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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by spencer on January 21, 2003, at 23:36:22
In reply to Side Effects, posted by LeAnn on January 21, 2003, at 14:58:23
If you were not a chronic depressive, you should think about going off the medication. You have been on it for a year now, so the chance of a relapse is reduced. I had severe depression over a year ago and Effexor helped me tremendously. After about 10 months, I tapered off slowly over about a month or so and apart from a couple of dizzy days when I eventually stopped, I had no serious withdrawal effects. I have not felt depressed at all since. BUT definitely go to the doctor for advice before you do anything. Good luck.
Posted by srf on January 22, 2003, at 14:16:58
In reply to Re: I'm feeling much better on Effexor!, posted by M. Lee on January 19, 2003, at 13:39:22
I thought I'd add to the positive messages re this med. I've had progressively worsening bouts with depression for 30 years. Sporadic treatment for several years, then dropping out when I felt better. First treatment in my early 20s by psycho-babbling therapist. No real help. Low dose of Elavil (I'm very sensitive to drugs and can easily overdose) provided by my GP in my late 20s was the first success. Took it for 4 years and felt okay (not great, but okay) for the next 10. Then crashed and fell in the pit. Tried Zoloft with miserable insomnia. Quit. Back to Elavil - very low dose again and it helped me enough to get me into therapy. Therapy did wonders for me, but I could still see the pit and always felt like I was standing on the edge of it. I was pushing to decrease the Elavil even more due to severe grogginess in the am, but my GP insisted I try 37.5 mg of Effexor in the am + 25 mg Elavil in the pm. The nausea was so miserable the first few days that I reduced Effexor to 1/2 a tab thinking that I could increase it when tolerance built up. But all of a sudden the pit went away. I'm able to apply what I learned in therapy, anger is manageable, tears are rare and short-lived, negative monologues are controllable. Meanwhile I was able to reduce the Elavil to 1/2 and am feeling better emotionally than I've ever felt in my life. I still have a touch of nausea in the morning, but that's the only side effect I notice. I may be one of the lucky ones due to my drug sensitivity (which extends to decongestants, codeine, sedatives, antihistamines, and general anesthesia).
But the thing I really want to share is that there are two lessons I've learned.
1. Expect to mess with dosages and combinations. Expect to go through several doctors. Don't give up entirely. Don't trust your gut feelings because our depression biases those feelings. Keep at it until you have a doctor you can trust and then follow up with your own research. Use your head, not your emotions!!
2. VERY IMPORTANT Therapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Learn to shut up the devil in your head and listen to the angel (I called her Pollyanna). The devil thinks you're a failure, the angel has faith in you. No amount of medication can banish the pit when you don't know emotionally how to live without it. It feels cheesy to share this, but I worked hard to internalize a couple of statements from a set of affirmation cards a friend gave me. ("I have faith in an unseen future" helps me most with generic worrying)I don't know when I'll stop taking it. Someday, when I'm confident that Pollyanna won't weaken without it.
My heart goes out to you. It's a long, lonely struggle. And it gets so dark. But as someone else here said, we're survivors. So here's to survival by any means necessary.
Posted by LeAnn on January 22, 2003, at 16:26:51
In reply to Re: Side Effects » LeAnn, posted by spencer on January 21, 2003, at 23:36:22
Thanks for the advice everyone. I am still scared to go off Effexor totally, even with dr's consent. This is not my first bout with depression and know how bad it can get. I do plan on visiting my dr soon and getting his advice.
Posted by EGR on January 22, 2003, at 23:03:19
In reply to Re: I'm feeling much better on Effexor!, posted by srf on January 22, 2003, at 14:16:58
Wow!! How inspirational! Thank you for sharing.
EGR
Posted by ayuda on January 23, 2003, at 8:02:47
In reply to Re: I'm feeling much better on Effexor!, posted by M. Lee on January 19, 2003, at 13:39:22
> I've been on Effexor for a number of years now. I tried other meds, but they did not work well or had side-effects for me.
