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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by SandyWeb on April 11, 2007, at 10:08:20
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia, posted by Crystal_clear on April 11, 2007, at 9:27:48
I started out on Effexor XR at 75 mg, and had to quit after a little over a week. I was soooo lethargic and sleepy. I had absolutely no motivation, and my brain was "busy". Plus I tried taking it at night, and it gave me terrible insomnia. And my anxiety just would not go away, even with clonazepam.
Well, 75 mg is only impacting your serotonin...and my problem is with norepinephrine. I knew I needed to get to a higher dose in order to get past that dang serotonin impact. Remeron is in the same class as Effexor XR, and it worked wonders except that it made me FAT (I had to quit it, and happily have lost that weight!!). I figured the Effexor XR would help in the same way as Remeron, so I HAD to give it a try again.
This is what I did, but I'm not suggesting that you do it the same way. I'm just saying that it worked for me. I began the med again. I took 75 mg at night, and when I got up the very next morning I took another 75 mg. Then, because I wanted my dosing to be done in the mornings because of the insomnia it causes, I waited until the next morning and then took 150 mg. I had absolutely no side effects from that dose other than some sleepiness each afternoon. I would end up taking a 2-hour nap. Then 3 days after being on that dose, I increased it to 225 mg. I felt soooo much better, and the only side effect again was the afternoon sleepiness (which I would take a 2 hour nap, then it was down to a 1 hour nap, and then it was down to just resting my eyes but never falling asleep, down to not getting sleepy at all!!!). It took about 2 or maybe 3 weeks for the transition from a 2-hour nap to no nap to occur. And I feel great. People are recognizing the old Sandy again. I really do feel quite good. But I can still feel "the pit" just on the outer edges of my world. I'm certainly not depressed anymore and my anxiety is much better, but I know that I'm not quite safe if I can feel that blackness on the edge of my thoughts.
I stayed on 225 mg for 5 weeks. This morning I increased it to 300 mg, and so far....no side effects, not even any sleepiness. I feel fine so far.
You may need to get to a higher dose to get rid of those side effects that you are talking about. You may not have a serotonin problem, either. Maybe, like me, it's epinephrine. You've been on 75 mg to 150 mg for 2 weeks, and it only takes 3 days for the med to reach a steady state in your system. It wouldn't hurt to increase your dose to 225 mg now. Just ask your doctor if he agrees with you, which I don't know why he wouldn't. I have felt my best so far on 225 mg, and now I'm just waiting to see what happens at 300 mg. If it's not as helpful, I know that I can always go back down to 225 mg. Many people are on 375 mg for anxiety and depression. You've still got some room to experiment with dosing. But just call your doctor and see if you can increase to 225 mg, and hopefully that will help any epinephrine problems you might be having. And, like I said, my side effects went away after 2-3 weeks. Good luck.
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2007, at 19:35:29
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » Crystal_clear, posted by SandyWeb on April 11, 2007, at 10:08:20
Sandy I don't think effexor is the same class of meds as remeron. Remeron is in it's own class. The only other SSNRI I know of is cymbalta. Correct me if you google it and I'm wrong. It won't bother me heck I'm wrong a lot of the time. Love Phillipa
Posted by dsm3r on April 11, 2007, at 23:53:53
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by KristiVegas on April 9, 2007, at 19:40:00
> >
> > Hi Vanni,
> > >
> > > I haven't been on the site for awhile but saw your post today and thought I would respond. My depression and anxiety got worse during menopause too but I wasn't quite sure what it was then. I've been on Effexor for almost a year but was gradually worked up to 300 mg. per day. I am experiencing loss of memory and weight gain but am sleeping better. What do you trade? I don't like the loss of memory (short term) but I'm sleeping better than I have in years. My mood is flat also and I still have no motivation. I've been told (and have read) that some meds stop working after a while and I'm wondering if that's what I'm experiencing. Have you talked to your Doc yet?
> > >
> > > Kristi
> > >
> > >
> > Thanks Kristi,
> >
> > I will check with my doctor. I take Trazadone at night to sleep and it works really well. I too am sleeping better than I have in years. My short term memory also sucks but I think that might be a function of age!...53.
