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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 17:23:39
In reply to Re: Still in need of help » Louoicu81, posted by jujube on November 9, 2004, at 12:57:14
I'm a 64-year old widow whose MD prescribed Effexor last spring. I have not yet begun taking it because I have a "thing" about synthetic drugs. However, the bleakness I feel in the present, and definitely in looking ahead, the lack of interest in doing anything, the ennui, are things I need to get over.
I've never taken drugs of this sort before except for Wellbutrin which I tried to take to stop smoking. Each time I used it I broke out in burning, itching, lesions from my face to my legs - and all in between. This happened within one hour of ingestion.
Thus, I thought before taking Effexor I'd best check it out. I came upon your site and now I'm wondering if I should even start this stuff? Or should I request a different drug? Or, should I just say, "phooey" and muddle along, staring out at the world I used to enjoy?
If anyone knows of a drug that might help me begin to care about life again that does not have the severe side effects of Effexor, would you please let me know.
Thank you in advance for your time and advice. I really, really need it!
SLT
Posted by PoohBear on November 9, 2004, at 17:45:11
In reply to I need advice, please,, posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 17:23:39
SLT:
Effexor might very well work for you. It is considered a drug of last resort for hard-to-treat cases. Have you tried any other antidepressants, like Paxil, Prozac, etc? Some of those might be a better choice, although nearly ALL have some sort of side effects and also discontinuation effects. The latter is mostly what you hear about around here.
I personally have done very well on it, though it is the only AD I have taken as an AD per se. I would suggest getting a referal to a good psychiatrist who really KNOWS psychopharmacology well.
Many here will tell you not to take it at all. I won't do that. I think you should listen to your doctor instead, but be certain that they know of the side effects.
Please be aware that like all medications, not everyone responds to Effexor the same way or has the same effects. Most of the initial side effects go away after a time. What I experienced was:
Very vivid dreams
Frequency of urination
Difficulty urinating
Dry mouth
Difficulty sleeping
Extreme tiredness during the day
Yawning all the time
Brain 'zaps'
Balance and verbal coordination problems
Inability to orgasmI'm a 47 year-old male and have been on varying doseages for over a year. We finally discovered that 150mg was perfect for me and many of the side effects stopped. The anorgasmia was helped with Wellbutrin at first, but became unnecessary. The sleep issues were tougher, but have been solved very nicely with Seroquel, 50mg every night. All other side effects went away with time.
Please be careful in realizing that the experiences posted here, including mine, relate to SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, and should NOT be construed as typical for the general population.
My experience with bulletin boards like this is that generally, those having PROBLEMS are the most frequent posters.
"Misery Loves Company"...
The support here is very helpful to most.
Best Wishes!
Tony
Posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 18:10:58
In reply to Re: I need advice, please,, posted by PoohBear on November 9, 2004, at 17:45:11
Dear Tony,
Thank you very much for your reply.
No, I've not tried any other medications except for the Wellbutrin for smoking cessation that caused such terribly skin lesions each time.
I think, after reading the posts including your thought through reply, that I won't be trying Effexor. In fact, I don't think I'll try any of these types of medications. I'll just try to kick myself in the rear, think good thoughts, and so on. THANK HEAVENS I'm no longer a young person having to deal with feeling like this. (Although until last spring I felt 20 years younger than my age - and now I feel 20 years older.)
Again, thank you for your post.
SLT
Posted by corafree on November 9, 2004, at 18:28:25
In reply to I need advice, please,, posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 17:23:39
Something in or around you has changed? So sorry for the bleakness you see around you. I'm familiar with that bleakness. Effexor-XR works well for me; levels my emotions out so I can get by day to day, until hopefully what is missing in my life, is found. Oddly, haven't suffered bad side effects with the proper dosage and regimen.....dosage and regimen; I keep saying that here, but feel it most important, whether or not you are normal or poor metabolizer, when taking a sustained release drug. There are loads of very nice and creative people here who can understand how you are feeling; share their experiences with different medications, etc; I being one. Mostly, I enjoy being able to talk re: 'the unspoken', yet important,,.. details of life, and not be looked upon strangely if misplaced my smile a while. be well cf
Posted by corafree on November 9, 2004, at 18:39:13
In reply to Still in need of help, posted by Louoicu81 on November 9, 2004, at 12:42:21
Niacinamide, Tryptophan, Sam-E, ... which foremost for anxiety???? I'm keeping these posts and when have the $ and maybe some assistance, d.c. Eff-XR. Until then, it is the only anti-depressant I've ever taken that controlled most all of my anxiety. As of late, death of father peaked anxiety and think, even too far a stretch for Eff-XR, so have a .5 mg x3 scrip for benzo. Overall stable at 150mg am and 75mg very early eve, and often go all day w/o taking a benzo. cf
Posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 19:17:46
In reply to Re: I need advice, please, » Habitsowner, posted by corafree on November 9, 2004, at 18:28:25
Thank you, Cora, for the sound message.
