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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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.
Posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 17:08:48
In reply to Effexor worked for me... but TOO well, posted by lunameow on February 24, 2006, at 17:01:50
I am sorry that you are having such a horrible time. . . why don't you call your doctor to see what he can do to help. Most have sample packs, maybe the lower dose can help you!
I really dont know b/c I am just starting this med, so far so good, but I dont plan on being on it forever, if I can help it.
Posted by Sergeant on February 24, 2006, at 19:36:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have been taking Effexor XR 75mg for over 2 years now.. I was started on them due to marital issues and work related stress (working in a prison). I was warned of sexual side effects with this med.
As stated above I have taken it for over 2 years, and it has helped me greatly. The only side effect I have suffered is sleeplessness. But my problem is now, that I have received a letter from Medco stating that they will no longer provide benefits for Effexor XR. I have talked to my doctor (who is new, since I just moved) and he has no clue of an alternative for this med. My local pharmacy has no clue either and stated that there are no alternatives!
I have gone 4 days one time without my med (due to a re-fill problem) and let me tell you they were 4 of the worst days of my life...anxeity, diziness, heart thumping... Now I cant even get a perscription for it filled at a lower dose to ween myself off this med.
I am about 8 pills away from going cold turkey and the effects are horrid. Has anyone ever just stop taking this med? If so what kind of effects did you have and how long did they last?
Posted by luckday on February 24, 2006, at 20:31:29
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I have had great success on Effexor XR. I used to be a binge drinker. I would store up my feelings and then go out and get drunk and feel terrible afterward. All the more unacceptable because I am a female. I attended AA meetings but felt out of place. I finally found a doctor who eventually diagnosed depression. I didn't realize anger and irritability, etc. were also signs of depression. I had resisted anti-depressants in the past because I wanted immediate relief and did not want to wait weeks for relief to set in. Anyway after a three weeks on Effexor I began to feel better. I have been taking it for several years now and regularly take 75 mg before bed. Looks like I will be taking it forevere. No side effects. I quit drinking completely except for the odd glass of wine. I am living a normal life with no side effects and I feel great. The best thing that ever happened to me and I only wish this drug had been around years ago and a that I had a doctor who would take the time to listen to me. I am glad this site is here.
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2006, at 13:35:56
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Sergeant on February 24, 2006, at 19:36:16
> I am about 8 pills away from going cold turkey and the effects are horrid...
Welcome! And sorry if it's confusing here, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding going cold turkey to Psycho-Babble Withdrawal. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060117/msgs/613122.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 25, 2006, at 17:35:32
In reply to Dr uncertain to maintain dose, posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 17:04:06
> 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.
Good for you! You've already noticed a change and your the only one that can tell him when that dose doesn't seem to be helping as well as it did at first. Then you may want to up the dose, or try something else if you don't like how the Effexor makes you feel. I didn't stand up to my Dr and could have hurt myself because I let him take over the increasing and decreasing of my meds. You've got it right just move slow. Tell your dr you want to way on the side of caution. He should understand.
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 25, 2006, at 17:44:26
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Sergeant on February 24, 2006, at 19:36:16
All I can say is grab some gravol and hold on for the ride. If you have any plans for the next week or two you may want to reschedule. I know when I stopped cold turkey I was very nauseous and I don't know how my husband survived...I bet you we'd win bigtime if he went on the show...hahaha...sorry just my corny sense of humor. I always say that if you can't laugh at yourself, you should laugh at anyone else. :)
> I have been taking Effexor XR 75mg for over 2 years now.. I was started on them due to marital issues and work related stress (working in a prison). I was warned of sexual side effects with this med.
>
> As stated above I have taken it for over 2 years, and it has helped me greatly. The only side effect I have suffered is sleeplessness. But my problem is now, that I have received a letter from Medco stating that they will no longer provide benefits for Effexor XR. I have talked to my doctor (who is new, since I just moved) and he has no clue of an alternative for this med. My local pharmacy has no clue either and stated that there are no alternatives!
>
> I have gone 4 days one time without my med (due to a re-fill problem) and let me tell you they were 4 of the worst days of my life...anxeity, diziness, heart thumping... Now I cant even get a perscription for it filled at a lower dose to ween myself off this med.
>
> I am about 8 pills away from going cold turkey and the effects are horrid. Has anyone ever just stop taking this med? If so what kind of effects did you have and how long did they last?
