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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by yawnbob on October 25, 2003, at 21:23:22
In reply to Re: Advice on taking Effexor XR, posted by ktmwife on October 24, 2003, at 20:14:44
KTMWIFE,
My doc also started me on 37.5, then 75mg, then 150mg. The first week I was asking myself why I was doing this. I felt much worse than I had before I started taking. Then my body adjusted and things went pretty well. Hang in there!
As I've said in the past, I had all the side effects in the first two or three weeks. My favorite SE was being wide awake yet having longgg yawwwnns like I was tired. At night I would be tired yet not able to sleep. While I was taking Effexor I don't think I was sleeping very deeply. Since I've stopped taking it my snoring is back (yea says the wife).
Having just exited the "offramp", it's taken about me about a week to start feeling better. There's still a little dizziness but not bad. I took myself off pretty fast so that's my doing, my fault. Don't worry about that until you get to it. You may never want to stop taking it if you feel as good as I did.
Posted by clb149 on October 25, 2003, at 21:52:04
In reply to Re: anyone had weight gain?, posted by lovemybabies on October 23, 2003, at 9:51:59
To lovemybabies: Yes, I have "gone through" 2 psychologist and 2 psychiatrist almost continually for past 8 years. I have tried Wellbutrin, Celexia, Prozac, Topomax, Meridia, and Remeron to no avail. I have attended an MD supervised weight loss program that included "group therapy" that I felt was, for the most part, as waste of my time. I lost 82 lbs in the program and gained back 120. I was bulimic when at the lower weight purging through daily continuous exercise in order to maintain the "Madison Avenue look" to which I no longer aspire and was incapable of maintaining. There is a source for my perceived "hopelessness", I am want for future solutions and fall into a morose resignation that I am "destined" to a short life span and thus "check out" as comfortably as possible though not through suicide even given what goes into my mouth is slowly killing me. I do not choose the path of mutalation with gastric surgery as the answer lies not in being "Full" but in whatever biochemistry that ensues when one is emotionally satiated and the desire for food ceases to exist.
I continue to exercise at the level of one continually carrying around a 120 pound "Snugglie". Obviously it prevents me from "leaping buildings in a single bound." But I do try and walk and at my lower weights I enjoyed hiking, and biking, and sex (not all at once but there are memoris when they weren't mutually exclusive--and I'm not trying to be "kinky"--"It's just the facts ma'am".
I'm hungry after all this writing.
I guess the effexor must be waring off--I know it is, suffering through all these "Brain shocks" thanks for writing though. clb149
Posted by Missme on October 26, 2003, at 9:39:49
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Not to sure what to call this message.
I am 27 now and have just been told I have Bipolar. My entire childhood sucked like no one could imagine and after all these wasted years of self mutilation, praying for death because I was to chicken to carry it out, and endless suffering, I finally learn that I have been Bipolar since mid-childhood. I fought this for years and in 2000 my entire world came crashing down. At least I finally know what I am up against and am researching as much as I can to control the ups and downs until the meds take effect. I read the facts that 3 out of 10 people are blessed with this and I have yet to have someone share the same feelings as I. I can't begin to describe the agony to my parents and husband and maybe it would be nice to know that someone else feels this.
I know I am not alone but it sure would be nice to have a friend who has been there.
Posted by Missme on October 26, 2003, at 9:52:38
In reply to Venting, posted by Missme on October 26, 2003, at 9:39:49
Guess I should have added that I am now on 20mg of Prozac, 75mg of Effexor XR and building up to 100 mg of Lamictal. The side effects are great. My vision is about shot I went from having trouble falling asleep but atleast I slept through the night to now waking up for 2-3 times during the night. Will this level out?!
Posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:31:05
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been on effexor for 4 years, I suffer from depression and anxiotie.
effexor seems to take the edge off life.
Posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:33:23
In reply to New to list and wanted to say hello, posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:31:05
The day after I have 4 or 5 beers I am a GRUMPY A$$ HOLE... I have no tollerence or patience. I am on 175mg of Effexor XR. Does anyone else have a simmilar problem?
Posted by ant on October 26, 2003, at 23:01:37
In reply to effexor and alcohol, posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:33:23
Yeah,All I need is to have 2 drinks (spirits), then im buggered the next day. It feels as though ive had 10 drinks. I think the intolerance is due to feeling crappy. Should know by now not to exceed. Anyway got to go, i'm on 225mg XR
Ant
> The day after I have 4 or 5 beers I am a GRUMPY A$$ HOLE... I have no tollerence or patience. I am on 175mg of Effexor XR. Does anyone else have a simmilar problem?
