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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by TinMan on July 7, 2005, at 15:55:39
In reply to quiting, posted by happyg on July 7, 2005, at 15:34:05
Well, for me, the side effects are pretty much gone (after about 5 weeks) except for the teeth clenching which the Klonopin helps with.
As far as quitting Effexor XR, I don't see why. I feel so much more relaxed, focused, and happy!
If I stop taking my asthma inhalor (one puff a day), I will be on oxygen by the age of 60. (Not too far off for me!) DOes that mean I am ADDICTED to it? No! And yeah, it has side effects, too. Heart palpitations and it contains steroids. But the benefits outweigh the risks, by far. I DO NOT want to be on oxygen at 60~!
So, if I have to take Effexor XR and Klonopin everyday, what is the big deal? That I might get (gasp!) addicted!? Again, the benefits for me outweigh the side effects.
I dislike the stigma that surrounds any mental disease or disorder. No one says anything if you have to take blood pressure medicine or insilun (sp?) for the rest of your life.
Yeah, there is some validity to behavior modification. But there is still a whole lot out there about the chemistry and working of the brain that is undiscovered and unresearched. How about the hormone influence? Can a little "behavior modification" just make that go away? No.
So for all of you that are "quitting", I hope that you are doing it for the right reasons, following protocol/procedures for stopping, seeing a doctor/psychiatrist and perhaps trying something else. (Tom Cruise just THINKS he knows a lot about psychiatry! I agree with Brooke Shields: has Tom Cruise ever experienced post-partum depression? No.)
Just travelling down that yellow brick road,
TinMan
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 7, 2005, at 16:11:16
In reply to Re: quiting, posted by haddsl on July 7, 2005, at 15:42:38
Friends,
It is written here,[...is it proven that not being on antidepressants will lead to a longer life?...].
I have a great deal of reserch concerning that question and if anyone would like me to give that to them, they can email me at:
lpilder_1188@fuse.net
Lou
Posted by julish on July 7, 2005, at 20:14:19
In reply to Re: quiting, posted by haddsl on July 7, 2005, at 15:42:38
Thank YOU! Well said, haddsl!
By the way HappyG.... I am having great success so far on effexor. I can function again, think again, LIVE again! It's wonderful...and I DID try many alternatives and investigations as to what the problem was...until this medication, nothing helped.
So...there are successes. And... "to each, his own".... Don't judge others because medication is helping them.
And good luck to you.
Julie
Posted by carolina on July 8, 2005, at 2:14:26
In reply to Re: Quitting Effexor XR - and off of all other med, posted by starlight on July 7, 2005, at 11:53:30
> Thanks for your info. I too think the meds may have made me hypomanic, but then having a lot of energy runs in my family and I don't consider that abnormal. I consider coming home, getting on the couch and not wanting to do the things I would normally do, abnormal.
>
> We're going to come down slowly, and one thing about your post that I'm interested in, is did you come off of the Effexor while you were still on the Klonopin, and did you think that helped you?
> Thanks,
> StarlightYES!!! it helprd w/ the anxiety very much. Good luck and take care
Posted by carolina on July 8, 2005, at 2:18:37
In reply to has anyone tried Cipralex?, posted by jesica on July 7, 2005, at 12:38:06
> Hi there,
> For the past few weeks I've been on Effexor XR. It wasn't doing it for me at all. My doctor switched me to Cupralex 10mg. Today is my second day. I've been feeling really strange, like if I am a different person. I could just stare at open space for hours without blinking. Has this happened to anyone? I feel relaxed, which I guess is a good thing but I hate not being able to have control over things and that is how I feel. Will this go away?
> i really dont know anything about Cupralex but u can ask ur doc or look on dr bobs home page 4 liks to meds and info about them he has posted. let me know what u find out if u dont mind. take care
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2005, at 2:18:55
In reply to quiting, posted by happyg on July 7, 2005, at 15:34:05
> these medicines all the do is make you feel alittle better while you are on them and then .. you health will be destroyed.
Please don’t exaggerate or overgeneralize.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by carolina on July 8, 2005, at 2:35:29
In reply to quiting, posted by happyg on July 7, 2005, at 15:34:05
> hello everyone !!!
