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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 9642 to 9666 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by TinMan on February 21, 2006, at 8:30:14
In reply to Re: My non-success on Effexor XR » Patricia Risi, posted by CEK on February 21, 2006, at 8:09:38
I have found the same combo - a psychiatrist who prescribes the meds and a therapist to "talk" to. He gives me insight as well as different tools on how to cope. Fortunately, they are both in the same office building.
I had a therapist before who would just listen, too. I quit seeing him. And now I am going to the one I have now. I want to get some different ways to do things because what I was doing before in some things just wasn't working for me. (And unfortunately, those around me, too.)
This has been a journey for me, but I am learning as I go along. I am hoping that my experience might help someone else. In the process, my sister may get educated as well. If she doesn't, it is her loss.
It takes a lot of courage to admit that one has a problem and even that much more to take the meds and do the work to overcome it.
~TinMan
Posted by Patricia Risi on February 21, 2006, at 23:23:59
In reply to Re: My non-success on Effexor XR » Patricia Risi, posted by CEK on February 21, 2006, at 8:09:38
> Patricia, I'm glad that I've found someone that agrees. I have felt the same way about psychiatrists. The ones that I saw while I was in the behavioral health center were just that way, cold with the personality of belly button lint. My psychologist on the other hand seems very caring and willing to take all the time in the world to listen. He was even able to tell me exactly how I was feeling and why. I at that point had felt like no one understood or was even listening. The councilor that I saw previously just sat there and said,"yeah, uh hu, hmm." That was VERY helpful. A psychiatrist can prescribe you what you need (hopefully if it's the correct guess)to get you calm enough to be able to go to a psychologist and be able to talk, listen, and learn. Thanks for your responce, CEK
CEK Hi its Patricia again....Half my life I have been dealing with health/medical/depression problems and have seen therapists. I feel compelled to share what i've learnt with others....there is just so much unneeded suffering in this world. People just dont take the time to help others enough. I make sure I take that time...even though I now have a new baby...I write emails at night! Finding the right therapist is an important match to make. Even though I hated my psychiatrist at first...I even said to his face " I find you a very cold person" He did not like that comment. Its like he almost took it too personally (I was commenting on how he did his job, not on his personality) He asked me why I kept coming to see him and I said "because there is nobody else I can see right now" I noticed that he changed slowly. I understand Psychiatrist deal with alot of sick people that are dangerous. Think about the type of people that pass through their offices - they lie, they could be stalkers, they could have all sorts of disturbing problems like beating their spouses or childring in various degrees...I know my dr. has double doors to keep his office soundproof. Even though we might be completely normal people that are affected by this awful disease, it just wouldnt be safe for a doctor to let their guard down in their profession (this is what i've come to understand after all the time ive spent in their offices) So after seeing my doctor today i've realized that what ive always perceived as being cold is just a protective wall they put up to get themselves and their lives safe from potentially harmful patients. Their are cold doctors out there though. Doctors at places like the cancer clinic are very clinical and cold (of course for different reasons...they cant get emotionally involved with such a deadly disease). Okay back to the psychiatrist....I find that if you look at it as someone who will listen to whatever you have to say with absolutely no judging,criticizing or betraying of trust. Plus they have no emotional ties to you so their advice is strictly based on whats best for you.Unlike family members who sometimes give you advice with their hearts too involved (which dosnt always end up being the best for you) Anyways..you cant look to your psychiatrist for certain responses that friends or family would give you because while you are talking to them they are processing your information...also some types of therapy are best done without giving you any feedback. Alot of times you will get going on a topic and you will actually solve your own problems. After you've been in therapy for a long time...you will learn ALOT about yourself and you will actually problem solve as you go through life and tough times. Therapy is just a really good place to blow off steam and lighten the weight on your shoulders. It helps to unload it all every once in a while.
Patricia
Posted by qleo on February 22, 2006, at 9:45:45
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been on 75 mg dose of Effexor for about the past 2 months. I would like to do ecstacy, but have heard bad things about combining anti depressants with this drug.
1) Has anyone used these two drugs in combination? What did you think of it?
