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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by belle rose on May 29, 2003, at 0:57:50
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions » wnj, posted by zinya on May 28, 2003, at 22:42:36
> Gosh, wnj, my heart goes out to you. Over the years, i've known of similar stories of seemingly heartless abandon but knowing that doesn't diminish one whit the pain and rage and angst and grief you must be experiencing when instead you had surely a vision of new joy... and surely also now, i'm guessing, considerable guilt at not being able to transmit only delight to your newborn.
>
> You don't mention it, but your situation absolutely demands, in my opinion, that you find a good therapist or counselor to help you feel listened to in all the necessary raging and processing that you must go through over this. If your doctor only prescribed a drug and didn't also "prescribe" such therapy, I would consider it highly irresponsible. You have legitimate and concrete griefs and angers which no amount of anti-depressant medicine will make go away. I'm not saying that taking Effexor is wrong or misguided based on this, but I am suggesting it should not be viewed as a panacea or substitute for the therapy you should definitely give yourself -- and make sure you find someone you like and trust and whose perspective makes sense to you and feels right.
>
> I'm so new to this drug myself that I am the last person to give advice on the drug per se, although I would encourage you given what must be a very fragile state of -- I'm assuming -- still also the hormonal ups and downs of pregnancy and post-partem as well. So given how potent this drug is, I would start on it very very gradually.
>
> After reading so many posters here and knowing that i'm very sensitive and have had many bad experiences of side effects to other drugs, I have started this by taking only half of a 37.5 mg capsule -- opening it and dividing the grains roughly in half. Even with that, i've had fluctuating side effects the past 3 days but so far they're all been mild and transitory. And to my surprise i've already sensed on the 3rd day even some positive benefit already just from this 18 mg dose. I would neither recommend nor dissuade anyone from taking it because one thing is clear from all the postings here: Each and every one of us has a unique biochemistry which makes it totally impossible to generalize from one to another taker of whatever a-d drug. But if I were you i'd consider starting on it VERY VERY slowly at the lowest dose possible, and monitor your symptoms -- and be sure at least for the first month while tryign to determine if it works for you or not -- I'd stay off all alcohol and minimize stimulants of all types to avoid bad reactions while adapting...
>
> Wishing you well and sending hugs of concern and hopes you will also find someone to be a counselor/therapist very very soon...
>
> z.Good advice z.
jtc,
My prayers are with you during your difficult times. Sometimes our burdens seem to much to bear. That's why we need to give them to God.I have spent several years on Effexor along with many other antidepressants and/or mood stabilizers which seem to offer little relief. I did the best when I saw a counselor. Talking to someone else helps put things in perspective, which we can't seem to do ourselves. I exercised and that seemed to clear the cobbwebs out of my brain and I could think for clearly. Sun, too has theapeutic effects.
Join groups, single groups, talk your baby to the park. Don't isolate yourself. I did this for many years and feel terrible for the time I stole away from my family. As much work as it seems to be involved in relationships, it is healthy. And remember people are always going to disappoint us. Just love on that baby and receive all his/her love back.
I wish you much luck. I will be praying for strength and hope for you during this difficult time. Know that many people care.
Belle Rose
Posted by jtc on May 29, 2003, at 8:21:52
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions, posted by belle rose on May 29, 2003, at 0:57:50
> > Gosh, wnj, my heart goes out to you. Over the years, i've known of similar stories of seemingly heartless abandon but knowing that doesn't diminish one whit the pain and rage and angst and grief you must be experiencing when instead you had surely a vision of new joy... and surely also now, i'm guessing, considerable guilt at not being able to transmit only delight to your newborn.
> >
> > You don't mention it, but your situation absolutely demands, in my opinion, that you find a good therapist or counselor to help you feel listened to in all the necessary raging and processing that you must go through over this. If your doctor only prescribed a drug and didn't also "prescribe" such therapy, I would consider it highly irresponsible. You have legitimate and concrete griefs and angers which no amount of anti-depressant medicine will make go away. I'm not saying that taking Effexor is wrong or misguided based on this, but I am suggesting it should not be viewed as a panacea or substitute for the therapy you should definitely give yourself -- and make sure you find someone you like and trust and whose perspective makes sense to you and feels right.
