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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by voski on June 7, 2001, at 8:33:09
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
> I haven't kept up on this thread lately, but decided to check it out today. I am still on 150mg daily, taking twice a day. It is still working for me with only very slight side effects, which are usually not even thought of. I continue to counsel and that also helps. I do crash every now and again, but hormones I believe have an effect on that (I am at that age). I will continue using Efferox XR. It makes my world much more bearable. The stress of daily life no longer exist for me, well maybe just a little at work. I know I will eventually go up in dose, but hey, when I am enjoying my family once again, it is well worth it. teachermom, I hope you have continued success with this medication and good luck with all those who are having trouble on it. I feel this is a miracle for myself. Good Luck
voski
Posted by voski on June 7, 2001, at 8:40:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Sliabh6 on June 6, 2001, at 22:04:54
Just a note: I haven't gain any weight using efferox xr either, I actually lost 6 pounds, making me feel even better about myself. Good luck.
voski
Posted by paulk on June 7, 2001, at 14:25:52
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by James B on June 6, 2001, at 13:40:35
> Three weeks now on Effexor XR. Almost all side effects are gone. I'm at 75mg.
>
> This stuff is doing wonders. While I still have the same depressing thoughts, I don't feel depressed and I don't panic. Been able to function normally.That is pretty much how Effexor worked for me for the first few months
>Only negative is that I seem to be more aggressive and easily irritated by others.
I had the same experience it seemed to go away with time.
But am generally in a good mood, and very productive.
>
> I'd recommend it in an instant.Wish I could still take it It did me a lot of good the years I was on it. Best of all my wife suddenly found me lovable.
Posted by Jeannine on June 7, 2001, at 18:25:27
In reply to Re: EFFEROX XR YES!!!, posted by teachermom on June 7, 2001, at 7:30:53
Thank you, thank you, for posting such encouraging stories. I'm now on day 7 at 37.5mg, scheduled to increase to 75 mg tomorrow, and wondering what that will do to me. It helps so much to know that what I'm experiencing isn't unusual and that it really does work -- not for all people, no medication *will* work for everyone, but for a number of folks out there.
I'd just like to say a word about those who are so angry with the drug companies for not having developed the perfect antidepressant yet. I've struggled with this disorder for nearly 20 years now, at varying degrees of severity (and am just finally accepting that my "laziness" isn't an innate characcter flaw < grin >). Depression runs in my family also; both my mother and my daughter suffer from it as well. Would I rather be where my daughter is, in remission and currently off medication because we recognized the problem and got appropriate medical treatment right away? And probably able to look forward in her lifetime to the development of medications or some other form of treaatment that will actually solve the problem? You betcha. But I also try to remind myself that the medications available now, crude as they can sometimes be, didn't even exist when my mother was my age -- I'd definitely rather be where I am than where she was!
> > Efferox XR, YES!!! It has helped me!!! After taking Zoloft with side effects and then Prozac, yet more side effects with muscle spasms, it was Efferox XR that helped with no side effects. Struggling with depression is no fun for yourself or your family. After a year of feeling out of touch with myself and out of control, I went to my doctor. The results are wonderful with the help of counseling. The hell I put my children and husband thru. I am currently up to twice a day taking Efforox XR with fantastic results. That's 150 mg. 75mg. each time. I was having a mid day crash, as I call it. Crying and feeling useless is not fun. Now I am smiling and laughing again with slight bouts of crying, etc. What great news!!!! I am still in couseling and probably will be for a while, which is fine with me along with med help. At least now, I can get through the day. I still have trouble sleeping nights, but with Ambien, I now have a night with sleep and not waking to my mind wondering.... Feel free to comment. Good luck with all!!