2) how many days before should I quit taking Effexor before using the ecstacy, so that they don't interact with each other?
3) how soon after the ecstacy high wears off is it ok to take my dose of effexor?
Posted by TinMan on February 22, 2006, at 10:48:46
In reply to effexor and mdma (ecstacy), posted by qleo on February 22, 2006, at 9:45:45
> I've been on 75 mg dose of Effexor for about the past 2 months. I would like to do ecstacy, but have heard bad things about combining anti depressants with this drug.
>
> 1) Has anyone used these two drugs in combination? What did you think of it?
>
> 2) how many days before should I quit taking Effexor before using the ecstacy, so that they don't interact with each other?
>
> 3) how soon after the ecstacy high wears off is it ok to take my dose of effexor?Personally, I wouldn't stop taking Effexor to take an illegal, street drug, especially one as potentially dangerous as ecstacy.
JMO~
TinMan
Posted by tizza on February 22, 2006, at 15:25:33
In reply to effexor and mdma (ecstacy), posted by qleo on February 22, 2006, at 9:45:45
qleo just don't go there, trust me on that one. If you stop the effexor you will get withdrawals and if you take the E you could increase your chances of seretonin syndrome, it just not worth it. Also anti depressants stop mdma from working so why bother
Posted by qleo on February 22, 2006, at 15:46:15
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy) » qleo, posted by tizza on February 22, 2006, at 15:25:33
Hi Tizza
Well I don't want to take effexor anyway, and i'm sure i'll enjoy the x more, so i figure why not kill two birds in one stone. the x will be a nice reward for getting off this crap.
maybe its not the greatest idea, but im at a point where i don't care much about things in my life and am more open to taking risks. nevertheless i want to take some precautions...
if i stop taking effexor two weeks before i take x, is there a chance of this seratonin syndrome? please reply asap, there's a date me and my friend have planned in advance to take the x, and the sooner i know the better
thanks.
Posted by tizza on February 22, 2006, at 17:46:57
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy) - tizza, posted by qleo on February 22, 2006, at 15:46:15
if you're taking effexor for depression then chances are that E will mess you up more, once it wears off and you'll be back to square one, just think for a minute, do you really want to go backwards. I can't stop you from taking E but going off effexor is really hard work and I don't think that you'll feel like taking anything because the effexor withdrawal was hell on earth for me and so was the after effects of E. Just remember, what goes up must come down and I don't know what is a safe time frame for serotonin syndrome to occur but it's a very serious and dangerous condition. Please don't do it and if you decide to come off effexor, taper your dose very slowly over a few weeks with your doctors advice. I feel like I can hear how you are thinking, like you don't care about anything...blah..blah...blah. It's called apathy and it was a side effect I suffered from while on effexor so please, speak to your doctor
Posted by Aim on February 22, 2006, at 20:22:16
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy) - tizza » qleo, posted by tizza on February 22, 2006, at 17:46:57
I think that my continued Ecstasy use in college played a part of my depression that I have been struggling with for some time.
The low you feel after you come off of the Ecstasy is quite strong.
As good a feeling I received from taking the E I wish someone would have told me that something like this could happen. I am doubtful that I would have listened to them, just as I am doubtful you will listen to these posts...
But, it appears to me that you are nervous about taking it (E), which you should be. And possibly a friend has noticed your recent mood change and said that the E will help...maybe lift your spirits
You mentioned that the E would be a reward...what if the end result of that reward is Death?
Go out and buy yourself something for $20-$25 instead of wasting that money on a pill.
By the way, E is cut nowadays with so many other things than just mdma...heroin, cocaine, speed, ketamine, and so much more. You never really know what you are getting.
Think about your options. Make the right choice for you.
Posted by Aim on February 22, 2006, at 20:36:07
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy) - tizza, posted by Aim on February 22, 2006, at 20:22:16
OK, so I just started my 37.5 dose 3 days ago. I must say reading these posts concerns me a bit. But, taking any medication at all concerns me due to side effects as well as long term problems, etc.
