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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by paxvox on April 7, 2003, at 14:52:44
In reply to What is Lorazipam? (nm), posted by Napaba on April 7, 2003, at 8:23:42
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzo generally used as an antianxiety medication (anxiolytic). It is generally only prescribed for short durations (unless you actually have a *real* physician) at dosing ranging fron 2-6mg per day in divided doses. Also used safely and LONGTERM as a sleep aid (for chronic insomnia) as a 2-4mg single dose.
Lorazepam CAN be "addictive" IF taken for long periods of times, or if the patient increases the dose w/o permission (aka self-medicating). The term "tolerance", however, is a more accurate word for the condition of physical dependence. Like any benzo, one should not stop taking this drug abruptly, especially if it has been used for a period of over several weeks daily. This is ESPECIALLY true if you take meds (like Wellbutrin) that may lower your seizure threshold.
Personally, I was able to take it for about a year, and then discontinue it gradually over a two-week period. I have done that with about 5 different benzos over the past 15 years. I am currently taking a farily weak benzo, Tranzene, which I have been using at the same dose for almost 3 years now. Hope that helps.PAX
Posted by Napaba on April 7, 2003, at 14:59:38
In reply to Re: What is Lorazipam?, posted by paxvox on April 7, 2003, at 14:52:44
Thank you so much. I need something that I can take to help me sleep for more then 4 hours. Currently if I don't take either Xannax or Tylonal PM I basically don't get any sleep. With one of these I can usually get 4 or so hours.
Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzo generally used as an antianxiety medication (anxiolytic). It is generally only prescribed for short durations (unless you actually have a *real* physician) at dosing ranging fron 2-6mg per day in divided doses. Also used safely and LONGTERM as a sleep aid (for chronic insomnia) as a 2-4mg single dose.
> Lorazepam CAN be "addictive" IF taken for long periods of times, or if the patient increases the dose w/o permission (aka self-medicating). The term "tolerance", however, is a more accurate word for the condition of physical dependence. Like any benzo, one should not stop taking this drug abruptly, especially if it has been used for a period of over several weeks daily. This is ESPECIALLY true if you take meds (like Wellbutrin) that may lower your seizure threshold.
> Personally, I was able to take it for about a year, and then discontinue it gradually over a two-week period. I have done that with about 5 different benzos over the past 15 years. I am currently taking a farily weak benzo, Tranzene, which I have been using at the same dose for almost 3 years now. Hope that helps.
>
> PAX
Posted by paxvox on April 7, 2003, at 17:58:48
In reply to Re: What is Lorazipam? » paxvox, posted by Napaba on April 7, 2003, at 14:59:38
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a good antianxiety med, I think Ativan (lorazepam) may work better for your sleep. I have had chronic insomnia for over a decade. I can sleep no more than 2-3 hours w/o some sort of medication (currently Tranzene). Some people are finding success with Sonota and Ambien, however these meds have very short half-lives ( that is the time it takes for 1/2 of the med to clear your system). This will allow you maybe 5 hours of sleep, but then you will have interrupted sleep for the next hour or so, which is not totally a restful thing. Secondly, the insurance companies have now put major restrictions on sleep meds (thanks to TV advertisement causing more people to ask their MD for the med, which is not cheap). Do NOT take Tylenol PM unless you need an analgesic (pain reliever). The med in most of the so-called "PM" meds is actually 25mg of diphenhydramine (AKA Benadryl). It is just an antihistamine. You can buy it at Walmart for $4 (or less) for a bottle of 100. You don't need the other meds in the "PMs". I take 25-50mg of diphenh. plus my Tranzene at night. I STILL don't get the best sleep, but I may get 3-4 hours before I wake up the first time, then I wake about every 1.5 hours for the rest of the night. Fun, huh?
