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Posted by Sachi on July 11, 2007, at 17:48:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Kev on January 4, 2000, at 21:32:43
I almost didn't even try this med because of all the terrible things I read about it on certain sites. I am so glad I decided just to try. My Dr. said to start with 37.5 mg XR for an entire month just to be sure before upping the dose. I think that made me feel more comfortable. I could tell the second day I was taking it that it was working for me. In the past I have tried Zoloft, Elavil, Prozac, Celexa, Wellbutrin and most recently, Cymbalta. I have been diagnosed with cyclic dysthymia (mini bi-polar), major depression, post-partum depression and generalized anxiety disorder at different times in my journey. I'm not a complete nut, I function quite well, but have always felt like other people just seemed to feel better/more cheerful and optimistic than me... and that I always just had a dark aura/cloud over me no matter how I tried to lift it by exercise/meditation/nutrition etc. This has been a life-long battle for me and I have found the answer in Effexor. I wake up in the morning happy and ready for the day instead of in a cloud and wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep indefinitely. I have energy during the day instead of dragging through every moment only wishing for bedtime. I am not anxious for the first time in my life, which is weird because I am also not tried. Every other thing I ever took for anxiety made me want to go to sleep. Now I feel calm, but not sleepy... NICE! This is a miracle for me after 36 years of suffering. I hope other people who read all the terrible things about Effexor, also read this and at least give it a try at the lowest dosage just to see if it works for them like it works for me!
Posted by Clayton on July 11, 2007, at 18:57:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Kev, posted by Sachi on July 11, 2007, at 17:48:57
I want to echo the main thought expressed by the below reproduced post. I too had been through every anti-depressant in the book )amitryptalin, Prozac, Paxil, Welbutrin, Remeron to name some)except for Effexor which I greartly feared due to posts read on this site, paticularly those concerning the withdrawn effects.
When nothing else worked I gave it alot of thought and decided to try effexor. My PDoc started me at 150 mg and I am now up to 300 mg. There were NO side effects from the initial dose or the current rather large dose. NONE.
And, as to withdrawl effects, I was away on vacation and ran completely out of my Effexor (not very good planning there!). I waited with trepidation for the "brain shocks" and flu-like symptoms (so often mentioned on this site) but neither of these things happened AT ALL. In fact, there were NO WITHDRAWL EFFECTS (other than returning to the somewhat depressive state I was in before I stared the Effexor). And I went without the med for two weeks!
As for efficacy as an ant-depressant, I echo the setiments of the Author to whom I am responding. Effexor has helps me immeasrably. It is the first ant-depressant that has actually worked for me. In fact, it's the first one I could feel the effects of at all. I can say enough good about it.
It's a given that everyone reponds differently to different drugs. Still, I would not want to see people (who might well be hugely helped by Effexor)avoid it because of the plethora of negative posts on this and other sites. And my PDoc said there are parmacological solutions for the "brain shocks" if they occur. I haven't found out more about these because with me they DID NOT occur.
So, here's to Effexor, the only effectice anti-depreppant I have found, and one with absolutely no side-effects (for me).
If you have not done so yet, please read the post reproduced below. It tells a similar story much more eloquently than I could.
Regards and best of luck to you all!
> I almost didn't even try this med because of all the terrible things I read about it on certain sites. I am so glad I decided just to try. My Dr. said to start with 37.5 mg XR for an entire month just to be sure before upping the dose. I think that made me feel more comfortable. I could tell the second day I was taking it that it was working for me. In the past I have tried Zoloft, Elavil, Prozac, Celexa, Wellbutrin and most recently, Cymbalta. I have been diagnosed with cyclic dysthymia (mini bi-polar), major depression, post-partum depression and generalized anxiety disorder at different times in my journey. I'm not a complete nut, I function quite well, but have always felt like other people just seemed to feel better/more cheerful and optimistic than me... and that I always just had a dark aura/cloud over me no matter how I tried to lift it by exercise/meditation/nutrition etc. This has been a life-long battle for me and I have found the answer in Effexor. I wake up in the morning happy and ready for the day instead of in a cloud and wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep indefinitely. I have energy during the day instead of dragging through every moment only wishing for bedtime. I am not anxious for the first time in my life, which is weird because I am also not tried. Every other thing I ever took for anxiety made me want to go to sleep. Now I feel calm, but not sleepy... NICE! This is a miracle for me after 36 years of suffering. I hope other people who read all the terrible things about Effexor, also read this and at least give it a try at the lowest dosage just to see if it works for them like it works for me!
