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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:23:41
In reply to URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 13:10:32
> I'm currently taking Effexor XR 225mg daily in the morning. I honestly can't remember if I took it today. I haven't always taken it at the same time of day and I've never had a problem doing that before.
>
> BUT, what if I didn't take it???? What is going to happen to me??? I want to be prepared. And then what do I do???? I do NOT want to go through withdrawal. So far I feel fine, although extremely exhausted but I think that is from my sedative I took last night before going to bed.
>
> Can somebody please help me????Hi, can you count the number of pills left in your container? If you get one months supply I think you could figure it out - If you know when you started.
just a thought,
Renee
Posted by Penny on March 5, 2002, at 13:23:58
In reply to URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 13:10:32
Most likely you'll be fine...I would occasionally forget my daily dose of Effexor XR (225 mgs too) when I was taking it, b/c I would forget whether I had taken it or not, and sometimes it would make me a little 'woozy' (dizzy, maybe slightly nauseated), particularly the next morning, before my next dose. But that was the worst of it, and after I took my dose the next morning, I was fine. I would recommend not planning to do anything major tonight, particularly late. If you can stay home and go to sleep at a reasonable time, do that. Then just resume your meds tomorrow morning. You'll be fine.
Penny
> I'm currently taking Effexor XR 225mg daily in the morning. I honestly can't remember if I took it today. I haven't always taken it at the same time of day and I've never had a problem doing that before.
>
> BUT, what if I didn't take it???? What is going to happen to me??? I want to be prepared. And then what do I do???? I do NOT want to go through withdrawal. So far I feel fine, although extremely exhausted but I think that is from my sedative I took last night before going to bed.
>
> Can somebody please help me????
>
> Thx,
> Angel Girl
Posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 14:04:52
In reply to Re: URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!! » Angel Girl, posted by Penny on March 5, 2002, at 13:23:58
> Most likely you'll be fine...I would occasionally forget my daily dose of Effexor XR (225 mgs too) when I was taking it, b/c I would forget whether I had taken it or not, and sometimes it would make me a little 'woozy' (dizzy, maybe slightly nauseated), particularly the next morning, before my next dose. But that was the worst of it, and after I took my dose the next morning, I was fine. I would recommend not planning to do anything major tonight, particularly late. If you can stay home and go to sleep at a reasonable time, do that. Then just resume your meds tomorrow morning. You'll be fine.
>
> Penny
PennyThat is EXACTLY how I'm feeling now. I'm ExTREMELY 'woozy' dizzy. I'm holding onto walls when I walk. I think I'll go and lie down and go to bed early tonight. I can handle this if this is as bad as it's going to get. I just was very anxious that I would actually go through some major withdrawal symptoms and I was not looking forward to that. Thanks for replying so quickly and for your advice.
BTW, do you have any side effects taking 225mg? I'm having a MAJOR problem with twitches and jerks and feel I need to drop my dosage down but unfortunately I am still having suicidal thoughts even at this level so I'm not sure what to do. My pdoc was going to actually increase my dosage to 300mg today but his office was unexpectantly closed for the day and now I don't have an appointment. I'm not sure what to do. All I know is that I need a stronger dosage for the anti-depressant effect, especially the suicidal tendencies but I can't handle the side effects now. So, I was curious since you're taking the same dosage, what you're experience is. Are you taking other meds too??? What side effects are you having???
Angel Girl
Renee
I can't remember exactly when I started this dosage. I know it wasn't the same day I picked up my prescription. I had already thought of counting the remainder of what is left in the bottle but I don't think I'll know by doing that. Thx for that advice, it would have been an easy way to figure it out had I started it the same day I picked up my prescription.
Angel Girl
Posted by Penny on March 5, 2002, at 15:30:54
In reply to Re: URGENT HELP REQUIRED!!!, posted by Angel Girl on March 5, 2002, at 14:04:52
Angel Girl,
Forgive me if I'm repeating myself, as I could have sworn I had already responded to your most recent post, but anyway...
I am no longer on Effexor. Took it for a year and went off b/c I was doing 'okay' then went back on 6 months later and couldn't tolerate it. But I must say, for the year I was on it, I felt more balanced than I had in a really really long time. And I was frustrated that it didn't work the second time around.