PAX
Posted by dadoftess on April 7, 2003, at 21:25:20
In reply to Re: Effexor Brain Shivers etc, posted by XiaoMafan on April 7, 2003, at 9:46:00
I've been on Effexor for almost two years. I started at the 37.5mg and while it seemed to work a bit, it didn't do much. So the doc kept ramping up my dose until hitting 300mgs 18 months ago. . I was totally constipated - basically living on fiber to function; no interest in sex; was tired all the time and most recently just wanted to put an end to my misery. With constant suicidal thoughts I had to take control and told my doc I was done with this and didn't want to try any other meds. I talked him into letting me be med free and am now being weaned from this drug. The detox is horrible. I was addicted to speed and major partying in college and the detox from that was nothing compared to this crap. I've been dizzy, had constant nausea, chills and hot flashes, bizarre dreams, lethargy, etc. for the past two weeks and I'm only down to 150 mgs. The scary part is since I've been weaning off this I haven't been depressed at all. Hello???? Is it possible that this drug takes over your brain someway, that it kind of works and kind of doesn't so you'll take it forever? Will this ever end? I'm disgusted and am now leary of all meds. I read somewhere that theraflu helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms, is there any truth to this?
Posted by meds on April 7, 2003, at 21:41:58
In reply to What is Lorazipam? (nm), posted by Napaba on April 7, 2003, at 8:23:42
Lorazipam is the name for Ativan, which is an
anti anxiety medication...at least that is how it was explained to me...it really helps take the edge off when i need it...though after my experience with xanex i am reluctant to take it so i only take it when necessary and not every day.
Posted by meds on April 7, 2003, at 21:56:37
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by Sean9 on April 7, 2003, at 13:35:34
You know....I think I am going to talk to my doctor about this tomorrow..I have been taking Effexor for 5 days now...and with all this that I have read...I don't need the greif...Surely there is a better drug to help with the depression...?
Posted by Krissy P on April 8, 2003, at 0:39:46
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by meds on April 7, 2003, at 21:56:37
Posted by meds on April 8, 2003, at 0:43:33
In reply to Have you tried Celexa? (nm), posted by Krissy P on April 8, 2003, at 0:39:46
You know, I have been on several antidepressants over the past several years and I really can't remember if I have taken that or not...it sounds familiar so it may be that I have...I have taken Zoloft, Paxil, Serzone and maybe one other...sheesh...bummer huh?
Posted by aubske on April 8, 2003, at 0:48:57
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have had wonderful success with Effexor. I currently take 225mg, and it has truly changed my life. I had been on many other drugs with minimal relief. I went back to school and actually got A's (which is new to me!) I owe it to Effexor.
I do have concerns about pregnancy and was wondering if anyone else had any experiences to share. I saw my OB, and she wants me to call her when I get pregnant and we will ween me off the Effexor. I am concerned now after hearing of the withdrawal problems. Please let me know if you have any advice. thanks so much
Posted by Krissy P on April 8, 2003, at 0:58:31
In reply to Re: Have you tried Celexa?, posted by meds on April 8, 2003, at 0:43:33
Posted by XiaoMafan on April 8, 2003, at 8:35:34
In reply to Re: Brain Shivers Trying to Get off Effexor! HELP!, posted by meds on April 7, 2003, at 21:56:37
My doctor told me that I wouldn't gain weight on this drug...guess what I did even following Weight Watchers and going to the gy 4x week. He told me that I would not have sexual side effects....guess what I did. He told me that I could go directly to Wellbutrin and just 'stop' Effexor XR...guess what you can't!!! I have called several pharmacists in my area and they have all told me that you never just stop taking Effexor..you need to be weaned off. I WILL be bringing all of this to the attention of my doctor as now I am questioning him giving me Wellbutrin. He told me that it was a drug that you will lose weight on...that is untrue .. there is a small percentage of people that have lost weight but it is not everyone. I also have started to see some hair loss and not sure if that also is from the Effexor? I will find out as I am weaning myself off this horrible drug!
