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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Dr. Bob on August 21, 2003, at 19:09:33
In reply to Lou's reply to music's post-INQ » Music, posted by Lou Pilder on August 21, 2003, at 13:49:04
> I represent an alternative here to taking mind/mood altering drugs .
This board is supposed to be for medication-related issues, so I'd like to ask that follow-ups regarding alternatives be redirected to Psychological Babble, Psycho-Babble Faith, etc. Thanks,
Bob
Posted by lianne on August 22, 2003, at 12:02:32
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by Bronwyn on December 7, 2000, at 9:47:14
I am a newie and have taken Effexor RX 37.5 mg for one week. I am now starting another week with the 75mg. The point is, I don't feel my mood lifted or my energy level go up. Instead I am more tired all the time and on some occasions I feel like a zombie. Worst of all I have chills a lot and it's getting increasingly hard to spend more time at the office because I can't stand the air-conditioned building. Is it okay for me to quit now or go on takig the medication and expect some relief in the near future?
Posted by Helaine on August 22, 2003, at 12:13:45
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by lianne on August 22, 2003, at 12:02:32
Dear Lianne;
I was a newbie on effexor 37.5 too. I was on it for 1 month. I felt worse on it then I was before I started taking it! I weaned myself off of it with very little withdrawel side effects! I feel lucky about the withdrawels .. after reading some posts.
All I can say is everyones body chemistry is different. I wish you the best of luck. All I can suggest is if you don't like the way it's making you feel, and it's getting in the way of your everday life..I would talk to your dr.
You know your body best. If you do not agree with your dr..then I suggest see another one.
Best of luck to you!
Helaine
Posted by BJL on August 22, 2003, at 12:46:05
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR » lianne, posted by Helaine on August 22, 2003, at 12:13:45
These medications often take a couple of months to really start noticing the effects, so I wouldn't give up on it yet. If you don't notice any improvement in a couple of months, then I wouuld suggest talking with your doctor about switching or quitting. Good luck!
Posted by lavender on August 22, 2003, at 15:07:45
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by lianne on August 22, 2003, at 12:02:32
don't quit too soon, give it at least 4-6 weeks, I know what you mean, I've been there, it does get better!
Posted by KimberlyDi on August 22, 2003, at 17:39:47
In reply to Re: Effexor down the hatch » KimberlyDi, posted by zinya on August 20, 2003, at 18:06:53
Zinya,
I had one night of the night sweats. I also alternate between sweats & chills during the day also. Not sure if it's the Effexor or that I'm coming down with the flu.Actually, I've hit a slump after my crying jag. I don't know if it's situational...? Or if I've been lying to myself that I can handle all the stress. I almost got into a fight with my worst sister-in-law, practically yelled at my boss, and almost quit my job. If I'm not angry, I'm crying. I see my pdoc early Sept and I'll get her opinion if I need a med change or if I need to just wait it out.
Take care!
KDi in Texas> gosh, Kim, that sounds rough but also, as you say, surely very 'satisfying' in a way too that the appropriate tears flowed... I hope it is leading to whatever you seek in regular communication too...
>
> that was very good advice re Efffex you just gave. I'm still frustrated at lack of energy even at 150, with something of a setback this past week.
>
> I forget: did you or do you have the sweating problem? I thought it was tapering off and then 2 nights ago woke to such a puddle of sweat i had to change nightshirt and everything ...
>
> with hugs,
> zinya
Posted by ELENI4 on August 22, 2003, at 17:53:03
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac » LynnPerley, posted by Mariec on January 23, 2003, at 14:27:53
It has worked very well for me. I've tried many antidepressants (always a "grass is greener on the other side" kind of person), but always seem to come back to Effexor. It lessens my rage, calms my mood swings, and helps lift my depression in addition to lessening my anxiety and stopping my panic attacks. For me, the main difference between Effexor and Prozac was that the former seemed to give my mind a boost while the latter made me feel a little dippy. Effexor also upset my stomach a bit when I first started taking it, but that quickly faded. Other than that, the withdrawl from Effexor is MUCH worse than Prozac, so just be aware and taper off slowly.
