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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 8:25:19
In reply to Re: Off of Effexor as of Yesterday back on today » graceneeded, posted by wildcard on September 7, 2005, at 11:30:59
> I have tried soooo many AD's w/o success and effexor xr is the only one that helps me. i take it for severe depression,social and general anxiety along w/ klonopin. i just took 225mg today and i take 1-2mg of klonopin a day. i have NO motivation though so my doc will hopefully add wellbutrin. i quit b/c once again i thought i cld feel better *mind over matter* but i promised myself if i felt bad again, i wld start again before the depression was too bad. ask anything. im glad to help. Abbey
Hi Abbey! I know this has been discussed before, but what is 'klonopin'? How does it help? I have been on Effexor now for several months and the side effects are now teeth clenching, irritability (mild), listlessness, being generally tired and absolutely no sex drive. My Dr. does not want to put me on any more drugs. Any suggestions?!? Please help ~The TinMan
Posted by graceneeded on September 8, 2005, at 8:39:38
In reply to Re: Off of Effexor as of Yesterday back on today, posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 8:25:19
The medicine you asked Abby is used for anxiety but I found out it stays in the system too long and can sedate abit. I found that Lorazepam is much like it but does not hang around. I take only 1/4 of a mg when anxiety hits and in five minutes its gone for about 6-8 hours. Most of the time just having a break from it kicks start my thought management or just knocks it out till I feel up to dealing with it. As for the sex drive I will ask my wife. She started on something that has given her a drive like none other. I think it may be used to treat AAD. I will write back when I find out. Danny
Posted by wildcard on September 8, 2005, at 9:09:30
In reply to Re: Off of Effexor as of Yesterday back on today, posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 8:24:43
Hey TinMan!! klonopin is a benzodiazepine(benzo) that is used for seizures and anxiety (panic attacks). unfortunately it can be very addictive if not used as prescribed but it helps take the edgy,irritable feeling away and it seems to help w/ the jaw clenching. i think klonopin is a great med. but i take as little as needed and havnt had any addiction problems w/ it. hope this helps!
Abbey
Posted by wildcard on September 8, 2005, at 9:11:31
In reply to Re: Off of Effexor as of Yesterday back on today, posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 8:24:43
Posted by wildcard on September 8, 2005, at 9:14:11
In reply to Kolnopin and Effexor, posted by graceneeded on September 8, 2005, at 8:39:38
Hey Danny...i tried the lorazepam and it didnt work well for me. it's just about each persons chemical makeup! take care
Abbey
Posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 10:04:00
In reply to Kolnopin and Effexor, posted by graceneeded on September 8, 2005, at 8:39:38
> The medicine you asked Abby is used for anxiety but I found out it stays in the system too long and can sedate abit. I found that Lorazepam is much like it but does not hang around. I take only 1/4 of a mg when anxiety hits and in five minutes its gone for about 6-8 hours. Most of the time just having a break from it kicks start my thought management or just knocks it out till I feel up to dealing with it. As for the sex drive I will ask my wife. She started on something that has given her a drive like none other. I think it may be used to treat AAD. I will write back when I find out. Danny
Yes! Please do let me know has given her a sex drive back! Thanks a LOT! ~TinMan
Posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 10:06:46
In reply to Kolnopin and Effexor, posted by graceneeded on September 8, 2005, at 8:39:38
> The medicine you asked Abby is used for anxiety but I found out it stays in the system too long and can sedate abit. I found that Lorazepam is much like it but does not hang around. I take only 1/4 of a mg when anxiety hits and in five minutes its gone for about 6-8 hours. Most of the time just having a break from it kicks start my thought management or just knocks it out till I feel up to dealing with it. As for the sex drive I will ask my wife. She started on something that has given her a drive like none other. I think it may be used to treat AAD. I will write back when I find out. Danny
Yes! Please do let me know has given her a sex drive back! Thanks a LOT! ~TinMan
Posted by graceneeded on September 8, 2005, at 10:21:24
In reply to Re: Kolnopin and Effexor, posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 10:06:46
She said that she is on Metadate for energy and Lexapro for OCD and a lot of Laughter. All I can say is its working. ;) Danny
Posted by wildcard on September 8, 2005, at 12:28:46
In reply to Re: Kolnopin and Effexor, posted by TinMan on September 8, 2005, at 10:04:00
Nope...sorry TinMan. The best med. that i know of that either has no sexual side effects or actually raises ur libido is Wellbutrin.(It is awesome in that area!!)
Posted by ct79 on September 8, 2005, at 22:16:03
In reply to youre very welcome!! anytime ; ) (nm) » ct79, posted by wildcard on September 8, 2005, at 6:32:30
Well I took my first dose of Effexor XR 37.5 this morning. I had a couple of bouts of confusion but they passed quickly. Also I don't know if it was my hope or just a placebo effect, but I felt more energized about 30mins after I took it.