> >
> > I'm so new to this drug myself that I am the last person to give advice on the drug per se, although I would encourage you given what must be a very fragile state of -- I'm assuming -- still also the hormonal ups and downs of pregnancy and post-partem as well. So given how potent this drug is, I would start on it very very gradually.
> >
> > After reading so many posters here and knowing that i'm very sensitive and have had many bad experiences of side effects to other drugs, I have started this by taking only half of a 37.5 mg capsule -- opening it and dividing the grains roughly in half. Even with that, i've had fluctuating side effects the past 3 days but so far they're all been mild and transitory. And to my surprise i've already sensed on the 3rd day even some positive benefit already just from this 18 mg dose. I would neither recommend nor dissuade anyone from taking it because one thing is clear from all the postings here: Each and every one of us has a unique biochemistry which makes it totally impossible to generalize from one to another taker of whatever a-d drug. But if I were you i'd consider starting on it VERY VERY slowly at the lowest dose possible, and monitor your symptoms -- and be sure at least for the first month while tryign to determine if it works for you or not -- I'd stay off all alcohol and minimize stimulants of all types to avoid bad reactions while adapting...
> >
> > Wishing you well and sending hugs of concern and hopes you will also find someone to be a counselor/therapist very very soon...
> >
> > z.
>
> Good advice z.
>
> jtc,
> My prayers are with you during your difficult times. Sometimes our burdens seem to much to bear. That's why we need to give them to God.
>
> I have spent several years on Effexor along with many other antidepressants and/or mood stabilizers which seem to offer little relief. I did the best when I saw a counselor. Talking to someone else helps put things in perspective, which we can't seem to do ourselves. I exercised and that seemed to clear the cobbwebs out of my brain and I could think for clearly. Sun, too has theapeutic effects.
>
> Join groups, single groups, talk your baby to the park. Don't isolate yourself. I did this for many years and feel terrible for the time I stole away from my family. As much work as it seems to be involved in relationships, it is healthy. And remember people are always going to disappoint us. Just love on that baby and receive all his/her love back.
>
> I wish you much luck. I will be praying for strength and hope for you during this difficult time. Know that many people care.
>
> Belle RoseBelle Rose,
Thanks so much for your posting and thinking of me in your prayers. It is very much appreciated. Thanks again, jtc
>
>
Posted by Mercedes on May 29, 2003, at 15:11:56
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions, posted by jtc on May 29, 2003, at 8:21:52
I have been taking anti-depressants/anti-anxioty medications for almost 7 years. I suffered a PTSD which led to my condition. I started on 37.5 mgs from a prev. psyc. and he never increased it for about 1 year. I moved and now see a new psyc. and he has increased my effexor gradually to 300 mgs.
I FINALLY FEEL HAPPY. I smile with my eyes now. I laugh with my heart. I haven't had that feeling in 7 years. I have tryed other meds, ie., paxil, welbutrin, prozac and I can't remember how many others.
The only side effect I have is memory but that may be related to age (54) and to the PTSD. I also take Xanax, which I've been on for 6 years. My problem is not being able to talk to my family about the trauma I incurred. So for many years I pretended to be happy or normal, whatever that is.
Good luck with the Effexor and remember, everyone's chemistry is different. It may work for you or it may not but I cannot say anything but good things about Effexor.
p.s. this is the first time I've responded to this site. I've read alot but was too shy to respond to anyone.
mercedes
Posted by jrt on May 29, 2003, at 16:20:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Ninafel on June 20, 2000, at 23:00:52
I have recently started on effexor and have really good results so far. I have never been on any other ad's but have always had anxiety and depression and for the first time in my life I feel good again. It got so bad that I nearly ran off my family and the love of my life. He of all people can see the benifits from this medication. I guess in some way I knew that I needed to be on ad's but I always blamed my major mood swings and irrability on pms but it finally hit me when I had an anxiety attack for the first time and I felt like I was going to loose my mind. I wish I would have accepted this a long time ago, I guess I just never wanted think I was crazy, I was just "unique"!!!! The side affects that I have been experincing are minimal compared to the consequences of being unhappy and making everyone around me unhappy as well. Misirey loves company, right? My doctor started me off on 75 mg and the only side effects that I have experinced are yawning, sleppiness, a little dizziness, and loss off apatite(but I don't consider that a bad side effect:)I have heard everyone talking about brain tremors and I have no idea what those are so if someone could inform me I would aprecciate it!