I had responded to your post of "What can I expect from Effexor XR???" yesterday, regarding the suicidal ideations, etc. In general, my thoughts are that 225 mgs might be too much for you, as you are having what seem to be pretty bad side effects, which could mean that you're not tolerating the Effexor as well as you could. It could also be that Effexor is not the med for you...meaning that, of course, we all react differently to different meds and you might want to try something else. For example, I was recently on Paxil, got up to 80 mgs, with a Wellbutrin augmentation, and instead of helping my anxiety & depression, it made it worse. But I know people who would swear by it. So...
As for the suicidal ideations, I agree with much of what's been posted on the board, which is to talk to your pdoc about an antipsychotic (I took Seroquel). Supposedly, they're supposed to help with suicidal ideations, though I honestly can't say it helped me, but I was on a very low dosage, more for sleep purposes.
I don't know your history of what meds you've tried, full diagnosis, etc., so this is the best advice I have given the info I have. Hope it helps, at least a little! Please keep me posted on how you're doing.
Penny
> Penny
>
> That is EXACTLY how I'm feeling now. I'm ExTREMELY 'woozy' dizzy. I'm holding onto walls when I walk. I think I'll go and lie down and go to bed early tonight. I can handle this if this is as bad as it's going to get. I just was very anxious that I would actually go through some major withdrawal symptoms and I was not looking forward to that. Thanks for replying so quickly and for your advice.
>
> BTW, do you have any side effects taking 225mg? I'm having a MAJOR problem with twitches and jerks and feel I need to drop my dosage down but unfortunately I am still having suicidal thoughts even at this level so I'm not sure what to do. My pdoc was going to actually increase my dosage to 300mg today but his office was unexpectantly closed for the day and now I don't have an appointment. I'm not sure what to do. All I know is that I need a stronger dosage for the anti-depressant effect, especially the suicidal tendencies but I can't handle the side effects now. So, I was curious since you're taking the same dosage, what you're experience is. Are you taking other meds too??? What side effects are you having???
>
> Angel Girl
>
>
>
> Renee
>
> I can't remember exactly when I started this dosage. I know it wasn't the same day I picked up my prescription. I had already thought of counting the remainder of what is left in the bottle but I don't think I'll know by doing that. Thx for that advice, it would have been an easy way to figure it out had I started it the same day I picked up my prescription.
>
> Angel Girl
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 5, 2002, at 16:05:51
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr » Jetson, posted by Jason911 on March 5, 2002, at 10:04:46
> SSRI's are evil.
I've asked you before not to exaggerate or overgeneralize, so I'm going to block you from posting for two weeks.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 16:32:25
In reply to Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:08:09
> Hi Guys - Well, I have weaned off of effexor slowly. I got down to 37.5mg and did the every other day thing and then stopped. This is my fifth day completely off effexor and I feel horrible. I have become a complete b*tch. I am losing my temper at the littlest things. My daughter is very frustated with me because I can't seem to talk to her without becoming very short. My husband is out of town Monday thru Friday working on a project and I know he is so glad he isn't here. All I want to do is cry. The vertigo keeps getting worse instead of better. I just went to walgreens and bought some Benadryl and Dramamine. I read alot of posting that people claim this stuff helps. I hope so!! I have a strong pain threshold and usually don't let much bother me, but I am about to go crazy. I wake up with the dizziness and headace and it continues til I go to bed. (which is becoming earlier each day its the only time I get relief) I am very active. I am supposed to be in training for a triathlon and I can't hardly walk let alone run!
>
> I know many of you have gotten thru this stage. What I want to know is how long did it take? I was on 150mg for one year. Does it matter how long you have been on effexor when going thru the withdrawal time?
>
>
> Thank you so much for letting me vent. I know in the big picture I have nothing to be upset about.
>
>
> ReneeRenee:
Hang in there. Last week when i had to go cold turkey from 150mg of effexor, i thought i would die from the withdrawal. it has been ten days since my last dose and i am feeling much better. the irritableness, the vertigo, the nausea have all improved. i only took one anti nauseant tablet today!
my only advice is to take the dramamine, i found it really helped a lot with the nausea and a bit with the dizziness. just hang in there. things will get better soon! i am still not feeling "normal" yet but i am back at work and in a suprisingly ok mood. just take time for yourself, nap when you feel you have to. good luck!
dot
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 17:45:37
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update » Reneeb, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 16:32:25
Hi Dot, Thank you for your words of encouragment. Why did you go from 150mg to nothing? Did your doc tell you to do that? I give you so much credit!! I just couldn't do that. Are you on anything else?
