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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Elroy on May 6, 2006, at 12:22:45
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
>
> >
> > Don't be scared off by the horror stories. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of people who have come off of Effexor without incident, but you don't hear about those people. Don't let this kind of stuff hold you back from a possibly effective treatment.
>
> You know, I wish those people would post. I'm on Effexor for GAD, so I read the horror stories and I get freaked out.
Bonnie-CAI had NO problem coming off of Effexor. But then I was only on it for about a week. I too was / am suffering from GAD when I was put on Effexor. Not only did I develop fairly immediate "prostatitis like symptoms" that were very painful (one of the male side effects less heard about), but my anxiety levels went through the roof. By the end of the week it was unbearable. So I was taken off of it and put back on Xanax XR (1mg daily). Which helped a light amount.
A few months later I was then put on Cymbalta. Being very similar to EDffexor, I had the SAME reactions - it just took about 3 weeks too become unbearable instead of 1 week. Then back to Xanax XR only dose increased to 1 mg twice a day. (Which helped a bit more but still didn't seem to deal with the background anxiety completely - nor do hardly anything for the periodic spikes of sharp anxiety).
I was then at NIH Hospital for 2 weeks of testing in December (this last year) and part of my "Team" of doctors including a couple of psychiatrists.
They absolutely could not believe that there are doctors out there prescribing SSNRIs like Effexor and Cymbalta for any type of anxiety disorder. Both increase the circulating levels of norepinephrine and higher NE translates into higher anxiety levels. Even if your NE leves are tested at low, that low level is what your body / brain has adjusted to and "boosting" those levels causes severe anxiety.
They weren't even too enthusiastic about using SSRIs in anxiety situations, though they did say that certain ones did help mildly in certain types of anxiety.
Their medication of choice with most anxiety situations was Benzos. They specifically felt that for my condition that I was " severely under medicated" and recommended that my daily dosage be increased to 4 mg daily and then 6 mg daily. They also found out at NIH that my P450 enzymatic system - which metabolizes many things, including Xanax - was very much more efficient than the norm and as a result I was excreting the Xanax XR out of my bloodstream quicker than normal, so recommended that I go to 2 mg of Xanax XR three times a day. So far, my background anxiety is completely gone about 90% of the time and my "spikes" of severe anxiety are not only much less severe, but less shorter time periods and are further apart.
The theory expressed by NIH is that my anxiety is caused by my HPA Axis being hyperactive and dysfunctional (not reading feedbackl that I have plenty of cortisol so sending signals to produce more cortisol - and in a vicious cycle, the elevated cortisol levels cause increased anxiety which further hypers the HPA Axis). By being medicated at appropriate dosage levels, it should (hopefully) allow the HPA Axis a chance to rest and then re-set itself so cortisol secretions return to normal. Once we're sure that has happened and there has been no more anxiety, then we startt tapering off the Xanax XR. They were adamant if mental or physical symptoms of anxiety return that those are NOT withdrawal symptoms, it's just a sign that you're still not ready to come off of the Xanax XR. If you are ready to come off the Xanax (i.e., the anxiety is all gone), then the withdrawl will go smoothly. In fact, they felt that a good 50% of individuals taking even higher level therapeutic levels of Xanax can stop "cold turkey" and experience not one bit of withdrawal.
In fact, one of the psych docs specially mentioned at one point that she has patients who have much, much moer problems withdrawing from Effexor than she ever has had with withdrawing from Xanax.
So much for the horror story myths about Benzo withdrawals (where one thinks that anyone who ever took even the smallest dose of a Benzo has become an addict for life and will go through hellish withdrawal... maybe those rumors were started by Pharmaceutical company salesmen back when they first started pushing Prozac and other anti-depressants as also being good for anxiety!).
Elroy
Posted by detroitpistons on May 6, 2006, at 13:51:50
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
Bonnie,
> You know, I wish those people would post. I'm on Effexor for GAD, so I read the horror stories and I get freaked out.
