![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 2740 to 2764 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 16:27:03
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 14, 2002, at 15:34:15
> Hello, Mrs.M,
Re the "horrors" of going off Effexor: I didn't find tapering off Effexor-XR so very bad. I had few prolems-- some "brain zaps"-the feeling that my brain was moving inside my head at "warp speed" when I changed head positions-is the only way I can describe these "brain zaps"-- and slight nausea for the first day or two with each step-down of the medication. I just tackled the next lower dose as I felt able and if it was too much, I went back up for few days, then tried again. I think it probably took me less than a month to discontinue Effexor.
To determine if Effexor is responsible for your pain, you may find it necessary to stop the med (sometimes just decreasing the dose will stop a side effect while maintaining the therapeutic effect)to know. If the effect goes away when the med is discontinued, the next step may be to "re-challenge" with the medication to see if the effect returns. Sometimes, re-challenge is not feasible; in some instances, even if rechallenge is possible, a patient will not wish to return to the medication. Usually, there is some other med that will work for you without causing intolerable side effects.
Also, have you considered interactions between Effexor and other meds you may be taking, if any?
Posted by Starwatcher on October 14, 2002, at 17:54:12
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help » Mrs. M, posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 16:27:03
I did something inadvertently this weekend. I took off and went out of town for my ex-sister-in-law's funeral - and forgot to bring most of my meds ( including Effexor) with me! I was without Effexor from Friday - Sunday (37.5 mg. ea. night) I didn't have any withdrawals from what I can tell. Yes, I did wake up with a headache on Saturday morning - but that always happens anyway, and I was able to get rid of it.
Posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 18:24:32
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Starwatcher on October 14, 2002, at 17:54:12
> Hi, Starwatcher!
Cool! I'm so glad you didn't get into any difficulty with discontinuation. Maybe that means that, for you, when it comes to stopping, 37.5 will be a do-able dose. Does this make you think perhaps that the brain may have a threshold for the effects of AD's with short half-lives, or all ADs for that matter? Threshold doses might not result in as great a potential for discontinuation syndrome? Does that make sense?
Cheers,
jannbeauI did something inadvertently this weekend. I took off and went out of town for my ex-sister-in-law's funeral - and forgot to bring most of my meds ( including Effexor) with me! I was without Effexor from Friday - Sunday (37.5 mg. ea. night) I didn't have any withdrawals from what I can tell. Yes, I did wake up with a headache on Saturday morning - but that always happens anyway, and I was able to get rid of it.
Posted by Starwatcher on October 14, 2002, at 19:11:00
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help » Starwatcher, posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 18:24:32
I'm glad I didn't have any problems, either, Jann! I was just planning on going out of town overnight at the most, and then I decided to stay away longer - and I forgot to put an Effexor in my small purse pill bottle. I thought on such a low dose anyway, it might be an interesting experiment to see if I had any withdrawal symptoms.
I know that it's been stated that Effexor has a short half life in the body - but I seem to have drowsy side effects longer than five hours in the morning sometimes!
Starwatcher
I'm sleepy right now...zzzz..zzzz...:)
> > Hi, Starwatcher!
>
> Cool! I'm so glad you didn't get into any difficulty with discontinuation. Maybe that means that, for you, when it comes to stopping, 37.5 will be a do-able dose. Does this make you think perhaps that the brain may have a threshold for the effects of AD's with short half-lives, or all ADs for that matter? Threshold doses might not result in as great a potential for discontinuation syndrome? Does that make sense?
>
> Cheers,
> jannbeau
>
> I did something inadvertently this weekend. I took off and went out of town for my ex-sister-in-law's funeral - and forgot to bring most of my meds ( including Effexor) with me! I was without Effexor from Friday - Sunday (37.5 mg. ea. night) I didn't have any withdrawals from what I can tell. Yes, I did wake up with a headache on Saturday morning - but that always happens anyway, and I was able to get rid of it.
>
>
Posted by legallybrunette on October 14, 2002, at 21:29:38
In reply to Re: help - terrifying side effects, posted by kwm9999 on October 8, 2002, at 22:05:11
hi kwm99999999999999999999999...
well, my side-effects stopped, because i stopped
taking the pills that night, *lol*.
i will patiently tolerate nausea, headaches, or
whatever s.effects may be discomforting - but allow
me to feel sane - but when it comes to feeling like
i'm seriously whigging out on some potent, african
jungle-weed.....that's where i draw the line.
call me old or chicken or whatever, but it's just
too scary; especially when my heart feels like it's
about to pound out of my chest & onto the floor.but - as i understand - everyone is different.
i just happen to be extremely sensitive to
medication; perhaps too much so: i can barely
tolerate tylenol.my doctor tracked down some antiquated 17.25mg
tablets for me and is encouraging me to take a half
of those for the first week, then upping it to
37.5...so i may give that a go, though i'm not sure
it's worth the worry & potential repeated agony!i just may stick to squash, yoga, sex and wine to
relieve my sadness for now. :-)we'll see...:)
(did you start yours?)
