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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by grampieb on June 7, 2002, at 7:56:16
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I just started taking effexor and am noticing sexual problems, I am wondering if these go away like the dizzyness or the tiredness. If they do not go away has anyone tried Viagra to help with these problems? Mine it that I cannot reach an orgasm.
Posted by Schuyler on June 7, 2002, at 9:08:32
In reply to Male Sexual Problems, posted by grampieb on June 7, 2002, at 7:56:16
> I just started taking effexor and am noticing sexual problems, I am wondering if these go away like the dizzyness or the tiredness. If they do not go away has anyone tried Viagra to help with these problems? Mine it that I cannot reach an orgasm.
I don't know if they go away. I quit (Side-)Effexor because I had 4 nasty side-effects, 3 of them uro-genital, after only 2 days at 75 mg. On Celexa, I first lost my orgasms and soon after that I got a side-effect that Viagra couldn't fix, so the pdoc told me to try something else.
YMMV, of course.
Schuyler
Posted by Rainman57 on June 7, 2002, at 19:16:29
In reply to Male Sexual Problems, posted by grampieb on June 7, 2002, at 7:56:16
> I just started taking effexor and am noticing sexual problems, I am wondering if these go away like the dizzyness or the tiredness. If they do not go away has anyone tried Viagra to help with these problems? Mine it that I cannot reach an orgasm.
I had a similar problem with Effexor when I first started taking it. Everything worked OK sexually except for the ejaculation/orgasm. This side effect last 2-3 weeks. After that, things went back to normal for the most part. Each time I increased the dosage, this side effect came back for another few weeks. I've been at 150mg now for about 5 months and have not experienced any side effects since the dosage change. The medicine really seems to help significantly with my depression. Good luck, hope this helps.
Posted by Reneb on June 7, 2002, at 21:25:20
In reply to Re: going off still, posted by Butterfly on June 5, 2002, at 10:38:05
> > Today will be day 5 of going off the Effexor. I am now halving the half and will do so until Friday. I am still itchy and very forgetful. I can tell the drug is leaving, I am starting to dream again, but I can still fall asleep anytime and remain in deep sleep for hours. I will be starting Wellbutrin on friday. Has anyone been on this one?
>
>
>
> Hi
> Wellbutrin has very bad press up where I live, in fact it's almost not prescribed at all anymore.
> A number of "stories" have been read in various newspapers lately, about possible deadly side-effects of this drug.
>
> Well, to make things even worse a young fellow (31) died lately in my hometown, and the coroner has established that the arythmia causing his death was a direct consequence of is taking Wellbutrin.
>
> My doc has said that he would not prescribe this drug anymore, and that from what he knows not many of his colleagues would either.
>
> FWIW
> Butterfly
Hi Butterfly, could you tell me what the bad press is? can I get this information?thanks,
Renee
Posted by Reneb on June 7, 2002, at 21:26:50
In reply to Re: going off still, posted by Schuyler on June 7, 2002, at 7:04:37
>
> > > I've been on Wellbutrin for 13 years. It is the only AD that ever did me any good. I am now trying to add Methylphenidate (Ritalin) to see if that helps. So far, it helps a little.
> > >
> > > Schuyler
> >
> > Hi Schuyler, could you tell me what the bad press is? Can i get this information ?
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > Renee
>
> Bad press?
>
> SchuylerSorry, I meant to send it to butterfly. She was the one that said it was getting bad press.
Renee
Posted by Butterfly on June 8, 2002, at 10:54:17
In reply to Re: going off still » Butterfly, posted by Reneb on June 7, 2002, at 21:25:20
Renee
I can't say very much about Wellbutrin because I'm not a specialist, but I will just report a few facts.A few months ago, here up in Canada, the press has reported the death of a 31 yr old guy as a result of severe arythmia. The guy was taking Wellbutrin for depression. The coroner suspected that there could be a link between the death and the medication. They eventually officially linked the death of the guy to his medication. Apparently, he was following the prescription carefully and didn't mix the med with anything else.
In fact Wellbutrin, even though it actually has helped a number of people with their depression, and is an anti-depressant with very few if any sexual side-effects (unlike many anti-depressants), has had press almost since its introduction. A number of cases of seizures and deaths have been reported all over N.A. This has been widely reported in the medical and non-medical press.