> well for everything that i read from you guys i don't see any getting better in any of you. it is either the side effects or the getting worse .
> i did a lot of research on this medicine and all the antidepress med. to tell you the truth i dont believe in this anymore . i took my boyfriend out of this medicine and we are trying new ways to confron this problems .
> i would love for you to try different things and talk to yourself and try to find a way that will make you happier . start by doing all the things that make you happy and try to execrise your mind on your own .
> i read about many people that have had the same sympthons that us .. and they have benn out of it with no medicine . it is the hard way . but you will have a longer life and more healthy .
>
> i also believe nutriotion is very important and also your spiritual life could help if you try to make it better . i don't want to sound like someone who doesn't understant what u are going through. believe me i know how this feels . but the good thing is thatwe are all aware of how we feel and i am sure we can fixed in soem other ways . these medicines all the do is make you feel alittle better while you are on them and then .. you health will be destroyed.
> thank you all for your feedbacks and hope everyone feels better :)>i hope everything works out 4 u. i know very few people that have mental illness that did have success w/o meds and therapy but im not gonna put u down. i really hope it works 4 u. i know that ive tried myself to not take meds and do other things 2 feel better but i felt much worse not long after quitting my meds. a good point that was made from a prior post was that people have to take meds. 4 all types of illnesses and they r not looked down upon in society like people who have mental illness and take meds so its unfair to the ones that suffer from the hurt,emptiness,lonliness,etc.....when thats the last thing they need. please take care and if u start to feel depressed again get help IMMEDIATELY!
Posted by angelbean on July 8, 2005, at 3:27:55
In reply to Re: quiting, posted by haddsl on July 7, 2005, at 15:42:38
THANK YOU!
> Is it proven that not being on antidepressants will lead to a longer life? I have seen no such research! What works for soem does not work for all, and I am sorry but not all of us can solve our problems with talk, spiritual guidance, excersize and nutrition. I for one have nothing in my life that should be making me depressed or anxious in any way but... here I am anxiety disorder and depression. And I knew about the anxiety before the doctor. They thought it was insomnia. Although it was hard to get through your post with all the truley horrid spelling. I believe that if you can get through it on your own... Great!!! But, you don't need to preach to us like we are a bunch of pill popping fakers! Some of us just can't control it on our own. So good luck to you pill free. And to the rest of us... I hope that someday we are able to control these problems, but if you can't I will still be here with a sympathetic ear.
>
>
> > hello everyone !!!
> > well for everything that i read from you guys i don't see any getting better in any of you. it is either the side effects or the getting worse .
> > i did a lot of research on this medicine and all the antidepress med. to tell you the truth i dont believe in this anymore . i took my boyfriend out of this medicine and we are trying new ways to confron this problems .
> > i would love for you to try different things and talk to yourself and try to find a way that will make you happier . start by doing all the things that make you happy and try to execrise your mind on your own .
> > i read about many people that have had the same sympthons that us .. and they have benn out of it with no medicine . it is the hard way . but you will have a longer life and more healthy .
> >
> > i also believe nutriotion is very important and also your spiritual life could help if you try to make it better . i don't want to sound like someone who doesn't understant what u are going through. believe me i know how this feels . but the good thing is thatwe are all aware of how we feel and i am sure we can fixed in soem other ways . these medicines all the do is make you feel alittle better while you are on them and then .. you health will be destroyed.
> > thank you all for your feedbacks and hope everyone feels better :)
>
>
Posted by angelbean on July 8, 2005, at 3:43:23
In reply to Quitting Effexor XR - and off of all other meds!, posted by starlight on July 6, 2005, at 12:38:06
I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for 8 years. I too am coming off of it. Not because it's not working for me, but because I lost my insurance and this stuff is $140 a month! Believe me, if I could afford it, I would continue it forever.
Anyway, it has been 3 days since my last dose, and I think I'm actually feeling a little better. I have experienced all the side effects that everyone complains of, but I feel pretty good right now. I am frightened by the posts I've read here and elsewhere about the effects of coming off, especially without the benefit of tapering. So I wanted to let people know that one person out there is getting off it, and so far I'm ok. I would love to hear from some people who have been successful at getting off it without a lot of side effects. I'm hoping you're out there, and just not talking!