> > voski
>
> Voski, I just read your post and I am sooo glad to hear that you are having good results. I have been reading these post for about 4months now and actually, some of them realy scare me. I'm sure glad that I didn't read these before I started taking effexor. Effexor has saved my life. I have been depressed for about 6 years now. This is something that all the women in my family have suffered from for a very long time. I tried to deny it and say it was an excuse for being lazy. i know now that it is not. I had the side effect at first, but my mother talked me into "hanging" with it. I did and now up tp 150. I am very happy with this. My life is sooo different. I know that I may have to increase my dose in time, but that is okay with me. I also have epilepsy, so there is even more stress in my life with that. Thanks again for your encouraging post.
Posted by voski on June 8, 2001, at 7:05:15
In reply to Thank You All » teachermom, posted by Jeannine on June 7, 2001, at 18:25:27
It is good to hear about the "good effects" of Efferox and I know not all people have the "good" side of this medication. I feel for those who cannot find the right combination for their depression. Like I said before, Prozac and Zoloft did not work for me, but I did not give up looking for something to help me. I am enjoying my family and they enjoy having me back. It's been 6 months now and my life is worth it again. I wish all of you luck on finding the right medication and that your side effects cease quickly. I enjoy this site and like finding out about how this medication does affect people, the good and bad. Keep the faith!!! Talk to you doctor and continue to look for the good to ease "our" problems. Thanks for listening.
voski (cindy v)
Posted by Sierra on June 8, 2001, at 10:54:04
In reply to Re: Thank You All, posted by voski on June 8, 2001, at 7:05:15
I have been on effexor for about four months following a prozac "poop out." Prozac stopped working after I had been on it 8 years. Anyway, I had been doing well, but just had a depression relaps last week. It was terrible. My doctor believes that it is because I drank more than usual over Memorial Day weekend. Has anyone had problems with effexor and alcohol? Has anyone had a "relaps" while taking effexor? Also, I still feel the pangs in my nerves from the drug, anything that can help relieve that sensation?
Posted by paulk on June 8, 2001, at 14:14:07
In reply to Re: Thank You All, posted by Sierra on June 8, 2001, at 10:54:04
>Has anyone had problems with effexor and alcohol? Has anyone had a "relaps" while taking effexor? Also, I still feel the pangs in my nerves from the drug, anything that can help relieve that sensation?
Did you stop the Effexor?
It is well known that Alcohol causes depression (usually referred to as a hang over< grin >). If you are taking medicine for depression you should probably limit yourself to one drink with alcohol/per day.
Anything more than a VERY small amount per day is definitely bad for depression. One thing to keep in mind if you screw up you liver by drinking, you can get to the point where you wont be able to take many drugs that can help with depression.
What dosage are you taking? Some folks need 75mg/day some as much as 300mg/day.
Also Prozac is a very long half life drug it is possible that it is still leaving you system and thus lowering the effective dose of SSRI in your system.
While there is no danger in drinking with Effexor that I know of (and Im not a doctor just a life long mental case that can read) Think about it You are taking medicine that affects your neuro transmitters. Alcohol affects neuro transmitters as well - it takes weeks for you body and system to reach a steady state system and for the drug to have full effect if you drink you could push that steady state around and have to wait for things to come back in balance.Id stay clear of the booze and consider talking to your doctor about increasing your dosage.
Posted by johne on June 8, 2001, at 15:47:57
In reply to Re: Thank You All » Sierra, posted by paulk on June 8, 2001, at 14:14:07
> >Has anyone had problems with effexor and alcohol? Has anyone had a "relaps" while taking effexor? Also, I still feel the pangs in my nerves from the drug, anything that can help relieve that sensation?
>
> Did you stop the Effexor?
>
> It is well known that Alcohol causes depression (usually referred to as a hang over< grin >). If you are taking medicine for depression you should probably limit yourself to one drink with alcohol/per day.
>
> Anything more than a VERY small amount per day is definitely bad for depression. One thing to keep in mind if you screw up you liver by drinking, you can get to the point where you wont be able to take many drugs that can help with depression.
>
> What dosage are you taking? Some folks need 75mg/day some as much as 300mg/day.