>
> Some time ago I had a bad experience going off it. Not as bad as what you described, though. Mostly I think the withdrawal hit me hard because I went off it cold, and was not under a dr's care while I did it. I would certainly do things differently if I had to go off it again.
>
> But, I'm am now on a dose that has stabalized my depression. That benefit outweighs the potential risks for me. I am satisified with the Effexor, and will continue taking it as long as I need to.
>
> Recently, I had seen the site that you linked to. I felt that the site was overly biased, and in my opinion, I have found the experiences posted here to be more balanced.
>
> I'm sorry that others have had such bad side-effects. But, I think that many people who benefit from Effexor might not speak up as frequently as those who had negative experiences.
>
> I just wanted to say - Effexor has made all the difference in the world to me.
> >
> > LINK-----------> http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/webdoc12.htm
You make a very good point that I agree with totally -- Effexor XR can work very well. If it hadn't been for the s/e that I could not tolerate, I would have been perfectly fine on it. It treats depression and anxiety so well. That sometimes gets lost in all of our grumblings about s/e, that some of these meds do take care of the conditions we take them for. I'm glad to hear that you are doing well on it, too!
Posted by Mariec on January 23, 2003, at 14:01:49
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello,
Has anyone been on prozac and expierenced bad effects(more aggression, aggitation)been able to switch to Effexor with better results? I am on Prozac xr now, not doing well and need to find something else!
Posted by LynnPerley on January 23, 2003, at 14:08:02
In reply to Effexor vs Prozac, posted by Mariec on January 23, 2003, at 14:01:49
I switched from prozac to effexor xr. Effexor is definitely more sedating at first, but that passes. I could not take prozac because of the bruxism (jaw clenching). I get that with effexor xr also, but not as often, and not as badly.
Posted by Mariec on January 23, 2003, at 14:27:53
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac » Mariec, posted by LynnPerley on January 23, 2003, at 14:08:02
Thanks for the input. Prozac is just not working I am more aggitated now and more aggressive. Do not want anyone around or to touch me! My friend is on Effexor and said I should try it.
Posted by catri on January 24, 2003, at 5:17:16
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac » LynnPerley, posted by Mariec on January 23, 2003, at 14:27:53
Hi, M
I just wanted to say that I was on prozac for about 9 months - at the time I thought it was counteracting the depression, and indeed it did lift me out of the worst, but I still felt really anxious and irratable, and I also went abit irrational - constantly arguing with my mother etc. It wasn't until I was back at university that my (new) doctor suggest that I try effexor - things at the time seemed so bad and I guess I had 'plateaued' - and he seemed to think that things could be better. I started taking 75mg after a week of wash out from the prozac, and didn't really notice any side effects - i think that my body was already used to the neuro-chemicals from the prozac. I've been on it now for three months and it has had a very positive effect on my life: my motivation increased, I wasn't nervous or irratable anymore, and all those small things that seem difficult were so much easier to do. And I haven't really had any side effects either - sometimes I get a tingling neck if I turn my head too fast, and sometimes weird vivid dreams, but thats about it. Anyway, it really has made all the difference to me, much more than prozac ever did, and I would suggest talking to your doc about switching to effexor from prozac - i think it sounds as if you would benefit from it. All the best!
Posted by Mariec on January 24, 2003, at 6:24:56
In reply to Re: Effexor vs Prozac, posted by catri on January 24, 2003, at 5:17:16
catri,
Hello,
I am going to see my doctor today, thanks so much. I finally took a valium about mid-morning yesterday (I am supposed to take it with my elavil at night to sleep because I have insomnia) and that made a big diference. I am usually not out of bed until about 1:00 pm, I was up a 6:00 am and feeling great this morning! Seemed to conteract the hostility and didn't leave me so sudated that I couldn't wake up. I was feeling so aggitated I was pacing the house but would not go out because I didn't want to be around anyone, the least little thing would really set me off. It was nice to know that I wasn't the only one that has had this type of reaction.
Thanks again!
M
Posted by KayC on January 24, 2003, at 14:17:15
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
It's such a comfort to come to this site and be able to relate. I felt like a weird freak-of-nature non-person before. Reading about eveyones experiences is helping me feel that I, like all of you, am normal.