> Thanks for the input. Prozac is just not working I am more aggitated now and more aggressive. Do not want anyone around or to touch me! My friend is on Effexor and said I should try it.
>
Posted by Helaine on August 22, 2003, at 18:52:15
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by BJL on August 22, 2003, at 12:46:05
With all do respect I have been on other anti-depressants before..but for me the SE I was getting from the effexor was making me feel so sick..Hot flashes,depression, jittery,But the worse was my memory losses. I kept saying..my body will adust "just give it another week"
I just knew I had to stop..my SE were too much for me. Then to read how many people had to go through awful withdrawel was the icing on the cake. But like I said we are all different. I hope others have better success then I did.
But, one good thing came from this experience..I felt so bad while taking the effexor I realized my other symptoms weren't all so bad!
Best of luck!!!!!!!
Helaine
Posted by Lianne on August 22, 2003, at 22:01:18
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by lianne on August 22, 2003, at 12:02:32
Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the responses I got from my posting this afternoon. I am really hoping that things get better soon with the Effexor I am taking i.e calm me down. This is because right now I feel like I am more of a pain to my husband and family members. Sometimes I over-react to things that are of little or no significance. When the anger passes then I realize my reaction was totally unnecessary but I cannot take back all the pain I caused everyone. I really wish I did not feel so angry all the time or that I can control my reactions to normal things around me. Anybody have any idea on how I can calm myself down when I feel so tense.
Posted by Lianne on August 22, 2003, at 22:33:23
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by lavender on August 22, 2003, at 15:07:45
Does anyone have an suggeston on what time of the day is best to take Effexor in order that its side effects do not interfere with one's daily activities? I have been taking mine at night before going to bed and I feel like hell the next morning and once I took it in the morning but I was drowsy most of the day.
Posted by Salty_dog on August 23, 2003, at 15:26:43
In reply to Re: I'm a newie to Effexor XR, posted by Lianne on August 22, 2003, at 22:01:18
I think an exercise program (cardio) like running/jogging or walking briskly by yourself would slow down your reactions and let you meditate a little. I found that exercise worked in channeling my agitation into something positive. Zanax is a possibility, but, it's highly addictive and realy hard to withdraw. You may need to have a sit down meeting with your significant others and tell them what is happening, they may be able to help by reminding you at the time of an episode or in other ways.
Posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
In reply to quitting effexor, posted by helena on February 1, 2001, at 10:33:10
I have been on effexor for four months and I have recently tried to stop taking it. I asked my doctor to prescribe me zoloft, because I was taking paxil before the effexor and it had been working, but I had been getting sexual side effects from it. He didn't inform me on the possible withdrawal effects and I stopped taking it all together and felt like I was dying. It felt like a combination between a bad hangover and a heart attack. I couldn't breathe, had rapid heart beat, tingling sensation, dizziness, and my anxiety came back ten times worse than it had ever been. I am beginning to think that I should have never had my primary care physician prescribe me anything, because after I told him about the withdrawal symptoms, he prescribed me a medicine called zyprexa, which is an anti-psychotic used mainly for schizophrenics and acute bipolar disorders. Being a psychology major, I know I have neither of these. I really believe that regular doctors need to stop trying to act like psychiatrists. You wouldn't trust a dentist to do brain surgery on you, would you? I have decided to take this into my own hands until I can get into see the psychiatrist. I'm currently on 300mgs, which I think was too much for me to be taking anyways. I am 5"6' and only 125lbs and have a small build. Has anyone found an effective way to slowly get off of effexor with minimal withdrawal effects?...if so, please contact me at bluepunkkitten@yahoo.com.......THanks...
Posted by bsho on August 26, 2003, at 1:54:15
In reply to Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
I tapered off (accidentally at first) going every other day on my original dose of 150 mg. At night on the second day, I would get dizzy. That's when I realized about the side effects.
Then, I tapered every day at 75, then 37.5, then every other 37.5, then every other dumping out more and more of the grains inside the capsule. Now, it has been 3 days since I had about 10 mg of Effexor. I still got the dizziness last night and tonight. However, I didn't get it in the day (I don't know why).
