![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 8005 to 8029 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2005, at 16:21:08
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » FaithT, posted by ckc on January 4, 2005, at 12:42:25
It's kind of hard to describe brain zaps. It is usually associated with W/D from an AD, in my experience anyway. When I turn my head, blink my eyes, walk,etc, it almost feels like you lose consciousness for a milisecond or are wierdly dizzy. Maybe someone else can explain it better. I can't find any Ad that works for me. The only thing that does is benzos, but even they don't work the same as they used to. This is causing my depression to worsen and I'm afraid to go out alone. My husband has lost all patience with me. Regards; Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2005, at 16:22:41
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » FaithT, posted by ckc on January 4, 2005, at 12:42:25
It's kind of hard to describe brain zaps. It is usually associated with W/D from an AD, in my experience anyway. When I turn my head, blink my eyes, walk,etc, it almost feels like you lose consciousness for a milisecond or are wierdly dizzy. Maybe someone else can explain it better. I can't find any Ad that works for me. The only thing that does is benzos, but even they don't work the same as they used to. This is causing my depression to worsen and I'm afraid to go out alone. My husband has lost all patience with me. Regards; Phillipa
Posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 16:57:15
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » ckc, posted by Phillipa on January 4, 2005, at 16:22:41
Here is my babble regarding Effexor. My family physician started me on Effexor back in 1995. I started out taking 37.5mg per day and am now on
75mg XR per day. My doctor prescribed Effexor because of my severe mood swings. I would say that overall Effexor has been positive except for the negative sexual side effects. I can't count the number of times I have attempted to quit effexor but have failed. Each time I have tried to quit the withdrawal symptoms were so bad I just gave up. My doctor even tried a combination of Wellbutrin with the Effexor to ease the withdrawal symptoms. I don't want to increase my current dosage of 75mg per day because of the weight gain side effects I have read about. My doctor thinks I should take 150mg per day. I have friends who have gained as much as 150lbs on effexor but they are at the higher doses of 300-450mg. I know I need to increase my dose but I hate to get more dependent on this drug. I am curious if any other Effexor users have experienced the weight gain with the higher doses. I'm a healthy 39 yo m that exercises regularly. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I understand that Prozac and Benadryl can sometimes help in the withdrawal process. I think the reason I have tried to quit Effexor is because of the negative research I have read but I also have to understand that there are others out there that Effexor has helped.
Posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 17:20:32
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 16:57:15
Hi...I am on 150 mg of Effexor, ..actually just increased to 187.5. Basically, except for a 2 month period, that I went off the drug, I've been on Effexor with great results for 2 1/2 years now.
I wonder why your Dr. gave you Wellbutrin, while you were attempting to withdrawl...I tried that med., and it made me bounce off the walls!
As far as weight gain on Effexor, in the beginning I actually lost a little weight, then gained back what I lost plus about 5 lbs., So technically, in 2 1/2 years I've gained 5 lbs, which is no problem.
I would try the 150 mg.,and you can always go back down if you see that you're gaining weight or not happy.
If you do choose to withdrawl instead, then just do it very slowly, with your Dr. I have read that some patients go on Prozac at a low dosage for a short period of time.
Best wishes either way,
Faith~
Posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 17:28:08
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » emtbman, posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 17:20:32
> Hi...I am on 150 mg of Effexor, ..actually just increased to 187.5. Basically, except for a 2 month period, that I went off the drug, I've been on Effexor with great results for 2 1/2 years now.
> I wonder why your Dr. gave you Wellbutrin, while you were attempting to withdrawl...I tried that med., and it made me bounce off the walls!
> As far as weight gain on Effexor, in the beginning I actually lost a little weight, then gained back what I lost plus about 5 lbs., So technically, in 2 1/2 years I've gained 5 lbs, which is no problem.
> I would try the 150 mg.,and you can always go back down if you see that you're gaining weight or not happy.
> If you do choose to withdrawl instead, then just do it very slowly, with your Dr. I have read that some patients go on Prozac at a low dosage for a short period of time.
> Best wishes either way,
> Faith~
Thanks Faith! I think I will give it a try. I have no complaints with the effexor I just think that 75mg is no longer doing the trick. My co-workers have even commented that I am more moody than usual. I just have to accept the fact that I will probably be taking this for the rest of my life. My doctor prescribed the Wellbutrin to counter the sexual side effects of the Effexor which did work but you're right about the bouncing off the walls, I hated Wellbutrin. Thanks and good luck.
Posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 17:38:23
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 17:28:08
Trying to stop taking Effexor is very difficult. The higher the dose, the more difficult it becomes to stop taking Effexor. There is virtually no way to stop taking it without your being in pain unless you switch to a similar drug. The higher the dose, the worse the weight gain, the more likely that you will have thyroid and the other possible problems associated with Effexor.
It is also possible that Effexor is causing your depression, rather than helping it. Like others, I was never depressed when I started taking it, but became depressed at 75 mg. and increased to 150, but it didn't help. You may be adding to your problems.
Some of us are now suing Wyeth for withholding information that we believe they have about the dangers of Effexor. Rather than risking your health, since there is so much news in the media about antidepressants both in the U.S. and in England these days, why don't you wait and see what turns up rather than taking a chance on risking your health. Some of us believe that the dangers are much greater than the possible rewards. Of course, the choice is always yours to make. We just want you to do the research and to be careful before you take something that could be dangerous. Check out www.wyeth.com and see what they have to say.
Posted by not2late4u on January 4, 2005, at 21:54:41
In reply to You might want to give that a second thought.... » emtbman, posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 17:38:23
dancingstar, how can you make such blanketed statements as you have below?
"There is virtually no way to stop taking it without your being in pain unless you switch to a similar drug. The higher the dose, the worse the weight gain, the more likely that you will have thyroid and the other possible problems associated with Effexor."
This is not true for everyone.
Posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 22:48:37
In reply to You might want to give that a second thought.... » emtbman, posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 17:38:23
Renee,
In answer to your question, because since I stopped taking Effexor I have read posts from only one person that had a limited amount of trouble when he stopped taking Effexor, and I don't know whether or not he switched to another antidepressant, like Cymbalta, at the same time. Generally, though, once you take these drugs, most people have a very difficult time ever quitting. They become a part of their lives forever. And yet, no one tells us this at the time we take the first pill. Unless someone is severely depressed, I will guess that most people would choose to not take that pill if they were informed that it was to be a lifetime decision that could possibly involve bodily harm.
Ask any pharmacist how many of their customers have stopped taking Effexor without replacing it with another antidepressant? Mine has not seen even one person besides me. He doesn't know anyone that has ever stopped taking it.
The rest of my deductions have been made from reading posts here; the information provided in links from people kind enough to offer them that have shown testing data, published and unpublished from Wyeth; and the website with journals, testing, and posting information from England. That and the fact that over 7,000 people now have signed a petition to the manufacturer of Effexor, many of them detailing the problems that they have had and their experiences with it, have led me to my conclusions.
Though I am not at liberty to give you any details whatsoever, as of today we have located chemists that work with venlafaxine, Effexor, and hope to be able to come up with something more concrete and substantial soon.
In the meantime, it is my personal opinion that people should do their research, not take my word for it, but be cautious before taking Effexor for the first time or increasing their dosage. I have posted links all over this website so that people can get the information that they need. As I have said all along, we all have a right to know what a drug is doing to our bodies when we take it, and we do not have all the facts at this time. Wyeth does not even admit to Effexor causing weight gain. For me, five pounds is a big deal. Fifteen is anxiety producing. If there is a link between Effexor and thyroid, that could possibly have had something to do with three years of chronic fatigue, and I will not have been the only victim of severe fatigue, even pain. Others have had heart and cardiovascular problems, liver damage, problems with pregnancies, depression, anxiety. That's just the beginning.
In excess of 20 people have personally written to me, saying that they have had problems with Effexor, I'd say some have extremely serious health problems. That's in this last month alone.
Have I sufficently answered your question, Renee?
Bebe
Posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 23:46:46
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought...., posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 22:48:37
Dear Bebe~
Again, why are you going to extreme lengths to scare people who are not asking a question ,pertaining to YOUR personal experience? This person is considering increasing dosage, but was concerned about weight gain etc.. Bebe, not every single person does gain weight, have problems such as yours, or is unable to stop taking Effexor. Come to the support group that I belong to, an online support group for melanoma patients and, YES, even Melanoma patients have taken Effexor and stopped the drug. It is possible!!!!!!!!!!
Bebe, I stopped the drug for 2 months, and you know what? If I didn't have melanoma that scares me to no end, I would have been fine without the drug after taking it for 1 1/2 years at that point! I felt great the entire time I was taking it, and felt fine after as well. I went back on it because I have an issue that causes my depression. Effexor doesn't cause it..It HELPS it!
