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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 9526 to 9550 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Patricia Risi on January 27, 2006, at 3:18:25
In reply to Effexor - Is this normal?, posted by qww on December 18, 2005, at 15:07:09
I have been on so many antidepressants that I can tell you how they affected me (not necessairly how they will affect you) Paxil made me tired, Zoloft made me like a zombie...someone mentioned not having any emotions and not crying...that can be a good thing at the start but soon you realise that while you have no lows(crying) you also have no highs (happiness) it kind of puts you right in the middle...flat. Not an enjoyable life at all. Celexa was the best for side effects.....didnt feel any...other than the usual change in sex drive..Wellbutrin is also used to quit smoking(Zyban) but it dosnt seem to be working for me with all my stress! Other than that benefit there were no bad side effects...just didnt work for me (celexa and wellbutrin) Now I am on Celexa,Wellbutrin, Effexor...this is not all...i also take many more due to the fact that my depression is a result of a brain tumor....i think i feel the same as everyone else though. Okay, Effexor...the nightmare drug....nobody tells you ALL the side effects....as you experience them and mention them to your doctor they say "yes thats from the Effexor"...well why didnt you tell me that BEFORE I started taking it!!! I am currently taking 225mg and feel flu-like effects, dizzy, dry mouth,headaches,really tired. Who knows how many more there are...but im sure I will find out as time passes..I will keep everyone posted. I actually have a compendium of pharmaceuticals - the book the doctors have but its outdated so i dont know if it has effexor in it...will type everything out if I find it. In the end....everyones chemistry is different so we all have to go through the ritual of testing these awful drugs....hopefully with a bit of info we can narrow our search. There are different classes of antidepressants too...SSRI's are one and im not sure but i think MAOIs are the other one. I am going to write a post on just Effexor for everyone righy now...Patti
Posted by DIJANA on January 27, 2006, at 9:36:48
In reply to for Racer, posted by jp on October 26, 1999, at 4:13:49
I AM ON EFFEXOR RX 1 YR 1 187.5 MG ,IT HELP ME A BUNCH ,I USED TO HAVE SEVERE PANIC ATTACK AND EVEN HEART ATTACK ASSOCIATED WITH ANXIETY AND PANIC ATTACK ,IT STOPPED THANKS TO THIS MIRACLE DRUG...ONLY PROBLEMS WITH IT ARE DIZZINES SOMETIMES AND EXCESIVE WEIGHT GAIN.
Posted by DIJANA on January 27, 2006, at 9:51:40
In reply to starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by jp on October 25, 1999, at 12:01:53
> so I went to see my GP today (psychiatrist appointment
> is only in 2-3 weeks)... and got a prescription
> for effexor. the gp advised that I start on the
> normal version, at 37.5mg twice a day, and then,
> if I tolerate it, move to the XR version.
>
> Will such a low dose have any effect at all? what am
> I to expect. how soon does it produce a noticable
> and favourable effect? Anyone on such a low dose?
>
>...YOUR DOCTOR PROBABLY WANTS TO SEE HOW ARE YOU TOLERATING EFFEXOR BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE CANT IT IS SMALL DOSE BUT HE WILL INCREASE IF YOU FEEL GOOD .I STARTED WITH 100MG A DAY THEN TO 237.5 AND NOW I AM ON 150MG AND I FEEL OK MY SYMPTOMS ARE3 GONE.I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT EMOTIONAL RETARDATION ITS CONSTANT BUT LOSS OUTWEIGHTS THE INCOME IN MY CASE.
Posted by DIJANA on January 27, 2006, at 9:58:18
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » damian, posted by 4WD on January 25, 2006, at 21:37:10
> > I HAVE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR 9 MONTHS AND I HAVE MORE BAD DAYS THAN GOOD DAYS AND I AM FEELING NOW LIKE I SHOULD JUST GIVE UP. I AM TIRED OF MY LIFE THE WAY I FEEL AND I AM ON 330MG A DAY, YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD FEEL ALOT BETTER BY NOW BUT I DONT. I HAVE HAD SOME IMPROVEMENT BUT I DONT THINK ITS ENOUGH. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO I AM JUST TIRED OF IT ALL. I JUST WANT TO BE ALONE WHERE NO ONE CAN FIND ME. PLEASE HELP, I AM SO CONFUSED RIGHT NOW AND JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.
