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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by MsX on January 30, 2003, at 22:12:17
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My journey started around 1997 when I first started taking antidepressants, the first one being Prozac. It stopped working and I have tried many different ones until this latest one, Effexor. They all seem to work at first, then after a few months my symptoms actually get worse. More depressed, more irritable, etc. I really just need something for anxiety more than for depression. I'm so irritable and impatient and intolerant when I'm not on anything that my family can't stand to be around me! Does anyone have any suggestions what I can try after I wean myself off of Effexor? I will go back to my doc and get his input, but they really have no idea about these drugs. When I went on the Effexor I told him my 2 biggest concerns as far as side effects were sexual dysfunction and sleeping too much. Well Hello! Sleeping too much seems to be a major problem with lots of people on this drug. Anyway, any help you can give me would be appreciated. I have learned alot from these postings and I appreciate the time everyone has taken in this venture. Thanks and peace/happiness to all!
Posted by ricardo on January 31, 2003, at 6:19:21
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - The good, the bad and the ugly, posted by sly on January 30, 2003, at 13:12:15
Hi Sly!
Reading your positive posts made me hopeful that I can achieve the same. What you said about getting the same results withouth the aid of drugs is what I hear people telling me everyday. There's just one thing that still gets me: I do have real problems, or at least I think they're real. It's kind of hard to sort out whether it's the "real" problems that have been causing my depression or if the depressed state I'm in is what makes those *facts* into problems. Any comments will be most welcome!
Posted by johnj on January 31, 2003, at 8:38:32
In reply to After 10 months I'm getting off, posted by sly on January 30, 2003, at 12:54:01
If it has done wonder for you why get off? Is this your first depressive episode?
Posted by sly on January 31, 2003, at 10:47:06
In reply to Re: After 10 months I'm getting off » sly, posted by johnj on January 31, 2003, at 8:38:32
yes, this is my first depressive episode.
My therapist and I agreed it was situational, a life transition and my mind's way of saying "this isn't working, we're not happy". Because of that my Doctor and therapist felt I did not need to stay on the drug in maintenance mode, once I had several positive months I should come off of it. My doctor originally told me the typical course for someone in my situation would be 6-12 months.
Now that I'm feeling better and I've made the changes I needed to make my life more fulfilling emotionally/physically/intellectually etc. it's time to get off the drugs.
Posted by supersleepy on January 31, 2003, at 15:23:53
In reply to After 10 months I'm getting off, posted by sly on January 30, 2003, at 12:54:01
Finding this site has been amazing--both validating and a little frightening. I take a low dose (75 mg/day) and have not felt the need to increase. I had been taking St. John's Wort for several years, and I thought it managed my mild-to-moderate depression pretty well. But, after my mother died in June, I started having full-blown panic attacks for the first time ever. My dr put me on Effexor (37.5/day for one wk, then up to 75/day). She'd always been opposed to the Wort, and had been lobbying for some time to put me on "something real." At the time I came into her office, short of breath and weeping uncontrollably, I was in no condition to argue, object, or do research! The drug has been extremely helpful. After about five of days drymouth and sudden on-set sleepiness (like someone slipped me a mickey), everything felt pretty good. After about four months, I started noticing those far-out dreams that others have mentioned, and for the last month or so I have been amazingly sleepy and lethargic. I ALWAYS fall asleep if I find myself with any "free" time in the afternoon or evening. Not so bad for someone who has had some history of insomnia, but it certainly is impairing my productivity--and I really don't want it to get any worse. I started this drug in response to a specific life crisis, so now I'm thinking I should get more assertive about getting off. My dr will resist, since she won't want me to back to Wort. Any experience to share or suggestions? Thanks.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on January 31, 2003, at 15:47:18
In reply to After 10 months I'm getting off, posted by sly on January 30, 2003, at 12:54:01
> I congratulate all of you who have successfully managed this withdrawal.