>
> Also Prozac is a very long half life drug it is possible that it is still leaving you system and thus lowering the effective dose of SSRI in your system.
>
>
> While there is no danger in drinking with Effexor that I know of (and Im not a doctor just a life long mental case that can read) Think about it You are taking medicine that affects your neuro transmitters. Alcohol affects neuro transmitters as well - it takes weeks for you body and system to reach a steady state system and for the drug to have full effect if you drink you could push that steady state around and have to wait for things to come back in balance.
>
> Id stay clear of the booze and consider talking to your doctor about increasing your dosage.I totally understand. I was on the Effexor for about 3 weeks (75mg) and then i started drinking on the weekends and it jogged my states of anxiety in all directions.. sometimes i would feel depressed for upwards of a week after a good nights worth of bar-hopping. I have had no problems with losing the benefits of the drug however from drinking moderately.. that's no more than 3 drinks.. no more than two days in a row. I also try to limit my alcohol consumption to only two or three days a week. I used to drink everyday and get drunk every weekend but not anymore. Effexor XR is a great drug and i am not going to destroy it's benefits with alcohol.
Posted by Kaysey on June 8, 2001, at 16:04:21
In reply to Re: Thank You All, posted by Sierra on June 8, 2001, at 10:54:04
> I have been on effexor for about four months following a prozac "poop out." Prozac stopped working after I had been on it 8 years. Anyway, I had been doing well, but just had a depression relaps last week. It was terrible. My doctor believes that it is because I drank more than usual over Memorial Day weekend. Has anyone had problems with effexor and alcohol? Has anyone had a "relaps" while taking effexor? Also, I still feel the pangs in my nerves from the drug, anything that can help relieve that sensation?Hi Sierra:
I posted below under the 'effexor is a life saver' section. I too, have noticed things that impact my success with effexor. Alcohol has become a virtual no-no for me for two reasons--as Paulk mentioned it is a depressant which can do double-duty on those who are already depressed, plus I have reactive hypoglycemia (which makes me depressed, anyway, and since alcohol can aggravate this condition, I get even more so). Plus hormone fluctuations (with my OCPs) seem to impact the mood-elevating effects--especially premenstrually. It is very frustrating, because when everything is 'right,' the effexor seems to work great, and I wish I could feel that way more often. I am currently at 225 mg.
I have always enjoyed sharing a bottle of wine with my husband with a good dinner, but I have found that I have to limit that and sip more on the water glass!
Posted by newby on June 8, 2001, at 19:48:43
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » James B, posted by paulk on June 7, 2001, at 14:25:52
This may be a new positive result for most of you. Effexor has come to my rescue. I have been suffering with dreadful hotflashes and night sweats for several years as result of menopause. Got to where I only could sleep about 3 - 4 hours per night and that was always interrupted by nite sweats. Started 37.5 then switched to 75 about three weeks ago. After overcoming side affects, finally getting some sleep again... Waking up alot still but the anxiety isn't there and I'm not laying in a puddle of sweat,,,Ick!!!! So manage to get back to sleep. Haven't seen anyone here taking Effexor XR for menopausal problems.
Posted by T.T. on June 8, 2001, at 20:38:01
In reply to Re: effexor xr and side effects, posted by Judy on April 23, 2000, at 22:43:54
The worst night sweats ever, nightmares, memory loss. This is a dangerous drug for me. I am trying to quit but am afraid due to the known withdrawal symptoms.
> Sweating - is anyone having problems with excessive sweating from taking Effexor, 75 mg, the time released version? I can't decide if it's the med or menopause......
Posted by Dimitri on June 9, 2001, at 17:56:20
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
This stuff has saved my life. I was severely depressed for roughly a year. I finally made an attempt on my life but bailed out. Later that day I admitted myself to the emergency room and they put me in the psyc. ward for a week. They put me on Effexor XR and I began to feel like myself within days. After a month I was completely back to normal with no side effects and some added upsides that I hadn't expected. I became much more outgoing and social than I had been even before the depression. I'm meeting new people, having a great time and loving life. If I could I would kiss the people who invented this stuff on the lips.
