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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by jtc on April 20, 2003, at 18:41:37
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl? HOW?, posted by John2222 on April 19, 2003, at 15:39:19
> After being on Effexor XR for about last year (highest was 150 but mostly at 112.5 per day), I just tapered from 75 mg XR to 37.5 mp XR per day.
>
> After 5 days of no negative effects at all, last night I had what I will call a real nightmare! I woke up and got up for couple hours because I didn't want to go back to bed! I always had more vivid dreams with Effexor in the last year, but never had any nightmares. Wow.
>
> Anyway, what's the best way to take the FINAL leap? -- the leap from 37.5 to 0? My doctor said to take 37.5 every other day for 2 weeks and then 37.5 every 3rd day for 2 weeks, then that's it and stop.
>
> I've read others say to pour out half of the 37.5 mg XR, reclose the capsule and hence taper to approx. 18 mg per day for a period of time.
>
> Has anyone actually tried the every other day???
>
> I thought Effexor XR had such a short half life that every other day would be like cold turkey start and stop every other day.??
>
> *john*
Hi john,
I did do the every other day with 37.5 mg for about two weeks and then stopped. This was okay for me. I had some dizziness and tiredness and also some crying spells (depression) which I think I still have. What your doctor said sounds like a good plan. Maybe you should try that or you can try the every other day and then stop and if this doesn't work do the plan your doctor spoke of. Good luck whatever you decide, God bless...
jtc
Posted by Napaba on April 21, 2003, at 8:12:53
In reply to Re: I'm getting off people, posted by jtc on April 18, 2003, at 22:21:05
There must be a connection to the Effexor and the pain. I don't have arthritis, so I can't say it feels like that, but it hurts. I can't wait to eat breakfast in the morning so I can take more motrin. I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor, I don't want to take this drug anymore. I think more research needs to be done on it and what it does to the rest of the body. If there are all these visible side effects what is it doing that can't be felt or seen? I've only been taking Effoxr sense the beginning of February, but there has to be something else.
Hi,
> I also have a strange pain in my hip. It feels like arthritis. It hurts to move and when I have been sitting and try to get up from sitting position it is nearly impossible to walk without pain. I have been off effexor for about 3 weeks now. I wonder if this is causing my hip pain. I also have neck pain that feels like a stiff neck and also shoulder pain. What do you think? I am glad I went off Effexor even though I am very depressed now I think I might be alright in a few weeks. It will just take time to learn to deal with things without the help of Effexor. Good luck to you, jtc
>
>
> > I felt like that after missing two days. The next time I have a doctors visit I'm going to talk about getting off Effexor. I have the most auful neck pain every night. I don't sleep unless I take something and then it's only for 4-5 hours. And now I'm having the same type of pain in my hip.
> >
> >
> > I don't care, I need to get off, its been less than 48 hours and the nausea and almost hallucinations are already setting in... I dunno if anyone else has had these before but I really need to get off and this time I'm doing it. Man my head feels wierd thoguh
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Napaba on April 21, 2003, at 8:15:58
In reply to Re: I'm getting off people » jtc, posted by Katia on April 19, 2003, at 3:20:52
I didn't have the hip, neck, or shoulder pain until I was up to 150 mg. Can anyone else connect their dose to when the pain started?
Hi,
> > I also have a strange pain in my hip. It feels like arthritis. It hurts to move and when I have been sitting and try to get up from sitting position it is nearly impossible to walk without pain. I have been off effexor for about 3 weeks now. I wonder if this is causing my hip pain. I also have neck pain that feels like a stiff neck and also shoulder pain. What do you think? I am glad I went off Effexor even though I am very depressed now I think I might be alright in a few weeks. It will just take time to learn to deal with things without the help of Effexor. Good luck to you, jtc
> >
>
> Wow, now that you mention it, I have been having terrible pains in my hip joints since I began Effexor in late Sept. I finished it in Jan. But wierd.... I wonder if it's connected. I hurt sooo badly in my hip/leg joint all the time. and
> I thought it was ? but didn't think to relate it to when I started Eff. maybe ? who knows.
>
Posted by Napaba on April 21, 2003, at 8:26:32
In reply to Re: I'm getting off people, posted by lovemybabies on April 19, 2003, at 18:53:00
This isn't like msucle tension, I've had that. It's like a sharp constant ache. If your in one position for a realitively short period of time it will begin to hurt. And it really hurts when you move (even just a little or get up). Like right now I'm sitting at my desk and I'm aware that both my neck and hip hurt, but when I move or get up it's like WOO.
