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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by spierson1253 on December 7, 2005, at 15:52:59
In reply to Re: Back on Effexor, posted by Graceneeded on December 7, 2005, at 15:25:48
Effexor requires patience -- it'll take anywhere from 15-30 days for you to fully feel the effects of that dosage -- Effexor is titrated, in that it has to be stepped up gradually, you can't just suddenly be given 150 or 300 mg at the get go -- unless you like being gut-shot, that is.
Tell the doctor of all the side effects. Keep track of when things happen like after meals, while driving, during sleep, etc. Sometimes there are parallel meds they can give you to help you through some of the worst of it.
Any time your dosage of Effexor is changed, again, give 15-30 days for the full effects to kick in. If you start waking up at 2am, don't get mad, like there quietly, relax and think of something pleasant and I'll give you 7-10 odds you'll fall right back to sleep. Changing the time of day you take your doses also helps. Some take it all in morning or evening, some split it up into both times -- I take 3 times the dosage I take at night, with Xanax for extreme anxiety (as needed, in other words.) But work with your doctor to find what's best for you. And don't let him brush off your side effects. You don't need to suffer through them.
Posted by SandiDee on December 8, 2005, at 6:51:05
In reply to Re: Back on Effexor » Graceneeded, posted by spierson1253 on December 7, 2005, at 15:52:59
THANK YOU!! I was actually starting to think I had a brain tumor or something, my headaches are SO unbelievably bad! I wake up in the night with horrible headaches that seem to last forever. I am running out today to get excedrin migraine! Again, I don't know what I would do without these posts, and all of you who let me know I am not alone, that I am not "crazy", and that there is help, and hope out there.
Posted by sanny on December 8, 2005, at 8:01:54
In reply to Re: Back on Effexor » spierson1253, posted by SandiDee on December 8, 2005, at 6:51:05
Wow, I've following the posting on headaches with use of Effexor...I have horrible headaches but blamed it on clenching teeth although I wear a bite splint/retainer most of the time. I am going today for the Excedrin Migraine...if this will help me sleep without waking with a headache, I will be forever grateful to whomever brought up the subject on this forum.....
Posted by Graceneeded on December 9, 2005, at 7:06:05
In reply to Re: Back on Effexor » Graceneeded, posted by spierson1253 on December 7, 2005, at 15:52:59
Thank you. It is so hard to be patient when you suffer from OCD and anxiety. Danny
Posted by TinMan on December 9, 2005, at 7:47:43
In reply to Re: Back on Effexor, posted by Graceneeded on December 9, 2005, at 7:06:05
> Thank you. It is so hard to be patient when you suffer from OCD and anxiety. Danny
Clonazepam helps so much with the bruxism and jaw clenching. It also helps to calm the panic attacks and anxiety. Do you think your Dr. will prescribe this to you to help you get over the initial "bump" of getting Effexor completely in your system? It can be addictive, however. (Same family as valium, xanax.)
I have found that if I take 75 mg. of Effexor before going to bed that I don't have that lapse in the morning when I do the OCD thing. I take 150 mg. first thing in the morning for a total of 225 mg. Breaking it up this way really helps me with the lethargy and feeling a bit oversedated as well.
Good luck!
~TinMan
Posted by Wesley Kenyon on December 10, 2005, at 16:46:51
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Yes, took 1 1/2 yrs, severe depression, just stopped using it, highly sucessful, feel like a new man, very few highly un-noticable side effects. The first six months were hard to adjust, anxiety, naseua, etc. The benefits were well worth it. The withdrawel symptons were a bit harsh, feel even better now than before I started. My depression days are gone I can live my life again.
Posted by journey on December 11, 2005, at 19:10:20
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » jp, posted by Wesley Kenyon on December 10, 2005, at 16:46:51
Hi everyone
I have been taking effexor XR for 3 months now and I have had great success with it. This is my second time taking meds for GAD. The first time I took Lexapro, which now that I am on effexor XR I would say that Lexapro was definately not as effective. I never new that I could live without any of that horrible anxiety I was going through, because with Lexapro it was always still there even if just a little.
