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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by n0r on November 18, 2004, at 18:56:44
to whom it may concern:
i just started taking this drug 5 days ago. after taking my 1st dose of 37.5 mg, i noticed MANY intolerable side effects (headache, confusion, nausea, rapid and bounding pulse, dizziness, difficulty breathing, cold chills, lethargy, apathy). my psychMD says the difficulty breathing is just anxiety. i know that is bullshit. i don't trust a single psychMD i've seen. i was previously on prozac for 10 years and very painfully weaned myself off that 2 years ago. for 2 years i was not on ANY prescribed meds, and i gained a clarity of mind that i can't recall experiencing since i was a young child (i am now 27). in the past 2 years, i have had much anxiety and depression, accompanied by several suicidal attempts. it is strange though...i would much rather FEEL and experience life than let a drug dictate my experience and a sense of numb, zombie-like behavior. i am thinking of giving effexor a chance because those closest to me are really suffering from my depression, although from my prozac withdrawal and knowing that i STILL am trying to readjust to life from that drug, i am afraid that the withdrawal from effexor will be even more fucked up, as the side effects have been much worse so far. any suggestions? should i turn away from the drug now before i get in over my head? i hate the way it makes my mind feel!
thanks....n
ps. my husband couldn't believe the effects i was already experiencing, so i told him to try a pill. afterall, he's a healthy, constitutionally strong individual with no history of anxiety or depression...they give this drug to people like him in drug trials. after taking ONE 37.5 mg capsule, he felt extremely sick and drugged for the next 36 hours.
Posted by Colleen D. on November 18, 2004, at 20:10:20
In reply to re: just began taking effexor xr...confused now, posted by n0r on November 18, 2004, at 19:03:23
I've done very well on Effexor except for loss of libido, but I am still situationally anxious. I'm going to give Cymbalta a try next. Zoloft was terribly sedating for me and left me feeling almost emotionless. It sounds like you are not tolerating the drug well and may need to give something else a try...perhaps Cymbalta, to get the SNRI effect that your doc may think you need. Call your doc tomorrow and ask for something else!
Good luck!
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by crazychickuk on November 19, 2004, at 2:44:50
In reply to re: just began taking effexor xr...confused now » n0r, posted by Colleen D. on November 18, 2004, at 20:10:20
could try cutting the 37.5mg in half and splitting it up?sounds to me u r experiencing what i am with this med i have re started it but only take half 37.5mg 2 times a day for now cus i am nervous to of taking it.. Give it a go though..
and hey dont go given your hubby no more cus these are for you not for him ... i was fine normal, anxiety depression free till i started taking effexor years ago .. Its taking me 4 years to sort my head out and finnally got the courage to restart effexor again hoping this will be the one to get my brain back to the way it was before i started it many yrs ago..
take it easy
Posted by ed_uk on November 19, 2004, at 9:25:07
In reply to re: just began taking effexor xr...confused now, posted by n0r on November 18, 2004, at 18:56:44
Hi!
Are you saying that you had severe withdrawal symptoms from the Prozac? If so, you should probably avoid Effexor becasue the withdrawal symptoms are much more intense than Prozac's. It might be a good idea for you to try an antidepressant with milder withdrawal symptoms. You might want to consider desipramine or nortriptyline. Start with a low dose to minimise side effects and increase the dose gradually under the guidance of your doctor.
Regards,
Ed.
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