Not too much has changed to cause this, I wouldn't think. Mom died in November (I spent the last 6 weeks with her), I spent most of December in bed on O2 with the flu since I refused to go to the hospital, and in January I had a rather bad disappointment. BUT, those things are part of life and I should be able to handle it all better than I'm doing. I'm not certain the mega-doses of cortisone I was on in December and January for the "bug" and then the Wellbutrin lesions haven't perhaps "changed" something.
Oh well, I'll continue to muddle and maybe...just maybe...all will be well.
Thank you for your caring reply.
SLT
Posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 21:10:16
In reply to I need advice, please,, posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 17:23:39
Habitsowner,
It's risky to do nothing about your depression. I know I've said this so many times that people get sick of reading it, but I would suggest trying L-Tryptophan for at least two weeks instead of not taking anything. It is natural, not expensive, usually effective, and does not require a prescription. You can read about it and order it from www.healthrecovery.com. Hope you give it a try and feel better soon.
MKB
Posted by dancingstar on November 9, 2004, at 22:15:37
In reply to Re: I need advice, please, » PoohBear, posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 18:10:58
Hi SLT,
I know that when I began to feel kind of funky, it happened to me very quickly. I went from feeling pretty great and being in the best shape of my life at 46 to being extremely tired and in a great deal of pain what seemed like suddenly to me. At first I thought it was a back injury and plain old tiredness or exhaustion, having spent a lot of time building and rebuilding my business more than once, my Mom becoming ill and passing, and having a miscarriage and losing the baby and the relationship.
The drugs prescribed to me by the family practice doctor at that time truly made the situation worse because in looking back, I can now see that my adrenal system was just plain worn out. I was exhausted and could barely make it up and down the stairs for the better part of two years.
The first and largest difference I saw to my system was the addition of thyroid medication. I can't tell you the difference it made in both how I felt and in my attitude. As it turned out, I am extremely low thyroid. I don't know if you are able to exercise or not, but that is also a wonderful way to feel better about just about everything...as long as you don't overdo it. People also rave about magnesium, which I've always gotten with my calcium, and Omega 3s; and most recently I've sure liked the results I've gotten from that SAMe. It is pretty amazing. I can't tell you how quickly I was able to memorize material that I needed to learn for my mid-term this afternoon :-). Lastly, I know it's hard to believe, but that Enzymatic Therapy from Fatigued to Fantastic has done such a wonderful job of energizing me. I guess it's hard to know which product is most effective, but the combination has really been helpful. Now I just need to go out and create a fabulous new life...but only a week ago, I was still so sick that I wasn't sure that I'd live long enough to be able to have one.
You might give some of these a try...or all of them if you can.I'm so glad you are not going to use the Effexor. My only interest in posting this is to protect people from the chance of having to experience the same nightmare that I went through. It would be unconscienable for me to not make people aware that this could happen to them, too, and to try to spare them for this pain even if it makes them look for an alternative to Effexor.
Best of luck to you, and I wish you much happiness. I'm sure that the sun will shine again. You will find out what is wrong, and it can be corrected. But I think you should find out if it is a biological problem before assuming that it is psychological, no? Like an imbalance of some sort?
-dancingstar
Posted by Louoicu81 on November 10, 2004, at 18:21:47
In reply to Re: Still in need of help, posted by dancingstar on November 9, 2004, at 12:49:17
Do you get Sam-e 40 at a pharmacy???? Please let me know. Is it a natural product?
Posted by dancingstar on November 10, 2004, at 18:42:36
In reply to Re: Still in need of help, posted by Louoicu81 on November 10, 2004, at 18:21:47
You can get it at a health food store. I get it at Whole Foods. It is SAMe-400. You can also get it in SAMe-200. I prefer the brand made by Jarrow. It takes a few days before you feel it. Be sure to take it on an empty stomach, but it tells you that on the box. Also, read the box to make sure that it's okay for you to take. There's some things that it's contraindicated for...but it's really good for you :-)
Posted by pafaye on November 13, 2004, at 10:56:39
In reply to I need advice, please,, posted by Habitsowner on November 9, 2004, at 17:23:39
> I'm a 64-year old widow whose MD prescribed Effexor last spring. I have not yet begun taking it because I have a "thing" about synthetic drugs. However, the bleakness I feel in the present, and definitely in looking ahead, the lack of interest in doing anything, the ennui, are things I need to get over.
>
> I've never taken drugs of this sort before except for Wellbutrin which I tried to take to stop smoking. Each time I used it I broke out in burning, itching, lesions from my face to my legs - and all in between. This happened within one hour of ingestion.
