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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by kissprinciple on November 21, 2005, at 22:57:51
In reply to High Cholesterol and Effexor???, posted by Sufferfromeffexor on October 20, 2003, at 14:41:22
Well, this is wonderful to hear and terrible at the same time. I have always been healthy. I am 34 and I eat well, salad, fruit, few fast food meals if any, no beer, etc. My cholesterol is 300 now. I just don't get it. Here I am eating garlic tablets, fish oil, and taking otehr things (Niacin) to get it back down. What an idiot I am - my Dr. is a guy named Martin Kafka. He is the all time expert on this stuff and he knows of lots of side effects and warned me of high blood pressure and a bunch of other stuff. Now I see that there are lots of people who have figured out that Effexor xr probably reacts with your liver. The liver converts saturated fat into cholesterol among other things. Guess what, I am sure that the liver is fighting to clean our bodies of effexor and doesn't have what it takes to do much else. Or we put it to sleep. All I know for sure is taht Effexor is a liver heart attack. I am going to decrease it immmediately and find something else. I may try some natural remedy now that I am understanding how all of this works. Besides, while I feel good and I like Effoxor a lot, it hasn't solved my original reason for taking it - ask me if you're interested but it has to do with sex.
> Does anyone have high cholesterol because of taking Effexor?? I had mine checked last week and just got my results this morning and they are through the roof. My triglycerides are at 533 (normal being below 150). I wonder if this has anything to do with being on Effexor??? I have to go back to the doc tomorrow to see what they want to do. I will probably take medication to lower it temporarily and than have to make some changes in my diet. I am only turning 30 in December and can't believe I am faced with this already.
Posted by TinMan on November 22, 2005, at 7:54:42
In reply to Re: High Cholesterol and Effexor???, posted by kissprinciple on November 21, 2005, at 22:57:51
Thanks for your post about cholesterol. I had no idea. I will be getting my checked. I have not had a problem with it before. I have noticed on Effexor that I am hungrier than usual and I crave sweets. Does this have something to do with the way Effexor effects the liver? Is this part of the reason for the weight gain in different areas?
Posted by spierson1253 on November 22, 2005, at 9:52:52
In reply to Re: High Cholesterol and Effexor???, posted by TinMan on November 22, 2005, at 7:54:42
Well this is certainly scarey. I had my cholesterol checked about 6 months ago and it was at 283. Went on this diet that would have killed a small bird. (Yes, I ate.) Checked it again in 3 mos, and it had jacked up to 293. And now I'm hearing Effexor will jack it up. Great. Just great. What is so really really really scarey, is my mom has the same thing. It's hereditary. If my mom never ever ate another morsel of food, her liver would still over-produce cholesterol. She had to have stents placed in the some of the major arteries/vessels around her heart, as they are all blocked (as is her carotoid, but her frickin' HMO says she's not near enough death yet to put a new stent there.) It is so bad, that within 6 months the stents were being blocked. They found a new way or irradiating the stents every so many months, at miracle of all miracles, it keeps the platelets from sticking to the walls of the stents. But I now face the same future and now I'm doubly worried. Plus, since I was terminated, I have no insurance to continue paying for the Zocor I was taking for the cholesterol. I can't take the Prempro (HRT) for the same reason and now I have night sweats. I can't take my Prilosec (I'll give you 3 guesses) and my acid reflux is returning. But Workers Comp only cares that I'm not screaming in anger or crying abysmally.
Posted by hevvi1 on November 22, 2005, at 13:15:13
In reply to Re: High Cholesterol and Effexor??? » TinMan, posted by spierson1253 on November 22, 2005, at 9:52:52
I have to say I am 36 and a mom of 4 kids.I walk a little at night but thats about all.I eat normally,drink wine at the weekends and have fast food maybe 2wice a month.i have been on Effexor xr for 2 months now and have just beeen to the Dr's today for check-up and refill.My cholesterol hasn't changed,my side-effects have gotten less and I have now lost 10 pounds so i just want to reassure new posters/readers that effexor effects different people in different ways..I am still its #1 fan as I feel like myself again after 10 years...don't be too scared ,just because things have happened to some people doesn't mean its gonna happen to you...
Posted by Mim on November 23, 2005, at 2:29:34
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Effexor » Mim, posted by spierson1253 on November 18, 2005, at 8:39:59
I am so sorry you lost a friend, and was confronted with the fear of losing your sister. There is no medication for that! I think it is totally normal! I agree that learning to recognize triggers is important. I tend to shut down when it all gets to be too much. I shut out all emotions and really don't care about anyone or anything.
