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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by eiroc on August 29, 2000, at 3:07:29
In reply to Was This A Side Affect?, posted by Sis on August 12, 2000, at 16:57:20
> I started Effexor XR just yesterday, and about 4:00 AM this morning I awoke feeling "strange", anxious, a little nauseaous, and then my whole body felt like it was on fire, from the neck down. Lasted for about 2-3 minutes. Is this a common side affect, perhaps some sort of reaction, or do you all think it was unrelated? I haven't taken any today 'cause it really scared me.
>
> Thanks, :-)I have been on Effexor at the 150mg dose for two years now. When I first started the effexor I felt the same way, but if you skip a dose it will only get worse ( at least in my case it did ).
I was not very good about taking my medication every day. After about two weeks, every once in a while I would have a day when I almost could not function. I would feel what you are describing but with these terrible head rush feelings that I can't even describe. This continued on and off for three months. After countless trips to the ER and my doctor I had come to the conclusion that I was dying, then one day when I was terribly sick with these symptoms I remembered that I hadn't taken my effexor for two days...within an hour and a half I was fine. I then began to experiment to make sure my problems were from missing my effexor and sure enough that was it. Now days I don't miss a single dose, even if I'm only a couple of hours late taking my pill I will start to feel yucky.
I don't mean to ramble, I just don't want anyone to have to go through what I did, not knowing what was going on in my head.
Now that I have said all that, I also have to let you know that the Effexor has made a dramatic improvement in my life. I am a little worried about how I will get off of the drug when the time comes, but it will have been worth it.
Posted by Dee Dee on August 29, 2000, at 17:32:24
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? Anyone
> "happy" with it? I have tried Prozac (too much anxiety),
> Serzone (too sedating). I am currently on Buspar for anxiety.
>
> Been reading many different reports... Effexor seems
> to have a lot of success...
>
> please share your thoughts on this.
I hope I never have to stop taking effexor. It has made the quality of my life so much better. I realize now that I had some social anxity [misspelled]problems. That's pretty much corrected. My handwriting has improved. I realize I was getting mad at my husband for silly things..none of this has happened since I'm on the effexor. I was riding in the car one day and had the radio on an oldie station...and suddenly realized I was hearing the story of the song for the first time.This means I'm focusing much better. I've allways been hyper and probably would have been on ritalin if we would have had it back then. My older son was on ritalin....anyway even my golf game has improved!! My relation with my mother has improved alot,too!! I've lost about 5 pounds in the month I've been on it ,too!! I think I was eating out of anziaty[miss spelled again].I don't think of food unless I'm hungry...Dee Dee
Posted by Kara on August 30, 2000, at 13:16:02
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects - Ann and Judy, posted by Cam W. on April 23, 2000, at 23:08:36
Never in my life have i experienced the dreams that I have been having on this med. I've been on it for 11 days and I have vivid dreams every night. My sister and I share a room and she tells me that I laugh all night long and talk in my sleep, which I have never done before. Does anyone know why this med causes this side effect. Also, has anyone had a tingling sensation in the back of the top of their head?
Posted by michael on August 30, 2000, at 23:11:16
In reply to Whats up with these dreams, posted by Kara on August 30, 2000, at 13:16:02
I can't tell you why... but I can tell you that since I've stopped taking effexor, the thing that I miss the most is the dreams - very vivid, and always pleasant/fun/interesting... I didn't have the tingling. Enjoy the dreams...
> Never in my life have i experienced the dreams that I have been having on this med. I've been on it for 11 days and I have vivid dreams every night. My sister and I share a room and she tells me that I laugh all night long and talk in my sleep, which I have never done before. Does anyone know why this med causes this side effect. Also, has anyone had a tingling sensation in the back of the top of their head?
Posted by michael on August 30, 2000, at 23:14:53
In reply to Whats up with these dreams, posted by Kara on August 30, 2000, at 13:16:02
I can't tell you why... but I can tell you that since I've stopped taking effexor, the thing that I miss the most is the dreams - very vivid, and always pleasant/fun/interesting... I didn't have the tingling. Enjoy the dreams...
> Never in my life have i experienced the dreams that I have been having on this med. I've been on it for 11 days and I have vivid dreams every night. My sister and I share a room and she tells me that I laugh all night long and talk in my sleep, which I have never done before. Does anyone know why this med causes this side effect. Also, has anyone had a tingling sensation in the back of the top of their head?