I'm going on about 6 weeks on Effexor XR 75mg (Trazodone for sleep). I feel immensely better. The fatigue is waning and I am able to be productive around the house instead of laying on the couch the minute I get home. I also have my appetite back.
I have been taking the medicine at night and have found I'm most energetic in the evenings right before my next dose. Tonight I will skip my dose at night and take it in the morning to see if I can get to my most energetic during the day. I also start seeing a psychiatrist on Monday. Not sure what to expect.
Downfalls: Still not able to have the big "O", I hope this passes soon. Jaw-clenching still going on. Still feel like I'm not "sharp", don't feel like pursuing anything that requires too much brain power like playing the piano or reading books - can deal with magazines, and still feel faint when I stand up. But I'm calm and able to smile.
Keep posting, it helps!!
Posted by beebo on January 24, 2003, at 20:04:44
In reply to Your posts help!, posted by KayC on January 24, 2003, at 14:17:15
I just started Effexor XR. When does the nausea and the "not really there" feeling go away? My doctor is trying me on this for PMDD (very bad PMS) instead of Prozac (made me irritable big time) and most recently Celexa (which did NOTHING). She said everyone was different, but when can I expect not to get sick at the sight of food and feeling spacey? Any help you guys can give would be great. Has anyone ever tried this for PMDD before? If so, did it help?
Posted by Mariec on January 24, 2003, at 20:24:22
In reply to Your posts help!, posted by KayC on January 24, 2003, at 14:17:15
Hey Kayc,
I know what you mean! I thought I was the only one flipping out to. It is great to be able to come here and feel like you fit in! I am on Prozac ER, the only problem I have been having is extremely aggitated. Went to the doctor, put me on valuim 10mg, 1/2 in am and 1/2 pm. I woke up this morning feeling GREAT! I was up at 6:00 am, haven't seen that in a long time. I feel like a totally diferent person now. Still on elavil at night to sleep. Hope this stage lasts.....
mc
Posted by proud mary on January 25, 2003, at 10:13:17
In reply to Re: Your posts help!, posted by beebo on January 24, 2003, at 20:04:44
> I just started Effexor XR. When does the nausea and the "not really there" feeling go away? My doctor is trying me on this for PMDD (very bad PMS) instead of Prozac (made me irritable big time) and most recently Celexa (which did NOTHING). She said everyone was different, but when can I expect not to get sick at the sight of food and feeling spacey? Any help you guys can give would be great. Has anyone ever tried this for PMDD before? If so, did it help?
Hi Beebo,
I have notice in my women's magazines that zoloft has been approved to treat PMDD. It said that it can even be taken for only two weeks of the month to try to treat it more specifically. I know the feeling of the pmdd because even though I've never been diagnosed with it, I am finding my "good" days of the month shrinking to just a day or two and my bad days taking over my life. I have three fairly young children and I do not want them to have memories of having a screaming b**** of a mother when they are grown up!
I am taking lexapro right now (the zoloft pooped out on me) and after about two weeks, I'm finally feeling like it's helping. At first it made me extremely irritable and right when I was about to call the pdoc and complain, the next day I was feeling much better. I don't know anything about effexor, so perhaps I shouldn't be putting my two cents in, but if you don't have any luck with it, please know that there are at least two other meds out there that might be the answer!
I wish you luck and keep on checking this board because it is very informative and helpful and suportive (in a way you won't find anywhere else) because we are the folks who have BEEN THERE and can tell you what the REAL story is with these meds, not just a pamphlet full of what to expect (which doesn't even begin to cover it all)....
Mary
Posted by jb07 on January 25, 2003, at 20:27:08
In reply to for beebo...pmdd, posted by proud mary on January 25, 2003, at 10:13:17
when is the best time to take effexor??
I have been struggling with this question?? I work @ 8am till 7pm....usually most active during the morning and more sedated mid to late afternoon.i have been taking effoxor prior to bedtime. Is this condusive with my current lifestyle, or should I be taking it in the morning or mid afternoon??