Posted by montecello on July 14, 2007, at 20:15:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » fredwb, posted by Phillipa on November 21, 2006, at 18:02:30
So I have been struggling with depression since I was very young. Recently *the past year and a half* I started having horrible dizzy spells and migraines. Lately, my depression was getting worse even though my life is getting better by all accounts. I had been very opposed to taking anything to help because I felt that this is me and I don't want to alter who I am. But after some recurring bouts of depression that I could not overcome coupled with the dizziness and migraines, my doc gave me effexor. I have only been taking it for three weeks and I'm at 75mg. Up until today I have felt great. I'm eating less, actually stopping when I'm full, sleeping less and feeling more rested, and best of all, no depression.
But I've had a few side effects that I was wondering if anyone else has had. First off, I used to be a HUGE coffee drinker. After the first couple days I realized that this would not work with effexor. So, except for a cup every now and then I have cut it out of my diet. Today I slipped and wasn't thinking and had about 4 cups. To say the least, I was buzzing. Now I've crashed and I feel so depressed and dispondent. Has anyone else ever experienced this?
Also, my dreams. My work exposes me to a lot of "out-of-the-norm" issues and my dreams have always been interesting. Not scary by any means, actually very fun. Now my dreams are so vivid and numerous. Again, anyone else? And does this one diminish over time?
And finally, one for the guys. My libido is so far gone right now. And to reach orgasm when I am in the mood is next to impossible. My fiance` likes my improved mood so much that they would rather deal with these side effects than my depression. Do the sexual side effects decrease over time?
Thanks for reading this. I really appreciate any feed back as my doctor doesn't seem to know too much in the side effect dept.
Posted by cloudnine on July 15, 2007, at 5:01:20
In reply to Great success on Effexor XR and no side-effects, posted by Clayton on July 11, 2007, at 18:57:06
Just wanna add tha Effexor is the only med that made me feel like my true self again.I've tried all ADs one can imagine from the oldest to the newest but...Effexor rules...only side effects increased sweatng and some loss of libido and some dificulty with ejaculation.
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 24, 2007, at 10:28:36
In reply to Effexor vs Prozac, posted by Mariec on January 23, 2003, at 14:01:49
> Hello,
>
> Has anyone been on prozac and expierenced bad effects(more aggression, aggitation)been able to switch to Effexor with better results? I am on Prozac xr now, not doing well and need to find something else!
>I know its been awhile however I just found your posting and I'm thinking of changing from Prozac to Effexor for the same reasons you had. The Prozac lifts my depression but causes me to be agitated and very restless. Did you go on the Effexor and are you stll on it? Does it work well for you? Thanks for any info.
Karen
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 24, 2007, at 12:00:21
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by KarenRB53 on August 24, 2007, at 10:28:36
Yes, I went through the same thing, had the strangest feelings of anger, mad all the time and that is not like me at all even felt agressive, prozac has helped a lot but I have had better luck on Effoxor XR and Lexapro
Posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2007, at 12:09:11
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 24, 2007, at 12:00:21
My next door neighbor didn't realize she had been isolating inside all Spring and then saw her pdoc in florida she's been on 3-6bars? of xanax for years. And she was also on lexapro. He said I've had you diagnosed as major depression for a long time and put her on effexor immediately seriously she felt much better and is on 75mg of effexor now with the xanax and he said she has a lot of room to wiggle. And she says first time she has known happinsess real happiness in years. I wonder since I tried it years ago if it would work for me now as just existing. He also said he needed to get her anxiety under control before addressing the depression does this seem right? Wonder if her meant the xanax and lexapro for anxiety and now the xanax and effexor for both? Phillipa
Posted by chante on August 24, 2007, at 12:56:45
In reply to New to effexor and wondering about side effects, posted by montecello on July 14, 2007, at 20:15:22
what about wellbutrin or effexor..very sensative to medecine.. tryed zoloft before and at 25mg was ok after my doc put it up at 50mmg started to be less motivated and happy but not productive at all, now i'm starting a new carrer and have to move out with my 2 kids, divorcing... 2 years old and a 16 years old.... hard... I feel extremely stress, taking valium help a lot... but just notice i started to feel depress a little too.... so i know lot's people say wellbutrin is good but you forget everything completeley et disttacted??/ I wish i could just take litlte mini dose so and it would work so i don't have to feel all non-productive in the day , and just enough to elevate my mood a bit. any suggestion anybody?? please help...
