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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Waterlily on November 30, 2003, at 14:27:15
In reply to starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by justplay on November 30, 2003, at 9:19:02
> I started 9 days ago, I was on the phone to my doc every day. Nausea, sweats, chills, couldn't drive, barely could motivate myself to do anything. but now on the 9th day I am feeling better than ever, I am suppose to double to 75mg today, not sure i will be able to handle that. I am not crying, confused or irritable like I was before I started. My anxiety level seems to be in check and I am starting to spend more time with my kids and be a normal mom again!
I had a very similar experience. Chills, sweats, nausea, anxiety, etc. I was in bad shape for a good week+, but by two weeks I was feeling much better. Effexor would have been an ideal med for me if it hadn't given me insomnia. I went off it in August.
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 15:09:40
In reply to 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by Jaynee on November 30, 2003, at 13:49:52
i feel you should not worry about 'weird-stuff' starting. although i've learned the hard way that we are all unique, for me, any bad stuff shows-up right away. ADs have snatched me out of long and short depressions---i don't consider them addictive, as benzos or neuroleptics. pretty safe.
it will, no doubt, start working vs. a placebo---only time will tell if it's 'perfect' for you, but no immediate adverse effects sounds good.
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 16:16:41
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by Waterlily on November 30, 2003, at 14:27:15
ADs have triggered mania in me, at high doses. and when manic, well, your mental state doesn't think much about tapering down, hopefully to a productive hypomania. hope you find your right med.
Posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 18:31:49
In reply to 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by Jaynee on November 30, 2003, at 13:49:52
I have had zero side effects since starting...started at 75mg and bumped up to 150mg after about 3 weeks.
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:10:52
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 18:31:49
is it working? you didn't mention that. best wishes
Posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 19:16:00
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:10:52
Seems to be.....Other than the normal everyday stress of marriage and raising teenagers (YIKES) anxiety/depression is in control. My mood is much better and my opinion of myself is much better!
Posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:33:49
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by camel on November 30, 2003, at 19:16:00
sounds like it was made for you---and that's Wonderfull---so happy for you.
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:44:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Well I don't know if this medication is the best to be on.I've known a couple people on it and they said it was hard as hell getting off of it.They had to get on Ativan to get off of it.But really I'm not discouriging it.???If it works,,,,,,then stay on it.About Prozac,,,,,for some reason it made me feal really good for about the first week or two bu then I really started having panic attacks bad,,,,,,,,,,,go figure.LOL I'm on Lexapro now and it is
not really doing anything for my anxiety,,,,but it does take care of depression.I still have major panic attacks though,,,,,,,,,,need some XANAX>>>>>
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:52:54
In reply to starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit, posted by justplay on November 30, 2003, at 9:19:02
I'm just warnig everyone about Effexor cause I've heard some really bad shit about that med.I mean it can be really hard to get off of.Do u know how it works? Well I think it releases a lot of Dopamine in your brain(happy chemical)and then when you stop,,,,,your brain is not used to being depleted of that.......So you freak out.I guess good luck anyway but I say if you can,,,,,,just use a benzo.......,,,,as needed.
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 23:04:51
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by barbie2000 on November 29, 2003, at 17:03:07
Just like SSRIs, this medication will make you feel weird at first(possibly).But don't let that make you stop.You will feel normal again,,,,,,,just give it a couple weeks.I don't know why,but it does take a while for those drugs to kick in.It really sucks that you have to go through major anxiety at first,,,,but it will go away.just hang in there and if you are feeling normal again,,,,,don't switch to the higher dose,,,,,just listen,,,,OK??
Posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 23:13:24
In reply to Re: took my first effexor this morning..., posted by jayt243 on November 26, 2003, at 14:09:17
I don't know if that's the best thing to do.You do not have to listen to me,,,but I think you should stay on the pill for a little bit.I mean,,,,,if you really have that problem,then the med might help.Otherwise,don't get caught up in the whole pill thing.Just like I said before,,,if you really need it,then take a Valium or Xanax just as needed......OK?
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 0:16:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:44:08
going from an AD to a benzo? very, very unwise, even a week. no AD is addive like benzos---makes heroin look like a breeeze---if it's not'very-short-term' benzo use, it's considered unethical these days. please, please inform them of this. thank you
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 0:25:00
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit » justplay, posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:52:54
before using any benzo---hold out---and visit benzos.org.uk---
Posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 7:45:49
In reply to Re: 2nd day on effexor, feels like a placebo, posted by maxx44 on November 30, 2003, at 19:33:49
Thanks.....but if/when I need/want to go off it I'm expecting the same probs I had with Paxil w/d so believe me...I know it's no "miracle" drug! Hang in there.....
Posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by lg on November 7, 1999, at 19:11:05
I'm on 225mg E-XR everyday. I've been on it for about 18 months. And it's only been probably the last 6 months that I've noticed a decrease in daytime sweating for activities such as teeth brushing and email typing. Nighttime sweating went away about about a year ago - so about after 6 months on the meds.
The E. keeps my anxiety way down and my moods are very level. Sometimes I kind of feel like a robot - just going through the motions but not really being touched by anything. Even last night when my 9 year old was crying her eyes out over a nightmare about her father (he's been in Iraq sinch february) - I just couldn't seem to really respond to her in a way I knew she needed, but i just couldn't feel.
That bothers me a lot - i do have a dr. appt. tomorrow morning and will mention it.
Posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 8:05:41
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
Sasha...PLEASE hang in there and tell your Doc. That definetly is no way to live.....
Posted by Zellie on December 1, 2003, at 9:06:06
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
I still feel empathy, sympathy, love, compassion... all the inner feelings, but I do not respond with tears anymore.