Posted by wildcard on September 9, 2005, at 2:12:20
In reply to Re: youre very welcome!! anytime ; ), posted by ct79 on September 8, 2005, at 22:16:03
Posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 7:48:04
In reply to Was This A Side Affect?, posted by Sis on August 12, 2000, at 16:57:20
I have been using Effexor for about three years at the dose of 450mg a day and it has had both negative and positive effects although the negative list is a lot longer than the positive. Everything from gaining weight, lost use of the mind, to self mutilation. I have been thinking of no longer using it but worried about what I was like before but reading through these messages has helped me to decide to end this. I also take Xanax which would help, hopefully. At the moment I'm not too worried about side effects because I enjoy the brain buzzing as you guys call it (perfect description) but I'm going to be careful with it. It does help knowing that there are so many people out there who are feeling the same as I do. Almost makes me feel better.
Posted by TinMan on September 10, 2005, at 9:06:54
In reply to Long time user of Effexor, posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 7:48:04
Hi Ezra666,
I don't have the "brain buzzing" as it has been described. I have gone to 150 mg but have found myself obsessing about things (OCD). So now I am back up to 225 mg. I do feel lethargic, low motivation, hungry, no sex drive and I sometimes "forget" things. (But I did that before, too.) My Dr. does not want to add Wellbutrin to the Effexor.You dose seems to me to be a little high. Were you self mutilating BEFORE the Effexor? Has it helped? If the negatives outweigh the positives, then, yes, you are wise to try something different.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing!
Posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 9:17:29
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by TinMan on September 10, 2005, at 9:06:54
Posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 9:24:47
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor (nm), posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 9:17:29
Sorry, my second message and I mess it up. That makes one feel stupid. Anyway as I said in the message that didn't show up. My GP put on the high dosage because the smaller ones made me worse. As for the self mutilation it was something I did sometimes but now it's something I think of and do a lot.
I have to say that writing to people likes makes me feel very anxious but I will stay in touch and hopefully I'll be able to give others advice.
Thanks for such a quick response!
Posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 9:27:50
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor (nm), posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 9:17:29
The only effect i had from effexor was the lethargy(sp) but now that im at 225 i have a lot more energy. i have never had the brain zaps and i have no appetite on effexor?? Weird how the med effects everyone so differently.
Posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 9:39:40
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor » Ezra666, posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 9:27:50
I understand what you mean because I read a lot of posts before posting myself. I was thin before going on effexor and didn't eat much at all but once I started it I started eating and haven't stopped. I get sick once I start feeling hungry and if I try to exercise I spend three days sleeping it off.
But I am glad that it works for a lot of people.
Posted by TinMan on September 10, 2005, at 9:53:16
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by Ezra666 on September 10, 2005, at 9:24:47
Ezra666, the one thing that Effexor has definitely helped me with is the GAD. I want to DO things that before, I was too anxious to even try. But I can really relate to the working out issue and then sleeping for 3 days!
Paxil did not HELP me; in fact, I wanted to and thought about drinking alcohol a lot. Normally, I am not a big drinker but on Paxil, wow. And I would drink and do very stupid things; impulsive things that I normally NOT do. So switching from Paxil to Effexor has been a good thing for me. Also, when it was clear to me that I had a problem with the Paxil, I found a new Dr., a Psychiatrist and a therapist. One of the best things that I have done for myself in a while. So, my recommendation to you is to find a Psychiatrist (who is much more attuned to these kind of meds). He/She should be able to find a drug or a combo of drugs that is much more helpful to you than the Effexor has been.
Just my 2 cents worth. -TinMan
Posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 10:09:06
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by TinMan on September 10, 2005, at 9:53:16
That is very true indeed! Although it can be a PITA to switch meds until u can find one that works for u, when u do, it's worth it. And that is odd TinMan b/c I have never been a drinker until i was on Paxil as well...and i was very impulsive also! That was a bad med. for me, however it may help others. Ezra, just take ur time until u feel more comfortable posting. We all understand. Glad ur w/ us! Take care.
Posted by ct79 on September 10, 2005, at 16:54:19
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor » TinMan, posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 10:09:06
I to was on Paxil before. It did nothing for me except give me side effects. I am on my fourth day with Effexor. I have yet to have any side effects except for some slight confusion at times. I think I am on the lowest dose 37.5MG . I am also on killonipin as well as Ambien. I am finding myself starting to not need these other meds as much. I was extremely dependent on them before. I know that the Effexor has not even gotten in my system yet, so maybe my feeling better has to do with the group therapy I am doing.