Posted by notquitethereyet on May 29, 2003, at 19:24:30
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jrt on May 29, 2003, at 16:20:47
anyone taking effexor XR for chronic fatigue
and fibromyalgia symptoms? if so, how's it going??
Posted by kalyb on May 30, 2003, at 8:36:50
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jrt on May 29, 2003, at 16:20:47
> I have recently started on effexor and have really good results so far. ....My doctor started me off on 75 mg and the only side effects that I have experinced are yawning, sleppiness, a little dizziness, and loss off apatite(but I don't consider that a bad side effect:)I have heard everyone talking about brain tremors and I have no idea what those are so if someone could inform me I would aprecciate it!
Hi jrt,
I am new to Effexor and so far, so good for me too. I started about 3 weeks ago and noticed some positive effects almost straight away (my anxiety almost disappeared totally and the constant OCD-like recurrent thoughts that were circling, were hushed down to a background murmur).
I had only a few days of side-effects and now the only one remaining is insomnia, which is common on many ADs. Oh, and the anorgasmia... unfortunately.... but I always had a bit of a problem with that anyway and I'm not in a relationship so I guess it's up to me as to how important I want that to be.
I too asked about the brain tremors initially, if you look back into the archived posts you'll find the answers. I think I had them in the first few days, but not now.
I'm not entirely sure yet if the anti-depressant effect of the Effexor has yet kicked in, I think it may have done a little, but last week I was premenstrual and felt great - I'm often a bit more energetic, faster-thinking and brighter at that time of the month anyway. Now my period's started I can see the Effexor has more work to do, I woke last night in tears and cried for the first time in several weeks. But on the plus side, I am feeling much more calm and my confidence has improved greatly, I no longer have the black cloud above my head which blocked me from even speaking to people.
I am on the "normal" Effexor not the XR, and I take one 75mg tablet per day. After reading about the various dosages both here and online, I queried this with my pdoc, in case someone had got the dosage wrong, but he said he finds less side-effects with just the one daily dose rather than splitting it, and if I wanted to try the XR he can arrange that for me when my current scrip runs out. But I may stick with what I've got, because he's right, there are very few side effects with what I'm on.
I know there is a lot of negativity about Effexor but I try to remember, as you might too, that everyone is different. I have tried different ADs before - Prozac, Paroxetine, Celexa, Dothiepin, Imipramine... and so far Effexor seems to suit *ME* better than the others did. So I know all about the withdrawal etc... but for now I am sticking to it because i need to give MYSELF a fair trial and I do want to feel well again, and if the last few weeks have been a foretaste of what the drug can do for me, then I am finding it to be great, and feel better than I have done for quite a long time.
Best of luck, let us know how you get on!
Kalyb xx
Posted by wnj on May 31, 2003, at 22:39:59
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions » wnj, posted by zinya on May 28, 2003, at 22:42:36
Thank you so much for your kind words. It has been so very hard. My ex was here just the other day see the baby since he is on a tour break from the band and normally seeing him is like rubbing salt in the wound, but I was very void of emotion with him and it was not as bad as it used to be. My doctor did refer me to a counselor and I have a first appointment with her next week. Its going to be therapy and Effexor as the treatment to try to get through this. I really notice a difference since I have started with the 37.5 mg of the drug. I actually noticed it almost right away. Things that would normally set me off where my ex is concerned or things that I felt like I had no energy to do don't seem like such a big deal and I notice that I am able to concentrate better. My mind is not constantly on my situation.