Posted by jflange on October 14, 2002, at 22:17:49
In reply to need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 13, 2002, at 22:37:33
I had the exact same problem (pain behind the eye, somewhat impervious to ibuprofen), and I knew it >had< to be a result of the meds.
After going to the eye doctor to make sure I did not have glaucoma (I didn't), I suspected it might be some kind of med-induced migraine. It feels like a vascular headache localized right behind the eyes. This past summer I began taking calcium and magnesium supplements after reading an article about their deficiency in migraine sufferers. Since then, I have had no more problems with the eye pain. Could be just a coincidence but it is worth a try!
jflange
Posted by Sioux on October 14, 2002, at 22:37:50
In reply to for kwm9999 - Re: help - terrifying side effects, posted by legallybrunette on October 14, 2002, at 21:29:38
Legallybrunette said: (did you start yours?)
So I ask: My what, squash, yoga, sex, and wine? The yoga's the only thing I can do alone <G>
So far my taper's doing very well.
Posted by jannbeau on October 15, 2002, at 9:43:04
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Starwatcher on October 14, 2002, at 19:11:00
>Same here, to the point that I had to add a stimulant to stay awake. That's the major reason I stopped Effexor. I couldn't function, couldn't think! It may have been related to some sort of interaction with some other med that I take. Don't know!
Jannbeau
I'm glad I didn't have any problems, either, Jann! I was just planning on going out of town overnight at the most, and then I decided to stay away longer - and I forgot to put an Effexor in my small purse pill bottle. I thought on such a low dose anyway, it might be an interesting experiment to see if I had any withdrawal symptoms.
>
> I know that it's been stated that Effexor has a short half life in the body - but I seem to have drowsy side effects longer than five hours in the morning sometimes!
>
>
> Starwatcher
> I'm sleepy right now...zzzz..zzzz...:)
>
>
> > > Hi, Starwatcher!
> >
> > Cool! I'm so glad you didn't get into any difficulty with discontinuation. Maybe that means that, for you, when it comes to stopping, 37.5 will be a do-able dose. Does this make you think perhaps that the brain may have a threshold for the effects of AD's with short half-lives, or all ADs for that matter? Threshold doses might not result in as great a potential for discontinuation syndrome? Does that make sense?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > jannbeau
> >
> > I did something inadvertently this weekend. I took off and went out of town for my ex-sister-in-law's funeral - and forgot to bring most of my meds ( including Effexor) with me! I was without Effexor from Friday - Sunday (37.5 mg. ea. night) I didn't have any withdrawals from what I can tell. Yes, I did wake up with a headache on Saturday morning - but that always happens anyway, and I was able to get rid of it.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by cab on October 17, 2002, at 10:30:47
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Mrs. M on October 14, 2002, at 15:34:15
Two things relevant to the eye pain/stopping effexor thread, for what they're worth:
1) I've had the behind-the-eye pain on and off my whole life, and the only thing that has worked is flushing my sinuses with warm salt-water once or twice a day (using a "netti-pot" which you can get at a health food store). It's a yoga thing; you basically just tilt your head and pour the salt-water into one nostril and let it flow out the other. I'm not particularly into home remedies, but someone convinced me to try it and it really works. It hasn't completely eliminated the pain, but I get it much less often and it lasts for a shorter period of time -- and I'm no longer taking allergy medication, although I live in the "allergy capitol of the world" (Austin, TX). I don't know if it will work for you, but it might be worth a try -- it doesn't hurt (although it feels a little weird having water go in one nostril and out the other til you get used to it). For me it's now so routine it's like brushing my teeth.