>
>
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 26, 2006, at 3:35:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Sergeant, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 25, 2006, at 17:44:26
Sorry that was supposed to read "you shouldn't laugh at anyone else."
Posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 26, 2006, at 17:07:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by demon_child_cin-666 on February 26, 2006, at 3:35:11
Some of the people that have been on this thread have mentioned suicide or suicidal thoughts. I don't know if Dr Bob will let this link go through, but I have uploaded a pamphlet about suicide prevention on to the net. This is the link http://spaces.msn.com/matt666cindy666
just click on the photo album, there's 2 pages. You may have to download it so that you can increase the text size enough to read. It's definitely worth a look.
Posted by luckday on February 27, 2006, at 13:11:56
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by bangersgirl on February 23, 2006, at 17:54:34
> > 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??
>Makes sense to me. Alcohol is definitely a depressant. Fortunately, Effexor seemed to take away the effects of alcohol and I just felt numb and then tired so stopped after one drink. I can take a glass of wine but no more. I definitely do not want to depress my system ever again and experience the terrible side effects of not wanting to get out of bed. I am taking 75 mg. per day and having a good, normal life with no depression. I have my bad days and spoke to my doctor who said I have a low dose so I can funtion and not be a zombie. I started on a higher dose but 75 mg. is maintenance and I am happy. Effexor gives me time to think before I do something impulsive and I know alcohol is a depressant so have left it alone. Wish I could say the same for cigarettes. I do have a problem however. When something happens that upsets me instead of reacting I get very tired. Is this Effexor's way of calming me down so I don't do anything rash? After a sleep I see things differently.
Posted by rigamarole on February 27, 2006, at 21:19:22
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by luckday on February 27, 2006, at 13:11:56
I've recently gone on effexor XR and one of the first nights I was also going through a horrid cold, I took some Robitussin cough suppressant not thinking it would react but BOY was I wrong, the whole day I was completly out of it. Has anyone else had experiences with other off the shelf medicine?
Posted by fairy princess on March 1, 2006, at 12:57:09
In reply to responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 13:22:49
Hiya
Just had to say I totally agree, im on effexor (225mg for almost a year now!),but to me going out with friends & having a drink is a major part of my social life. I am at uni&socialising is a major part of uni life aswell as having a few drinks.
Although alcohol is a depressant for me it doesnt make that much difference to the way I feel. The hangovers have never been any worse/better from when I wasnt on the meds and if I do feel down after a night out I always put it down to the drink rather than my illness and try carry on as normal as possible.
Depression affects so many aspects of your life and to me cutting out parts of my social life would only make me feel more depressed as it is so important to me. I sure like me you could go out without drinking but its nice to be able to have the choice.Hava good weekend watever you decidexx
> 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.
> 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.
>
Posted by beaubeau on March 1, 2006, at 18:50:27
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by fairy princess on March 1, 2006, at 12:57:09
hey...sorry to interrupt! I've just started with effexor xr 37.5mg once/d for 3 days. I've already developed this bitter taste in my mouth and a constant headache. Is it normal or my imagination? I also feel so nauseated after each meal. According to my family, I seem to be not as anxious and sad as b4, but honestly speaking, I dont really see the difference. O YEAH...and the insomnia's just killing me, eversince I started effexor, my mind just gets overexcited at nights, or am I excited about the new medication? I really duno. Any suggestions or advice?
Posted by jacobs on March 1, 2006, at 21:46:39
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by beaubeau on March 1, 2006, at 18:50:27
hi i had the headaches at first and the sick feeling after eating, but it went away after a couple weeks. still get the headaches sometimes though. i have been on it for a couple months and it did help me, but i didnt notice till after about 3 weeks a big difference. i'm taking 75 right now but thinking about dropping it down to 37.5 again then ween myself off it because it is effecting my sex life. plus i started taking it for anxiety and im in an intensive program and how am i going to know if the program is working or the meds? anyway take care! tonya
Posted by bangersgirl on March 2, 2006, at 17:23:04
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by beaubeau on March 1, 2006, at 18:50:27
>beaubeau--what time of day do you take your effexor?that can affect your sleep i know.you should be taking it in the morning.
hey...sorry to interrupt! I've just started with effexor xr 37.5mg once/d for 3 days. I've already developed this bitter taste in my mouth and a constant headache. Is it normal or my imagination? I also feel so nauseated after each meal. According to my family, I seem to be not as anxious and sad as b4, but honestly speaking, I dont really see the difference. O YEAH...and the insomnia's just killing me, eversince I started effexor, my mind just gets overexcited at nights, or am I excited about the new medication? I really duno. Any suggestions or advice?