If you try to go to the Wellbutrin official site (www.wellbutrin.com), you will see that it's being "updated", and it's "being updated" for quite a while, and it doesn't have much to offer in terms of information, in comparison with the websites of Effexor or Remeron for example, to name just a couple.
But you can do a search using a search engine like Google and your findings, if they look like mine, may lead you to reconsider your choice to take this medication.
For one, my doc said "forget about it, there's too much uncertainty at this point around this med, and some things need to be clarified to unsure that Wellbutrin is safe." He also added that given the likely level of risk for the patient and the risk of recourse aganst the practitioner, very few doctors were prescribing it here now.
That was enough for me. I guess, like with everything when a decision is made one has to weigh the pros and cons. I personnally assumed that my doc knew more about it than me, and I have choosed to follow his advice.
So I went to Remeron which, other than helping my sleep, does nothing good for me. But thats' another story.... Effexor was working fine, but I couldn't stand the side-effects.
Good luck
Butterfly
BTW, Butterfly is a "he" !
Posted by Reneb on June 8, 2002, at 12:41:12
In reply to Re: going off still, posted by Butterfly on June 8, 2002, at 10:54:17
> Renee
> I can't say very much about Wellbutrin because I'm not a specialist, but I will just report a few facts.
>
> A few months ago, here up in Canada, the press has reported the death of a 31 yr old guy as a result of severe arythmia. The guy was taking Wellbutrin for depression. The coroner suspected that there could be a link between the death and the medication. They eventually officially linked the death of the guy to his medication. Apparently, he was following the prescription carefully and didn't mix the med with anything else.
>
> In fact Wellbutrin, even though it actually has helped a number of people with their depression, and is an anti-depressant with very few if any sexual side-effects (unlike many anti-depressants), has had press almost since its introduction. A number of cases of seizures and deaths have been reported all over N.A. This has been widely reported in the medical and non-medical press.
>
> If you try to go to the Wellbutrin official site (www.wellbutrin.com), you will see that it's being "updated", and it's "being updated" for quite a while, and it doesn't have much to offer in terms of information, in comparison with the websites of Effexor or Remeron for example, to name just a couple.
>
> But you can do a search using a search engine like Google and your findings, if they look like mine, may lead you to reconsider your choice to take this medication.
>
> For one, my doc said "forget about it, there's too much uncertainty at this point around this med, and some things need to be clarified to unsure that Wellbutrin is safe." He also added that given the likely level of risk for the patient and the risk of recourse aganst the practitioner, very few doctors were prescribing it here now.
>
> That was enough for me. I guess, like with everything when a decision is made one has to weigh the pros and cons. I personnally assumed that my doc knew more about it than me, and I have choosed to follow his advice.
>
> So I went to Remeron which, other than helping my sleep, does nothing good for me. But thats' another story.... Effexor was working fine, but I couldn't stand the side-effects.
>
> Good luck
>
> Butterfly
> BTW, Butterfly is a "he" !
Butterfly, Thank so much for the info. I am on 400mg of wellbutrin. So I was concerned. I am so sorry about the he/she thing.
Posted by Donald on June 8, 2002, at 20:44:13
In reply to Re: Alternative Ways of dealing with Depression, posted by hank on June 4, 2002, at 9:29:36
> >
> > > I switched to Viagra + Senade.
> > > MIRACLE RESULT !
> > > No side effects!
> > > No depression!
> >
> >
> > what is Senade? i've never heard of it...
>
> A Russian laxative, CEHADE (imagine that's in Cyrillic though). Not exactly widely available, nor does it have any sort of antidepressive effect so I have no idea why this chap is mentioning it unless it's in response to others talking about constipation.Yes, thanks for comments.
Senna extract and Viagra that's what helped me.Let me suggest that one becomes depressed when the body is filled with what supposed to be exerted regularly.
When we clean body from inside, that may include moderate dieting, we may become more rejuvenated and depression free.
Posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 15:07:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I had my last dose of Effexor on Friday...after tapering I also began Wellbutrin on Friday 100mg. I felt ok on Friday, a bit more energy , which I serious needed and was able to do some long over due work. By Sunday (yesterday) I was feeling more tired and nauseous, achy and lethargic. Today I feel like I haven't slept in weeks (although I have). Am I experiencing the withdrawal from the Effexor or the beginning effect of the Wellbutrin. I had thought that the Wellbutrin gave more of an up. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Oh, I am also getting this zapping feeling...what the hell is that?
