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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 18, 2004, at 20:21:19
In reply to new Question, posted by poochi on February 18, 2004, at 15:43:43
Prozac is not addictive. Everyone is different and some do not experience withdrawal. You may expect some mood swings, but ask your doctor.
> I'm not sure if this has been brought up before or not, i keep going to one of these posts and then getting lost inthese message boards . My question is, is Fluoxertine addictive.? And, do you get the withdrawl effects trying to stop Fluoxertine that you get with Effexor? And, is Fluoxertine Prozac? Thanx.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 18, 2004, at 20:24:56
In reply to Re: new Question, posted by Contemplative1 on February 18, 2004, at 15:55:38
I feel what you said is inaccurate. Everyone's body is different, and you are using your experience to tell someone to expect. I find in Psychology/Psychiatry that similarities a client and a Dr. have, the Dr. may assume they are totally alike which is a no no. I hope I am not insulting you, because I am not. I respect your giving advice.
> Fluoxetine is Prozac.
>
> It is much easier to get off of Prozac in my experience.
>
> Is it addictive? Depends how you define the term. It does cause withdrawals and when going through withdrawals one usually feels worse than they did before taking the drug in the first place. It certainly is not abusable which is one of the components of addiction. However, when going through witdrawals one mught have strong temptations to pop a Prozac to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.
>
>
> > I'm not sure if this has been brought up before or not, i keep going to one of these posts and then getting lost inthese message boards . My question is, is Fluoxertine addictive.? And, do you get the withdrawl effects trying to stop Fluoxertine that you get with Effexor? And, is Fluoxertine Prozac? Thanx.
>
>
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 18, 2004, at 20:28:11
In reply to Re: new Question, posted by Judie on February 18, 2004, at 16:39:57
Stay away from the booze! It may make u sink to an alltime low mood. The med is still in your system, and many people find drinking on them makes them sad, so you have that added to a possible withdrawal if you have had symptoms.
> I did not suffer any withdrawel symptoms when I quit taking Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin or Zoloft. 3 days off effexor and my head is throbbing and I'm still dizzy... but wouldn't call it addictive. I definitely don't want any more of it. I'm going to have a drink or two to ease the pain. Alcohol, on the other hand...
Posted by contemplative1 on February 18, 2004, at 20:29:57
In reply to Re: new Question » Contemplative1, posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 18, 2004, at 20:24:56
Thank you, I stand corrected and not insulted.
Thus, Prozac for me did cause some mild withdrawals but not as severe as Celexa or Paxil and from what I hear Effexor. And as Doctor Feel Good correctly pointed out, one person's experience is by no means necessarily another's.
> I feel what you said is inaccurate. Everyone's body is different, and you are using your experience to tell someone to expect. I find in Psychology/Psychiatry that similarities a client and a Dr. have, the Dr. may assume they are totally alike which is a no no. I hope I am not insulting you, because I am not. I respect your giving advice.
> > Fluoxetine is Prozac.
> >
> > It is much easier to get off of Prozac in my experience.
> >
> > Is it addictive? Depends how you define the term. It does cause withdrawals and when going through withdrawals one usually feels worse than they did before taking the drug in the first place. It certainly is not abusable which is one of the components of addiction. However, when going through witdrawals one mught have strong temptations to pop a Prozac to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.
> >
> >
> > > I'm not sure if this has been brought up before or not, i keep going to one of these posts and then getting lost inthese message boards . My question is, is Fluoxertine addictive.? And, do you get the withdrawl effects trying to stop Fluoxertine that you get with Effexor? And, is Fluoxertine Prozac? Thanx.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by PsychoSage on February 18, 2004, at 21:10:24
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Cocaine use ! (RESPONSE), posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 18, 2004, at 20:13:45
> > > Do NOT use cocaine. Effexor is the best antidepressant for people suffering from cocaine abuse, even a year after stopping it your brain wont be the same.