2) If you do decide to go off effexor, it's not necessarily going to be a problem. I was on 37.5mg, and just stopped last week. For a few days I opened the capsule and poured some of the medication out, closed it back up, and took it. Then I stopped completely. I had no withdrawal effects whatsoever. Of course, that's not to say you definitely won't have a problem; I'm just trying to help give a balanced view here -- some people have trouble getting off effexor, and some don't. In any case, one should do it slowly.
cab
Posted by jannbeau on October 17, 2002, at 11:16:40
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by cab on October 17, 2002, at 10:30:47
>
Hi, Cab!I, too, live in the "allergy capital" and I, too, do the nasal irrigation thing, per my allergist. Not only have I been able to discontinue most allergy meds or to use them less frequently, but I seem to be getting fewer colds. My husband (who does NOT do the nasal irrigation) is 3 for 3 colds to which we both have been exposed. I, on the other hand, have caught 1 of the 3 and that was when I did NOT do the nasal irrigation thing. My allergist prescribes hypertonic saline buffered with Arm and Hammer baking SODA. He also suggests using a water-pic like instrument to irrigate. The allergy shop on Jefferson Ave in Austin sells a nasal irrigant tip for the Water Pic). Cheap and works like a charm. No morning headaches and I can breathe at night, too.
I also agree that discontinuation syndrome is guaranteed to occur when going off Effexor. I think, like you, that dropping the dose slowly and dividing the capsules will ameliorate these difficulties.
Cheers,
jannbeau
Two things relevant to the eye pain/stopping effexor thread, for what they're worth:
>
> 1) I've had the behind-the-eye pain on and off my whole life, and the only thing that has worked is flushing my sinuses with warm salt-water once or twice a day (using a "netti-pot" which you can get at a health food store). It's a yoga thing; you basically just tilt your head and pour the salt-water into one nostril and let it flow out the other. I'm not particularly into home remedies, but someone convinced me to try it and it really works. It hasn't completely eliminated the pain, but I get it much less often and it lasts for a shorter period of time -- and I'm no longer taking allergy medication, although I live in the "allergy capitol of the world" (Austin, TX). I don't know if it will work for you, but it might be worth a try -- it doesn't hurt (although it feels a little weird having water go in one nostril and out the other til you get used to it). For me it's now so routine it's like brushing my teeth.
>
> 2) If you do decide to go off effexor, it's not necessarily going to be a problem. I was on 37.5mg, and just stopped last week. For a few days I opened the capsule and poured some of the medication out, closed it back up, and took it. Then I stopped completely. I had no withdrawal effects whatsoever. Of course, that's not to say you definitely won't have a problem; I'm just trying to help give a balanced view here -- some people have trouble getting off effexor, and some don't. In any case, one should do it slowly.
>
> cab
Posted by cab on October 17, 2002, at 11:48:56
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help » cab, posted by jannbeau on October 17, 2002, at 11:16:40
Hi fellow Austinite,
I've had the same experience! No colds, even when my non-nasal-irrigating husband gets them! I don't use baking soda, though; I wonder what that's adds to the saline. Anyway, if you want to talk more about this or any Austin-related stuff, you can email me at [email protected].
Have a good day,
cab> Hi, Cab!
>
> I, too, live in the "allergy capital" and I, too, do the nasal irrigation thing, per my allergist. Not only have I been able to discontinue most allergy meds or to use them less frequently, but I seem to be getting fewer colds. My husband (who does NOT do the nasal irrigation) is 3 for 3 colds to which we both have been exposed. I, on the other hand, have caught 1 of the 3 and that was when I did NOT do the nasal irrigation thing. My allergist prescribes hypertonic saline buffered with Arm and Hammer baking SODA. He also suggests using a water-pic like instrument to irrigate. The allergy shop on Jefferson Ave in Austin sells a nasal irrigant tip for the Water Pic). Cheap and works like a charm. No morning headaches and I can breathe at night, too.
>
> I also agree that discontinuation syndrome is guaranteed to occur when going off Effexor. I think, like you, that dropping the dose slowly and dividing the capsules will ameliorate these difficulties.
>
> Cheers,
> jannbeau
> Two things relevant to the eye pain/stopping effexor thread, for what they're worth:
> >
> > 1) I've had the behind-the-eye pain on and off my whole life, and the only thing that has worked is flushing my sinuses with warm salt-water once or twice a day (using a "netti-pot" which you can get at a health food store). It's a yoga thing; you basically just tilt your head and pour the salt-water into one nostril and let it flow out the other. I'm not particularly into home remedies, but someone convinced me to try it and it really works. It hasn't completely eliminated the pain, but I get it much less often and it lasts for a shorter period of time -- and I'm no longer taking allergy medication, although I live in the "allergy capitol of the world" (Austin, TX). I don't know if it will work for you, but it might be worth a try -- it doesn't hurt (although it feels a little weird having water go in one nostril and out the other til you get used to it). For me it's now so routine it's like brushing my teeth.