Anyway, for the past 3 days ago I have been experiencing the following:
dry mouth
headaches
yawningBut the one that is the most bothersome is
jaw clenching. NO ONE reported that as a side effect. Is it a possible side effect?I have also felt myself being more talkative and chatty than normal. The psych said I wouldn't see mood changes for a few weeks. At times I feel a little speedy. Is this normal to anyone else? I also feel more alert and like "myself." I could just be having a good two days, but...
I know with side effects it is good to "wait it out" to see if the subside. I figure I will take it for a few more days and see.
I am concerned about increasing the dose to 75 mg. Could 37.5 be enough for me? I am scheduled to start the 75 mg on my 8th day, the 27th.
Posted by bangersgirl on February 22, 2006, at 20:49:36
In reply to NEW USER- weird possible side effects?, posted by Aim on February 22, 2006, at 20:36:07
I had "jaw-clenching".Actually, I've been on Effexor for about 10 months and I still find myself doing it, maybe not "during" clenching but I will find that my teeth kind of hurt and my jaw definitely does. It doesn't happen as often as it did in the beginning tho.I also find I am more talkative and I've never been known to be shy.I just talk more and faster. But then I completely lose my train of thought and end up talking about something else. Short term memory loss is extreme for me. I find that while I don't have much energy for doing physical things, there is always a part of my body moving, like my foot, or knee bouncing, etc. I think that there alot of common side effects but I am sure there are some that few people know about or realize are actual side effects. That's another bonus to this post board. The more people tell about their experiences, the more knowledge is learned.My thanks to all who post to this. You have all helped me alot
Posted by Patricia Risi on February 22, 2006, at 23:26:40
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy) » qleo, posted by tizza on February 22, 2006, at 15:25:33
> qleo just don't go there, trust me on that one. If you stop the effexor you will get withdrawals and if you take the E you could increase your chances of seretonin syndrome, it just not worth it. Also anti depressants stop mdma from working so why bother
qleo...I'm not sure about this seratonin syndrome but I would worry about the effects after you come off the E (depending whats in it) you might feel sh*tty- then you'll also have to deal witth the withdrawls of effexor. You should decide if its worth the risk....otherwise why not wait until you are totally free of effexor. I'm not sure what you're situation is (if its safe for you to take or not) but it might be a nice way to celebrate coming off Effexor. You might appreciate it more after the nightmare of going off of Effexor. Its been a long time since ive done it but the last time I did it...it just wasnt the same as it used to be....you gotta watch yourself now(which sucks bigtime!)Hold off if you can. Something to look forward to!Let me know how it goes though...Patti
Posted by Patricia Risi on February 22, 2006, at 23:39:20
In reply to NEW USER- weird possible side effects?, posted by Aim on February 22, 2006, at 20:36:07
> OK, so I just started my 37.5 dose 3 days ago. I must say reading these posts concerns me a bit. But, taking any medication at all concerns me due to side effects as well as long term problems, etc.
>
> Anyway, for the past 3 days ago I have been experiencing the following:
> dry mouth
> headaches
> yawning
>
> But the one that is the most bothersome is
> jaw clenching. NO ONE reported that as a side effect. Is it a possible side effect?
>
> I have also felt myself being more talkative and chatty than normal. The psych said I wouldn't see mood changes for a few weeks. At times I feel a little speedy. Is this normal to anyone else? I also feel more alert and like "myself." I could just be having a good two days, but...
>
> I know with side effects it is good to "wait it out" to see if the subside. I figure I will take it for a few more days and see.
>
> I am concerned about increasing the dose to 75 mg. Could 37.5 be enough for me? I am scheduled to start the 75 mg on my 8th day, the 27th.
>
>
>From my experience, with different medications certain side effects stick around and certain side effects do go away after time...for example with Effexor I was told that the nausea does go away but the sweating dosnt go away. I also have experienced yawning, jaw clenching, and chattiness (sometimes I wonder if the chattiness is because alot of medications make you lose your appetite and when that happens I usually feel a bit speedy) I think that if you plan to stay on this medication you should increase as planned. You can always wean yourself off at a later time if you need to. It would be a shame to stop and miss an opportunity to find the right dose...its better to try it and if it dosnt work...stop it. Than to stop it and never find out.
