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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Effected on October 22, 2003, at 17:07:41
Hi,
I'm a 39 year old male. I have read several posts which have been a help to me (to know there are others).
About 1 year ago I started having unusual pains in my stomach area, back/kidney area, chest, even breathing hurt (not all at the same time).
My PCP is an Internal Medicine doc, which I see for high blood pressure. He referred me out to a doc for stomach pains, a doc for heart/chest pains, etc. This was the beginning of a major ordeal for me.
The stomach doc did some tests and thought for sure I was going to be having emergency Gallbladder surgery that day.. only to find out that Gallbladder seemed Ok. Then did a endoscopy and said he took a biopsy of something abnormal he found in the stomach. An ultrasound test of the abdomen revealed a 3-5cm mass on my liver which also had me and docs concerned. This prompted a liver needle biopsy. The liver biopsy was not a fun deal friends. You are fully awake with a little local (as you have to control your breathing) when this giant tube/needle is shoved in and moved around into the liver.
While waiting for the results of the stomach and liver biopsies I was at the point of hardly being able to walk (could barely feel legs), very weak, scared, lost "50" pounds over a couple months, and in much pain. I was "sure" it was all over for me as to be this far gone there was No Way to pull out of Stomach and Liver cancer at the stage it had to be! Well, the results started coming back... benign tumor in stomach.. benign tumor on liver.. etc, etc. Wow, what in the world was going on?
Doc started asking about stress. I just couldn't accept/believe it to be possible (though, I certainly had been under a lot with economy down turn. Having laid off 80% of my employees, I can say it isn't a pleasant experience for either side). He prescribed Effexor XR and to my TOTAL AMAZEMENT I became a believer that stress must have been the culprit. Within 2-4 days I was a different person, most symptoms diminished by 80%-90%. I am 100% a believer that Effexor is great for a person that needs the help, and I was one of them.
Here I am today.. I've been notified that my job will end at Christmas. I would like to be off all meds because of the cost. I've been on Effexor almost a year at 187.5mg/day (taken in morning). The past 5 days I reduced the dose on my own to 150mg trying to get off and have experienced 'many' of the withdrawal issues posted here. This morning seemed the worst, then seemded like a switch was thrown and this afternoon is the best yet.
I've started having a lot of pain in my right hip joint when lifting leg (i.e. putting in pant leg, getting in car, etc) for past 3 months. Also, lots of popping and cracking sounds from joints. Doc referred me to Ortho doc. Ortho doc did MRI and Xrays, which MRI shows fluid in hip. He is thinking possible Rheumatoid Arthritis. Primary doc doesnt believe it and thinks it is stress related and should not be lowering XR, but increasing it. The past few days the joint pain has gone into ankles, and an elbow.
Questions:
(1)Has anyone experienced JOINT pain in either taking Effexor or trying to get off of it?
(2)Does that sound possible to be stress related?
(3) From the posts I've read it sounds like taking 1.5 more months to get off is reasonable? Lower dose by 37.5mg once a week from 150mg now?
(4) The doc is I believe pre-disposed with me now to believe all is stress after the workup that was done with me a year ago. Should I be concerned with this?
Thanks much
PS: Sorry it is so long.
Posted by chewy on October 22, 2003, at 19:28:43
In reply to Effexor: My story and some Unusual SE's??, posted by Effected on October 22, 2003, at 17:07:41
Hi, I'm an artist also and have expereienced much of what you have described. I have produced some of my strongest work while in deep emotional complexity. There are other times when I do what is called "step outside of my work" and go months without doing much drawing or production. I just can't seem to stay connected to some inner core of self.
I recently began and stopped both Zoloft and Effexor. Effexor pounced upon my labido and dragged it under the bed. I felt "punch drunk" on Zoloft for the only month we spent together. Now I am setting on a perscription for Lexapro, thus bringing me to reading these posts .
I can't do it much better than you, meaning that life seems to be a riddle that keep re-defining itself in different ways. I'm not sure where ad's fit for me. I just keep looking...for something.
Posted by melbob on October 22, 2003, at 20:58:46
In reply to Effexor: My story and some Unusual SE's??, posted by Effected on October 22, 2003, at 17:07:41
hi...i was on effexor 75mg/day for only 3 weeks. i had a terrible time while taking it, and it was worse when i stopped. but i persevered, got some benadryl and klonopin, and now is day 5 w/o effexor. i don't recommend cold turkey. read some more of the posts...zinya has lots of info about tapering off, as well as many of the others. from what i have been reading it is a nasty ordeal, so pray a lot too. good luck.
melbob
Posted by Sooshi on October 23, 2003, at 16:29:44
In reply to Effexor: My story and some Unusual SE's??, posted by Effected on October 22, 2003, at 17:07:41
I'm taking 300mg Effexor/day for past 2 years and have had joint pain ever since, mostly in my fingers, elbows, ankles and toes. I've always wondered if the Effexor was causing this.