> >
> > 2) If you do decide to go off effexor, it's not necessarily going to be a problem. I was on 37.5mg, and just stopped last week. For a few days I opened the capsule and poured some of the medication out, closed it back up, and took it. Then I stopped completely. I had no withdrawal effects whatsoever. Of course, that's not to say you definitely won't have a problem; I'm just trying to help give a balanced view here -- some people have trouble getting off effexor, and some don't. In any case, one should do it slowly.
> >
> > cab
>
>
Posted by jannbeau on October 17, 2002, at 12:03:04
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by cab on October 17, 2002, at 11:48:56
> Hello, Cab: Thanks, I'll contact you via email.
BTW, I meant to say in the last paragraph of my post that "discontinuation syndrome is NOT guaranteed when coming off Effexor." I had few if any problems tapering off the med. Sorry if I confused anyone.
Cheers,
jannbeauHi fellow Austinite,
> I've had the same experience! No colds, even when my non-nasal-irrigating husband gets them! I don't use baking soda, though; I wonder what that's adds to the saline. Anyway, if you want to talk more about this or any Austin-related stuff, you can email me at [email protected].
> Have a good day,
> cab
>
> > Hi, Cab!
> >
> > I, too, live in the "allergy capital" and I, too, do the nasal irrigation thing, per my allergist. Not only have I been able to discontinue most allergy meds or to use them less frequently, but I seem to be getting fewer colds. My husband (who does NOT do the nasal irrigation) is 3 for 3 colds to which we both have been exposed. I, on the other hand, have caught 1 of the 3 and that was when I did NOT do the nasal irrigation thing. My allergist prescribes hypertonic saline buffered with Arm and Hammer baking SODA. He also suggests using a water-pic like instrument to irrigate. The allergy shop on Jefferson Ave in Austin sells a nasal irrigant tip for the Water Pic). Cheap and works like a charm. No morning headaches and I can breathe at night, too.
> >
> > I also agree that discontinuation syndrome is guaranteed to occur when going off Effexor. I think, like you, that dropping the dose slowly and dividing the capsules will ameliorate these difficulties.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > jannbeau
> > Two things relevant to the eye pain/stopping effexor thread, for what they're worth:
> > >
> > > 1) I've had the behind-the-eye pain on and off my whole life, and the only thing that has worked is flushing my sinuses with warm salt-water once or twice a day (using a "netti-pot" which you can get at a health food store). It's a yoga thing; you basically just tilt your head and pour the salt-water into one nostril and let it flow out the other. I'm not particularly into home remedies, but someone convinced me to try it and it really works. It hasn't completely eliminated the pain, but I get it much less often and it lasts for a shorter period of time -- and I'm no longer taking allergy medication, although I live in the "allergy capitol of the world" (Austin, TX). I don't know if it will work for you, but it might be worth a try -- it doesn't hurt (although it feels a little weird having water go in one nostril and out the other til you get used to it). For me it's now so routine it's like brushing my teeth.
> > >
> > > 2) If you do decide to go off effexor, it's not necessarily going to be a problem. I was on 37.5mg, and just stopped last week. For a few days I opened the capsule and poured some of the medication out, closed it back up, and took it. Then I stopped completely. I had no withdrawal effects whatsoever. Of course, that's not to say you definitely won't have a problem; I'm just trying to help give a balanced view here -- some people have trouble getting off effexor, and some don't. In any case, one should do it slowly.
> > >
> > > cab
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Starwatcher on October 17, 2002, at 16:39:50
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help » cab, posted by jannbeau on October 17, 2002, at 12:03:04
I hope this doesn't post twice - 'cuz I tried posting it before, but I don't think I followed through all the way.
My allergy doc turned me on to a sinus rinsing device. it's called "Nel-Med" and it's manufactured in Santa Rosa, Ca. It's a plastic bottle with a tube in it and a cap with a hole. It comes with pre-mixed and pre-measured small foil packs of a baking soda and saline solution. You put it into the bottle and add either warm or cool water - the choice is yours - and squirt it up your nostrils, and it rinses them out. I do it in the shower or over the sink. It's really good if you've been somewhere dusty or dirty. Also good for easing sinus headaches!
Posted by jannbeau on October 17, 2002, at 16:49:09
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by Starwatcher on October 17, 2002, at 16:39:50
>Hi, Starwatcher: Amazing--we're ALL irrigating!!! Is the device you describe expensive? Once you have the Water Pic and the special tip, the cost is minimal for supplies in the process I use.
