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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by melsey on December 12, 2002, at 8:03:02
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on effexor for 10 months. Is there any other drug for anxiety and depression? My dr says there isn't. Effexor leaves me feeling detached and still unmotivated. I forgot to take it yesterday morning and by evening was weepy, irritable, and very depressed....
Posted by BrittPark on December 12, 2002, at 10:43:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by melsey on December 12, 2002, at 8:03:02
If your doctor thinks that effexor is the only medication for anxiety it's time for a new doctor. There are many options for treating anxiety.
Feel Better,
Britt
Posted by jannbeau on December 12, 2002, at 10:48:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by melsey on December 12, 2002, at 8:03:02
> I suggest that you consult another physician. There are myriad medications out there, one or more of which may be useful to you. Effexor left me feeling the same detachment, disconnection, almost as if I were wearing glasses and seeing the world from a distance.
Cheers,
JannbeauI have been on effexor for 10 months. Is there any other drug for anxiety and depression? My dr says there isn't. Effexor leaves me feeling detached and still unmotivated. I forgot to take it yesterday morning and by evening was weepy, irritable, and very depressed....
Posted by khead on December 12, 2002, at 11:13:48
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi all...I've been lurking here for the past 2 weeks since I started Effexor XR. 1st week 37.5mg and have now ramped up to 75mg. Will go to 150mg next week. Doc also RX's 150mg Trazodone at bedtime. Results so far:
1) No obvious side effects yet.
2) DEFINATE reduction in depression/anxiety.
3) Am now able to sleep (mostly) through the night without rolling around for at least 2 hours reviewing how f**k'd my life is.
4) Don't get really pissed at the slightest daily frustration. (Still get pissed at the really stupid/irritating ones though.)
Also, FWIW, my Doc at DX agreed that I have every reason to be depressed/anxious/angry given the current sorry state of affairs in my life.
What it is.
I'll post follow-ups from time to time.
Best to you all!
Posted by Stacy on December 12, 2002, at 11:21:39
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello there, I am new here, but wanted to answer this. I have been on effexor for about 8 yrs now, and I can't find anything else that works as well as this drug for depression. I am also on desyeral to help me sleep. The only thing is, it is very hard to get off it, if you need too. It would take months to actually be able to stop taking it. If I miss one dose, I get really weird side effects. I will probably be on this drug for life though, how it looks like, and I find it helpful.
Hope this helps!
Posted by melsey on December 12, 2002, at 13:43:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » melsey, posted by BrittPark on December 12, 2002, at 10:43:36
I guess I didn't make myself clear, and here I am an editor. My dr says this is the only medicine that treats both anxiety and depression at the same time, with one pill.
Posted by BrittPark on December 12, 2002, at 14:13:25
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » BrittPark, posted by melsey on December 12, 2002, at 13:43:24
Your doctor is still wrong. Almost all antidepressants can be effective for anxiety as well as depression. Perhaps your doctor was referring to the whole class of SSRIs and Effexor. There's plenty of evidence, however, that tricyclics and MAOIs are effective for anxiety. I still think you need a new doctor. Is your current doctor a Psychiatrist. If not I urge you to find one.
Feel Better,
Brit
Posted by Peterjg on December 13, 2002, at 7:32:04
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
First I'd like to thank everyone that responded to my original post. It is very comforting to chat with others with similar problems. I pray for all of you daily.
Next I just want to say that I took my first full dose (75mg) this morning. I was on 37.5 for 1 week, I haven't noticed any side-effects yet. Hopefully I won't. I intend to use these postings as a type of journal of my use of Effexor and also a history of my bouts of depression. Maybe it will help someone else. I hope it does.
Just a quick synopsis of my situation. I am 47. professional male. Seperated for 3 months now. I am having a very diifcult time dealing with it. My wife and I are in counseling. I am also in therapy. There was no infidelity, just major trust issues in practically every part of our relationship. There is no problem with love, just trust. Maybe the most difficult thing to rebuilt or regain.
Well that's my story. May God bless you all.
Posted by Badger on December 13, 2002, at 8:27:54
In reply to Effexor XR - So Far - 12/12/02, posted by khead on December 12, 2002, at 11:13:48
> Hi all...I've been lurking here for the past 2 weeks since I started Effexor XR.
I'm just finishing my fourth week on Effexor, and thought it might be interesting to compare notes (also with Peterjg, who started one week ago and who, like me, is a 47 year old male).
> 1st week 37.5mg and have now ramped up to 75mg. Will go to 150mg next week.