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 24, 2007, at 15:28:54
In reply to Great success on Effexor XR and no side-effects, posted by Clayton on July 11, 2007, at 18:57:06
ah sounds just like me,I am finally back on Effoxor, I did well on it before, then was changed after agreeing to the horrible torture of ECT. My new dr. put me back on Effoxor and Lexapro and am doing quite well. He also added to Geoden to aide in sleep and racing thoughts at night and to help me to concentrate after the disastrous results of ECT.............so for now I will push on with this new cocktail.....the only downside is ED and lack of sex drive alltogether. It was still there before the Effexor, but then gone quickly after starting it.......I just saw my regular dr. about it and he said it should be treated via, Viagra, Cialis or the other one, we shall see, you loose so much with depression, hard to loose that! Good luck to all.....
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 24, 2007, at 18:07:02
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 24, 2007, at 12:00:21
> Yes, I went through the same thing, had the strangest feelings of anger, mad all the time and that is not like me at all even felt agressive, prozac has helped a lot but I have had better luck on Effoxor XR and Lexapro
Thanks for responding. Whats the difference between Effexor and EffexorXR?
Karen
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 24, 2007, at 18:12:30
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by KarenRB53 on August 24, 2007, at 18:07:02
KAREN. LIKE SO MANY OF THE NEW SSRI'S IT IS TIME RELEASED SO IT DOESN'T HIT YOU ALL AT ONCE...STAY AT THE MOST MINIMAL DOSGAE AS YOU CAN.....AS MY DEPRESSN PROGRESSED THEY KEPT BUMPING IT UP TIL NOW i AM AT THE MAX OF 300MG....i AM GOING TO START BACKING OFF ON MY OWN......AND SEE WHERE THAT LEADS.........IT HELPS, BUT IT IS NOT LIVING.....
E
Posted by KristiVegas on August 24, 2007, at 22:05:19
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 24, 2007, at 18:12:30
I've been on 300 mg of Effexor for almost a year and I think I've flattened out. I'm grumpy and irritable all the time and I have numerous side effects plus a 25 lb. weight gain. I don't feel good most of the time but it has regulated my sleep which has been a God-send. My pdoc has added Topamax but the tablets aggravate my reflux. I haven't had a very good relationship with this doctor and am considering changing to someone who won't ignore me when I tell him what I'm experiencing with the med.
Posted by Hagbard on August 25, 2007, at 0:08:00
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 24, 2007, at 18:12:30
> KAREN. LIKE SO MANY OF THE NEW SSRI'S IT IS TIME RELEASED SO IT DOESN'T HIT YOU ALL AT ONCE...STAY AT THE MOST MINIMAL DOSGAE AS YOU CAN.....AS MY DEPRESSN PROGRESSED THEY KEPT BUMPING IT UP TIL NOW i AM AT THE MAX OF 300MG....i AM GOING TO START BACKING OFF ON MY OWN......AND SEE WHERE THAT LEADS.........IT HELPS, BUT IT IS NOT LIVING.....
> EHi Karen,
Effexor XR (300mg) works rather well for me once I have been on a steady dosage for 4-6 weeks. My size needs to be taken into consideration here as well I have an average sized frame for a man (5'11") but I weigh about #300. I feel rested after 5-6 hours of sleep, I can typically focus on specific tasks and I feel balanced. I seemed to function even better after adding Omega 3, B-Complex and Ca/Mg/Zn supplements. Compulsive eating diminished and I had less of a struggle to exercise.For the last 3 weeks, however, I have been without while I transition to having health insurance. In that time, I have found that I need 8-9 hours of sleep to feel rested, that I have much less patience with other people, am more easily frustrated, have difficulty concentrating on even simple tasks and am once more having a greater problem with premature ejaculation. While mega-doses (careful to avoid toxicity) of the aforementioned vitamins, daily exercise and a diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains is beneficial, I am becoming anxious to once more have those pale pink pills.
E -
I have been forced to discontinue Effexor on many occasions over the 7 years I have used it. Most recently, I went cold turkey. Last winter, I weaned myself slowly from it. I won't go slowly again - the suicide ideation, extreme hostility and rapid mood swings were something I DO NOT want to experience again.I have more I'd like to share, but I'm falling asleep in my chair.
