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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by woozy on July 9, 2004, at 23:32:33
Okay, I've read through the threads about effexor and withdrawal of same. Some concerns: why do some of you call it a "devil drug"? I've been on it for nearly a year, find it helps most of the time, but have a nagging feeling that it's not that great to be using. Perhaps even dangerous. I want OFF, but am scared to attempt it. Will it haunt me for the rest of my days? Will my depression return with a vengeance, worse than before? Missed threee days of 75 mg. doses each this week and had TERRIBLE brain shivers and wooziness. Am I doomed to this now as a way of life?
Posted by KaraS on July 10, 2004, at 1:01:39
In reply to effexor use and withdrawal, posted by woozy on July 9, 2004, at 23:32:33
Okay, I've read through the threads about effexor and withdrawal of same. Some concerns: why do some of you call it a "devil drug"? I've been on it for nearly a year, find it helps most of the time, but have a nagging feeling that it's not that great to be using. Perhaps even dangerous. I want OFF, but am scared to attempt it. Will it haunt me for the rest of my days? Will my depression return with a vengeance, worse than before? Missed threee days of 75 mg. doses each this week and had TERRIBLE brain shivers and wooziness. Am I doomed to this now as a way of life?
I wouldn't call it a "devil drug". I think some people hate it a lot when they're suffering withdrawal symptoms. I don't think it has been the savior for me that I hoped it would be but it has been better than anything so far. I don't regret taking it. I'm going off of it now in order to find something that will be more effective but I don't feel that it has damaged me in any way. The withdrawal is going well also. You just have to do it the right way - by adding either a little Prozac or cutting back VERY slowly. You can't miss days or you will suffer horrible withdrawal side effects.
Posted by Sad Panda on July 10, 2004, at 9:09:54
In reply to effexor use and withdrawal, posted by woozy on July 9, 2004, at 23:32:33
I call Effexor a life saver, I don't know where I would be without it.
As Kara says, taper down slowly & use Prozac as a pain killer for the side effects.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 3:51:26
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal, posted by Sad Panda on July 10, 2004, at 9:09:54
> I call Effexor a life saver, I don't know where I would be without it.
>
> As Kara says, taper down slowly & use Prozac as a pain killer for the side effects.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
Panda,Why did you go off of Effexor if it was so good for you?
Kara
Posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 4:27:48
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal, posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 3:51:26
> > I call Effexor a life saver, I don't know where I would be without it.
> >
> > As Kara says, taper down slowly & use Prozac as a pain killer for the side effects.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Panda.
> >
>
>
> Panda,
>
> Why did you go off of Effexor if it was so good for you?
>
> Kara
>Hi Kara,
I'm still on it, too scared to go off it. :) I was on Effexor + Remeron, I'm now on Effexor + Nortriptyline. (and a bunch of other stuff).
I have atypical depression and was plagued with unrelenting feelings of guilt & worthlessness combined with daily suicide ideation until I took Effexor which made me relatively happy. Remeron counters most of Effexor's unwanted side effects(Insomnia, Anorgasmia & Nausea) and cured my inital insomnia & hypersomnia.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 4:44:47
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal » KaraS, posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 4:27:48
> > > I call Effexor a life saver, I don't know where I would be without it.
> > >
> > > As Kara says, taper down slowly & use Prozac as a pain killer for the side effects.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Panda.
> > >
> >
> >
> > Panda,
> >
> > Why did you go off of Effexor if it was so good for you?
> >
> > Kara
> >
>
> Hi Kara,
>
> I'm still on it, too scared to go off it. :) I was on Effexor + Remeron, I'm now on Effexor + Nortriptyline. (and a bunch of other stuff).
>
> I have atypical depression and was plagued with unrelenting feelings of guilt & worthlessness combined with daily suicide ideation until I took Effexor which made me relatively happy. Remeron counters most of Effexor's unwanted side effects(Insomnia, Anorgasmia & Nausea) and cured my inital insomnia & hypersomnia.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>I also have atypical depression though currently not as severe as yours was. I'm not doing as well as you now though. Effexor for me helped a bit but not a lot. I'm glad you're so much better. (Besides, you're needed here too much.)