Okay my question may be a little bit different. I have had great success in the way that I feel but for some reason 3 wks after taking effexor XR I started having terrible acne problems and now 3 months later I am still having major problems. Nothing is clearing it up. I never even had acne like this when I was a teen. Any one ever had this happen before? I did read on one site that it isn't a main side effect but it can be one of the less common side effects.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
journey
Posted by BonnieK on December 12, 2005, at 2:45:12
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by journey on December 11, 2005, at 19:10:20
Hi Journey~
The only thing that I can think of regarding the skin problems on Effexor, is possibly diet? I haven't noticed the med. itself causing acne, in the 2 years that I've been on it...BUT, I will say that I do crave junk food..and if I eat too many fritos, my skin looks pretty bad. I also gained 10 lbs., before I realized that I had to conrol my desire to eat an entire package of oreos in one sitting. Thankfully, my weight an skin issues leveled off, when I stopped being a junk-a-holic. :~)
I would say that if it's not your diet, then it couldn't hurt to see a Dermatologist...if you haven't already done so.
Best of luck to you!
Posted by Journey on December 12, 2005, at 13:10:40
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » journey, posted by BonnieK on December 12, 2005, at 2:45:12
Thank you BonnieK for your response.
I don't really think it is my diet because that has never really changed much....now could I stand to eat a little healthier...yeah I think we all could but it probably would be a good thing to go to the dermatologist....ahhhhh another doctors visit. I just always wonder how medications are going to do together...I never want one to hurt the effectiveness of the other.Thank you so much.
Journey
Posted by TinMan on December 13, 2005, at 8:21:19
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by journey on December 11, 2005, at 19:10:20
Now that I think about it, I did get some blemishes when I first started the Effexor. That and really heavy, screwed up periods. Thankfully, those side effects have gone away. (8 months...)
~TinMan
Posted by Graceneeded on December 14, 2005, at 8:18:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Journey on December 12, 2005, at 13:10:40
I have been back on Effexor for 10 days and am at 150mg. Still suffering depression and anxiety in my chest. Am using Lorazepam for when the nervousness gets too much. I need something to perk up my mind with out stimulating my chest. Any ideas? I am using sleep as my escape but the Effexor wakes me up at 4am every morning. Any advice will be accepted. Danny
ps: When is this Effexor going to start doing things other than constipation,no ability to cry etc...
Posted by BonnieK on December 15, 2005, at 3:40:51
In reply to Questions about Effexor xr, posted by Graceneeded on December 14, 2005, at 8:18:52
Hi Danny~
The lowest I ever made it down to was 37.5...I was planning on tapering off totally, but when my sister was diagnosed with 2 cancers...I totally bottomed out. As I said before..I knew that I had to be functional for her, my husband and my little boy...So, back up the Effexor ladder I went. Thank God that I did, because the past 9 months have been horrendous...and without a little help I would be crying from morning till night.Like you...I basically had to work my way back up to feeling better, and it took longer the 2nd time. My psych. said that this is common when you fall back into a clinical depression, and your therapy was interupted. He explained it as, your body had become used to the drug...The same drug that kicked in so quickly the first time, doesn't always do the same thing the 2nd/ time....For me, it took 4 weeks to feel better.
I am also on a very high dose of Xanax, 6-8 mg. per day...because I began having panic attacks EVERY DAY, while just sitting and thinking.. which I never had before in my life...I am NOT proud of this dosage, but right now it keeps me as "normal" as possible...Yes, this high of a dosage would probably put the average person to sleep for a day, but for me...It keeps the panic away....The Effexor keeps the depression away. Thank God.
I am so closly tied into my sister's cancers...and having to go through a ton of testing myself, including genetic... I'm facing the possibility of preventative surgery at 37, if I test positive etc. My sister has advanced ovarian and breast cancer....Watching her go through treatment has been so devastating, and we're very close.
As much as I HATE being so dependant on these meds., especially the xanax....I do what I have to do. At some point down the road....I may try and taper down again, but right now, I'm thankful that they're working. My Dr. supports me 100%...and understands the situation.
Anyway...I didn't mean to dump all this on you...What I am really trying to say is, give the Effexor more time. Talk to your Dr. about the Lorazepam if that isn't helping, with the anxiety as your body adjusts...I know that I really felt like total crap, the 2nd time that I went back up in dosage...The only other thing that I can think of to help you, is maybe the 150 jump from 75 was too much, too fast? You could ask your Dr. to give you the 37.5 caps., and see if taking 1, plus the 75mg, is a better adjustment?
Best wishes to you! Bonnie~
Posted by fairyprincess on December 15, 2005, at 13:16:55
In reply to Questions about Effexor xr, posted by Graceneeded on December 14, 2005, at 8:18:52
Hiya,
im on 225mg of effexor&started on 75mg about 8-9 months, then upto 150mg a month later and then upto 225mg about 2 months later as i was still suffering from depression&felt they werent helping me at all. At 225mg it took about 3 weeks until the side effect went (dissiness, disturbed sleep, palpatations etc) and the meds were in my system.