Help please!!!
Posted by lynnads on January 26, 2003, at 12:44:26
In reply to I'm getting off Effexor (if I can) READ!!!, posted by kataklysm on January 18, 2003, at 5:32:11
To anyone who ever plans to go off of Effexor, do talk to your doctor. Don't go cold turkey!!! I decided to go off Effexor because I wanted to try out a different AD to see if there was something better. I was on 150mgs and in order to go off, my doctor told me to go down to 75mgs for a week and then 37.5 the next week. I was concerned, after reading all the posts on here, that 150 to 75 was a big jump, but she assured me that since I hadn't been on it very long, I wouldn't have any problem.
She was wrong.
I commend anyone who has gone off this drug cold turkey! I honestly don't know how you did it. Just a couple days after I started lowering my dose I noticed excessive differences. I was very moody, dizzy, and nauseated. A few days later I got violent headaches, which i still have, vertigo, lightheadedness and a feeling of lost equilibrium.
I guess my point being is that if any of you decide to go off Effexor, have a talk with your doctor and see to it that they taper you more gradually!!!!!! Cuz this sucks!
Posted by Scot_lass2003 on January 26, 2003, at 14:31:44
In reply to timing??, posted by jb07 on January 25, 2003, at 20:27:08
I take effexor first thing in the morning. At first I had pretty awful side effects but I am ok now. I too am sure sure what difference timing of the dosage would make. Any ideas would be helpful.> when is the best time to take effexor??
> I have been struggling with this question?? I work @ 8am till 7pm....usually most active during the morning and more sedated mid to late afternoon.
>
> i have been taking effoxor prior to bedtime. Is this condusive with my current lifestyle, or should I be taking it in the morning or mid afternoon??
>
> Help please!!!
Posted by bballcoach43837 on January 26, 2003, at 21:55:18
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I was given Effexor after many years of depression and no success with other drugs. The results were wonderful. I was finally numb and loving it. I wanted to take more and more so I could feel more and more numb. I was up to 75 MG twice a day. Keep reading because this gets good. I lost my job in November, then my insurance benefits. I started taking less and less Effexor because I was running out and knew that the $268 to refill my prescription would not be possible. Less dosage didn't cause any withdrawal symptoms. 10 days ago I took my last pill. At first I didn't know what was wrong with me, I thought I had the flu. I was dizzy, disoriented, freezing then burning up. I had this strange noise in my head when I moved my eyes. I had moments of uncontrollable rage, then immediately after....sadness. My emotions were on a roller coaster ride. These symptoms lasted for 6 days and I thought I might go crazy. Then the strangest thing of all happened. I looked around and noticed how beautiful colors were. Food tasted SOOOOOOOOOO good. Everything felt nice. Touching, looking, smelling. Every sense was heightened to catastrohpic degrees. I COULD FEEL AGAIN. And I liked it. I forgot who I was when I went on the stupid things because I felt completely different. I tried to flush my system with herbs and water an detoxifiers, all of which I'm certain helped. I exercised a lot and today, finally there are no more of those horrible brain shivers that I've read about time and again on the internet.
The moral of this story is this. If you are looking for a quick fix from years of unhappiness and depression then Effexor is your drug. Not until I got off of it did I realize the damage it had done to every cell in my body. Someday however, you will have to go off it and let me tell you that cold turkey was no picnic but there are plenty of people out there who have been reducing their pills via bb's (opening the capsule and remove little bb's) for YEARS!! Is that what you really want? If you have mild to moderate depression then you should really consider something other than drugs because this roller coaster ride nearly pushed me off the edge. I was not myself when I was on it and I would not be off it right now if I had not lost my job because I was in this blissful indifference. It's like a viscious cycle really, when you are on it you never want to get off of it, but when you are off it you wonder what the HELL you were thinking of when you got on it in the first place!
Posted by dreamerz on January 26, 2003, at 23:06:43
In reply to EFFEXOR - The good, the bad and the ugly, posted by bballcoach43837 on January 26, 2003, at 21:55:18
>It's like a viscious cycle really, when you are on it you never want to get off of it, but when you are off it you wonder what the HELL you were thinking of when you got on it in the first place!