>
>
> Don't give up! I think you should talk to your doctor right away about switching meds or lowering your Effexor and adding something to augment it. Nine months is more than enough time to try out a drug. If it isn't working, then go to something else. There are so many meds out there, don't give up. Call your doctor ASAP.
>
> We are here for you and most of us have felt the way you do. But it is possible to get better - but only if you keep trying.
>
> Marsha
>O DAMIAN!i wish i can help you!! you must seek help imedeatly !! i been there where you are now and I now how you feel,maybe your doctor should lower dosage and if you are not satisfied with your doc CHANGE HIM be in control its your life.
Posted by spierson1253 on January 27, 2006, at 10:10:58
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by damian on January 23, 2006, at 23:29:45
Do you have a counselor? Or access to counseling? You may need to get your dosage lowered, perhaps add Welbutrin half&half with the Effexor. Maybe Xanax instead, if it's really really really bad right now. But please, see a doctor. Preferably a psychiatrist, which is a psychologist with an MD -- he can prescribe medicine as well as counsel you. Call a hotline and talk if you need to, until you can be seen by someone. Don't give up. It probably took awhile to get where you are now, and getting better isn't going to happen overnight. There is no magic pill for that. But they can help you maintain while you recover yourself.
Good luck ~~Sherry~~
Posted by bangersgirl on January 27, 2006, at 17:38:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » damian, posted by spierson1253 on January 27, 2006, at 10:10:58
I've been on effexor xr since may 2005. I take 150mgs each morning. Been feeling like I am headed for a breakdown for the last couple days, today was real close. Depression led to the pills, pills lead to side effects, side effects lead to more depression. I have an appointment with gp on monday. Hoping to get referral for a psychiatrist. The problem is i don't know what the problem is!! LOL
Posted by nana on January 27, 2006, at 18:54:14
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by bangersgirl on January 27, 2006, at 17:38:51
> I've been on effexor xr since may 2005. I take 150mgs each morning. Been feeling like I am headed for a breakdown for the last couple days, today was real close. Depression led to the pills, pills lead to side effects, side effects lead to more depression. I have an appointment with gp on monday. Hoping to get referral for a psychiatrist. The problem is i don't know what the problem is!! LOL
Hi!! don't give up!! We all have those days where it seems like we are stuffed in a box with no light. Hang in there, try to stay positive. On those days my doctor has given me 37.5 for an extra dose just to help me thru the bad days. Keep talking to us. We are all here for you.
Posted by wanttobhappy on January 27, 2006, at 21:45:49
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dosage?, posted by DIJANA on January 27, 2006, at 9:51:40
I started at 37mg effexor for the first week and am 4 days into 75mg effexor xr for the second week. I had a really tense jaw (can be a side effect, does go away) and major nausea after taking my pills. Taking them with a meal and lots of water made a huge difference, I have'nt felt nauseus for the last three days. I also slept 11-12 hours a day for the first 3-4 days. but I am starting to feel better now. I am back at work still tired but I am just going to bed earlier instead of napping 4 hours in the middle of the day. This may just be the honeymoon period but I am trying to keep an open mind and enjoy all the good days I have. Some of the other side effects I was told about are tingly head and lips, heavy sweatting, and headaches. If you have pesistent headaches you should see a doc because it can be a sighn of high BP and eefexor can raise your BP.