Kara
Posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 4:55:33
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal, posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 4:44:47
> I also have atypical depression though currently not as severe as yours was. I'm not doing as well as you now though. Effexor for me helped a bit but not a lot. I'm glad you're so much better. (Besides, you're needed here too much.)
>
> Kara
>Thank for the kind words Kara. :) I don't think I am that helpfull, but before Effexor I use to lurk here & was unable to post.
Effexor has been far from a perfect drug, but the good outweighs the bad for me. I still have bad apathy & my sex drive is non exsistant.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 17:07:05
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal » KaraS, posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 4:55:33
> > I also have atypical depression though currently not as severe as yours was. I'm not doing as well as you now though. Effexor for me helped a bit but not a lot. I'm glad you're so much better. (Besides, you're needed here too much.)
> >
> > Kara
> >
>
> Thank for the kind words Kara. :) I don't think I am that helpfull, but before Effexor I use to lurk here & was unable to post.
>
> Effexor has been far from a perfect drug, but the good outweighs the bad for me. I still have bad apathy & my sex drive is non exsistant.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>Panda,
You are either being too modest or you are underestimating yourself. I'm sure everyone else on this board would agree with me that you are a huge help.I also have apathy and nonexistent sex drive. The latter is a relief rather than a complaint. I mean who wants to be all dressed up with no where to go. The apathy is a much bigger problem. I need to find a job quickly and I am not getting my butt out there. Instead I hang out here. (By the way, I loved your use of the term "lurk here" before you got the nerve or energy to post.)
All the best,
Kara
Posted by woozy on July 11, 2004, at 20:30:55
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal, posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 17:07:05
> > > I also have atypical depression though currently not as severe as yours was. I'm not doing as well as you now though. Effexor for me helped a bit but not a lot. I'm glad you're so much better. (Besides, you're needed here too much.)
> > >
> > > Kara
> > >
> >
> > Thank for the kind words Kara. :) I don't think I am that helpfull, but before Effexor I use to lurk here & was unable to post.
> >
> > Effexor has been far from a perfect drug, but the good outweighs the bad for me. I still have bad apathy & my sex drive is non exsistant.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Panda.
> >
> >
>
> Panda,
> You are either being too modest or you are underestimating yourself. I'm sure everyone else on this board would agree with me that you are a huge help.
>
> I also have apathy and nonexistent sex drive. The latter is a relief rather than a complaint. I mean who wants to be all dressed up with no where to go. The apathy is a much bigger problem. I need to find a job quickly and I am not getting my butt out there. Instead I hang out here. (By the way, I loved your use of the term "lurk here" before you got the nerve or energy to post.)
>
> All the best,
> Kara
>
> So, Kara and Panda, is apathy not addressed nor treated by Effexor? As I mentioned before, I've been on it for nearly a year, but the apathy and lethargy are a major part of my lifestyle. I HATE it. The guilt is a real mind-bender. -- Woozy
Posted by KaraS on July 12, 2004, at 0:02:54
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal » KaraS, posted by woozy on July 11, 2004, at 20:30:55
> > > > I also have atypical depression though currently not as severe as yours was. I'm not doing as well as you now though. Effexor for me helped a bit but not a lot. I'm glad you're so much better. (Besides, you're needed here too much.)
> > > >
> > > > Kara
> > > >
> > >
> > > Thank for the kind words Kara. :) I don't think I am that helpfull, but before Effexor I use to lurk here & was unable to post.
> > >
> > > Effexor has been far from a perfect drug, but the good outweighs the bad for me. I still have bad apathy & my sex drive is non exsistant.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Panda.
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Panda,
> > You are either being too modest or you are underestimating yourself. I'm sure everyone else on this board would agree with me that you are a huge help.
