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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 10:30:40
In reply to Re: Effexor XR withdrawal another way, posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 9:14:26
Can taking Effexor at a different time alleviate side effects for some?
I was taking Effexor XR at around 6 pm for about six weeks. The last side effect, and probably the only one that has disturbed me, is sleeping well. I hadn't for the last week and so my psychiatrist suggested to switch taking Effexor XR in the daytime.
In order to change my evening to day time, she recommended to change the time slowly. For example, I was to switch from 6 pm to 2pm for a day and then move to 9 am and then around 7 am would be the end result.
Well, after moving to 2 pm on the first try, I slept well and had plenty of energy so I tried it the next day to see if it was a fluke and so far it has improved my outcomes to what I have been looking for. For now, I am sticking with 2 pm until either I return to not sleeping well or something else comes up.
So has anyone tried to change the time of day you take Effexor in order to alleviate side-effects?
Gare
Posted by RENEB on April 19, 2002, at 11:28:35
In reply to Re: Effexor XR withdrawal another way, posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 9:13:40
> Congratulations Renee:
>
> I am so amazed at the quantity of individuals having difficulty getting of Effexor/Effexor XR.
>
> I understand from reading the pharmacological insert with the sample box that you must level yourself off the drug so I am not shocked by that statement. This really is similar for any other drug or habit I believe. However, sometimes having to continue to take something that you don't like until you go down to nothing seems to not only be time consuming, but also an experience as I am sure you will have withdrawal effects coming off - so this in itself may cause irritation, anger, and resentment for starting in the first place.
>
> I know that when I got off of Effexor Regular in February 2001, I didn't understand what the doctor meant by going off slowly. Since I didn't like him or feel that I could trust him, then I just thought he wanted to continue to drug me so I just stopped going and I stopped taking it. My highest dose then was like 75 mg in the day and 37.5 mg at night, which is a total of 112.5 mg per day.
>
> I did become more irritable, my vivid dreams turned into nightmares and I was feeling electrical shocks permeate throughout my body, as if a switch was being turned on and off. I didn't like feeling like that but I understood where it was coming from.
>
> I figured it would wear off - all of these things and thank God they did. I don't know how I would feel if they didn't.
>
> The effects of coming off of it then took about a couple of months. I think, the shocks being the longest side effect I had to endure.
>
> Why I am on it a second time is because I know that for me it worked, and I do have peace of mind and a better daily experience at a small price to pay.
>
> I am aware that I am at a higher dose than the first time and I intend to stay on it for a longer time, at least six months compared to four the first time around, or even longer depending on how it goes.
>
> So I am not looking forward to the time when I do have to come off because I know that it isn't easy and it isn't a matter of a day or two.
>
> I truly sympathize with you Renee and thanks for sharing your experience in weaning off as it may come in handy for me sometime in the future.
>
> I wish everyone luck with the beginning, their continued therapy, and if decided, their discontinuation.
>
> Hugs,
> Gare
Hi Gare, I had a few reasons for weaning off effexor. 1) I was very tired all the time 2)my sex drive 3) weight gain. I thought the med worked great til I started to withdraw from it. I didnt realise how much it masked your emotions. I really began to feel nothing and thats not good. I am a triathalete and I was finding that I was losing my modivation for my runs, biking, swimming etc., and that wasn't like me. so you can understand when I gained 10 pounds thru this ordeal I thought okay this is it. I think I need to get myself off this stuff. I know there are many people that say if a weight issue is all they had to worry about they would be happy and I can understand that. But, for me and what I do that was a big problem for me. This is what I use for my stress relief. Anyway, I am glad it is working for you. I wish you continued success.Renee
Posted by LynnPerley on April 20, 2002, at 18:27:54
In reply to Can taking Effexor at a different time...?, posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 10:30:40
I started taking it first thing in the morning (5 to 6 am most days). During the last several days I have gradually moved it to early evening and I'm going to keep moving it until bedtime. The side effect I am trying to avoid is trouble falling asleep at night and then hard to wake up in the morning. So far, this has helped some at bedtime but I still wake up for at least an hour around 3 or 4 am and it is still very hard for me to get out of bed in the morning. Since I get up so early most days, perhaps I can stall the wake cycle until normal wakeup time. I also need to check with the MD to see if I need my dose increased or decreased. I've been taking 150 mg for almost a month now, after one week of 37.5 and one week of 75.