> > > I'm a recovering addict to cocaine, meth, benzos, alcohol, ecstasy, basically everything. Do NOT use drugs if not prescribed to you. Oh yeah, you could have a seizure/stroke or worse mixing cocaine with an activating antidepressant like Effexor
Whoever is taking illicit drugs on Effexor, be careful. I have already reported my "overdoses" with a little bit of meth while being on Effexor. It happened twice in two weeks. I was in the ER twice. I had purple skin [94F temp- not sure why i did not overheat each time], and my heart was about to burst. each time IV benzos saved my life. The second time involved nitroglycerin and lots of morphine shots for my chest pain, and i was hooked up to heart monitors over night. My doctor at detox the following week who also taught at my university told me to don't be on the AD for a week before I start using, so I don't DIE!I was 21 at the time. It was so sad because a Doctor from student health came to see me when I was admitted overnight. It was purely out of sympathy. I was young and stupid. She had overheard that I was there, and she had not treated me before or known me. It's a sad thing to screw yourself over while on drugs that are supposed to save your life.
I haven't even read this post completely or this thread because it is very very simple. Don't take E, crystal or coke while on any of those psychiatric drugs. What is the point anyways?? Why stay on the ADs or whatever other psych drug if you are using other psychoactive drugs that hinder your treatment or actually downright nullify it. I can tell you that benzos and the emergency room save lives. I am not going to tell you to take them without a script as protection, but it's been known to be done.
I am not the only idiot ever!!
SSRIs and E or meth do not get along either.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 18, 2004, at 22:24:01
In reply to Re: new Question, posted by contemplative1 on February 18, 2004, at 20:29:57
Thanks! :) I felt bad
> Thank you, I stand corrected and not insulted.
>
> Thus, Prozac for me did cause some mild withdrawals but not as severe as Celexa or Paxil and from what I hear Effexor. And as Doctor Feel Good correctly pointed out, one person's experience is by no means necessarily another's.
>
> > I feel what you said is inaccurate. Everyone's body is different, and you are using your experience to tell someone to expect. I find in Psychology/Psychiatry that similarities a client and a Dr. have, the Dr. may assume they are totally alike which is a no no. I hope I am not insulting you, because I am not. I respect your giving advice.
> > > Fluoxetine is Prozac.
> > >
> > > It is much easier to get off of Prozac in my experience.
> > >
> > > Is it addictive? Depends how you define the term. It does cause withdrawals and when going through withdrawals one usually feels worse than they did before taking the drug in the first place. It certainly is not abusable which is one of the components of addiction. However, when going through witdrawals one mught have strong temptations to pop a Prozac to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms.
> > >
> > >
> > > > I'm not sure if this has been brought up before or not, i keep going to one of these posts and then getting lost inthese message boards . My question is, is Fluoxertine addictive.? And, do you get the withdrawl effects trying to stop Fluoxertine that you get with Effexor? And, is Fluoxertine Prozac? Thanx.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 18, 2004, at 22:26:49
In reply to Re: Effexor XR Cocaine use ! (RESPONSE), posted by PsychoSage on February 18, 2004, at 21:10:24
Yes! I agree!
> > > > Do NOT use cocaine. Effexor is the best antidepressant for people suffering from cocaine abuse, even a year after stopping it your brain wont be the same.
> > > > I'm a recovering addict to cocaine, meth, benzos, alcohol, ecstasy, basically everything. Do NOT use drugs if not prescribed to you. Oh yeah, you could have a seizure/stroke or worse mixing cocaine with an activating antidepressant like Effexor
>
>
> Whoever is taking illicit drugs on Effexor, be careful. I have already reported my "overdoses" with a little bit of meth while being on Effexor. It happened twice in two weeks. I was in the ER twice. I had purple skin [94F temp- not sure why i did not overheat each time], and my heart was about to burst. each time IV benzos saved my life. The second time involved nitroglycerin and lots of morphine shots for my chest pain, and i was hooked up to heart monitors over night. My doctor at detox the following week who also taught at my university told me to don't be on the AD for a week before I start using, so I don't DIE!
>
> I was 21 at the time. It was so sad because a Doctor from student health came to see me when I was admitted overnight. It was purely out of sympathy. I was young and stupid. She had overheard that I was there, and she had not treated me before or known me. It's a sad thing to screw yourself over while on drugs that are supposed to save your life.
>
> I haven't even read this post completely or this thread because it is very very simple. Don't take E, crystal or coke while on any of those psychiatric drugs. What is the point anyways?? Why stay on the ADs or whatever other psych drug if you are using other psychoactive drugs that hinder your treatment or actually downright nullify it. I can tell you that benzos and the emergency room save lives. I am not going to tell you to take them without a script as protection, but it's been known to be done.
>
> I am not the only idiot ever!!
>
> SSRIs and E or meth do not get along either.