----------------------------It's weird how individual such reactions are. I was on 150mg of Effexor for about a year, and went off it within a couple of weeks without any major problems. For me, the worst part was getting started with it.
Posted by jb07 on February 1, 2003, at 18:48:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Since being on eff. Xr, I have been drinking alcohol alot more. The buzz from the booze happens so much faster, and it makes me become numb. I have @ least 2-3 drinks after work everyday.
I feel I need these drinks to make me feel....normal!!!
Anyone else had this problem,or anything remotely close,and if so what have you done to cope???
I seem to become dependent on the drinks after work!!
has there been and correlation with this drug and increased use of alcohol??
I am concerned...help!!
Posted by John Doe on February 1, 2003, at 20:50:25
In reply to After 10 months I'm getting off, posted by sly on January 30, 2003, at 12:54:01
It's been very helpful reading the experiences that people have had trying to get off Effexor XR. I've been on 75mg for about 10 months and the lethargy has gotten to be too much for me, though my doctor had considered upping my dosage when I told her about it. I have cut down to 37.5 mg for five days and today is the first day that I have skipped a dosage. I have been experiencing vertigo all day long and can only hope that it will stop. These posts have been extremely helpful.
Posted by banom on February 2, 2003, at 5:09:54
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by JulieK on July 3, 2000, at 22:52:21
I too have experienced similar withdrawl symptoms: eyes catching up with my head as it scans the room, brain freezes (like when smoking marijuana), and a general feeling of tiredness. Intercostal tension (muscle pains in my chest muscles) returned within 2 days of being off Effexor. This is the only site where I was able to find someone that reported similar side affects. I am surprised these side affects haven't been public knowledge or at least explained to patients prior to administering treatment. I wonder how long these withdrawl symptoms would last before one would return to a normal state. Have you heard any information on this?
Posted by Maisy on February 3, 2003, at 5:04:37
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by banom on February 2, 2003, at 5:09:54
You can reduce withdrawal symptoms by weaning off
VERY slowly. I was on 75mg XR, so I opened up the
capsule and removed about a quarter of the balls for
a week. Then I went down to my 37.5mg capsules for a week,
then I started opening up the capsules and removed two balls, the next day four, the
next 6 etc. (There are roughly 100 balls in the 37.5mg)
When I got down to 50 balls, I started removing them
just one at a time. I am now down to 13 balls. I have
experienced only occasional very mild withdrawal
symtoms that only lasted about a day at a time.
Posted by Leor on February 3, 2003, at 11:35:19
In reply to Re: Buspar for anxiety » Lynnae, posted by Elizabeth on June 27, 2001, at 6:57:34
Hello Elizabeth.
Just read the old post (copied below) on psychobabble and decided that I would be most grateful for any info you might have about
natural approaches to the treatment of general anxiety disorder. Many thanks for your help. Hope
that 2003 finds you in good health and good spirits.Blessings,
Leor
> Hi there.
>
> Can you describe your anxiety symptoms in more detail, like what type of thoughts you have when you are feeling anxious, and are there any triggers? Do you feel anxious all the time, or does it come in spells or attacks?
>
> Ihe reason I'm asking these questions is that there are a few different types of anxiety and the treatments are not the same for all of thems (although there is some overlap). What you described sounds more like panic disorder than any other anxiety disorder, but obviously that's not certain. I'll go ahead and tell you about treatments for panic disorder, but just be aware that this info doesn't necessarily apply to other anxiety states like generalised anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress, social phobia, etc.
>
> > I have taken Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa along with Ativan and another nerve pill (I can't remember it's name).
>
> Klonopin, Xanax, Valium, Librium, Serax, Tranxene, ... ?
>
> Do you remember what dose of Ativan you were taking, by any chance? Also, were you taking it on an ad-lib (or "as needed") basis, or on a regular around-the-clock schedule (e.g., thrice daily or every 6-8 hours).
>
> > Does anyone have any experience with Buspar for anxiety?
