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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by cerebus on January 11, 2006, at 16:41:54
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by kmm on January 11, 2006, at 13:49:43
I have been taking Effexor for over 3 years at 75mg then upped the dosage to 112.5mg last year. I also have GAD/SAD and it sucks. I recently went back to pdoc, and indicated I was only activating the serotonin at the above dosage, so he increased my dosage to 225mg. I hope it works because the next experiment will be an MAOI. The side effects everyone is inquiring about is unfortunately normal. The body aches,tingling around the scalp, constipation, sexual problems, and headaches. The only ting I can recommend is give the medication time, alot of these problems will subside, if you can handle it. Effexor is a very strong and good medication.
Posted by TABOB on January 12, 2006, at 0:55:47
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex » kmm, posted by cerebus on January 11, 2006, at 16:41:54
I tried it and had a mini-stroke which landed me in jail for DUI.
Posted by jacobs on January 13, 2006, at 7:08:27
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by TABOB on January 12, 2006, at 0:55:47
ok its been 3 days now that i have been taking effexor xr at 37.5 and it seems to be helping but i do find im tired more. next week they are wanting me to go up to 75. if 37.5 is working for me why do i need to raise the dosage? i have heard this stuff is really hard to get off of so why whould you want to take more if the 37.5 is working? thanks!
Posted by 3djp on January 13, 2006, at 8:33:35
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by jacobs on January 13, 2006, at 7:08:27
> ok its been 3 days now that i have been taking effexor xr at 37.5 and it seems to be helping but i do find im tired more. next week they are wanting me to go up to 75. if 37.5 is working for me why do i need to raise the dosage? i have heard this stuff is really hard to get off of so why whould you want to take more if the 37.5 is working? thanks!
I know what you mean. I started almost two weeks ago, and now been on my 75mg 4 days now. according to my dr. going to 75mg will get you to the right therapeutic level of medicine. I believe to get off this medicine depends on the level of mgs and how long you will be on it. I will ask my doctor next week when I go in for a follow-up.
Posted by TinMan on January 13, 2006, at 8:52:23
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by 3djp on January 13, 2006, at 8:33:35
>>I believe to get off this medicine depends on the level of mgs and how long you will be on it. I will ask my doctor next week when I go in for a follow-up.<<
Let us know what your Dr. says. I do know that at the beginning, I could go without a dose and not have much of anything in the way of side effects. But now, after about 8 months, if I am a little late taking it, I get "the headache".
~TinMan
Posted by sanny on January 13, 2006, at 8:56:03
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by TinMan on January 13, 2006, at 8:52:23
> >>I believe to get off this medicine depends on the level of mgs and how long you will be on it. I will ask my doctor next week when I go in for a follow-up.<<
>
> Let us know what your Dr. says. I do know that at the beginning, I could go without a dose and not have much of anything in the way of side effects. But now, after about 8 months, if I am a little late taking it, I get "the headache".
> ~TinMan
>
> Amen to that TinMan..not only do I get "the headache", but I get that horrible "swimming effect" in my head.....That is the absolutely worse feeling in the world....nausea, etc.
Sanny
Posted by kmm on January 13, 2006, at 12:21:28
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by jacobs on January 13, 2006, at 7:08:27
My doctor explained that they are not only trying to fix your current hormonal problem but also build up your "bank" so that your stores can be replenished. I had the same question about increasing but, ultimately, I think you will find that you will feel better when you get up to maintenance dose. Incidentally, I had to reduce down from 225 mgs to 150 mgs. I did it in 37.5 increments and took about two weeks to do it. I felt a little like I was car sick but, it really was nothing compared to what I was expecting.
Posted by 3djp on January 13, 2006, at 12:58:07
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by kmm on January 13, 2006, at 12:21:28
> My doctor explained that they are not only trying to fix your current hormonal problem but also build up your "bank" so that your stores can be replenished. I had the same question about increasing but, ultimately, I think you will find that you will feel better when you get up to maintenance dose. Incidentally, I had to reduce down from 225 mgs to 150 mgs. I did it in 37.5 increments and took about two weeks to do it. I felt a little like I was car sick but, it really was nothing compared to what I was expecting.
hey, thanks for that info. That put me at ease alittle. Thanks again
Posted by ace11 on January 14, 2006, at 9:10:08
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been on Effexor for 4 weeks now. The first week the medication worked well for me and gave me a sort of numb, zombie type feeling. i had less obsessive thoughts, my anxiety lessened tenfold, and my depression was a lot better. The first 3 days I was on 37.5 mg, and after that I took 75 mg. Unfortunately, since then, this medication isn't doing much for me. I'm back to the same old, depressed and anxious me. I'm wondering if I start to increase my dosage, whether I'll start to feel better again, because I can't go on like this. The worst part is, I don't even have a psychiatrist or even a family doctor with which to discuss my dosage with - though I'm in the process of getting one.
