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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by pmz on October 8, 2004, at 1:37:15
In reply to Re: Question for anyone » Jubilee, posted by corafree on October 6, 2004, at 14:48:56
I can certainly empathise with any of you who have battled depression for many years. It wasn't until the last few years that I have even been medicated for it by a theraputic medication.
I started on Elavil for migraines that were recurring 2-3 times a week following a very traumatic divorce. I only took it for 2 years. Later on (after 40)I started having many stressors from work, family (teenagers), and me being my own worst emotional enemy. I started taking the Elavil again. The depression grew and got worse. I was then started on Effexor xr. It has been a Godsend for me. The only problem was that when a new stressor came along, we had to up the dose. I became disabled with a immunological syndrome and was paralized from the waist down for months and gradually began getting my strength back. Less than a year later I had a pneumonia severe enough that I was intubated for 9 days and on home oxygen for months. I am still disabled, but much more functional physically and emotionally. Shortly after that was 9/11. I am a mother of two boys who were in the military at that time. I cannot begin to tell you the mood swings and uncontrolled crying that came after that. The list goes on. On 9/11 my doc. added Xanax to my medications due to the uncontrolled crying. I was able to reduce it to just at bedtime. About 3 months ago we also added Ambien at bedtime because of sleeplessness which has been one of the biggest problems I have had with anxiety and depression.
Just recently due to my husbands prefrences (which I supported), we packed up and moved to his home town to be close to his parents as they age. It was a traumatic move for me because I had never been more than a couple of hours away from my mother, sons, and grandson. Due to breaks in insurance coverage, I was without my Effexor XR for a couple of weeks. First I cut my dose of 300 mg.(150 mg 2/day) in half. Then I became completely without. I began the uncontrolled crying. The slightest thing would set me off. My husband (who is a dear)and I talked about it together, and we knew that withdrawal from the medication was probably the greatest factor. After a few days the uncontrolled crying came into control again. I was able to find a web site that I could order the Effexor xr at a price I could afford. Do not mistake this for a promotion of this. I did my research to find out if this was legal, and if this company was reputable. It did require a prescription for the medication to be able to get it.(Without insurance a 30 day supply would have been $250, and I am on several medications which made this cost-prohibitive).
My biggest question is whether I should take it again at the full dose or not. I had decided to take it at half the dose I had been taking it. I also wondered if I actually needed it at all anymore. I had a history of going through the "You don't love me anymore, I am fat and ugly and you think I am disgusting" crying fits. I knew for my husband's sake and my own, I didn't want to do that again.
I worked as a nurse for years before I became disabled and know the effects of sudden discontinuation of psych. meds and felt that I had already gotten through that. Some of the symptoms you all have described seem so much more severe than any I had when my supply of Effexor xr had run out. I had never been diagnosed with "bipolar disorder", or "manic depressive disorder". I knew the symptoms of each and knew that I had many of them. I never went to a Psychiatrist.I had worked thorough all this with my internal medicine specialist doc. I did know that I had to have a doc. who would listen to me. I mean really listen to me and what I was going through, and work with me to find an effective treatment. I honestly think I have written all of this to encourage all of you to make sure your doc. listens to you. Make them understand your feelings, and work together to find a theraputic treatment. Never be afraid to tell your doc. anything, no matter how insignifigant it might seem. If your doc does not listen to you, and makes his own assumptions of how you are feeling, then find another doc. All those things are important. Also remember, your illness is not your fault. You have a biological chemical imbalance that makes your emotions run awry on you, and it does take intervention. It does not mean you are weak, or defective. You are not. I hope each one of you will take the drop of information you might have found in this note to heart, and know that you are not alone. There are as many assisted individuals out there as there are not. Some may choose a different kind of drug, whether it be alcohol, nicotine, or something as simple as sugar. I do want to caution those of you that might want to look into herbal alternatives to be careful about any interactions those herbs might have with your other medications. Do your homework. Good luck!
Posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 16:17:30
In reply to should i give up on effexor xr, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 0:21:56
I have been noticing that I grind my teeth adn feel super tense lately...I have come to realize that after two years of effexor xr it has either stopped working or i would need to up my dose...but I already hate thinking abou the withdrawl and think that upping the dose will just make that worse. Does anyone else get tension in their jaw and terrible teeth grinding at night or am I cursed?
Posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 20:02:21
In reply to Re: I gained 20 pounds BLAH » Kazza, posted by lisataho on October 3, 2004, at 20:47:42
ewww i totally didn't realize that the extra 10-15 pounds that i have accumulated in the last year are probably because of the effexor. I was a track star and teh skinny girl in high school and NEVER thought I would be concerned with my weight, but in the last year i have FILLED out and i don't like it. The boobs are ok but i could ditch all the rest.
-e
Posted by debbers on October 8, 2004, at 20:33:44
In reply to does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 16:17:30
> I have been noticing that I grind my teeth adn feel super tense lately...I have come to realize that after two years of effexor xr it has either stopped working or i would need to up my dose...but I already hate thinking abou the withdrawl and think that upping the dose will just make that worse. Does anyone else get tension in their jaw and terrible teeth grinding at night or am I cursed?
I've been taking 150 mg of Effexor XR on and off for the past 2 years. I've noticed every time that I start taking it, my jaw and neck are sore and my ears pop from grinding my teeth at night. So, you're not alone. I'm always very tense and wired the first few days that I take it, but it will eventually go away. I also suffer from alot of muscle weakness as a beginning side effect, so exercise is out of the question. The first few weeks are always the most difficult, but the results are worth it.
Posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 22:06:50
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by debbers on October 8, 2004, at 20:33:44
OH my thatnk you so much for responding well, the thing is that I have been on effexor xr 150mg for two years now at the same dosage and think maybe it is not working for me anymore...why does that seem to happen???do you know?> am i becoming immune to it.`e
Posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 1:10:51
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by debbers on October 8, 2004, at 20:33:44
I have found that clinching my jaws, or grinding my teeth have been a side effect. I will notice even during the day time I will be sitting with my teeth clinched so tight. If you do grind your teeth much, you need to get a mouth guard to wear at night so you don't wear through the enamel of your teeth. You can get them at any drug store.
Posted by eighteenminutes on October 9, 2004, at 1:26:44
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 1:10:51
Thanks for the response...I am a newbie and have learned so much from these listings and feel so much more comfortable with taking effexor xr and knowing that I am one of many who experiences all of these things including anxiety and depression in the past.
Posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 10:31:11
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 22:06:50
> OH my thatnk you so much for responding well, the thing is that I have been on effexor xr 150mg for two years now at the same dosage and think maybe it is not working for me anymore...why does that seem to happen???do you know?> am i becoming immune to it.`e
>Ah, give yourself some slack! =) It's not an antibiotic, and no evidence suggests "tolerance." You may be suffering from increased stress, especially if you report bruxism (teeth grinding). None of us take these meds in a vacuum-- our lives are known to change around us! =)
Talk to your doc. You may benefit from an increased dose. You are on an incredibly low dose-- one I took just for a week or so in order to escalate to 300mg. Some report taking 450 mg. 150 is certainly not that much!
=)
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 9, 2004, at 11:45:11
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 10:31:11
Yes,Effexor XR most definately quit working for me and at higher dosages 300 then down to 225 my depression hit rock bottom. From reading so many of these posts over the year I think many of the AD "poop out", maybe you would benefit from and increase dosage? Only your body really knows.... Personally, I would get your doc to wean you off and try one of the many others. We are all different and we all seem to react differently, but there are also so many simililarites in side efffects, etc. specific to each med...good luck.....try a night brace, any pharmacy should have them and they are easy to mold to your own teeth......
e
Posted by tatarka on October 9, 2004, at 12:33:18
In reply to does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 16:17:30
Hi everyone, it's my first post here, and pls excuse my english :-)
Now I get it! Thanks Eighteenminutes! I was wondering why all my teeth are in pain like I was chewing some metal! I just started Effexor, today is the second week and I switched to 75 mg from the starting dose. I also trying to adjust time of taking it - instead of taking it before going to bed I've taken it in the morning because I was drowsy after 3 pm last week. Doc said I can adjust myself cuz everybody's reaction is unique. We'll see...