Posted by Cindy W on August 31, 2000, at 9:27:38
In reply to Re: Whats up with these dreams, posted by michael on August 30, 2000, at 23:11:16
> I can't tell you why... but I can tell you that since I've stopped taking effexor, the thing that I miss the most is the dreams - very vivid, and always pleasant/fun/interesting... I didn't have the tingling. Enjoy the dreams...
>
>
>
> > Never in my life have i experienced the dreams that I have been having on this med. I've been on it for 11 days and I have vivid dreams every night. My sister and I share a room and she tells me that I laugh all night long and talk in my sleep, which I have never done before. Does anyone know why this med causes this side effect. Also, has anyone had a tingling sensation in the back of the top of their head?Michael, Consider yourself lucky! I never remember any dreams on Effexor-XR, and miss the really vivid, in-color, sometimes with music, movie-like dreams I had before I took Effexor-XR.--Cindy W.
Posted by Naanra on August 31, 2000, at 12:45:04
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by Moose on July 28, 2000, at 9:50:04
> HI
>
> My dr gave effexor xr to me about 4 weeks ago. I struggled with taking it because I just thought that taking something is a cop out,lol. I am having sever mood swings and I am angry and depressed a lot. I will pick fights with my oldest child..now 18 and my dh is confused because I swing in moods so quilckly. anyways, I took the first pill yesterday.....at 1 pm after another senseless blow out with my son. I felt fine all day maybe a bit nauses and could not fall asleep last night and right now I am feeling a bit edgy.....I have been reading alot of the posts and now I am so scared to takes this stuff!! I don't want the side effects or the withdraws.....I feel like I am having a hard tome breathing something i never had before......could it be this stuff already!!
>
> HELP,LOL
I have been on this stuff since it came out in 1994. The longer I take it, the worse the side effects become. I have developed what they call fibromyalgia, have developed hypertension, have terrible insomnia, nausea, no libido, no orgasm, dry skin and itching, incontinence, trouble starting to urinate, electric shocks through my legs and feet that cause them to move, brittle nails, thinning hair, my hearing is decreasing, mental fog and memory loss (what was I saying?), fatigue, no stamina, no enthusiasm, night sweats, profuse sweating, and weird dreams. I am terribly sensitive to medications, and have only been on the 37.5 dose! And yes, these might be symptoms of other problems, but I am careful about seeing my doctor, and there doesn't appear to be any other source. I am trying to wean myself from this stuff after attempting cold turkey once before. I just hope I haven't incurred some kind of permanent brain damage from this stuff. And since I've been on it so long, it will probably take forever to vacate the premises. Never take a new drug they know little or nothing about!
Posted by elizabeth777 on August 31, 2000, at 20:33:27
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by Naanra on August 31, 2000, at 12:45:04
> > HI
> >
> > My dr gave effexor xr to me about 4 weeks ago. I struggled with taking it because I just thought that taking something is a cop out,lol. I am having sever mood swings and I am angry and depressed a lot. I will pick fights with my oldest child..now 18 and my dh is confused because I swing in moods so quilckly. anyways, I took the first pill yesterday.....at 1 pm after another senseless blow out with my son. I felt fine all day maybe a bit nauses and could not fall asleep last night and right now I am feeling a bit edgy.....I have been reading alot of the posts and now I am so scared to takes this stuff!! I don't want the side effects or the withdraws.....I feel like I am having a hard tome breathing something i never had before......could it be this stuff already!!
> >
> > HELP,LOL
>
>
> I have been on this stuff since it came out in 1994. The longer I take it, the worse the side effects become. I have developed what they call fibromyalgia, have developed hypertension, have terrible insomnia, nausea, no libido, no orgasm, dry skin and itching, incontinence, trouble starting to urinate, electric shocks through my legs and feet that cause them to move, brittle nails, thinning hair, my hearing is decreasing, mental fog and memory loss (what was I saying?), fatigue, no stamina, no enthusiasm, night sweats, profuse sweating, and weird dreams. I am terribly sensitive to medications, and have only been on the 37.5 dose! And yes, these might be symptoms of other problems, but I am careful about seeing my doctor, and there doesn't appear to be any other source. I am trying to wean myself from this stuff after attempting cold turkey once before. I just hope I haven't incurred some kind of permanent brain damage from this stuff. And since I've been on it so long, it will probably take forever to vacate the premises. Never take a new drug they know little or nothing about!> >I have been on effexor xr for three months 150 mils. I have very FEW side effects. I have mild
sweating and nausea only if I don't eat before I take it. I also have lost 23lbs and that is a God send.I love this med and please anyone reading the post before this one don't be scared off trying this med , I have heard mostly good reports with only some side effects. And to the person who is yawning all day try taking your med at night before you go to bed ask your doctor to see if it is ok. Thats what I do and I stopped yawning all day.