Perhaps because you were not moved to tears, it makes you think you are robotic. I find that I "feel" less than I used to, in one sense, but now I don't spiral into a deep, deep sadness any more, the way I used to, so I find myself actually able to help others more now, not less, even though I am not moved to actually cry.
So for me, it's been a good thing (I was way, way over-the-top emotional before).
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> I'm on 225mg E-XR everyday. I've been on it for about 18 months. And it's only been probably the last 6 months that I've noticed a decrease in daytime sweating for activities such as teeth brushing and email typing. Nighttime sweating went away about about a year ago - so about after 6 months on the meds.
>
> The E. keeps my anxiety way down and my moods are very level. Sometimes I kind of feel like a robot - just going through the motions but not really being touched by anything. Even last night when my 9 year old was crying her eyes out over a nightmare about her father (he's been in Iraq sinch february) - I just couldn't seem to really respond to her in a way I knew she needed, but i just couldn't feel.
>
> That bothers me a lot - i do have a dr. appt. tomorrow morning and will mention it.
>
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 12:19:21
In reply to Re: starting effexor...like a buzz that won't quit » justplay, posted by dms777smd on November 30, 2003, at 22:52:54
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 12:47:24
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
Maybe instead of being worried about the emotionless side effect, you should be thankful? If my son's dad was in Iraq, I would be worried for my son's sake, plus any personal concerns that I might have alone... You are able to be rock solid and steady instead of weepy and afraid. Your stability will be an anchor for your child.
God bless...
KDi in TX> I'm on 225mg E-XR everyday. I've been on it for about 18 months. And it's only been probably the last 6 months that I've noticed a decrease in daytime sweating for activities such as teeth brushing and email typing. Nighttime sweating went away about about a year ago - so about after 6 months on the meds.
>
> The E. keeps my anxiety way down and my moods are very level. Sometimes I kind of feel like a robot - just going through the motions but not really being touched by anything. Even last night when my 9 year old was crying her eyes out over a nightmare about her father (he's been in Iraq sinch february) - I just couldn't seem to really respond to her in a way I knew she needed, but i just couldn't feel.
>
> That bothers me a lot - i do have a dr. appt. tomorrow morning and will mention it.
>
Posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 13:58:39
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » sasha71, posted by KimberlyDi on December 1, 2003, at 12:47:24
When i first went on E., I was soooo relieved to be free of the over-emotional reactions to everything. It was so exhausting to react super-charged to everything.
I'm in frequent contact with many other wives of my husband's unit and I see them falling apart every other day and just not being able to hold it together for their kids. I worry alot about those situations.
I guess you have a good point about my being able to be a good foundation for my girls. I hadn't htought of it that way. Thanks. :)
Posted by dms777smd on December 1, 2003, at 15:34:53
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 0:16:37
> going from an AD to a benzo? very, very unwise, even a week. no AD is addive like benzos---makes heroin look like a breeeze---if it's not'very-short-term' benzo use, it's considered unethical these days. please, please inform them of this. thank you
I'm just saying if it's possible for you to take it maybe a couple times a week,,,,definitely not everyday.Unless the problems are way too complicated for every other day use.When I have any kind of benzo,I take it just as needed,and I mean when I can't calm myself down and the anxiety is just too much.I know how addictive they really are and I'm not trying to get anyone hooked on them.They really are very bad drugs(if you get into abusing them)but they work fast for those really bad times.
Posted by matz on December 1, 2003, at 15:53:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by dms777smd on December 1, 2003, at 15:34:53
Effexor worked incredibly well for me, except that I had almost all of the side effects - constipation, difficult urination, sexual effects, and, worst of all, increased blood pressure. When my pressure got into the hypertention range, I had to quit. I haven't seen anyone mention the high blood pressure yet.
Quitting was not fun. I got the "brain shocks" very badly. At first, every time I blinked my eyes, I would get zapped. To get off it, my doctor told me to take only one capsule one day, skip a day, one capsule the next, then I would be off. Big mistake. It actually took me 4-5 weeks, taking smaller and smaller doses. Near the end, even taking 5-6 of the little beads inside the capsule prevented the zaps. Finally went away completely.
I am really upset about the side effects. It worked so well on my depression and anxiety, both. I don't beleive any other med will work as well.
Posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 18:02:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by matz on December 1, 2003, at 15:53:47
The only side efect I have had is the BP thing.....Doc says they are not connected....weight gain from paxil MAY have caused the BP prob! But the w/d from Paxil was just as bad...I feel if the drug is working I will continue to take it and IF I have to go on BP meds (IF I can't lose the weight)so be it...I refuse to go back to what I was before.
Posted by biogurl on December 1, 2003, at 20:15:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by camel on December 1, 2003, at 18:02:51
Paxil made me gain a ton of weight too but they had to take me off of it because I was more suicidal than when I started taking it. That was about 8 years ago when I was 15. Turns out some recent studies show that paxil in children/adolescents tends to increase suicidal thoughts! Great! By the way, according to my Effexor XR pamphlet from the pharmacy, an increase in blood pressure is a common side effect. You may want to bring that to your Dr.'s attention, he/she must not have known about it.
Posted by maxx44 on December 1, 2003, at 22:13:13
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage? » lg, posted by sasha71 on December 1, 2003, at 7:58:09
'emotional blunting' seems part of any anxiety-reducing med. you have to weigh that vs. why you started the med. i do know lithium or benzo users encounter this. for many, it continues long after the drug is gone. not to scare you---i never saw an anti-d do that, but i never used effexor---the stress of your man in iraq has to be hard---that's where a good 'talk-therapist' may be a big help, and group-therapy with other brave men's wives over there. please feel better.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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