You said your pain went away? What dose are you taking?Does anyone know of a pain reliever that last more then 4 hours? I want something that last 8-12 hours, so I'm not taking pills all day and can sleep through the night.
The neck/shoulder pain could be muscle tension. I had terrible such pain before Effexor and it went away after about 2 weeks on. I think it was tension due to anxiety/stress. Do you have a lot of anxiety right now?
>
> Does withdrawal really cause hallucinations? What kind? Visual? Auditory? Both??? Yikes.
Posted by Louisa on April 21, 2003, at 11:05:15
In reply to Re: What about life AFTER withdrawl?, posted by ladylight57 on April 17, 2003, at 5:13:49
What a nightmare! I went away for a long weekend, and left my Effexor and Wellbutrin at home by accident. I already have them in one of those cute little everyday thingies, but left it sitting by the sink... I left on Thursday, and the symptoms started on Friday afternoon. Everything from the hungover/nauseated feeling to the brain shocks to the night sweats and vivid nightmares to the headache. I guess I'll be more vigilant next time, knowing the nighmarish consequences! The good news is that I had my husband meet me at the airport with my meds and some water last night, and I already feel much better (still not 100%, though).
I wish I'd done more research about Effexor before letting my doctor put me on it. I've tried most of the other SSRIs and either they don't work at all (Celexa), or they give me yucky side effects (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil...). If the Effexor were making a huge difference in my life, I might be more tolerant, but I don't even feel that great when I'm ON it!
Ah well.
Louisa
Posted by ladylight57 on April 21, 2003, at 11:25:32
In reply to forgot my pills when going away, posted by Louisa on April 21, 2003, at 11:05:15
Louisa,
Effexor can be pretty intimidating when you get the lo-down on it. I know I started feeling like I wasn't getting the whole story from my Psych. I think part of this is that P-docs are afraid that you won't try anything if they tell you all of the side effects.
It's made me very distrustful of them in general which may or may not be founded in reality.......LOL I'm currently not on meds and am havng a hard time functioning. But my P-doc has only offered me, two Serzone or Remeron and I"m not happy with either choice, so here I sit.
I've got an appointment with my PCP tomorrow and know that I could get her to put me on just any old thing until I can find a decent P-doc.........but I hate the thought of having to go on and off meds a number of times.
Sorry to babble on. So are you staying on or deciing to get off of the Effexor?
Beth
Posted by Kevin123 on April 21, 2003, at 13:51:37
In reply to Re: forgot my pills when going away, posted by ladylight57 on April 21, 2003, at 11:25:32
Your not the only one in this situation i've been on them for a month and I seem to be worse not sure if thats the drugs or just my mood has changed, but i'm going to see a psych on wednesday so he might offer some advice as I need some quick.
Take care
Kev
Posted by melley on April 21, 2003, at 16:11:27
In reply to forgot my pills when going away, posted by Louisa on April 21, 2003, at 11:05:15
I am sorry to hear about what you went through. I am thinking of switching from effexor (225 mg) to wellbutrin because of weight gain. How has wellbutrin been for you?> What a nightmare! I went away for a long weekend, and left my Effexor and Wellbutrin at home by accident. I already have them in one of those cute little everyday thingies, but left it sitting by the sink... I left on Thursday, and the symptoms started on Friday afternoon. Everything from the hungover/nauseated feeling to the brain shocks to the night sweats and vivid nightmares to the headache. I guess I'll be more vigilant next time, knowing the nighmarish consequences! The good news is that I had my husband meet me at the airport with my meds and some water last night, and I already feel much better (still not 100%, though).
>
> I wish I'd done more research about Effexor before letting my doctor put me on it. I've tried most of the other SSRIs and either they don't work at all (Celexa), or they give me yucky side effects (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil...). If the Effexor were making a huge difference in my life, I might be more tolerant, but I don't even feel that great when I'm ON it!
>
> Ah well.
>
> Louisa
Posted by Napaba on April 22, 2003, at 7:29:11
In reply to Re: forgot my pills when going away » Louisa, posted by melley on April 21, 2003, at 16:11:27
I've lost 25 pounds sense I started taking Effexor. I gained weight on Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Paxil. But I to am going to look into taking something else. I can't handle the side effects.
> I am sorry to hear about what you went through. I am thinking of switching from effexor (225 mg) to wellbutrin because of weight gain. How has wellbutrin been for you?