> >
> > Vanni
> >
>
> Hi Vanni,
>
> I saw my PDoc today and he doesn' believe Effexor is causing any of my side effects. I'm going to elicit some feedback from everyone on the website and prove to him that this med causes side effects. I was told by a lot of women that short-term memory loss was part of menopause but I don't remember it being this bad when I was in the throes (I started when I was 48-I'm 56 now and over it). My PDoc has added 150mg of Wellbutrin XL to my daily dosage of Effexor to see if that will sharpen up the senses a bit and give me a kick in the butt. So we'll see. If you don't mind sharing any experiences with me while you've been on the med, I would appreciate it.
>
> Thanks and good luck,
> Kristi
>Hi Kristi -
Just saw your post. I've been on Effexor for 5 years now. The side effects that I've experienced have been weight gain (100lbs!!!!!), short term memory loss, and absolutely no sexual drive, (even if I happen to think about it and want to do something it's gone in a flash). Sometimes my speech is affected - like I can't get the words out. When I finally speak it sounds like speech dyslexia.I take 300mg at night. I was at 150 in in a.m. and 150 p.m. but I was so drowsy during the day.
I'm also on 300 mg Seroquel because of insomnia. I adjust during the winter because of seasonal affective disorder.I truly wish I could be med free, but given what I was before to what I am now, I'll stick with the meds.
Hope you can use this.
Blessed journeys
Posted by KristiVegas on April 12, 2007, at 0:09:32
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR » KristiVegas, posted by dsm3r on April 11, 2007, at 23:53:53
Thank you for the post. I really appreciate your sharing your experiences with me.
If anyone else out there would like to share their "side effects of Effexor", please do. I need my PDoc to stop treating me like I'm making it up. I went to the Wyeth website and pulled some information from there, also.
I've taken the Wellbutrin XL (150mg) for two days in addition to the Effexor (300mg) and I had a melt down at work today. Can anyone tell me if I have enought Wellbutrin in my system to cause this? I have to be very careful - I have a very sensitive system to meds (especially tablets). Anything out of the ordinary I have to pay attention to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Kristi
Posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 12:51:55
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » SandyWeb, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2007, at 19:35:29
> Sandy I don't think effexor is the same class of meds as remeron. Remeron is in it's own class. The only other SNRI I know of is cymbalta. Love Phillipa<
-------------------
Hi Phillipa,I just did a real QUICK search on SNRIs, and Effexor is listed as the first and most commonly used one. Look under SNRIs currently available:
http://www.answers.com/topic/serotonin-norepinephrine-reuptake-inhibitor
You were correct, though, that Remeron is not an SNRI. The reason I always thought it was an SNRI is because it acts on norepinephrine (also known as being noradrenergic) as well as Serotonin....just like the SNRIs.
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mirtaz_cp.htmMy boo-boo. Sorry. Still seems like it should be an SNRI, though. And I still believe that it is the impact upon my norepinephrine that helps me, not the serotonin. SSRIs make me "whacko", whereas high doses of both Remeron and Effexor XR make me feel soooooo much better.
Take care and have a wonderful day. I hope you get lots of sunshine!
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2007, at 19:52:43
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » Phillipa, posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 12:51:55
Funny how different we all are as remeron once was given to me at l5mg doses with benzos and chloral hyrate and even seroquel for one night in the hospital no sleepiness for me. So wierd? Love Phillipa ps so only one S thanks for show me that and good luck.
Posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 21:24:33
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » SandyWeb, posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2007, at 19:52:43
The only med that I ever found to make me tired was Trazadone, but like I mentioned in another post some time ago, it closed my nose right up and I had to breathe through my mouth. Definately no sleep when your tongue is sticking to your throat!! LOL.
I guess I'm like you. I just can't find anything to help me sleep. Guess we'll have to find some barbituates out on the street! JUST KIDDING! Lol.
God bless,
Sandy
Posted by cloudnine on April 15, 2007, at 5:47:38
In reply to Re: Effexor xr and drowsiness/sleep,insomnia » Phillipa, posted by SandyWeb on April 12, 2007, at 21:24:33
Hi,
I thought I might contribute here,as I noted a lot of negative stories about this medication even though it is very popular and known to tackle the worst depressionsIve been on Efexor xr bt. 75 and 150 mg since begining of 2005 till now,and I must say I had annoying side effects the first month but after that it was great.
Positive things compared to other ADs (and I tried many of them including MAOs,RIMAs,TCA,SSRis.NRis,NDRis,atypicals)
]
No weight gain,but slight weight loss!
No insomnia,
No anxiety
No Fatigue but desirable activation!