The 7,000 people that you are referring to in signing this petition are largely complaining about withdrawl symptoms that they were unadvised of. I can understand that. However, you are truly unfair in the things that you are posting to these people on this board, in answering every question with scare tactics. That is just not right, and unfair to the poster.
As far as a 5 lb. weight gain, most people do know that ANY anti-depressant can cause weight changes. Some people lose weight on Effexor, some gain, some stay the same. Not everyone gains an extreme amount.
Your statement regarding Wyeth not admitting to weight changes is untrue. It's listed right on the side effect sheet that you get from the pharmacy, along with cautions regarding withdrawl from the med. etc.
You have this personal crusade going on for this one drug. Bebe, I hate to tell you this, but there are many others out there with much worse side effects. Are you also answering each an everyone of those posts as well, in such a manner? How about Remeron for example? Now, that drug causes weight gain. Going off ANY anti-depressant is no picnic, Bebe. It's NOT just Effexor,and a GOOD Psychiatist. does tell you this.
By no means am I on a mission to sway people to take this drug, BUT it seems that people with good experiences on it are afraid to say so, or they're not on this sight,because they have no reason to be. Basically, I wouldn't still be here either after answering that first post, if it wasn't for you. Again, the title of that post was "Has anyone had good results with Effexor XR?"
Why not stick to answering the posts that pertain to your bad experience, instead of scaring people who have obviously read those posts and are looking for someone who had a good one?
Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 0:38:48
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought.... » dancingstar, posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 23:46:46
Faith,
Renee asked me a very specific question, and I answered her question. I didn't mean to upset you. Did you read her question? She asked me why I said the things I did and/or how I came to the conclusions that I came to, and I answered her.
I know that you think that Effexor is prescribed by pdoctors, but that isn't always the case. It is one of the four most widely prescribed drugs, and most of the people taking it may not have been prescribed it by shrinks.
Have you clicked on the numbers under the names on petition to say accurately that each person is only claiming problems related to withdrawal because what you said isn't accurate? Those 7,000 people have had all sorts of problems with Effexor. You should read what they have to say. It's interesting if nothing else. And also contrary to what you have said, most of us were not informed of ANY side effects prior to our ingesting Effexor.
You are entitled to your opinion, Faith, and I am entitled to mine. But the only reason that I posted the last time was directly in response to a question...and I am really busy right now; so the only reason that I am posting now is directly in response to you. Again, I do not mean to be disrespectful, but I sincerely disagree with the facts as you present them, but I respect your right to post them. It seems as though you don't feel that I have the same right simply because you disagree with me.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by FaithT on January 5, 2005, at 0:44:13
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought.... » dancingstar, posted by FaithT on January 4, 2005, at 23:46:46
Bebe~
I want this to come out as civil as possible,but I feel this needs to be said.
I went back and read your previous postings in November,and I now see that you have been on this mission for quite some time now in regard to Effexor bashing, and some pretty far out statements.
It appears that you have gotten into disputes regarding your method of posting tactics in the past,as well as currently. You may think that what you are doing is helpful, but in reality you are giving unsolicited medical advice, based on your own experience. You are replying to posts asking for POSITIVE feedback, with a vengence of your own and in my opinion that is not right.
You stated in one of your posts that you were going to stop doing this. So why are you? Why not stick to answering posts, to people who are having problems. Let the people that have had a positive experience on Effexor say so, without being bashed.
Faith~
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 1:02:00
In reply to Re: p.s. Dancing star-Noticed your previous posts, posted by FaithT on January 5, 2005, at 0:44:13
Thank you for your help and for your kindness, for noticing while you were looking at my previous posts that I, like you, found this site through this exact same link on Google, when I was in more pain than I had ever been in my entire life.
Since that time over 25 people have written to me with similar problems. But again, Faith, I commend you for noticing that I was on a mission and missing the pain and sufferring that I would surely have thought was a part of those posts.
www.wyeth.com is where all of the data regarding side effects are listed. If I have saved even one person from going through what I've been through, every word has been worth it. Thank you again for your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your insight. You are, indeed, a very special woman.
Posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 1:29:04
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » FaithT, posted by ckc on January 4, 2005, at 12:42:25
ckc,
Please know that you need to talk to a very good doctor preferably a psychologist who can help you make a decision. Tell him/her your concerns. Listen to your body, you know yourself best. I took up to 225 mg, was on 150mg for about 2 years. My side effects werent hell, neither has my tapering down thus far to 75 mg. BUT please listen to your own body and doctor, we're all different. Its good to have knowledge, good and bad so you can make an informed decision. God Bless, Renee.
Posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 1:39:44
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought...., posted by dancingstar on January 4, 2005, at 22:48:37
Bebe, no, you missed the last sentence, which is my whole point, you seem to overlook every time. You are GENERALIZING, you cant GENERALIZE!
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 1:46:23
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 16:57:15
emtbman,
It's hard to say whether or not you will gain weight. I think all of the side effects affect each of us differently. I am a university-trained fitness instructor in addition to other stuff that I do, and I used to work out and teach classes at the gym up to a couple of times a day. On 75 mg of Effexor my 5'6" frame ballooned up from 125 lbs to 151. I didn't know that it was from Effexor and totally freaked out, went to a new internist, changed my diet to something like 400 to 600 calories a day, no carbs :-), got my weight down to about 138.
Originally Effexor was prescribed to me for minor fatigue when I had a low back injury by a family practice doctor, but suddenly I was depressed and asked my internist for a higher dose, still not having any idea that it causes weight gain. In fact, I always heard that Effexor was the happy, horny, skinny pill. I figured I'd finally lose a little weight. I still never ate and my weight would not drop below 140-141...just couldn't lose weight. It hovered around 143-144. Talk about depression.
One day in September I decided to stop taking Effexor to see if it would help me to lose weight. I was sick as a dog for a good three months. I still have some symptoms that I won't go into here...but my weight has dropped to 130 all on its own, no help from me. I eat cookies, pasta, you name it. Wow, I had no idea.
Will it do the same thing to you? Who knows? When I stopped taking Effexor, my depression went away, too. The increase from 75 to 150 only increased my depression, it didn't decrease it. I just wish that I had known some of this stuff; so I figure you might want to know. That way you can decide for yourself. There isn't any way to know for sure whether or not you will have the same reactions. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.
Bebe
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 2:34:43
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought.... » dancingstar, posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 1:39:44
Renee, it seems from reading posts here and from this link, for example, that the longer people take Effexor and the higher the dose, the more likely they are to encounter problems with it.
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/_disc//messages/23/83.html?SundayDecember2620040253am
It seems as though this is true with most drugs. That isn't such an unusual phenonenon. From what I understand, that is why most doctors like to start people on lower doses of drugs and increase the dosage slowly, to see how people react to them. People that only take Effexor for a short time don't seem to have much trouble when they stop taking Effexor.
I notice, Renee, that you are still taking Effexor. People don't have much trouble cutting back to 75mg, from what I understand, though I have noticed that you may not be feeling quite right. You are usually much more light-hearted. Are you still feeling all right? From what people on this board say, it isn't until you get to zero that you are in pain.
Posted by Cindy S. G. on January 5, 2005, at 7:58:08
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by emtbman on January 4, 2005, at 16:57:15
I have been on Effexor XR for about six months now. I have had my dosage increased to 150mg per day two months ago. I have not had any weight gain at all. It suppresses my appetite and I have actually lost weight. As far as my sex drive is concerned...I have not noticed any diminish in that area either. I am a w/f/age 35. I still have the dry patches on my nose and cheeks and have just recently started having periods twice a month. I have never had this happen before. I have always been like clockwork. It may not be due to the effexor though. My mom started menopause at the early age of 37, so I may be experiencing that. As far as other side effects, I have been very fatigued. I was this way before I even went on the meds and now after a month or two on the meds it came back. On a positive note, the effexor does control my emotions and I have not cried since being on it. I hope you find a solution to your problems though. Take care...Cindy
Original Post:
> Here is my babble regarding Effexor. My family physician started me on Effexor back in 1995. I started out taking 37.5mg per day and am now on
> 75mg XR per day. My doctor prescribed Effexor because of my severe mood swings. I would say that overall Effexor has been positive except for the negative sexual side effects. I can't count the number of times I have attempted to quit effexor but have failed. Each time I have tried to quit the withdrawal symptoms were so bad I just gave up. My doctor even tried a combination of Wellbutrin with the Effexor to ease the withdrawal symptoms. I don't want to increase my current dosage of 75mg per day because of the weight gain side effects I have read about. My doctor thinks I should take 150mg per day. I have friends who have gained as much as 150lbs on effexor but they are at the higher doses of 300-450mg. I know I need to increase my dose but I hate to get more dependent on this drug. I am curious if any other Effexor users have experienced the weight gain with the higher doses. I'm a healthy 39 yo m that exercises regularly. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I understand that Prozac and Benadryl can sometimes help in the withdrawal process. I think the reason I have tried to quit Effexor is because of the negative research I have read but I also have to understand that there are others out there that Effexor has helped.
