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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PoohBear on January 30, 2004, at 15:47:56
In reply to Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by pyschomom on January 30, 2004, at 11:25:56
YES!
I have had a VERY good experience with this medication. It has helped me to be relieved of a very deep, dark depression as well as gain control of my thoughts and my mind.
I have not faced the problem of withdrawal yet, because I haven't tired to get off Effexor, nor do I intend to for the foreseeable future. Nothing I read here will influence me to get off what for me has been a God-send. The stories shared here are very real, I'm not discounting them in any way. However, if and when I need to get off Effexor, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
It is unfair to yourself and your doctor to read these boards and allow yourself to get scared from using what could be a good medication for you.
The better course of action would be to share your concerns of what you've read with your doctor and get his/her opinion and then proceed from there.
Best Wishes,
Tony
> I just started on Effexor XR yesterday, have had depression for about two years, was on prozac, just didn't help and went off, drug free for about 6 months and was in quite a state, family begging me to get on something. After reading all the posts I am now terrifed of being on Effexor now. Does anyone have any good experience with this drug. HELP!
Posted by Zellie on January 30, 2004, at 17:53:42
In reply to Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by pyschomom on January 30, 2004, at 11:25:56
Hi, Psychomom. Love the name! I am affectionately called the "Lunatic" around home, since that is the name I fondly give to myself...my husband just came over and hugged me just now and said he loves his Lunatic! Hadn't thought of the name "Psychomom"!!
I ditto PoohBear's post. My experience with Effexor has been extremely positive. I suffered with extreme anxiety and unbearable depression for 42 years, and only now, for the first time in my life, do I find that I really have a life, thanks to Effexor.
Be sure that your doc titrates you up extremely slowly. It is tough going through this phase (see my posting from a few days ago where I described how it went for me during this time).
I have been at 150mg now since September. I still get depression for about 3-4 days here and there per month (PMS related, I suspect), but compared with having had it every day for so long, hey, I'll take it! My side-effects have been few (again....see a previous posting of mine, where I have shared about them). At this point, like PoohBear, the benefits of the Effexor, DRAMATICALLY outweigh any side-effects I have experienced so far.
I forgot my dose earlier this week, which is a major no-no. I carry pills with me so I can take them if I am away from the house and realize I've forgotten them, but the trouble was, that I hadn't realized I'd forgotten them until the next morning. Dizzzzziness! Weird, just like others have said. Within an hour or two of taking the next dose, though, I was back to normal.
If ever I must come off, I know my pdoc will titrate me down in baby, baby, baby steps...he is aware of the withdrawal problem that some people have. I may not come off of it, certainly as long as it keeps working with me. I will always need an AD for the rest of my life. I am absolutely fine with that, since I don't ever want to return to the horrific depression I lived in for so many years.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> I just started on Effexor XR yesterday, have had depression for about two years, was on prozac, just didn't help and went off, drug free for about 6 months and was in quite a state, family begging me to get on something. After reading all the posts I am now terrifed of being on Effexor now. Does anyone have any good experience with this drug. HELP!
Posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 21:38:48
In reply to Re: Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now! » pyschomom, posted by Zellie on January 30, 2004, at 17:53:42
I thought that the Effexor was doing me good at 1st....low dose. Then I couldn't get out of bed so we went higher and higher and higher 225mg and I said no more. I just felt like I was getting addicted to it. Miss a dose or 2 and you will know what I mean. It takes control of your life. There are other meds out there that do not control you. I'm on day 4 of getting off those evil pills. I wish I could die. One minute I'm going 100 mph and the next I'm on the floor in a ball crying. I went to the store and went into such a panic I had to leave my things behind....I felt like the walls were coming in on me and I know I turned a few heads while I pushed my way frantically out the door. I know that the next few days are going to be the hardest days of my life and with the love of my friends, I will make it through. I will never let anything like Effexor control me again. I thought my manic depression was controlling.....nothing like the evil doings of this pill they call medicine.
Posted by Zellie on January 30, 2004, at 22:20:59
In reply to Re: Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 21:38:48
I am sorry that yours is not a positive experience with the Effexor. Everyone's body chemistry is different, so what works wonders for one person, can be quite the opposite for another.
It is not that the pills are evil. Their reaction with you is clearly a very bad one. My mother-in-law recently had a terrible reaction to 2 different, common pain killers in the hospital...nurses were surprised....but it was horrible for her. She had frightening, disorienting hallucinations that lasted for hours. She now has had the 2 pain killers listed on her chart that she cannot tolerate these drugs. The drugs felt evil to her, but they simply reacted very poorly with her chemistry, whereas thousands of people benefit greatly from them.