Hum, I wonder if this conversation qualifies as "medication?" Guess we could refer to the rx as NaCL and NaHCO3; salt and baking soda in these concentrations are definitely not condiments!
Cheers,
jannbeauI hope this doesn't post twice - 'cuz I tried posting it before, but I don't think I followed through all the way.
>
> My allergy doc turned me on to a sinus rinsing device. it's called "Nel-Med" and it's manufactured in Santa Rosa, Ca. It's a plastic bottle with a tube in it and a cap with a hole. It comes with pre-mixed and pre-measured small foil packs of a baking soda and saline solution. You put it into the bottle and add either warm or cool water - the choice is yours - and squirt it up your nostrils, and it rinses them out. I do it in the shower or over the sink. It's really good if you've been somewhere dusty or dirty. Also good for easing sinus headaches!
>
Posted by kwm9999 on October 17, 2002, at 20:23:14
In reply to for kwm9999 - Re: help - terrifying side effects, posted by legallybrunette on October 14, 2002, at 21:29:38
LB-
Yeah, I started taking it.....not too bad but has made me VERY drowsy (yawn..) I feel like an old man. Maybe I should try the wine and sex, too...Did you start on the 17.5mg pills? let me know how it's going
KWM9999
Posted by Starwatcher on October 17, 2002, at 21:52:50
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help, posted by jannbeau on October 17, 2002, at 16:49:09
Hi, jann! No, the device I use costs at most $20, and refill foil packs that seem to last quite awhile cost $11. Here's the link below for anyone that's interested in possibly using it:
http://www.unimedprod.com/faqs_nasal.html
I won't ever go back to not doing it again. The warm water feels good and clears my head out so I can breathe better!
> >Hi, Starwatcher: Amazing--we're ALL irrigating!!! Is the device you describe expensive? Once you have the Water Pic and the special tip, the cost is minimal for supplies in the process I use.
>
> Hum, I wonder if this conversation qualifies as "medication?" Guess we could refer to the rx as NaCL and NaHCO3; salt and baking soda in these concentrations are definitely not condiments!
>
> Cheers,
> jannbeau
>
> I hope this doesn't post twice - 'cuz I tried posting it before, but I don't think I followed through all the way.
> >
> > My allergy doc turned me on to a sinus rinsing device. it's called "Nel-Med" and it's manufactured in Santa Rosa, Ca. It's a plastic bottle with a tube in it and a cap with a hole. It comes with pre-mixed and pre-measured small foil packs of a baking soda and saline solution. You put it into the bottle and add either warm or cool water - the choice is yours - and squirt it up your nostrils, and it rinses them out. I do it in the shower or over the sink. It's really good if you've been somewhere dusty or dirty. Also good for easing sinus headaches!
> >
>
>
Posted by cherry on October 17, 2002, at 23:09:03
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
I've just been put on Effexor slow release 75mg, for long-standing depression (10years) and some anxiety. Have tried Zoloft or Serzone once (can't remember which), got headaches and rash. After 4 days of this stuff, I feel nauseous (now manageable), but also disturbed vision, feel disassociated ('weird'), lop-sided, jaw tension, hot face then sometimes chills, body on the verge of twitching (but not yet), foggy-brain and now, today, a return of my 'dark' feelings, where I don't feel trustful of others, and that I don't 'fit in'.
Is this amount of side-effects normal so soon? Should my doctor be trying something else first? I feel scared, especially after reading so many postings, that this drug is really bad news, and a 'last resort', but for me it seems to be only second resort. I'm really sensitive to medicaiton normally, and have had a bloody awful last 2 years getting my brain back after TB drugs - of all things. So, I'm really not into a repeat.
Any advice?
Also, has it struck anyone reading these boards that many of us seem to be very intelligent - Does anyone agree, and do you think there's a link between a high ability to see the world as it really is, and depression?? Cos I've been trying to work this stuff out for years...
cherry
Posted by Sioux on October 18, 2002, at 1:05:18
In reply to Have I got too many side-effects?, posted by cherry on October 17, 2002, at 23:09:03
Hi, Cherry! I'm sorry you're having a rough time of it - after having had another rough time. That sucks.
The side effects calm down after about a week. If you're sensitive to meds, perhaps starting with 37.5 and then the 75 mg might have made a smoother transition. It is not a drug to be afraid of - it's been in use for quite some time. The peculiar reactions that you're reading about on this board are probably because the medication messes about with the concentrations of seratonin in the brain. Some stuff is very well known about this, and other not well known at all.