Best regards
Jeff
Posted by jhj on August 25, 2007, at 1:49:56
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by Hagbard on August 25, 2007, at 0:08:00
I have been on Venlafaxine 300 MG for the past two years and i have experienced terrible stomach upset,constipation etc..Many times unbearable so,if you do not have stomach related side effect in the past,venlafaxine is okey.Thanks
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 25, 2007, at 8:13:17
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by catri on January 24, 2003, at 5:17:16
> Hi, M
>
> I just wanted to say that I was on prozac for about 9 months - at the time I thought it was counteracting the depression, and indeed it did lift me out of the worst, but I still felt really anxious and irratable, and I also went abit irrational - constantly arguing with my mother etc. It wasn't until I was back at university that my (new) doctor suggest that I try effexor - things at the time seemed so bad and I guess I had 'plateaued' - and he seemed to think that things could be better. I started taking 75mg after a week of wash out from the prozac, and didn't really notice any side effects - i think that my body was already used to the neuro-chemicals from the prozac. I've been on it now for three months and it has had a very positive effect on my life: my motivation increased, I wasn't nervous or irratable anymore, and all those small things that seem difficult were so much easier to do. And I haven't really had any side effects either - sometimes I get a tingling neck if I turn my head too fast, and sometimes weird vivid dreams, but thats about it. Anyway, it really has made all the difference to me, much more than prozac ever did, and I would suggest talking to your doc about switching to effexor from prozac - i think it sounds as if you would benefit from it. All the best!
Are you on Effexor or EffexorXR?Thanks, Karen
Posted by Jeroen on August 26, 2007, at 13:10:16
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac » invisibleman15010, posted by Phillipa on August 24, 2007, at 12:09:11
hi, phillipa, dont know you reading this
but thanks for some advice and support you give me and ed : )
tomorrow i am going to the hospital, it wont be happies times i think unless some good med kicks in
Posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2007, at 19:30:12
In reply to to phillipa, posted by Jeroen on August 26, 2007, at 13:10:16
Jeroen will be thinking of you and hope this time the right med will work for you. I wish you much success and relief of the symtoms you have so long endured. Phillipa
Posted by Clayton on August 29, 2007, at 11:57:06
In reply to Re: New to effexor and wondering about side effects » montecello, posted by chante on August 24, 2007, at 12:56:45
I take both effexor and welbutrin. They are both stimulating and I have never been more productive. I have no memory problems or any other side effects either. I am no longer depressed at all.
Everyone responds differenly to each medicine, but maybe one, the other or a combination would help you.
> what about wellbutrin or effexor..very sensative to medecine.. tryed zoloft before and at 25mg was ok after my doc put it up at 50mmg started to be less motivated and happy but not productive at all, now i'm starting a new carrer and have to move out with my 2 kids, divorcing... 2 years old and a 16 years old.... hard... I feel extremely stress, taking valium help a lot... but just notice i started to feel depress a little too.... so i know lot's people say wellbutrin is good but you forget everything completeley et disttacted??/ I wish i could just take litlte mini dose so and it would work so i don't have to feel all non-productive in the day , and just enough to elevate my mood a bit. any suggestion anybody?? please help...
Posted by Clayton on August 29, 2007, at 11:57:30
In reply to Re: New to effexor and wondering about side effects » montecello, posted by chante on August 24, 2007, at 12:56:45
I take both effexor and welbutrin. They are both stimulating and I have never been more productive. I have no memory problems or any other side effects either. I am no longer depressed at all.
Everyone responds differenly to each medicine, but maybe one, the other or a combination would help you.
> what about wellbutrin or effexor..very sensative to medecine.. tryed zoloft before and at 25mg was ok after my doc put it up at 50mmg started to be less motivated and happy but not productive at all, now i'm starting a new carrer and have to move out with my 2 kids, divorcing... 2 years old and a 16 years old.... hard... I feel extremely stress, taking valium help a lot... but just notice i started to feel depress a little too.... so i know lot's people say wellbutrin is good but you forget everything completeley et disttacted??/ I wish i could just take litlte mini dose so and it would work so i don't have to feel all non-productive in the day , and just enough to elevate my mood a bit. any suggestion anybody?? please help...
Posted by KarenRB53 on August 29, 2007, at 13:00:59
In reply to Re: for jp Effexor vs SR, posted by jo on October 27, 1999, at 11:05:39
> Phew. I refrained from taking a second dose
> of Effexor... it was just too trippy. I am moving
> countries to live with family, because I know I
> can get a proper decent psychiatric evaluation
> there... (I live in Europe). This GP and NHS stuff
> is just not working out. Since I have mood swings
> several times a day as well, I would probably
> benefit from Lithium with an AD. Who knows. I am
> taking a break from all this semi-self-medication
> for now...