Posted by Dimitri on June 9, 2001, at 18:08:45
In reply to Re: Thank You All » Sierra, posted by Kaysey on June 8, 2001, at 16:04:21
Yes. I have been on Effexor XR for only a month and accepting this care has been the smartest thing that I've ever done. But I've realized that I can't drink at all on this drug if I want it to work properly. After feeling great after only a week on the drug I had a few drinks over a long weekend. Monday and Tuesday of the next week I was back to the severely depressed state that I had been in prior to starting this protocol. I told my doctor about it and he said that the most current information (only months old) is that as few as two drinks in a weeks period and play with this drug's effectiveness. So be careful and don't drink if you can help it.
Posted by AnneL on June 10, 2001, at 11:20:14
In reply to Effexor Alcohol, posted by Dimitri on June 9, 2001, at 18:08:45
> Yes. I have been on Effexor XR for only a month and accepting this care has been the smartest thing that I've ever done. But I've realized that I can't drink at all on this drug if I want it to work properly. After feeling great after only a week on the drug I had a few drinks over a long weekend. Monday and Tuesday of the next week I was back to the severely depressed state that I had been in prior to starting this protocol. I told my doctor about it and he said that the most current information (only months old) is that as few as two drinks in a weeks period and play with this drug's effectiveness. So be careful and don't drink if you can help it.
>My experience has been very similar to Dimitri's with respect to alcohol and Effexor. Although I do not know if the effects of Alcohol are exclusive to Effexor, I can say that I had a return to moderate to severe depression for about 2 to 3 days after a business conference where I drank alcohol in moderate quantities for 2 evenings. I knew right away that drinking alcohol is not something that I will engage in while on this medication. IMHO, giving up social drinking is well worth the many benefits that I get while on this medication. Of course, this is just my experience with alcohol and Effexor and is purely anecdotal, I personally have not read any research that suggests that alcohol diminishes the effects of Effexor. Anyone out there have any information on this subject?
Posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 11:47:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Dave on January 19, 2000, at 23:48:27
Hi,
I just started taking Effexor 5 days ago. I notice I am more alert
(I also take 650 mg. of serzone) but I also feel a inward nervousness.
My skin feels like it's crawling. I don't care for this feeling, but don't know what else to try because I am already so sedated from the serzone
The serzone has helped great for my depression, but not for my eating disorder or OCD or anxiety. I have been on all the SSRI's except for Paxil. Luvox worked for a while but pooped out.
I need to find a medicine that doesn't make me jittery or nervous, but helps with the OCD, anxiety.
Has anyone esle felt this nervous agitation when taking effexor? If so did it go away?kris
Posted by Jeannine on June 10, 2001, at 13:20:36
In reply to anyone feel nervous from effexor?, posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 11:47:03
Hi Kris,
I know exactly what you mean (in fact, the shakiness I have right now combined with the slowed thinking is making it take about 2-3 times as long to type this as it normally would). I'm now on day 10 (7 days at 37.5 mg, and upped to 75 mg on Friday). The inward shakiness and outward tremors were so bad last week that I couldn't write legibly or do anything requiring fine motor coordination.
The good news is that this and the other side effects are getting better each day. The even better news is that I think the Effexor is really helping with my depression. Last night I actually wanted to go out to a party with friends for the first time in months. I'm not quite up to actually going out yet, but just to feel like I *wanted* to was a small miracle to me.
Hang in there -- I know that for me, if this medication really does prove to be the one that finally works, the start-up side effects will have been more than worth it.
Jeannine
> Hi,
>
> I just started taking Effexor 5 days ago. I notice I am more alert
> (I also take 650 mg. of serzone) but I also feel a inward nervousness.
