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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by S. Bartel on March 9, 2005, at 23:31:10
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Very Slowly » corafree, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2005, at 16:51:57
You may do better on sleep and anxiety after you have been off the effexor awhile. I was awake for days and my anxiety level went through the roof when I was going through withdrawls. Now I only take elavil to help me sleep and try to keep a regular sleep schedule. I exercise and eat healthy, staying off caffeine, sugar, and fats. Those things can all cause anxiety. I feel better than I have for years. I hope things get a lot better for you soon.
God Bless you. Sammi
Posted by corafree on March 9, 2005, at 23:50:06
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Very Slowly, CF, posted by S. Bartel on March 9, 2005, at 23:31:10
Sammi - When went from Eff-XR to Elavil, did you take any mood stabilizer or benzo? I thought of Elavil as an alternative.
The docs I saw @ hospital were feeling that I didn't need an AD at all; needed mood stabilization. One called what happened to me 'mood dysphoria.'
I look forward to sleeping better.
Still on 37.5 Eff-XR for a few days.
Having no real uncomfortable side effects; I hypothesize that may be because I started the mood stabilizers and valium prior to titration off Eff-XR.
Anyway, I feel good tonight. I am certainly thankful. God must be all around me. I have been praying for a time to come when I could stop Eff-XR.
I've enough damage to my emotions and body. The controversy over Eff-XR prompted my to pray for a way to let it go. Taking it had begun to bother me very much, and don't need anymore stress.
I think my prayers were heard. I feel like I may be moving forward finally. cf
Posted by S. Bartel on March 10, 2005, at 2:23:01
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Not Very Slowly, CF » S. Bartel, posted by corafree on March 9, 2005, at 23:50:06
I very slowly went off effexor. It took about 3 months and I still had withdrawls, but not as severe as some. It helped that I changed my way of eating and excercise before I went off. I finally feel normal again. Thank God.
Sammi
Posted by not2late4u on March 10, 2005, at 2:37:14
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Not Very Slowly, CF » S. Bartel, posted by corafree on March 9, 2005, at 23:50:06
HI CF, glad I decided to read the post instead of deleting this time. Wow, sounds like you had quite a time. I understand what you mean about being hospitalized, I had a tough time when I was admitted several years ago. Its a long story. I can tell you that I no longer feel like theres a huge magnet holding me to my bed and keeping me from getting up. I feel more energenic and laughing more heartily. I am back down to 1 Klonopin at night and am supplementing with some herbs/vitamins that my new pdoc has given me, he's so good. I actually feel a change in my moods and my husband and mom has noticed, in just a few days of having taken them and lowering the klonopin. If you have a chance, if you havent already please visit: intouch.org, alot of topics I really think you will get comfort from. Yes, I agree, God is with you and has heard your prayers. Keep being a wonderful advocate for yourself with those doctors, Im proud of you for that! Cant comment on the other drugs you mentioned, since I have no personal experience with them. God bless you, Renee
Posted by corafree on March 10, 2005, at 9:19:34
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Not Very Slowly, CF » corafree, posted by not2late4u on March 10, 2005, at 2:37:14
Hi Renee.
I jotted down website.
Yes, I've rec'd a 'miracle of sort' from God, I believe.
The adjusting to all new meds has frightened me this a.m. and I posted on psycho-babble. I maybe already said I feel somewhat of a 'zombie.'
I wouldn't be so frightened if I had a IRL person or persons available to help me get out and about to necessary appts.
My post is Seroquel-Trileptal-Valium Combo.
Good to hear from you, and also Sammi (did I get back to you?) ... cf
Posted by S. Bartel on March 10, 2005, at 22:31:16
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Not Very Slowly, CF, posted by corafree on March 10, 2005, at 9:19:34
Yes you did.
Thanks, Sammi
Posted by SLS on March 11, 2005, at 9:05:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by Germaine on March 6, 2005, at 20:05:26
Hi.
> So tomorrow, I will try 75mg and then take it every other day.
I think it is important to take Effexor every day in order to discontinue it with the least amount of withdrawal syndrome.
I advocate taking progressively smaller dosages three times a day.
You might be able to gain some added insight into drug discontinuation on the Withdrawal board. I do not think it is necessary to suffer.