I started on regular (i.e., non XR) Effexor at 75 mg/day for two weeks, then increased to 112.5 mg/day for the past two. I'll be starting 150mg/day of the XR formulation on the weekend.
> Results so far:
> 1) No obvious side effects yet.I noticed a few mild side effects for the first 2 or 3 days (slight nausea, 'spaced-out' feeling), but these quickly faded. I've also noticed increased difficulty in reading small print, but this is probably just a coincidence, since I'm at that age anyway. (It's not blurry vision, as far as I can tell, which I understand is a possible side effect.)
> 2) DEFINATE reduction in depression/anxiety.
I noticed some improvement in the first two weeks - still a couple of "black days", but also a couple of "bright" ones. My third week was really good - very positive outlook, and starting to think about addressing some long-standing personal issues. This week has been a bit of a letdown - no severe depression, but just a bit gloomy.
I saw my doctor at the beginning of this week and she was surprised that I was seeing any results so soon. Although she didn't suggest it, this got me wondering if some of the early improvement was due to a placebo effect. I'd prefer to believe that wasn't the case (I'm not sure why), but either way, any change for the better is certainly welcome.
> 3) Am now able to sleep (mostly) through the night without rolling around for at least 2 hours reviewing how f**k'd my life is.
My sleep also started to improve almost immediately - I still wake up at 4 or 5 in the morning to go to the bathroom, but can generally get back to sleep afterwards, which I haven't been able to do for some time. I do find it hard to wake up fully and get out of bed some mornings, but after suffering from insomnia for a long time, I'm willing to put up with this for a while.
> 4) Don't get really pissed at the slightest daily frustration. (Still get pissed at the really stupid/irritating ones though.)
Anger hasn't been one of my problems (maybe I'm just good at supressing it?), so I haven't noticed any change in this area. Still, that itself may be a good sign - I was talking to an old friend last week whose husband has been taking AD's for a few years, and she told me that one of his early meds used to make him very angry, which was never part of his personality before (and hasn't been since he changed to a different drug).
It's nice to hear from other people who are going through the same process at more or less the same time. I didn't know anything about this drug (or any other AD's) when I started taking it, so finding this forum has been quite informative.
Good luck to all -
Badger
Posted by Abbigail on December 13, 2002, at 12:53:50
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi - I am looking for some info on the side-effects of Effexor XR. I started taking it about 4 or 5 weeks ago, first at a low dose of 37.5mg for 1 week then up to 75mg for one week and then reviewed with my Dr. Since all was going well and I was certainly feeling more in control of my emotions and was able to handle my stresses better, he kept me on the 75mg. That was fine with slight side effects of nausea for the first day or two and decreased appetite. The problem was that after about the third week at 75mg I became so nauseous that I thought I had the flu - I was very sick for 3 days and couldn't take the medication because I was so nauseous. On the fourth day I felt better and resumed the medication and was again very nausous - couldn't get off the couch and had to take Gravol. I have lost about 8 lbs so far on the mediation and I didn't need to loose any weight. My Dr. has put me back down to the 37.5mg dose and I start it again this evening, I'm nervous to say the least! I can't have another night of hanging over a bucket! I have 2 small children, a spouse and a business.
Has anyone else suffered such severe side effects?
Posted by Peterjg on December 13, 2002, at 13:02:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Abbigail on December 13, 2002, at 12:53:50
Just started on my 75mg dose today and took at 6:30 AM. No side-effect at all so far. It's 2 PM.
I'll keep you posted of any changes.
Posted by sly on December 13, 2002, at 13:37:55
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been on this drug for 10 months now at 75 mg and I feel great, in fact, I'm hoping to come off of it soon. Unfortunately with the holidays approaching I find myself getting anxious and depressed, last night I cried for two hours, something I haven't done in a long time.
I don't think I'm drifting back into a full-blown depression, but the holidays aren't easy for me, I get a lot of pressure from my family because I'm 26 and single. I have a hard time dealing with being alone never mind the constant nagging and remarks to "hurry up, if you wait much longer your looks will go and no one will want you".
Unfortunately going away isn't an option, I'm forced to go home and spend christmas with my two perfect sisters, their perfect husbands/boyfriends and even more perfect children.
Any advice out there on how to cope - I've thought of increasing my meds but I don't know if that's such a good idea.
Posted by Peterjg on December 13, 2002, at 13:52:06
In reply to I hate Christmas - how do you cope?, posted by sly on December 13, 2002, at 13:37:55
I have a very similar problem with the holidays. The past 5 years I've loved them. I got married to a wonderful women with two kids that I love and who love me. The kids made Christmas happy for me for the first time in many, many years.
