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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jujube on November 3, 2004, at 16:04:00
In reply to Day 6 and feeling much better...., posted by yoopergirl on November 3, 2004, at 14:59:38
Hi! I'm glad you are starting to feel better. Don't give up. The "breakthrough depression" you are experiencing is likely the withdrawal, which may last two or three more weeks. So try not to despair. Maybe you might have to be on ADs for the rest of your life. There is no shame in that, especially if the meds improve your quality of life. Work with your doctor to identify an AD or combination of ADs that will work well to get your depression at bay. Perhaps you can ask you gp to consult with a pdoc on appropriate meds. Or arrange for you to have a consult based on your profile. In the meantime, you can ask others on this board what meds or combos of meds have worked best for them, so you can be prepared to discuss options with your doctor. I have found that there are a lot of smart and knowledgeable people on this board, who are genuinely willing to help and who have been where you are right now.
As for therapy, if you can't afford it, look into investing in something like "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns. It teaches you Cognitive Behaviour Therapy techniques to help you overcome or deal with depression and anxiety. I have heard it is quite good. I recently bought a copy ($21 in Canada through Chapters/Indigo), and plan to start using it very soon. There are other self-help books similar to this. You can search on Amazon books to find others that may be useful.
Finally, with respect to weight loss, I had gained a few pounds a number of years ago that made me really uncomfortable. I had never had a problem with my weight before, and used to be able to eat whatever I wanted. In my mid to late thirties, I guess my metabolism slowed down and I started putting on weight, and realized I couldn't put eat like I was eating. I did lose the weight and am now back to my normal weight. I followed a plan called "Mincavie" (roughly translated it means Thin that's life or Thin for Life). It was developed in Quebec, Canada, and was an extremely effective program. I actually lost much more weight than I had planned, and was back down to a size 6. A number of my friends followed the plan as well, and had great success with it. It is well balanced, and not too restrictive (although breads and starchy foods, they are not excluded).
Anyways, I wish you luck. And please don't despair. Things will get better.
Tamara
> I am not so weepy anymore but I still get a that weird feeling at times. As time goes on it's less and less.
>
> When I was on the Effexor (besides getting quite irritable) I was a bit OCD. Has to be from the Effexor---never was like that before. Also, I have always had a bit of a problem with eczema but could keep it under control ----but the withdrawal from Effexor severely increased my itchness and area of eczema. This has since subsided. Whew!
>
> The weird thing about coming off is the crash. I went right down to my lowest place of depression.
>
> I am a 43 year old female and overweight. I am going to see my GP tomorrow and would like some input as to the right SSRI and dose that worked for any of you.
>
> I know some of you are going to tell me to see a phychiatrist and get into counceling, but I have no insurance and don't want to put myself in debt. Although I am sure it could help.
>
> I am going to be depressed for the rest of my life and I've already accepted the fact that I will be on meds until the day I die. But the weight gain and lack of energy has become a big problem for me.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> The comment about coming off of Effexor being like Heroin Withdrawal was funny to me because, although I have never used Heroin, "Trainspotting" is one of my favorite movies!
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 16:13:47
In reply to Effexor and Itching, posted by tuckerj on November 3, 2004, at 5:35:04
Most people consider itching an allergic reaction to something if it can't be related to something else.
Most good doctors would like to know about a reaction like this...but I'm afraid to comment about that sort of thing for fear that I'm offending someone.
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 17:28:44
In reply to Re: Going slow isnt good???? Help!!!Hi again!!, posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:07:48
Hey Jubliee,
It's nice to hear that some doctors acknowledge that it is like heroin withdrawal. I'm sure that it must be.
Some days I feel amazing, and I think it is completely over. On other days, like today, I don't. I really haven't got any idea why. It makes me feel very helpless. I know that I cannot push my body too hard, stay up too late, exercise too much, work too hard, etc. no matter how good I think that I feel; or I will be rewarded with feeling very badly the next day. It's kind of -- no really bizarre, and I wish that it were over already.
Posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:29:10
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 14:01:27
I finally saw psych after my one month wait. I can't recall any words, just the face of someone scolding me, shaking his finger at me. I had told him I was having the panic attacks, and let him know I would not go higher on Eff-XR, since now at 225. I have called to complain about the way I was treated. He gave me a scrip for .5mg Xanax x3, and reduced (I think) my Klonopin to 1mg x3 a day, and was ranting, so that I couldn't understand about Effexor-XR. I didn't take my dose yesterday. Today I am very ILL. I am dropping letters in my words - and as a profession I was a medical transcriber and insurance transcriber w/ excellent English. The chemical compound, I believe, in Eff-XR, is very strong. But, rather than giving a person with borderline personality disorder an anti-anxiety medication (a "HORRIBLE" benzo), they'd have you take this strong chemical. Why is that??? I WENT TO DBT, BUT HAVING TROUB' LEARNING, ATTN, REMEMBERING. That is the other issue I brought up to my raving psychiatrist; feeling dulled or stupid, yet he only asked whether anyone in my fam' was ADD (said no), and that was it. NOT EVEN KNOWING THE CRITERIA, I KNOW THAT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE! Sending out an S.O.S. I'm so scared. I don't understand up from down. I have no one to turn to. Why is DBT so hard for me? ANY DBT PEEPS OR DANCING STAR, PLS CONTACT ME. MESSENGER WOULD BE GOOD. I'M NOT DOING WELL AT ALL. On my behalf, I will have to leave my familiar clinic and get a new psychiatrist, and another, and another, until someone treats me respectfully! Will take what little GUMPTION I've lost or given away. I ASK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR PRAYERS. Yeah, I know I'm being needy ... please share, and maybe something I say will help one of you some day. coraneedstobefree, cf
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 21:45:29
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » corafree, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:29:10
Corafree,
I wrote you a private message earlier today. Did you get it? I don't know what DBT means, I'm sorry. Let me know if you get my message. I'm pretty sure it's here somewhere under your name.
Posted by KarenQ on November 3, 2004, at 21:50:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I switched from Celexa to Effexor XR (75 mg) a couple of months ago because of problems with sexual side effects with C. Glad to say that switching did help with the big o. However, I don't feel as tranquil and calm with the E as I did with C and am wondering if I go up to 150 mg of E, whether it will help more with the GAD (anxiety) without sacrificing my libido. Anyone have any input on this? Thanks.
Posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:57:08
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 20:31:48
Have you considered good old Elavil as an anti-depressant. I just get this feeling that the more refining of meds, the worse they become. It, I learned through Sammi I believe, helped her. Can you explain what L-Tryptophan is for?>
I just posted about not wanting to increase my Eff-XR, especially since on 225 a day. My psych is going to be in my past very soon. My main symptoms are anxiety, sadness, some anger, and panic attacks.
They would rather I took Eff-XR than prescribe a benzo. I really wonder...the latter is addicting yes, but the prior may be damaging.
be well cf
I'm going to throw in my experience here in hopes that it will prove helpful to someone.
>
> I went to my regular practitioner for another problem (blood pressure), asked for an antidepressant I had previously taken (Wellbutrin), but was offered Effexor XR samples instead. The reason was that I needed something for anxiety and Effexor is better for that. I said OK, not knowing anything at all about it. I was not warned of the side effects.
>
> I took 37.5 mg for a week and then 75 mg for 3 weeks. The Effexor worked extremely well on my anxiety. However, I was very tired and absolutely could not get out of bed in the morning. All I wanted to do was sleep. My contacts started bothering me and I noticed my skin was very dry. I could also sense my blood pressure was elevated (no, I didn't actually check it) and that is bad because the reason I went to the Dr. in the first place was to get my blood pressure medicine.
>
> I ran out of the samples and had not been given a prescription. The first day off I felt wonderful, but the second or third (not sure which) day I thought I had the flu. The minute I woke up I knew I was not going to be able to get out of bed. Depression set in fiercely and I found myself crying for no reason. That's when I started wondering what the side effects of withdrawing from Effexor might be and found this website. I was relieved to find out I did not have the flu.
>
> I went back to the Dr. and discussed my experience with her since I needed a prescription. She gave me literature on Effexor and said she usually warned people about the withdrawal. We discussed alternative medications, but I ended up taking some more samples of Effexor. I hesitated because I did not want to deprive anyone else of getting those samples. The Dr. shrugged her shoulders and said the pharmaceutical rep would just bring her more.
>
> So I tried the 37.5 mg again. Even that small amount caused some of the same problems. To read on this site of someone dying of liver disease from Effexor as well as some of the other problems clinched it for me. First of all, I cannot afford to go get an eye exam and new contacts right now. Also, I already need to lose weight and sleeping all day is not going to help. In short, I decided again not to take it after only a few days. It was a bad withdrawal experience, but not as bad as the first time. I have had a rash for about a week that I am sure is a result of going off the Effexor. I have found that it is true that Benadryl helps overall with the bad withdrawal. My skin and eyes are just now getting back to normal. I have started awakening each morning before 8:00 instead of 12:00 noon when I was on the med.