Yes, I definately think some of your health problems could be stress related. Ever tried meditation and deep breathing excersises, acupuncture, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy? These all might be useful alternatives to the Effexor.
A very, very, slow withdrawal from Effexor is highly recommended. I've never come off Effexor, but did come off Paxil, and it was hellish. I used a lot of Klonopin to get through the tough times.
As for your doc being predisposed to your "stress-related" diagnoses, you might just want to get another opinion...to make a fresh start. Just a thought.
Hope this helps a little!
Posted by galkeepinon on October 24, 2003, at 2:05:51
In reply to Effexor: My story and some Unusual SE's??, posted by Effected on October 22, 2003, at 17:07:41
>>>>(1)Has anyone experienced JOINT pain in either taking Effexor or trying to get off of it?
I had joint pain on Remeron and Effexor but I got used to it and ended up taking Effexor for over 3 years.
>>>>(2)Does that sound possible to be stress related?
It could be.
>>>>(3) From the posts I've read it sounds like taking 1.5 more months to get off is reasonable? Lower dose by 37.5mg once a week from 150mg now?
I stopped it cold turkey and really suffered from the effects of doing so after about a month and landed in the hospital this last April.
>>>>(4) The doc is I believe pre-disposed with me now to believe all is stress after the workup that was done with me a year ago. Should I be concerned with this?
Always be concerned about your health, and talk to everyone you can to help you :-)
Best wishes.
Posted by T_R_D on October 24, 2003, at 10:00:40
In reply to Effexor: My story and some Unusual SE's??, posted by Effected on October 22, 2003, at 17:07:41
Hi, I was on Effexor for years...I never experienced any joint pain. Still, sometimes these drugs can do funny things and *rare* side effects can occur that aren't usually published in major studies etc... One thing that I have noticed, however, is that if you are prone to a specific side effect it will rear its ugly head fairly quickly! Also, there is a definite link between arthritis and stress (hell, all ilnesses and stress!) so it could be that. The mind and body are connected, my friend.
If you do want to stop taking the Effexor, tapering is usually best but it doesn't guarantee that you won't have withdrawal problems. You probably will. I took Prozac for about 3 days and it cut some of the symptoms (the brain zaps, emotional mood swings etc...) and then some Benadryl for a couple of days to kill the cold/flu-like symptoms. The reason this works (theoretically) is the Prozac affects your neurotransmitter levels fairly quickly to re-establish an equilibrium but has a really long have life (7-9 days where Effexor has one of 5 hours!) Because the Prozac stays in your system longer your body has more time to adjust to the changes happening. Worked like a charm for me.
I know it's tough when you're faced with the prospect of losing your job and then having to pay out-of-pocked for your meds. Still, your health really is your number one priority. If your mood starts to slip once off the Effexor, don't mess around and get right back on the meds.
It sounds like you're had quite the roller coaster ride lately but you sound very grounded and strong. Good for you!
Best of luck,
Karen
Posted by Effected on October 24, 2003, at 13:29:46
In reply to Re: Effexor: My story and some Unusual SE's??, posted by T_R_D on October 24, 2003, at 10:00:40
I want thank you all for responding. It is sure good to know that I'm not the only one experiencing these things. That alone releaves a lot of concerns!
I think I've successfully managed to drop to 150mg from 187.5. The worst was the first 4 days or so. Then like a fever breaking, was much better. The joint pain and Deep Ache in bones is still there... maybe even a bit worse. I'm "trying" to tell myself that this is related to either the meds or stress and not something more serious. Aside from that I feel more 'normal' now, even with just the 37.5mg reduction.
I was planning on dropping 37.5 a week... but, I might wait another week and see if the joint/bone aches and pains get better first.
Thanks
Rick
Posted by ann33 on October 25, 2003, at 17:43:13
In reply to Effexor: My story and some Unusual SE's??, posted by Effected on October 22, 2003, at 17:07:41
I am taking effexor since 1,5 year - I am only taking 75 mg ( even if sometimes i feel that do not works). In the average is still keep me in balance.The problem why I refuse to take a higher dosis is the side effect. Despite all described in the literature, I already felt strange simptoms like one alergy that no doctor could find the answer for that or concentration problems for days(extasy). I only could justify by effexor.
Last semester I started to fell pain in my muscle and after a MRI, the doctor saw a liquid bulble inside of my piriformis muscle. There was no explanation how or why this was there. After 4 months of fisioterapy, I still fell some pain - not so strong anymore.my question: is there any explanation how end or where the degradation product that the body releases from venlafaxin goes out of your body?
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