Would you believe I am working on a logistics project at a nut-house?? (a.k.a a psychiatric hospital) kind of confrontational. One of the Dr's there says "impression without expression leads to depression" which is prehaps true. Take care of yourself.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 23, 2005, at 9:48:51
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Effexor, posted by Mim on November 23, 2005, at 2:29:34
That's pretty much where I've been for awhile now -- shut down, not feeling, not caring. Anything outside my front door, including the phone, is unwelcome. It becomes something I have to confront. People ask me a barrage of questions trying to understand what's going on with me, I take it as an attack, and my anger begins to assert itself. People don't want to understand and turn their backs, and I act out my hurt and disappointment with anger and then collapse and cry for hours. It's easier to be by myself right now. Never fear -- I have a wonderful support network, nonetheless. They understand my need to be left alone, but are there instantly if I call.
Posted by cueballx on November 24, 2005, at 15:07:56
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by sarah on April 13, 2000, at 23:59:38
I took serzone for 7years and it started to stop working and the dosage was getting higher than i wanted to take, i switched to effexor xr and at first it nocked me for a loop , i felt i was on speed going 100mph and my vision went blury and i couldn't see 5ft in front of me it was happenening at work and when i was driving wich scared me alot, but after about a month things began to settle down and i started to feel the best i have in years, iv'e been on it for 3yrs now , the only problems that i can say i have with it is no sex life ,no dessire to and can not go with out it for even a short period of time , i ran out once and don't have insurance ,and the withdraws are like brain shock waves , burst of electrical pulses that surge thru my brain and my vision goes black when it happens and my head ackes , i was driving to the hospital to try to get some meds and my vision was going in and out and felt like a zombe , it was hard to communicate what i was trying to say. iv'e been buying off the internet from overseas it's cheaper but customs sometimes takes the orders, i was wondering if any of you now of any cheap site or doctors that can give samples till i get insurance again , regular pharm price is 398.00 a month i take 300mg a day and feel great and normal , but cannot go without it, i beleive it does work when you find the right doseage.
Posted by cueballx on November 24, 2005, at 16:30:53
In reply to Re: 'Fraid I spoke too soon (about sweating) :)) » zinya, posted by sasha71 on November 19, 2003, at 12:26:43
About sweating iv'e been on effexor xr for 2yrs and the sweating is still there , i work ing a warehouse and when the other workers see me sweating buckets the boss sayes i'm working to hard slow down and relax , and tells the other workers why can't you guys work as hard as him , I find it fuuny and my work load is less than the others. hahaha Thats one good thing about the sweating , my DR sayes the sweating shows the med is working and is a side effect, iv'e learned to live with and just do my job and enjoy life , thanks to effexor
Posted by Mejestica on November 24, 2005, at 16:44:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started this medication this past tuesday. Ive been feeling icky, while being on it. Ive been getting headaches, I cant sleep, Im so tired while on it, I get dizzy, and my heart rate increases, I feel shakey. Are these normal side effects?? Could someone let me know?
Thank you!!
Posted by cueballx on November 24, 2005, at 17:39:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Mejestica on November 24, 2005, at 16:44:16
HI Maj, yes those are some of the side-effects but they are only till your body gets use to the drug and also getting what your brain has been missing, my DR started me out slowly rasing the dose and told me to increase the level till i feel , the i was back to normal but it takes weeks to find the level that is right for you , one person said 225mg was his level mine is 300mg , you have to give it time to work and it's not a quick fix, but the people around you are going to notice first , if your getting back to your old self.each step is about a week each when i started to take it , the DR said increase it by 37.5.mg like you start with and increase it after a week or two by the 37.5 level till you find you feel good , at first i had the shakes my hands jiggeled and i felt excited as i call like just before something exciting was happening and i had the insomnia wich comes with the drug , my doctor perscribed trazadone at a 25mg level to help me sleep , the thing is you have to take it 2-3 hours before you want to be asleep ,but it knocks you out and is ,i find a little hard to get moving in the mornings , i switch from trazadome to ambein sometimes, i find it easy to wake-up from ambein and not feel groggy. it can take a month or two till you find that level and you'll now it.
Posted by Mim on November 25, 2005, at 6:04:49
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Effexor » Mim, posted by spierson1253 on November 23, 2005, at 9:48:51
I have to get something to break through the not caring to get me to "snap out of it". I have to listen to music that makes me cry or have a huge fight with my husband (lucky man!) or something has to get through...it's like I am frozen in ice and can't feel at all.
Anyway, I am seeing my doctor and some specialist on wednesday, and I really think the thing to do is to go back on Amitrypteline and off the Effexor. I am getting a bit fed up with the lack of sleep.