Posted by Allen F. on April 21, 2002, at 12:06:32
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Congradulations on weining off of Effexor!!! How has it been? How has it been emotionally? Especially with depression?
I have been weining off too. I find I have my good days and bad days. This past week has been pretty good except for the past few days. They have not been easy and I hurt inside.
Part has to do with my being hurt a year ago and a hearing concerning it. Even the orthopedic surgen hit hard on my past depression. Is there ever a time that people move past that? That you can escape the label of "Phycriatic Problems"? I hate being labeled, especially when its used in a negative way. I don't like that all the medical records can be accessed by a third party and that they can then use them against me. But, this is something I will have to deal with.
Its also not easy that I am unemployed right now. I wish I had employment. I wish I didn't have the stress of looking for a job and have to deal with the rejection that accompanies it.
Sorry for going on. Thanks to those who have listened.
A
Posted by Shanti on April 21, 2002, at 15:50:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Allen F. on April 21, 2002, at 12:06:32
> Congradulations on weining off of Effexor!!! How has it been? How has it been emotionally? Especially with depression?
>
> I have been weining off too. I find I have my good days and bad days. This past week has been pretty good except for the past few days. They have not been easy and I hurt inside.
>
> Part has to do with my being hurt a year ago and a hearing concerning it. Even the orthopedic surgen hit hard on my past depression. Is there ever a time that people move past that? That you can escape the label of "Phycriatic Problems"? I hate being labeled, especially when its used in a negative way. I don't like that all the medical records can be accessed by a third party and that they can then use them against me. But, this is something I will have to deal with.
>
> Its also not easy that I am unemployed right now. I wish I had employment. I wish I didn't have the stress of looking for a job and have to deal with the rejection that accompanies it.
>
> Sorry for going on. Thanks to those who have listened.
>
> Aallen
you can do it! i too am going through some financial difficulty so i look at it as a challenge! why throw away everything you worked at becasue of 1 set back <yes i know it is huge but there must be a reason?> i live in windsor canada and we have unemployed help centres - it is free and they help with your resume, interviews, etc <great "mock" interviews to prepare you! so, if little ole windsor has it i bet your town does too! let me knowshanti
Posted by beardedlady on April 21, 2002, at 15:57:36
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Shanti on April 21, 2002, at 15:50:38
Posted by sharonews on April 21, 2002, at 19:43:55
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Shanti on April 21, 2002, at 15:50:38
I'm down to 37.5 mg. (splitting 75 mg. tablet) a day now. Experiencing tingling (zaps), headaches, stomach pains today, and some dizziness. My max of effexor was 300 mg/day and have been tapering dramatically for the past week. (Have been taking the stuff for three years now, and 'think' I'm ready to face the world now chemical-free.)
Can anyone out there tell me if they've succesfully tapered off the effexor tablets after being on them for three years or so, and how long it took them, and when/or if they started to feel 'withdrawal-symptom-free'.
Thanks for any input.
sharonews
Posted by RENEB on April 21, 2002, at 20:56:08
In reply to How long off effexor before you feel ...normal ?, posted by sharonews on April 21, 2002, at 19:43:55
> I'm down to 37.5 mg. (splitting 75 mg. tablet) a day now. Experiencing tingling (zaps), headaches, stomach pains today, and some dizziness. My max of effexor was 300 mg/day and have been tapering dramatically for the past week. (Have been taking the stuff for three years now, and 'think' I'm ready to face the world now chemical-free.)
>
> Can anyone out there tell me if they've succesfully tapered off the effexor tablets after being on them for three years or so, and how long it took them, and when/or if they started to feel 'withdrawal-symptom-free'.
>
> Thanks for any input.
>
> sharonewsHi Sharonews, I am about effexor free but it took a very long time. My pdoc had me wean down to 25mg for two weeks then I split that in half and took 1/2 for two weeks and then I split the 1/2 boy that isnt easy... Now I am down to taking 1/4 every other day..today I have gone three days without it. I tried doing it where you go from 37.5 and then nothing. That didnt work for me I felt like you do. This way is longer but has worked so much better. I don't feel much of anything just a real little bit of dizziness, but I can deal with it.