>
> I tried BuSpar (buspirone) in the typical low dose range used for mild to moderate anxiety and antidepressant augmentation: up to 45 mg/day, I think. In this dose range, it is *not* effective for panic disorder (which might be what you have), nor (by itself) for depression. In higher doses (more like 60-90 mg/day) it is effective for depression; I'm not sure about panic disorder. (60 mg or more
>
> Unlike the benzodiazepines (what you call "nerve pills," also known as "minor tranquilisers"), BuSpar takes several weeks to work. It sometimes causes increased anxiety in the beginning. It's basically an antidepressant, like most of the other ones you mentioned (Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa). The way it works is a little different, though: instead of increasing the amount of serotonin available, buspirone imitates one of the actions of serotonin. (It's thought to be what's called a "partial agonist" at type 1a serotonin receptors.)
>
> > Also, what about Effexor XR?
>
> Like the other antidepressants, it takes several weeks to work and may make you more anxious during those first weeks. Also, if you had weight problems from the SSRIs (Paxil, etc.), then Effexor may cause weight gain for you too.
>
> SSRIs and Effexor do usually work for panic disorder, but a lot of people have a very hard time tolerating them long enough (they take several weeks to work, as I mentioned). The best appproach if increased anxiety is a problem starting out is to start out at a very low dose and increase it gradually, as tolerated. It can also help to take a benzodiazepine during the time when you are waiting for the antidepressant to work. Klonopin and Xanax are probably the most effective benzodiazepines for anxiety (especially panic anxiety).
>
> Besides benzodiazepines, some other options for panic disorder are the older antidepressants -- "tricyclics" (imipramine, nortriptyline, desipramine, clomipramine) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate). People who have anxiety often find these more tolerable, although the newer ADs are marketed as having fewer side effects (really, they have *different* side effects). There are also two newer, non-SSRI antidepressants -- Serzone and Remeron -- that may work for panic disorder. Non-cardioselective beta blockers (such as propranolol) can also alleviate some of the symptoms, like tremor, difficulty breathing, and palpitations.
>
> Sometimes, if a person has an abnormal EEG or if more conventional treatments (like antidepressants and benzodiazepines) don't work, anticonvulsants may be used. Depakote and Neurontin seem to work for true panic disorder as well as for some types epilepsy; Tegretol may be preferable for people who have temporal lobe epilepsy that manifests as panic-like attacks. Panic-like epilepsy is unusual, but not unheard of, and it should be considered if the usual treatments don't work. There are a few other conditions that can mimic panic disorder, such as asthma and cardiac arrhythmias, and these should be ruled out, especially if you are considering a tricyclic antidepressant or a beta blocker.
>
> I hope this helps. Don't get discouraged: there are lots of different approaches to anxiety, as you can see; you just have to keep trying stuff until you find what works for you. (If you're interested, I can also tell you about a few different non-medical approaches. These tend to be less reliable, in my opinion, but they are often very helpful, especially if used with medication.)
>
> -elizabeth
Posted by Tina P on February 3, 2003, at 12:30:07
In reply to Re: any sexual side effects?, posted by Elaine on January 15, 2001, at 12:32:11
Hey, Elaine, I'm in the same boat as you are with the lack of desire. I just switched from Paxil to Effexor XL and I'm waiting to feel some changes. Did you find yourself a bit emotional during that transition period? Any weight issues?
Posted by Dysfunk on February 3, 2003, at 16:42:48
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by banom on February 2, 2003, at 5:09:54
I guess they don't want to scare us or make us psychosomatics by telling us the potential withdrawal effects. Only side-effect I heard about from my Dr. on this was possible high blood pressure. That was the least of my worries!
Posted by khead on February 4, 2003, at 9:21:16
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Dysfunk on February 3, 2003, at 16:42:48
Well in my case my BP spiked from my "high-normal"
of ~130/90 to 180/105. Felt better, but was getting ready for a stoke. Had to get off the stuff.> I guess they don't want to scare us or make us psychosomatics by telling us the potential withdrawal effects. Only side-effect I heard about from my Dr. on this was possible high blood pressure. That was the least of my worries!