>
>
Posted by Remy on October 27, 2003, at 15:13:13
In reply to New to list and wanted to say hello, posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:31:05
What is meant by 'brain' and 'body' shocks with effexor? I started last week and have had sleeplessness, loss of appetite, nausia, a tight feeling in my jaws and a constant minor headache. Are these all 'normal' sideeffects or am I just paranoid? maybe it's both.
Posted by ann33 on October 27, 2003, at 16:51:30
In reply to Re: New to list and wanted to say hello, posted by Remy on October 27, 2003, at 15:13:13
>>> I started last week and have had sleeplessness, loss of appetite, nausia, a tight feeling in my jaws and a constant minor headache. Are these all 'normal' sideeffects or am I just paranoid? maybe it's both.
Hi, welcome ...the sleeplessness depend of the time of the day that you are taking and I felt this side effect too...
but this will disappear over time and come other side effect ...:(
but at least efexor is effective.
good luck
Posted by sam61 on October 27, 2003, at 18:19:27
In reply to Re: Question for thread, posted by KimberlyDi on October 10, 2003, at 14:58:09
When coming off Paxil and going onto Effexor, my doctor prescribed 0.5 mg/day of Clonazepam. I only used the Clonazepam for those days I felt that I really needed the help. It really made a difference during the switch. Something like Clonazepam may help you coming off of the Effexor. Just a thought.
Sam61
> You might get a ton of responses to that one, for and against. The granuals are different size so try to split them proportionately. If you don't have enough capsules, someone said you could mix it in a spoonful of applesauce to swallow. I've got 150mg and 75mg capules that i'll have to break down soon. See if you can get your pdoc to prescribe some of the Immediate Release Effexor. When you cut down too severely and feel sick, you can break a tiny piece of the pill off and get relief rather quickly.
>
> KDi in Texas
>
> > Today I was planning on reducing my effexor dose from 75 mg to 37.5 mg, but am afraid it is too much of a jump for me to handle well. Does anyone know how many granuals are in the 75 mg capsule? I thought I could reduce by 1/3 or 1/4. That might be more tolerable for me.
> > Thanks!
> > Lioness
>
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2003, at 21:41:25
In reply to New to list and wanted to say hello, posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:31:05
> I have been on effexor for 4 years, I suffer from depression and anxiotie...
Welcome! Sorry to be such a prude, but could you re-register under a different name? The idea is not to use language here that could offend others:
file:///Bang/pages/babble/faq.html#civil
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by DeNovo on October 28, 2003, at 8:02:13
In reply to effexor and alcohol, posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:33:23
> The day after I have 4 or 5 beers I am a GRUMPY A$$ HOLE... I have no tollerence or patience. I am on 175mg of Effexor XR. Does anyone else have a simmilar problem?
>
> To my friend to the north. Effexor and alcohol won't work. You need to stop drinking for at least six months or you won't now how much of your depression is alcohol induced. It is tough but unless you do it your Doctor will most likely increase your dosage without knowledge if you need it. I talked to the chief pharmacologist at the National institute of Mental Health about my dosage 375 Mg XL daily. He is mixing other drugs to enhance the effexor. Alcohol changes the reaction. I was also drinking before seeing a psychiatrist. Men tend to use alcohol to kill the pain. Stop the drinking and I’ll bet your pain starts to subside in three months. Long, but this disease takes more time to repair than I ever imagined.
Posted by awatts on October 28, 2003, at 10:17:14
In reply to effexor and alcohol, posted by crazy ass canadian on October 26, 2003, at 20:33:23
> The day after I have 4 or 5 beers I am a GRUMPY A$$ HOLE... I have no tollerence or patience. I am on 175mg of Effexor XR. Does anyone else have a simmilar problem?
>
Yes, I used to have a glass or two of wine with dinner. Now that I'm on 225 mg of Effexor XR, I find that I feel worse the next day if I have even one glass of wine. Doctor said drinking in moderation was probably OK on Effexor - WRONG! (at least for me)
Posted by charlie29 on October 28, 2003, at 16:33:51
In reply to Re: effexor and alcohol -NO!, posted by awatts on October 28, 2003, at 10:17:14
When I was on Effexor (225mg) I could drink like a horse and had no hangovers at all..I usually drink vodka or other spirits.. When I had beer or wine it used to zonk me out. I assume that beer or wine do not go well with Effexor.