>
> Thus, I thought before taking Effexor I'd best check it out. I came upon your site and now I'm wondering if I should even start this stuff? Or should I request a different drug? Or, should I just say, "phooey" and muddle along, staring out at the world I used to enjoy?
>
> If anyone knows of a drug that might help me begin to care about life again that does not have the severe side effects of Effexor, would you please let me know.
>
> Thank you in advance for your time and advice. I really, really need it!
>
> SLTHi SLT,
As many have said in previous posts different people react differently to different medications, different doses, etc; but my experience may help to influence at least a test on your part with Effexor XR.
I am now titrated up to 150mg, 3 times a day (obviously, a high dosage). I am experiencing some dry mouth occassionally; but no other significant side effect.
A significant symptom of depression that I was experiencing was loss of appetite. 6'3" and had gone down to 142 #'s. Appetite is fine today. I enjoy food again and have gained back almost 20#'s in a relatively short period of time.
We are approximately the same age. I'm 61. Would have liked the drug to have made me feel like 21 again; but I suppose that's asking a bit much - lol.
Hope you find the courage to "at least try."
p
Posted by Jenniffer on November 13, 2004, at 15:38:53
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
For years, my doctors tried one thing after another to get me emotionally stable. After trying prozac, some other drug that started with a z, and welbutrin - all of which made me even more depressed and suicidal - my doctor put me on effexor xr. For the first time since I was about 14, I began to enjoy life again and to be able to smile. I went around for 14 years with a frown on my face constantly and my shoulders slumped, crying at the drop of a pin (and even over spilled milk, literally) and then found this. I am now a happy 30 year old with twins on the way and a wonderful husband who loves me. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that, if my doctor had not switched me to effexor xr, I probably would have tried once more to commit suicide and probably would have succeeded. I am able to deal with day to day problems without having serious anxiety attacks and crying for hours over them. In my opinion, this is a "wonder-drug" and I thank God and my doctor as well as the person who created effexor for every day that I am still here.
Posted by Jenniffer on November 13, 2004, at 15:39:45
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
For years, my doctors tried one thing after another to get me emotionally stable. After trying prozac, some other drug that started with a z, and welbutrin - all of which made me even more depressed and suicidal - my doctor put me on effexor xr. For the first time since I was about 14, I began to enjoy life again and to be able to smile. I went around for 14 years with a frown on my face constantly and my shoulders slumped, crying at the drop of a pin (and even over spilled milk, literally) and then found this. I am now a happy 30 year old with twins on the way and a wonderful husband who loves me. There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that, if my doctor had not switched me to effexor xr, I probably would have tried once more to commit suicide and probably would have succeeded. I am able to deal with day to day problems without having serious anxiety attacks and crying for hours over them. In my opinion, this is a "wonder-drug" and I thank God and my doctor as well as the person who created effexor for every day that I am still here.
Posted by Louoicu81 on November 13, 2004, at 16:09:27
In reply to Thank GOD for Effexor, posted by Jenniffer on November 13, 2004, at 15:39:45
Jennifer,
You say that you are pregnant with twins. Are you taking Effexor while pregnant??? Please tell me anything you can about that because that is one of the main reasons I stopped taking it---I didn't know what it would do to my kids. Now I am suffering because I cannot feel as good as I did while on Effexor.
Write back please,
Linda
Posted by MKB on November 13, 2004, at 17:44:35
In reply to Thank GOD for Effexor, posted by Jenniffer on November 13, 2004, at 15:38:53
I'm so happy you are doing well on this drug, but I am shocked that you are being allowed to take this while pregnant. Your babies will have to go through withdrawal from this drug.
Posted by MKB on November 13, 2004, at 17:49:46
In reply to Thank GOD for Effexor, posted by Jenniffer on November 13, 2004, at 15:38:53
Please be made aware of the experiences of others by viewing the signatures at www.petitiononline.com/effexor/.
Posted by corafree on November 13, 2004, at 22:26:12
In reply to Thank GOD for Effexor, posted by Jenniffer on November 13, 2004, at 15:38:53
Good to hear Jennifer ... think I'm in the same boat, and 'staying afloat'. cf
Posted by dancingstar on November 14, 2004, at 14:15:45
In reply to Jennifer...., posted by Louoicu81 on November 13, 2004, at 16:09:27
Geez, after the havoc Effexor has wreaked on my body during the withdrawal process, I have to question the sanity and selfishness of anyone taking Effexor while pregnant and pray for the health of their children now and throughout their lifetime. Yes, I will live, and no, I'm not out of the woods.
There cannot possibly be any long-term statistics available, but how can it be safe since it affects every metabolic process in the body?