> >
> > I also have apathy and nonexistent sex drive. The latter is a relief rather than a complaint. I mean who wants to be all dressed up with no where to go. The apathy is a much bigger problem. I need to find a job quickly and I am not getting my butt out there. Instead I hang out here. (By the way, I loved your use of the term "lurk here" before you got the nerve or energy to post.)
> >
> > All the best,
> > Kara
> >
> > So, Kara and Panda, is apathy not addressed nor treated by Effexor? As I mentioned before, I've been on it for nearly a year, but the apathy and lethargy are a major part of my lifestyle. I HATE it. The guilt is a real mind-bender. -- Woozy
>
>
Effexor never addressed the apathy/lethargy in my case though it had some antidepressant value. I have a feeling that is quite common as it is MOSTLY an SSRI. SSRI's effect mainly serotonin and that can have an emotional blunting response. You're not ready to throw yourself in front of a train but you don't have a lot of get up and go in your life either. You really need to add some more noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic activity to get to the motivation/energy results you're looking for. That's the stage that I'm at - trying to achieve that response. I'm sure Panda could give you more specifics about it all.
Posted by Sad Panda on July 12, 2004, at 10:48:09
In reply to Re: effexor use and withdrawal, posted by KaraS on July 11, 2004, at 17:07:05
> > > I also have atypical depression though currently not as severe as yours was. I'm not doing as well as you now though. Effexor for me helped a bit but not a lot. I'm glad you're so much better. (Besides, you're needed here too much.)
> > >
> > > Kara
> > >
> >
> > Thank for the kind words Kara. :) I don't think I am that helpfull, but before Effexor I use to lurk here & was unable to post.
> >
> > Effexor has been far from a perfect drug, but the good outweighs the bad for me. I still have bad apathy & my sex drive is non exsistant.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Panda.
> >
> >
>
> Panda,
> You are either being too modest or you are underestimating yourself. I'm sure everyone else on this board would agree with me that you are a huge help.
>
> I also have apathy and nonexistent sex drive. The latter is a relief rather than a complaint. I mean who wants to be all dressed up with no where to go. The apathy is a much bigger problem. I need to find a job quickly and I am not getting my butt out there. Instead I hang out here. (By the way, I loved your use of the term "lurk here" before you got the nerve or energy to post.)
>
> All the best,
> Kara
>You are far to kind. :) You are also very helpfull to people too!
The loss of sex drive suits me atm too, my other half is struggling with endometrosis & is trying different hormones & things after two different lots of surgery & feels sore & sorry.
Apathy isn't suiting me however. Effexor + Remeron has made me relatively happy, but my current life of sitting in front of the PC or TV isn't doing me anygood.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by esskay on July 13, 2004, at 23:25:55
In reply to effexor use and withdrawal, posted by woozy on July 9, 2004, at 23:32:33
Hi Woozy,
It was scary to go off at first becuase the shock sensations, although not painful, are startling and unnatural.
I've been off for 3 weeks now and have no more of the shivers, just little pings 1-2 times per day that I hardly notice. It goes away.
My emotional state did not change dramatically, although it was probably good that my husband was away for that first week because I was pretty snappy. Now my quick temper and irratibility has subsided and I'm feeling pretty normal: it does not alter you forever, but it does take a while to bleed out of your system, with 3 weeks and counting...
esskay
> Okay, I've read through the threads about effexor and withdrawal of same. Some concerns: why do some of you call it a "devil drug"? I've been on it for nearly a year, find it helps most of the time, but have a nagging feeling that it's not that great to be using. Perhaps even dangerous. I want OFF, but am scared to attempt it. Will it haunt me for the rest of my days? Will my depression return with a vengeance, worse than before? Missed threee days of 75 mg. doses each this week and had TERRIBLE brain shivers and wooziness. Am I doomed to this now as a way of life?
This is the end of the thread.
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