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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 20, 2007, at 15:07:26
My doctor just gave me Effexor XR to help me get off of Valium and Xanax, which I'll admit I misused and even abused for months. I decided to stop taking the benzos because they were making me depressed, lethargic, and even mean and irritable sometimes. The doctor said that the antidepressant would give me back my energy and help with all of that.
But I've heard it can trigger alcohol cravings in people. This worries me, since I have a family history of alcoholism on both sides of the family and my own problems with anxiety drugs. Is this a common side effect?Also, my doctor said this med will not cause weight gain and might make me lose. I'm already thin, so I don't want to gain or lose. (But if I had to choose, would go with the latter, because I could alwys eat more to compensate for weight loss.) How will this med change my weight?
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 15:11:18
In reply to Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 20, 2007, at 15:07:26
I hope your doc figured out a taper for the benzos so no withdrawal or seizures. I'm sure he did. Love Phillipa
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 20, 2007, at 15:25:18
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain » Cynthia_Greene, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2007, at 15:11:18
> I hope your doc figured out a taper for the benzos so no withdrawal or seizures. I'm sure he did. Love Phillipa
No taper needed. I was only taking them a few times a week, so I never got physically addicted. I just couldn't handle what they were doing to my personality and relationships anymore. The longest I took Valium every day was for a week straight and the only withdrawal I go was muscle cramps and tension headache.
Posted by cloudnine on April 21, 2007, at 7:45:03
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 20, 2007, at 15:25:18
Ive been on Efexor XR 75 for almost 3 years and did not gain weight at all,just the opposite I lost few and remained with cautiuos diet.
Efexor for me is a bit energizinf,but if I need more energey I add Wellbutrin or Tramadol,but not everyday as they lose their effects after few days.
In my experience,Efexor is one of the top AD ever devloped,and withdrawal from it,if you want to,is easy by substituting Prozac for a few days,
Best luck,
Cloudnine
Posted by ClubSoda on April 23, 2007, at 15:06:21
In reply to Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 20, 2007, at 15:07:26
I think the Effexor helped me *not* think about or crave alcohol. I was on Effexor when I started a 12-step program and because my mind wasn't constantly whirling I didn't obsess on alcohol as much. About 5 years later I had to go off Effexor because of insurance and job problems and that's when I wanted to drink. Just from the anxiety and stuff from the Effexor withdrawl.
I gained weight while on Effexor, but I don't think it was all the drugs fault. It didn't give me the energy it gives some people. It just made me feel sort of numb, but in control of my thoughts.
Mark
Posted by flame on May 1, 2007, at 11:14:21
In reply to Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 20, 2007, at 15:07:26
Hi Cynthia,
I know this is responding a tad late, but I just returned here to (once again) look up info on exactly what you are questioining here.
My BF started on Effexor three years ago. It has been "down-hill" ever since then. His alcohol abuse has gotten increasingly worse. Along with his alcohol abuse he has gained (at the least!) 30lbs.
I am posting here 'cause I'm wondering if anyone that might see this might have "links" of documentation of this. I would like to find something to send or take to BF's doc .. ?
Thanks,
Flame
Posted by flame on May 1, 2007, at 12:19:00
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by flame on May 1, 2007, at 11:14:21
Okay, I did a google search and here is what I came up with.
Hopefully "we" can find more .. ??
http://www.drugawareness.org/Archives/Miscellaneous/MRalcohol.html
~Flame
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 1, 2007, at 13:57:31
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by flame on May 1, 2007, at 12:19:00
> Okay, I did a google search and here is what I came up with.
>
> Hopefully "we" can find more .. ??
>
> http://www.drugawareness.org/Archives/Miscellaneous/MRalcohol.html
>
> ~FlameIt was an interesting link, and it proves that people aren't just making it up, like many doctors would think. So far, I haven't gained or lost any weight on Effexor, so I probably wont have to worry about that. And I still drink alcohol in moderation, but I don't have any urges to drink more than I normally did.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on May 4, 2007, at 21:21:31
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 1, 2007, at 13:57:31
I found Effexor to support compulsive behavior.
It also made me want to devote all my time to smoking cigarettes.
Posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2007, at 21:26:36
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight, posted by elanor roosevelt on May 4, 2007, at 21:21:31
My next door neighbors lexapro pooped out on her her doc started her on effexor now 37.5mg for this week then 75mg. She says on day three she is feeling better less xanax now only 4mg. Do you think that effexor helps with anxiety? Thanks, Love Phillipa
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 5, 2007, at 15:48:13
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight » elanor roosevelt, posted by Phillipa on May 4, 2007, at 21:26:36
> My next door neighbors lexapro pooped out on her her doc started her on effexor now 37.5mg for this week then 75mg. She says on day three she is feeling better less xanax now only 4mg. Do you think that effexor helps with anxiety? Thanks, Love Phillipa
I think it might help. The information sheet that came with it said that it's prescribed to some people to treat panic attacks, general anxiety, and social phobias. I think the doses are different depending on whether it's used to treat anxiety or depression.
Posted by Phillipa on May 5, 2007, at 17:41:08
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight, posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 5, 2007, at 15:48:13
Cynthia her pdoc said her anxiety had turned into depression. How high do you think her final dose will be. Thanks Love Phillipa
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 6, 2007, at 9:48:55
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight » Cynthia_Greene, posted by Phillipa on May 5, 2007, at 17:41:08
> Cynthia her pdoc said her anxiety had turned into depression. How high do you think her final dose will be. Thanks Love Phillipa
The dose for depression is higher than the one for anxiety. The PI sheet said that for depression, people take anywhere from 75 to 350mg. They'll probably just keep upping her dose until they see results.
I take 75 mg now. My doctor said if I didn't feel better, I could try going up to 150, but I think what I'm on is working pretty well.
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2007, at 18:20:11
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight, posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 6, 2007, at 9:48:55
Cynthia thanks for replying. Love Phillipa
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 6, 2007, at 23:51:17
In reply to Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight gain, posted by Cynthia_Greene on April 20, 2007, at 15:07:26
When I was on Effexor XR, I ate pretty much everything in sight. At least I understood the weight gain, as opposed to gaining weight on SSRIs, which seemed to happen even if I ate very little. I don't know about alcohol. I was only on it for two months. It made me very sick.
-Bonnie
Posted by cerebus on May 8, 2007, at 13:44:13
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight, posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 5, 2007, at 15:48:13
> > My next door neighbors lexapro pooped out on her her doc started her on effexor now 37.5mg for this week then 75mg. She says on day three she is feeling better less xanax now only 4mg. Do you think that effexor helps with anxiety? Thanks, Love Phillipa
>
> I think it might help. The information sheet that came with it said that it's prescribed to some people to treat panic attacks, general anxiety, and social phobias. I think the doses are different depending on whether it's used to treat anxiety or depression.
>
> I believe it did cause me to drink more. This could be related to an increase in carb craving. It definitely helped with my GAD, not so much for social anxiety. According to this board, it seems that everyone responds to the medications differently. I would definitely give it 4 months. The weight gain seemed to even out over time. Good Luck.
Posted by Cynthia_Greene on May 11, 2007, at 19:36:14
In reply to Re: Will Effexor cause alcohol cravings or weight, posted by cerebus on May 8, 2007, at 13:44:13
No weight gain yet. If anything, I've lost a couple pounds.
I'm not an alcoholic yet either, although I have started drinking a glass of wine each night with dinner. I've heard that it's good for you health to drink wine and I've also given up mixed drinks completely so why not have wine instead?
This is the end of the thread.
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