Renee
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 18:05:20
In reply to Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 13:08:09
Hi Guys, I just got off the phone with my new pdoc. He told me to get back on the 37.5mg dose and when I see him on friday we will talk about weaning me off with help from another antidepresant. My question is - If you have weaned yourself off of effexor with help what did you use?
Thanks for your help,
Renee
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 18:14:59
In reply to Trying to get off Effexor, posted by RIgirl on February 27, 2002, at 11:02:02
Hi, I just read your post. How are you doing with your withdrawals? If you have read mine from today you know that I am not having much success.
Renee
Posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 19:21:08
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update » dot, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 17:45:37
> Hi Dot, Thank you for your words of encouragment. Why did you go from 150mg to nothing? Did your doc tell you to do that? I give you so much credit!! I just couldn't do that. Are you on anything else?
>
>
> Reneei had an allergic reaction with hives etc. and the doctor i went to see about it wanted me to stop the effexor right away. the bad part was is that it happened when my doctor was away on vacation so i went to the other doctor in the office. i was so mad at him when the withdrawal started since i thought he kind of left me hanging, not giving me any warning as to how bad the withdrawal might be. i am ok now, i realize it was just the side effects of withdrawal that were making me so angry :) i wasn't on anything else because my doc was still building up my dose (i was only on for 3.5 months or so). the regret i have now is that i really thought the effexor was starting to help. my doc had tried to add serzone to effexor to reduce the sleep problems and sexual side effects i was getting but i got bad cystitis (sp?) side effects from the serzone so i quit that.
my doc is still away for another 2 weeks so i am hoping i don't slide depression-wise. i really want to wait to talk to her before i start any other meds.
anyway, thanx for listening. keep hanging in there.
dot.
Posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 20:51:17
In reply to just started effexor today 3-4-02, posted by cmm22 on March 4, 2002, at 20:12:11
Hi Christi, I just wanted to tell you that effexor worked great for me - along with wellbutrin. I believe that most of the problems is weight gain and the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. If it works for you that is wonderful - just be aware that it will not be easy if you want to get off the effexor. I am working on weaning off it myself.
Renee
Posted by sue doe on March 5, 2002, at 21:39:03
In reply to Re: blocked for two weeks » Jason911, posted by Dr. Bob on March 5, 2002, at 16:05:51
> > SSRI's are evil.
>
> I've asked you before not to exaggerate or overgeneralize, so I'm going to block you from posting for two weeks.
>
> Bob
>
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.I'll miss you Jason911, emergency vehicle man!
P.S. this is the end of day 3. No meds. I went a little "silly" (won't say wild) with my children. but i think they still love me. See you after 2 weeks! And Dr. Bob, please don't delete this. I've been helped by Mr. 911! Sue Doe (nym)
Posted by LisaDiann on March 5, 2002, at 23:58:08
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by LisaDiann on February 22, 2002, at 20:05:55
Hi Everybody....I just wanted to update , tell you whats going on with me. It's been about a month now since I went off Effexor 150mg and I'm starting to feel better...the "brain zap" and tingly feelings are not as bad now but still there. I went off cold turkey and haven't taken anything else except Tylenol for the head aches and xanax .05 mg twice a day for the anxiety. All of the tests my pdoc sent me to have came back normal (as I had expected). He had told me that none of the feelings I was experiencing had to do with the effexor...boy was he wrong..and I can't wait to talk to him about it!!! I wouldn't suggest going off cold turkey to any of you that are taking Effexor. I just wish I knew how much longer this is going to last...last week I almost started taking effexor again because I was so sick of the withdrawals but I kept thinking...maybe these feelings will go away soon and the nightmare will be over.
Luckily I work at home so I haven't had to take time off work..theres no way I could have driven my car or funtioned properly these past 3-4 weeks.
I'm beginning to have crying spells often now...for no reason at all, I'll start crying.
I really don't want to go back on any kind of anti depressant after this experience !!
The GOOD thing about this is my sexual drive has returned...Thank God for that, lol.
Good luck to you all....I really enjoy reading the posts in here and it has helped me tremendously!!!
Posted by Angel-2 on March 5, 2002, at 23:59:27
In reply to Ringing in ears ... Prozac ... Effexor withdrawal, posted by Allen F. on November 14, 2001, at 22:53:11
Thank God I'm not alone with a tinnitus (the ringing in the ears).