Best of luck, Hope i helped a little
wtbhappy
Posted by fluffyredkitty on January 28, 2006, at 1:29:03
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hello all,
This is mt first time on this and I am feeling that i am not alone in my suffering anymore. I have taken effexor @225mgs. a day for at least a year and a half. more recently i have suffered in silence for the past 6-8 months and am just now scraping myself off the floor.I am having an unusual side effect that I haven't heard anyone else mention.For the past few months I have noticed white looking mini eggs in my bowel movements.So I have gone through the embarrassing Dr. visits with leaving samples and they can't find anything wrong. They thought parasites or something fun like that... So now they want me to go to the G.I. Dr.. I have been monitoring my diet and looking at everything and tonight I had an idea to crack open a capsule and see if it looks like the same . It looks just like what's inside the caps. This is really screwey and embarrassing i am not sure if anyone else has experienced this.Let me know!! Thanks fluffyredkitty
Posted by DIJANA on January 28, 2006, at 10:56:14
In reply to Unique side effect, posted by fluffyredkitty on January 28, 2006, at 1:29:03
> > Hello all,
>
> This is mt first time on this and I am feeling that i am not alone in my suffering anymore. I have taken effexor @225mgs. a day for at least a year and a half. more recently i have suffered in silence for the past 6-8 months and am just now scraping myself off the floor.I am having an unusual side effect that I haven't heard anyone else mention.For the past few months I have noticed white looking mini eggs in my bowel movements.So I have gone through the embarrassing Dr. visits with leaving samples and they can't find anything wrong. They thought parasites or something fun like that... So now they want me to go to the G.I. Dr.. I have been monitoring my diet and looking at everything and tonight I had an idea to crack open a capsule and see if it looks like the same . It looks just like what's inside the caps. This is really screwey and embarrassing i am not sure if anyone else has experienced this.Let me know!! Thanks fluffyredkitty
i have that 2 for about few months I dont now what it is,if you find out let me now please.
Posted by bangersgirl on January 28, 2006, at 15:14:11
In reply to Re: Unique side effect, posted by DIJANA on January 28, 2006, at 10:56:14
> > > Hello all,
> >
> > This is mt first time on this and I am feeling that i am not alone in my suffering anymore. I have taken effexor @225mgs. a day for at least a year and a half. more recently i have suffered in silence for the past 6-8 months and am just now scraping myself off the floor.I am having an unusual side effect that I haven't heard anyone else mention.For the past few months I have noticed white looking mini eggs in my bowel movements.So I have gone through the embarrassing Dr. visits with leaving samples and they can't find anything wrong. They thought parasites or something fun like that... So now they want me to go to the G.I. Dr.. I have been monitoring my diet and looking at everything and tonight I had an idea to crack open a capsule and see if it looks like the same . It looks just like what's inside the caps. This is really screwey and embarrassing i am not sure if anyone else has experienced this.Let me know!! Thanks fluffyredkitty
>
>
> i have that 2 for about few months I dont now what it is,if you find out let me now please.
>Oh My Goodness!! i have noticed that too! I didn't think too much of it because I have always had kind of screwy bowels but...wow..it is so much a relief when you find that you aren't the only one going through these kinds of things..
Posted by 4WD on January 28, 2006, at 22:18:46
In reply to Unique side effect, posted by fluffyredkitty on January 28, 2006, at 1:29:03
> > Hello all,
>
> This is mt first time on this and I am feeling that i am not alone in my suffering anymore. I have taken effexor @225mgs. a day for at least a year and a half. more recently i have suffered in silence for the past 6-8 months and am just now scraping myself off the floor.I am having an unusual side effect that I haven't heard anyone else mention.For the past few months I have noticed white looking mini eggs in my bowel movements.So I have gone through the embarrassing Dr. visits with leaving samples and they can't find anything wrong. They thought parasites or something fun like that... So now they want me to go to the G.I. Dr.. I have been monitoring my diet and looking at everything and tonight I had an idea to crack open a capsule and see if it looks like the same . It looks just like what's inside the caps. This is really screwey and embarrassing i am not sure if anyone else has experienced this.Let me know!! Thanks fluffyredkittyI've experienced this same thing. Apparently some of the little pellets inside the capsules just don't get absorbed and pass right through. I only ever noticed 1 or 2 of them at a time though. If you are noticing a lot of them, you must not be absorbing it very well. Is it helping your depression?