>
> I wish I could get the benefits of Effexor. I need something that works exactly like that. I am taking L-Tryptophan for the moment and plan to continue, but I doubt it can completely heal me of my depression and anxiety. I am seeing a counselor and that is going well. She did not want me to get off the Effexor. Even though the Effexor really helped my mental and emotional state, the side-effects outweighed the benefits for me. I definitely need something as I am going mentally and emotionally downhill fast, so I am just trying to hang on until I can see a psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation and a proper diagnosis and prescription. I am probably older than most of you (50+) so maybe your experience will be completely different.
Posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 22:10:06
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:57:08
The L-Trytophane (sp?) helps to increase your natural seratonin levels. It also makes people a little tired or in some cases, just more relaxed. Turkey as a lot of it. Lately it has been thought to be a somewhat better option to raise seratonin levels by taking 5-HTP, which is kind of the same thing. I don't really know what the difference is or the reason for that recommendation. I think that the two chemical compounds are processed slightly differently. They are both health-food-store products, and they both work.
As a tool from the more painful aspects of withdrawing from Effexor, for those of you that trust my judgment on this and don't think that I am exaggerating, 5-HTP is a wee bit helpful, but it's going to take an awful lot of it to really do much in the way of relieving sysmptoms; in other words, I don't really feel anything from it. I take it anyway so that my body isn't on "empty" when it comes to seratonin depletion.
Hope that helps to answer your question....
Posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 22:42:54
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR, posted by MKB on November 2, 2004, at 21:45:32
I cannot tolerate anything but estrogen patches. Have you or do you use them? cf
> I'm already on medication for low thyroid. It's seems like everything just went kaput when I was about 46. First major depression, first diagnosis of low thyroid, first prescribed estrogen...all within a year or two. Thanks for your input.
Posted by emmahoward on November 4, 2004, at 0:02:07
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 16:13:47
A friend of mine was put on Effexor by her doctor and because Im on it too, she asked me if I had itching. I have not. Itching can be because of a variety of reasons, and no, its not an allergy to the medication, its usually just a chemical reaction and it does go away.
I advised my friend to dab on some Apple Cider Vinigar (sounds gross I know) with a cotton ball on the area. You can buy apple cider vinigar almost anywhere you buy your groceries. It relieves the itching, but does stink your leg up (or arm, or wherever youre getting this.)
Hope that was helpful.
E
Posted by dancingstar on November 4, 2004, at 0:40:41
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by emmahoward on November 4, 2004, at 0:02:07
...or it's a warning from your body that the medication doesn't agree with you. Consult your physician and let them know about the itching. You should not be itching.
Posted by dancingstar on November 4, 2004, at 0:57:08
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions -dancingstar, posted by emmahoward on November 2, 2004, at 4:05:52
For the record, I had no problems when I began to take the drug either. None at all. Do you think that I would have continued to take it if I had? It gave me that little extra bit of energy that I needed at the time. I didn't know that my thyroid was low, and it seemed like a terribly helpful drug to me, too. And even I started with only 37.5 mg. And I only took 75 mg. for the longest time. In the last two years I took 150 because I was in a lot of physical pain and very tired. I thought that adding more Effexor would give me the same relief that I only IMAGINED that it had in the beginning. It is only now that I know that I was wrong. I was completely wrong from the very beginning. Every good thing that I ever thought about the drug was a lie...but I didn't find out until I stopped taking it. Time will bear out the truth of my words. I'm willing to bet that at least 1/4 of the population will experience the same symptoms that I have. Whether you believe me now or not, chances are good that you will be forced to believe me sooner or later. I'm not trying to scare you or anyone else. I'm trying to get you to hear to voice of truth. You can't shut out the truth forever. One way or another it seeps in. I guess you can try to for a while, or you can listen to your all-knowing doctor who tells you to stay offline. Or you may be one of the lucky ones -- I wish that I were -- like the Clint person who manages to get away without any problems.
Just think for a minute: A doctor is actually telling you to take a drug that you have to tear apart and take only some of the little pills inside it at a time. Does that sound like good medicine? I have never, ever heard of this before in my life.
Posted by corafree on November 4, 2004, at 11:30:57
In reply to Re: Effexor and Itching, posted by dancingstar on November 4, 2004, at 0:40:41
Yes, I agree w/ SL's suggestion. I am on 225mg and have no itching at all.