I was on Prozac for the last 3 years (I had been on other AD before but I had quit, always for side effects reasons and because it just didn't really helped). Anyway. I was put back on Prozac (20mg) 3 years ago for "depression" (it was in fact something like a burn-out from too much work, with physical symptoms like cluster headaches, vision problems, photophobia, myoclonus... I had dystonia but I didn't know it at the time).
Last december, I experienced what they call a "serotonin syndrom" and a HUGE dystonic crisis (all the aforementioned symptoms were back... with new ones). I had to go off Prozac (+ benzos) cold turkey. I wasn't really scared because I had done it before quite easily. EXCEPT this time it was not so easy. In fact, it was not easy at all and even if I feel a little better now (I almost got my sleep back, for instance, after weeks of staying awake for sometimes 3 days & 3 nights in a row).
But the thing is, just as I started to feel better, that new symptom showed up: the tinnitus (ear ringing). I didn't know how I would be able to cope with the dystonia condition (even if I had repeatedly asked my doctor over the years if there were serious side effects from using Prozac for a long period of time -he kept saying there wasn't any-, I had never heard the word "dystonia" before my physician finally diagnosed me and explained where all those symptoms like the blepharospasm, cluster headaches, pain in the neck, and now facial tics came from). I know, it's a little late to wake-up now since I don't think it will ever go away. At least not enterely. I know from having to live with all those headaches and vision problems (I have a an "ocular rest myoclonus" and, believe me, it is horrible). I don't want to scare anybody but I now fully realize that those "miracle pills" w/o any long-term side effects are literaly poison slowly distilled into your system and the day when your body just can't take it anymore is the first day of your cold turkey nightmare. The nightmare is actually not that bad since you eventually wake up from a nightmare... But you don't wake up from tardive and acute dystonia. And you don't wake up from having to live with this tinnitus problem -'cause you just can't go to sleep anymore with that noise in the middle of your head!
I know those pills can help a lot of people. They surely didn't help me. Going back to college, working, having friends helped me a lot. Pills got me physically sick. And most of doctors just won't aknowledged that fact (it took them 3 years to diagnose the dystonia condition... while they would continue to fill prescriptions for the very medications that got me sick and made me lose my job and everything I had been working so hard to get in the last 10 years of being "mentally" ill and plagued w/ depression).
I empathize with people who have to go through a Paxil or Effexor withdrawal -never been there- because it seems so hard to accomplish. But please don't believe what they say about it being easy tappering off Prozac: it is NOT. At least, not when you have a physical condition and after years of AD use and tryings.
Sorry for the hiatus...
Going back to the main topic now: has anyone in here experienced having a tinnitus after going cold turkey off Prozac (after years of use)? If so, did the ear ringing eventually disapeared?
The truth will be hard to swallow but would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
A2
Posted by colin wallace on March 6, 2002, at 3:29:31
In reply to Re: blocked for two weeks » Jason911, posted by Dr. Bob on March 5, 2002, at 16:05:51
I experienced quite severe tinnitus when I first came down with major depression.It persisted, with varying degrees of severity, throughout treatment with numerous AD's (and xanax).Whilst it is true that tinnitus can commonly be attributed to AD's or benzo's as a side effect, depression and anxiety by themselves are often the biggest culprit.
Posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 5:36:37
In reply to Re: blocked for two weeks, posted by colin wallace on March 6, 2002, at 3:29:31
Tinnitus doesn't even have to be a symptom of depression. Some illnesses, especially those for which there are no tests but only diagnoses of exclusion, have a laundry list of often unrelated symptoms. I have tinnitus, but I am not depressed, and it is not a side effect of my Serzone, which I have been on for three years. In fact, the ringing started when I got a bout of dizziness that was diagnosed as migraine (not as vertigo). I get it often for a few seconds at a time (though it sometimes can last a whole night). It could very well be sinus troubles, which I have. Or it could simply be tinnitus itself.
We have to understand that any number of things that could happen to us may be completely unrelated--to the medication, to depression, to each other.
: )>
Posted by Trisha on March 6, 2002, at 7:48:47
In reply to tinnitus » colin wallace, posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 5:36:37
I agree with you that there are many different things that can cause tinnitus. Although I know several people (including myself) that have experienced this as a direct side-effect to a med. I never experienced tinnitus until AFTER I started on the ssri's. It's been about 3 months since I stopped the meds. and I still experience it to some degree.
Trisha
Posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 8:34:44
In reply to weird symptom, posted by SusanG on February 20, 2002, at 12:29:49
Hey--I found this old post and thought you might like to know another thing those brain zaps could be! Migraines.