I hope this helps,
Renee
Posted by Shanti on April 21, 2002, at 21:31:45
In reply to shanti: please go to social babble! (nm) » Shanti, posted by beardedlady on April 21, 2002, at 15:57:36
beardedlady
i cannot get into chat ever! however, you do have my curisoity as to why you wanted me to go there? would you be kind to reply back here?
shanti
Posted by sharonews on April 21, 2002, at 21:59:30
In reply to Re: How long off effexor before you feel ...normal ? » sharonews, posted by RENEB on April 21, 2002, at 20:56:08
Thanks for your reply, Renee. It was encouraging and helpful. Will see if I can get some 25 mg. tabs from my doc and taper off them slowly like you did. Sounds like a smart idea. The 75 mg. tabs I have now are being sectioned into four and that's about as small as I can dice them :)
You've given me encouragement. Thanks again.
Sharonews
> > I'm down to 37.5 mg. (splitting 75 mg. tablet) a day now. Experiencing tingling (zaps), headaches, stomach pains today, and some dizziness. My max of effexor was 300 mg/day and have been tapering dramatically for the past week. (Have been taking the stuff for three years now, and 'think' I'm ready to face the world now chemical-free.)
> >
> > Can anyone out there tell me if they've succesfully tapered off the effexor tablets after being on them for three years or so, and how long it took them, and when/or if they started to feel 'withdrawal-symptom-free'.
> >
> > Thanks for any input.
> >
> > sharonews
>
> Hi Sharonews, I am about effexor free but it took a very long time. My pdoc had me wean down to 25mg for two weeks then I split that in half and took 1/2 for two weeks and then I split the 1/2 boy that isnt easy... Now I am down to taking 1/4 every other day..today I have gone three days without it. I tried doing it where you go from 37.5 and then nothing. That didnt work for me I felt like you do. This way is longer but has worked so much better. I don't feel much of anything just a real little bit of dizziness, but I can deal with it.
>
> I hope this helps,
>
> Renee
Posted by beardedlady on April 22, 2002, at 6:12:45
In reply to Re: shanti: please go to social babble!, posted by Shanti on April 21, 2002, at 21:31:45
Social Babble's not chat! It's the non-med board. You get to it from the top or bottom of the pb page you're on when you see all the posts. But I was looking for/worried about Angel Girl. Anyway, she's back, so no worry no mo'.
beardy : )>
Posted by Gare on April 22, 2002, at 10:17:19
In reply to Can taking Effexor at a different time...?, posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 10:30:40
Hi:
I have remained at the 2pm time of taking Effexor XR from my initial time of 6 pm since last Wednesday and I am happy to report that I have resumed sleeping well at night and over the weekend the heavy sedated effect lifted.
So today I was able to wake up at 530 am and take the kitty cat out for a walk with me.
No bizarre dreams as of late and I am glad that I have stopped having "straight" dreams.
Hugs,
Gare
Posted by Gare on April 22, 2002, at 10:21:54
In reply to Can taking Effexor at a different time...?, posted by Gare on April 19, 2002, at 10:30:40
here's one that i haven't come across on this posting site or in much of any other search engines.
as i am hiv+, for 13 years, i am starting my anti-retroviral therapy today. one of the drugs that i am initially taking is called sustiva, which has a nervous system effect. mainly becoming disoriented, insomniac (just when i resolved my effexor issue...), and nightmares. everyone that i have known has experienced the nightmares for the first month or so.
as i do have vivid dreams - although not nightmares - with effexor XR, i was wondering if i am going to start having horrific vivid nightmares.
i doubt that anyone on this site may have any insight to taking effexor and sustiva together, but i am hopeful.
if not, i'll keep y'all posted about the dreams.
i am excited as i want to write a novel about this.
hugs,
gare
Posted by Nuthatch on April 30, 2002, at 23:52:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Parks on January 4, 2000, at 16:10:07
This is so great - finding this resource. My doctor has diagnosed me as depressed but I'm not entirely convinced that I should take meds. I think sometimes the sideeffects outweigh the benefits. I was on Celexa last year during a similar period (my first episode with depression - after I dropped out of a Masters program), and I've just separated from my fiancee & boyfriend of 5 yrs and am again depressed & my Dr recommended effexor XR. I just remember from the Celexa being confused and not able to concentrate, and thinking way slower. It's just hard to know if that's the depression or the med. Sorry this posting is so long - anyone have any advice?