> ...or it's a warning from your body that the medication doesn't agree with you. Consult your physician and let them know about the itching. You should not be itching.
Posted by corafree on November 4, 2004, at 11:34:54
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » corafree, posted by dancingstar on November 3, 2004, at 21:45:29
It's dialectical behavioral therapy. It is, in my words, learning to recognize how our emotions can run our lives, if we let them, and in sometimes good ways, and in other times bad ways. It is indicated for borderline personality disorder. It is so difficult! The hardest part is seeing yourself!
> Corafree,
>
> I wrote you a private message earlier today. Did you get it? I don't know what DBT means, I'm sorry. Let me know if you get my message. I'm pretty sure it's here somewhere under your name.
Posted by juliette on November 4, 2004, at 14:18:33
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » dancingstar, posted by corafree on November 4, 2004, at 11:34:54
effexor does nothing but make me deppresed and all the other side affects i listed this is not a very good drug for me gotta switch
Posted by S.Bartel on November 4, 2004, at 16:41:24
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by jclint on October 31, 2004, at 19:09:02
Hmmm.....I believe you are in the minority. I believe the more knowledge you have about any medicine the better off you are.
Posted by S.Bartel on November 4, 2004, at 17:06:30
In reply to doctors and prescriptions, posted by emmahoward on November 1, 2004, at 13:56:40
I was given Effexor XR for 7yrs. and I did'nt realize what it was doing to me because it made me feel invincible. Who wants to give up a drug that does that. Well when you find out what it has done to your liver and that you are going to die because of it, you get a little upset with the drug and the manufacturer's. I too would like to see it taken off the market. I have been off about 4 wks now and I am feeling better mentally. My mind is so much clearer now and I was naive enough to think it was clear on Effexor XR. I can realize now how messed up my thinking really was. It is a dangerous drug and is not worth the risk. I was only taking 75mg.
Sammi B.
Posted by S.Bartel on November 4, 2004, at 17:16:07
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions, posted by Tyroneous1 on November 1, 2004, at 15:52:17
Thank You
Posted by S.Bartel on November 4, 2004, at 18:02:39
In reply to Hope Sammi Bartel is OK. anyone know?, posted by Jubilee on November 3, 2004, at 12:23:36
I'm still here Jubilee. Just haven't felt like turning on the computer lately. Thanks for your concern and prayers. I'm trying to catch up on the postings. Some have me really concerned but I'm trying to bite my tongue.
God Bless you, Sammi
Posted by MKB on November 5, 2004, at 0:55:51
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:57:08
L-Tryptophan is the natural amino acid that produces seratonin. It was recommended to me in 1980 by a Christian mental health professional. It is known to help depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. It used to be sold in health food stores until about 1990 when a contaminated batch sold by a Japanese companty caused about 37 people to die. The FDA banned all L-Tryptophan and then many people who needed it were not able to get it. Four days after L-Tryptophan was taken off the market, Prozac came on the market. Pretty suspicious, right? There were hearings, etc. about it and finally, L-Tryptophan was allowed to be sold in the U.S. though you may still have trouble finding it. I got mine online from www.healthrecovery.com. There are no side effects. My understanding is that antidepressants such as Prozac just recycle the seratonin you already have. L-Tryptophan produces more. I hope that helps. Check out the Psycho-Babble Alternative board or do a google search on L-Tryptophan.
Posted by BlueBleep on November 5, 2004, at 9:12:20
In reply to I'M FREE - SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT MARKETING, posted by dancingstar on October 26, 2004, at 12:35:38
I really don't know how this drug was ever able to be on the market. I have been on it for less than a year and i have never felt so bad. I first started taking it and the side effects were awful, but i thought if i kept taking it they would subside. This is also what my dr. thought too, but they never did. I had nightsweats and panic attacks. My mind feels like it's in a permanent fog. I have terrible nightmares and vertigo to the point that i can't function. So for the past month i have been trying to ween myself off of this crap. I have had no success and I thought the side effects before were bad. Now i feel like my brain is too large for my head. My eyes stay swollen and i feel like they might just burst. My lips and tounge go numb. My skin feels supersensitive to everything. I feel like i'm my own source of electricity because everything i touch shocks me. To say nothing of the stomach problems and insomnia and panic attacks.
This medicine has made me depressed beyond my imagination. I feel so terrible and i have no control over this. Sometimes i give in and take another pill just to get these side effects tolerable. My dr. told me the only thing i can do is pretty much just tough it out. Is that true?? It can't be. I think i need a second opinion.To anyone wanting or thinking about taking this medicine, PLEASE, if you have any alternative please take it. I know people are not the same and these side effects may not happen to you, but i would never have taken that chance if i would have known. To everyone, PLEASE BE WELL and do MUCH research before starting a new medicine. I would not wish this evil pill on my worst enemy.