> Hi all,
> I'm coming off of effexor xr and frankly am scared about it.
Posted by DawniePoo on July 8, 2005, at 6:46:25
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi. I've been checking in on this board since going on Effexor about 4 months ago, but have never posted. I have a few concerns that I thought you all may be able to answer/help with...
First, the side effects, I've had increased sweating, hot flashes, some wierd disconnected feeling, sometimes slip into a "fog", and my energy levels seem to be really odd, up, down, up down.
Three years ago I quit smoking cold turkey, since being on Effexor I have started again, and the reason seems to just be this new "EH- whatever" attitude. The smoking is just one example, this attitude seems to carry over to alot, but it leaves me thinking is this a side effect, or is this the way normal people function? I spent all of my life depressed and was just pushed over the edge to get help after my mom died and I began having some odd PTSD (I was there when she died)... so after spending all my life freaking out over all the "little stuff" is this just normal to not be freaking out on myself about all the little stuff, or is this not normal. (Keep in mind I realize I should not smoke, and I need to stop, I just seem to not be downing myself about it) Should I be? Another example, money issues pop up and I seem to not think about it ALL day, just find a way to resolve it and get over it, again, hard to know if this is normal, or not...Wierd.
Also, I have High Blood Pressure (not severe, more high borderline) so I take Atenenol and my Effexor, I have a really odd schedule so I have forgotton to take my meds before, and it seems when I have forgotton, I wake up in the morning and I am beyond dizzy and off balance- JUST FROM FORGETTING ONE DOSE! Has anyone else exprienced that? I surely will not be forgetting to take my pills anytime again soon!
Now that I have blabbed on and on about this... Wanted to also say thanks to all of you for the informative input you all put out there, it helps ALOT!
I look forward to your input...
-Dawn
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 8:31:31
In reply to Re: please be civil » happyg, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2005, at 2:18:55
> > these medicines all the do is make you feel alittle better while you are on them and then .. you health will be destroyed.
>
> Please don’t exaggerate or overgeneralize.
>
> If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
>
> Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
Dr. Hsiung,
In your above statement to the poster , you write,[...don't overgeneralize...exaggerate...].
Could one post research links here that could have the potential to show that the poster in question is not overgeneralizing or exaggerating?
Lou Pilder
Posted by haddsl on July 8, 2005, at 9:07:50
In reply to Re: quiting, posted by julish on July 7, 2005, at 20:14:19
I know I am just so sick of people treating us like a bunch of druggies. And other people say it all the time on this thread as well. Everyone is different. And anyone that CAN fix this problem with just talking or excersixe or what not. Must not be that bad, or it must not be caused from chemical inbalance or something. I know I can NOT fix mine that way. But good luck to all.
> Thank YOU! Well said, haddsl!
> By the way HappyG.... I am having great success so far on effexor. I can function again, think again, LIVE again! It's wonderful...and I DID try many alternatives and investigations as to what the problem was...until this medication, nothing helped.
> So...there are successes. And... "to each, his own".... Don't judge others because medication is helping them.
> And good luck to you.
> Julie
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2005, at 9:35:08
In reply to Lou's response to Dr. Hsiung's post-hstygen? » Dr. Bob, posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 8:31:31
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 10:35:04
In reply to Re: sure (nm) » Lou Pilder, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2005, at 9:35:08
Dr. Hsiung and all members of this mental-health community.
I am delighted to accept the offer here by Dr. Hsiung to show reserch that could indicate that the taking of psychotropic could harm your health amd that the statement by Dr. Hsiung that the poster in question's statement has the potential to be accurate and is not overgeneralizing or exaggerating.
What I will post here is to show where the psychotropic drugs came from, what the chmicals do to those that take them, how pesticides and poisons act and how nerve agents that kill are related to the development of psychotropic drugs. I also will show the relationship with the Nazi regime and psychiatry along with IG Farben and Nazi Germany, Bayer and Hoechst.
But first I would like for those that are going to post to this thread to take in consideration what is written in the following link concerning the "chemical imbalance" theory of psychiatry.