Anyone on this medication have any insights into this?
Thank you
Posted by sanny on January 14, 2006, at 9:33:09
In reply to help asap - effexor dosages, posted by ace11 on January 14, 2006, at 9:10:08
How were you able to get your meds without a dr? It's important that you have a physician who can monitor you...you need to monitor yourself because you're the only one who can relate what it does to you, but the physician should advise you...I'm not censuring you, I'm just concerned..
Posted by animama on January 14, 2006, at 9:40:50
In reply to help asap - effexor dosages, posted by ace11 on January 14, 2006, at 9:10:08
I have only been on effexor for two days at 37.5 mg. I did have a strict warning from my doctor not to miss a dose, stop taking it without notifing him or needing emerengcy care due to extreme side effects. He said that for the first two weeks, I could suffer anixety attacks, but if I could just get through them it would be much better the thrid week.
My suggestion to you is to start back at the 37.5 for a week then up it to the 75mg.
This is so scarry for me, I am taking effexor xr for migraines, or headache that are physical manifestation of my depression. This is just an effort to stop some very sever headaches. I am glad that we are on a path, instead of still searching for something.
I hope that you find a doctor soon. I was diagonosed about 4 years ago with severe depression and was only going to counsuling. I lost insurance and stop counsuling as well. Although the counsuling did help quite a bit, I really think the med with help even more.
Posted by kmm on January 14, 2006, at 13:20:08
In reply to help asap - effexor dosages, posted by ace11 on January 14, 2006, at 9:10:08
My recommendation is to stick with it until you get a doctor. Most of all, please try to see a psychiatrist over a G.P. The extent of my psychiatrist's experience with patient response to various medications has been invaluable to me. If you can find a good one, they can help tremendously. Good Luck!
Posted by steve3590 on January 14, 2006, at 18:22:41
In reply to help asap - effexor dosages, posted by ace11 on January 14, 2006, at 9:10:08
It would be amazing that in the first week of effexor dosing you would experience that dramatic a reversal of symptoms. My feeling is that you had a placebo effect that waned, then you went back to your normal self. It took a good 5 weeks for me to get any relief with effexor. Around the 5th week I started to feel REALLY GOOD. My sleep returned to normal (after 20 years of insomnia). The really good feeling left and now I just feel normal for the first time in many years. I sleep. Using AD's is nothing but a crap shoot. One may work for you, one may not. You are able to get the effexor without a doc, so play with the dose. Run it up to 225 for a few weeks and see how you feel. That's all the MD's are going to do. If you get no relief titrate it down, use some prozac at the end for the slow taper and try another one. Only you can tell if it works. Psych docs are not doing nothing but magic. They have no more idea than you do what will work.
Posted by spierson1253 on January 14, 2006, at 22:25:51
In reply to Re: Anyone treating social anxiety disorder with Effex, posted by sanny on January 13, 2006, at 8:56:03
ah, yes . . . the ever-threatening headache
Posted by paulbowden on January 19, 2006, at 19:54:59
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Has anyone had the experience, while on Effexor, that your lips tingle?
Posted by 4WD on January 19, 2006, at 20:35:31
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by paulbowden on January 19, 2006, at 19:54:59
> Has anyone had the experience, while on Effexor, that your lips tingle?
Nope. But the highest dosage I've ever been on was 75 (and that was brief). It does make my ears ring, though.
Marsha
Posted by jacobs on January 19, 2006, at 21:55:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by paulbowden on January 19, 2006, at 19:54:59
yes when i first started taking it it made my lips and head tingle, the dr said that that was normal and would go away after time. was wondering myself if anyone on here has been on this for awhile and did it help anxiety for them? take care all!
Posted by 3djp on January 20, 2006, at 6:11:13
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by 4WD on January 19, 2006, at 20:35:31
> > Has anyone had the experience, while on Effexor, that your lips tingle?
>
> Nope. But the highest dosage I've ever been on was 75 (and that was brief). It does make my ears ring, though.
>
> MarshaI'm on 75mg right now. Been on it for 18 days now. Yes my ears ring too. The DR informed me that it takes 2-4 weeks for this med to work. Can anyone tell me if this true.
Posted by fairy princess on January 20, 2006, at 8:41:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by 3djp on January 20, 2006, at 6:11:13
Hiya
yeah it took around 3 weeks for the meds to work for me.