Saturday night was kind of a mess, looking for teenaged step-daughter down town at 3am, so we all got to bed late (including very contrite teenager who had forgotten to say that she was at a friend's house)and I missed my second effexor in the evening. I ended up sleeping until 2pm! which gives some indication of lack of sleep.Have a good weekend, oh, you are probably off for Thanksgiving. Well, greetings from abroad where it is snowy and wet.
Posted by nana on November 25, 2005, at 11:15:28
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Mejestica on November 24, 2005, at 16:44:16
Good morning, My take on it is that it is suppose to make you feel better not worse. I would say that your body doesn't like the drug and you should try something else. Another thought!! What dose did they start you on. Maybe it is to high. When you read about this med and this site they all say they were started out slow and worked there way up. Good luck
Posted by spierson1253 on November 25, 2005, at 12:11:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by cueballx on November 24, 2005, at 15:07:56
I don't know where you live, but in California you sound you qualify for State Disability, and can go to the State Clinic (don't know proper titles) and get your meds for free.
Also, find the pharmaceutical company that mfgs. Effexor. A lot of the major Rx companies are banded together and are offering their meds at reduced and even free in some instances. Below are some links to help you get started:
http://www.peoples-law.org/health/charity-care/special_drug.htm
http://www.californiahealthline.org/index.cfm?Action=dspItem&itemID=108460
Be very careful with the drug discount card programs. They may end up costing you more than you bargained, not to mention they may be bogus from the start. Try to work directly with the pharmaceutical company or an authorized legitimate representative.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 25, 2005, at 12:14:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Mejestica on November 24, 2005, at 16:44:16
Yes -- it's normal. There is a whole bag of side effects you can choose from -- your blend is unique to you. Give it a month to balance out. Remember, a step up or down in dosage can also cause a small chain reaction, so always give those changes time to balance, also.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 25, 2005, at 12:17:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by cueballx on November 24, 2005, at 17:39:12
Side Note: Be careful with Ambien. It depends on what you're Effexor for. Ambien causes depression and anxiety in some users, which the Effexor is trying to control. In short, the two can cancel each other out, and all your old behavior may reappear. Make sure you let your doctor know if this happens. They put me on Benadryl for sleep. I haven't tried it yet. I know this . . . I may not sleep, but I won't allergic to death.
Posted by spierson1253 on November 25, 2005, at 12:26:28
In reply to Re: Wellbutrin and Effexor, posted by Mim on November 25, 2005, at 6:04:49
My problem is so much falling asleep, it's staying asleep. I take my Effexor 75mg in the morning which helps me stay alert and helps me stay on focus for longer and longer periods of time every day. I take 35.5mg at night, and the sleepiness comes on. However, I wake up after 2 hours. On a good night, if I lie there and am patient, I will fall right back to sleep. If something annoys me during this "wake cycle" I will wake up and not be able to go back to sleep. And I will wake up every two hours during the nights. I don't even need to look at the clock to not what time it is "this time".
Posted by Mejestica on November 25, 2005, at 17:12:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by nana on November 25, 2005, at 11:15:28
My doctor started me on 75mg, this past tuesday. Ive read on the net that people usually start at 35mg. I hope my doc knows what hes doing.
Posted by Mejestica on November 25, 2005, at 17:17:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by cueballx on November 24, 2005, at 17:39:12
Thanks for the replies! My doc started me at 75mg.
I still cannot sleep. I wake up every 20 minutes it seems, and hard to fall back asleep. After about an hour or 2, I start getting very drowsy. Not sure I like this. He told me to upgrade the dosage every week.
Posted by TinMan on November 26, 2005, at 8:42:45
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » cueballx, posted by spierson1253 on November 25, 2005, at 12:17:44
> Side Note: Be careful with Ambien. It depends on what you're Effexor for. Ambien causes depression and anxiety in some users, which the Effexor is trying to control. In short, the two can cancel each other out, and all your old behavior may reappear. Make sure you let your doctor know if this happens. They put me on Benadryl for sleep. I haven't tried it yet. I know this . . . I may not sleep, but I won't allergic to death.
Very good advice on the Ambien! Be careful, it can be addictive.Benadryl is good for sleep. But for some reason, I would wake up after a few hours and have "restless leg syndrome". Not sure why.
The best thing for me is taking 1/2 tablet (7.5 mg) of Remeron a night. It is also a newer A.D. Some like to take Trazadone at night. The Remeron basically "turns my brain off" and I fall asleep.