Lou Pilder
http://www.deep-trance.com/treatment/chemical-imbalance.html
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 10:49:21
In reply to Re: sure (nm) » Lou Pilder, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2005, at 9:35:08
Friends,
If you are going to post to this thread, I am also requesting that you consider what is in the following link concerning the "chemical imbalance" theory of psychiatry.
Lou Pilder
http://mambers.fortunecity.com/siriusw/Biochemical-Imbalance.htm
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 10:55:44
In reply to Re: sure (nm) » Lou Pilder, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2005, at 9:35:08
http://members.fortunecity.com/siriusw/Biochemical-Imbalance.htm
Posted by Sebastian on July 8, 2005, at 11:04:10
In reply to has anyone tried Cipralex?, posted by jesica on July 7, 2005, at 12:38:06
Some times you just have to pick a med and stick to it. All meds feel strange, especialy at first. You get used to it though. If Cipralex is intolerable like effexor, try switching again. If not give it a while. Are you just starting to take these types of medication?
Posted by julish on July 8, 2005, at 11:21:33
In reply to My strange experiences with Effexor..., posted by DawniePoo on July 8, 2005, at 6:46:25
Dawn
Seems to me that you are more able to handle the ups and downs of life....
I know it has to be strange, after years of freaking out on the little stuff...
Keep observing yourself.... sounds to me, though, like you're doing ok.
I hope the energy level thing levels out for you.
Take Care
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 11:32:57
In reply to Re: sure (nm) » Lou Pilder, posted by Dr. Bob on July 8, 2005, at 9:35:08
Friends,
I am also requesting that if you are going topost to this thread that you consider what is written in the following link.
Lou Pilder
http://www.peter-lehmann-publishing.com/articles/j-f-lehmann.htm
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 13:08:19
In reply to Re: has anyone tried Cipralex? » jesica, posted by Sebastian on July 8, 2005, at 11:04:10
> Some times you just have to pick a med and stick to it. All meds feel strange, especialy at first. You get used to it though. If Cipralex is intolerable like effexor, try switching again. If not give it a while. Are you just starting to take these types of medication?
Friends, in referrence to the above post, I am requesting that you consider the following if you are going to post to this thread.
It is written here, [...sometimes you just have to pick a med and stick to it...].
I am requesting that you consider the following:
A. What principle of mental-health, if there is one, says that you have to pick a med and stick to it?
B.Does the poster define what a "med" is?
C.Does the poster define the conditions that could lead for someone to [...sometimes...]?
The poster then writes something like,[...if effexor is intolorable...try switching...].
I am asking you to consider the following if you are going to post to this thread.
A. If effexor can be intolerable, could it also cause damage to your health in the near term?
B. If any of these type of chemicals can be "intolerable", could it be that all these type of drugs could cause damage to your health in the long term?
Lou
Posted by carolina on July 8, 2005, at 13:14:12
In reply to Re: Quitting Effexor XR - and off of all other med, posted by carolina on July 8, 2005, at 2:14:26
> > Thanks for your info. I too think the meds may have made me hypomanic, but then having a lot of energy runs in my family and I don't consider that abnormal. I consider coming home, getting on the couch and not wanting to do the things I would normally do, abnormal.
> >
> > We're going to come down slowly, and one thing about your post that I'm interested in, is did you come off of the Effexor while you were still on the Klonopin, and did you think that helped you?
> > Thanks,
> > Starlight
>
> YES!!! it helped w/ the anxiety very much. Good luck and take care
Posted by TinMan on July 8, 2005, at 13:23:13
In reply to Re: My strange experiences with Effexor..., posted by julish on July 8, 2005, at 11:21:33
While I certainly believe that the area of the brain and mind need much more research done, I also believe that Nature has a lot to do with who we are. Women can tell you that each baby while in the womb, has a definite personality. Why does one identical twin have schizophrenia, while the other does not?
It is that whole Nature vs. Nurture thing again. And I honestly believe that genetics have a lot to do with our "mental health" if you will.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. That is where therapy and support groups are invaluable. They can help you try something else.
But "talking" or "pulling" myself out of a depression is not possible for me. With the Effexor, I feel that life is certainly worthwhile and I have something to offer. Not something I felt with Paxil. Work and communicate with your Dr. They certainly need the feedback!