Similarily, when I have demerol, my blood pressure plummets so low, that if I did not have medical attention immediately, I may not survive it. So I have on all my medical records that I cannot have it.
Effexor has provided me with wonderful results. I have a friend, however, who went all the way to 300 mg, and never stopped being utterly fatigued on it. Her doc wanted her to see if her body would settle down with it in time (since it did relieve her depression), but it became clear to me that it did not (she'd given it from August to January). I strongly advised her to see her doc again right away, and ask to be titrated (SLOWLY!!) off it, since it did not seem to be the med for her.
I am now on Wellbutrin in addition to the Effexor, and I am tolerating it wonderfully. However, occassionally a person will have a nightmare of an experience going on Wellbutrin.
Personally, I do not think that Effexor is a good medication for a person to begin if they are not a candidate for remaining on it long-term. I will always need an AD, so I am a good candidate for Effexor. Some people who have not been plaged with depression all their lives, but have just a single episode, may require just a short-term AD therapy. In my opinion, they'd be better off with a different medication...one that is much easier to titrate off of.
Again, I am very sorry to hear of your experience. I hope you find a medication that will be very beneficial for you.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> I thought that the Effexor was doing me good at 1st....low dose. Then I couldn't get out of bed so we went higher and higher and higher 225mg and I said no more. I just felt like I was getting addicted to it. Miss a dose or 2 and you will know what I mean. It takes control of your life. There are other meds out there that do not control you. I'm on day 4 of getting off those evil pills. I wish I could die. One minute I'm going 100 mph and the next I'm on the floor in a ball crying. I went to the store and went into such a panic I had to leave my things behind....I felt like the walls were coming in on me and I know I turned a few heads while I pushed my way frantically out the door. I know that the next few days are going to be the hardest days of my life and with the love of my friends, I will make it through. I will never let anything like Effexor control me again. I thought my manic depression was controlling.....nothing like the evil doings of this pill they call medicine.
Posted by TJW on January 30, 2004, at 22:40:20
In reply to Re: Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by Alittle Lost on January 30, 2004, at 21:38:48
My girlfriend takes effexor and she has had really bad night sweats, and they really bothered her. One thing that helped her A LOT is wearing sweat-wicking clothing to bed instead of cotton (or nothing).
Whereas cotton gets damp and gross and uncomfortable, a good sweat-wicking weave of polyester such as those worn by athletes leaves you drier and more comfortable when you sweat. You can find good sweat-wicking shirts and such at any athletic store. Try in the biking section for something comfortable to wear to bed.
Posted by Sad Panda on January 31, 2004, at 12:07:10
In reply to Any good experience with Effexor? Scared now!, posted by pyschomom on January 30, 2004, at 11:25:56
> I just started on Effexor XR yesterday, have had depression for about two years, was on prozac, just didn't help and went off, drug free for about 6 months and was in quite a state, family begging me to get on something. After reading all the posts I am now terrifed of being on Effexor now. Does anyone have any good experience with this drug. HELP!
Prozac was also the first med I tried, I was on it for about a month & it was sending me around the bend so I got off it & was given Efexor to try.
Efexor is giving me some extremely good moods & a much brighter outlook on things but it gives me some side effects. My doc gave me Remeron to try & it's been great at totally reversing the side effects of Efexor + It gives me the best sleep I have had in my life.
Efexor seems to be flavour of the month with alot of docs & it seems to be with good reason as it does seem to work for alot of people. My advice is to try it for 4-6 weeks & see if your mood lifts and/or the side-effects subside.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Sad Panda on January 31, 2004, at 12:23:37
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage and sexual side effects » Dirtylowdown4, posted by omegon on January 29, 2004, at 16:42:17
> I am also male and was on efexor for something like 2.5 - 3 months. (Memory loss was one side effect for me.) I had somewhat delayed orgasm, but was never unable to get there; I actually considered it an advantage. I was on paroxetine before, which was much more of a problem; it made achieving orgasm an epic quest - took 50 minutes on occasion, which was extremely frustrating since it increased desire and _decreased_ pleasure!
>
> The effect was much the same with all doses of efexor I was on. 225mg was the highest, and this actually increased desire several times compared to how I was without medication - though this probably says more about my depression than about the drug. No decrease in sensation/pleasure - if anything it was increased. It was almost worth putting up with the problems it was causing - primarily major mood swings, blurred thinking and lack of energy.