Posted by corafree on January 5, 2005, at 13:05:12
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » emtbman, posted by Cindy S. G. on January 5, 2005, at 7:58:08
Cindy C. G.:
Am I the only one who has experienced weight loss? I only wish I could gain a few pounds. I don't even like the thought of eating. I sort of feel like crying if pulling a pan from the cupboard to the stove. I actually feel sad when I eat? Sorry if this doesn't answer your question exactly. I am 150, recently down from 225, for four months, THIS TIME. Took on and off in the past, I think like you, but nothing else worked. Guess I'm asking for help too, but more so for my non-eating problem. Beginning to look like a skeleton, 5'4" and 104 lbs!!!! cf
Posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 13:12:16
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought...., posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 2:34:43
Bebe,
Thank you for your concern. I took effexor for about 2- 2 1/2 yrs, mostly at 150 mg, for a few months at 225mg. Yes, I have been tapering and Today I took 37.5mg. I have said all along, SO FAR I am doing fine. I have also said that my moods have been up and down, but not at extremes. Bebe, I am not the only person who has been frustrated with your posts. Please go back and re-read my posts, you'll see that I had some side effects while taking effexor, I also dont regret taking it, I also have empathized and sympathized and agreed to some degrees with you. My frustration is that it seems that your mission is blinded by your pain and anger, and you are only seeing things as 1 possible end for all who take Effexor, PAIN and SUFFERING. And that is not true for all who take Effexor. This is all those of us who are doing ok on it and withdrawing from it ok are trying to get you to see and to stop using the scare tactics and grouping us all into the same category, your category. Bebe, I really dont want to debate anymore. I dont think I can say anything more than I already have. I hope you will understand you can accomplish a mission without being extreme. There are usually two sides to everything. I have no hard feelings towards you only compassion for what you have/are enduring. God Bless, Renee.
Posted by Cindy S. G. on January 5, 2005, at 13:13:28
In reply to Re: I AM GRATEFUL for Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! » Cindy S. G., posted by corafree on January 5, 2005, at 13:05:12
original message:
Cindy C. G.:
>
> Am I the only one who has experienced weight loss? I only wish I could gain a few pounds. I don't even like the thought of eating. I sort of feel like crying if pulling a pan from the cupboard to the stove. I actually feel sad when I eat? Sorry if this doesn't answer your question exactly. I am 150, recently down from 225, for four months, THIS TIME. Took on and off in the past, I think like you, but nothing else worked. Guess I'm asking for help too, but more so for my non-eating problem. Beginning to look like a skeleton, 5'4" and 104 lbs!!!! cfresponse:
Hello cf...I was just responding to your previous post and letting you know how the effexor is affecting me. I have only lost about 10 lbs since being on the meds. I need to lose a lot more. I was just letting people know that it does affect different people, different ways. Most people say it makes you gain weight. I feel the same as you though, I don't even want to eat. I will go all day without eating a thing and someone mentions dinner and I am like... Oh yeah.. I haven't eaten today. I guess I better eat something. My metabolism is very slow and it doesn't help any when I am not feeding my body the energy it needs. I am overweight, so it doesn't hurt me to lose weight. I need to. Take care... Cindy
Posted by corafree on January 5, 2005, at 13:23:25
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought...., posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 2:34:43
Bebe: I know this wasn't directed my way. But....that is surely the reason I have been on it, off it, on it, off it, on it. Yeah, why would have I gone back on it, had I not been in physical/emotional pain. cf
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 13:31:54
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought...., posted by not2late4u on January 5, 2005, at 13:12:16
> Bebe,
> Thank you for your concern. I took effexor for about 2- 2 1/2 yrs, mostly at 150 mg, for a few months at 225mg. Yes, I have been tapering and Today I took 37.5mg. I have said all along, SO FAR I am doing fine. I have also said that my moods have been up and down, but not at extremes. Bebe, I am not the only person who has been frustrated with your posts. Please go back and re-read my posts, you'll see that I had some side effects while taking effexor, I also dont regret taking it, I also have empathized and sympathized and agreed to some degrees with you. My frustration is that it seems that your mission is blinded by your pain and anger, and you are only seeing things as 1 possible end for all who take Effexor, PAIN and SUFFERING. And that is not true for all who take Effexor. This is all those of us who are doing ok on it and withdrawing from it ok are trying to get you to see and to stop using the scare tactics and grouping us all into the same category, your category. Bebe, I really dont want to debate anymore. I dont think I can say anything more than I already have. I hope you will understand you can accomplish a mission without being extreme. There are usually two sides to everything. I have no hard feelings towards you only compassion for what you have/are enduring. God Bless, Renee.