You don't see many people on boards like this that don't have issues with medication. Yes, Effexor is known for bad withdrawal, but it doesn't necessarily have to effect you. Now that you're already on it, it's pointless to worry about it if it's working for you. That's the most important thing. You'll cross that withdrawal bridge when you come to it.
I have a friend who has been on Effexor off and on, and he has had no problem getting off. I'm on Effexor for the second time. The first time I went off, I transitioned to Paxil, so I didn't have any issues. The problem is that a lot of people go it alone, and don't seek their doctor's help in withdrawing. I'm not saying the doctor's help will automatically make everything better, but he/she can do things for you like prescribing you Prozac for a couple weeks to make the withdrawal almost non existent....I have not used this technique, but it seems to be very effective.Marc
> >
> > Don't be scared off by the horror stories. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of people who have come off of Effexor without incident, but you don't hear about those people. Don't let this kind of stuff hold you back from a possibly effective treatment.
>
> You know, I wish those people would post. I'm on Effexor for GAD, so I read the horror stories and I get freaked out.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 15:28:44
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid » Bonnie_CA, posted by Elroy on May 6, 2006, at 12:22:45
>In fact, one of the psych docs specially >mentioned at one point that she has patients who >have much, much moer problems withdrawing from >Effexor than she ever has had with withdrawing >from Xanax.
Elroy,
I haven't heard of anyone having trouble coming off of Xanax. I have heard people say that coming off of Paxil is worse than Effexor, and I've done that before... it was unpleasant but not so much that I had to be hospitalized. You sound like you've had a lot of trouble finding the right medication. I hope things get better for you!
-Bonnie
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 20:36:23
In reply to Effexor XR vs. Paxil and weight gain , posted by Louise on March 14, 2000, at 23:35:34
> Just got sample of Effexor XR. I've been on Paxil 20mg. for 1 yr. I feel great and my panic attacks are gone. BUT --- I keep gaining weight. I told my dr. to give me something else. Did anyone gain weight on this stuff? Does anyone use this for panic attacks. My dr. told me I could go right from Paxil to Effexor XR, stopping one and starting the other with no withdrawl symptoms. ANyone try it. Thanks for any input.
> >
>I gained like 20 pounds on Paxil, and it is forever immortalized in my wedding photos. Then I switched to Celexa, and I lost all the weight. Now I'm somewhere between my original weight and my Paxil weight. When I gained weight on Paxil, I did NOTHING different. I didn't eat any more than I did before, I didn't exercise any less than before, and I gained all the weight in a month. Also, I didn't gain weight from it until I had been on it a year. Weird, huh? I always hear that Paxil is the worst for weight gain. They may be right. I stopped taking it because it impaired my sexual function (that's a problem for a newly married person LOL), but it worked the absolute best. I wish I could find something that worked as well as Paxil without those side effects.
Anyway, now I'm taking Effexor since the Celexa stopped working, and so far I haven't had weight gain or loss, but I've only been on it for three months. I'll keep ya posted.
-Bonnie
Posted by FredPotter on May 7, 2006, at 16:24:28
In reply to Re: Repairing sex life, posted by SLS on April 18, 2006, at 10:28:37
My pdoc said Wellbutrin isn't used anymore (here in NZ). I'm on Effexor and suffer great tiredness as well as loss of sexual feelings
Posted by Phillipa on May 7, 2006, at 20:38:16
In reply to Re: Repairing sex life, posted by FredPotter on May 7, 2006, at 16:24:28
What's that? I forgot!!!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 8, 2006, at 22:34:24
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid » Bonnie_CA, posted by Elroy on May 6, 2006, at 12:22:45
>So I was taken off of it and put back on Xanax XR (1mg daily).