Patricia
There are ALOT of weird side effects from eczema to itchy scalp to twiching before you fall asleep, tremors, dry mouth, ringing in ears,and on and on. I have a compendium of pharmaceuticals that lists all the drugs and their side effects (its the blue book the doctors have in their office that they refer to - I worked at a University and got a 2003 copy so it dosnt have all the new drugs but it has the alot of the ones i'm taking)
Posted by tizza on February 23, 2006, at 6:12:07
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy), posted by Patricia Risi on February 22, 2006, at 23:26:40
*qleo...I'm not sure about this seratonin syndrome*
well it's real and it happens to people, I've had it twice but only a mild case both times thankfully and that was because I was totally stupid, you feel extremly cold and have the shivers, shakes and sweats, similar to the flu and you sleep on and off for a couple of days. I didn't know what was happening to me at the time but I now know it kills people in very extreme cases. By the way I don't think it's a great idea to tell people who are on AD's to run out and take street drugs as a reward or a good way to celebrate coming off them
*I'm not sure what you're situation is (if its safe for you to take or not) but it might be a nice way to celebrate coming off Effexor.*
What's that about, don't you think that's an irresponsable suggestion for somebody who is already taking medication for a mental illness. We all learn from our mistakes and if I can post my mistakes for people to read I'd like to think that they might think twice before they drop (pop) or snort something. I know people take drugs, it's become part of our lives. At the end of the day, street drugs and AD's don't mix. Please be careful.
Posted by qleo on February 23, 2006, at 11:20:10
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy) » Patricia Risi, posted by tizza on February 23, 2006, at 6:12:07
Hey guys, thanks for all your thoughtful responses. its very much appreciated.
After reading through everything you want to say, I've changed my perspective a little bit. Admittedly I still want to do it... but I'm no longer as sure. Before I thought there was a 95% chance I'd decide I'd take it, now its more like 50-50. I guess things are more complicated than I thought - I didn't know about serotonin syndrome before. For the time being though its inspired me to do more reading and research, before I decide to do it. Unfortunately, so far I've found very little information about the interactions of Effexor and esctacy. If there's a high risk of me getting serotonin syndrome even a week after quitting Effexor, I've decided I'm not going to do it. If though, the risks are only those that come for the standard ecstacy user, then I'll take it. There's the small possibility of death I know, but I guess I'm willing to risk that. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I was actually in the hospital on the verge of dying, but for now... many of you will probably relate to that "who cares anymore" feeling that comes when you feel your life has crumbled apart.
Anyway, I'll have kicked the Effexor if I decide take ecstacy - I hope a week or two is enough to rid myself of the most significant withdrawal effects. I'm only on 75 mg, so that'll probably make things easier. The main thing I'm worried about is, will my serotonin is still messed up even after 2 weeks of being free of Effexor. Tizza, when you had serotonin syndrome, was it because you had taken an effexor & ecstacy mix, or was it because of a mix of other drugs?
See where I'm coming from... I was feeling pretty horrible yeah, even on this medication. My friend suggested doing some ecstacy, and at that suggestion alone I actually already started feeling better. You don't need to feel the effects of extreme depression, desperation, and misery. Those feelings come easily enough on their own. But that really high feeling of happiness... it doesn't come nearly as easily naturally, especially for a depressed person such as myself. The last time I felt that natural "high" of happiness was.... 4 years ago. Just the idea though that temporary happiness can come in a pill is an extremely tempting one. I've heard about the ecstacy crash, and I'm willing to experience it if it means a few hours of bliss. I'm sure it feels sh*tty beyond belief but... I've been there, even without drugs. Probably all of us who are taking this medication (Effexor) have.
Posted by qleo on February 23, 2006, at 11:30:48
In reply to NEW USER- weird possible side effects?, posted by Aim on February 22, 2006, at 20:36:07
Hello Aim
I've been on Effexor for two months. For the first month, there were all kinds of crazy side effects - so many I lost count. Some of them common, some of them rare. Everytime something weird would happen to me I'd think "hmmm maybe its the effexor," then id do a little bit of research on the net, and slowly but surely I'd find my symptom listed somewhere. This drug is so crazy that just about anything you can imagine is a possible side effect. Yes, the jaw clenching is one of them.