Posted by MINNIEP on August 26, 2003, at 6:39:56
In reply to Re: Effexor down the hatch » zinya, posted by KimberlyDi on August 22, 2003, at 17:39:47
Hi this my first post. Just got out of hospital a week ago was finally diagnosed after 4 months of agony. It seems the effexor i was on for about 10 months was slowly debilitating me. I in the last 4 months have been to at least 4 specialist none of which could diagnose me correctly But did proceed to draw every ounce of my blood and scan every part of my body. My oncologist seemed to think i had a blood born cancer. my neurologist diagnosed me with essential tremors. Well when i did finally ended up in hospital i slept for 3 days. I was cked for arsenic and sionide poisining.my general practitioner finally figured out what was going on and i am on my way to recovery not an easy task.I am being told i will not be able to take SRI's again. Tough call when i have been diagnosed with manic depression. My doctor has put me on some herbal cocktail to help with dts. I am goin to post my symptoms in order they appeared in case this can help anyone else.1. bruising lots and lots even under toenail.2.shortness of breath which progressively got worse. 3. night sweats oh gynocoligist ruled out midlife.sweats were 2 and 3 times a night. Got a lot worse with dts 4.memory confusion. 5.speech 6. dizziness at end when being weaned of it got where i couldn't stand up without breaking out in a cold sweat. I WAS MISERABLE But I cant forget the weird electrical shocks shooting through my head face arms hell my whole body at one time or another the shocks came towards end of weaning process and still appear. Good luck beginners. Hopefully I was just a fluke case. I have taken antidepressants for 8 years. Now I am wondering what to do
Posted by MINNIEP on August 26, 2003, at 7:03:16
In reply to Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
Can relate to the heart attack feeling my doctor had upped me to 300 mg also but made me to tired and went back to 150 but still had problems. Tapering off did not help me just bit the bullet in the end and am still suffering side effects after 2 weeks since last pill which was only 50 mgms for a week.
Posted by kaza78 on August 26, 2003, at 11:22:03
In reply to Re: anyone else get tremors on effexor? » lovemybabies, posted by Napaba on April 28, 2003, at 9:06:32
I havent had a problem on effexor. As a matter of fact its done a lot of good for me. That is until I lost my pills over a 2 day period. I though I would be ok. I have missed a day before and all I got was dizziness. On the second day I thought I was going to die!!! I was fine one minute and unbearable the next. I felt like my skin was crawling. I had to call my doctor IMMEDIATLY. I was also dilusional. I will NEVER forget/loose these pills again. Because of that I think I will have to be on these for the rest of my life!!!!
Posted by Harlock on August 26, 2003, at 20:55:04
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Lise811 on August 12, 2003, at 16:14:29
>
> Why is all this being discussed on an obscure web site and not on 20/20 or Dateline? Why would a drug be made available to already depressed persons, that will ultimately make them more depressed and unbalanced? Why does asking these questions make me the insane one?---
Hell no. I agree with you 100%. I'm actually having pretty severe withdrawal effects from Lexapro. I had NO idea these were withdrawal effects.. well, I had a theory that might be what was causing me to feel so bad, but now that I read all these posts, I'm sure that is what was/is going on.
Anyway, back to the point... It's shocking that there are so few doctors that are unaware of the withdrawal symptoms from these medications. I asked a few doctors and none of them knew what was happening to me! I LUCKILY found this web site, and now I know.
I would love to see a 20/20 or similar type media broadcast discussing the *dangers* of these medications.
I'm not a fan of the sue everyone for everything mentality, but I would love to see the makers of Effexor (and other meds) slapped with a major lawsuit. By law, these guys have to list the side effects of the medications they advertise. Well, on the Effexor commercial, I didn't hear anything about withdrawal symptoms.. nor did I read any in they documentation I got at the doctor's office.
It sounds like some of you have had better experiences than I have as far as medical treatment has been concerned. I'm seen *many* doctors, and I got say, the average Kindergarten student is more informed.
Posted by EmmaL on August 26, 2003, at 21:29:03
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Lise811 on August 12, 2003, at 16:14:29
You, go Harlow! I was enlightened by your message. Take care!