Posted by fuji on April 8, 2003, at 8:35:37
In reply to Re: anyone taking effexor for hot flashes?, posted by DeeDee46 on April 7, 2003, at 5:29:20
I have been on effexor for a long time and I am having hideous hot flashes. So, it hasn't helped me but maybe it helps others. I also take prozac and that hasn't helped. Just recently started to take Remifron (sp?), a natural herbal supplement type thing. Hope that will work.
Fuji
Posted by Napaba on April 8, 2003, at 9:52:31
In reply to Re: What is Lorazipam?, posted by paxvox on April 7, 2003, at 17:58:48
>PAX,
Thank you so much for all the information. I'm going to try Benadryl until I go back to the doctor. I tried Sonota a while a go, it made me feel as if I had the flu most of the next day. So I gave up on it. One of the warnings was not to eat a high fat meal befor taking it. I eat a low carb high protein diet, I think that had something to do with my reaction to it.
Alprazolam (Xanax) is a good antianxiety med, I think Ativan (lorazepam) may work better for your sleep. I have had chronic insomnia for over a decade. I can sleep no more than 2-3 hours w/o some sort of medication (currently Tranzene). Some people are finding success with Sonota and Ambien, however these meds have very short half-lives ( that is the time it takes for 1/2 of the med to clear your system). This will allow you maybe 5 hours of sleep, but then you will have interrupted sleep for the next hour or so, which is not totally a restful thing. Secondly, the insurance companies have now put major restrictions on sleep meds (thanks to TV advertisement causing more people to ask their MD for the med, which is not cheap). Do NOT take Tylenol PM unless you need an analgesic (pain reliever). The med in most of the so-called "PM" meds is actually 25mg of diphenhydramine (AKA Benadryl). It is just an antihistamine. You can buy it at Walmart for $4 (or less) for a bottle of 100. You don't need the other meds in the "PMs". I take 25-50mg of diphenh. plus my Tranzene at night. I STILL don't get the best sleep, but I may get 3-4 hours before I wake up the first time, then I wake about every 1.5 hours for the rest of the night. Fun, huh?
>
> PAX
Posted by noillusions on April 8, 2003, at 11:04:18
In reply to Will this Effexor detox end?, posted by dadoftess on April 7, 2003, at 21:25:20
A dear friend of mine is a psychologist who works with a state run facility for the mentally ill. We were discussing the withdrawal symtoms associated with effexor and she was struck by how similar some of them are to what people with mild autism experience. Have you heard of anything in the research field to this effect? If so I am interested in finding out more.
Posted by jtc on April 8, 2003, at 21:31:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by aubske on April 8, 2003, at 0:48:57
Hi, maybe you should wean off the Effexor before trying to get pregnant. I took Luvox for two years and I stopped taking it just before I became pregnant. Then in my fourth month I started having bad panic attacks and anxiety so my OB put me back on Luvox (a very low dosage) and I took it until my eighth month of pregnancy then weaned myself off of it. My baby is fine. She is now 3 1/2 years old and a bit "wild" and hyperactive. I don't think there is a lot of research on Effexor during pregnancy. I have just weaned myself off of Effexor. I took it for about 10 months and it really did help me too. I just noticed it not being as effective as it was in the beginning and I had a 15 pound weight gain from it. I only took 150 mg, then went down to 75 mg because I was having some reactions to the 150 mg. My psychiatrist and I just decided to try to clean my system out by weaning off of it since it is spring, but I can tell you that the withdrawal is very unpleasant. I have had severe bouts of depression, tearfulness, irritability, thoughts of hopelessness and also dizziness and severe fatigue. But the biggest problem is the depression and tearfulness and I am a bit** to my kids and my husband. I am going to have to get my act together. Maybe I need to be taking something for the moodiness and I think I am going to go back to school so I may need something to help me concentrate because I have a really hard time with that. Does anyone have any suggestions about that? Anyway good luck with your decision and keep us posted. God bless...