>
> > What a nightmare! I went away for a long weekend, and left my Effexor and Wellbutrin at home by accident. I already have them in one of those cute little everyday thingies, but left it sitting by the sink... I left on Thursday, and the symptoms started on Friday afternoon. Everything from the hungover/nauseated feeling to the brain shocks to the night sweats and vivid nightmares to the headache. I guess I'll be more vigilant next time, knowing the nighmarish consequences! The good news is that I had my husband meet me at the airport with my meds and some water last night, and I already feel much better (still not 100%, though).
> >
> > I wish I'd done more research about Effexor before letting my doctor put me on it. I've tried most of the other SSRIs and either they don't work at all (Celexa), or they give me yucky side effects (Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil...). If the Effexor were making a huge difference in my life, I might be more tolerant, but I don't even feel that great when I'm ON it!
> >
> > Ah well.
> >
> > Louisa
>
>
Posted by Jack Smith on April 22, 2003, at 12:05:40
In reply to Re: forgot my pills when going away » melley, posted by Napaba on April 22, 2003, at 7:29:11
> I've lost 25 pounds sense I started taking Effexor. I gained weight on Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Paxil. But I to am going to look into taking something else. I can't handle the side effects.
>Which side effects can you not handle? I thought you were doing well on it.
Posted by Napaba on April 22, 2003, at 13:44:12
In reply to Re: forgot my pills when going away » Napaba, posted by Jack Smith on April 22, 2003, at 12:05:40
I've lost 25 pounds sense I started taking Effexor. I gained weight on Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Paxil. But I to am going to look into taking something else. I can't handle the side effects.
> >
>
> Which side effects can you not handle? I thought you were doing well on it.I love that I'm finally losing weight. I gained 50 pounds over the past two years. What I don't like about Effexor is the constant neck and hip pain, not being able to sleep without taking something (and then only for about 4 hours), the weird sensations in my head, blurred vision, and the sweats. If I notice this many side effects what's happening to my body that I'm not aware of? I realize that I do need to be on medication, but there has to be one out there that helps (I'm not asking that the medication cures)with depression and anxiety, but doesn't mess the rest of your system up.
Posted by Jenne B on April 22, 2003, at 21:49:06
In reply to Re: afraid to take effexor/bad experience w/paxil, posted by Cindy W on April 10, 2000, at 21:52:43
Hi there folks,
First of all I'd like to thank all of you for sharing your experiences ! It has been quite insightful for me. I have had a long history of clinical depression. About two years ago I stopped taking serzone because of the complete lack of emotion that I felt. For the last two years life was tolerable but recently i started having the same recognizable feelings, crying a lot, agoraphobia and little interest anything but sleeping. I was back to sqaure one. My dr. prescribed celexa 20mg Which had no effect then upped the doseage to 40mg which appears to be the same except I am having horrific dreams. I have a script for effexor XR waiting to be filled and am very contemplative as to whether I
should give it a try - What if it doesn't work? Then, having to go through the withdraw? Does anyone feel positive about this drug? Has anyone gone from celexa to effexor Xr and noticed a difference?
i also wonder if being on such a high dose of serzone 200mg has anything to do with my failure on celexa. Hopes are really down.
Posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2003, at 3:33:16
In reply to forgot my pills when going away, posted by Louisa on April 21, 2003, at 11:05:15
or am i the only one?
anyone know what causes them?
Posted by Katia on April 23, 2003, at 13:47:02
In reply to Am about to start on Effexor XR after failed trial, posted by Jenne B on April 22, 2003, at 21:49:06
> Hi there folks,
> First of all I'd like to thank all of you for sharing your experiences ! It has been quite insightful for me. I have had a long history of clinical depression. About two years ago I stopped taking serzone because of the complete lack of emotion that I felt. For the last two years life was tolerable but recently i started having the same recognizable feelings, crying a lot, agoraphobia and little interest anything but sleeping. I was back to sqaure one. My dr. prescribed celexa 20mg Which had no effect then upped the doseage to 40mg which appears to be the same except I am having horrific dreams. I have a script for effexor XR waiting to be filled and am very contemplative as to whether I
> should give it a try - What if it doesn't work? Then, having to go through the withdraw? Does anyone feel positive about this drug? Has anyone gone from celexa to effexor Xr and noticed a difference?
> i also wonder if being on such a high dose of serzone 200mg has anything to do with my failure on celexa. Hopes are really down.Hi,
I actually started on ADs for the first time this past summer and started on Celexa. It didn't seem to work for me so I switched to Effexor. it seemed to work for me briefly (I got a taste of normalcy), but those w/drawal effects, mind shivers/electrical jolts started becoming a side effect for me and I slept way too much. I got off Eff. after about 4 months and those side effects got terribly worse. They lessen if you taper slowlllllly.