>
>
Posted by 4peace on February 19, 2004, at 3:01:58
In reply to Insomnia and depression, posted by Richie on February 25, 2001, at 2:46:53
Hi,
Stay clear of the Ambian, it is addicting. I took it for a week, it was horrible. I then got a new Dr. and took Trazadone, which definitly worked. I was on it for about 6 months, and gradually weened my self off. It was prescibed to help with my sleep and I only took it at night. I also went through Zoloft and Wellbutrin, till I was prescibed Effexor which cured my anxiety and depression, along with pyschotherapy. I am still on Effexor, and see my therapist once a month.
Posted by 4peace on February 19, 2004, at 3:07:26
In reply to Re: Has ANYBODY out there lost their Effexor weight ??, posted by lyra31 on February 25, 2001, at 16:28:47
I too gained weight on Effexor, about 30 pounds. I think part of it is the fact that when one feels good they eat, I also was not as anxious about body image/etc.
What has helped is sticking to a low carb diet, less carbs, less cravings. I too was hungry all the time. Of course exercise is key, I have lost some of the weight.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 3:08:14
In reply to Re: Insomnia and depression, posted by 4peace on February 19, 2004, at 3:01:58
Good for you. Ambien made me psychotic, popping up to 10x 10mg at night. For a week I was extremely paranoid and major threatening hallucinations. Im on Effexor and Trazadone now, still cant sleep. Life is very tough for me. I am looking forward to when my body readjusts from 11 yrs of pot smoking, and many years of booze , meth, ecstasy (400 approx. in 1 yr), cocaine (sometimes 1-4 eightballs a night). I've been clean and I am optimistic of staying that way. Take Care!
> Hi,
> Stay clear of the Ambian, it is addicting. I took it for a week, it was horrible. I then got a new Dr. and took Trazadone, which definitly worked. I was on it for about 6 months, and gradually weened my self off. It was prescibed to help with my sleep and I only took it at night. I also went through Zoloft and Wellbutrin, till I was prescibed Effexor which cured my anxiety and depression, along with pyschotherapy. I am still on Effexor, and see my therapist once a month.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 3:13:07
In reply to Re: Has ANYBODY out there lost their Effexor weight ??, posted by 4peace on February 19, 2004, at 3:07:26
Effexor can cause some people to gain/lose weight. Many people do not. Get a good exercise routine where u can at least walk at a quick pace for 30min or 3 miles depending if using a treadmill,bike, elliptical. Eat frequently (good food).
Good luck!> I too gained weight on Effexor, about 30 pounds. I think part of it is the fact that when one feels good they eat, I also was not as anxious about body image/etc.
>
> What has helped is sticking to a low carb diet, less carbs, less cravings. I too was hungry all the time. Of course exercise is key, I have lost some of the weight.
Posted by Dirtylowdown4 on February 19, 2004, at 7:49:06
In reply to Re: Has ANYBODY out there lost their Effexor weight ??, posted by 4peace on February 19, 2004, at 3:07:26
I have managed to lose weight since taking Effexor although the weight loss was intentional. I find that since taking Effexor my appetite has increased dramatically and if not for calorie counting and changing my eating habits I would have ballooned up. Instead of eating junk food snacks now I eat fruit several times a day. I am vain about my appearance so I have always been able to control my weight although it has not been easy. There is no substitute for will power. Sorry if anyone thinks I'm oversimplifying with this last comment.
Posted by Judie on February 19, 2004, at 7:54:28
In reply to Re: Has ANYBODY out there lost their Effexor weight ??, posted by 4peace on February 19, 2004, at 3:07:26
I gained about 20 pounds on effexor. Exercise is definitely key... burns calories AND lifts your spirit. I'm working on getting the weight off, too... good luck to you!> I too gained weight on Effexor, about 30 pounds. I think part of it is the fact that when one feels good they eat, I also was not as anxious about body image/etc.
>
> What has helped is sticking to a low carb diet, less carbs, less cravings. I too was hungry all the time. Of course exercise is key, I have lost some of the weight.
Posted by crzyinlove on February 19, 2004, at 8:18:50
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by chase9 on February 12, 2004, at 18:47:02
I have a new question - did this medication make anyone think they were losing their mind. I swear it has made me act completely irrational and bizarre. I think I am in love with someone other than my spouse and am about ready to ruin my marriage and this all started about 3 months after I started taking effexor. Also my friends think it is not helping and that I am always sad or strange. But, now that I have read about the withdrawal symptoms I am petrified to go off it.