Marsha
Posted by mrbunny on January 29, 2006, at 17:51:27
In reply to Unique side effect, posted by fluffyredkitty on January 28, 2006, at 1:29:03
I work as a tech in a GI clinic doing colonoscopies...We regularly see shells of time release pellets in the colon....Once I saw the shell of a Wellbutrin SR pill, empty but nearly intact. We could still read the lettering on it.
You should still follow up on this, cuz I'm not a doctor, but dont be surprised if they tell you it's just empty shells.....
MrBunny
> > Hello all,
>
> This is mt first time on this and I am feeling that i am not alone in my suffering anymore. I have taken effexor @225mgs. a day for at least a year and a half. more recently i have suffered in silence for the past 6-8 months and am just now scraping myself off the floor.I am having an unusual side effect that I haven't heard anyone else mention.For the past few months I have noticed white looking mini eggs in my bowel movements.So I have gone through the embarrassing Dr. visits with leaving samples and they can't find anything wrong. They thought parasites or something fun like that... So now they want me to go to the G.I. Dr.. I have been monitoring my diet and looking at everything and tonight I had an idea to crack open a capsule and see if it looks like the same . It looks just like what's inside the caps. This is really screwey and embarrassing i am not sure if anyone else has experienced this.Let me know!! Thanks fluffyredkitty
Posted by fluffyredkitty on January 29, 2006, at 23:02:01
In reply to Re: Unique side effect, posted by DIJANA on January 28, 2006, at 10:56:14
> >
>
>
> i have that 2 for about few months I dont now what it is,if you find out let me now please.
>
Well so far with the few responses I have had it seems that this isn't abnormal.Afew have experienced it.One person that responded said that with extendedrelease tabs that the "shell" can pass through the bowels and not digest,but,the body is taking the medicine out. My concern is how many I have seen over time,mine range from a few to a few dozen. I need to talk to my Dr. about how to find out if I am just "passin'shells" or the whole thing.I am starting to realize that after finding this site and then talking with my husband about all the side effects that other people are having along with all the ones that i thought were "just me" thatcome with taking this med, I am ready to try and taper off and find something else to go with the Wellbutrin that I am taking.
Thanks for responding! fluffyredkitty
Posted by fluffyredkitty on January 29, 2006, at 23:17:43
In reply to Re: Unique side effect » fluffyredkitty, posted by 4WD on January 28, 2006, at 22:18:46
>
>
> I've experienced this same thing. Apparently some of the little pellets inside the capsules just don't get absorbed and pass right through. I only ever noticed 1 or 2 of them at a time though. If you are noticing a lot of them, you must not be absorbing it very well. Is it helping your depression?
>
> Marsha
>
>
Hello,
I am finding that it can range from a few to a few dozen,so I am going to talk to my Dr. about how much I am absorbing.
My depression when I started this med was very serious.I had been taking Zoloft and just had a baby.She was about a month or so and the "post pardum"was killing me.So my Dr. suggested switching to this one. So I switched over no problem and increased,no problem and then it got bad again, so ,we added wellbutrin150mg. and increased my effexor xr225mg. It seemed that I had about a month of sunshine after it all kicked in and then from there it had been a slow suicide. For at least the past eight months or so I have been falling into a hole.And not even really noticing or caring much about the damage I was doing to my life.More recently I have had an intervention and am slowly getting involved again.I have cut myself down to 125mg.of effexor and kept the WB the same. It has been such a rude awaking for me to see the damage that I have done. I really thought that it wasn't the meds that it was me.This site with everyones insight and honesty has been such a blessing.Thanks for your response, fluffyredkitty
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on January 30, 2006, at 2:29:23
In reply to scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by 3mom on November 20, 2005, at 20:41:47
okay, i tried to post a reply to this once already, so if everyone else can see my first reply, i'm sorry...but i can't...
i totally feel 3mom's pain. i was put on effexor by a family dr after having a routine physical and talking to him about not being able to handle the everyday things with three kids. (i did fine and could handle just about anything you threw my way when we had 2 kids...)He diagnosed me with PMDD and Depression, gave me Zoloft because it was more for the PMDD and off i went. I moved onto the Effexor because of sexual side effects and the fact that the roof could be falling in and on Zoloft i'd say something like, oh well...who needs a roof anyway?