I think I am on the right track and as long as I continue in this vein I think things will get better. I am so glad I found a group online that I can discuss this with and get feedback because my friends and family have been at wits end with me and its been hard on everyone around me. But, I am gaining the strength that I have needed and as long as I am able to take this drug without too much side effect I think things will start to work out for me.
Please feel free to email me anytime and I once again thank you for the sentiments you shared in your post.
Wendy
Posted by wnj on May 31, 2003, at 22:48:10
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions/Zinya, posted by wnj on May 31, 2003, at 22:39:59
Wow, I didn't realize that so many of you had responded to my post. Thank you all so much for sharing with me and like I put in my previous post back to Zinya, I seem to be responding well to the medicine. My ex was here the other day to see the baby and I was not in turmoil around him like I usually am. I am hoping that I am on the right track with this!
Thank you all and I am so glad to have found such a great support group.
Wendy
Posted by hhp on May 31, 2003, at 23:33:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by notquitethereyet on May 29, 2003, at 19:24:30
Hi,
Just this week I was prescribed Effexor XR. I am hoping that this treatment will give me back the ability to learn, to remember and to comprehend things.
My doctor says that when the depression is under control/cured that my brain will start to work again.
Does anyone have any experience with this?
Posted by zinya on June 1, 2003, at 22:50:31
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions/Zinya, posted by wnj on May 31, 2003, at 22:39:59
This is good news, wnj... I'm sure you are probably doing as i am and not wanting to have too high expectations too soon ... Least that's where I'm at. It's been a week ago tonight I started, still at the half of 37.5 dose, which is a little tricky to divide up but at least the side effects are mild. Some dizziness in the past couple days enough that it kept me from joining friends for dinner last night, but i too feel an increased resilience that seems already an effect of the med, a certain bleakness has lifted noticeably... And so i can relate to your sense of hopefulness and am very very pleased to hear you're feeling it ...
And it sounds very good that you have a counselor lined up... and I hope it proves to be someone who understands, listens well and sheds light that resonates...
Posted by zinya on June 1, 2003, at 23:08:42
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions » jtc, posted by Mercedes on May 29, 2003, at 15:11:56
Thanks for posting this, Mercedes! This is inspiring to read... I confess it's been a looong time since i've felt that spontaneous joy-in-the-eyes thing... at least not by the criteria of what i've known in the past in my good years or months or days or hours...
I'm curious whether you started to get the "finally happy" feelings prior to getting to the 300 mg level. And one of my curiosities is that when i first started checking this site in Dec. i read someone who said that the 2nd-system effects of Effexor (on the adrenal system) don't start kicking in until -- I think he said -- 150 mg and higher. And that until that point it's only the SSRI effects that are experienced. My guess is that this varies by person like everything else. But i'm wondering if you would associate your levels of greater joy and zest at the 300 mg levels with a sense of increased "adrenalin" ??
That's what has been most missing for me for so long - dating back to 1987 or even 1985 (with some 'remissions' for some years since then)... and, to respond to the poster who asked about chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, i've been diagnosed over the years with those as chronic myofascial pain syndrome ... each of which led to a prescription (sometimes an a-d) none of which worked. Whether what i'm dealing with now anymore in CFS or fibro, I'm kind of at the "who knows?" phase of fed-up with too many years of diagnoses that led to no results. And maybe it was depression all along. Who knows.
As posted just now, i'm starting 2nd week tonight and so far just not having intolerable side effects and some sense of 'lifting' even just a little... So i join the other seemingly all positive messages here tonight and wishing you all continued success too...
z.
Posted by bgbham on June 2, 2003, at 0:23:19
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions » wnj, posted by zinya on June 1, 2003, at 22:50:31
i am in the positive group where I am experiencing some good effects from EXR. My pdoc upped me to 300 a day 3 days ago, after getting the foggy feeling again, and I agree, counseling and follow ups with the doc are a must. It is a very dark place where I have been, as I know you all have. I don't want to go back - ever.