> I have had wonderful success with Effexor. I currently take 225mg, and it has truly changed my life. I had been on many other drugs with minimal relief. I went back to school and actually got A's (which is new to me!) I owe it to Effexor.
> I do have concerns about pregnancy and was wondering if anyone else had any experiences to share. I saw my OB, and she wants me to call her when I get pregnant and we will ween me off the Effexor. I am concerned now after hearing of the withdrawal problems. Please let me know if you have any advice. thanks so much
Posted by aazao on April 8, 2003, at 22:13:41
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated » japonica, posted by luckyspec on April 4, 2003, at 19:29:28
> Well...actually, about cancer,
> I hear there are therapies...
> But what do I know.
>
> I hear there are ways of treating Cancer that do not destroy the immune system...Yes actually did you know that radiation destroys your immune systems ability to fight disease? It destroys you, radiation does.
>
> Interestingly enough all of the cancer patients I have read about and heard about, after their so called radiation therapy gets rid of their tumor, the tumor would reapear. But ofcourse it is prescribed by a doctor, the radiation is. I am not saying I have all the answers. I just know of a couple. I do not know this personally; as in first hand. But I read that cancer can be treated.
> But I am learning. I can not talk. I dare not talk until I see it for myself first hand. I can only point into the direction.
>
> So do the research for yourself-
>
> American Odessey- Book edited by Mary Higgins Boyd. If you are interested about an 'uncurable' disease...
> Ofcourse, it is not my knowledge so do not place me in the middle of it. I am only a messenger, even though I've been shot, I am.
>
> Also-
> http://www4.dr-rath-foundation.org/
>
> has some interesting information...seems promising-who knows- I am only doing research
>
> Thank you
>What does this have anything to do with effexor?
Posted by fsgray on April 8, 2003, at 22:44:44
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Effexor worked fine for me to get over my divorce. Started with 37.5mg for a week, which was by far the hardest part. I don't know whether it was the depression or starting Effexor, but I felt horrible; depressed, anxious, couldn't sleep, couldn't concentrate. Once I upped to 70mg things started getting better. I was on it for about 7 months. My main problem was a blunting of my emotions, but that was fine since it blunted my depression and anxiety. Withdrawal was easy; I just started taking them less frequently. When my brain started feeling funny, I'd take one, and pretty soon it was a week since my last one and I was fine. I'm now going through some personal stress which is making me anxious, but I'm getting along without it so far.
Posted by meds on April 8, 2003, at 22:55:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jtc on April 8, 2003, at 21:31:51
I too am going to school and had a very hard time concentrating...it was so bad I dropped a class..I really didn't know what was wrong with me...until I found this site and realized, in hindsight, that it was probably the Serzone I was taking...I figured out it wasn't working so my doctor prescribed Effexor about 1 week ago..Well, after reading all the stuff about it on this site and other sites, I decided after 5 days I didn't want to take the risk..So now I am off the effexor and going back to the Serzone so I can wean myself off of anti-depressants..The reason I am taking the Serzone again is because not enough time had elapsed from the last time I had taken it..so my doctor and I agreed that I should wean myself off..I am hoping I dont need to go on anti-depressants again and am looking for a more natural way of fighting depression...So far I don't have any side effects from taking the effexor...
Posted by Paco on April 8, 2003, at 23:33:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by meds on April 8, 2003, at 22:55:11
My therapist said that there is only one problem with Serzone - It doesn't work! Based on personal experince, I agree.
But Effexor is working for me.
======================================================
> I too am going to school and had a very hard time concentrating...it was so bad I dropped a class..I really didn't know what was wrong with me...until I found this site and realized, in hindsight, that it was probably the Serzone I was taking...I figured out it wasn't working so my doctor prescribed Effexor about 1 week ago..Well, after reading all the stuff about it on this site and other sites, I decided after 5 days I didn't want to take the risk..So now I am off the effexor and going back to the Serzone so I can wean myself off of anti-depressants..The reason I am taking the Serzone again is because not enough time had elapsed from the last time I had taken it..so my doctor and I agreed that I should wean myself off..I am hoping I dont need to go on anti-depressants again and am looking for a more natural way of fighting depression...So far I don't have any side effects from taking the effexor...