I just called my doc today about being taken off of Effexor, so I'll be posting on new stuff soon I'm sure... I just wanted to tell you, I've taken Xanax XR before and it straight up just put me to sleep. I'm glad it works for you... well, it works for me too, just too well. :D -Bonnie
Posted by prasnhym on May 9, 2006, at 12:21:15
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by CWN266 on April 2, 2006, at 17:46:24
I started my second round on effexor 75mg 3 weeks ago. I was on it for about 5 months last year. I am caring for my sister in the last stage of cancer and had to have something to deal with it all. The effexor worked wonderfully for me after i got past the beginning side effects of nausea and a little sweating. I noticed i slept better too the first time on it. I took the pill in the evening about 6 pm because that was when i got the perscription. I just decided one day i wanted to make it on my own and quit cold. It was quiet bad for about 2 or 3 weeks with mood swings and roaring/buzzing in my ears and tense anxiety or something.
After about 3 or 4 months things have gotten worse for my sister and i so i started back on it. I am having the same initial side effects except for insomnia now. I started back on it taking it in the am so yesterday i switched it back to about 6 pm and was sleepy for the first time in a long time tho my mind wouldnt let me sleep for awhile. I know the effexor helps me not to cry all the time or rant and rave in stress and i do feel better on it. And do not feel "drugged" in any way. I only plan on staying on it thu this crisis in my life but learned not to go cold turkey off again. I will do as i have seen on this site and wean off with something. I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth and maybe help someone else here....
Posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 7:50:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by prasnhym on May 9, 2006, at 12:21:15
I have been on effexor xr a couple months (now at 75 mg) & have actually lost a few pounds. Altho I was not significantly overweight (the same 10-15 lbs as every other 48-year-old woman), I have noticed that on the effexor I have a lot more control over my eating. In particular, I am able to stop eating when full. I am now tapering off the other drug I've been taking, luvox, & will soon be on effexor only. -saj
Posted by LBL on May 10, 2006, at 17:32:19
In reply to Re: effexor weight gain, posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 7:50:02
I'm curious how you and/or your doctor knew it was necessary to up your dosage from the 37.7 to something higher. I'm on 37.5(XR)for 3.5 weeks now and my doctor just wrote a scrip for another month's worth of the same dose. I feel great, but I'm just beginning to wonder if my afternoon headaches have something to do with the Effexor wearing off. (I just started taking it at bedtime)
Posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 22:18:03
In reply to Re: effexor weight gain » saj, posted by LBL on May 10, 2006, at 17:32:19
To LBL - I believe my doc said 75 was the minimum therapeutic threshold, so I took the 37.5 for 4 days & then went to 75. I think you can go much higher but I'm doing very well at this dose. If you're taking the XR version of effexor, it's a time-release so shouldn't wear off during the day. (I take my entire dose in the morning.) I think headaches can be a side effect that is supposed to go away. Glad you feel better though!
Posted by LBL on May 11, 2006, at 6:04:37
In reply to Re: effexor weight gain » LBL, posted by saj on May 10, 2006, at 22:18:03
SAJ Thanks- I am definately going to ask about that.
Posted by kc77va on May 11, 2006, at 13:30:12
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
Hi I was just wondering if anyone knows how long i can expect to suffer from withdrawal? I have been on effexor xr for 6+ months before that I was taking Zolfot. I was on 150 effexor and tried to cold turkey BIG MISTAKE!! After that failed I talked to my doctor he gave me a sample start up pack to use to get off the effexor. The first week was OK on 75; the second week sucked on 36; and now on day 2 of nothing it is killing me. I am having MAJOR mood swings. I feel confused and my mind is racing. I have trouble sleep and that awful WHOMP WHOMP sound in my head that radiates throu out my body. I have no insurance so coming up with the money to be on effexor is a huge reason why I want off it. But if this last for a long time I will have to beg my doctor for samples or something. I am a cocaine addict and an acholic (sober and clean 7 years)withdrawing from those was much easier than this. This is awful. I feel like maybe the effexor has messed my head up worse than it was before I ever got on anti depression drugs. Is that possible? Let me know please.