I have a friend who is on Effexor and has been over a year. She loves it and has not side effects. She almost doesn't believe me when I tell her the stories on this board re: Eff. She's had such good results from it.
I'm not sure if she's in the majority though.After Eff. I took Zoloft for three months, didn't work in fact made me worse. I was a complete zombie. I am actually contemplating (like you) whether I should start on Serzone, I've got a starter pack here. I'm afraid b/c I've had such terrrible experiences with the Eff. w/drawal then the horrible zoloft experience and now the horrible zoloft w/drawal. Were you emotionless the whole time? What were the w/drawals? Did you gain weight?
hope it helps and would appreciate your feed-back on Serzone.
Thanks.
Katia
Posted by Jenne B on April 23, 2003, at 15:54:40
In reply to Re: Am about to start on Effexor XR after failed trial » Jenne B, posted by Katia on April 23, 2003, at 13:47:02
Katia,
My experience with serzone is a bit of a blur. What I do remember was that I had a few side effects in the beginning nausea / anorexia. i actually lost weight in the beginning. I did gain it back though but I don't think that I got any heavier than previous. It did help with the depression as I was not crying all the time and became a social butterfly. I couldn't cry though and this bothered me. I thought there must be a happy medium. It could have been the dosage that I was on - I think it was 200mg at night before bed. I did drink some alcohol socially and the combination is not a good one as I became loud& uninhibited which was not usual for me. Basically I switched Dr.s and the new one took me right off of it. Recently when researching Celexa I found some studies indicating a high incidence of Liver Failure in Patients taking Serzone. Thus opted not to go back on it. As far as withdrawls surprisingly enough they were not bad. My dosage tapered off slowly. I did experience some nervousness and of course fear. But the following two years up till lately have been normal
if you know what I mean. Balanced. I don't know what has set off this new bout. I often think it is probably the crazy midnight shifts and hours i work.
I am so confused and wonder what to do. It doesn't help that I am a nurse and know the side effects of these medications. The Dr.'s don't seem to have a problem with prescribing them. I still have a month of my celexa left. My Dr. has closed her practice and there a 40, 000 people in the area that are without Dr's. So there is no one to really talk to about it, other than going to a clinic.
Take care & good luck with what ever you choose.
Posted by noa on April 23, 2003, at 20:59:26
In reply to forgot my pills when going away, posted by Louisa on April 21, 2003, at 11:05:15
That is a nightmare. I get nervous that I will forget my meds when I travel.
Posted by Katia on April 24, 2003, at 13:31:00
In reply to Re: Am about to start on Effexor XR after failed t, posted by Jenne B on April 23, 2003, at 15:54:40
> Katia,
>
> My experience with serzone is a bit of a blur. What I do remember was that I had a few side effects in the beginning nausea / anorexia. i actually lost weight in the beginning. I did gain it back though but I don't think that I got any heavier than previous. It did help with the depression as I was not crying all the time and became a social butterfly. I couldn't cry though and this bothered me. I thought there must be a happy medium. It could have been the dosage that I was on - I think it was 200mg at night before bed. I did drink some alcohol socially and the combination is not a good one as I became loud& uninhibited which was not usual for me. Basically I switched Dr.s and the new one took me right off of it. Recently when researching Celexa I found some studies indicating a high incidence of Liver Failure in Patients taking Serzone. Thus opted not to go back on it. As far as withdrawls surprisingly enough they were not bad. My dosage tapered off slowly. I did experience some nervousness and of course fear. But the following two years up till lately have been normal
> if you know what I mean. Balanced. I don't know what has set off this new bout. I often think it is probably the crazy midnight shifts and hours i work.
> I am so confused and wonder what to do. It doesn't help that I am a nurse and know the side effects of these medications. The Dr.'s don't seem to have a problem with prescribing them. I still have a month of my celexa left. My Dr. has closed her practice and there a 40, 000 people in the area that are without Dr's. So there is no one to really talk to about it, other than going to a clinic.
> Take care & good luck with what ever you choose.