I stopped taking the Effexor last week (after about a year on it) for a number of reasons and have started having withdrawl symptoms. The most obvious ones to me are being very emotional and being VERY easily angered. I'm so upset and (go figure) angry that maybe effexor was too heavy a hitter for what I was experiencing, and that in today's society we trust our dr's to do what is best and many of them seem to be doing what is easiest... It is so disheartening...
BTW I've quit the dr by my choice, not a dr's as I do not have a dr att, we've moved from MI to CA and I have not found a dr for myself yet...
I'm interested in hearing from anyone about recommendations on what to look for in an alternative dr (I really feel poor nutrition plays a huge part in my mood problems), what to watch for while I come off the effexor, how darn long it's going to take to come off of it, and anything else anyone wants to share. Tina
Posted by TinMan on January 30, 2006, at 8:20:56
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by wifeofarmyguy on January 30, 2006, at 2:29:23
Hi Y'all -
Here are some questions that I have and hope for some insight.
Q1: I have been on Effexor for about 9 months (225 mg). Lately, it doesn't seem to be working as well. I feel like I am getting more depressed. Adding Wellbutrin was not good for me as I was agitated and irritable with it. It takes so much effort to get out of bed and I am just lethargic. What to do?
Q2: One of the side effects that I have that really bothers me is that I have horrible periods. And lately, they are about two weeks apart. I am perimenopausal and on the pill due to fibroids. Does anyone else have this complication?
Q3: I am wondering if poor nutrition has something to do with it. I don't eat like I should because I am afraid if I did, I would blow up like a balloon! I have put on about 10 lbs. since being on the Effexor. Any insight?
Q4: I have been on Paxil and when off, I looked back in horror at what damage I had done to my life and those that I love. <<ArmyWife, I could really relate to your post about that!>> While on Paxil, I was simply out of control. While on Zoloft, I would "wake up" out of my fog and be in a place not knowing how I got there. And the Zoloft made my depression much, much worse. Anyone else have these experiences with SSRI's? What do you take?
Q5: Most every night, I have a couple glasses of wine. Somehow, this fills a void for me. I know it is not a good thing and I know what the void is. Would the drinking (depressant) inhibit the good effects of Effexor? (I am pretty sure I know the answer to this one and need to stop drinking at night to find out.)
Any insight will be so appreciated.
~TinWoman
Posted by gee on January 30, 2006, at 20:08:21
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by TinMan on January 30, 2006, at 8:20:56
I also have a question, has anyone had a horrible memory since they started effexor? I've been on it over a year now, and I've noticed my memory go. I've e-mailed my t to see if she could work on getting me the documents I need for disability support here at uni, but she's said she's never heard of it before and thinks it's just stress. She's checking with pdocs for me but... anyone?
Posted by DIJANA on January 30, 2006, at 20:56:26
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by gee on January 30, 2006, at 20:08:21
> I also have a question, has anyone had a horrible memory since they started effexor? I've been on it over a year now, and I've noticed my memory go. I've e-mailed my t to see if she could work on getting me the documents I need for disability support here at uni, but she's said she's never heard of it before and thinks it's just stress. She's checking with pdocs for me but... anyone?
o yeah ,i am taking effexor for a year too and my memory is gone...? Not to mention emotions they are gone 2 like described in my last post.Take care!