Posted by crazy canadian on October 28, 2003, at 20:14:17
In reply to Re: please re-register » crazy *ss canadian, posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2003, at 21:41:25
> Welcome! Sorry to be such a prude, but could you re-register under a different name? The idea is not to use language here that could offend others:I will now be know as "Crazy Canadian"
Posted by crazy canadian on October 28, 2003, at 20:20:52
In reply to Re: effexor and alcohol, posted by DeNovo on October 28, 2003, at 8:02:13
> > To my friend to the north. Effexor and alcohol won't work. You need to stop drinking for at least six months or you won't now how much of your depression is alcohol induced. It is tough but unless you do it your Doctor will most likely increase your dosage without knowledge if you need it. I talked to the chief pharmacologist at the National institute of Mental Health about my dosage 375 Mg XL daily. He is mixing other drugs to enhance the effexor. Alcohol changes the reaction.
Thats what I "assumed" I don't know how I'm going to go 3 days let alone 3 months with drinking...
I will try and keep you all posted.... The idea of no beer or wine scares me. My wife is my "anger-meter" and she definetly notices a mood swing when I have been drinking, say 4 beers Friday and 6 beers Saturday Night. Sunday I am a total MONSTER.
My depression comes out as anger and frustration. 2 beers or more seems to bring out the worst in me the day after.
Thanks again
Posted by crazy canadian on October 28, 2003, at 20:27:53
In reply to Re: Sexual, other side effects , posted by loolot on October 15, 2003, at 14:04:20
Been on Effexor for 2 to 3 years
Sex drive... What SEX DRIVE... The depression after college stopped my sex drive dead in its tracks. The Effexor isn't helping.
I belive back pain is direclty related to stress, Non Drinkers always have a bad back. Drunks have a back that could lift an elephant. (this is a generality).
Depression ==> Stress ==> Back Pain
Effexor stops the Depression and addresses the Stress.
Just my .02 cents
Crazy
>
> >
> > One positive side effect has related to pain -- not sure if it is coincidence or if Effexor actually had an impact. I have chronic low back pain. I've tried physical therapy, drugs, etc. and nothing has provided permanent relief. Over the past few weeks however, the pain has decreased significantly -- to the point I am forgeting about having the back problem -- does this sound familiar???? >>
>
> Effexor cured my asthma after nothing else worked. It was amazing. I think it may be because it acts as an anti inflammatory. Thats my guess.
>
Posted by crazy canadian on October 28, 2003, at 20:36:13
In reply to Just started Effexor XR, posted by Missme on October 26, 2003, at 9:52:38
When I started taking effexor I did not sleep for one entire week. I was up for 5 days plus. I was exhausted, my bodie was dead but my brain would not slow down. My head was on fire, like a squirrel with a short attention span. After the first week things got a bit better. It took a month or two for the side effects to wear off. Sleep initially for me was very difficult.
Crazy Canadian
> Guess I should have added that I am now on 20mg of Prozac, 75mg of Effexor XR and building up to 100 mg of Lamictal. The side effects are great. My vision is about shot I went from having trouble falling asleep but atleast I slept through the night to now waking up for 2-3 times during the night. Will this level out?!
Posted by Salty_dog on October 28, 2003, at 21:22:28
In reply to Re: effexor and alcohol , posted by crazy canadian on October 28, 2003, at 20:20:52
> > > To my friend to the north. Effexor and alcohol won't work. You need to stop drinking for at least six months or you won't now how much of your depression is alcohol induced. It is tough but unless you do it your Doctor will most likely increase your dosage without knowledge if you need it. I talked to the chief pharmacologist at the National institute of Mental Health about my dosage 375 Mg XL daily. He is mixing other drugs to enhance the effexor. Alcohol changes the reaction.
>
> Thats what I "assumed" I don't know how I'm going to go 3 days let alone 3 months with drinking...
>
> I will try and keep you all posted.... The idea of no beer or wine scares me. My wife is my "anger-meter" and she definetly notices a mood swing when I have been drinking, say 4 beers Friday and 6 beers Saturday Night. Sunday I am a total MONSTER.
>
> My depression comes out as anger and frustration. 2 beers or more seems to bring out the worst in me the day after.
>
> Thanks again
>I have not had a drink for 15 years now, but it is still one day at a time. I have to admit that after a year it gets much better. Drinking and Effexor do not mix. Is your Dr. trying to treat your alcohol induced depression ? My long and vast experience is that no drug outside of Naltrexone will help (of course you would need to stop drinking alltogether).
Good Luck
Posted by john b stevens on October 28, 2003, at 21:36:02
In reply to Re: Class-action Lawsuit / Lawfirm Name, posted by Francois on October 22, 2003, at 11:43:05
> > This is the kind of thing that makes the world a sorry place. I'm glad to see Canadians can be as annoying as Americans. STOP your complaining you CRYBABY. Effexor did not work for you. You had some withdrawal--boo hoo. Deal with it. Don't screw up the world for the rest of us, those of us who have had great success with Effexor. The world ain't perfect; suing someone isn't going to make it better. Next time work more closely with your doctor: take 3 months to get off of it.