Thou I didnt immediately feel like effexor was workin, i did slowly begin to feel better. I found friends/family noticed my moods were more stable&I was happier&more like my 'normal' self, more so than I did. im still on 225mg&the depression is loades better. Still suffer from a few side effects but worth putting up with fro how much better I feel. I also did cognitive behavioural therapy along with meds& think the combination helped me too.It was however a slow process, as with all anti-depressants they arent very quick at working! Id definately give it more time&thou i know its difficult, be patient.
hope this helps! xxx
Posted by ali30 on December 18, 2005, at 3:16:27
In reply to Re: Effexor XR and orgasm - I Had Success!, posted by Mim on December 1, 2005, at 11:27:11
Hi
I have been prescribed Effexor but am so worried about starting them for a few reasons but one is having read all the side effects. I have been told I have dysthymic disorder. I have taken Prozac & Citalopram (only for 3 mths each time, a year apart) and they helped a bit & only sexual side effects. My dr wants to combine Effexor with CBT. I guess I am am struggling with coming to terms with having been told I have depression & also it is very difficult for my husband to understand or even comprehend & I think he thinks I could get through things with positive thinking etc although in theory this does not work. He married a different person to the one I am now! Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Posted by Graceneeded on December 18, 2005, at 6:44:08
In reply to Questions about Effexor xr, posted by Graceneeded on December 14, 2005, at 8:18:52
Have been back on effexor two weeks. Headaches are pretty constant and the depression has only let up some. Anxiety or anxiousness hits daily. Should this level out? All I want to do is go to sleep cause I don't feel the pain then. Danny
Posted by TinMan on December 18, 2005, at 9:54:58
In reply to Effexor, posted by ali30 on December 18, 2005, at 3:16:27
The only constant is change. And if it were just a matter of "character", well then wouldn't we all be "happy, fun and giggles" all the time? Who would chose to be depressed? Who would chose a personality disorder? AND YES, I know, only too well that there are so many out there that naively think that it is just a matter of having a "weak character or will". If only it were that simple.
It took about two and 1/2 weeks for the GAD to gradually disappear. After about 4 weeks, the social anxiety was much, much better. My thinking is slower, clearer and my moods stable. The slower, clearer thinking happened pretty quickly. I remember the headaches went away after about 3 weeks. The wanting to sleep all the time eased after I switched the times that I took Effexor. It does get better, (except the sexual side effects). Hang in there.
~TinMan
Posted by gadman on December 18, 2005, at 10:15:39
In reply to Re: Effexor, posted by TinMan on December 18, 2005, at 9:54:58
Well said Tinman...
> The only constant is change. And if it were just a matter of "character", well then wouldn't we all be "happy, fun and giggles" all the time? Who would chose to be depressed? Who would chose a personality disorder? AND YES, I know, only too well that there are so many out there that naively think that it is just a matter of having a "weak character or will". If only it were that simple.
>
> It took about two and 1/2 weeks for the GAD to gradually disappear. After about 4 weeks, the social anxiety was much, much better. My thinking is slower, clearer and my moods stable. The slower, clearer thinking happened pretty quickly. I remember the headaches went away after about 3 weeks. The wanting to sleep all the time eased after I switched the times that I took Effexor. It does get better, (except the sexual side effects). Hang in there.
>
> ~TinMan
Posted by qww on December 18, 2005, at 15:07:09
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started using Effexor yesterday evening. It's the first anti-depressant I've ever used.
Today I've started feeling some effects, and I wonder if these are common?
Anyway:
I an experiencing the same recurrent thoughts that normally cause me to feel sad and anxious, but on Effexor, I feel almost no emotion in response to these thoughts, even though these thoughts are very persistent and normally extremely upsetting.
My reaction to crying on this drug also surprised me. Something happened today that would normally sadden me to the point of crying, but today, this event did not sadden me at all. Nevertheless - despite the lack of sadness and emotion, I STILL physically felt as though I wanted to cry - but the tears were blocked. It was like my eyes were trying to shed tears, but something was stopping it from happening. Later after even more stress I finally did cry, but there was no emotion behind it. I was crying, but felt absolutely nothing. It's like my emotions and body aren't really in sync anymore.
I don't know, it seems a bit strange to me. I didn't really know what to expect, this being my first experience with anti depressants, but this wasn't really it. I did read up on Effexor before taking the drug and these sorts of symptoms weren't described anywhere, so I'm wondering if they are normal. So far, I haven't quite made up my mind as to what to think of this drug and whether I like its effects on me. So far though I think I am relieved to be numbed to most of the anguish that has been plaguing me for the last few months.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can offer some insight.