Beth
Posted by Cindy W on August 31, 2000, at 21:48:33
In reply to Re: Long-term effects, posted by Naanra on August 31, 2000, at 12:45:04
> > HI
> >
> > My dr gave effexor xr to me about 4 weeks ago. I struggled with taking it because I just thought that taking something is a cop out,lol. I am having sever mood swings and I am angry and depressed a lot. I will pick fights with my oldest child..now 18 and my dh is confused because I swing in moods so quilckly. anyways, I took the first pill yesterday.....at 1 pm after another senseless blow out with my son. I felt fine all day maybe a bit nauses and could not fall asleep last night and right now I am feeling a bit edgy.....I have been reading alot of the posts and now I am so scared to takes this stuff!! I don't want the side effects or the withdraws.....I feel like I am having a hard tome breathing something i never had before......could it be this stuff already!!
> >
> > HELP,LOL
>
>
> I have been on this stuff since it came out in 1994. The longer I take it, the worse the side effects become. I have developed what they call fibromyalgia, have developed hypertension, have terrible insomnia, nausea, no libido, no orgasm, dry skin and itching, incontinence, trouble starting to urinate, electric shocks through my legs and feet that cause them to move, brittle nails, thinning hair, my hearing is decreasing, mental fog and memory loss (what was I saying?), fatigue, no stamina, no enthusiasm, night sweats, profuse sweating, and weird dreams. I am terribly sensitive to medications, and have only been on the 37.5 dose! And yes, these might be symptoms of other problems, but I am careful about seeing my doctor, and there doesn't appear to be any other source. I am trying to wean myself from this stuff after attempting cold turkey once before. I just hope I haven't incurred some kind of permanent brain damage from this stuff. And since I've been on it so long, it will probably take forever to vacate the premises. Never take a new drug they know little or nothing about!Naanra, I take Effexor-XR 375 mg/day. A couple of months ago, I started itching terribly. Could you describe your itching? I'm trying to find out if my hives (which occur at night and fade by morning) are due to the Effexor-XR (which I've taken now for 9 months) or some kind of allergy. Thanks!!--Cindy W
Posted by Lisa C. on September 2, 2000, at 12:45:05
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> Hi there,
>
> Anyone care to comment on the use of Effexor? I am suppose to start this on Monday.
I have to take 37.5 each morning for 3 days then 75 for 3 days then go to 112.5 each morning
after that. I have read several of the comments in
here and don't even know if I should start this stuff. It seems like I have tried everything.Thanks
Lisa
Posted by wiley on September 2, 2000, at 19:22:01
In reply to Re:Intractable Effexor Withdrawl , posted by JulieK on August 23, 2000, at 21:23:13
I am so glad to have found this site. I had my husband online yesterday, trying to find some answers to what I was experiencing. I was too dizzy to read. I ended up going to the ER, thinking I was going to pass out. I went off 150mg, not knowing I needed to taper. My doctor didn't know that either. WOW. I am back on 37.5mg today, and for the next 4 days. Then I am to go back off. I am also taking 50mg Zoloft. I understand that Prozac helps with the Effexor weaning, does Zoloft produce similar results? I'm pretty worried about going back off this entirely. I won't use this drug again after this is all over. Brenda
Posted by A on September 3, 2000, at 21:27:00
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
After reading several of these posts, it's obvious the drug effects everyone differently. In my case, I've had very little side effects. And some very good ones as well.
I was always fearful of talking to strangers. Now, it's so easy! I feel I'm more creative on the job. When I think of certain things that upset me, I literally shed half of a tear instead of an hours worth. I'm not a fair skinned blue eyed blond and have experienced some hateful, racists remarks in the past. They were very hurtful. But now, I don't take them so personally.