I have had them for years (way before my anxiety/insomnia began), and they got worse after my daughter was born. Sometimes I'll be sitting at the computer, and it'll feel like the floor dropped. It's usually just a split second thing. They started becoming more frequent in the last few years, after I started Serzone, but I don't think it's at all related. My neurologist told me this floor-dropping sensation is fairly common and usually not a problem.
Anyway, I have had opthalmic migraines--moiré patterns with bright flashing lights or halos--without pain and vomiting all my life. It runs in my family.
Last June, I got a dizzy spell--it was not vertigo, as the room wasn't spinning. It felt like the ceiling was too low and the walls were too narrow, and the floor seemed to bob up and down at times--like a longer version of Brain Zaps. It went away after a week, and I was fine. It came back two months later, so I went to the entdoc, had an ENG, took vertigo pills. Even though I had a sinus infection just before it started, I was told it was not, in my case, related to that. The entdoc told me it might be a migraine that just never went away. I finally saw a neurologist. My MRI and CT scans were both clean (neurodoc says my brain's in pristine condition; that's because it's never been used). He says this is a form of migraine, and it won't go away until the cycle is broken.
I took a pill for high blood pressure (calcium channel blocker?) for a while, but it didn't seem to help. Symptoms ALWAYS got WORSE with my PERIOD and got better during the middle of my cycle, when I ovulated.
And guess what: the first time I got it was a few days after I changed my birth control pill to a lower estrogen dose. Symptoms went away after a week. Two months later, I quit birth control pills altogether, and the symptoms returned. They didn't go away. I tried going back on my original bc pill, and I got so dizzy I couldn't stand it.
I know men have this problem, too, but it is certainly hormone related in my case--and maybe in the cases of those others, especially the ones who've had their innards outed.
If anyone else has this unusual dizziness problem (not just the brain zaps) and has been treated for it, I'd love to know what works. Mine is very minor now (a few docs have said it will probably just peter out, though it's been seven months!), but it is not completely gone.
Anyway, try the migraine avenue. The tingly arms and legs and stuff can easily be part of it, and there is certainly a connection between migraine and stroke.
Phew. That was long.
bearded lady : )>
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 6, 2002, at 11:00:48
In reply to Re: tinnitus, posted by Trisha on March 6, 2002, at 7:48:47
> I agree with you that there are many different things that can cause tinnitus. Although I know several people (including myself) that have experienced this as a direct side-effect to a med. I never experienced tinnitus until AFTER I started on the ssri's. It's been about 3 months since I stopped the meds. and I still experience it to some degree.
> Trisha
Hi, Trisha and those others who are asking about tinnitus. I have a bit of information that may be useful to some of you. Tinnitus is one of the MOST common side effects of ASPIRIN, as well as other over-the-counter or prescription medications including meds like Motrin. It is also listed as a side effect of Effexor. Tinnitus with vertigo OR dizziness may be associated with inner ear dysfunction. Tinnitus may also be idiopathic (no known cause). If you take these meds, try stopping the NSAIDs (which include aspirin) or switching to Tylenol. Many, many other meds also cause tinnitus. I've had it for years, well before I ever started any psychotropic meds. Taking aspirin or other NSAIDs increases it dramatically. Sometimes it drives me nuts-especially when the room is quiet. White noise at bedtime may make it easier to go to sleep. Use a small fan or a white noise generator (you can buy these from many places, including Sharper Image, Brookstone, etc). You can even turn you television onto a station that is off the air (if you can find one or if your tv doesn't drop the noise after a few seconds).Good luck to you.
Jannbeau
Posted by colin wallace on March 6, 2002, at 11:58:48
In reply to tinnitus » colin wallace, posted by beardedlady on March 6, 2002, at 5:36:37
Agree with you absolutely: what I meant though is that if tinnitus comes on simultaneously WITH a depression, and it's not been experienced prior to the depression, then in all probability the depression (or even the med.) is the cause.
On the other hand, my sister for example, has never been depressed, never gets ill, and has suffered loud tinnitus for years.Who knows??!
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:01:02
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 19:21:08
> > Hi Dot, I thought effexor worked great until I noticed I gained 10 pounds. We were all told that effexor didn't put weight on you??? I am also on wellbutrin and I like that a lot seems to give me more energy. I went back on my dose of 37.5 and when I see my doc on friday I am going to ask him if he could put me on something else so the withdrawals aren't so bad. I have read many post where people were successful doing it this way. Let me know what you doc says I will be interested to hear what advice he gives you.