Posted by S.Bartel on November 5, 2004, at 10:36:50
In reply to Re: I'M FREE - SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT MARKETING, posted by BlueBleep on November 5, 2004, at 9:12:20
I would never advise anyone to go cold turkey when coming off Effexor. I don' know what your dosage was, but I took only 75mg for 7yrs and withdrawal has not been easy. I probably quit quiker than most people. I first cut down to 37.5mg for about 3 wks and then broke the capsules in half and poured out half of it took the rest for about a week then stopped. I'll admit I did take the half dose a couple of times after that to ease the withdrawl symptoms. I have been off for about 4wks now and I'm much better. I still have panic attacks, but not very often and I take Elavil when I do. Be sure to drink lots of water. Coffee made my withdrawls worse, but everyone is different. Keep reading the posts and you will find a lot of good info and things to take to make it easier for you. Please hang in there, it is'nt easy but it can be done and you will feel much better when it's over. I' glad you are stopping Effexor. I beleive it is a dangerous drug and the benefits do not outweigh all the bad things it causes. Some side effects of the drug do not show up for years after you start taking it and then it's too late. Good luck and God bless you.
Sammi B.
Posted by corafree on November 5, 2004, at 11:41:08
In reply to Re: I'M FREE - SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT MARKETING, posted by BlueBleep on November 5, 2004, at 9:12:20
Hi all ... something I never mentioned about Eff-XR.
I had these same symptoms a couple years back when I took it. Had to d.c. before 2 mos.
When it was again recommended to me this past April, I thought, well, things are so bad, maybe give it second try. I did and didn't have any of the side effects like you describe, which I also had before.
I don't recall first try dosage. I believe it had to be all about the dosage and regimen, and, unfortunately, I think you need more, not less, to avoid the bad symptoms, but ... not too much more.
I am currently on 150am and 75mg late afternoon, and to best recollection, a lower dosage the first time tried. My side effect is only a bit of 'dullness of thought processes'. Helps anxiety, but still needed something for panic attacks; just got scrip for .5 Xanax x3 a day.
With all I've learned about Eff-XR withdrawal, I am adamant about no further increase in dose.
I may consider alternative to Eff-XR in future, when I am in a stable situation to face a probable/possible very difficult withdrawal. cf
>
> I really don't know how this drug was ever able to be on the market. I have been on it for less than a year and i have never felt so bad. I first started taking it and the side effects were awful, but i thought if i kept taking it they would subside. This is also what my dr. thought too, but they never did. I had nightsweats and panic attacks. My mind feels like it's in a permanent fog. I have terrible nightmares and vertigo to the point that i can't function. So for the past month i have been trying to ween myself off of this crap. I have had no success and I thought the side effects before were bad. Now i feel like my brain is too large for my head. My eyes stay swollen and i feel like they might just burst. My lips and tounge go numb. My skin feels supersensitive to everything. I feel like i'm my own source of electricity because everything i touch shocks me. To say nothing of the stomach problems and insomnia and panic attacks.
> This medicine has made me depressed beyond my imagination. I feel so terrible and i have no control over this. Sometimes i give in and take another pill just to get these side effects tolerable. My dr. told me the only thing i can do is pretty much just tough it out. Is that true?? It can't be. I think i need a second opinion.
>
> To anyone wanting or thinking about taking this medicine, PLEASE, if you have any alternative please take it. I know people are not the same and these side effects may not happen to you, but i would never have taken that chance if i would have known. To everyone, PLEASE BE WELL and do MUCH research before starting a new medicine. I would not wish this evil pill on my worst enemy.
>
>
>
>
Posted by MKB on November 5, 2004, at 22:41:24
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 22:42:54
No, I have not used estrogen patches and know nothing about them. The estrogen pills don't cause any particular problem, but I always prefer to take as little medication as I can get by with. I ran out about a week ago and have not had too much trouble. Maybe I don't really have to have it.
Posted by MKB on November 5, 2004, at 23:05:01
In reply to Re: doctors and prescriptions Effexor XR » MKB, posted by corafree on November 3, 2004, at 21:57:08
Thanks for your answer. I am going to a new psychiatrist on Monday so I'll see what happens. I don't even know for sure what my diagnosis will be, but I think it is going to be a lot more complicated than just anxiety and depression.
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