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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by freckafree on January 28, 2005, at 17:32:46
I have a friend who has been on Effexor for about a month. It is working well for him as far as alleviating his depression goes. However, we are both aware of a blunting of his emotions. As he puts it, "I can't cry any more." (And since he expresses it that way, as opposed to "I don't cry any more," I assume he perceives this as something of a loss.)
My question is whether or not this is a side effect that may abate, or if this is the price of finding an antidepressant that he is otherwise happy with.
Posted by JaneB on January 28, 2005, at 18:06:08
In reply to Effexor and blunted emotions, posted by freckafree on January 28, 2005, at 17:32:46
It does not get better. Sometimes lower doses may help. At least this was my experience. But with lower doses the withdrawals make your pdoc think you need a higher dose. Then with higher doses you get even more apathetic. I finally told my pdoc I thought I would be better off without meds and he said, "I can understand why you think that." Now I am trying to go off Zoloft and don't know if I am getting worse or suffering physical discomfort from withdrawal. Oh, sorry about the rambling. Sometimes it is good to ruminate if it helps one make correct decisions.
Posted by Spriggy on January 28, 2005, at 18:22:19
In reply to Re: Effexor and blunted emotions » freckafree, posted by JaneB on January 28, 2005, at 18:06:08
I am going through a similar experience with Lexapro.. (only I am crying all the time where I used to rarely cry).
I told my doctor I want to taper off (my regular mD) and instead she suggested upping my dosage to 20 mg's (I am currently on 5 mg's).
I said, " If I am totally wiggin' out on 5 what in the world will 20 do?"
I don't know. These meds can be a miracle for one person and an utter nightmare for another.
So far, it's been a living hell for me.
I would suggest your friend asking to lower down on the dosage. See if that makes a difference.
Posted by bart on January 29, 2005, at 16:23:53
In reply to Effexor and blunted emotions, posted by freckafree on January 28, 2005, at 17:32:46
I was able to alleviate blunt effect from effexor by adding wellbutrin
Posted by KaraS on January 29, 2005, at 19:28:36
In reply to Re: Effexor and blunted emotions, posted by bart on January 29, 2005, at 16:23:53
> I was able to alleviate blunt effect from effexor by adding wellbutrin
Do you mind if i ask you how much of each you were taking?
Posted by bart on January 29, 2005, at 20:46:53
In reply to Re: Effexor and blunted emotions » bart, posted by KaraS on January 29, 2005, at 19:28:36
effexor 75mg. twice a day
Posted by Jen2 on January 29, 2005, at 22:21:55
In reply to Effexor and blunted emotions, posted by freckafree on January 28, 2005, at 17:32:46
I have been on 75mg Effexor for 2.5 weeks. I did notice a blunting of my emotions for a few days - there were days when I felt like I wanted to cry but sort of couldn't. Which was odd but at the same time strangely liberating because there have been too many tears in my life in the past few years. And for a few days I was placid as a ... whatever's placid. Nothing anybody could say would faze me. A few days later, however, the tears did return and the impatience etc. But that's OK. I feel more even than I have in months if not years.
My doc says that she expects things to get better also - she is surprised I've had any positive reaction in this short a timeframe, and expects that when it really does 'kick in' that I'll feel even better.
So maybe tell your friend to hold on. Things could potentially get better. But he should definitely keep in touch with his doctor and discuss things as they come up.
Jen
Posted by Fathe on January 30, 2005, at 17:06:29
In reply to Re: Effexor and blunted emotions, posted by Jen2 on January 29, 2005, at 22:21:55
I was on Effexor for 4 years. I just recently finished my 4th week of withdrawal and I feel like a new person.
Effexor was a wonder drug for my anxiety and depression but I would have fought tooth and nail if anyone told me that while I was on it I had a "dulling" of emotions. I thought I was exactly the same as I was before. But now that I am off, I see a huge difference. My thoughts a re much more clear, I am more emotional but alot of that is due to the withdrawal and is getting much better. But My clearness in thinking is so noticiable that now I have to wonder how I ws before on Effexor.
Drugs are powerful chemicals and we should all be very informed of what we take. Effexor was a wonder drug for me but in hindsight, I wonder what I gave up in return.
Posted by up'n'down on January 31, 2005, at 2:51:36
In reply to Re: Effexor and blunted emotions, posted by Fathe on January 30, 2005, at 17:06:29
I have definitely experienced this effect on "Effect-xor"; I consider it a minus that I can't cry anymore unless something overwhelming happens. I feel I am having only moderate relief taking E., but my mother has had excellent help from it. Her anxiety and irritability have lessened dramatically.
It is so true that "one man's meat is another man's poison".
Posted by Camille Dumont on February 1, 2005, at 23:15:44
In reply to Effexor and blunted emotions, posted by freckafree on January 28, 2005, at 17:32:46
I stayed on Effexor for more than 2 years (300mg) and the blunting was always there although after a while I didn't notice. I guess because I got used to being like that.
I only noticed when I went off of it (cold turkey so it was quite quick). I was amazed at how "high", "happy", "sad" I could feel. It was as if everything was suddenly louder or more intense. Even physical pain was more intense.
It felt as if a veil has been lifted from my 5 senses.
This is the end of the thread.
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