Posted by JANNBEAU on June 10, 2002, at 15:24:56
In reply to withdrawal?????, posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 15:07:22
Hard to tell, what with two meds = confounding variable. However, the "zapping" or "brain zaps" or "brain shivers" have been described with the "discontinuation" syndrome associated with some AD's, including that of Effexor
Cheers,
jannbeau
Posted by supergirl on June 10, 2002, at 15:47:54
In reply to withdrawal?????, posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 15:07:22
> I had my last dose of Effexor on Friday...after tapering I also began Wellbutrin on Friday 100mg. I felt ok on Friday, a bit more energy , which I serious needed and was able to do some long over due work. By Sunday (yesterday) I was feeling more tired and nauseous, achy and lethargic. Today I feel like I haven't slept in weeks (although I have). Am I experiencing the withdrawal from the Effexor or the beginning effect of the Wellbutrin. I had thought that the Wellbutrin gave more of an up. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Oh, I am also getting this zapping feeling...what the hell is that?
I have also just stopped Effexor, taking the last dose (hopefully) on saturday. I was on 150 mg. When I went down to 75 mg, i had more energy, was in better spririts, all around feeling good. As soon as I went down to 37 mg, two weeks ago, I have been very tired. I can't get myself out of bed until I absoulutely have to in order to get to work, sleeping 10 or 12 hours a night. I am also on Prozac 20 mg to help me with withdrawal. That really has helped with the zapping feeling your getting, a withdrawal symptom not widely known until you go through it, but I have no ambition whatsoever on it, and I can't wait to be able to discontinue the Prozac, too.
From my experience, and seeing it in others, withdrawal usually starts getting unbearable on the 2nd day it isnt taken. It SOUNDS like you are going through withdrawal, but don't count out the Welbutrin... read the info to know the side effects. Whatever the case may be, you should talk to your doc. You might just need to tapper off of the Effexor a little more slowly.supergirl
Posted by Grace Coyote on June 10, 2002, at 17:28:10
In reply to Re: withdrawal?????, posted by supergirl on June 10, 2002, at 15:47:54
Thanks for the feedback. I am very sensitive to these AD's and I had only been on the Effexor for 6 weeks on a low dose (75mg), I tapered to 37.5 for about 4 days and then half of that for 3 or 4 more days then nothing and onto Wellbutrin. I have been taking a small dose of Ativan for the zaps and this seems to relax my brain for awhile anyway. How long does this usually last? This is getting to be ridiculous.
Posted by spu on June 11, 2002, at 5:29:43
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hey folks. Just thought we needed to see some positives around here for a change. I posted back on 5/13, the day I started this crazy ride, and have actually been doing better this past month! I am up to 75mg/d with no, check it, NO, side effects to speak of (knock on wood). I can't say this episode has past, I am about 40% these days. Some good, some bad days. It sure beats the 4 years it took me to pull myself out of the last episode with no help. To bad the first relationship I got into afer that turned out to be a dishonest disaster with a friend of three years. But everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and I'm glad it forced me to get some help. Tomorrow is my 27th birthday, and I am actually excited about the many years and adventures that lay ahead, regaurdless of this condition. I don't post often, but read everyday, and will continue to do so. I hope we all find what we need to make things better for ourselves. I am glad to know I am not alone.....
Posted by Butterfly on June 11, 2002, at 8:26:30
In reply to Some good news for a change..., posted by spu on June 11, 2002, at 5:29:43
> Hey folks. Just thought we needed to see some positives around here for a change. I posted back on 5/13, the day I started this crazy ride, and have actually been doing better this past month! I am up to 75mg/d with no, check it, NO, side effects to speak of (knock on wood). I can't say this episode has past, I am about 40% these days. Some good, some bad days. It sure beats the 4 years it took me to pull myself out of the last episode with no help. To bad the first relationship I got into afer that turned out to be a dishonest disaster with a friend of three years. But everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and I'm glad it forced me to get some help. Tomorrow is my 27th birthday, and I am actually excited about the many years and adventures that lay ahead, regaurdless of this condition. I don't post often, but read everyday, and will continue to do so. I hope we all find what we need to make things better for ourselves. I am glad to know I am not alone.....