Posted by wanttobhappy on January 31, 2006, at 0:44:37
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by DIJANA on January 30, 2006, at 20:56:26
I am so angry. I will try not to let my trucker mouth run off with me. I am just so very extremely mad!!! why, why, why? why can't i ever get anything done? why do i need meds? why am i so stinken tired? why do people put up with me? why does it always seem like money could fix things ( even when i know in the long run it won't)? why can't i function like "normal" people (i know the answer-it's a chemical imbalance thing right) then why does'nt it feel OK to be like this. if there is a valid reason and i am trying to fix it (trying out effexor xr) why is there so much GUILT? i know i have the answers for most of these questions, but they just tick me off!!!!!!!!! i really thought i was going to bettter thentoday i was just mad all day, not anxious or violent just mad. i lost 25lbs this summer wich put me just under 200lbs and i felt so good. now all i want to do is sleep and eat. eating is about the only thing i get off the couch for, well i don't get off the couch to eat. i get off it to make my food, then i return to the couch to eat it!!!!!! I know this is a rambling post that does'nt really require an answer, but i just had to get some stuff off of my chest.
thanks for letting me rant, not that any of you had a lot of choice.
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on January 31, 2006, at 1:34:16
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by DIJANA on January 30, 2006, at 20:56:26
I thought it was just me... Yeah, my memory is REALLY bad, like I've talked to hubby about fear of alzheimers (I"m flippin' 32!!) and if my memory (or lack of it) is an early sign of it... He doesn't know what to say... I'm starting to put 2 and 2 together and want to log all of the weird changes that have happend to me over the last year...
Anyway, has anyone seen improved memory once they came off the drug??
Posted by wifeofarmyguy on January 31, 2006, at 1:38:16
In reply to Re: Ticked off and tired of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by wanttobhappy on January 31, 2006, at 0:44:37
Rant all you want. But know that you ARE NOT alone. Congratulations on losing weight, it's not an easy task, at least not for me...
Hve you been on the drug long?
Posted by jacobs on January 31, 2006, at 6:37:04
In reply to Re: Ticked off and tired of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by wifeofarmyguy on January 31, 2006, at 1:38:16
hey can relate. i get so fed up with this and its ok to vent. man that is what we need to do sometimes, keeping things bottled in just makes it worse. i have been on this med now for about a month. effexor xr 75. i notice at first i was a little more tired so i started taking it at night. then top it off with a .5 xanax before bed to sleep. and i have read all this in here about the side effects, but for me i will have to say i feel better now then i did before i started taking this. i was having panic attacks many times daily and in a state of constant anxiety. to the point i couldnt leave my house then afraid to be alone. and still havent driven by myself and this is all in a matter of 2 months. but getting better. going to therapy and taking effexor and xanax which i relise im going to have a bear of a time getting off both when its time, but for right now it is keeping me more even keel. not as much panic. yesterrday and the day before were great days, just a little anxiety. today is not so great. but cant have a great day every day and just glad i had 2 days of peace. ya all take care! tonya
Posted by nana on January 31, 2006, at 11:08:07
In reply to Re: scared of effexor and withdrawal, posted by gee on January 30, 2006, at 20:08:21
> I also have a question, has anyone had a horrible memory since they started effexor? I've been on it over a year now, and I've noticed my memory go. I've e-mailed my t to see if she could work on getting me the documents I need for disability support here at uni, but she's said she's never heard of it before and thinks it's just stress. She's checking with pdocs for me but... anyone?
WOW!! I thought it was just old age or something creeping up on me. I have had a terrible memory lately. I work in a purchasing office and I use to remember everything, now it is like I am losing my mind. Anybody else having this problem?? Please let us know!!!
Posted by wanttobhappy on January 31, 2006, at 11:14:59
In reply to Re: Ticked off and tired of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by wifeofarmyguy on January 31, 2006, at 1:38:16
I've only been on meds 2 weeks. With the amount and type of food I have been craving and eating, I am worried I am going to gain Back every pound and more!! I heard effexor can make you crave carbs, is this true??
Thanks for your support
wifeofarmyguy
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