As for feeling effects immidately - so did I. The first two days on the medication were the best I had on them. My own doctor told me that this one is one of the meds that kicks in the fastest. I don't know how common it is, but I can say that you're not alone.
as for increasing your dose - everyone is different, but i think you some people definitley can continue on the 37.5 mg. personally i started taking 37.5 mg for a few days after about a month of taking 75 mg, and i felt no difference whatsoever.
Good luck
Posted by Patricia Risi on February 23, 2006, at 12:00:42
In reply to Re: effexor and mdma (ecstacy) » Patricia Risi, posted by tizza on February 23, 2006, at 6:12:07
> *qleo...I'm not sure about this seratonin syndrome*
>
> well it's real and it happens to people, I've had it twice but only a mild case both times thankfully and that was because I was totally stupid, you feel extremly cold and have the shivers, shakes and sweats, similar to the flu and you sleep on and off for a couple of days. I didn't know what was happening to me at the time but I now know it kills people in very extreme cases. By the way I don't think it's a great idea to tell people who are on AD's to run out and take street drugs as a reward or a good way to celebrate coming off them
>
> *I'm not sure what you're situation is (if its safe for you to take or not) but it might be a nice way to celebrate coming off Effexor.*
>
> What's that about, don't you think that's an irresponsable suggestion for somebody who is already taking medication for a mental illness. We all learn from our mistakes and if I can post my mistakes for people to read I'd like to think that they might think twice before they drop (pop) or snort something. I know people take drugs, it's become part of our lives. At the end of the day, street drugs and AD's don't mix. Please be careful.I dont know if you have ever been in therapy but treatment is done without the patient knowing what the problem is sometimes.....Not knowing this persons situation...I thought maybe if they held off a little longer, their feelings might change...relating to how they feel usually helps. What if at this moment they were about to do it and it would kill them but if they read that email and decided to hold off a bit longer and saved their life. I dont control whether people do drugs or not...I do know that I at one point was the exact same as this person. So forgive me if I am relating to them on the same level. I have experience in both doing E and taking AD's....oh and by the way....I have a brain tumor and have had two brain surgery's and suffered my share of life experiences with depression and chemical substances(half my life)I am not proud of this and do not wish it on anyone else at all but when I reach out to try to help someone in my own way I feel extremely hurt and attacked...once again it comes down to people reacting based on ignorance(lack of information...just like people do with depression)so I think maybe you should think twice about what you post here...you have to consider the state of mind of ALL people. This is a very sensitive website and I dont want to cause any sort of stress here for people...so lets just let this be. I hope you understand my position. I do understand yours....its easy for my email to read that way...i didnt look at that before i sent it. I do however want the best for people and if my misfortunes can save someone else I will gladly open up old wounds to help them. I apologize to anyone who might have read my message and thought that I meant E was a good drug. It is not..none of them are....it is, like Effexor, just another drug...but it is highly addictive. Who needs to be addicted to drugs on top of having depression....not a good idea. Okay...I need a breather.
Patti
Posted by Aim on February 23, 2006, at 12:23:51
In reply to Re: NEW USER- weird possible side effects?, posted by qleo on February 23, 2006, at 11:30:48
Thank you for your response regarding the weird side effects. Since this is my first venture with taking medication I have to admit, I am a little fearful.
It is reassuring that other people have experienced jaw clenching as a side effect and the speedy chatty feeling. It is slightly bothersome, but I am hopeful that it will subside. It is not happening as often as it did on Day 2, now it's day 4.
My only thought was if 37.5 has helped me feel slightly different in only 4 days, should i suggest to my doctor that I remain at this dosage for some time, try it lower before jumping up to 75? If I take too high of a dose, how will I know?
Posted by Aim on February 23, 2006, at 13:18:21
In reply to New user DOSAGE INQUIRY » qleo, posted by Aim on February 23, 2006, at 12:23:51
One more question, I have read lots of information on effexor and everything seems to state: Avoid Alcohol, with no further explanation.