Normal sex drive(sometimes I use Wellbutrin to enhance)
Fairly good concentrationThe only annoying side effect that is persisting is more than average sweating,which made me have more showes!
Please can I hear other positive experiences to lift up my soul?
Thanks,
Cloudnine
Posted by JouezMoi on April 15, 2007, at 12:01:10
In reply to Re: Effexor xr positive experiences, posted by cloudnine on April 15, 2007, at 5:47:38
Oh I agree, it is one of the most effective medications around. My experience was very positive. My nightmare started when it was time to come off. All the tapering in the world did not work, and I still get the occasional brain zap months after my last dose.
Posted by Phillipa on April 15, 2007, at 18:46:42
In reply to Re: Effexor xr positive experiences » cloudnine, posted by JouezMoi on April 15, 2007, at 12:01:10
Last two posters would you mind going to admin and asking on my thread for a board with positive effects from the SSRI's and SNRI's and others. Too many negative stories which scare people from posting successes. And congrats to all the success stories. We need them here. Love Phillipa
Posted by My sons mother on April 29, 2007, at 18:17:14
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by KristiVegas on April 9, 2007, at 14:13:12
My son has been on effexor for 7-8 years and cannot get off of this medicine! He is now 28 years old. He has tried several times. He lowered his dose, and then tried and didn't work. It doesn't matter what dose he takes, he gets the same effect. As long as his body has it, it doesn't go into withdrawl. If he misses one day, he goes into withdrawl. Terrible withdrawl. He is afraid they are going to stop making this medication, because he heard he could go into a comma. This is not right. There should be a way to get off this medication! Does ANYBODY know how to get off this medication?
Thanks.
Very worried mom
Posted by ClubSoda on May 2, 2007, at 13:12:31
In reply to Re: One year on Effexor XR, posted by My sons mother on April 29, 2007, at 18:17:14
I went off of it pretty much cold turkey and don't recommend that to anyone. I didn't have insurance and couldn't afford it anymore.
I have read of people who tapered off of it very slowly to the point where they got to the lowest dose available in capsule. When that happened they opened the caps and started counting the grains and tapering to nothing.
Posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent , posted by annj on February 27, 2001, at 15:37:01
Please....if anyone out there can give me insight into PERMANENT side effects of Effexor I need HELP! My 9 year old son was accidentally given effexor by pharmacy instead of prescribed antibiotic. He was hospitilized for five days and had many problems but this was a year ago and we are STILL struggling with mood swings, bouts of depression, manic ups and downs, concentration problems, memory loss/confusion....Is there any hope of this eventually going away? We NEVER had problems of this nature before!
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2007, at 21:30:38
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
Kerri have you spoken to a lawyer as this is definitely a case. Do you still have the bottle it came in? Love Phillipa
Posted by KerriC4412 on June 20, 2007, at 9:50:08
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
Yes we have and the pharmacy is not even fighting it. The pharmacist was 80 and has since retired and is fighting dementia. We have been to medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, poison control....you name it we have contacted them. But everyone interprets the long term effects differently. It is just getting frustrating. Most of the research is about short-term withdrawl side effects. Not much out there on permanent or long-term....nothing specific. Maybe no one really knows for sure. The insurance company wants to settle and frankly I just want it over with but we really don't KNOW if this is something he (and WE) just need to accept as permanent now. Just curious if anyone else out there has experienced lasting side effects. Thank you for your concerns!
Posted by KerriC4412 on June 20, 2007, at 9:51:25
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
Yes we have and the pharmacy is not even fighting it. The pharmacist was 80 and has since retired and is fighting dementia. We have been to medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, poison control....you name it we have contacted them. But everyone interprets the long term effects differently. It is just getting frustrating. Most of the research is about short-term withdrawl side effects. Not much out there on permanent or long-term....nothing specific. Maybe no one really knows for sure. The insurance company wants to settle and frankly I just want it over with but we really don't KNOW if this is something he (and WE) just need to accept as permanent now. Just curious if anyone else out there has experienced lasting side effects. Thank you for your concerns!