>
> If it does cause you sexual problems, you might wait a few weeks before you abandon it if it's working well otherwise: I've seen quite a few reports that suggest the side effects, including the sexual effects, decrease after a few months at the same dose. (People have said anything from 2-6 months, which is admittedly not much of a comfort for something as urgent as sex!)
>
> You might try (cautiously) taking 500mg of tyrosine. (Amino acid: a nutritional supplement available over-the-counter - in the UK at least - and a precursor of dopamine and noradrenaline.) This should help a lot with desire and pleasure. You should wait until any anxiety effects from the efexor have gone, though, since the adrenaline increase it causes can be very unpleasant otherwise.
>
>
>
> > I am a male who has been on 75mg of Effexor XR for several weeks. Has anyone had any experience with increased dosage and the effects on sexual orgasm? Since being on Effexor I have personally experienced delayed orgasm and to a lesser extent the inability to ejaculate. Since I have been plagued with premature ejaculation my entire adult life the delayed ejaculation is a very desirable side effect. I am considering asking my doctor to increase my dosage to combat my depression but am concerned that the increased dosage may result in increased frequency of no ejaculation. Desire and ability to obtain and maintain erection has not been a problem since being on the medication. Any comments would be greatly appreciated!
>On 75mg of Efexor XR I had delayed orgasm. On 150mg no orgasm. I am now on 225mg with 30mg Remeron added & orgasm is back to normal.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by missinglynx on February 1, 2004, at 6:37:51
In reply to Re: Effexor Dosage and sexual side effects, posted by sexysenior on January 30, 2004, at 14:56:45
Ten days is Far too Fast. I would ask for a Benzodiazapine or Prozac for the withdrawls. I would taper over a 3 month period! :-/
Posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 7:25:27
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!!, posted by justjustine on January 30, 2004, at 10:50:53
I am going through major depression on this stuff. i have no energy. I cry. i don't get off the couch for a week at a time. Don't bathe, don't so anything, don't care. And I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 1 1/2 years. i'm taking 175 mg sustained release. I have a very know it all meds prescriber. I'mtaking 3 other night time anit-depressants and I would like to get off all of them. I have no desire for anything in life. I'm empty. I want to go off all, but as bad as I feel now, I can just imagine what I'd be like going through withdrawals. Any suggestions or info? Thanks for your time, Taylor
Posted by justjustine on February 1, 2004, at 9:06:58
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year, posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 7:25:27
i don't know how a doctor can think themselves so mighty and knowledgeable when their patient is so obviously suffering.
get a new doctor, you have the right to make your own decisions concerning your medication. find someone who will work with you.
looking back, i don't know that i'll ever know for sure if effexor helped me or not. it definitely made me not care, and eventually i decided that it's induced apathy was not for me!
getting off effexor has not been easy for me, but it is so worth it. i can feel things again! yay!
> I am going through major depression on this stuff. i have no energy. I cry. i don't get off the couch for a week at a time. Don't bathe, don't so anything, don't care. And I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 1 1/2 years. i'm taking 175 mg sustained release. I have a very know it all meds prescriber. I'mtaking 3 other night time anit-depressants and I would like to get off all of them. I have no desire for anything in life. I'm empty. I want to go off all, but as bad as I feel now, I can just imagine what I'd be like going through withdrawals. Any suggestions or info? Thanks for your time, Taylor
Posted by fayeroe on February 1, 2004, at 14:45:32
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year, posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 7:25:27
I would change doctors first thing! Mine wouldn't even consider the fact that the Effexor was making me ill. I talked to my pharmacist and with her guidance I reduced the med little by little by little over a long period of time. The only side effect I had was the electrical zaps. Within 24 hours of the first reduction, I could tell that I had feelings again!!! Please keep me up to date on what you do. I'll be rooting for you! Pat
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 15:51:30
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » casisill, posted by mercedes on January 29, 2004, at 15:17:06
WOW, am I ever glad I found this site !!
I just stopped Effexor XR, which by the way worked wonderful me. But getting off it is a totally different and AWEFUL thing. Can someone please help? I went down to the 37.5 dose, stayed at that for about 1 week, then quit. Now i'm loosing my mind, these "electric zaps" going thru my head are just not bearable. What to do????????
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 16:12:12
In reply to This is scarier than I thought , posted by Jennifer on April 25, 2000, at 23:10:39
I would research this drug very thoroughly before starting it. It worked wonderfully for me , but getting off it is insane
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 16:14:59
In reply to This is scarier than I thought , posted by Jennifer on April 25, 2000, at 23:10:39
oh, and I always took it earlier in the day, because it can keep you up at nite.