Does anyone have experiences to share about this?
I going out occassionally and will have a few drinks with friends, or going out to dinner, etc.
I wanted some insight on what AVOID alcohol actually MEANS....Is it that the drug increases the effects of the alcohol, you could get very sick, what?
Any help/thoughts would be appreciated. I am going out this weekend with some friends to a local bar/restaurant and would like to know what to expect...
Posted by bangersgirl on February 23, 2006, at 17:54:34
In reply to effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on February 23, 2006, at 13:18:21
> One more question, I have read lots of information on effexor and everything seems to state: Avoid Alcohol, with no further explanation.
>
> Does anyone have experiences to share about this?
>
> I going out occassionally and will have a few drinks with friends, or going out to dinner, etc.
> I wanted some insight on what AVOID alcohol actually MEANS....
>
> Is it that the drug increases the effects of the alcohol, you could get very sick, what?
>
> Any help/thoughts would be appreciated. I am going out this weekend with some friends to a local bar/restaurant and would like to know what to expect...The way I understand it from my doctor is, you are taking Effexor due to depression...alcohol is a depressant..if you are already depressed, why would you take depressants to bring you further down when the effexor is trying to help you to stay up? Therefore AVOID alcohol(depressant) so your Effexor (ANTI-depressant) can do it's job!!!
Make any sense??
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 23, 2006, at 20:18:50
In reply to New user DOSAGE INQUIRY » qleo, posted by Aim on February 23, 2006, at 12:23:51
> Thank you for your response regarding the weird side effects. Since this is my first venture with taking medication I have to admit, I am a little fearful.
>
> It is reassuring that other people have experienced jaw clenching as a side effect and the speedy chatty feeling. It is slightly bothersome, but I am hopeful that it will subside. It is not happening as often as it did on Day 2, now it's day 4.
>
> My only thought was if 37.5 has helped me feel slightly different in only 4 days, should i suggest to my doctor that I remain at this dosage for some time, try it lower before jumping up to 75? If I take too high of a dose, how will I know?
Stay at the dose that you are at for now. There is no reason to hurry things along. You want to see how your body reacts to the drugs, and a few days, or even a couple of weeks, is not enough time to determine exactly what all of the changes to your system are at that dose (37.5mg). The lower the dose of Effexor that you're on the better.
I, like so many others on this site was on Effexor. It was definitely not the drug for me. These are some of the things that I experienced:
-lack of fluids in my body. (ALWAYS had to have a bottle of water on me.)
-clenching my jaw
-body twitches (mostly legs, but arms as well.)
- you probably won't believe this but.....hiccups (I'd get them and wouldn't be able to get rid of them-last up to 30 mins. sometimes)
-lost more than 60 lbs in 8 months (did not exercise-just didn't care if I ate, some days didn't think of it at all)
-insomnia-at 1st I could fall asleep, but would only get about 2 hrs. -then when the constant movements got worse (tapping your toes, bouncing your leg, moving your feet) I couldn't even fall asleep.
-constant sweating
-could go pee once a day and there wouldn't be much for that even (constant sweating)
I was taking Lithium, but when my doctor up'd my Effexor to 3x150mg/day, it made my Lithium levels toxic. So DO NOT!!!! take Lithium and Effexor together.
About going off the Effexor...see if it works for you first. If you take it and decide it's working for you then stay on it. If you find that you can't tolerate it, seeing as you are only taking 37.5mg just stop taking it. I took it for 9 months and was taking 4x150mg capsules at the time that I quite. I didn't wean myself off of it like others did. I just stopped taking it, after ending up in the Emergency Room. I knew that if I wasn't at the hospital I would be at home looking at my pill bottles and thinking, "how many can I get down before I become incapable of opening the bottles. It doesn't matter they're all full anyways." It was because of the Effexor that I was feeling that way. I was getting so much of it that I could barely function even when I was feeling rearly, really good. I kept going from really, really good - extremely irritable - and then lower than low. You all have probably seen this lower than low side, now just imagine your AD putting you there. The moods were lasting about a week each. The last downswing that I experienced from the Effexor is the time that I have described above.