Know I've been separated for 3 months and ca not wait for January 2nd. I spent Thanksgiving in the hotel I'm staying in because I couldn't bear to be with my family thinking "Poor Peter". I'm 47 and seperated, that's sad. There is nothing wrong with 26 and single! I got married for the first time on my 26th birthday. I was too young then. You'll make ok.
Try praying, it's helped me a lot.
The holidays will be over soon. Hang in there. You have plenty of others right there with you.
Peter
Posted by Peterjg on December 13, 2002, at 13:54:30
In reply to I hate Christmas - how do you cope?, posted by sly on December 13, 2002, at 13:37:55
I have a very similar problem with the holidays. The past 5 years I've loved them. I got married to a wonderful women with two kids that I love and who love me. The kids made Christmas happy for me for the first time in many, many years.
Know I've been separated for 3 months and ca not wait for January 2nd. I spent Thanksgiving in the hotel I'm staying in because I couldn't bear to be with my family thinking "Poor Peter". I'm 47 and seperated, that's sad. There is nothing wrong with 26 and single! I got married for the first time on my 26th birthday. I was too young then. You'll make ok.
Try praying, it's helped me a lot.
The holidays will be over soon. Hang in there. You have plenty of others right there with you.
Peter
Posted by melsey on December 13, 2002, at 16:18:55
In reply to Effexor XR - So Far - 12/12/02, posted by khead on December 12, 2002, at 11:13:48
> Hi all...I've been lurking here for the past 2 weeks since I started Effexor XR. 1st week 37.5mg and have now ramped up to 75mg. Will go to 150mg next week. Doc also RX's 150mg Trazodone at bedtime. Results so far:
> 1) No obvious side effects yet.
> 2) DEFINATE reduction in depression/anxiety.
> 3) Am now able to sleep (mostly) through the night without rolling around for at least 2 hours reviewing how f**k'd my life is.
> 4) Don't get really pissed at the slightest daily frustration. (Still get pissed at the really stupid/irritating ones though.)
> Also, FWIW, my Doc at DX agreed that I have every reason to be depressed/anxious/angry given the current sorry state of affairs in my life.
> What it is.
> I'll post follow-ups from time to time.
> Best to you all!I didn't have major side effects til I went up to 150 mg. At 75 mg I was still feeling the anxiety symptoms throughout the day. At 150 mg I don't. I have gained about 20 pounds, as I did the last time I was on it about 4 years ago. I wonder if anyone has had success getting the weight off while still on the effexor. It came off quickly after I went off it last time. But after this last bout of panic attacks/depression my dr tells me I should be on it for the rest of my life.
Posted by Sioux on December 13, 2002, at 18:03:21
In reply to I hate Christmas - how do you cope?, posted by sly on December 13, 2002, at 13:37:55
>>> I don't think I'm drifting back into a full-blown depression, but the holidays aren't easy for me
May I speak here as a Chaplain? There are *many* people for whom the holidays are dreadful for a variety of reasons. Some of the coping strategies that folks I know are using are wonderful.
One couple made it a game to absolutely avoid hearing a single Christmas song or seeing a single relative. They found that the time together without the radio, TV, shopping, or button-pushing family to be really something extraordinary. They've now been married 32 years and continue to keep the tradition, spending their time catching up on projects. They send valentines out each year instead of Christmas cards.
Another good one is to seek out a non-celebrating community if you are near immigrants from Asia, especially. As a street child, I found refuge among the Chinese of our community. The New Year dragon is still one of my most moving symbols.
Don't hesitate to be "weird." People who love you will be glad you are inventing new ways to take care of yourself. The others are not worth pleasing, anyway. Everybody will get used to it. In fact, you may very well help lots of others in the same boat.
The main thing is, it's your life to live as you choose. Investigate the choices.
>>> "hurry up, if you wait much longer your looks will go and no one will want you".
*That* is so destructive and so completely not true. Anyone that goes for the looks isn't worth having, anyway. The truth is most guys don't even notice. My husband still buys me size 10 jeans. He carries a wedding picture with him and sincerely believes I haven't changed a bit.
>>> Unfortunately going away isn't an option, I'm forced to go home
Oh, I do hope you'll examine this! Unless we're talking gunpoint and handcuffs, you probably have more choices than you believe you do. Look into them or call the cops to arrest your kidnappers. It really is okay to disobey your family. If they love you they'll be okay with it. If they don't, you need to know that.