Posted by meds on April 9, 2003, at 0:07:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » meds, posted by Paco on April 8, 2003, at 23:33:48
The Serzone worked fine for me for the last couple years..then it didnt work anymore..like all the anti-depressants I have taken in the past...I am happy for anybody that is doing well on a medication...I know how hard it can be to withdraw from them...for myself, I am opting to see if there is another way for me..
Posted by bluestar on April 9, 2003, at 1:10:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by fsgray on April 8, 2003, at 22:44:44
Has anyone else experienced weird impulses since starting effexor? I feel totally fine and then out of NO WHERE I get an impulse to do something totally out of character. I've never had this problem before. It's not like I can't control it. I don't actually do whatever my impulse is but its disturbing how intense the feeling is for the short duration in which it happens. The other day I was walking past this little kid and I had the strongest urge to knock him over. I didn't wish the child any ill will, I just wanted to see what would happen. Ofcourse I didn't do it but it was such an extreme thought! Other times during my climb to a higher dosage, I've felt the urge to just scream at work as loud as I can or to break things. This is not out of anger or something I feel during a stressful situation, it seems to happen most when my mind is idle.
Posted by sly on April 9, 2003, at 8:02:27
In reply to weird impulses, posted by bluestar on April 9, 2003, at 1:10:46
I know exactly what you mean, I had these strong urges or impulses, kind of like pent up rage. Sometimes I could visualize myself actually doing it and I got worried I might lose control. Eventually it went away and I never did "fly off the handle".
Posted by melley on April 9, 2003, at 9:23:09
In reply to weird impulses, posted by bluestar on April 9, 2003, at 1:10:46
I have had weird thoughts, too. Well, like I could lose control. It flits in and out. It is helpful to get on here and find I am not going "crazy";)....I was wondering if anyone had had success getting rid of the weight from effexor without going off of it?> Has anyone else experienced weird impulses since starting effexor? I feel totally fine and then out of NO WHERE I get an impulse to do something totally out of character. I've never had this problem before. It's not like I can't control it. I don't actually do whatever my impulse is but its disturbing how intense the feeling is for the short duration in which it happens. The other day I was walking past this little kid and I had the strongest urge to knock him over. I didn't wish the child any ill will, I just wanted to see what would happen. Ofcourse I didn't do it but it was such an extreme thought! Other times during my climb to a higher dosage, I've felt the urge to just scream at work as loud as I can or to break things. This is not out of anger or something I feel during a stressful situation, it seems to happen most when my mind is idle.
Posted by jack smith on April 9, 2003, at 11:03:08
In reply to Re: weird impulses, posted by melley on April 9, 2003, at 9:23:09
1. Is it possible that extreme day time sedation is a transient side effect?? Could it go away in time??
2. Is it possible that the immediate release version would be less sedating?? Someone suggested this to me.
Please answer because I want to give this drug a try but if this sedation is here to stay, I might as well get off and try something else.
Posted by melley on April 9, 2003, at 12:59:45
In reply to Effexor Q's--PLEASE ANSWER, posted by jack smith on April 9, 2003, at 11:03:08
> 1. Is it possible that extreme day time sedation is a transient side effect?? Could it go away in time??
>
> 2. Is it possible that the immediate release version would be less sedating?? Someone suggested this to me.
>
> Please answer because I want to give this drug a try but if this sedation is here to stay, I might as well get off and try something else.
Hello Jack,I am taking 225 mg a day of effexor. When I was on 150 mg I was sleepy during the day. Then the dr. bumped me up to 225 mg., and I am like the energizer bunny. Feel wide awake. It is nice because I am getting a lot accomplished but can be kind of disconcerting, too.
What dosage are you on now?
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