Are you missing doses at all ? Also what time are you taking the Effexor ? I take mine in the mornings and it seems to work out just fine for me. As for the self mutilations thoughts, I have never had that problem so I am not sure what kind of advice I can give you on that other than don't do it. Do you have a favorite hobby that you can do when those types of thoughts set in ? If not try sitting down and writing a letter to yourself to help take your mind off of the negative.
Posted by Ezra666 on September 11, 2005, at 3:01:08
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by TinMan on September 10, 2005, at 9:53:16
I have a good Doctor and I trust him. He sent me to see a Psychiatrist and it was the Psychiatrist who said to up my Effexor to 450mg and also suggested Epilim. The Epilim works for my depression though it hasn't taken it away. And the Effexor is for my Social Phobia.
I'm going to talk to my Doctor about trying the first medication I was on with the Epilim, (don't know the name of the first one).
I've dropped down to 375mg of Effexor today and so far so good.
Ezra666
Posted by Ezra666 on September 11, 2005, at 3:04:11
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor » TinMan, posted by wildcard on September 10, 2005, at 10:09:06
Thanks! I'm glad to be here and talk about this stuff with people who understand. Even though my Doctor says he knows what I'm going through it's not the same.
I have Social Phobia so I find it very hard to talk to people but knowing that the people on this list suffer a lot of the things I do helps.
Thanks for the welcome!
Posted by Ezra666 on September 11, 2005, at 3:12:33
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by ct79 on September 10, 2005, at 16:54:19
I take my Effexor in the morning. My first side effects were tiredness and feeling sick. Feeling sick only lasted a few days but I slept for two hours every afternoon for nearly a year and at least twelve hours a night. That was nasty for someone who use to sleep only eight hours a day. Side effects changed and started with higher dosages.
I use to write and read a lot but I can't concentrate long enough to do either.
With the mutilation, when I want to do that I start pulling my hair out from underneath and that takes my mind off the cutting. It works most of the time. I hoping that will stop with the loss of Effexor.
I've cut back as of today. Down to 375mg. I'll to that for a few days and then drop another 75mg. I'm hoping that even with the brain buzzes I will feel better physically at least.
Posted by TinMan on September 11, 2005, at 11:47:23
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor » TinMan, posted by Ezra666 on September 11, 2005, at 3:01:08
Lately, I have been taking 150 mg of Effexor in the morning and then another 75 mg at noon. Even though I feel lethargic, I cannot go to sleep without the 7.5 mg of Remeron. I am no longer a "morning person". I sleep 10+ hours sometimes. I don't like that.
I guess I keep going back to the idea of taking Wellbutrin.
I do love what Effexor does for me with social, generalized anxiety and the panic attacks. I also like that I can "sit" with my feelings no matter how painful. I don't self mutilate or cut BUT I do other self destructive things, especially in relationships with others. The Effexor slows my thinking down so I can focus on my behavior.
I don't like to drink on Effexor (unlike the Paxil!). The next day, I feel headachy and hung over. Not good.
Anyway, getting off the Paxil and trying something different has worked so far for me. -TinMan
Posted by LynnPerley on September 11, 2005, at 22:26:02
In reply to Re: Long time user of Effexor, posted by TinMan on September 11, 2005, at 11:47:23
I have been taking Effexor for over three years now. I have been on doses ranging from 75 mg to 300 mg. It is wonderful for anxiety and worry. The trouble is, it makes me feel like I don't care about anything. I can see a big problem coming up and be powerless to respond. It kept me functional for the most part when my husband was deployed in Iraq, but the inability to concentrate and constantly mellow effect is not good. My doctor added Ritalin to help the concentration, which helped a great deal - when I took it - but the I don't care attitude led me not to take it on as regular a basis as I should have. I also gained 30 pounds and stopped exercising altogether. I started drinking a lot more on a regular basis. It is very hard to tell the side effects of a particular medication from telling when your depression is getting worse. I finally decided I wanted off of the Effexor for good but past tries had not been succesful due to discontinuation syndrome.
About a month ago, after describing these problems in a forceful manner to my doctor, and determining I could not take Wellbutrin due to a seizure history, we decided to add 20 mg Prozac to the 225 mgEffexor/15 mg Ritalin combination. The first week was not good, because the old jaw clenching Prozac side effect came back. The second and third weeks were much better as far as side effects, and I felt more energized and almost "normal". We increased the dose of Prozac to 40 mg for another month and then we will try tapering down on the Effexor.
I find Prozac much more energizing than Effexor. I'm hoping to cut back on the Effexor dosage soon. Exercise was my natural antidepressant for several years and I want to be my old self again.
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