Posted by fayeroe on February 1, 2004, at 16:25:46
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!!, posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 15:51:30
Hang in there. I'd probably start it back up and taper off alot more gradually.....just take enough to get the zaps to quit and then SLOWLY taper off.....I mean slowly. I took months. Good luck! Pat
Posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 17:37:10
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!! » casisill, posted by mercedes on January 29, 2004, at 15:17:06
Forgive the spelling please. Anyone try Benydryl for their withdrawl symptoms? And has anyone while in withdrawl had "sleep paralysis" while taking a nap? Is it just from all the extra stress from the with drawl or what? Thanx for any info, signed going slightly insane.
Oh , and you think I should go back on Effexor on 37.5, every couple of days or so til life becomes bearable again?
thanx in advance
Posted by justjustine on February 1, 2004, at 18:08:58
In reply to Effexor--Benadryll?, posted by poochi on February 1, 2004, at 17:37:10
benadryl helped put me to sleep, but it also zombifies me so i didn't find it very beneficial. i have read others say it helped them - i went from 37 to 0 and i've been really sick for a month now. i started myself on vicodin while my doctor was out of town and we're working it out from there.
i would say that if you feel you have the time, go back on and taper very slowly. 37 one day and maybe 18.5 the next for a week. take very small steps or you will likely get sick! i have my own reasons for my "crash course" - partly the length of time it took me to figure out what was going on and how bad it was. by that time i was 2 weeks off! i'm almost 4 weeks off now, and still ill and have no real idea how much longer this is going to take. so no, i don't recommend going 37 to 0.
best of luck to you - i can tell you that the happiness of feelings coming back is well worth the struggle to me! and you are not going insane - trust me, i've thought i've had stomach ulcers, liver failure, flu, kidney disease, a brain tumor, etc. etc. and crazy sleep problems are the norm in coming off this stuff!
> Forgive the spelling please. Anyone try Benydryl for their withdrawl symptoms? And has anyone while in withdrawl had "sleep paralysis" while taking a nap? Is it just from all the extra stress from the with drawl or what? Thanx for any info, signed going slightly insane.
>
> Oh , and you think I should go back on Effexor on 37.5, every couple of days or so til life becomes bearable again?
> thanx in advance
Posted by lacey2001 on February 1, 2004, at 20:17:43
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My husband and I want to get pregnant but I don't know if I should come off of Effexor first. Has anybody been pregnant while taking Effexor? I think I want to come off anyway. I get a little sick to my stomach in the evening and quite often. And I have been on for over two months now. I am at 75 mg so maybe after my next pregnancy I may try 37.5 mg. I am going to see a Dr this Friday but just wanted to know what everyone here has to say about it. Any studies done on the effects on embryos?
Thank, Tanya
PS-How do I stop all the emails from these posts? I come to this site everyday anyhow.
Posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 21:43:01
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year » Semi-conscious, posted by fayeroe on February 1, 2004, at 14:45:32
> I would change doctors first thing! Mine wouldn't even consider the fact that the Effexor was making me ill. I talked to my pharmacist and with her guidance I reduced the med little by little by little over a long period of time. The only side effect I had was the electrical zaps. Within 24 hours of the first reduction, I could tell that I had feelings again!!! Please keep me up to date on what you do. I'll be rooting for you! Pat
Thanks for the support Pat. I think I will talk about it with my DR. But I definately want to go off of it. I'mafraid,also,because I havebeen taking some sort ofanti-depressant for about 9 years now. But I'll keep you posted fayerose. Taylor
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 1, 2004, at 23:37:35
In reply to Pregnancy and Effexor XR??, posted by lacey2001 on February 1, 2004, at 20:17:43
> PS-How do I stop all the emails from these posts? I come to this site everyday anyhow.
See the first bullet at:
http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/extras.pl
Thanks for your patience,
Bob
Posted by KimberlyDi on February 2, 2004, at 15:09:38
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year, posted by Semi-conscious on February 1, 2004, at 7:25:27
Hang in there. From what you have described, it doesn't look like Effexor is effective for you (understatement). Don't worry about the withdrawal. Taper your dosages as gently as you need. It took me a couple of months to go from 300mg to 0mg. You are already seriously nonfunctional. I would plan carefully with your doctor about how you are going to handle the rebound depression. It is serious. Be careful and God Bless!