So give Effexor XR a try. If you don't like it, remember, you can always stop.
Posted by Enoch on September 8, 2000, at 14:10:50
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by maggie on April 13, 2000, at 14:32:34
Hi,
I guess I'm the worst case scenario that everyone is afraid to mention.
I quit effexor completely after three weeks of weaning down from 150 mg. Four days into it I had what the docs are referring to as a manic episode and had to be put on ativan just to stop me from endangering myself or others. I haven't worked in three days and the symptoms don't seem to show any signs of letting up. If it wasn't for the ativan, my keyboard would be stained with tears right now. Agony, woe, pain, blah blah blah.
I know that I'm pretty rare, but it seems like the makers of effexor and all these other meds should have spent some time researching the effects of withdrawl from their medications, rather than making us do it for them. They've made quite a bit of money off of us for some time now. Maybe they should use a little of it now to research the effect of the meds they put on the market. I know, soapboxing, but I'm a little manic right now, so forgive.
Posted by stjames on September 8, 2000, at 22:06:06
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Enoch on September 8, 2000, at 14:10:50
Hi,
I guess I'm the worst case scenario that everyone is afraid to mention.
I quit effexor completely after three weeks of weaning down from 150 mg. Four days into it I had what the docs are referring to as a manic episode and had to be put on ativan just to stop me from endangering myself or others. I haven't worked in three days and the symptoms don't seem to show any signs of letting up. If it wasn't for the ativan, my keyboard would be stained with tears right now. Agony, woe, pain, blah blah blah.
I know that I'm pretty rare, but it seems like the makers of effexor and all these other meds should have spent some time researching the effects of withdrawl from their medications, rather than making us do it for them. They've made quite a bit of money off of us for some time now. Maybe they should use a little of it now to research the effect of the meds they put on the market. I know, soapboxing, but I'm a little manic right now, so forgive.
James here....have you tried a few doses of Prozac ? Seems to work
for many.james
Posted by Enoch on September 9, 2000, at 5:22:21
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by stjames on September 8, 2000, at 22:06:06
Posted by Lisa C. on September 9, 2000, at 18:23:37
In reply to Re: Lisa C who's about to start, posted by A on September 3, 2000, at 21:27:00
> It's my third day on effexor and other than headaches, I really can't see any other side effects. Guess I'll give it a try and
see if it helps, nothing else has.
Posted by Lindsey on September 9, 2000, at 19:23:38
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Both my parents died in 1998 and I went on Prozac, only to gain weight. After a year, I switched to Effexor, which seemed to be effective for a while. Now, after one year on Effexor, I feel the electric sensations in my head and I am sweating like crazy! I didn't know how to describe the head sensations before until I read postings here. I always described it as a feeling of falling a few inches. I want to get off and am worried about the dreaded tapering off, etc. Do the electric sensations go away after you stop?
Posted by SmilyAngl on September 9, 2000, at 22:58:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? NOT ME!!!, posted by Zannah on April 26, 2000, at 12:33:26
I was put on Effexor XR after taking Paxil for 6 months... Now I was taken off of Effexor and put on Celexa. The reason for going off of Effexor was because my face broke out with Acne real bad. Also, my appetite increased. Did anybody have this problem?? I loved Effexor b/c of the fact that I had more energy and I felt more clear-headed... I've been on Celexa for 5 days now and my head is in a fog. I feel lousy... I feel like my brain does not catch up to what my eyes see.. does that make sense?? If I turn to look at something, I get this weird sensation in my head then my brain catches up to register what I'm looking at. What do ya'll think I should do??
Posted by wiley on September 10, 2000, at 12:57:04
In reply to Electric sensations on the top of the head, posted by Lindsey on September 9, 2000, at 19:23:38
> The electric sensations do go away. I have been off Effexor for almost 2 weeks now, and I feel much better. The withdrawal effects were bad, but they did go away for me in 1 1/2 weeks. I am now on Zoloft, and doing much better. Like so many have said, it is hit and miss with these drugs, as different people will get different reactions. It does help to hear other's descriptions of these effects, as they are common to alot of people. Feeling much better now! Brenda
Posted by Martha Price on September 10, 2000, at 14:40:24
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Noa on October 24, 1999, at 18:36:00
> I take effexor xr. Currently on 75 mg a day, which I understand is not a large dosage
but the side affects for me have been numerable. From. One uncommon one I have is the sound of a radio playing in the distance
(with it getting louder when I am near electrical appliance).I get very dizzy, especially at night when I lay down. Can't get up and
walk at night time without holding onto the wall or whatever. Have fallen down and had to
hold the floor to steady myself. My skin burns all night long, like I have been
put in a bath of hot water. I am jumpy all night long and my feet occasionally
kick out and wake me up (when I do sleep). Have a tingling feeling in the left
side of my body during the night and during the day it is the lower part of both legs.Talk about feeling weird or like you are going to die!!