>
>
> First of all, I am French (from France) and not Canadian. Second of all, I have 3 degrees from the top 3 best US universities and run a successful IT company for the past 10 years throughout North America that would make you be a crybaby if you would see what I have achieved even under the influence of a pseudo medicine that fucks with your brain.
>
> Thirdly, your post probably represents greatly your level of intelligence and I am sure the rest of this community will realize it.
>
> :-)
>
> FrancoisGot me, I am quite dumb; and you are right, right, right. You go boy, you win that law suit! Make someone pay for your booboo. Pleurnicheur; bon debarras pour la France.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 28, 2003, at 21:37:35
In reply to Re: please re-register, posted by crazy canadian on October 28, 2003, at 20:14:17
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 28, 2003, at 21:48:14
In reply to Re: Class-action Lawsuit / Lawfirm Name, posted by john b stevens on October 28, 2003, at 21:36:02
> Got me, I am quite dumb; and you are right, right, right... Make someone pay for your booboo. Pleurnicheur; bon debarras pour la France.
Please be sensitive to the feelings of others and don't be sarcastic or post anything that could lead them to feel accused or put down. I've already asked you to be civil, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by TT40 on October 29, 2003, at 12:45:59
In reply to Re: Sexual, other side effects , posted by crazy canadian on October 28, 2003, at 20:27:53
I am a drinker so the logic doesn't seem to relate as to the back pain, etc., but I do understand the logic.
On the sex drive, you're telling me that between depression and then the drug, you have no sex drive? Do you do anything sexual or have you just given it up? There has to be a better way to get help without eliminating the ability to have sex.
> Been on Effexor for 2 to 3 years
>
> Sex drive... What SEX DRIVE... The depression after college stopped my sex drive dead in its tracks. The Effexor isn't helping.
>
> I belive back pain is direclty related to stress, Non Drinkers always have a bad back. Drunks have a back that could lift an elephant. (this is a generality).
>
> Depression ==> Stress ==> Back Pain
>
> Effexor stops the Depression and addresses the Stress.
>
> Just my .02 cents
>
> Crazy
>
> >
> > >
> > > One positive side effect has related to pain -- not sure if it is coincidence or if Effexor actually had an impact. I have chronic low back pain. I've tried physical therapy, drugs, etc. and nothing has provided permanent relief. Over the past few weeks however, the pain has decreased significantly -- to the point I am forgeting about having the back problem -- does this sound familiar???? >>
> >
> > Effexor cured my asthma after nothing else worked. It was amazing. I think it may be because it acts as an anti inflammatory. Thats my guess.
> >
>
Posted by dancr5678 on October 29, 2003, at 14:47:33
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR EFFECTS, posted by lovemybabies on October 18, 2003, at 1:42:17
Hello:
I'm new to this board. Good info in this site.
I'm on Day 3 of Effexor XR (37.5mg) after being on 10mgs/day of Lexapro for 4 months. I gained 8 lbs over 4 months on Lex and had a very very low Libido.
My doc has switched me to Effexor XR. So far the side effects I've had are painful burps. I don't know if anyone has experienced this but it's wierd. Today, my third day, the burps seem to be getting better, not so painful.
The other side effect which I just noticed last night is rining in the ears. I noticed it when I went to bed. Hasn't bothered me today at all but it may start up again tonight when the house is silent.
Other than that, I do feel better. I wake up feeling great and ready to attack the day. I'm not agitated. I feel good. I think my doc wants me to go up to 75 mgs a day, but I want to stay at 37.5 mgs.
-Dancer
Posted by willie on October 30, 2003, at 6:55:07
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been on effexor for about a year now. The first while was fantastic..no more GAD and I could handle stress more effectively. Lately I've been tired all the time. I wake up exhausted after a 8 or 9 hour sleep. I've also had the pleasure of gaining 20lbs this past year which has depressed me. It's not like my eating habits have changed and I do 2 excercise classes a week without any decrease in weight.
I've only been on the 37.5 dosage this past year. What I need to know from others who have stopped this drug is how to do it. Would you suggest taking the dose every other day for a week and then taking it once every 3 days, etc until I'm down to taking it once a week? Or would you somehow suggest cutting the pills and taking half a pill and backing off that way.
Any input would be greatly appreciated, I plan beginning my exit from effexor this weekend.
Thanks, Willie
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