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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Hagbard on January 18, 2007, at 19:38:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by barry79 on December 22, 2006, at 18:05:19
Hi. I take 225mg/day. The general sleep disturbances have typically discontinued after a couple of weeks at the same dosage, though one persists for me. I awaken 3 to 4 hours after falling asleep and feel alert and rested for about an hour before becoming quite tired again. If i go back to sleep, it takes significantly longer to become alert once I awaken.
More disturbing for me were the 3-4 weeks of lucid dreaming I experienced for the first hour or so after getting up. These experiences also lessened in frequency, duration and intensity after I had reached my optimal dosage, though it took nearly 2 months.
I would also suggest to anyone here that they peruse "The Chemistry of Joy" and explore the nutritional and spiritual paths to coping with depression.
Good Luck
> hi there........i have just been prescribed effexor xr by my doctor due to having feelings of dissasociation. i have no past history of anxiety or depression. i have had increased anxiety and insomnia from effexor but i have only been taking it for 2 days now at 75mg a day. im not to sure if this is the drug for me but my doctor seems to think so. the dissacotiation has been going on for about 7 months now sometimes worse and sometimes better. any ideas??? thanks
Posted by Iansf on January 18, 2007, at 19:38:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » barry79, posted by Hagbard on January 17, 2007, at 17:39:33
> I would also suggest to anyone here that they peruse "The Chemistry of Joy" and explore the nutritional and spiritual paths to coping with depression.
>What exactly is "The Chemistry of Joy"?
Posted by dsm3r on January 18, 2007, at 19:38:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Hagbard, posted by Iansf on January 18, 2007, at 18:39:22
> > I would also suggest to anyone here that they peruse "The Chemistry of Joy" and explore the nutritional and spiritual paths to coping with depression.
> >
>
> What exactly is "The Chemistry of Joy"?I, too, am not familiar with the "Chemistry of Joy." However, it seems to me that you are offering up another alternative to treating mental illness. Unless you are under court ordered treatment, people with mental illness can choose their course of treatment, up to and including non-treatment.
If you are referring to nutrition and spirituality in conjunction with medications such as effexor, great. But to suggest that you can treat an illness or cure an illness through nutrition and a belief in a higher power, is in MHO irresponsible. Yes, the mind is a powerful thing, a belief system is a powerful thing, and a
good, balanced nutritional plan is a powerful thing. But I have yet to see any of the above either singly, or in combination, grow a new limb, cure or stop a delusion or hallucination or install a conscious into a socio/psycho-path.Besides, this post is about others who have/have not had success on Effexor XR.
Just my opinion.
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 18, 2007, at 19:50:44
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Iansf, posted by dsm3r on January 18, 2007, at 19:21:51
> to suggest that you can treat an illness or cure an illness through nutrition and a belief in a higher power, is in MHO irresponsible.
Different points of view are fine, and in fact encouraged, but please don't post anything that could lead others to feel accused or put down.
But please don't take this personally, either, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please first see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by fayeroe on January 19, 2007, at 7:34:07
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » barry79, posted by Hagbard on January 17, 2007, at 17:39:33
effexorxr worked for me briefly, then i lost my appetite, ate only every two or three days....lost 38 lbs, felt like rocks were tumbling around in my head......had to have help to get off of it......withdrawal was hell on earth. it took months for me to get off of effexorxr. it is known for the withdrawal when you decide to quit it for whatever reason.
Posted by Hagbard on January 19, 2007, at 10:31:17
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Hagbard, posted by fayeroe on January 19, 2007, at 7:34:07
I've read that in other places as well. I've been fortunate in that every time I've been forced to discontinue use (usually due to loss of insurance or no longer being able to afford it) I've tapered my dosages successfully and simply had to cope with the return of depressive symptoms.
Posted by Hagbard on January 19, 2007, at 10:50:46
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Hagbard, posted by Iansf on January 18, 2007, at 18:39:22
"The Chemistry of Joy" is a book written by Dr. Henry Emmons, who practices general and holistic psychiatry and serves as Consulting Psychiatrist at the Allina Medical Clinic in Northfield, MN.
The book is a how to manual for treating depression through the blending Western medicine, Ayurvedic traditions and Buddhist philosophy. Specifically, through the combination of medications, diet, exercise, nutritional supplements and "psychology of mindfullness" exercises, all aimed toward seeking a natural balance in your body and life.
I certainly don't see this as a panacea for treating everyone's depression. But if, like me, you have felt something missing in your treatment and you are open to try approaches not generally suggested by your medical consultant or therapist, what have you got to lose aside from the time to read the book and $14.00? Keep an open mind that is unfettered by expectations.
Posted by fayeroe on January 19, 2007, at 19:40:05
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Hagbard on January 19, 2007, at 10:31:17
i've glad you tapered.........
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 20, 2007, at 13:54:47
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Hagbard on January 19, 2007, at 10:50:46
> "The Chemistry of Joy" is a book written by Dr. Henry Emmons, who practices general and holistic psychiatry and serves as Consulting Psychiatrist at the Allina Medical Clinic in Northfield, MN.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book, movie, or music without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by deepinit on February 14, 2007, at 2:49:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Hagbard on January 19, 2007, at 10:31:17
I had a bad experience on Effexor. It was only after I was on it for about 4 years and I went off of it, that I realized how much I was a Zombie (funny enough, the movie, 'The Matrix' inspired me to go off). People here have asked why I did not get off of it sooner (after I expressed anger for my lost years), and I can only say that awareness only extended to where I was at that time and my inability to be introspective. The experience I do remember is I was purely "in the middle", mental purgatory, no ups or downs and spiritual suffacation. It was no way to live for me. Oh yea, and I gained about 60+ pounds....
Really, there are a lot of people here that have had great results on Effexor. I think it is subjective with one's reaction. Just like the medical community does not truely understand the full extent that most depressive medications work, you cannot predict how you will respond to a medication based on other people. There are too many variables.
I just know for myself, my dream is to be completely free from meds as I truly feel they hinder my ability to connect and live with true purpose and authenticity. Unfortunately, despite my best attempts, I will need to take SSRIs until I am able to find an alternative that will work for my brain. I have developed my awareness to differentiate the biological from the circumstancial, and can truely say that I deffinately have an issue biologically ( I have numerous brain lesions to prove it)..I also believe that we have the power to overcome our physical afflictions through various disciplins and practices that I aspire to master and eventually teach to help others. (I also have a painfull genetic disease).
Forgive my babbling, I am just adding a little to the previous posting that went on to judge about the taking of the meds instead of utilizing alternative resources. I agree only to the point where alternative are no longer an option because the illness and its patient may be too far gone to have the awareness , skill or spiritual capacity to control their illness, not to mention (as sad as it is) the trained resources to guide the individual to mental and spiritual health.
I am also tired and have witnessed too many Doctors prescribing too quickly when people are having a "bad week".
This is the end of the thread.
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