Thanks for sharing Spu. Glad to see you seem to be doing OK. Looks like you are on the right track, and getting the right lessons from life
keep going
Butterfly
Posted by angeltalena on June 11, 2002, at 11:32:31
In reply to Re: Some good news for a change..., posted by Butterfly on June 11, 2002, at 8:26:30
I also love good news and have been on Effexor 37.5 for about a month now. I just went up to the 75 in the last few days and feel so much more like myself. It's a good feeling. I had been depressed and having anxiety problems since an auto accident in the spring. I am thirsty but like drinking a lot of water and my appetite is less which is good. I am interested in any and all other good reports. I recently got in touch with a girl who is still happy with this medicine after three years!
Angel
> > Hey folks. Just thought we needed to see some positives around here for a change. I posted back on 5/13, the day I started this crazy ride, and have actually been doing better this past month! I am up to 75mg/d with no, check it, NO, side effects to speak of (knock on wood). I can't say this episode has past, I am about 40% these days. Some good, some bad days. It sure beats the 4 years it took me to pull myself out of the last episode with no help. To bad the first relationship I got into afer that turned out to be a dishonest disaster with a friend of three years. But everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and I'm glad it forced me to get some help. Tomorrow is my 27th birthday, and I am actually excited about the many years and adventures that lay ahead, regaurdless of this condition. I don't post often, but read everyday, and will continue to do so. I hope we all find what we need to make things better for ourselves. I am glad to know I am not alone.....
>
>
>
> Thanks for sharing Spu. Glad to see you seem to be doing OK. Looks like you are on the right track, and getting the right lessons from life
> keep going
> Butterfly
Posted by Collier on June 12, 2002, at 15:38:02
In reply to Re: Some good news for a change... » Butterfly, posted by angeltalena on June 11, 2002, at 11:32:31
WOW.. Is really all I can say.. I was just messing around the net, typed in Effexor and found this chat group.. Wonderfull.. I've been on Effexor now for about 6-7 months.. Gradually moved to the average dose.. (The Red pills) and I'm doing great.. Within those six months I have lost my father, had brain surgery, and just started my divorce.. So tough times to say the least, but you know what everything happens for a reason and I can deal with it without that pain in my chest from the anxiety, and without those bouts with depression.. It's just so incredibly wonderfull.. I've never really had any side effects other than getting better.. I always take it with food, and never felt any nausea.. If anyone out there is in need of some help and reading this, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try it.. It took me about 2 months to start, simply because of my preconcieved notions of taking an anti-depressant. But I am so very glad I did..
Posted by angeltalena on June 12, 2002, at 15:49:35
In reply to Re: Some good news for a change..., posted by Collier on June 12, 2002, at 15:38:02
Thank you so much, Collier. This is the kind of response that helps so much. I feel better just hearing good reports. There are far too many scary ones out there but I think the ones that have bad reports can find another type of pill that will help them if this one doesn't.
Thanks,
Angel
Posted by glacon on June 12, 2002, at 18:10:09
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
Hello,
I have been on almost all of the SSRI's and had to discontinue them because they have caused me extreme hypersomnia (sleepyness.) I tried choripramime (sp?) which also had this effect. Now I am on Effexor XR (for about a week and a half) and have the same effect. Does anyone else have this problem? It never went away with the other meds, any chance it wil subside with this one?
Thank you
Posted by LynnPerley on June 12, 2002, at 19:16:01
In reply to Hypersomnia , posted by glacon on June 12, 2002, at 18:10:09
What dose are you on? What time of day do you take it? I found that this side effect imroved when I started taking it at night, after I was already sleepy, at bedtime. It took about 4 weeks of being on 150 mg before it improved for me.
Posted by LynnPerley on June 12, 2002, at 19:23:50
In reply to Re: Some good news for a change..., posted by Collier on June 12, 2002, at 15:38:02
I also have had a good experience so far. I liked Prozac better, but the side effects were worse. I see the doc Friday for a review. Not sure if he will suggest increasing the dose or not.
One caution - do NOT forget a dose of this medicine. I take it at bedtime now and apparently I forgot to take it one night. I started getting a headache about 12 hours after my usual dose time, and by 18 hours after the usual dose time I had one of the worst headaches, ever, was nauseous, etc. I suddenly realized I may have forgotten the previous dose, so I took a dose and the headache went away. I guess this is what sudden withdrawal would be like.