Renee,I'm glad to hear that you are feeling all right, I was truly concerned. I do perhaps react too strongly to those that try to suppress the right of others to find out that there are people that have been harmed by something that they are about to take themselves, especially since so many of us haven't been told this by our doctors, though some of you have. Most of our poor doctors didn't even have any idea what we were getting into. That is why I feel so passionately about this subject. Certainly these people had no idea what they were getting into:
http://www.socialaudit.org.uk/_disc//messages/23/83.html?SundayDecember2620040253am
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 13:38:27
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought.... » dancingstar, posted by corafree on January 5, 2005, at 13:23:25
Hey Corafree,
I didn't want to interfere, but I'm sorry you are in so much pain. Though I am reluctant to say anything, you may be losing weight cause of the drop in Effexor if what you said is accurate. I have eaten anything and everything and am still losing weight. But it also sounds like you are physically depressed and do need to be seeing a good doctor, CF. I'm a whole, different kind of problem. It's not at all the same thing. Don't forget that I was never physically depressed and given an antidepressant.
Blessings,
Bebe
Posted by corafree on January 5, 2005, at 16:54:57
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought.... » corafree, posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 13:38:27
Yeah, pretty depressed about breakthrough pain C2-3, 3-4 & 4-5 (10 years after being beaten), and coming upon one year of my father/my best friend's passing.
I'm sorry, aren't a lot of the other people hear that you are conversing with depressed? How can you do that if you've not experienced depression?
You took an AD and weren't depressed??
I guess we all make mistakes. Doctors aren't gods.Are you here to babble or to teach? Do you have a degree? How can you relate, I mean, share all this information about Eff-XR when your body didn't even require it; that may be why your withdrawal was so bad!
I hope you answer me; otherwise will surmise you feel superior to me. cf
Posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 17:01:25
In reply to Re: You might want to give that a second thought...., posted by dancingstar on January 5, 2005, at 2:34:43
This is information presented by Wyeth. You will notice that it refers to "short-term" studies and doesn't indicate the length of those studies nor any other details about these studies; so basically this is simply data that they were required by law to report. This should help anyone that reads it come to their own conclusions about their healthcare. It is my opinion that the that the withdrawal symptoms are higher than is indicated here:
It is an excerpt from the following link:
http://www.wyeth.com/news/Pressed_and_Released/pr12_05_2004_16_03_36.asp"About Venlafaxine in the United States
"In the United States, venlafaxine is marketed as EFFEXOR® (venlafaxine HCl) and EFFEXOR XR® (venlafaxine HCl sustained release). EFFEXOR XR is indicated for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety disorder. EFFEXOR/EFFEXOR XR is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Both adult and pediatric patients taking antidepressants can experience worsening of their depression and/or the emergence of suicidality. Patients should be observed closely for clinical worsening and suicidality, especially at the beginning of drug therapy, or at the time of increases or decreases in dose."Anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, akathisia, hypomania, and mania have been reported in patients taking antidepressants. Discontinuation or modification of therapy should be considered when symptoms are severe, abrupt in onset, or not part of presenting symptoms.
"Treatment with venlafaxine is associated with sustained increases in blood pressure (BP) in some patients. Regular BP monitoring is recommended. Abrupt discontinuation or dose reduction has been associated with discontinuation symptoms. Patients should be counseled on possible discontinuation symptoms and monitored while discontinuing the drug; the dose should be tapered gradually.
"The most common adverse events reported in EFFEXOR XR short-term placebo-controlled depression trials and EFFEXOR XR short-term placebo-controlled depression, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and/or social anxiety disorder trials (incidence >10% and >2x that of placebo) were anorexia, asthenia, constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, ejaculation problems, impotence, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, somnolence, and sweating...."
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.