Don't let our experiences scare you off of the Effexor. Everybody's chemical make up is different and it just might work for you. My advise then is to just take it slow. It's better to move slower and find out if it's working for you before you start to push the dose higher and experience worse side effects, or develop an addiction to it. I say "addiction" because, any drug that you are on and can't just stop taking, without being weaned off, or going through withdrawal IS an addiction.
Take care
demon_child
Posted by TinMan on February 23, 2006, at 21:30:45
In reply to effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on February 23, 2006, at 13:18:21
> One more question, I have read lots of information on effexor and everything seems to state: Avoid Alcohol, with no further explanation.
>
> Does anyone have experiences to share about this?
>
> I going out occassionally and will have a few drinks with friends, or going out to dinner, etc.
> I wanted some insight on what AVOID alcohol actually MEANS....
>
> Is it that the drug increases the effects of the alcohol, you could get very sick, what?
>
> Any help/thoughts would be appreciated. I am going out this weekend with some friends to a local bar/restaurant and would like to know what to expect...What I have noticed on Effexor and drinking alcohol:
If I drink more than one mixed drink or two glasses of wine, the headache the next day is downright terrible. Also, I will not feel the benefits of Effexor and feel depressed, down. Not what I want! So, take it slow while out with your friends. Drink a lot of water.
~TinMan
Posted by alien flower on February 24, 2006, at 6:57:39
In reply to Re: My non-success on Effexor XR, posted by jacobs on February 9, 2006, at 6:30:45
> wow,that sounds scary. im really surprised how many people have had bad reactions to this med. i have been on it over a month now. the only side effect i have really noticed after the initial first couple weeks that is still going on is the focusing thing like if im reading then look at the tv then back at the book it takes a minute to focus back, but starting to think that is just the 40ish thing and may need reading glasses. i have the dream thing but it isnt bad, accually before the effexor my dreams were gray and kinda like impending doom, now they are colorful and mildly sexy and happy. i smile more and laugh and im not in my room crying from having panic attack after panic attack. it hasnt really helped with my phobias per say but it has helped with the depression part. but with having panic and reading all this bad stuff im starting to wonder if im the only one that this stuff is working for. and yes effexor is a serious drug just as all AD and may meds. xanax is a nasty med to come off of, believe me i know was addicted to it for 3 years and it was hell coming off of. and that was 10 years ago. back on it again so now when im over all this i got 2 meds i know are going to have withdraw from. but back to my point when i got on here and first started taking this med. what i read on here scared the crap out of me. i thought about stopping it, but now im glad i didnt. i feel more like myself again. meds effect people differently. prozac made me feel postal, i mean for real postal. and zoloft made me feel like a zombie. but for some people those 2 drugs are great for them. im just curious how many people here that the effexor is working good for? it is for me. anyone else?
Hi,Reading these posts really makes me aware of side effects I often forget as they become part of my life.
I'm a 26 year old fighting depression for years. I forgot for how many years I've been on Effexor (150 mg)...
I also have the focusing thing exactly as you describe, so don't thing it's the 40ish thing! I had no clue it was caused by Effexor!
Besides, I feel this weird pressure between my eyebrows, which only gets better when I close my eyes.
You talk about the dream thing - that's one of my big problems with Effexor: I have the most intense, detailed, long, full of color and sound dreams. Sounds great... except that they're always disturbing and often terrifying!! I wake up cold and sweaty in the morning and sometimes also in the middle of the night. This happens almost every night, bringing me a bad mood and no will to start the day...
Effexor also makes me sweat a lot, no matter how light "sport" I make (like riding the bike for 5 minutes!), which then makes me cold when outdoors.
Last but the worse of it all is how SLEEPY I get. I can't be sure if it's from Effexor or just from the depression, but I've been suffering from daytime sleepiness for years, fighting intense sleep attacks that come out of the blue and I can't control. Now I'm on Modafinil 100 mg and feel much better but still a little sleepy...
I could write forever, but better end here for today... Hope to hear from anyone experiencing the same.
Posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 13:22:49
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by TinMan on February 23, 2006, at 21:30:45
Thanks for the replies. After I posted the question I took some time to scroll back to the being of this thread and read the different opinions regardng alcohol use.