> My skin feels like it's crawling. I don't care for this feeling, but don't know what else to try because I am already so sedated from the serzone
> The serzone has helped great for my depression, but not for my eating disorder or OCD or anxiety. I have been on all the SSRI's except for Paxil. Luvox worked for a while but pooped out.
> I need to find a medicine that doesn't make me jittery or nervous, but helps with the OCD, anxiety.
> Has anyone esle felt this nervous agitation when taking effexor? If so did it go away?
>
> kris
Posted by JIM BK on June 10, 2001, at 15:48:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
any one having these side effects
or sharp pain in head after taking
Posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 17:04:50
In reply to MUSCLE ACHE, posted by JIM BK on June 10, 2001, at 15:48:30
> any one having these side effects
> or sharp pain in head after takingI have the same thing happening to me. I've been taking Effexor for 5 days. Not only do I have a sharp pain in my head about 1 hour after taking it, but I am having body aches as well. Some nervous inner tension and prickly skin feeling.
krista
Posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
In reply to MUSCLE ACHE, posted by JIM BK on June 10, 2001, at 15:48:30
Re: Muscle Aches
I have Fibromyalgia/CFS in addition to a long-standing diagnosis of ADHD. I have been well-controlled for many years on low dose Ritalin. However, during the past few months, I am having severe flares of Fibro and CFS, which includes increased pain and overwhelming fatigue. My Fibro MD wants me to try Effexor for the fatigue. I was willing to go for it until reading this thread re: muscle aches. Oy! I already have the aches....and don't need more....any suggestions? have your muscle aches been more of the headache type vs generalized? I would appreciate any input....
Posted by krista on June 11, 2001, at 1:52:20
In reply to Re: MUSCLE ACHE, posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
My muscle aches feel almost flu like, like the kind when you are sick. they came about the first day I took the Effexor. It has made my mind feel more alret but my body feels achy and fatigued. I'm not sure if this is a common side effect. I have decided to go off the drug. I've been on it for 5 days. I skipped the last dose tonight, already I feel a little better physically. but mentally I am now having slight withdrawls. I've taking lots of different meds and never had withdrawls from being on one for 5 days! I wouldn't take it off your list of things to try, especially if your doctor thinks it might help. But just be careful. Not sure if the achiness is a common side effect.
krista
Posted by Miragee on June 11, 2001, at 16:26:20
In reply to Re: MUSCLE ACHE, posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
Hi,
For many years I had muscle aches and "skin burning" sensations, as well as other symptoms. I could not tolerate Effexor when I took it, nor other SSRI's. It was only after I found a "Lyme Literate" doctor who did a definitive blood test for that disease that I found out what was wrong. (Many regular blood tests done by physicians give a false negative.) I have met many people who have Lyme Disease through a support group and it turns out that fibromyalgia is a pretty common symptom of Lyme Disease.
Now that I am getting treatment for Lyme Disease, all my muscle aches have gone away. My depression has also gone away.
I do not live on the East Coast (although I traveled there nearly thirty years ago), so you could say I went "kicking and screaming" into the doctor convinced I did not have Lyme Disease. However, the blood test proved I did, and the treatment has been a life-saver.
> Re: Muscle Aches
> I have Fibromyalgia/CFS in addition to a long-standing diagnosis of ADHD. I have been well-controlled for many years on low dose Ritalin. However, during the past few months, I am having severe flares of Fibro and CFS, which includes increased pain and overwhelming fatigue. My Fibro MD wants me to try Effexor for the fatigue. I was willing to go for it until reading this thread re: muscle aches. Oy! I already have the aches....and don't need more....any suggestions? have your muscle aches been more of the headache type vs generalized? I would appreciate any input....
Posted by RJC on June 11, 2001, at 20:12:13
In reply to anyone feel nervous from effexor?, posted by krista on June 10, 2001, at 11:47:03
Yeah, I know what you mean about those feelings. I had them for about the first month.Mine seemed to start on my lower back and arms and work their way up. I occasionally get them now but very rarely and they don't bother me.Hopefully they will start to go away like they did for me.