But the good news is that Effexxor works for me like no previous medications
for dehibilitating depression and I have been on quite a few different
things through the years of trial and error.Have been given several things to work at night time to calm me down, but so far
haven't found anything that works. Don't want to go back to the depression,
but also don't want to feel like I may be dieing. I live alone, so
when these happen during the night it is extremely terrifying!Thought I was going crazy until I read your write - ups from all the different people
who had similar problems.martha
Posted by Kara on September 11, 2000, at 8:41:42
In reply to Electric sensations on the top of the head, posted by Lindsey on September 9, 2000, at 19:23:38
> Both my parents died in 1998 and I went on Prozac, only to gain weight. After a year, I switched to Effexor, which seemed to be effective for a while. Now, after one year on Effexor, I feel the electric sensations in my head and I am sweating like crazy! I didn't know how to describe the head sensations before until I read postings here. I always described it as a feeling of falling a few inches. I want to get off and am worried about the dreaded tapering off, etc. Do the electric sensations go away after you stop?
**I have been on Effexor XR for about 4 weeks now, and I have been feeling an electric sensation in the back of my head towards the top since the beginning. It's like a tingling sensation, its strange but it doesnt really bother me.
Posted by tdb on September 11, 2000, at 11:04:29
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi,I've been on Effexor XR for about 2 months; I started at 37mg for 2 weeks & have been at 75mg since. I felt like my side affects were minimal compared to what I was feeling like before. I was really starting to feel good, (more like myself than I had in a year or more) & then all of the sudden the bottom fell out & I feel like I'm almost back at square one. Any ideas?
Posted by Lindsey on September 11, 2000, at 17:26:58
In reply to Re: Electric sensations on the top of the head, posted by wiley on September 10, 2000, at 12:57:04
I'm glad you are feeling better. Did you use Prozac as part of your weaning off? What about the chamomile tea and other things I have been reading about? Did you use any of those to help you? Lindsey
Posted by wiley on September 12, 2000, at 9:12:47
In reply to Re: Electric sensations on top of the head-wiley, posted by Lindsey on September 11, 2000, at 17:26:58
I used Zoloft, and will continue on that. I did not try tea or other methods other than the Zoloft. It took about 1 1/2 weeks, and it seemed so bad at the time, but now the symptoms are all gone. Doesn't seem so bad now, but while in the thick of it it was awful, even went to the ER thinking I was about to pass out. But for me, it did go away! :) Brenda
Posted by RL on September 12, 2000, at 21:46:14
In reply to Was on Effexor now on Celexa, posted by SmilyAngl on September 9, 2000, at 22:58:55
> I was put on Effexor XR after taking Paxil for 6 months... Now I was taken off of Effexor and put on Celexa. The reason for going off of Effexor was because my face broke out with Acne real bad. Also, my appetite increased. Did anybody have this problem?? I loved Effexor b/c of the fact that I had more energy and I felt more clear-headed... I've been on Celexa for 5 days now and my head is in a fog. I feel lousy... I feel like my brain does not catch up to what my eyes see.. does that make sense?? If I turn to look at something, I get this weird sensation in my head then my brain catches up to register what I'm looking at. What do ya'll think I should do??
> > >That isn't the Celexa! That is Effexor withdrawals. I had that exact same experience because my doctor apparently didn't know about the withdrawals. I too thought it was the new medicine (which happened to be Celexa) You need to taper off Effexor slowly. But the last jump, the one from 37.5 mg to nothing is the most difficult. What I did was to crush the 37.5mg tablet and mix it up to make sure that the active ingredients were distributed evenly. Then I took half of that, then a quarter, then I was down to dust and was finally off!!! You taper off concurrently with the new medicine.
Best of luck to you
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