KDi in TX
> I am going through major depression on this stuff. i have no energy. I cry. i don't get off the couch for a week at a time. Don't bathe, don't so anything, don't care. And I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 1 1/2 years. i'm taking 175 mg sustained release. I have a very know it all meds prescriber. I'mtaking 3 other night time anit-depressants and I would like to get off all of them. I have no desire for anything in life. I'm empty. I want to go off all, but as bad as I feel now, I can just imagine what I'd be like going through withdrawals. Any suggestions or info? Thanks for your time, Taylor
Posted by misha pooh on February 2, 2004, at 16:12:29
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal Highly Overrated, posted by ladylight57 on May 11, 2003, at 20:08:23
i missed a pill once and was all dizzy, tingly, and light headed also for the whole weekend. I got my blood pressure checked - it was ok. I just let it pass but the next time i felt the symptoms i went to my general doctor and he said i was having a panic attack. He prescribed clonopin which is like xanex w/o the "high" feeling - worked great! The effexor did kill my sex drive so i switch to welbutrin. During the switching time i tried to quit my job (thank god i work for my parents), thought it was a good idea to walk about 10 miles b/c i didnt want to touch my moms car, had my fiance break up w/ me (temporarily), and did a private half-assed suicide attempt. The withdrawl/switch was rough to say the least but i am almost happy w/ welbutrin!
Posted by Zellie on February 2, 2004, at 23:10:07
In reply to Pregnancy and Effexor XR??, posted by lacey2001 on February 1, 2004, at 20:17:43
Lacey:
I have read that it is NOT for pregnant or nursing moms. It takes months to get off with the least amount of side-effects, so bear that in mind.
Kindest regards,
Zellie
> My husband and I want to get pregnant but I don't know if I should come off of Effexor first. Has anybody been pregnant while taking Effexor? I think I want to come off anyway. I get a little sick to my stomach in the evening and quite often. And I have been on for over two months now. I am at 75 mg so maybe after my next pregnancy I may try 37.5 mg. I am going to see a Dr this Friday but just wanted to know what everyone here has to say about it. Any studies done on the effects on embryos?
>
> Thank, Tanya
>
> PS-How do I stop all the emails from these posts? I come to this site everyday anyhow.
Posted by Semi-conscious on February 3, 2004, at 0:22:30
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year » Semi-conscious, posted by KimberlyDi on February 2, 2004, at 15:09:38
> Hang in there. From what you have described, it doesn't look like Effexor is effective for you (understatement). Don't worry about the withdrawal. Taper your dosages as gently as you need. It took me a couple of months to go from 300mg to 0mg. You are already seriously nonfunctional. I would plan carefully with your doctor about how you are going to handle the rebound depression. It is serious. Be careful and God Bless!
>
> KDi in TX
>
>
>
> > I am going through major depression on this stuff. i have no energy. I cry. i don't get off the couch for a week at a time. Don't bathe, don't so anything, don't care. And I have gained almost 40 pounds in the last 1 1/2 years. i'm taking 175 mg sustained release. I have a very know it all meds prescriber. I'mtaking 3 other night time anit-depressants and I would like to get off all of them. I have no desire for anything in life. I'm empty. I want to go off all, but as bad as I feel now, I can just imagine what I'd be like going through withdrawals. Any suggestions or info? Thanks for your time, Taylor
>
>
Thank you for your response Kimberly!. What does it feel like to be Effexor free? Are you taking any meds now? I've been taking anti-depressant for about 9 years. Do you think I could go off all of them and be okay? I take 4 diferent kinds a day. Weren't anti-depressants intially intended for short term use and then it was suppose to have corrected the problem? Or am I condemned to being dependent on drugs for the rest of my life? You're probably not a Dr. but any information you might have re: those questions, I would be most grateful. Taylor
Posted by Semi-conscious on February 3, 2004, at 0:38:07
In reply to Re: I'm afraid to go off Effexor,taking 1 1/2 year » Semi-conscious, posted by KimberlyDi on February 2, 2004, at 15:09:38
I have been taking Effexor XR 175mg for about a year now. I've taken about 20 different kinds in the last 9 years. It seemed to work okay in the beginning, but I started to become even more depressed. I gained about 30 pounds. I have water retention(bad). I have profound sadness. I don't care about anything. I quit exercising. Half the time I don't bathe or get off the couch. I have an egotistical meds provider who thinks he is always right. If I knew that other people were experiencing these symptoms, then I wouldn't think it was just me. I started to give up thinking there was no hope after trying so many kinds of meds, but Effexor seems to have the worst side effects for me. My Dr. says it doesn't cause water retention. Nothing else has changed in my life as far as diet or pills. How is it that I'm wrong and he's right? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks Taylor
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