Take Care,
Renee
Posted by cmm22 on March 6, 2002, at 17:07:00
In reply to Re: just started effexor today 3-4-02 » cmm22, posted by Reneeb on March 5, 2002, at 20:51:17
Hey Renee.. thanks for the info.. after reading many reports on effexor I have decided not to take it..
Posted by Reneeb on March 6, 2002, at 17:07:15
In reply to Re: weird symptom, posted by LisaDiann on March 5, 2002, at 23:58:08
>
Wow, you are a brave person!! I couldn't last 5 days without effexor before I went back to my 37.5 dose. I couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't functioning at all. I will see my pdoc on friday - he told me to get back on the 37.5 dose til we talk on friday.Good luck and let me know how you are progessing.
Renee
Posted by JANNBEAU on March 6, 2002, at 17:23:42
In reply to Re: sexual side effect- effexor-xr, posted by Jetson on March 4, 2002, at 23:03:33
> Hi, Jetson:
Gosh, sounds like you have covered all the bases! Your doctor really sounds rather cavalier, though!
Have you tried Viagra? It seems to have some side effects (my husband has slight headaches and some "fuzziness" in his thinking) but maybe it would help if you can tolerate the medication if you can tolerate the side effects (which only some folks seem to get) and you have no medical contraindications for taking Viagra.
Good Luck!
JannbeauI have had a check-up and the doctor says that I should not complain, because I CAN get an erection, but it is not as hard and does not last as long as it used to before I started taking Effexor in Sept 1996 (I stopped around Dec 1997). I have been given a clean bill of health by doctors, which leads me to the conclusion that Effexor has indeed had something to do with my permanent dysfunction.
>
> I have followed doctors' suggestions in doing some physical therapy exercises to strengthen my pubococcygeal muscle. I have been doing PC exercises for over two years now only to notice minimal improvements in my erections.
>
> During intercourse I do experience pleasure, but about 50% of the time, my erection will just randomly disappear before orgasm. This never used to happen before I started taking Effexor. I used to be able to orgasm every time. These days, it varies from day to day.
>
> QUESTION: Has anyone experienced any long term sexual side effects similar or even less severe as mine?
>
> Please email me at [email protected] if you have. Or just post to this board.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> > Hi,
> >
> > I think you should have a thorough checkup to rule out some other cause of your erectile dysfunction (ED). Although I could not (and would not)tell you that your ED is NOT due to having taken Effexor five years ago, that seems an excessive length of time to attribute an adverse event to a medication. There are many for ED, including: age-related hormonal changes; physical illness to include diabetes mellitus (recognized or unrecognized); vascular disorders; psychological illnesses unrecognized anxiety or depression; medications you currently take that might include over-the-counter meds--just a few examples. I don't pretend to be an expert. The point is go to see a GOOD urologist, endocrinologist, or other internal medicine specialist for a work up. Don't take "no" for an answer from your GP or psychiatrist.
> >
> > Thanks for listening.
> > Jannbeau
> >
> > > I have been off of Effexor since 1997.
> > > I still do not get erections as easily as I used to. I can have orgasms, but they are mostly not as intense. In general I am frustrated with the side-effects of Effexor that do seem to last for a long time after termination.
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> > > > I started taking effexor xr 2 almost 2 weeks ago,my first anti-depressant(possibly last), and felt tired and terrible and dazed every waking hour of the day while taking it, headaches, cannot reach an orgasm at all. I took 37.5 mg aday for 7 days and 75 mg for 2 days and have now stopped cold turkey. I have yet to experience any side effects, been about 55 hours since last dose, still cannot reach an orgasm, wife is very upset and I'm not far behind her. Will this go away or could this be a pemanent development?
Posted by sue doe on March 6, 2002, at 17:40:56
In reply to Re: Effexor - withdrawal update, posted by dot on March 5, 2002, at 19:21:08
I decided that it is okay to cry. Creative "juices" are flowing again. Poetry is my way of coping. When I start feeling a mood switch, I lay down and let my mind be creative. I used to play the piano. Here is a quote from Patty Duke's book on her life with bi-polar, "It had been quite a while since I had had any symptoms of depression. Working [on the show It Takes Two], of course, had a lot to do with it. I usually didn't get depressed when I was working."
Creative exercises help me, the moodiness passes and then I'm fine to go ahead.
So what if my productivity is down for a while, my creative side is alive again!
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