Posted by EmmaL on August 26, 2003, at 21:35:29
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Harlock on August 26, 2003, at 20:55:04
Sorry, Harlock, my previous message was for you. Please read it. What can we do?? Any ideas? I would very much like to pursue some sort of accountability. Especially since some of these drugs are so very expensive.
Posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I first visited this board the day I took my first dose of Effexor, and all the terrifying reports made me think, what in the world have I gotten myself into? But I reasoned that most of us would be more likely to post comments about concerns or problems than to take the time to write about great results.
So that's what I'm doing now. This medication has been fantastic for me. I woke up the morning after the first pill and felt better. Not exactly not depressed, but I could for the first time in a while imagine not being depressed.
My side effects were minimal and nothing I couldn't live with. Dry mouth for a few days, loss of appetite, some slight difficulty sleeping. I also dropped four pounds of weird water weight immediately and now have a very easy time staying at my right weight without any effort.
But most importantly, I feel like myself again. I am no longer paralyzed in my work and social life. I'm able to connect with people easily, I have the energy and the gumption to tackle new work challenges, I don't seem to overreact to things that would have made me over-anxious or highly angry before I found Effexor. My emotions feel solid and real and like reasonable reactions to the events of my life, rather than feeling like I was reacting out of some weird chemical or hormonal cesspool.
My gynocologist prescribed Effexor over the phone, very casually, based on some symptoms (including depression and anxiety) that she attributed to perimenopause. Her office has also been very cavalier about increasing my dosage or extending the prescription, which is why I was cruisng the Internet to find out more about the drug.
And that's where I discovered that Effexor often seems to lose its effect after about six months, and that's when people frequently increase their dosage. After five months, I felt like it wasn't working and after a few weeks of hemming and hawing and feeling low and anxious and awful, I increased my dosage to 150 mg. After only a few days, I felt much better.
Today, I turned 42. It's my best birthday yet. I feel happy and satisfied with my life, darn lucky, in fact. And although it's easy to say my life just got better recently, the circumstances of my life haven't really changed. I think the Effexor has helped me be able to appreciate and enjoy the wonderful life I already had.
I say all this only because I want people out there who are considering the drug to know there are plenty of success stories with it. Like anything else, it's right for some people and not for others.
Posted by kaza78 on August 27, 2003, at 10:29:54
In reply to A Success Story, posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
i do agree with lucy to an extent. i felt the same way in the beginning. i used to be on the edge at work and at home all the time and people were afraid to approach me about anything!! i was full of rage and didnt know why. i just knew that at the age of 24 i had had enough and so havent my loved ones. it was no way to live. the effexor is starting to wear off and i have been considering uping my dose. my doctor prescribed it to me and told me that it was still experimental. at that time i was willing to try just about anything. now as long as i dont miss a dose i feel ok. i am more relaxed, i can finally do the things that i couldnt for 2 years because of my anxiety. yes, i do have my moments still, but they are not half as frequent or half as bad as they were.
Posted by Music on August 27, 2003, at 10:30:55
In reply to A Success Story, posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
I have been taking the med for about two months and my Pdoc increased my dosage gradually to 225mg I wonder if I will have to be on this stuff forever because eventually my husband and I want to have children. This is the first med that I have been on. I don't know if it is really working or not. Sometimes I feel better and sometimes I feel so very low. Sometimes it is very dark. My therapist cancelled our appointment this week because of a family situation with her mom, and I really needed her this week. So I feel out in left field this week. Any suggestions?
Posted by Salty_dog on August 27, 2003, at 11:30:53
In reply to A Success Story, posted by lucylucy on August 27, 2003, at 9:26:23
I had Hep. 'C' with a low viral count. My Gastro DR started me on Peg-interferon with Ribavin at max. dosage. Two months into 'Chemo' I woke up in bed spins (I don't Drink), dizziness while trying to vomit. I was by all outside impressions, having an anxiety attack. The DR phoned an order of Xanax and a motion sickness med. I took Xanax for the next two years, even after the 'Chemo' had finished. BTW I was able to completely destroy the virus or what is know as Sustained Verilogic Response (SVR) or 'All gone'.