Some are straw, some are tin,
TinMan
Posted by haddsl on July 8, 2005, at 13:29:39
In reply to Lou's response to an aspect of this thread-lngtrm?, posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 13:08:19
This is ridiculous! I feel like the only reason you are here is to badger us and make us feel like we are bad and wrong. Of course there are side effects.... there are side effects to cold medicine too! Everything has side effects, So I guess then according to you we shouldn't take cold medicine either!? If you don't like us and the way that we have decided to FIX our problems then you don't have to waste your time on this thread! If you don't want to take anything.... FINE! now leave us alone! BTW... (which means 'by the way' since you don't know what a med is) a med is medication. the reason they said to try ans stick with it is because there are initial side effects that go away or lessen after about a 2 week period. And finally, if they don't like it and they decide to switch... that is because different pills effect everyone differently. What might make this person ill and abnormal, may make me feel perfect. SO! either try to have a little compassion and understanding for a situation that you are not in, and don't understand. Or... keep your attitude to yourself!
> > Some times you just have to pick a med and stick to it. All meds feel strange, especialy at first. You get used to it though. If Cipralex is intolerable like effexor, try switching again. If not give it a while. Are you just starting to take these types of medication?
>
> Friends, in referrence to the above post, I am requesting that you consider the following if you are going to post to this thread.
> It is written here, [...sometimes you just have to pick a med and stick to it...].
> I am requesting that you consider the following:
> A. What principle of mental-health, if there is one, says that you have to pick a med and stick to it?
> B.Does the poster define what a "med" is?
> C.Does the poster define the conditions that could lead for someone to [...sometimes...]?
> The poster then writes something like,[...if effexor is intolorable...try switching...].
> I am asking you to consider the following if you are going to post to this thread.
> A. If effexor can be intolerable, could it also cause damage to your health in the near term?
> B. If any of these type of chemicals can be "intolerable", could it be that all these type of drugs could cause damage to your health in the long term?
> Lou
>
Posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 13:48:43
In reply to Lou's response to an aspect of this thread-lngtrm?, posted by Lou Pilder on July 8, 2005, at 13:08:19
Friends,
It is written here something about psychotropic drugs in relation to medicines. I am requesting that you to consider what is written in the following link if you are going to post in this thread.
Lou
http://www.mindfreedom.org/mindfreedom/levine.schtml
Posted by carolina on July 8, 2005, at 14:40:03
In reply to Re: Quitting Effexor XR - and off of all other meds!, posted by angelbean on July 8, 2005, at 3:43:23
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for 8 years. I too am coming off of it. Not because it's not working for me, but because I lost my insurance and this stuff is $140 a month! Believe me, if I could afford it, I would continue it forever.
>
> Anyway, it has been 3 days since my last dose, and I think I'm actually feeling a little better. I have experienced all the side effects that everyone complains of, but I feel pretty good right now. I am frightened by the posts I've read here and elsewhere about the effects of coming off, especially without the benefit of tapering. So I wanted to let people know that one person out there is getting off it, and so far I'm ok. I would love to hear from some people who have been successful at getting off it without a lot of side effects. I'm hoping you're out there, and just not talking!
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > I'm coming off of effexor xr and frankly am scared about it.>hey i have stopped effexor b4 and didnt experience any awful side effects except mood swings but i was pregnant and the mood swings cont. so i feel it was the pregnancy, not the effexor causing them :-D i would never stop a med cold turkey ever again just b/c u never know what can happen but i was ok. do u live in a state that has a state type mental health center b/c some states do and even if u have no ins. they base ur fee on a sliding scale and give u samples of the meds if they have them. also u can always apply 4 medicaid in ur state b/c a lot more states are starting to realize mental illness is serious and some will approve state ins. if ur eligable 4 help-even if its just counseling and u dont want meds. i live in sc and i know that at one x sc was the #1 state to approve any needed assistance re: mental health ( i guess they figured most of us are crazy here !!! J/K ) its worth checking into just in case u start 2 feel bad. the info would be in the gov. section of ur phone book-take care and im here if u need me
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