Everything was tolerable except the first days I was very anxious and almost had panic attack out of nothing. Yesterday my skin around mouth became extremely dry and therefore red, so I had to apply lots of vitamin E on it. Looks better this morning, but still not well. ANY IDEAS HOW TO FIX IT??I switched from Remeron because I was gaining weight. Right after switching to Effexor I started losing weight, almost the next day! But I have problems with sleeping, which was originally one of the reason of seeing the psychiatrist. I'm having dreams (not sure how to call them good or bad :-)), and I wake up several times. I hope that if i'll peak the right time to take the med it will go away. Panic seems to go away now, which is good cuz I was misurable at work and home.
By the way, I think it affected my thinking a lot cuz I was able to brake my comp at work. I suspected that I caught a virus and decided to clean the drive by deleting all the files that were created that day... So I made a search and methodically deleted over 350 files, most of which were system ones. Still don't understand how could I do it - so I think it's Effexor.
Oh well, I already gave up on my idea of prolong my life by not putting any chemicals in my mouth, cuz sometimes I wish to put some very strong chemicals to stop it. So we'll see where we'll end up with this drug. Hope I'll be able to keep my job!!! Good luck to everyone! :-)
Posted by Eric C on October 9, 2004, at 14:35:59
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have currently been off effexor xr 37.5 for almost 2 weeks now and my head still feels weird. I am still having brain shivers with quick movements, feel spaced out, dizzy and now headaches. How long does this withdrawal period take. Does anyone have an idea????
Posted by Sebastian on October 9, 2004, at 17:58:39
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 9, 2004, at 11:45:11
stress, anxiety, wellbutrin, med changes. Mainly stress.
Posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:39:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success -To Invisible... » Jubilee, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 7, 2004, at 4:47:20
I will post ,like invisible said , it will be interesting when I get down to those tiny doses and then the "hit" will probably hit the fan, so I will post when I get there. My posting on babble I believe got me spyware and adware so I suggest protecting your PC. Jubilee
Posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:46:44
In reply to should i give up on effexor xr, posted by eighteenminutes on October 8, 2004, at 0:21:56
Again, effexor side affects are agitation, anxioty, and hypermania, plus alot of dangerous stuff, which is why I am going off. Go off over 4 months small doses and get tranc if you can. Its hard ,but possible. Try Phil. 4:6-8. I havent had any trouble with my teeth yet. God Bless. Jubilee
Posted by Sondi on October 9, 2004, at 21:50:30
In reply to How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last?, posted by Eric C on October 9, 2004, at 14:35:59
I too, am curious about how long the withdrawl symptoms last. I've been off effexor xr at a 75mg dose now for a little over a week, and also still feel very dizzy and out of it. Randomly today it felt like my mouth went numb! It's crazy.......
Posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 23:05:29
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 10:31:11
I think it important for everyone to understand that each individual will react differently to any medication. So many factors into the effectiveness of a medication. Metabolism, other medications that you are taking, your general health, and your current psychological health all come in to play. I have not had the symptoms in the severity many of you have described. Some of you might instead of having "withdrawal symptoms", are experiencing the things that the medication was actually keeping at bay with it's theraputic effects. I was taking 150mg twice a day and the only severe effect I remember from the withdrawal was my mood swings being so severe with the uncontrolled crying. Now that I have been able to replenish my medication supply, I believe the benefit that the medication has given me outwiegh the possible negative outcome by a great deal and that is why I have chosen to stay with the medication. I am actually sleeping better now than when I had run out of the medication.
No matter what medication you are on, there will be side effects. Sometimes there are positive side effects and negative side effects. The big question is whether the benefits of the medication outweigh the negative side effects that it presents. Some people have severe side effects, some have mild. You dont' have to go through "withdrawal" from all medicaions, but we know that with psychotropic medications you can. That is one reason it is so important that you are weaned off the medication instead of stopping abruptly. Some medications will have a positive effect on one person and a negative effect on the next. Never do anything without the guidance of a physician so that you can hopefully minimize the negative effects.
Posted by danny g on October 9, 2004, at 23:37:45
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last? » Eric C, posted by Sondi on October 9, 2004, at 21:50:30
ive been off 2 weeks cold turkey. a public clinic really did mew wrong by not giving an emergency refill, i am dizzy numb and week and my mind is upset. when i take effexor i think better and dont think too many things at once, i can concentrate. so i am looking for a doc who can prescribe again, my last one moved.
Posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 4:03:35
In reply to Re: should i give up on effexor xr, posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:46:44
There are many dangerous and deadly side effects to Effexor. Not only does it cause weight gain but it can cause Liver disease, which is irreversible, extremely high cholesterol and triglycerides which will lead to stroke or heart attack. It can take years for the symtoms of liver disease to show up. I have been on effexor for 7 years and high liver enzymes only showed up last year. The doctor did a sonogram after that and found the liver disease. The only possible cure is a liver transplant.
I think effexor should be taken off the market. I strongly advise anyone still taking it to quit. It's a dangerous drug and hard to get off of.
God Bless us all, Sammi B.
Posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 4:44:28
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by pmz on October 9, 2004, at 23:05:29
Good luck if you stay on effexor. Keep reading the postings and you might want to change your mind. I just don't think the benefits are worth anyones life and that's what it is costing me. You may be lucky and not have the same side effects but is it worth the chance?
Bless you, Sammi B.
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 8:42:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success -To everyone, posted by Jubilee on October 9, 2004, at 18:39:45
> I will post ,like invisible said , it will be interesting when I get down to those tiny doses and then the "hit" will probably hit the fan, so I will post when I get there. My posting on babble I believe got me spyware and adware so I suggest protecting your PC. Jubilee
Jubilee, You go girl(as they say!)..bite the bullet..dig your heals in and pray for the strength to finish what you have started...God will keep his hand on your shoulder as your walk your walk!
E
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 8:50:00
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me??? » pmz, posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 4:44:28
Amen, side effects are terrible, cholesterol increase which suprised the heck out of me......I have taken the last of what I hope will be my sorted out microcapsules this morning.....I will post what side effects I get as next week progresses......thank goodness for strong coffee and Klonopin!
E
Posted by Eric C on October 10, 2004, at 9:59:48
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last? » Sondi, posted by danny g on October 9, 2004, at 23:37:45
HEy Danny G. Have you been having withdrawal effects for the whole 2 weeks?? What dosage were you taking?
Posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 12:12:56
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me???, posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 8:50:00
The high cholestorol is caused by the liver working overtime. You may want to have your Dr. do a sonogram of your liver. The high cholestrol shows up first in your blood. The high liver enzymes may not show up for several years after the damage is already done.
Posted by Jubilee on October 10, 2004, at 12:53:01
In reply to Re: How long do the withdrawal symptoms usual last?, posted by Eric C on October 10, 2004, at 9:59:48
I am in my 3rd month comming off 300mgs. Just dropped to 2 37.5's today and prepared with prozac, nausea med, inderal for panics, anti-hystimine spray for headaches, and I am also on wellbutrin. I am taking 5 months to come off as last time I almost died. Try to get highest dosage possible with 150's. Start cutting down right away, and save all you pour out in a bottle. That should give you enough to take 5 mths or 4 . Get some prozac if you can ask for it for to take for withdrawals. I got 60 as my doc wanted me to go off in 6 weeks!Ha. I would be dead for sure!. Try to gather all you need before telling a doc you are going off , in fact I wouldnt mention it and just keep getting it and go off yourself. Stop giving Doctors control of your life. Dr's have almost killed me many times and by the grace of God I am still here! I trust God and his wisdom , not doc's. I do feel bad for people who will again struggle with depression. I was on elivil for 13 years and no killer side affects, and it kept me alive and happy. God bless all of you. Signing out , Jubilee
Posted by invisiblemanpa on October 10, 2004, at 14:57:12
In reply to Re: does anyone grind their teeth like me??? » invisiblemanpa, posted by S.Bartel on October 10, 2004, at 12:12:56
> The high cholestorol is caused by the liver working overtime. You may want to have your Dr. do a sonogram of your liver. The high cholestrol shows up first in your blood. The high liver enzymes may not show up for several years after the damage is already done.
Thanks! excellent suggestion. I will most certainly do that when I follow up visit in two weeks...I really had to laugh when the family practice doctor sent me a lowfat / low cholesterol diet sheet dated 1995.....and of course nothing was mentioned from him about effects of the poison Effexor...but it certainly will come up from it during my next visit...I always wondered why none of my Psy. dr's or family doctors ever asked for regular blood work etc...with all of these meds going in my body???
e
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