And yeah my lips do tingle but I didnt know that was a side-effect and never put it down to the meds. Most side effects do disappear after a few weeks though I still suffer from sweating and really strange dreams. good luck> > > Has anyone had the experience, while on Effexor, that your lips tingle?
> >
> > Nope. But the highest dosage I've ever been on was 75 (and that was brief). It does make my ears ring, though.
> >
> > Marsha
>
> I'm on 75mg right now. Been on it for 18 days now. Yes my ears ring too. The DR informed me that it takes 2-4 weeks for this med to work. Can anyone tell me if this true.
>
Posted by Bets43 on January 20, 2006, at 9:45:10
In reply to Re: Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain, posted by 3djp on December 29, 2005, at 11:52:58
My side effects were waking at night, clenching of the mouth. Some cramps in legs occasionally. These have pretty much have subsided. I do have problems sexually but not impossible (thank God). NO weight gain here.... I take 150mg in am.
Recently have had problems getting out of bed, depression has come back a little because of personal issues. My anxiety remains gone though so maybe I need another med or just good kick in the *rse <BG>
Posted by kmm on January 20, 2006, at 14:27:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by jacobs on January 19, 2006, at 21:55:00
I have been on Effexor for 9 months and found that it has greatly reduced my anxiety. I started off taking Wellbutrin only and found it very agitating but, when I added the Effexor the anxiety improved greatly. It takes a while so hang in there. My primary symptom of depression was crushing chest pain, which has largely subsided. However, there are some very stressful days when I still need to take an ativan or valium in the evening.
Posted by steve3590 on January 20, 2006, at 19:58:57
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
It took about four weeks for it to work on me. I take 150mg and am going to try going up another 37.5. It's worked great so far. I can sleep again, after 20+ years of insomnia. The only side effect I've had is a twelve pound weight loss. Can't get better than that!
Posted by 4WD on January 20, 2006, at 21:15:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by 3djp on January 20, 2006, at 6:11:13
> > > Has anyone had the experience, while on Effexor, that your lips tingle?
> >
> > Nope. But the highest dosage I've ever been on was 75 (and that was brief). It does make my ears ring, though.
> >
> > Marsha
>
> I'm on 75mg right now. Been on it for 18 days now. Yes my ears ring too. The DR informed me that it takes 2-4 weeks for this med to work. Can anyone tell me if this true.
>Please tell your doctor it makes your ears ring. My doctors all acted like I was crazy when I mentioned that as a side effect (except the one I have now). I think too many patients don't report all the side effects they have and so doctors aren't aware that those side effects are taking place in so many patients. They need to know so that the next time some one tells them somthing weird is happening, they'll know it's not just you - that it's not that uncommon.
Marsha
Posted by spierson1253 on January 21, 2006, at 12:05:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » 3djp, posted by 4WD on January 20, 2006, at 21:15:27
> > > > Has anyone had the experience, while on Effexor, that your lips tingle?
> > >
> > > Nope. But the highest dosage I've ever been on was 75 (and that was brief). It does make my ears ring, though.
> > >
> > > Marsha
> >
> > I'm on 75mg right now. Been on it for 18 days now. Yes my ears ring too. The DR informed me that it takes 2-4 weeks for this med to work. Can anyone tell me if this true.
> >
>
> Please tell your doctor it makes your ears ring. My doctors all acted like I was crazy when I mentioned that as a side effect (except the one I have now). I think too many patients don't report all the side effects they have and so doctors aren't aware that those side effects are taking place in so many patients. They need to know so that the next time some one tells them somthing weird is happening, they'll know it's not just you - that it's not that uncommon.
>
> MarshaMy pharmacy includes a printout containing all the information on the drug that has been prescribed. Including Effexor. The new information being included, lists all of the symptoms we complain about. If I've learned correctly, Effexor was first touted as being non-addictive, with no side-effects. This is why our doctors don't believe us. So, when I have to talk to a new doctor, and start getting the poo-poo attitude from him, I pull out the last info sheet I got from the pharmacy on Effexor, and make him/her read it. They seem to listen after that. Doctors get lazy, like the rest of us. The problem is that they can't know every drug, so they use their PDR (Physicians Desk Reference), which is only as accurate as the laste updated version they possess. :-)
Take the time to inform yourself, and then armed with this knowledge (in printed form), educate your doctor. If you educate him, he can better care for you.
Posted by bangersgirl on January 21, 2006, at 14:43:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » 4WD, posted by spierson1253 on January 21, 2006, at 12:05:36
I've been taking effexor for several months now. Much weight gain, sweats, ZERO sex drive, major exhaustion, and more. Should I ask doc about something different?
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