Posted by KristiVegas on June 21, 2007, at 17:28:37
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 19, 2007, at 11:13:15
Kerri,
I had a very bad reaction to Paxil a few yrs back-developed tinnitus. I went to a Nutrionist because the Drs. said there was nothing they could do for me. The residue of the med is in his liver. That's why he's still having side effects. The Nutrionist advised me to take Milk Thistle and Red Clover Bark 3x a day for 3 weeks. Lo and behold - the tinnitus went away!!! Obviously I'm not a doctor but I DO know that it worked for me. The Nutrionist said the liver needs to be cleaned out. "Scrubbing Bubbles" she called it. Good thing about it is that it's herbs and not more prescribed meds. It certainly can't hurt him. Good luck!!
Kristi
Posted by markymark on June 21, 2007, at 19:47:27
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I had great success on Effexor XR! I had no side effects and was on it for about 5 years. Dont listen to the horror stories. Give it a chance!
Posted by Phillipa on June 21, 2007, at 21:01:29
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 20, 2007, at 9:50:08
How long was he on it and at what dose? And did you notice anything while he was on it? Was he emotionally perfectly okay before this. This is not to be taken litely a child's whole life and future are are stake. Money can't give that back. Love Phillipa
Posted by kaleidoscope on June 22, 2007, at 14:45:59
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KristiVegas on June 21, 2007, at 17:28:37
Hi
I'm am sorry to hear what you are going through.
However......
Your nutritionist is unlikely to know much about Effexor. Effexor is very rapidly excreted from the body. All trace of the drug is eliminated from the body a few days after stopping it. It does not accumulate in the liver. I do not have an explanation for why your son is ill. If it's any reassurance though I can tell you that there will be absolutely no trace of Effexor in your son's body.
Posted by kaleidoscope on June 22, 2007, at 14:46:44
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KristiVegas on June 21, 2007, at 17:28:37
Hi
I'm am sorry to hear what you are going through.
However......
Your nutritionist is unlikely to know much about Effexor. Effexor is very rapidly excreted from the body. All trace of the drug is eliminated from the body a few days after stopping it. It does not accumulate in the liver. I do not have an explanation for why your son is ill. If it's any reassurance though I can tell you that there will be absolutely no trace of Effexor in your son's body.
Posted by KristiVegas on June 22, 2007, at 23:33:36
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » KristiVegas, posted by kaleidoscope on June 22, 2007, at 14:46:44
It's not my son. Please read the previous posts. And I was talking about Paxil not Effexor and the herbs were a suggestion based on my experience with Paxil.
Posted by kaleidoscope on June 23, 2007, at 15:13:07
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KristiVegas on June 22, 2007, at 23:33:36
I apologise, my mistake.
Posted by KerriC4412 on June 25, 2007, at 11:25:28
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent » KristiVegas, posted by kaleidoscope on June 23, 2007, at 15:13:07
I apologize. Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to post my dilema on this forum. I was in hopes someone out there had encountered a similar situation and could offer guidance and/or support. Obviously I did not include all of the specific details of our situation - such as his 5 day ICU stay, the fact that as a child he inadvertantly was given 700 mg. per day of the extended release meds., the fact that his kidneys completely shut down and never returned to proper functioning, his liver was affected but has returned to normal and his heart is now enlarged and the fact that it caused chemically induced seratonin syndrome and his body no longer produces seratonin, he experienced hallucinations and was in and out of consciousness....all as a PROVEN direct result of the OVERDOSE and subsequent improper withdrawl of the meds. as stated by the pharmacutical company and documented in PRE-Trial studies that are not always necessarily published but poison control reps were able to acquire. I guess what i have learned is that there really is no documented circumstance similar to mine.....which is actually a blessing for everyone else..... I am eternally grateful for that we are only dealing with what we are. I guess my original question seems silly now that I think about it. Just posted it in a weak moment after again getting not so positive results from doctors and hoping that some other mother out there could relate. I will have to learn to trust my own knowledge and research as it is probably more extensive than those who have personal experience with the drug AND unfortunatly even more extensive than most doctors at this point. The drug itself is not to blame, it was just never intended for a young child in such lethal doses nor was it intended to be withdrawn cold turkey as it was. Thank you all very much for your input. I really do appreciate it and again apologize if I wasted your time.
Posted by Phillipa on June 25, 2007, at 20:24:37
In reply to Re: Long term effects of Effexor/permanent, posted by KerriC4412 on June 25, 2007, at 11:25:28
Kerri you didn't waste anyone's time the way I see it you educated parents to be especially careful where they keep their meds. And I pray that your child improves what happened it dreadful and horrible. I wish I could help but how? I can offer my support to you. Love Phillipa
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