- Scott
Posted by JaneB on March 11, 2005, at 12:00:06
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Very Slowly, CF, posted by S. Bartel on March 9, 2005, at 23:31:10
Now you take Elavil? What dose for sleep? Or does it also help anxiety/depression? I want to be like you and feel better than I have for years. You have inspired me. Blessings. Jane
> You may do better on sleep and anxiety after you have been off the effexor awhile. I was awake for days and my anxiety level went through the roof when I was going through withdrawls. Now I only take elavil to help me sleep and try to keep a regular sleep schedule. I exercise and eat healthy, staying off caffeine, sugar, and fats. Those things can all cause anxiety. I feel better than I have for years. I hope things get a lot better for you soon.
> God Bless you. Sammi
Posted by JaneB on March 11, 2005, at 12:04:37
In reply to Re: Decreasing Effexor - Very Slowly, CF, posted by S. Bartel on March 9, 2005, at 23:31:10
I meant to ask if you originally took Elavil with Effexor for sleep or if you switched to Elavil after getting off Effexor. thank you.
Jane> You may do better on sleep and anxiety after you have been off the effexor awhile. I was awake for days and my anxiety level went through the roof when I was going through withdrawls. Now I only take elavil to help me sleep and try to keep a regular sleep schedule. I exercise and eat healthy, staying off caffeine, sugar, and fats. Those things can all cause anxiety. I feel better than I have for years. I hope things get a lot better for you soon.
> God Bless you. Sammi
Posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 13:37:17
In reply to what I meant to ask » S. Bartel, posted by JaneB on March 11, 2005, at 12:04:37
Sammi and all:
I hope that I will be able to get more sleep the further away that I get from Eff-XR also.
Just took last Effexor-XR, 37.5mg, this a.m.
Have had total meds switch which began just over a week ago.
Even mix of 100mg trazodone and 100mg Seroquel last night really didn't give me a good night of sleep, as I awoke too early.
I had been prescribed 300mg Seroquel for sleep by a P in hospital.
My P outside hospital said 'too much Seroquel' when told him was feeling like a 'zombie', and suggested take mix of 100mg Seroquel and go back on 100mg trazodone (Desyrel). Hospital P had discontinued trazodone.
Problem is, trazodone (Desyrel) gives me nightmares of persecution, while the Seroquel did not.
Problem is, Seroquel (quetiapine) gives me 'zombie' feeling, while Trazodone did not.
Asked my P for Ambien or something like that and he said 'no'.
Anyone w/ suggestion appreciated.
Wish I could go w/o trazodone.
Seroquel 300mg for sleep made me such a 'zombie' on awakening and through the entire day. I wonder if I should have given it more than a few days.
It is difficult to give a med w/ such side effects time to work when are alone and have no one to help you w/ your responsibilies, etc., while you are sort of incapacitated.
best wishes, cf
Posted by Phillipa on March 11, 2005, at 15:50:12
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » JaneB, posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 13:37:17
Keep the valium. It will definitely help your sleep. It has helped mine. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by winddancer on March 11, 2005, at 16:10:41
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » JaneB, posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 13:37:17
INteresting about others experience, i.e., sleep. I have been having trouble sleeping since I stopped taking the tranquilizers like Xanax and Klonapin. I won't go back on those if I can avoid it and I, too, asked my dr. about Ambien. She was very reluctant to prescribe it but after I pressed for reasons it seemed that she just wasn't as familiar with it as with the tranquilizers - I do hate that - she's so willing to prescribe very addictive tranq's over a sleep aid, when it's mainly insomnia that is the core of the problem. She finally gave me a prescription for the Ambien and I've used it a few nights to get caught up on sleep a bit and what I like is that the next day I don't feel groggy at all and don't feel that I'll require more than that. I also talked to a friend who has taken Ambien for years with no ill effects and doesn't feel she's needed more and more as you would with an addictive drug. I'm waiting another week before I reduce the Effexor 75mg to something lower. I'm so sick of all of it and the tingly feeling and cold feet and food not tasting good and the HBP and then taking meds for that which have their own side-effects. Urggg. I want to feel like dancing again.
Winddancer
Posted by winddancer on March 11, 2005, at 16:32:54
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » corafree, posted by Phillipa on March 11, 2005, at 15:50:12
Is Valium addictive?? Any downside??
