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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 mobeelgbv on December 27, 2004, at 16:25:45
I just started Effexor two Sundays ago. I started at 37.5 mg for a week, and reduced my Remeron to 15 mg. I was doing fine at that point. Yesterday I increased to 75 mg and took my last dose of Remeron the night before. So, no Remeron last night. Took my second dose of 75 mg Effexor this a.m., and have been feeling edgy, nervous, a little shaky, and just not myself. I started feeling like this around 9 a.m. and am still feeling like this at 4:20 p.m. I usually drink alot of caffeine (Red Bull) in a day, and was wondering #1 is this a reason for my side effects (I've had two today), and #2 when will this wear off?
Posted by Dan Perkins on December 27, 2004, at 16:33:57
In reply to Just started Effexor XR- having side effects, posted by mobeelgbv on December 27, 2004, at 16:25:45
uh, have you read the dozens and dozens of posts on this message board about severe negative effects people have had from Effexor? There are multiple threads on this page alone which address this topic and are worth reading if you are considering staying on Effexor. From everything I have read so far (and from my brief experience w/Effexor) this is not a drug you want to take unless you have exhausted all your other options.
> I just started Effexor two Sundays ago. I started at 37.5 mg for a week, and reduced my Remeron to 15 mg. I was doing fine at that point. Yesterday I increased to 75 mg and took my last dose of Remeron the night before. So, no Remeron last night. Took my second dose of 75 mg Effexor this a.m., and have been feeling edgy, nervous, a little shaky, and just not myself. I started feeling like this around 9 a.m. and am still feeling like this at 4:20 p.m. I usually drink alot of caffeine (Red Bull) in a day, and was wondering #1 is this a reason for my side effects (I've had two today), and #2 when will this wear off?
Posted by anneL on December 27, 2004, at 22:33:06
In reply to Just started Effexor XR- having side effects, posted by mobeelgbv on December 27, 2004, at 16:25:45
Hi,
I have been on Effexor 225 mg. for almost 5 years.
Hindsight is always 20/20 and if I had any idea how bad the "discontinuation syndrome" really is, I would never have started this med.I have attempted to taper off of Effexor so many times, I have lost count. The lowest dose I can tolerate without having "sleep paralysis", wierd, vivid dreams, worse depression than before I started medication, and suicidal ideation is
187.5 mg. Anytime I get to 150 mg. I start having horrible symptoms within 2 days and inevitably go back up on my dose so that I can function and make a living. If you want to take Effexor, you need to be able to accept the fact that you may not be able to discontinue the medication without a long and lengthy taper. Tapering may help avoid severe symptoms, but is no guarantee. I like many others pooh-poohed the experiences of others until I tried to taper off of it myself. Sincerely, AnneL
Posted by mobeelgbv on December 28, 2004, at 7:27:34
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR- having side effects » mobeelgbv, posted by anneL on December 27, 2004, at 22:33:06
Thanks for your post! I have a friend that took Effexor for quite awhile, and he had trouble coming off of it, too. They had to switch him to a different med to help him ease off the Effexor. I left a message for my dr. to call me yesterday, and have decided that since I'm on a lower dose, I'm not taking it today. I cannot live everyday like I felt yesterday. It's worse than the depression. I hope you have success tapering off. I wish the best to you.
> Hi,
>
> I have been on Effexor 225 mg. for almost 5 years.
> Hindsight is always 20/20 and if I had any idea how bad the "discontinuation syndrome" really is, I would never have started this med.
>
> I have attempted to taper off of Effexor so many times, I have lost count. The lowest dose I can tolerate without having "sleep paralysis", wierd, vivid dreams, worse depression than before I started medication, and suicidal ideation is
> 187.5 mg. Anytime I get to 150 mg. I start having horrible symptoms within 2 days and inevitably go back up on my dose so that I can function and make a living. If you want to take Effexor, you need to be able to accept the fact that you may not be able to discontinue the medication without a long and lengthy taper. Tapering may help avoid severe symptoms, but is no guarantee. I like many others pooh-poohed the experiences of others until I tried to taper off of it myself. Sincerely, AnneL
Posted by not2late4u on December 28, 2004, at 17:10:17
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR- having side effects » anneL, posted by mobeelgbv on December 28, 2004, at 7:27:34
Hi, Ann, sorry to hear you have had a hard time getting off the effexor, whats your doctor say? Today is my 4th day tapering off and so far I've been ok. Some fluctuations with edginess, spurts of energy and been waking up a early, but going back to bed and sleeping late. some twinges in the back of the head, but I expected some. Hope you will be able to find a way to get off it, if you need to. Renee
Posted by april8 on December 28, 2004, at 18:52:08
In reply to Just started Effexor XR- having side effects, posted by mobeelgbv on December 27, 2004, at 16:25:45
I have been on it a year, and the side effects from it went away after a couple of weeks. I don't have any now. Everyone is different. The side effects you are having now don't sound alarming to me. Just wait it out. Funny enough, Remeron was the one that I had horrible side effects from, it made me sleep for over 24 hours, scared the crap out of me. So it is very unigue to the person taking it.