Posted by PoohBear on February 19, 2004, at 10:12:41
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by crzyinlove on February 19, 2004, at 8:18:50
You should talk to your pDoc; this may not be the medication for you if you're still sad after three months of treatment. Also, it looks like you may need some talk therapy to work out some other issues. An affair will NOT help your situation, but only add to your guilt, etc.
Prozac can help you get off Effexor. You may also be bipolar. If so, an antidepressant can cause an agrivation of manic-depressive cycles. If your doctor is not open to invesitgating new lines of thinking, you need a new doctor.
Good luck and best wishes!
Tony
> I have a new question - did this medication make anyone think they were losing their mind. I swear it has made me act completely irrational and bizarre. I think I am in love with someone other than my spouse and am about ready to ruin my marriage and this all started about 3 months after I started taking effexor. Also my friends think it is not helping and that I am always sad or strange. But, now that I have read about the withdrawal symptoms I am petrified to go off it.
Posted by djsarah on February 19, 2004, at 19:29:44
In reply to Re: Glad to be OFF EFFEXOR!!, posted by KFRAN on January 29, 2004, at 15:17:32
in response to K-FRAN -
In terms of the drug working, I found that Effexor was quite effective and it really helped me with few side effects. Before panicking about what you read here, be thankful if the drug is helping you and try to become aware of the precautions you should be taking. Once you are ready to withdraw, read a lot of different stuff on it so that you can learn from others' mistakes and successes, make sure you are aware of what can happen and how to make withdrawal least painful.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 21:34:38
In reply to Re: Has ANYBODY out there lost their Effexor weight ?? » 4peace, posted by Dirtylowdown4 on February 19, 2004, at 7:49:06
Good for you. Antipsychotic drugs are infamous for gaining weight also, and it is recommended that people on these meds exercise daily and monitor what they eat. I am on Effexor, but I manage to do 30min cardio and 30-60min. on heavy weights, so Im always craving food, but I eat unfried chicken, fish, turkey, and an occasional steak or burger. I Eat every 2-3 hours (i.e Rice, chicken, veggies)
> I have managed to lose weight since taking Effexor although the weight loss was intentional. I find that since taking Effexor my appetite has increased dramatically and if not for calorie counting and changing my eating habits I would have ballooned up. Instead of eating junk food snacks now I eat fruit several times a day. I am vain about my appearance so I have always been able to control my weight although it has not been easy. There is no substitute for will power. Sorry if anyone thinks I'm oversimplifying with this last comment.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 21:38:36
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by crzyinlove on February 19, 2004, at 8:18:50
Do you drink or do drugs? Speed driving, go on spending sprees or have irritability? Just a though, maybe the effexor is putting you into a manic state, or possibly you have bipolar? Either way, you need to let your doc know exactly what is going on, and be specific, maybe even work on writing a list of things until your appointment comes.
> I have a new question - did this medication make anyone think they were losing their mind. I swear it has made me act completely irrational and bizarre. I think I am in love with someone other than my spouse and am about ready to ruin my marriage and this all started about 3 months after I started taking effexor. Also my friends think it is not helping and that I am always sad or strange. But, now that I have read about the withdrawal symptoms I am petrified to go off it.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 19, 2004, at 21:40:29
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by PoohBear on February 19, 2004, at 10:12:41
Great advice. I just gave similar advice as well :P
> You should talk to your pDoc; this may not be the medication for you if you're still sad after three months of treatment. Also, it looks like you may need some talk therapy to work out some other issues. An affair will NOT help your situation, but only add to your guilt, etc.
>
> Prozac can help you get off Effexor. You may also be bipolar. If so, an antidepressant can cause an agrivation of manic-depressive cycles. If your doctor is not open to invesitgating new lines of thinking, you need a new doctor.
>
> Good luck and best wishes!
>
> Tony
>
> > I have a new question - did this medication make anyone think they were losing their mind. I swear it has made me act completely irrational and bizarre. I think I am in love with someone other than my spouse and am about ready to ruin my marriage and this all started about 3 months after I started taking effexor. Also my friends think it is not helping and that I am always sad or strange. But, now that I have read about the withdrawal symptoms I am petrified to go off it.