I think most of the negative posts here about Effexor XR have to do with withdrawal symptoms. When I do go off it I will ask for some Prozac as so many have recommended. I can tolerate the Prozac side effect I had (bruxism) but I cannot tolerate those kind of headaches!
Posted by glacon on June 12, 2002, at 22:15:03
In reply to Re: Hypersomnia » glacon, posted by LynnPerley on June 12, 2002, at 19:16:01
This is my third day at 75mg in the morning every day. Last week I was on 37.5mg a day also in the morning.
I tried taking the other SSRI's and tricyclics in the evening to see if it lessened the effects, and it never did.
thank you
Posted by mara talamaur on June 13, 2002, at 1:27:04
In reply to Hypersomnia , posted by glacon on June 12, 2002, at 18:10:09
Greetings,
and how long did you give each of your past medications before trying the next? Sometimes your body can be wierd about adjusting to steady-state levels of an anti-depressent. However, the clomipramine is a tri-cyclic antidepressent, which are known for their sedative activity.
Cheers,
Mara
Posted by mara talamaur on June 13, 2002, at 1:39:56
In reply to Re: Hypersomnia, posted by glacon on June 12, 2002, at 22:15:03
Greetings
> This is my third day at 75mg in the morning >every day. Last week I was on 37.5mg a day >also in the morning.
and so there you go! Although the length of time you've been on Effexor may not be the only factor, you certainly haven't give the medication the time it needs to really begin treating your probable main reason for taking it! It can take many weeks for the side effects to level off or completely disappear and since you just increased your doseage, you're probably going to have to wait for your body to react to this new dose in a positive way.Try to compensate for the sleepiness by not allowing yourself to stay in bed all day or finding some amusing activity if you begin to feel tired at an odd time of the day. If I begin to get sleepy mid-day, I try to take a trip to the gym as soon as possible...getting your heart pumping is a real energizer.
Good luck! And give it some time....
Cheers,
Mara
p.s. and even though I said clomipramine (anafranil) is a TCA, it's structually similar but I think it also works on serotonin reuptake and norepinephrine uptake which I don't think other TCAs do, but I could be wrong about that. =)
Posted by JessieLynn on June 13, 2002, at 12:13:43
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello,
I have just started taking Effexor XR going on 5 weeks now.
I seemed to have fallen into a depression and anxiety state a few months ago. I have never been through anything like this before so it is really hard for me to describe.
I have read all of your posts for the past couple of years - and I must say A LOT of them scare me.
I have so far had no side effects from this drug other than being really drowzy and lack of appetite. It scares me to think that everybody taking this drug WILL gain weight! Is this true? I am currently not overweight - I am 115 pounds normally but have since dropped down to 105 - because of my lack of appetite.
I have not realy felt to much of a change other than being really angry at my finace - I feel so good about putting him down - which is not like me at all.
Does anybody else have these feelings as well?
Any help would be appreciated.
Posted by Collier on June 13, 2002, at 12:37:25
In reply to New to taking Effexor, posted by JessieLynn on June 13, 2002, at 12:13:43
Wow again... There are no absolutes.. Everyone reacts differently.. I guess I have a couple points.. First talk to your doctor about these things, were just a bunch of laymans.. But never just stop these medications.. It's horrible, you have to step down, no cold turkey, you'll feel like a train hit you, backed up and hit you again for about a week or two if you stop cold turkey.. If you wind it down, taking progressively smaller doses things will be fine.. As to gaining weight or losing your appetite? I've not suffered anything like that.. In fact I am a male 6'2", just over 200 lbs, with very little body fat.. And the reason is that I don't have that anxiety over being in the gym and having to get done in a certain amount of time, or the anxiety around other people.. It's wonderfull, absolutley wonderfull, I think I'm in the best shape of my life.. I sleep better, eat better, and really like myself.. It's crazy how good this stuff is.. I feel like I should be paid for these ads!! But this is close to a miracle drug for me.. It's wonderfull, I really don't see a downside, unless theirs some long term health effects... And you know what, if you are getting some adverse affects to your medication, try something else.. And you'll find that medication that fits your brain.. The doctors don't know, they can just try something else until you tell them that you're fine.. Just keep hammering away, because it's just so good on the other side..
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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