Posted by weaubleaumo on March 3, 2006, at 20:44:43
In reply to responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on February 24, 2006, at 13:22:49
I like Effexor. But, I do not take it as perscribed. I live pretty much a normal life but, do get lethargic about once a month - I take 1 37.5 (and rantidine (Zantac)for the stomach) early in the day. I too experience the wired sleepiness & short term spaciness- but usually I'm ok the next day and able "carpe diem" with the best of them.
I quit drinking at age 45 ( 2002) - was in a "non-drinking environment" for a while and was planning to catch-up once I was able.
I'd started Effexor about a week before (37.5 bid). I took the first long awaited drink and it was completely satisfying - little voice said "That's enough" and it has been.
The compulsion, desire etc was gone- This may be totally unrelated to the drug- It's what happened to me. No meetings, no experts-
Posted by destruksean on March 4, 2006, at 7:13:55
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by weaubleaumo on March 3, 2006, at 20:44:43
i just started taking effexor 3 days ago, tonite at work was the first i noticed any effects from it which were, feeling disconnected and kinda "high", forgetfull and basically not very sharp witted. i dont want to take this if its going to effect my work. has anyone else experienced anything like this. thx in advance
Posted by Aim on March 4, 2006, at 9:53:37
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by destruksean on March 4, 2006, at 7:13:55
I too felt kind of "high" and out of sorts day 2, 3, and 4...at times I was a little speedy and aloof...I stuck with it and those feelings subsided. I now feel "normal" (sounds funny to write that). But, my mood has leveled out. I was quite depressed before crying on a whim and having a difficult time dealing with life responsibilities...I laugh more and have my light-hearted personality back, you could say the black cloud of doom has found someone else to bother.
Stick it out, let your body adapt a little, if it doesn't go away by the next few days or gets worse contact your doctor. Just give your body an opportunity to try it out before stopping it completely.
Best of luck!
Posted by beaubeau on March 4, 2006, at 10:42:24
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by Aim on March 4, 2006, at 9:53:37
its my 6th day on effexo xr...i've been sleeping like a baby for the past 2 nights. it felt so good to be able to sleep again I just didnt wanna get up till noon. The bitter taste, headache and nausea subsided but is it normal to sleep so comfortably that i just cant get up in the morning? or i'm just making up what i've lost b4? i feel more calm but the afternoon drowziness's def affecting the graduation exam preparation...
hows everyone doing?
Posted by destruksean on March 5, 2006, at 6:36:42
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by beaubeau on March 4, 2006, at 10:42:24
my doctor prescribed this to me for anxiety and says its caused from anger and depression.... well maybe some anger but i dont feel depressed, after reading about the side effects and eventuall withdraw i will prbly experience i dont think this is the right choice for me. i just take half of a .5mg xanax when im feeling ready to blow and im cool
Posted by Aim on March 5, 2006, at 11:35:06
In reply to Re: responses re: interactions with alcohol, posted by destruksean on March 5, 2006, at 6:36:42
you have to make your own decisions, but xanax is very addictive
Posted by luckday on March 6, 2006, at 7:30:26
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I love Effexor XR. This drug has changed my life. I am happy and not impulsive. Before I was on this drug and refused to accept I was depressed and would not take anything except a tranquilizer or wine because it had an immediate effect. I especially loved the rush alcohol gave me and once I started to drink found it hard to stop. Effexor has given me impulse control. I can do everything now that I did before but I don't have the extreme highs and lows that I used to experience. I am not a zombie and I can still feel stress, but somehow I can take a minute to think of an appropriate response rather than allowing my feelings to develop into full blown anxiety attacks. The side effects have been minimal. I experienced a lot a weird dreams at first and sometimes sweating. That has all subsided and I feel very normal and in control. I cannot say enough goods things about this drug, but I weant to point out that everyone is different. Fortunately, I was monitored closely for the first few years I was taking Effexor. That is very important.
Good luck to everyone who contemplates taking Effexor.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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