Posted by Phillipa on March 11, 2005, at 17:02:57
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » Phillipa, posted by winddancer on March 11, 2005, at 16:32:54
Every drug is addictive if you abuse it. They told us the AD's weren't addictive, and now look at the trouble people are in? I feel, and this just my opinion, that even though it is a benzo, they have been given a bad name. If you take valium to relieve symptoms of anxiety, and aren't the addictive type [alchol, illegal drugs], you have nothing to worry about. you will not abuse it and take more than you need. When discontinuing it, it's like any other drug taper down. The good part is the long half-life, so you don't experience a lot of side effects. I guess that's why a lot of Posters use prozac to get off Effexor, the long half-life. I hope this has been of help to you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 18:42:00
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » corafree, posted by winddancer on March 11, 2005, at 16:10:41
Glad you got Ambien! Are you a professional dancer or do you just love dancin' as I do? I called my provider today and told them the trazodone and Seroquel weren't working well for sleep, and asked that my P rethink Ambien. I'll keep after them about this tho', cf
Posted by S. Bartel on March 11, 2005, at 20:05:11
In reply to sleep med w/Effexor? » S. Bartel, posted by JaneB on March 11, 2005, at 12:00:06
> Now you take Elavil? What dose for sleep? Or does it also help anxiety/depression? I want to be like you and feel better than I have for years. You have inspired me. Blessings. Jane
>
> > You may do better on sleep and anxiety after you have been off the effexor awhile. I was awake for days and my anxiety level went through the roof when I was going through withdrawls. Now I only take elavil to help me sleep and try to keep a regular sleep schedule. I exercise and eat healthy, staying off caffeine, sugar, and fats. Those things can all cause anxiety. I feel better than I have for years. I hope things get a lot better for you soon.
> > God Bless you. Sammi
>
>
I only take 50mg. I don't take anything for anxiety. I have learned to do relaxation therapy with tapes. It has worked very well for me. I still have anxiety, but I'm able to manage it without medication. I don't have to use the elavil everynight. I have been off effexor for 4 months now. I have taken myself off all meds except the elavil once in a while. I have more energy and I'm not tired all the time.
Blessings, Sammi
Posted by S. Bartel on March 11, 2005, at 20:27:58
In reply to what I meant to ask » S. Bartel, posted by JaneB on March 11, 2005, at 12:04:37
No, I didn't take elavil until I went off effexor.
I don't take it everynight now. I have learned to use relaxation tapes and it's working very well. I have also taken myself off all other meds except elavil once in awhile. The relaxation methods work very well when I have anxiety too.
Sammi
Posted by winddancer on March 12, 2005, at 2:21:19
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » winddancer, posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 18:42:00
No, I'm just a social dancer and just rediscovered the joy of it after many years of not dancing. I'm single now but have taken swing lessons and go to dances occasionally and do a free form social dance. I really feel that as I finally started seeing a little relief from the depression and anxiety, and I started dancing that the dancing was the best and quickest therapy and I started enjoying life again, but as I went off some of the drugs, I started having lots of body aches and couldn't sleep and was tired all the time, I sometimes hurt too much to dance. I'm doing physical therapy which is helping get my body back in shape so I don't hurt as much and I'm seeing an acupuncturist/Chinese medicine herbalist to help with sleeping, constipation, headaches, and some body ache and am starting to feel like dancing again.
I'm convinced that moving to music is some of the best therapy toward uplifting a person's mood. I recently saw an announcement of a physical therapist who using dance movements to fascilitate healing. I'm off to take an Ambien and get some sleep tonight!!
Winddancer
Posted by Elroy on March 13, 2005, at 20:46:56
In reply to Re: 4 Wks off Effexor-/joint pain, posted by zach on May 27, 2002, at 11:49:20
Don't know if you're still catching these posts, but there is a VERY definite connection between Effexor and prostatitis. Run a search on this board and you'll find some quotes right from the manufacturer's warning labels. I was on it for about three days last summer (I have a prostate that's very sensitive to irritating substances like that - and it went crazy)!
BTW, Cymbalta is the same way, it's just more subtle and takes quite a bit longer for the prostatitis to surface (if you afre prone to that side effect). I lasted about ten days on the Cymbalta.
Apparently has to do with both of them being SSNRIs that are also increasing Norepinephrine levels as well as the serotonin leevls - and it's the former (apparently) that creates the inflammation with the prostate and / or inflammation of the urinary tract.