I'd rather exercise or try to get over it some other way but my life is swinging a little out of control - I'm starting to socially isolate myself b/c I don't trust how I interact with people anymore. I find it really hard to get out of bed in the morning, and I seem to be crying more frequently. I think the sleep is not so much disturbed as much as that I just don't want to face the work/decisions that I have to make. Anyuway, do you think that effexor can help this, or is this just my personality?
Posted by Allen F. on May 1, 2002, at 3:25:32
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Parks, posted by Nuthatch on April 30, 2002, at 23:52:09
It sounds to me that your depression is more situational than anything and my guess is that it will lesson with time. I think that the Doctors are often to fast to prescribe than to look at alternatives to drugs. After all, how can they really access things in a fifteen minuite meeting. If you think that you can make it without an antidepressant, that is the way I would go. I am not sure the side effects out weight the benefits of meds either.
Although I am on Effexor I am weining off of it. I am finding that the emotions are not easy and that I do have to learn new ways to deal with things. But the side effects were (are) not easy either and I didn't like feeling slowed down mentally. Meds have their place, but I think they are often prescibed to quickely and once you are on them its hard to get off.
Just my two bits. Good luck!
Posted by Allen F. on May 1, 2002, at 3:31:38
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I know several have sucessfully weined off Effexor and my quesiton is, how has it been? I could really use some success stories about now. I am down to about 20MG a day and have been struggling. I keep telling myself that things will get beter. I have been on antidepresants for so long (about 11 years) that I am not sure what is normal and what isn't ... makes it hard to judge what I am going through. It also makes it hard to not want to take a pill that might fix everything (not talking suicide, so don't go there).
Anyway, any ideas on how to get out of a rut and move forward would be appreciated.
Posted by Liz Wolf on May 1, 2002, at 6:13:15
In reply to Re: Sleeping long hours/Orgasmic Sensation? » JANNBEAU, posted by Gare on April 17, 2002, at 15:23:11
On day 2 on Effexor XR I am sitting here wondering where this unusal interest in all matters sexual is coming from.
Before I came to this post, I thought maybe it is the simple lack of pronounced anxiety and dread and feeling a bit more connected than before that had me react this way...
You're not alone, that's for sure.
However, I must say, I did not sleep anymore than usual (6 hours being long for me), so I cannot comment on any sleeping habits yet.
Posted by sharonews on May 1, 2002, at 8:54:00
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Allen F. on May 1, 2002, at 3:31:38
Hi, I'm "just" off effexor. It's been about three days without "any" effexor. And although I've had 'quite' a few nights where I couldn't sleep too much (4:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., another one last night), generally haven't feel too bad. However, I've also been taking a 1/2 (or less) tab of Celexa for about the past week, my doctor wanted to change me over to that pill instead of effexor. "But I want to get off all the A.D.'s" The Celexa has helped my transition. I gradually took less and less of each in the past week, and then less and less of the Celexa. And, yesterday I had neither. I'm laughing more, and feeling more enlightened. The odd 'zingy' feeling. Also, go to Deepak Chopra's message board and read some of their messages... post your own. You'll get some great positive input there.
> I know several have sucessfully weined off Effexor and my quesiton is, how has it been? I could really use some success stories about now. I am down to about 20MG a day and have been struggling. I keep telling myself that things will get beter. I have been on antidepresants for so long (about 11 years) that I am not sure what is normal and what isn't ... makes it hard to judge what I am going through. It also makes it hard to not want to take a pill that might fix everything (not talking suicide, so don't go there).
>
> Anyway, any ideas on how to get out of a rut and move forward would be appreciated.