I've just decided not to take anything until I can get to a good pdoc. I can't take anymore of these w/drawals....
thanks for your input.
katia
Posted by Maureen17 on April 24, 2003, at 21:21:19
In reply to Am about to start on Effexor XR after failed trial, posted by Jenne B on April 22, 2003, at 21:49:06
I've been on 37.5 ml of Effexor for a little over 2 years. When the Dr. wanted me to go to 75 ml, I started feeling a little weird so I kept myself on the 37.5 ml. It was just enough to take the edge off the "My life is going no where" feeling but I was still stressed from work. I didn't feel depressed anymore but I wasn't passionate sexually either. Reading other side affects though, I now realize I have them. I've put on almost 20 pounds in 2 years and thought I've developed rosatia (spelling?), an acne-like rash on my face and back. My skin and face is always itchy. PLUS I've been having terrible memory losses and pauses while I try to think of what I want to say. This is my 2nd day off the drug and the side affects are awful!!! Dizziness, drunken feeling, ears ringing (louder pounding ring then milder ringing), vertigo, teeth pounding, nausea, crying spells, dry mouth, and this is only day 2. I hope it stops soon. My suggestion is to try herbal, Kava kava, St. John's Wort and Don Quai. I just took some tonight so I hope these work.
Good luck!!!
Posted by Maureen17 on April 24, 2003, at 21:55:10
In reply to Alcohol??, posted by jb07 on April 10, 2003, at 13:10:30
> I to have begun to drink alcohol in the evenings?
> I take my pill prior to bed, can anybody help me or have experienced this?
>
> Is there a correlation with taking the pill @ night and drinking prior to ingestion of my pill?
>
>
Holy Cow!!! I just thought I was becoming an alcoholic! Thanks... My husband yells at me for drinking so-o-o much beer.
Posted by Maureen17 on April 24, 2003, at 22:03:42
In reply to Having horrible side effects!!, posted by Cosmic on April 13, 2003, at 17:56:38
Stop taking them now!! Major bad side effects!
Posted by Cosmic on April 25, 2003, at 6:32:09
In reply to Re: Having horrible side effects!!, posted by Maureen17 on April 24, 2003, at 22:03:42
OMG.....major crash trying to get off of this stuff. I'm now in a 'panic manic' and tho there are some serious life changes going on in my household....some of this is caused by EXR. I feel like I just want to run away and never stop. My head is killing me and the tremors are so bad I have to use both hands to hold a glass of OJ. This sucks!! Why would a Dr. prescribe this? I'm in trouble. AHHHHHHHHH!
Posted by lovemybabies on April 25, 2003, at 9:20:56
In reply to anyone else get tremors on effexor?, posted by cybercafe on April 23, 2003, at 3:33:16
I occasionally get small finger tremors since starting Effexor. Also, weird little involuntary muscle 'twitches.' I read somewhere that these are documented side effects.
Posted by Napaba on April 25, 2003, at 10:08:50
In reply to Re: anyone else get tremors on effexor?, posted by lovemybabies on April 25, 2003, at 9:20:56
Lovemybabies, what dose are you taking? I have a lot of side effects at 150 mg, but I'm greatful that's not one of them.
I occasionally get small finger tremors since starting Effexor. Also, weird little involuntary muscle 'twitches.' I read somewhere that these are documented side effects.
Posted by Melonzi on April 25, 2003, at 10:17:22
In reply to Re: Am about to start on Effexor XR after failed t » Jenne B, posted by Maureen17 on April 24, 2003, at 21:21:19
I have just stopped taking Remeron because the zombie-like side-effects never stopped. It felt like taking a sleeping pill during the day so my doctor prescribed Effexor XR as a more stimulating drug. Well, I have been on it for a week and I am only able to get about 4 hours of sleep a night, I am sweating profusely, feel nausiated all day, and I have occasional shakes. I know this is only the first week, but will these side-effects subside?
Posted by Napaba on April 25, 2003, at 12:50:59
In reply to New Effexor User, posted by Melonzi on April 25, 2003, at 10:17:22
For me some of the side effects went away. I no longer feel nauseous or tired all the time. I still have the sweats once or twice a day, but not as bad as they were the first 3 to 4 weeks. I also have blurred vision and neck and hip pain. I take two benidral (sp) every night before bed to help me sleep and two Aleve (because it's suppose to relieve pain for 8-12 hours)for the neck and hip pain. I go back to my doctor in about a month and I'm going to talk to him about getting off Effexor. I'm really not a fan. Don't ever miss more then one dose or your start feeling nauseous and have those brain shiffers. It really sucks.
I have just stopped taking Remeron because the zombie-like side-effects never stopped. It felt like taking a sleeping pill during the day so my doctor prescribed Effexor XR as a more stimulating drug. Well, I have been on it for a week and I am only able to get about 4 hours of sleep a night, I am sweating profusely, feel nausiated all day, and I have occasional shakes. I know this is only the first week, but will these side-effects subside?
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