Posted by MG1972 on November 14, 2004, at 15:30:41
In reply to Re: Thank GOD for Effexor » Jenniffer, posted by corafree on November 13, 2004, at 22:26:12
i just started effexor and after 3 days i feel like a load had been lifted from my shoulders.
i do however feel like i'm on ecstacy...or coming down from it. the buzzed feeling is very much the same.
i've slept well and wake up early without a problem, don't notice changes in dreams yet.
as for appitite, it's gone. i have forced myself to eat and already have noticed a slight weight decrease.
Posted by corafree on November 14, 2004, at 16:05:50
In reply to Re: Jennifer...., posted by dancingstar on November 14, 2004, at 14:15:45
I read pamphlet re: anxiety, said Klonopin could be taken during pregnancy, no other benzo. If anxiety be your prob', check this out. PLS see OB and psych docs re: use of Eff-XR during pregnancy. Unfortunately, it's been on market too short a time, maybe, for even them to be able to give you facts. You might want to take this into your hands. I don't see it as an AD allowable during pregnancy...my opinion. cf
Posted by MKB on November 14, 2004, at 16:24:39
In reply to Thank GOD for Effexor, posted by Jenniffer on November 13, 2004, at 15:38:53
Read signature #5121 at www.petitiononline.com/effexor/
Posted by dancingstar on November 14, 2004, at 16:26:15
In reply to Re: Still in need of help, posted by MKB on November 9, 2004, at 13:13:29
I've used 5-HTP but not Tryptophan, but people are having great results with Tryptophan.
When withdrawing from Effexor, it's hard to know if anything is working :-) it's so darn painful.
Does anyone know if there is a difference in the ultimate effects of Trytophan or 5-HTP? My internist recommended the 5-HTP.
Posted by MKB on November 14, 2004, at 16:36:51
In reply to Re: Still in need of help, posted by dancingstar on November 14, 2004, at 16:26:15
I think our experiences are intersecting once again. Tryptophan is superior to the 5HTP or whatever it is. Many professionals are not aware the Tryptophan can be purchased in the U.S., but I doubt if you'll find it in health food stores. I can't resist plugging this website again - www.healthrecovery.com. I keep mentioning this site because you can not only purchase pharmeucital quality alternative medicines there, but because they also provide a substantial amount of information and have a clinic. I suppose this conversation will probably need to move over to the Alternative board, where there is a discussion going on.
Posted by dancingstar on November 14, 2004, at 16:45:08
In reply to Re: Thank GOD for Effexor, posted by MG1972 on November 14, 2004, at 10:18:27
At first I thought that it caused me to lose weight, too; but in the long run I gained 25 pounds from Effexor.
I've just taken them back off. But it was very unpleasant.
I thought I was so sophisticated about all this stuff, too, before. I was an "expert" at weight loss. Never ate the "wrong" foods, exercised nearly every day, and finally started to see my wonderful holistic M.D. because I couldn't understand why my weight was out of control. Still didn't figure it out. I even increased the Effexor cause I thought it would help. As knowledgeable as he is -- and he is knowledgeable -- he didn't know it made people gain weight. Everything I thought was wrong, wrong, wrong. It took me three years to figure out that it was making me gain, not lose weight.
Today I am down to 128. I had at one point ballooned up to 151 lbs. I am 5'6" and medium boned, and no one thought I was "fat," except for me cause I guess I have a lot of muscle or something or hide it well. But if I was depressed, it was because I was so frustrated over this problem. I had no idea what the deal was. I hardly ate food...really! Now I am eating and eating and eating. Gee, I must have been malnourished all that time.
As each day goes by, I realize more reasons why Effexor is a bad drug. It seems like I come up with something new every day. Sometimes now, like today, I cry. I cried because of some really painful things happened in the last few years that I had not bothered to deal with as well as I probably should have, and I know that it's because I emotionally "swept them under the rug" in a way that I could never have done if I were not taking Effexor, which I wasn't prescribed for depression in the first place. Effexor just doesn't let you feel pain. You don't care. You are just numb. Everything is fine. If you are in so much pain that you just can't stand to be alive, you think that being numb is a good thing, but it's not, not really.
So you know that pain in the gut that is part of the withdrawal? I wonder if that is the place that everything gets stuffed cause I feel things for the first time in a long time, and I'm thanking God for being alive and allowing me to feel again even if it hurts.
Well, anyway, I know a lot of you disagree with me about all this, but if I reach even one person and talk you into finding another way of dealing with your depression, it will make me happy. I know that life is difficult, but the answer isn't inside that pill. Please don't give up. There are real answers to your problems, but you are also blessed to have the problems that you have and to be able to sit at your computer and write about them...as am I.
Posted by dancingstar on November 14, 2004, at 16:46:52
In reply to Re: Still in need of help » dancingstar, posted by MKB on November 14, 2004, at 16:36:51
okay...thanks mkb, i'll check it out :-)
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