kc
Posted by kc77va on May 11, 2006, at 13:30:52
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
Hi I was just wondering if anyone knows how long i can expect to suffer from withdrawal? I have been on effexor xr for 6+ months before that I was taking Zolfot. I was on 150 effexor and tried to cold turkey BIG MISTAKE!! After that failed I talked to my doctor he gave me a sample start up pack to use to get off the effexor. The first week was OK on 75; the second week sucked on 36; and now on day 2 of nothing it is killing me. I am having MAJOR mood swings. I feel confused and my mind is racing. I have trouble sleep and that awful WHOMP WHOMP sound in my head that radiates throu out my body. I have no insurance so coming up with the money to be on effexor is a huge reason why I want off it. But if this last for a long time I will have to beg my doctor for samples or something. I am a cocaine addict and an acholic (sober and clean 7 years)withdrawing from those was much easier than this. This is awful. I feel like maybe the effexor has messed my head up worse than it was before I ever got on anti depression drugs. Is that possible? Let me know please.
kc
Posted by crxsi on May 11, 2006, at 18:06:25
In reply to How long do side effects of withdrawal last?, posted by kc77va on May 11, 2006, at 13:30:12
Hi, Doctors do not realize that decreasing the dose every week is way too quick. I just recently went from 112.5mg to 75mg over a three week period and only had minor headaches in the am. I used the advice of opening the capsule and taking out four beads a day. It was great advice. going from 37mg to nothing is also a huge jump. Some people can not tolerate thats why the bead theory works. Whoever mentioned that out there it was great advise!!!
Posted by grandma on May 14, 2006, at 0:58:44
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Back in March I posted a question about the effects of Effexor XR and pregnancy....
Well I am very happy to report that last Saturday May the 6th our daughter gave birth to a very healthy 7lb 7oz baby girl.There seems to be no side effects what so ever to our new little grand daughter. Thank you all for the feed back when we were so afraid..it definately helped ease our worry. The news report that we had heard told of the horrible effects on babies lungs...well in our case these reports were VERY WRONG...I was in delivery and don't mind saying that my tears fell like rain as our litle one took her first breath and then cried very strong and loud to announce her arrival into the world...
Thanks again , and we wish you all the very best
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 14, 2006, at 2:10:20
In reply to Pregnancy success on Effexor XR, posted by grandma on May 14, 2006, at 0:58:44
Congrats! :D
> Back in March I posted a question about the effects of Effexor XR and pregnancy....
> Well I am very happy to report that last Saturday May the 6th our daughter gave birth to a very healthy 7lb 7oz baby girl.There seems to be no side effects what so ever to our new little grand daughter. Thank you all for the feed back when we were so afraid..it definately helped ease our worry. The news report that we had heard told of the horrible effects on babies lungs...well in our case these reports were VERY WRONG...I was in delivery and don't mind saying that my tears fell like rain as our litle one took her first breath and then cried very strong and loud to announce her arrival into the world...
> Thanks again , and we wish you all the very best
Posted by LBL on May 14, 2006, at 8:30:13
In reply to Pregnancy success on Effexor XR, posted by grandma on May 14, 2006, at 0:58:44
What wonderful news! Thank you for sharing your joy. I'm sure everyone here can use a little of that!
Posted by boxcan on May 14, 2006, at 14:04:12
In reply to Re: Quitting Effexor XR - and off of all other meds!, posted by angelbean on July 8, 2005, at 3:43:23
I've been on Effexor XR (75mg) for approx. over a year. I've just started to ween myself off of it. Starting to empty 1/3rd of the pill. for the 1st week and will take 35mg for the next week. so far I'm feeling ok. I'm weening myself off of it because I hate the idea of depending on a drug for the rest of my life. And I've too have experienced heavy drinking binges on the drug.