Posted by jannbeau on May 1, 2002, at 11:34:08
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Allen F. on May 1, 2002, at 3:25:32
> I very much AGREE with Allen--no meds if you can help it and NO EFFEXOR, for sure!!. I would suggest that, first, you try short-term intervention--psychotherapy--for many people with situational depression, short-term therapy provides new tools for dealing with feelings and resultant behaviors that come with life changes.
The two things you describe (ending MA pgm and ending relationship) are BOTH losses and you MUST allow yourself to grieve for those losses-even if they were good for you, they are still losses!
Short-term therapy, especially one based on cognitive therapy (all feelings are preceded by a thought; if you can control the thought, you can control the feeling!) might be very helpful to you and may help you avoid medications. On the other hand, if your depression doesn't lift, then meds may be appropriate. Check out the websites on cognative therapy. Just search "cognitive therapy."
To get you started with getting through the grief process, here's a rundown on Kubler-Ross's theory:
Grieving has approximately five recognized stages, which may occur in any sequence, may come and go, in different sequences. An excellent book Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: "On Death and Dying" -a bit technical and somewhat old written in the '60's, but the definitive work--since Kubler-Ross elaborated the concept of stages of grief, which may be applied to any major life event as well as to death.
If I remember correctly (and I may not because I'm taking this from 25 years ago when I did a paper on the subject), the stages of grief or something like this: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and, finally, Acceptance. First you deny the reality of the situation, then you are really angry at the one who left you--even if you left him or it; then you bargain with God to fix it, promising that you will do whatever is necessary if He will just make everything right; then you experience depression because it becomes obvious that the situation is permanent, and finally, you reach the stage of Acceptance. These stages may take varying amounts of time and may return many times, especially those of anger and depression, but eventually you are ready to Accept the permanence of the situation and go on living. If you can go through these stages without medication, you will probably be more able to FEEL, which is necessary for going through the stages of grief. I think that most drugs diminish your ability to feel and to work through situational depression and should be reserved for those who are chronically depressed or who are contemplating suicide or other non-productive responses to the situation.
Another thought: Gardner Murphey stated that "the known, no matter how horrible it is, is more tolerable than the unknown." or something to that effect. Any time we are faced with a step into the unknown, we are apt to become anxious, resistant, and even depressed. Again, situations can lead to this feeling; again, short-term therapy could help you to deal with it.
There seems to be a pattern of depression that arises whenever you have a life change--learn to stop this process before it becomes a habit--since it is the habit of depression that results in chronic depression!! Learn (with cognitive therapy) to welcome change with an attitude of adventure rather than fear and, I'll bet, your depressive response to change will disappear!!!
Cheers,
JannbeauIt sounds to me that your depression is more situational than anything and my guess is that it will lesson with time. I think that the Doctors are often to fast to prescribe than to look at alternatives to drugs. After all, how can they really access things in a fifteen minuite meeting. If you think that you can make it without an antidepressant, that is the way I would go. I am not sure the side effects out weight the benefits of meds either.
>
> Although I am on Effexor I am weining off of it. I am finding that the emotions are not easy and that I do have to learn new ways to deal with things. But the side effects were (are) not easy either and I didn't like feeling slowed down mentally. Meds have their place, but I think they are often prescibed to quickely and once you are on them its hard to get off.
>
> Just my two bits. Good luck!
Posted by jannbeau on May 1, 2002, at 11:40:42
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by Allen F. on May 1, 2002, at 3:31:38
> Allen, try Cognitive Therapy!!
I know several have sucessfully weined off Effexor and my quesiton is, how has it been? I could really use some success stories about now. I am down to about 20MG a day and have been struggling. I keep telling myself that things will get beter. I have been on antidepresants for so long (about 11 years) that I am not sure what is normal and what isn't ... makes it hard to judge what I am going through. It also makes it hard to not want to take a pill that might fix everything (not talking suicide, so don't go there).
>
> Anyway, any ideas on how to get out of a rut and move forward would be appreciated.
Posted by Reneb on May 1, 2002, at 21:13:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by sharonews on May 1, 2002, at 8:54:00
Hi, I was just checking in to see how you are doing with your withdrawal from effexor?
I feel great know that I am off it.
Renee
Posted by Spencer on May 2, 2002, at 2:10:35
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Parks, posted by Nuthatch on April 30, 2002, at 23:52:09
What Jannbeau says is so true and her advice is worth taking note of.