B
Posted by bgbham on June 2, 2003, at 0:36:29
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions/Everyone, posted by wnj on May 31, 2003, at 22:48:10
Wendy, good luck and I am thinking about you. You have a lot to deal with. Sounding boards such as this, but most importantly, your doc, are invaluable. Make the time, you are worth it, and only are in control of your life.
brian
Posted by notquitethereyet on June 2, 2003, at 1:54:19
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions » Mercedes, posted by zinya on June 1, 2003, at 23:08:42
yes, the "who knows phase" I think thats a place
I reside in currently. I'm on 37.5 and on the
weekly schedule advancing toward 225mg\
very tough side effects lasting 50 % 0f the day
and 10% at night. cant sleep easily etc,if this works for me, major change will have
happened.
Posted by melley on June 2, 2003, at 7:02:01
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions, posted by notquitethereyet on June 2, 2003, at 1:54:19
I am getting off of effexor. Now down to 37.5 mg. from 225. First of all, I think therapy alone should be the first thing tried for someone who had not had therapy or med for depression. Cognitive/behavioral therapy is the best. Esp for someone who has had a traumatic experience. Going right to drugs is doing yourself a disservice. I personally think the thing about effexor being addictive shows from the people who have to keep upping their dose. Plus I really found effexor numbed me. It feels so good to have feelings again. Some have been a bit bad but hey that's what makes us human and not the stepford bunch. Sorry to be a naysayer.
Posted by CherC68 on June 2, 2003, at 8:24:50
In reply to Re: new to effexor, and I have questions/Everyone, posted by bgbham on June 2, 2003, at 0:36:29
I am new to Effexor, I took the 37.5 last night an hour after dinner. I had a horrible experience with Zoloft about a month ago, I was nauseous 24 hours a day and experienced a few boughts of vomiting and was getting headaches. Went off the medicine. My doctor promised me this wouldn't happen with Effexor. I decided to look-up information and came to this site. I'm already freaking out. What the heck is brain tremors? Come on - Don't they realize that it could take depression to another higher level feeling like this? I have a slight case of depression,lots of anxiety and stress in my life but was diagnosed as Borderline Personality ten years ago but haven't taken medicine until I went to a doctor for an eye twitch I had for a year and he put me on the zoloft. I had to quit smoking today because I'm getting a stress test on Thursday. I'm already feeling nauseaus this morning and now I'm afraid to take this medicine.
Posted by bgbham on June 2, 2003, at 8:50:12
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by CherC68 on June 2, 2003, at 8:24:50
cher, stick with it, i have known many who initially had same symtoms. I feel great. Effexor rules. Have had none of the sides mentioned in the chats.
Brian
Posted by notquitethereyet on June 2, 2003, at 9:55:22
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by CherC68 on June 2, 2003, at 8:24:50
my doc said to expect to get worse before
getting better meaning the side effects
are tough, BUT THEY GO AWAY. I've failed
in the past on other ssri's because I
quit before ths side effects went away.
you gotta hang tough for awhile.
Posted by bgbham on June 2, 2003, at 10:35:56
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by CherC68 on June 2, 2003, at 8:24:50
Effexor is a ssni. don't know what that really means but asked the doc. like i said, I am at 300 after about 3 weeks.
b
Posted by jmj on June 2, 2003, at 16:13:54
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello,
I've been taking Effexor for a little over two years now. It saved my life. My dosage grew in the beginning until it hit a max of 325mg per day. Right now I'm in the process of coming off of it and I haven't felt better. The main thing to remember is that each medicine effects people differently. I was really nausious when I started taking this medicine but it went away after about a week. What helped me was to eat before I took it. I did have tremors in the beginning, especially if i drank anything with caffine it it. It basically feels like your on a major caffine high. For anyone out there suffering, just don't give up and keep trying things until you start feeling better. For me, I didn't care how bad the physical effects got, as long as I became mentally happy in the end.