>
> For now it's back to tryptophan, st.johns wort,
> and piracetam for mental energy...
>
> Thanks all for the advice. I will be back here in
> a few days or weeks. ;)
>I don't know if you're still around the area to get this email but if you are I was wondering if you're still taking the tryptophan and how its working for you?
Posted by Bandit on August 30, 2007, at 15:56:27
In reply to Re: New to effexor and wondering about side effects, posted by Clayton on August 29, 2007, at 11:57:06
You can take effexor and welbutrin? My doc just switched me today from welbutrin to effexor - makes me wonder why she just didn't add it. I'm most concerned about headaches as I am a migraine sufferer. Anyone else?
Posted by jhj on August 31, 2007, at 5:50:59
In reply to Re: New to effexor and wondering about side effects, posted by Bandit on August 30, 2007, at 15:56:27
I am on 300 MG venlafaxine and 150 MG bupropion.Previously i was on 300 MG of both Venlafaxine and Bupropion.It completely messed up my stomach.I have been troubled by severe acid reflux and stomach pain and feel like throwing out.So,My pdoctor has concluded that it is because of the combination of Venlafaxine and Bupropion,this thing is taking place.So,he has reduced bupropion from 300 MG to 150 MG and after a week i am asked to stop bupropion.I have been taking Venlafaxine for the past couple of years.I have not felt any benefit and it gives distressing side effects.I have asked my pdoctor to try duloxetine instead of Venlafaxine but,he seems to have special love for Venlafaxine so,i have decided that this time i will have to give him some firing and get the prescription for duloxetine written.Thanks.
Posted by KristiVegas on August 31, 2007, at 11:53:12
In reply to Re: New to effexor and wondering about side effects, posted by jhj on August 31, 2007, at 5:50:59
>
> I am on 300 MG venlafaxine and 150 MG bupropion.Previously i was on 300 MG of both Venlafaxine and Bupropion.It completely messed up my stomach.I have been troubled by severe acid reflux and stomach pain and feel like throwing out.So,My pdoctor has concluded that it is because of the combination of Venlafaxine and Bupropion,this thing is taking place.So,he has reduced bupropion from 300 MG to 150 MG and after a week i am asked to stop bupropion.I have been taking Venlafaxine for the past couple of years.I have not felt any benefit and it gives distressing side effects.I have asked my pdoctor to try duloxetine instead of Venlafaxine but,he seems to have special love for Venlafaxine so,i have decided that this time i will have to give him some firing and get the prescription for duloxetine written.Thanks.It sounds like you are experiencing very similar side effects as I am. The only benefit I have received from Effexor is an ability to go to bed and fall asleep without fighting with myself for 2-3 hrs. I, too, am experiencing MANY side effects. Effexor has not aggravated my reflux but Wellbutrin did. I seem to do better with capsules. Some of my side effects: skin peeling on thumb and forefinger, body spasms when tired & sleepy, chronic sleepiness, 25 lb. weight gain, neck and chest itching at night, hives on my tongue and inside my mouth, and excessive sweating. I am on 300 mg. per day. The side effects weren't bad until my pdoc upped the dosage to 300 mg. then my body went crazy. I'm changing pdocs next month and am going to attempt to change to another med. Good luck with your issues.
Kristi
Posted by jhj on August 31, 2007, at 23:27:41
In reply to Re: New to effexor and wondering about side effects, posted by KristiVegas on August 31, 2007, at 11:53:12
Effexor has not aggravated my reflux but Wellbutrin did. I seem to do better with capsules.
When you are taking combination of effexor and wellbutrin,how did you identify that wellibutrin and not effexor is making your reflux worse? Anyway good luck with your new pdoc.
Posted by AnneL on September 1, 2007, at 21:09:12
In reply to Everyone's different, but..., posted by Racer on October 24, 1999, at 22:14:55
7 years on Effexor XR 225 mg. daily. About 2 months ago, I tapered down very slowly from 225 mg. to 150 mg. to 75 mg. and finally down to 37.5 mg.
MISTAKE!!! I never knew how much Effexor XR was helping with anxiety/depression until I got to a sub-therapeutic (for me) level. The anxiety was not immediate - so it is not discontinuation effects - the anxiety kicked in about 2 months after getting down to 37.5 mg.
I am now back on 75 mg. daily and I will titrate up every 7 days to my old dose.
My only side effect (it sucks) is some anorgasmia from time-to-time. :) AnneL
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