Posted by Lynnads on February 4, 2003, at 10:17:23
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Maisy on February 3, 2003, at 5:04:37
GOING ON THREE WEEKS, WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS STILL GOING STRONG!!!!! THIS IS DRIVING ME NUTS!! I don't think I would ever go back on this drug unless I planned to stay on it life-long.
I am experiencing three weeks straight of constant vertigo/dizziness, brain freezes, and an utter feeling of an unpleasant high. When I move my eyes, I hear a WHOOSH sound in my head. If I move my body, it sounds like someone is throwing magazines at the floor. I don't feel safe driving and I keep waiting for this to go away but it just seems to continue to progress. I did taper my medication, which only seemed to prolong the effects withdrawal. If anyone does have to get off Effexor, follow the explanation Maisy gave. I think I would have followed a more gradual approach to tapering if I knew it was going to be anything like this. This is just miserable.
Posted by KayC on February 4, 2003, at 11:07:56
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been on it for about 2 months (75mg). I'm getting off too because I too can't deal with the fatigue and the inconsistent feelings. No one day is the same (tiredness one day, headache the next, feeling blue the third, energetic in the morning, lethargic in the evening or vice versa etc...)
I posted a few weeks ago about how much better I felt and I do feel better. However I still need to be on an AD. I don't go to see my psychaitrist until 2/27 but I've had all I can take. On 1/29 I began taking a capsule every other day.
On the second day the withdrawal always hits. By 7:00 a.m. I am lightheaded and lethargic. I get really bad muscle pains in my back (upper and lower). I feel weird and disoriented. Every night is a crazy dream. Always being chased and running away.
Good luck to everyone on Effexor. I don't believe it's for me. I just can't deal. I just want to get off it. I worry about what it's doing to my nervous system and my brain. Since I've been on Effexor I only pee about twice a day. My skin is so dry and itchy, it's flaking off. I use Vaseline after I shower and by morning my skin is dry. But the thing that bothers me the most is my inability to focus. Mentally, I'm just not there on this drug (eye sight getting worse too). Just too many things. I wrote a list of all the adverse reactions I've had and a list of all the good things the drug has done for me. The adverse reaction list was 3x as long as the good. I'll keep posting. Good luck to those who persevere.
Posted by carsan01 on February 4, 2003, at 11:15:07
In reply to Re: withdrawal » Maisy, posted by Lynnads on February 4, 2003, at 10:17:23
Hi Everyone,
I am on Effexor XR(it at least..i am coming off)to control Hotflashes from a shot called Lupron Depot....today is day 2 trying to get off Effexor XR.....i feel like i need some sleep. As i sit here at work, all i can think about is my comfy bed at home! I did not have any side effects at all yesterday which was my first full day....woke up without any headaches, life seemed great. But today that's not the case...my body hurts, concentration is very hard to keep, my head and eyes just can't seem to focus properly. I hope that it doesn't last long, but my heart tells me that's it's gonna last longer. I have to say though some of the emails that have been posted in the past are scary.....if i had known what i know now....i would never have started Effexor Xr....your mood definitely improves but the side effects can be terrible. I wish my doctor had gone over this medication thoroughly..i am mad at myself that i didn't ask the questions. Education can be a huge part of the problem!! Well hopefully i will feel better soon, i have too.
Have a wonderful day all :) Carsan
Posted by Tina P on February 4, 2003, at 22:52:53
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Anyone want to coment on the dry, itchy skin condition? Anyone experience acne from this drug? How about a comparison to Paxil? I'm in the transition period now from Paxil to Effexor, and The dry itchy skin has me losing sleep!