Keep me posted. You are not at all alone and, in fact, there are folks out there hoping you'll speak up so *they* won't feel alone.
-- S
Posted by jannbeau on December 13, 2002, at 18:43:41
In reply to Re: I hate Christmas - how do you cope? » sly, posted by Sioux on December 13, 2002, at 18:03:21
> Sioux, I am so grateful that you posted this response. I so wanted to respond to Sly on this one, but I didn't know HOW to say the things that you said. I just knew that someone needed to say those things. The suggestions that one "must" go home, that parents and siblings are abusive or nonsupportive, or, at best, living in the 19th century, the feeling I had from Sly's post that she is living a life script that says, simply, "you aren't good enough for us" is so veru distressing, but I am not good with anything except, occasionally, answering a medication question, so I hesitated to answer.
Sly, please listen to Sioux's lovely suggestions and solutions, especially that you don't HAVE to go home for the holidays. Sometimes spending those days alone is much better than spending them being abused, either covertly or overtly by those who profess to love us.
Also, have you ever explored the therapeutic modality called ransactional analysis (not "games people play" but the more comprehensive "What do you say after you say hello?" or the textbooks on TA written by Eric Berne?. It seems to me that you are living a life script given you by your family that says that you cannot fulfill their expectations and therefore, that you should not "be" (so very often interpreted as "don't be successful" or "don't be happy"--resulting in depression and anxiety).
Take care! Perhaps you can practice some positive creative visualization (Start by telling yourself in the mirror as often as you can that "I am worthy of love and acceptance just as I am this very moment" and that you can FLY (finally love yourself, courtesy of the Flylady)!
Bless you,
Jannbeau
>>> I don't think I'm drifting back into a full-blown depression, but the holidays aren't easy for me
>
> May I speak here as a Chaplain? There are *many* people for whom the holidays are dreadful for a variety of reasons. Some of the coping strategies that folks I know are using are wonderful.
>
> One couple made it a game to absolutely avoid hearing a single Christmas song or seeing a single relative. They found that the time together without the radio, TV, shopping, or button-pushing family to be really something extraordinary. They've now been married 32 years and continue to keep the tradition, spending their time catching up on projects. They send valentines out each year instead of Christmas cards.
>
> Another good one is to seek out a non-celebrating community if you are near immigrants from Asia, especially. As a street child, I found refuge among the Chinese of our community. The New Year dragon is still one of my most moving symbols.
>
> Don't hesitate to be "weird." People who love you will be glad you are inventing new ways to take care of yourself. The others are not worth pleasing, anyway. Everybody will get used to it. In fact, you may very well help lots of others in the same boat.
>
> The main thing is, it's your life to live as you choose. Investigate the choices.
>
> >>> "hurry up, if you wait much longer your looks will go and no one will want you".
>
> *That* is so destructive and so completely not true. Anyone that goes for the looks isn't worth having, anyway. The truth is most guys don't even notice. My husband still buys me size 10 jeans. He carries a wedding picture with him and sincerely believes I haven't changed a bit.
>
> >>> Unfortunately going away isn't an option, I'm forced to go home
>
> Oh, I do hope you'll examine this! Unless we're talking gunpoint and handcuffs, you probably have more choices than you believe you do. Look into them or call the cops to arrest your kidnappers. It really is okay to disobey your family. If they love you they'll be okay with it. If they don't, you need to know that.
>
> Keep me posted. You are not at all alone and, in fact, there are folks out there hoping you'll speak up so *they* won't feel alone.
>
> -- S
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 14, 2002, at 11:10:52
In reply to I hate Christmas - how do you cope?, posted by sly on December 13, 2002, at 13:37:55
> Any advice out there on how to cope - I've thought of increasing my meds but I don't know if that's such a good idea.
It's fine for medication-related responses to continue here, but I'd like for other follow-ups to be redirected to Psycho-Social-Babble:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021206/msgs/33338.html
Thanks,
Bob
PS: And for follow-ups regarding posting policies to be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Posted by khead on December 15, 2002, at 14:18:18
In reply to Effexor --some little big Qs (to Bizzou and all), posted by zinya on November 23, 2002, at 15:22:45
Hi...I'm pretty new on this board, but
here's my .02 on "inappropriate" vs.
"appropriate" anxiety and/or depression.
My "man in the street" understanding of
extreme stress/disasters in life/loss, etc.
is that enough can in fact cause negative biochemical changes in the brain over time.