I got into state of severe depression last year....My GP sent me to a psychiatrist who put me on Efexor XR 150mg a day. There are numerous side effects but when they are mixed with the symptoms of depression, it is hard to tell which are side effects and which are symptoms. Anyway eventually all the side effects and all the symptoms went away and I have been living a contented and fulfilling life for quite a few months now.
However, I think what turned me around was the cognitive therapy. The depression, I think, was in large part due to years of irrational negative thinking which eventually totally undermined my self confidence and deprived me of self esteem. The therapy (once a week for about 2-3 months) opened up a new world of more rational thinking, where I don't go into a state of anxiety reading all sorts of negative things into what is happening around me and about everything I say and do.
You must be feeling the effects of your loss, which I know from personal experience can cause major depression for many months. You may have depression for other reasons. But if you are not feeling too bad, try the therapy and see if you can cope without the medication. BUT if you find you really can't cope, and your work and life in general is suffering badly, then medication may be needed to get you out of the depression to a sufficient level that you can get the most out of the therapy. You won't achieve the best results from therapy if you are in a state of severe depression.
The only thing is that once you start taking anti-depressants, you will probably have to take them for at least 9 to 12 months. I have had excellent results from Efexor XR but this site proves that it does not work for everyone.
Good luck and keep us informed.
Posted by troys on May 2, 2002, at 19:04:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Nuthatch, posted by Spencer on May 2, 2002, at 2:10:35
I have been in therapy for many years. I had been through the whole drill before, including being hospitalized (in mental wards) for three suicide attempts. My last stay in the hospital was from Jan 5th to Feb 1st, and I really did not expect much different. I have been on a number on meds (Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Xanax, Klonopin, Buspar, Depekote, Ritalin, Sonata, Ambien, Carisoprodol, Norco and Juradisic Patch for back pain ad infanitum...),and I have been in "therapy since 1974.
I have been getting worse and worse. It looked liked nothing was going to work. Finally one the psychiatrists decided to experiment on me with EffexorXR! I had also been asking for my Ritalin back (they had taken it away, saying that there was no reason for me to take it). They started me on 75mg for three days and then increased it to 150mg. I had been in the hospital with NO change in my depression, suicidal riations, or self esteem... and PRESTO! Fours days later I was home.
I no that it suppose to take two to as much as six weeks to determine whether or not psychotropic drugs are helping and I also know that we're all different. However, I am absolutely certain that after being a "psyche patient-lab rat" for years, I've finally found something that works FOR ME (I now am on 250mg of EffexorXR)!
I believe that the best thing you can hope to get out of a forum like this, is some idea of how a drug works for others, or how people have dealt with their illnesses. There is no way to determine how a hand full of individuals experiences with any given treatment (drugs &/or therapy) will have any bearing what so ever on you! The best that you can hope for is that you come away with a little more general knowledge and understanding of how other people are dealing with their, very unique, mental illnesses.
Note: Hopefully some day the our medical schools, research programs,elected officials, and the vast majority of our "friends and neighbors", will take mental illness seriously. Until then we'll still be just lab rats for the mental health hospitals, and weirdoes to the rest of the world. GoodLuck and Good Mental Health
Tim R
Posted by Allen F. on May 2, 2002, at 20:00:06
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » sharonews, posted by Reneb on May 1, 2002, at 21:13:51
Renee ... glad to hear things are going well, especially since I am weining off too. It seams that the last bit is proving to be the hardest on me and unfortunatly on my wife. She is very supportive of me and its hard that I am struggling and it affects her. Its also hard that my spelling is so bad today :).
Has anyone tried 5 HTP? If so, what has been your experience?
Posted by JANNBEAU (homenym) on May 2, 2002, at 23:42:16
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by troys on May 2, 2002, at 19:04:29
>Tim, yours is just the kind of case I was talking about earlier when I suggested that one of our members NOT take Effexor right now as a first line of treatment, but try to get therapy, only for a few weeks. Yours is a different case, with years of mental pain and depression, going on and on, the kind of case that meds may have been meant for. On the other hand, where might you have been if your docs had NEVER put you on these things?