Posted by fairyprincess on December 18, 2005, at 15:28:34
In reply to Effexor, posted by ali30 on December 18, 2005, at 3:16:27
Hi
I personally found that the side effects lasted around 3 weeks until the meds had settled into my system. I had headaches, distrubed sleep, sweating (the one side effect I still suffer from, feeling dizzy, no appetite. All meds have side effects but they are worth it as effexor has been great for my depression.
My depression has reduced incredibly and my moods are much more stable. I am also doing CBT, it seems to be helping me to have more constuctive thoughts than unhelpful ones. It is however really difficult to concentrate on it if your having a bad day.
It is difficult to come to terms with depression, but you have to remember it is an illness and you will get through it.
I think unless you have suffered from depression you really cannot comprehend how someone is feelling when they are depressed. I found that talking and being honest with my close family members, about what I was feeling and thinking helped them to understand, eventhough sometimes what I was thinking upset them greatly. They are also very patient with me which helps.
hope that helps you in some way xxx
Posted by fairyprincess on December 18, 2005, at 15:33:56
In reply to Effexor - Is this normal?, posted by qww on December 18, 2005, at 15:07:09
hi
yeah sounds normal to me!! thats how I felt too when I first started taking effexor. ive been on effexor for 9 months now (225mg) and it has really helped my depression. most side-effects I experienced went within 3 weeks of starting on that dose and the numbness and emotionless feeling disappeared slowly after id got used to the meds. good luck xx
Posted by qww on December 18, 2005, at 17:48:41
In reply to Re: Effexor - Is this normal?, posted by fairyprincess on December 18, 2005, at 15:33:56
Thanks Fairy
I've experienced another effect since writing that post, can anyone tell me if this is normal as well?
Basically I feel distracted or fascinated by things that normally would not cause me any interest. For example, earlier the TV happened to be on and I came across it. I hadn't set out to watch tv, but I found that I almost couldn't take my eyes off of the screen, even though I wasn't really paying attention to it. Same thing some time later when I realized I was staring at a page of type written text - but not reading anything on it or caring to read anything on it.
I've never had any such feelings before when not under the influence of any drugs.
Thanks again.
Posted by fairyprincess on December 19, 2005, at 11:08:14
In reply to Re: Effexor - Is this normal? - a 2nd question, posted by qww on December 18, 2005, at 17:48:41
yeah I had to defer a year at uni as I found my concentration was all over the place. I could sit through a whole lecture just staring at the screen and wouldnt have a clue what id sat through. Along with having no memory what so ever due to the depression, it wasnt great for my course!
I found I could sit talking to friends and thou I was listenin, it was as if what was being said just didnt register with me.
It is a strange feeling and the first few weeks were definately the worst, but now my depression and moods are undercontrol and Im back at uni and finding I can concentrate, so id say it will get better!
Posted by Graceneeded on December 19, 2005, at 15:40:44
In reply to Re: Questions about Effexor xr, posted by Graceneeded on December 18, 2005, at 6:44:08
OK it has been two weeks. What do I do with myself till the Effexor kicks in? Tired of headaches and 4:00am wake ups. Hope you all have a stressless holiday. Danny (..)
Posted by BonnieK on December 20, 2005, at 2:37:06
In reply to Re: Questions about Effexor xr, posted by Graceneeded on December 19, 2005, at 15:40:44
Danny~
What time are you taking the Effexor? If you're waking up at 4 am, it means the med. is wearing off. I would take it later in the morning, and see if that helps.
Best wishes!
Posted by TinMan on December 20, 2005, at 7:37:12
In reply to Re: Questions about Effexor xr » Graceneeded, posted by BonnieK on December 20, 2005, at 2:37:06
How much Effexor are you on? Did you say 75 mg.? Has the dose been increased? If you took it right before bed, could you sleep all night, do you think? Would it wear off during the day at some point? I know you were on Effexor before. What was your dosage then?
You might call/visit your Dr. and talk with him/her about your headaches. I remember mine being pretty "concentrated" but short lived. How long are yours lasting and how bad? If you took the Effexor at night with a dose of Excedrin PM?
It is coming on Christmas which is supposed to be a time for family and friends. And that can mean a LOT of stress for us with OCD (is the house/meal/present perfect?!?), social anxiety (oh, no! It is nasty so and so, and they are coming over to me!) and panic attacks (this mall is so crowded, my credit cards are maxed, how am I going to PAY for all this?!?).
Talk to your Dr. See if there is anything that he/she can do, especially for the headaches.
~TinMan
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