> I have been on Effexor XR 150mg for 8 years. I too am coming off of it. Not because it's not working for me, but because I lost my insurance and this stuff is $140 a month! Believe me, if I could afford it, I would continue it forever.
>
> Anyway, it has been 3 days since my last dose, and I think I'm actually feeling a little better. I have experienced all the side effects that everyone complains of, but I feel pretty good right now. I am frightened by the posts I've read here and elsewhere about the effects of coming off, especially without the benefit of tapering. So I wanted to let people know that one person out there is getting off it, and so far I'm ok. I would love to hear from some people who have been successful at getting off it without a lot of side effects. I'm hoping you're out there, and just not talking!
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > I'm coming off of effexor xr and frankly am scared about it.
Posted by boxcan on May 14, 2006, at 14:05:00
In reply to Re: Quitting Effexor XR, posted by angelbean on July 8, 2005, at 15:00:26
I've been on Effexor XR (75mg) for approx. over a year. I've just started to ween myself off of it. Starting to empty 1/3rd of the pill. for the 1st week and will take 35mg for the next week. so far I'm feeling ok. I'm weening myself off of it because I hate the idea of depending on a drug for the rest of my life. And I've too have experienced heavy drinking binges on the drug.
Posted by Jonesy on May 17, 2006, at 14:12:15
In reply to How long do side effects of withdrawal last?, posted by kc77va on May 11, 2006, at 13:30:12
My doctor just put me on Effexor (75mgs) to give me energy. My RA can really slow me down. Has anyone taken it for this? Those of you that take it does it help with your energy levels?
Posted by suki on May 25, 2006, at 19:23:59
In reply to Re: OK now I am afraid, posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2006, at 0:45:01
i am 41 (female) and have depression, biopolar, and some ADD mixed in somewhere....used to get real nervous, worry excessively about everything! have instant 'anger' issues, or cry for no reason (great genes huh?) I took paxil and it was Fantastic!!!!!!!!!I loved it - expect if I was a few hours late taking my evening dosage I would get 'electric shocks' really bad, plus it make me kind of tired - then i switched to prozac and it was good, but not as good as paxil, however I gained too much weight - so the doc. said "take effexor--you won't gain weight..." but now I am gaining weight on it .... any body have this experience? So,now i'm thinking of trying Wellburtrin ??? any thoughts????
Posted by flowerpat on May 30, 2006, at 18:39:14
In reply to paxil to prozac to effexor - all good expect lbs, posted by suki on May 25, 2006, at 19:23:59
> i am 41 (female) and have depression, biopolar, and some ADD mixed in somewhere....used to get real nervous, worry excessively about everything! have instant 'anger' issues, or cry for no reason (great genes huh?) I took paxil and it was Fantastic!!!!!!!!!I loved it - expect if I was a few hours late taking my evening dosage I would get 'electric shocks' really bad, plus it make me kind of tired - then i switched to prozac and it was good, but not as good as paxil, however I gained too much weight - so the doc. said "take effexor--you won't gain weight..." but now I am gaining weight on it .... any body have this experience? So,now i'm thinking of trying Wellburtrin ??? any thoughts????
I've been on Effexor for about 6 months. I have had a steady increase in my weight at about 1 lb. per week. Already overweight, so I don't need the extra. Talked to my Doc, she says effexor should not do this. I haven't changes my activity or eating habits, so....what else could it be? Next appt. I going to tell her I want off.
Posted by Baliey on May 31, 2006, at 10:04:06
In reply to Re: effexor XR interactions with alcohol, posted by renecoston on April 14, 2006, at 7:37:04
OH MY!!!
Thank you, thank you. If I had only gone to the bottom to the postings I would have seen the one's that deal with withdrawl suggestions. I'm going to the kitchen right now and take out some of the beanies.
Posted by Aim on May 31, 2006, at 20:19:17
In reply to How long do side effects of withdrawal last?, posted by kc77va on May 11, 2006, at 13:30:12
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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