I take Effexor XR for pain relief rather than depression, although I was depressed when I was in constant painand felt 100 years old all the time! I also take Fastin, a drug with similar CNS stimulative properties to Ritalin. Both Fastin and Ritalin have antidepressant effects and some physicians have said all of the SSRI's, at least, as well as Welbutrin are antidepressants only because they are stimulants! I don't pretend to know, but I know I feel better and so did you right after starting the Ritalin. I took my first diet pill at 19, when a well-meaning doctor gave me some powerful stuff for weight loss. It worked! but I believe that the dl-amphetamine in the medication changed my brain permanently (there is research to support this contention, although I came to it on my own). It changed my personality--and not for the better in some ways--I was shier and quieter, altogether more introverted, but I wasn't unhappy being that way, I was just too fat! The other thing it did to me was to me was make my brain exquisitely sensitive to whatever in other drugs make you sleepy, such as antihistamines and some antidepressants, so that, even on just 75 mg a day of Effexor, I cannot function. I had to beg my doctor to give me back my Fastin, too!
The amazing thing is that this drug inhibits pain, also (again, documented). With the low dose of effexor and a low dose of Fastin (about 15 to 20 mg per day--I've never had an urge to increase this dose- I have since been able to cut my Vicodin to 1 tablet a day. I also no longer take ibuprofen or Celebrex, which were responsible for my worsening asthma--a nightmare. These drugs have powerful effects on the CNS and sometimes they are not those that are expected! Very few psychiatrists or pain management specialist know of the pain relieving effect stimulants. Finally, I notice that hydrocodone and codeine also wake me up, with codeine making me "nervous-- Elizabeth, if you're reading this -HI! CNS drugs are funny things. Perhaps we're even seeing an interaction between the cns stims and Effexor that actually increases the efficaciousness of Effexor. Doses may need to be adjusted. Be very careful, however, not to mix certain drugs with Effexor. I seem to have suffered a terrible case of Serotonin Syndrome whe one doctor put me on Effexor and Ultram at the same time. All this is the reason I caution against beginning CNS active meds if one can possibly wait it out! All these drugs make me feel as if my life is run by medications. I'm not depressed and I don't hurt, however, so I guess I'm getting what I asked for!! Oh, yeah have to take Ambien and Xanax at night (insomnia predating any drugs, not a result of stimulants)! A cautionary tale, is it not?
Jannbeau
I have been in therapy for many years. I had been through the whole drill before, including being hospitalized (in mental wards) for three suicide attempts. My last stay in the hospital was from Jan 5th to Feb 1st, and I really did not expect much different. I have been on a number on meds (Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Xanax, Klonopin, Buspar, Depekote, Ritalin, Sonata, Ambien, Carisoprodol, Norco and Juradisic Patch for back pain ad infanitum...),and I have been in "therapy since 1974.
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> I have been getting worse and worse. It looked liked nothing was going to work. Finally one the psychiatrists decided to experiment on me with EffexorXR! I had also been asking for my Ritalin back (they had taken it away, saying that there was no reason for me to take it). They started me on 75mg for three days and then increased it to 150mg. I had been in the hospital with NO change in my depression, suicidal riations, or self esteem... and PRESTO! Fours days later I was home.
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> I no that it suppose to take two to as much as six weeks to determine whether or not psychotropic drugs are helping and I also know that we're all different. However, I am absolutely certain that after being a "psyche patient-lab rat" for years, I've finally found something that works FOR ME (I now am on 250mg of EffexorXR)!
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> I believe that the best thing you can hope to get out of a forum like this, is some idea of how a drug works for others, or how people have dealt with their illnesses. There is no way to determine how a hand full of individuals experiences with any given treatment (drugs &/or therapy) will have any bearing what so ever on you! The best that you can hope for is that you come away with a little more general knowledge and understanding of how other people are dealing with their, very unique, mental illnesses.
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> Note: Hopefully some day the our medical schools, research programs,elected officials, and the vast majority of our "friends and neighbors", will take mental illness seriously. Until then we'll still be just lab rats for the mental health hospitals, and weirdoes to the rest of the world. GoodLuck and Good Mental Health
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> Tim R
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