posted by sly on November 11, 2002, at 14:23:30
I am on effexor since three months, and I wish I had been on it before. I feel so well. I am a new man.
Life is beutiful and deserve a fare chance.
one day a the time
Marc
Posted by befree on November 11, 2002, at 16:43:41
In reply to Re: Positive Effexor Update, posted by nonamedad on November 11, 2002, at 16:33:21
I am taking Effexor SR 37.5 mg (Day 3, second time around) and am taking it first thing in the morning without any food. I first tried it in the evening with my last evening meal. I experienced a lot of drowsiness, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of interest in things I was enjoying, lack of motivation. After 3 weeks I discontinued the medication. I started it again because my doctor didn't think I stayed on it long enough. I am taking it in the morning per my doctor's advise. I am still feeling drowsy. This is reportedly one of the better antidepressants on the market. I am basically using myself as a guinea pig. I might add I have been on all the SSI's, Luvox, Anapranil, Wellbutrin, and trazadone, all with mild to moderate success. I was on Prozac the longest- 10 years, and it just stopped working over time. I am getting really fed up. If this doesn't work, I don't know what to do next? I have also been on SAM-e, St. John's Wort, with minimal to no effect.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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