Hmm..I wonder will my life be more richer with it or without it...I have reduced many times and motivation , concern for career returns but the aggression sneaks back..
Maybe I should continue this way..but underlying is the question - am I missing out on a better life.
Posted by patlea on January 26, 2003, at 23:35:00
In reply to Re: Effexor - Anyone experience eye problems? » Luann, posted by spencer on June 25, 2002, at 7:18:30
I've been on effexor for 3 months and have had eye irritation each time I had a menstrual period, which was also when I stopped taking birth control (yasmin) for a few days. the rest of the time my eyes are fine. anybody experience anything like this? I am going to ask to ask my doctor about it. The irritation is severe- my eyes are bloodshot and itchy.
Posted by dde on January 27, 2003, at 2:00:41
In reply to Re: Effexor - Anyone experience eye problems?, posted by patlea on January 26, 2003, at 23:35:00
This sounds like an allergic reaction....make the doctor take you seriously. de
Posted by chrisoula on January 27, 2003, at 8:29:32
In reply to EFFEXOR - The good, the bad and the ugly, posted by bballcoach43837 on January 26, 2003, at 21:55:18
I can't agree more with this post. Effexor is a massive relief after full blown depression. The numbness feels wonderful. But nowhere near as wonderful as being able to FEEL again, really see colours and hear music and taste food and feel the sensation fill up your whole body
Unfortunately I am stuck with these horrible brain shivers and I am petrified that they will last months and months and they are so horrible, I just want them to go away.
Can people possibly give me some idea of their experience of duration of this side effect? Or even some medical research on this? I haven't found any statistics anywhere on it
Posted by Scot_lass2003 on January 27, 2003, at 13:20:30
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - The good, the bad and the ugly, posted by chrisoula on January 27, 2003, at 8:29:32
Okay, sorry. I have to write after reading this site for a few weeks now. What are you all talking about "brain shivers"-what do you mean???
Posted by carsan01 on January 27, 2003, at 13:31:03
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - The good, the bad and the ugly, posted by Scot_lass2003 on January 27, 2003, at 13:20:30
Very curious........
I am currently on Effexor XR, 75mg per day.
I have endometrosis...which i take lupron depot..it has really helped me a lot. One of the side effects that lupron depot causes are hot flashes...because of this, my doctor has prescibed Effexor XR...i started off taking 3.75mg for about a week and then taking 75mg. I have been on it now about a month...i did notice a difference right away as the prior medication that i was taking for the lupron depot side effects was norethin...a.k.a. Aygestin. It definitely adds to my mood for the better. But when i first started taking it in the morning...it would wake me up at night....like 4:30am...and i would not be able to go back to sleep......so then my doctor said to take at night, right before i go to bed, well that worked for a few days....now i take it around 3pm in the afternoon...it seems to be working..well...it does really wake me and if it does it's around 2:30 am...only for like a minute or too. Oh..when i took at morning times...it got me very gittery...like my metabolism was going a mile a minute. But....i get alot of headaches, i am starting to get more hot-flashes now. Needless to say i am very frustrated...i know that i need to get some answers.....i am 29...obviously the hotflashes are brought on by lupron and not normal, the headaches were like when i took aygestin...but worse...does anyone out there have any ideas.....or if Effexor xr...mixes bad with other medications..appreciate the advise!!! :0)
Posted by tlang on January 27, 2003, at 17:35:29
In reply to Effexor...need info...., posted by carsan01 on January 27, 2003, at 13:31:03
My doc prescribed Effexor XR today, starting at 75 for ADULT ADHD. I am extremely worried as to how this will effect my job. I am a police officer and cannot be suffering from nausea, vomiting, or being sleepy while working. My doc neglected to inform me of the side effects (and I didn't ask). I have never taken a medication for ADHD since I was a child and was on Ridilin. I have learned so much from reading your posts!
The withdrawals scare the wits out of me.
Thanks
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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