>
>
Posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by Jackie Jones on May 31, 2000, at 13:45:25
hi just found this page
I have been taking efexor-xr 300mg twice aday now for 5 years and im hooked can't go aday with out them if i do i feel like im stoned out of my head till i take my next pills
my sleeping patten is wild i fall to sleep any time any were in the day but not much at night
my nerves are shot and my depression is bad and i dont like myself much
I told my GP and he said im just feeling sorry for myself is this right.
Posted by Doctor Feel Good on February 20, 2004, at 9:06:45
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
Grandpas are old fashioned and dont understand these situations. If u r depressed that will cause you to dislike yourself. I avg. 5 hours of sleep a week, not even good sleep. Im on effexor also. Report this to your doc. Maybe dropping down 37.5mg per month would be gradual enough. Good luck!
P.S.I feel so gross, and schizophrenic from not sleeping. I see the clock at 11am after being up, and sometimes if i sleep, it seems like 1 minute of running around the world, but i look at clock and it says 12:00-1:00 otherwise Id never know. I thought I was up for weeks, without a min of sleep.
> hi just found this page
> I have been taking efexor-xr 300mg twice aday now for 5 years and im hooked can't go aday with out them if i do i feel like im stoned out of my head till i take my next pills
> my sleeping patten is wild i fall to sleep any time any were in the day but not much at night
> my nerves are shot and my depression is bad and i dont like myself much
> I told my GP and he said im just feeling sorry for myself is this right.
Posted by djsarah on February 20, 2004, at 10:25:51
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
your GP is wrong. you are not just 'feeling sorry for yourself' (if he says this i'm surprised he prescribed anything for depression in the first place!! isn't that just feeling sorry for yourself then, doc?) i think after a while the good effects of effexor go away, and since you're on such a high dosage i doubt it'll help to go up. it may help to go down actually, i decreased by 75mg and after the initial w/d symptoms i feel okay. i was pretty depressed on the 225 so i figure i might as well just be off. anyway please look over the posts on this page and consider finding a new doctor who is more sympathetic to your needs!!!
Posted by PsychoSage on February 20, 2004, at 10:46:09
In reply to Re: hypomania, posted by Minnie-Haha on February 16, 2004, at 15:52:39
> > You can also have mixed states where you're depressed and agitated. depression with GAD is often confused with BP2 because they can look the same...in reality it's not depression with anxiety..it's a mixed state of BP...depression with an agitated or hyperaroused state. I believe my pdoc said that BP2 is mostly depression with some hypomania. <
>
> Your post kind of ran together here. Have you read that depression with GAD can be misdiagnosed as BP2? If so, can you point me toward your source? This is the aregument I have been having with my current pdoc. That maybe my original DX was wrong, but I can't get her to budge.
>It's the other way around. BP2 is what is missed for years or forever with many. Depression with GAD is easy to point to. Excess energy and disproportionate positive emotions that are part of a cycle are confused for normal states or simply unaddressed because the patient doesn't clue the doctor in.
Posted by Judie on February 20, 2004, at 12:08:30
In reply to Re: Effexor XR, posted by ian hills on February 20, 2004, at 8:48:30
NO THAT'S NOT RIGHT!! Just read for a while on these posts and you'll figure that out pretty quick. Please find yourself a new doctor... the one you've got is obviously not too familiar with the effects of this drug. Hang in there... you can find GOOD help. You do not have to feel this way any more.> hi just found this page
> I have been taking efexor-xr 300mg twice aday now for 5 years and im hooked can't go aday with out them if i do i feel like im stoned out of my head till i take my next pills
> my sleeping patten is wild i fall to sleep any time any were in the day but not much at night
> my nerves are shot and my depression is bad and i dont like myself much
> I told my GP and he said im just feeling sorry for myself is this right.
Posted by lacey2001 on February 22, 2004, at 19:33:16
In reply to Re: Going off of Effexor: Attn 4peace, posted by jahmah on February 18, 2004, at 10:22:35
Do I just go to a place like GNC and ask for empty gell caps. I looked online to see if they have them available but couldn't find anything.
I am down to 37.5 mg but will want to divide the capsules up and pour loose meds into smaller portions. Anyone know where to look for these? and what health stores have them available?Tanya
> >
> > Hi,Be prepared for a ride. I think the caps are the best. you can go to a health food store and get your own empty gell caps and start to devide your caps up.Thats what I did . I went from 150 and devided them into four caps. Its been5 days now and its been like the >
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