I am the type of person that while on medication, I will not drink. But in the previous years the medication I was taking was only for colds, like antibotics, etc.
This is the first time that I have taking meds of this sort. I do feel that it has helped my mood and outlook on things all the while this only being day 5. My side effects appear to be minimal. In the past weeks I had problems sleeping through the night, so I am uncertain if the continued problems are med related. My jaw clenching is much less frequent. I do yawn throughout the day, could be from lack of sleep or effexor related.
I called my doctor to request to remain at 37.5 for a longer period to see how my body reacts. Unfortunately, I had to leave a message and wait for a call back. I am concerned with taking a dose that is too high, etc. Mainly due to some of the comments on this site. It seems that if your dose is too high, bad things could happen. That is definitely not what I want!
As for the alcohol thing. At the moment I am experiencing fear. I understand what was said about why would someone that is depressed willingly take a depressant, etc...but, I just dont see it that way. I enjoy the taste of beer and the socializing (i did think about the non alcoholic beer suggestion)I will take it slow and see how I feel. I just dont want the hangover of all hangovers. I tend to drink beer (wine occasionally). Honest usual amount if I am out for the night can it can range from 3-6 beers or 3 glasses of wine. I do not care for liquor.
From what was reported some people have had no problems with drinking, others have. For some the taste wasn't the same. For some the effects of the alcohol increased b/c the tolerance level was lower.
I guess with everything I will have to be the one to make the decision. I believe I will probably have a few beers and I can report back my own personal experience.
Any continued feedback is much appreciated!
Posted by lunameow on February 24, 2006, at 17:01:50
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I went on it as a last resort. My doc had been putting me on antidepressants, which were okay, but I felt that anxiety was a much bigger issue for me, and things like Lexapro and Wellbutrin just weren't working for that. I needed something specifically for GAD. And so we tried Effexor. It worked. I didn't really feel anxious anymore. It also helped with my anger management issues. And I didn't feel depressed, either. But I also didn't feel happy, didn't feel energetic, didn't feel even remotely like having sex with my fiance... in short, I just didn't FEEL. At all. I used to draw, paint, write, and so forth. I've always been an extremely creative person. I had just bought new paints when I first went on medication however many years ago that was... they're still sitting on the shelf, unopened. I stopped being me, and became what society thinks I'm supposed to be. I'd say I hated every second of it, but I didn't. I couldn't have felt an emotion that strong at the time.
Then my job had massive layoffs, resulting in my no longer having insurance. Effexor is extremely expensive without insurance, so I talked to my doctor about this, and about the fact that I didn't like being on it anyway. And so he took me off of it. His advice was to go from 150mg/day to 150mg every other day for two weeks, then stop. I'd already been taking it that way (to conserve pills, since I was losing insurance), so he told me to go ahead and stop taking it.
That was Tuesday, today is Friday. The last two days have consisted of nothing but sleeping and crying. When I'm awake, I twitch and shiver. I stumble around the apartment bumping into walls and doorways. When I start to feel too much like I'm about to freak out, I go back to bed to avoid picking up every bottle of leftover medication I have and taking it all at once. I hate this. The only thing that keeps me going at all is knowing that this is temporary, and I'll feel better soon.
The only thing I can really say I gained from taking it in the first place is that I now know that I don't ever want to be on any sort of psychotropic drug ever again. Nothing. Ever.
I've had anxiety problems for as far back as I can remember, and I've dealt with them for my entire life. I'd rather go back to that than to ever go through this again. I'm sure it's great for people who don't mind living like that. For a lot of people, even without medication, that's just how their life is. But I'm the type of person who is very passionate about life and living, and Effexor (and the other drugs as well) took that away from me. It wasn't worth the trade-off.
Posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 17:04:06
In reply to NEW USER- weird possible side effects?, posted by Aim on February 22, 2006, at 20:36:07
So I call my dr to ask to remain at 37.5 to see how I do on that dose before upping it to 75...he says that "most" people do not feel any changes at that dose. I reiterated that I wanted to try it. He finally agreed.
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