Posted by not2late4u on December 28, 2004, at 19:51:10
In reply to Effexor is fine for me..., posted by april8 on December 28, 2004, at 18:52:08
April, I agree, each medication is different for each person, while on it and coming off of it. Renee
Posted by dove on December 29, 2004, at 11:34:27
In reply to Re: Effexor is fine for me..., posted by not2late4u on December 28, 2004, at 19:51:10
I have been on Effexor for a couple of years and it has helped me greatly--even enormously. However, if you haven't tried other meds and ADs I *strongly* advise you to do so before trying this one. I have taken a boat-load of meds and have never been on one so unforgiving in my life! I'm on 225 mg per day and if I miss even 35 mgs I end up sicker than a dying dog, and I'm not kidding!
The only time I've been able to go off of Effexor is when I've been pregnant and was hospitalized and drugged up to the point of oblivion. I really did not want to have to restart this med after I had my last baby, but other meds have not worked. Additionally, it is a very expensive med, and the cost can be quite a burden when you no longer receive doc samples or have insurance with a large copay. Just must humble opinion, try other meds first and use Effexor as a last resort.
dove
Posted by LAPIDARYGIRL on December 29, 2004, at 12:55:14
In reply to Just started Effexor XR- having side effects, posted by mobeelgbv on December 27, 2004, at 16:25:45
HAS ANYONE GOTTEN EXCEMA AS A SIDE EFFECT TO EFFEXOR?
Posted by alexrose on January 28, 2005, at 1:52:35
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR- having side effects » mobeelgbv, posted by anneL on December 27, 2004, at 22:33:06
hello all,
im alex and i have been on effexor for about 3 months.. i started feeling the side effects so i read about it on the internet and it says it should not be prescribed to anyone under the age of 18 (my doctor presribed them to me)and i just turned 15 the other month.. what are the risks for me.. ?
i forgot to take them for 3 days once (i can never remember to do anything) and i had a couple drinks and i ended up passing out .. i wouldnt have drank if i thought that effexor would effect me like that, i read that it hasnt been proven that alcohol does anything to effect it so i thought oh well then ill be alright,...i also forgot to take them for 2 days cuz i was out of town for a bit.. and i started to feel really shaky, sweaty, nervous. and had many thoughts about death.. i feel good if i take them consistently. Yet i hear the discontinual syndrome is incredibly harsh.. should i try to get off of them now before i get to dependant?
please help im lost and confused
Posted by stresser on January 28, 2005, at 15:19:00
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR- having side effects, posted by alexrose on January 27, 2005, at 19:30:35
Alex,
You need to remember to take the Effexor every day as you doctor prescribed you to do so, and DO NOT DRINK with it. Don't stop taking it without his/her permission, you cannot just stop taking that medication abruptly. You will not get dependant on this, it's not that kind of medication. If you feel godd when you take in, then it must be working for you. You can't ask for more than that. Can you talk to your parents or an adult about this? Can you call the doctor's office and talk to the nurse about the fears you are having. She will calm your nerves and tell you the truth about the medication, why you need it and why you can't miss the dose. It can be a very effective medication, but you must use it correctly. You can also call you local pahrmacy and get information from them about it. Good Luck, We're here for you when you need us. OK? -L
Posted by NoodleHead on January 31, 2005, at 9:26:43
In reply to Re: Just started Effexor XR- having side effects » alexrose, posted by stresser on January 28, 2005, at 15:19:00
Hi. Thanks to everyone for your helpful information. I have been on Effexor for about a month after taking Prosac for about 2 years. I wasn't happy about the sexual side-effect so my Dr. recommended EffexorXR. I have increased the dosage from 37.5 to 112.5, trying to find the right fit. I was surprised how strong the initial side-effects were. I had muscle twitches, brain shivers, insomnia BUT I did experience joy for the first time in ages. The fog has lifted and I am actually FEELING again. The side-effects are starting to wear off, especially if I watch my caffiene intake, but I also have fear and respect for this drug that appears to have such a dramatic effect on my body and mind. Could someone let me know how they feel on the 150 mg. dosage? I realize that is when the next level of the drug kicks in. Thanks again, NoodleHead
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