Posted by Lorraine on June 11, 2001, at 21:09:48
In reply to Re: MUSCLE ACHE, posted by Bayla on June 10, 2001, at 21:31:47
> Re: Muscle Aches
> I was willing to go for it until reading this thread re: muscle aches. Oy! I already have the aches....and don't need more....any suggestions? have your muscle aches been more of the headache type vs generalized? I would appreciate any input....I didn't really make the connection when I was on Effexor, but when I got off I noticed that a pain point in my hip that made sleeping on my side painful went away. I think that pain point was fms like--a tender point. If you want energizing go for Wellbutrin.
Posted by Cristy on June 12, 2001, at 8:37:45
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawal, posted by Janie on October 23, 2000, at 10:27:20
> > THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING ALL THIS! I have been on Effexor for 5 months and didn't like some of the side effects I had - the trembling, and the how my "parts" didn't work during intimacy with my husband. After that long, I wanted to have fun again. I told this to the doctor and he had me start zoloft and go cold turkey off the Effexor! What a jerk. Now that I see y'all had the same problems, I know it isn't just me! YEAH! Glory be to God that I had some pills left over. I just split one and took it with some chocolate milk (chocolate makes everything better) and am SO thankful to see that this is a common side effect and not merely my brain disintregrating into a primordeal mass of jelly.
> > Thanks again!
> _______
>
> Hi. This is my third day of reducing my dosage of Effexor from 75mg to 37.5mg per day. So far, so good. I actually feel more energized and the yawning has stopped. My problems centered around lethargy, sedation and the inability to get up in the morning until about 11 a.m. Perhaps 37.5 mg will turn out to be the best dosage for ME. Has anyone else taken such a low dose with success?--Janie____________
I have been on 35.7mg of Effexor for about 2 years. I have been on several kinds of medications -- Buspar (nasty stuff - never again), Zoloft, Serzone Paxil and Effexor. After trying Buspar, my doctor put me on Zoloft. This worked much better for me, but the sexual side effects were awful. It got to the point that just the THOUGHT of making love with my husband made me sick to my stomache! So, I made the transition from Zoloft to Serzone. Serzone was working great, but was not taking care of my anxiety attacks. We added Paxil for the anxiety attacks -- which helped -- but caused tremors. Therefore -- 35.7mg of Effexor. This takes the edge off, and I am happy to say, I am not having anxiety attacks anymore.
A few things I have noticed: Switching from Zoloft to Serzone "fixed" the sexual disfunction. However, even that small dose of Effexor gave me a few problems, but not nearly as bad as the Zoloft. I am able to enjoy making love with my husband, but have a very difficult time reaching orgasm or my orgasms are "muted" and sedate.
I am currently in a good place, so I am tapering off the Effexor. I am tapering VERY slowly. For 2 weeks, I cut the 37.5mg pill in half and take 1/2 a day. Then 1/2 pill every other day for 2 weeks. Then 1/2 pill every 3 days for 2 weeks. Then -- OFF! I have just started the 1/2 pill every other day. I am having some side effects -- dizziness and weeping. I think the weeping is just because I am scared of returning to that awful place where I felt so bad. The dizzines . . . well, that is real. But, I have been assured by my therapist that the effects are temporary and that things will be OK. The sexual side effects are QUICKLY GOING AWAY!!! I will start tapering off the Serzone when I am off the Effexor.
Hope you have good luck on the effexor. I did.
Posted by Leo on June 12, 2001, at 23:23:44
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello Dr. Bob!!!!!!
Hey! Where'd all my old sparing partners go?
Thought I'd stop by and say hello.
Your site is still number one on the net. Being number one usually means your're the best. I'm glad to see that you're still here helping to heal the "wounded."THIS SITE AND ALL THESE PEOPLE HELPED ME GET THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
Back to my Middle East project next week.
Regards,
Leo
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