Posted by DSA on February 4, 2003, at 22:58:27
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
Your observations, feelings of electricity or shocks during withdrawal, are very interesting. I'd noticed the same symptoms during withdrawal from a long-term and ultimately self-destructive attempt to self-medicate using dextromethorphan (dissociative, not recommended). I found that sudden lateral eye movements would accentuate the feelings; sudden head movements not as much.
At any rate, I'm brand new to Effexor, having survived the gauntlet of (primarily) SSRIs since 1994. Prozac @ 20MG was the first, and it worked incredibly well for about two years. I frankly couldn't believe that something so right could actually lose efficacy, but have found myself trying to fill the void left by its failure more desperately over the ensuing six years. Celexa, Buspar, Zoloft, Depakote, higher doses, self-medication -- nothing has worked.
Effexor is another attempt to find my way back to that pinnacle of my life, the first time since puberty I'd seen blue sky.
Thanks for contributing your experiences.
Posted by Scot_lass2003 on February 5, 2003, at 0:18:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Tina P on February 4, 2003, at 22:52:53
> Anyone want to coment on the dry, itchy skin condition? Anyone experience acne from this drug? How about a comparison to Paxil? I'm in the transition period now from Paxil to Effexor, and The dry itchy skin has me losing sleep!
I also switched from Paxil to effexor, mostly because I couldn't sleep on Paxil. I have some acne and dryness so I just use lots of moisturiser. I also live in a very cold dry climate which doesn't help. However not great skin is better than no sleep!!!! Good luck.
Posted by astrowill on February 5, 2003, at 1:32:48
In reply to Alcohol???, posted by jb07 on February 1, 2003, at 18:48:08
Effexor made me want to drink, smoke, and eat lots of candy. I started smoking in November, right around the time I changed my dose. It was as if I hated the way "normal" felt so I used cigarettes and alcohol to take a break from myself. Also I used to drive to the store at like 10:30 at night to get a bag of candy, which I would eat continuously until it was finished. It was almost scary. Last week I quit taking my Effexor altogether and, along with the awful withdrawal, I quit smoking. No longer do I want cigs and even when I have one it has no effect at all. That's how I ended up here.
Posted by anais on February 5, 2003, at 17:34:13
In reply to Monthly Positive Update, posted by h20surfer1 on January 9, 2003, at 20:17:50
I've been tapering the effexor, it feels like I've had the flu sans nausea for weeks. Yesterday I slept 18 hours, to avoid constant migraines. Took my first 20mg prozac today, am hoping for a reprieve. Although paxil and prozac are related, and paxil didn't work, I'm hoping prozac will. Is anyone doing the same thing? How does prozac compare, and is there a message board for it? After reading these posts, reeling from 3 months of inadequate dosage (insurance ran out), I decided that this drug is just too dangerous for me. The whole "revving up" process seems to indicate how powerful and foreign this thing is for the human body. Oh well. I hope this prozac works. Please let me know if you had/are having positive experiences with prozac.
Posted by jb07 on February 5, 2003, at 18:58:04
In reply to Re: Alcohol???, posted by astrowill on February 5, 2003, at 1:32:48
I hear you.....alcohol has become an escape from the everyday numbness I fell on effexor. Inside I feel empty. I look forward to end of the day and having a few drinks. I take my pill @ night prior to bed....does any one think changing my dose to the morning might help in changing things up???
Help... this crazy cycle has to stop!!
Posted by Tina P on February 5, 2003, at 19:34:55
In reply to Re: Alcohol???, posted by jb07 on February 5, 2003, at 18:58:04
Hey,jb07, my doc told me that alcohol basically enhances the effect of the drug, so it's likely that you just need a larger dose. And of course, no alcohol. Good luck.
Posted by jb07 on February 5, 2003, at 19:39:02
In reply to Re: Alcohol???, posted by Tina P on February 5, 2003, at 19:34:55
Thank you tina, that makes total sense!! What about taking my pill early morning instead of bedtime???
I am so confused about this!!!
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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