I keep a 'drug log.' It's a daily count of my meds and any effects I notice. With time I've learned to 'overlay' this log on my work calendar. Sometimes I can see where my medical condition is effecting my work and sometimes I can see the other way around, but mostly I notice that most side effects go away or become familiar within a week or two. The next question, of course, is "Is it worth it?" and that's something only you can answer.
Yes, I too have noticed that this board has more than a fair share of pretty smart (and fun) people. Definitely an analytical/observing bent. Maybe there is a correlation. I'll bet the MMPI has a subscale for depression among smart people.
Posted by kitkat on October 18, 2002, at 16:04:51
In reply to Have I got too many side-effects?, posted by cherry on October 17, 2002, at 23:09:03
Hope you're feeling better every day, it does take some time for the bod to adjust, and I think my doc said it might take up to 4 weeks for the full anti -d benefits to take hold. Hang in there if you can!
Some of the messages here can be a little scary, but I suspect that people posting to this board may be a very small percentage of people taking Effexor....anyone know the annual # of doses?
I agree that there's a lot of intelligence and curiosity shown here. Inquiring minds who want to understand what's really going on with their minds and bodies.
It'd be interesting to see if there's any link between intelligence and depression. Although, I read a book some time ago (Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman) that studies how our view of the world is formed, and how we can work to change it.
There seems to be a lot of allergy/sinus sufferers here too! Possible connection between screwed up immune responses and depression??
Thanks to everybody for info on nasal flushing, I'm gonna start trying that and hopefully avoid sinus surgery!
Posted by Katia on October 18, 2002, at 18:14:28
In reply to Re: need info on side effects - help » Mrs. M, posted by jannbeau on October 14, 2002, at 12:40:41
I've been on Effexor a little over a month finally up to 300mg. It seems to work for me, however, I have been quite constipated for the past three weeks. I normally have frequent and healthy bowel movements. Could this be associated with Effexor XR? Anybody else have this side effect, if it is one?
Thanks.
Posted by nigel99 on October 18, 2002, at 18:59:20
In reply to constipated on Effexor XR?, posted by Katia on October 18, 2002, at 18:14:28
Oh yeah. Since starting over a month ago I am so constipated that even metamucil twice a day doesn't relieve it. I hope it goes away soon...
Good luck!> I've been on Effexor a little over a month finally up to 300mg. It seems to work for me, however, I have been quite constipated for the past three weeks. I normally have frequent and healthy bowel movements. Could this be associated with Effexor XR? Anybody else have this side effect, if it is one?
> Thanks.
Posted by LynnPerley on October 18, 2002, at 19:27:13
In reply to constipated on Effexor XR?, posted by Katia on October 18, 2002, at 18:14:28
Yes, its the only side effect that is still consistently (as in more than once a week) bothering me after more than 7 months. I always eat a lot of fiber in my diet and I still have to add Citrucel occasionally. It's the frequent small hard movements for me. It also results in abdominal gas which is quite embarrassing. I'm to the point I am going to do a food journal to see if I can't make some specific dietary changes which will help. If I was not receiving subsantial benefit from this med, and if the constipation were not a listed side effect of virtualy every antidepressant available, I would stop this med just because of the constipation. Very annoying.
Posted by Rickp on October 19, 2002, at 12:21:30
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I've been on effexor for about 14 months. This is my 3rd bout with depression and effexor works just fine. I recently had my doseage adjusted from 225mg to 300mg. Ive been placed on buspar to help with panic attacks also. Give the drug a chance and keep in touch with a professional often to monitor your progress. Its worth it.
Posted by Mrs. M on October 19, 2002, at 16:44:25
In reply to discouraging bunch of mssgs, posted by legallybrunette on September 29, 2002, at 11:30:53
This is a test to see if it works.
Posted by cherry on October 19, 2002, at 22:48:56
In reply to Re: discouraging bunch of mssgs, posted by Mrs. M on October 19, 2002, at 16:44:25
HI all, thanks for the replies about my side-effects. I called my doctor - he said he's only ever heard about nausea, and thought I should get off when he heard my 7 or 8 side effects. So I have. He wanted me to try it longer though but conceded I 'wouldn't be happy' on it (am I anyway?? haha) Second day off, I feel very sad. But maybe I need to cry a lot! A hell of a lot has happened to me!
What do people think about the link between depression and unreleased anger?
By the way, if a lot of depression is chemical - why haven't they developed proper tests to find out what and how much is over/under produced?
Cherry
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