Even would need to be cautious with something like amino acid DLPA and deprenyl combination as DLPA can cause release of Norepinephrine and cause prostatitis flare up.
Only about 5% of prostatitis cases are believed (by some authorities) to be caused by bacterial infection and yet the first thing most uros do is to prescribe very strong antibiotics!
Elroy
> Wow! Well... I've been on Effexor XR for nearly one year. It has helped significantly decrease the level as well as the frequency of my depressive episodes. I am concerned (very much so) about the joing pains. From the beginning I have noticed a tightening of the jaw muscles. I had to get a mouth guard for when I sleep. I also wake up most mornings with sore muscles in my forearms, which I presume is from clenching my hands. I did not have either of these problems before one year ago. Recently, I was diagnosed with tendonitis of the wrists as well as arthritis of the knees. I take aspirin, and it helps but does not cure. I am 27 years old, and a professional musician. I also am a competing martial arts practitioner. If I knew for certain that there was a corrolation between joint pain and Effexor XR I would have to rethink my decision to take it. I started Effexor as a response to the sexual side-effects of Celexa. By the way, I also have been diagnosed with prostatitis. It has also crossed my mind that Bactrim could be causing or agrivating joint pains. I can't help wondering what the relationship between the medications and the physical ailments is. I did bloodwork to test for Reiter's syndrome. My HLAB-27 was positive. Remember, I am only 27, and in excellent shape. I stretch daily before and usually after I excercise. If anyone has any information for me please email me at zachburd@yahoo.com. This is my personal spam-free email address. Please respect this, and keep me off all lists. Thank you. -Zach
Posted by minnewa on March 14, 2005, at 0:40:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
Just started it about 3 months ago.. So far haven't noticed a great deal of difference..
Posted by winddancer on March 14, 2005, at 0:45:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by minnewa on March 14, 2005, at 0:40:10
So why do you still take it? Do you experience any side effects?
winddancer
Posted by countydude on March 16, 2005, at 20:58:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES!, posted by minnewa on March 14, 2005, at 0:40:10
I have been on Effexor for going on 4 weeks and I am up to 225 mg and for me this medication is the BEST. Been on just about everything else. No more Anxiety or Depression...
Posted by Nesser on March 16, 2005, at 21:21:24
In reply to Re: sleep med w/Effexor? » JaneB, posted by S. Bartel on March 11, 2005, at 20:05:11
Posted by corafree on March 16, 2005, at 22:07:49
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » winddancer, posted by corafree on March 11, 2005, at 18:42:00
Going backwards posting here.
At hospital all meds changed as follows:
Off Effexor every 3 day taper down 37.5, off Xanax x3 a day, off trazodone h.s. ..... to Seroquel 300mg h.s. and 25mg x3 a day, Trileptal 300mg a.m. and evening, and Xanax 1mg evening.
Mainly because felt like zombie in a.m., different P said take Seroquel 100mg h.s.
Now on Seroquel 100mg hour of sleep (h.s.)
Problem waking @ 3a or 4a, so when see P again, will try up the Seroquel to 200mg h.s.
I think I didn't give it a chance initially. I felt like such a zombie after the 300mg h.s. dose that I just freaked about it.
Now thinking went too far down; maybe zombie feeling may have dissipated if had given it a chance. Still, will only go to Seroquel 200mg h.s.
Just mentioning, best wishes, cf
Posted by corafree on March 16, 2005, at 22:11:24
In reply to Re: what I meant to ask » corafree, posted by corafree on March 16, 2005, at 22:07:49
Going backwards posting here.
At hospital all meds changed as follows:
Off Effexor every 3 day taper down 37.5, off Xanax x3 a day, off trazodone h.s. ..... to Seroquel 300mg h.s. and 25mg x3 a day, Trileptal 300mg a.m. and evening, and (ERROR HER)>>>>Valium x3 a day.
Mainly because felt like zombie in a.m., different P said take Seroquel 100mg h.s.
Now on Seroquel 100mg hour of sleep (h.s.)
Problem waking @ 3a or 4a, so when see P again, will try up the Seroquel to 200mg h.s.
I think I didn't give it a chance initially. I felt like such a zombie after the 300mg h.s. dose that I just freaked about it.
Now thinking went too far down; maybe zombie feeling may have dissipated if had given it a chance. Still, will only go to Seroquel 200mg h.s.
Just mentioning, best wishes, cf
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