I am back on 225 mg of Effexor as well. I take one tablet at night along with the Remeron. In the morning, I take two pills. This seems to work for me. Taking a pill at night seems to help keep it in my system AND I don't obcess as much AND I am not so tired during the day. Plus, I still sleep well. HOWEVER, I am getting back to the "no emotions". I guess after feeling deep emotions all my life, it is disconcerting to me. But also a relief, if you know what I mean.
Interesting side note: I had some great talks with my younger brother during Thanksgiving. We both have the same "symptoms", deep emotions, manipulative behaviors, blaming others, etc. Both nature and nurture?
~TinMan
Posted by polar bear 83 on November 26, 2005, at 10:08:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by nana on November 25, 2005, at 11:15:28
I found that I was jittery and had trouble sleeping with 75 mg a day. I now take it every other day in the morning and find that it works just fine. I do find it harder to come to orgasim- which is better than a loss of libido! I also appreciate having some emotions, which was not the case on Serzone. I have not had any other side effects.
Other than the cost, it works for me!
Posted by gadman on November 26, 2005, at 11:25:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by polar bear 83 on November 26, 2005, at 10:08:03
I wonder how 37.5 / Day would work out for you? I currently take appr 67 mg per day (I remove some beads) to come to my ideal dose...
> I found that I was jittery and had trouble sleeping with 75 mg a day. I now take it every other day in the morning and find that it works just fine. I do find it harder to come to orgasim- which is better than a loss of libido! I also appreciate having some emotions, which was not the case on Serzone. I have not had any other side effects.
>
> Other than the cost, it works for me!
Posted by spierson1253 on November 26, 2005, at 18:59:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by TinMan on November 26, 2005, at 8:42:45
It seems to be catching. My stepdaughter has some of all of the same symptoms, as well as her mom, my mom, and one of my 3 brothers. My mom and I have noticed a childlike behavior, where we go to do a household task, such as dusting the livingroom, and we stand there and inside we stomp our feet and go "NO! I don't want to!!" And we walk out and do something we think we would rather do. For my mom, it's reading a book. For me, it's working on a craft or a pc program. Carol and I laugh because if weren't for the grandbabies, that she and I share daily care of while mommy works, we'd not only never get dressed, we'd never take a damned shower!
It seems that those who have come from a partcularly tough childhood (not necessarily abusive, but maybe dirt poor, or made to lots of heavy work to help), or from an abusive adult relationship, share the same symptoms which include but are not limited to deep uncontrollable emotions, manipulating others (it's an act of control, if we control what's around us we can't be blind-sided), anger, anxiety, sleeplessness, sadness, depression, lack of energy, even body aches and headaches. It depends on the degree of unwellness, how the person handles it (like, self-medicating), and how long it's gone on.
Nature and nurture? For us, I think it's more like fight or flight.
Posted by TinMan on November 28, 2005, at 6:58:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » TinMan, posted by spierson1253 on November 26, 2005, at 18:59:00
>>>>Nature and nurture? For us, I think it's more like fight or flight.<<<<<
LOL! Well said. (Even though I can't really laugh, I'd like to! You know, that whole "emotionless" thing has kicked in.)
From your posts, I gather that you are doing better. Does the Effexor seem to be helping? Did you try the Benadryl to help you sleep?
I have also read that people who experience emotions deeply are much more likely to "suffer" from their past and present mis/treatment. (Makes sense, right?)
~TinMan
Posted by BonnieK on November 28, 2005, at 7:10:49
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm, posted by lorily on September 30, 2004, at 17:20:03
Hi...I was surprised to read that I was not alone in this topic...I had no idea....I'm posting this, to maybe provide hope for other ladies out there?
I have been on Effexor XR for about 2 years. I'm a 37 year old, happily married female. Effexor has done wonders for my depression,with very little side effects, but I've had libido problems off and on. The biggest issue was inability to reach orgasm, not matter what I tried. Major frustration!
Lately my libido kicked into high gear, and I'm grateful for that...but I still had the other problem to concur. Here is what worked for me....My Dr. decreased my dosage by 37.5 mg. So, I'm now taking 150mg per day of Effexor XR for the past week. In addition to this, I began taking Ginko Biloba...very scepticaly at 120 mg. each morning.
Well low and behold...IT WORKED! THANK GOD! I can only hope that it will continue.
Good luck to any other ladies out there, who are still trying. Don't give up! It IS possible to not be depressed, AND not be climbing the walls either. ;~)
Posted by tlryan21 on November 28, 2005, at 7:15:29
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm - I Had Success!, posted by BonnieK on November 28, 2005, at 7:10:49
Thanks for that ginko advice, I've been wondering what to do about the libido problem. How long did it take to get into your system and work?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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