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 2, 2003, at 16:16:46
In reply to Re: Tapering down??, posted by jb07 on May 8, 2003, at 13:06:59
I am a recovering alcoholic. Effexor eliminates my cravings for alcohol, I presume because it numbs me. Be careful. Your concerns about becoming an alcoholic could be justified. It will take more & more drinks to numb you. Talk to your doctor about it.
Good luck! Kim
> I too have to get off this drug. Funny, the evening drinking binges happened to me?? I guess once the medication wore off, I turned to alcohol for my escape and numb feeling??
>
> If anybody else had the same drinking episodes in the evening, please feel free to share them with the board...I am beginning to think I am an alcoholic???
>
> B/C this alcoholism runs in my family...and I am beginning to get scared!!!
>
> P.S. I have tapered down to 18mg....broke open a 75 mg pill and split it into 4. I feel much better, b/c the drug is slowly getting out of my body, but am still having a few drinks every night to numb me out!!!
Posted by Napaba on June 3, 2003, at 7:43:41
In reply to some thoughts, including therapy first, posted by melley on June 2, 2003, at 7:02:01
FYI for those of you wanting to get off EXR. I quit taking EXR four day a go, I was taking 75 mg. I had tapered down from 150. I switched to Lexapro 10mg. I started taking it the day after my last dose of EXR. I've had no side effects. I'm not sure if the lex is working yet, but praying it does. I really want to feel better without all the side effects I experience from EXR.
> I am getting off of effexor. Now down to 37.5 mg. from 225. First of all, I think therapy alone should be the first thing tried for someone who had not had therapy or med for depression. Cognitive/behavioral therapy is the best. Esp for someone who has had a traumatic experience. Going right to drugs is doing yourself a disservice. I personally think the thing about effexor being addictive shows from the people who have to keep upping their dose. Plus I really found effexor numbed me. It feels so good to have feelings again. Some have been a bit bad but hey that's what makes us human and not the stepford bunch. Sorry to be a naysayer.
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 3, 2003, at 8:01:13
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by CherC68 on June 2, 2003, at 8:24:50
brain shivers-I believe I experienced those coming off of Paxil. They aren't painful, at least mine wasn't, but they are frightening because they just don't seem normal. This website is scaring me alittle, but my suicial urge to drive into a tree and end it all scares me more. 5 days on Effexor and I'm already more stable. ^5 to Effexor. It's working for me. As for Effexor Withdrawal, I've gone thru alcohol withdrawal before (not bragging) which ended me up in a hospital. As long as Effexor withdrawal isn't worse than that, I can handle it.
Posted by Napaba on June 3, 2003, at 8:10:03
In reply to Re: New to Effexor, posted by KimberlyDi on June 3, 2003, at 8:01:13
I'm not an Effexor fan, but I can relate to your driving in to a tree feeling (except mine was off the local bridge). What I did while I was waiting for the benefits of EXR was to try and remember I would feel better in a few weeks. It helped to keep me alive. I no longer have the urge to drive off the bridge and for the most part feel pretty normal. I am currently switching to Lexapro. I couldn't handle the side effects from Effexor.
> brain shivers-I believe I experienced those coming off of Paxil. They aren't painful, at least mine wasn't, but they are frightening because they just don't seem normal. This website is scaring me alittle, but my suicial urge to drive into a tree and end it all scares me more. 5 days on Effexor and I'm already more stable. ^5 to Effexor. It's working for me. As for Effexor Withdrawal, I've gone thru alcohol withdrawal before (not bragging) which ended me up in a hospital. As long as Effexor withdrawal isn't worse than that, I can handle it.
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 3, 2003, at 8:41:27
In reply to Re: odd tastes, and coffee in particular » zinya, posted by Napaba on May 28, 2003, at 7:49:41
How funny, I was sitting here wondering about the strange aftertaste so many things seem to have now and this subject just jumped out at me. This change in my tastebuds is bearable. More preferrable than the hearing loss I seemed to suffer while taking Welbutrin for years. btw, Welbutrin was great, except it didn't help enough with my anxiety. Needs change along with life and my new high-stress job changed my med requirements. Effexor leaves me feeling very... emotionally insulated.
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