Classic example is combat related PTD. Doesn't happen to everyone. Probably most get through the bad stuff without meds. But judging by what has happened to you in your post I'd say it would
be REALLY "inappropriate" for you to currently to be a jolly and carefree soul with a 24 hour case of the giggles. Life can suck bigtime, so what's there not to be depressed about. (Pick up the newspaper any day. Plenty to be depressed about.) So, for me, the Effexor XR thing is about limiting as best I can getting so "stuck" in anxiety/depression that my life just stops.
Posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 0:46:51
In reply to DrBob, anyone- percocet effexor same family? , posted by anais on December 10, 2002, at 7:33:47
Hey guys!
Anyone else start having heart palpitations while on Effexor? I honestly thought my heart was going to stop they got so bad. So I tapered off and quit the meds but I still have them once in a while.(not as bad though) Do they go AWAY? I'm starting to freak out that I have heart disease or something! Just what I need; something else to worry about and feel anxious over.Any advice?
Tracy
Posted by jmmrc2002 on December 16, 2002, at 5:02:39
In reply to Re:Withdrawl » Kenneth Copeland, posted by zinya on December 2, 2002, at 17:39:17
Zinya,
I know that I am late in responding. I'm just reading the messages from early Dec. For me, I have the dizziness after only a few hours of missing a dose. It is so bad that I have no recourse but to take my dose. It stops about 45-60 minutes after taking the medicine. I am trying to wean myself off. I am at the 75mg level after being at 225mg. I haven't tried dropping to the 37.5 yet. I was given a sample pack with only a week's supply of 37.5mg. Will this be enough? Should I take the 37.5 longer before quiting altogether?
Posted by daizy on December 16, 2002, at 7:56:14
In reply to Effexor side effects - heart palpitations, posted by TracyL on December 16, 2002, at 0:46:51
> Hey guys!
> Anyone else start having heart palpitations while on Effexor? I honestly thought my heart was going to stop they got so bad. So I tapered off and quit the meds but I still have them once in a while.(not as bad though) Do they go AWAY? I'm starting to freak out that I have heart disease or something! Just what I need; something else to worry about and feel anxious over.
>
> Any advice?
> Tracywas in hospital twice in the last week from heart palputations off effexor, was on 150mg, now down to 37.5mg. Getting off it cause it hasnt really worked, infact its made things worse. Have you started any other Ad's? How do you feel? back to the point anyways, It is really scary when it happens, thought it was a pannic attack, but then It was way too fast to be, also felt like my heart was going to just give up on me. You need to tell your doctor though, there must be some medication that can sort this out, "Inderal" Maybe? Good luck!
Posted by djmmm on December 16, 2002, at 8:23:27
In reply to Re: DrBob, anyone- percocet effexor same family? » anais, posted by BrittPark on December 11, 2002, at 15:24:11
Both Effexor and Remeron effect opiod receptors
Effexor has some activity at opioid receptor subtypes mu-, kappa1- kappa3- and delta-opioid receptor subtypes.
Remeron has some atiivity at mu- and kappa3-opioid receptors.
Posted by BrittPark on December 16, 2002, at 10:07:03
In reply to Re: DrBob, anyone- percocet effexor same family?, posted by djmmm on December 16, 2002, at 8:23:27
Hi,
I hadn't heard that. Where did you find that? According to the prescribing information Effexor is an inhibitor of NE and 5HT reuptake and a weak inhibitor of DA reuptake. Remeron is an antagonist of presynaptic 5HT receptors. However the prescribing information may be incomplete.
Cheers,
Britt
Posted by Kenneth Copeland on December 16, 2002, at 10:44:10
In reply to Re:Withdrawl » zinya, posted by jmmrc2002 on December 16, 2002, at 5:02:39
> Zinya,
>
> I know that I am late in responding. I'm just reading the messages from early Dec. For me, I have the dizziness after only a few hours of missing a dose. It is so bad that I have no recourse but to take my dose. It stops about 45-60 minutes after taking the medicine. I am trying to wean myself off. I am at the 75mg level after being at 225mg. I haven't tried dropping to the 37.5 yet. I was given a sample pack with only a week's supply of 37.5mg. Will this be enough? Should I take the 37.5 longer before quiting altogether?
>
> I was Never On such A High Dose, but I can tell you that a week of 37.5 probably will not be enough,you will need at least 2 weeks worth..It has been 8 days since I have taken that stuff and all withdrawl symptoms exceopt for some slight vertigo effects..STILL!..have gone.The weaning process takes time.Be patient. After you do come off completely buy some Theraflu Nightime and take it for thw withdrawls. Good Luck
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