I had severe depression and was refered to a Phy DR. He immediately prescribed Effexor XR and I was handed a startup package which is supplied by the Manufacture. I followed the directions to the letter. After two months my dosage was increased to 300 mg which is where I remained for one year.
I was still taking Xanax and could not stop.Ibegan fresh with my family DR. who had me take a test (my Wife was also given the test to take with me in mind). The outcome was diag. as a bi-polar and I was started on Zyprexa 15 mg. After about a month I felt like the Effexor XR and Xanax was having no affect. I reduced my dosage and quit completely taking the Effexor XR and the Xanax.
My Dr. explained that a Bi-polar given an anti-depresant would end up with Mania eventually.
Which explained the burn out effect of the Effexor XR. Since I was full blown manic it was not a proublem to stop Effexor XR and Xanax.Later my depression returned and after using Wellburtin I had a seizur had to swith to Effexor XR all over again. Since I was no longer vomiting and all the other side-effects of 'Chemo', I have had some inital side-effects from the Effexor XR.
I have raised my dosage to 300mg and I can now say the Effexor XR is doing it's work. I am also taking Lamictal along with Zyprexa. So after about 8 weeks I will taper off the Effexor XR all the while watching out for the return of depression.
Effexor XR is trial tested for 6-8 weeks because it was designed as a short term anti-depressant.So I am a success story.
Posted by sufferfromeffexor on August 27, 2003, at 13:22:22
In reply to Re: electric shocks proper stopping of Effexor, posted by Harlock on August 26, 2003, at 20:55:04
I have just recently started to read these threads and am so very angry at the makers of Effexor. I have been taking the medicine for around 8 years and have just decided to take control of my life again and come off of this evil pill. I have missed doses before and know what the withdrawls feel like and I feel I have no choice but to withstand them this time to finally get this drug out of my system. I am curious why there has never been legal action taken against these makers. I am very interested in seeing what can be done legally if anyone else is interested as well, please feel free to email me:
aaronandbecky@sbcglobal.netGood Luck to you all (having temporary success or trying to rid yourself of this drug)
Becky
> >
> > Why is all this being discussed on an obscure web site and not on 20/20 or Dateline? Why would a drug be made available to already depressed persons, that will ultimately make them more depressed and unbalanced? Why does asking these questions make me the insane one?
>
> ---
>
> Hell no. I agree with you 100%. I'm actually having pretty severe withdrawal effects from Lexapro. I had NO idea these were withdrawal effects.. well, I had a theory that might be what was causing me to feel so bad, but now that I read all these posts, I'm sure that is what was/is going on.
>
> Anyway, back to the point... It's shocking that there are so few doctors that are unaware of the withdrawal symptoms from these medications. I asked a few doctors and none of them knew what was happening to me! I LUCKILY found this web site, and now I know.
>
> I would love to see a 20/20 or similar type media broadcast discussing the *dangers* of these medications.
>
> I'm not a fan of the sue everyone for everything mentality, but I would love to see the makers of Effexor (and other meds) slapped with a major lawsuit. By law, these guys have to list the side effects of the medications they advertise. Well, on the Effexor commercial, I didn't hear anything about withdrawal symptoms.. nor did I read any in they documentation I got at the doctor's office.
>
> It sounds like some of you have had better experiences than I have as far as medical treatment has been concerned. I'm seen *many* doctors, and I got say, the average Kindergarten student is more informed.
Posted by michelle29 on August 27, 2003, at 22:44:23
In reply to Withdrawals from Effexor....., posted by choltz22 on August 26, 2003, at 0:58:35
I have also recently tried to withdraw from Effexor, feeling that after a year and a half things were better. I was taking 150mg daily, and then slowly decreased to 75mg and then to 37.5mg. I am currently cutting the 37.5mg in half and am wondering if these horrible withdrawal effects will ever go away. It is so nice to hear that others have experienced the same thing and that I am not alone. I have not been able to adequately describe these sensations in my brain, the "electric shock" and vertigo that I feel during my day. Paxil was another drug that I experienced to have similar withdrawal effects. I wonder how long it will take to go away and if I will be able to stop taking the "18.75mg" doses....
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