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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by melley on June 25, 2003, at 12:43:22
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal IS FINE, posted by bikermiker on June 25, 2003, at 10:58:46
> Effexor withdrawal may be going better for you because you never went to a high dose (just 75mg), only stayed on it for a few months and tapered very gradually. I'd like to recount my own experience going (right now) through it. First, some background: I am in excellent health,workout regularly and vigorously, have never done any drugs or had any addictions. I started taking Effexor about two years ago as a result of serious depression and suicidal thoughts that stemmed from the breakout of my marriage. I also started therapy at the same time. The effexor worked very well for me in terms of getting my life back and letting me do the therapy work I needed to do. My doctor worked me up to 225 mg/day of Effexor XR. While I was using, I had manageable side effects (some sexual dysfunction which was alleviated by taking Wellbutrin at the same time). After I left for a trip leaving my meds at home (bad move), and experiencing horrible withdrawal, I decided that I did not need this thing anymore and asked my doctor to get me off of it. At the time I was at 150mg. He tapered me down to 112mg, then 75, 37.5, then 37.5 every third day, all of this over the course of 5 weeks. During the last two weeks, I was taking a low dose of Prozac. I have been now totally drug free for a little over a week. I have a hard time staying awake and sleep like a log. I did not experience the vivid dreams, anxiety and mood swings that accompanied my previous (forced) withdrawal from the drug, but I have had brain shivers (not as bad or as frequent), irritability, diarrhea, nausea (mild), occasional headaches and itching. The most disabling side effect for me is the constant tiredness. I take naps during the day, and that helps a bit. In general I would say my withdrawal symptoms are relatively mild, but I am not functioning at anywhere near 100%.
I would agree with you as to the higher amount. I took my last effexor a week ago yesterday...down from 225mg. My dr did the every two weeks reducing the amount. It hasn't been too, too bad; nothing I couldn't tolerate. I am now on 300mg of wellbutrin. I have been having some of the same symptoms you had, and am relieved to hear it might just be the getting the effexor out of my system. mm
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 25, 2003, at 13:27:50
In reply to Re: Effexor XR for KimberlyDi » KimberlyDi, posted by NThompson on June 25, 2003, at 1:33:44
Hello NT,
I'm sorry to say that I am 100% unable (so far) to achieve orgasm (after 1 month, from 37.5mg daily to 200mg daily). But it should be reasonable to have hope that (once I reach my most effective dosage and the SE's subside) I'll finally achieve orgasm again. I was on Wellbutrin successfully for MANY years and had no problem with orgasm. Before that I was on Paxil, for over a year, and never had one then. OK, I cheated some and quit taking the Paxil for a few days, and crammed in all the "O's" I could get for a day or two. <sigh> Your mileage may vary.Good luck!
Kimp.s. if you find a solution, post it please!!!!!
> Hey there Kim,
>
> I have seen a few people talking about not being able to have orgasms when on Effexor XR, that is what I am on. I only started on the 13th of this month. When did you notice that you couldn't have them anymore? I am really scared about this. My husband and I have a great sex life and I like that I get an orgasm be fore he does. He makes sure of that. We even have sex 3-4 times a week, except for the week I'm on my monthly. I really like my orgasms, how do I keep them? Please help me with this one. The bedroom has been the only place in my life for the past few years that I feel that I have control over! When we are together, I don't think about anything but us. Making love and being in love. I can control anything there.
> Thanks for listening,
> NThompson
Posted by heather elle on June 25, 2003, at 16:31:51
In reply to Re: Effexor XR for KimberlyDi, posted by KimberlyDi on June 25, 2003, at 13:27:50
I tried taking effexor for 2 days (only 25 mg. daily!) and felt sooo wierd- self conscious, anxious, unable to speak to people and extremely mentally fuzzy. I also couldn't eat and had trouble sleeping. The thing is, I could feel it working on my depression a bit- I had more energy and motivation for sure. I really don't think this was a placebo effect as I have been on several other AD's. But there is no way I could deal w/ those side effects, it was so trippy and wierd and uncomfortable. Has anyone else felt these things to this extent and/ or know if they would go away with time?
Posted by bornred on June 25, 2003, at 22:53:02
In reply to Re: Effexor XR for KimberlyDi » KimberlyDi, posted by NThompson on June 25, 2003, at 1:33:44
I know what you mean. I have lost my sex drive unless I am under the influence of alcohol. I haven't told my doctor this as I am also on depo and have been having yucky side effects from depo even thought I have been on it for years now. I dont know what we can do about the sex drive... I am going to make an appt. to see my doc soon. Once I do, I will let you know what happens on regards to this.
Posted by jtc on June 25, 2003, at 22:53:05
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal IS FINE » catri, posted by racergurl74 on June 25, 2003, at 10:17:18
Hi, I am happy to hear about both of your experiences. I have been off of Effexor for about 3 months now and I have been feeling okay. But now I am starting to get depressed, angry and agitated at my kids. It is not their fault but unfortunately they are home with me all day since school is out and they get the brunt of the anger and irritability and it is not fair to them. I am also starting to have more anxiety to the point of mild panic attacks and very nervous feelings. I wonder if I should be back on an antidepressant. I have been trying to exercise for almost two months now by running and walking and I think it is helping but I still cannot control my temper at my children or my husband (my husband deserves the temper tantrums directed at him because he treats me like a child, I think that is the reason for my problems). I am still taking Klonopin .5 mg a day. What do you all think? Thanks in advance for your advice and continued success to you both...jtc
> Hi, It's so great to hear about your experience. I wish you continued success. How long have you been med free? Do you feel the anxiety is worse than before{pre-meds}? Have you had any problems with anger or temper tantrums? Continuing my story, the nauseau I had for two days is gone, but I'm not so sure it was a side effect because other relatives that I had been with alot had nauseau too and even some vomitting. I did take half of my dose on Sunday but decided not to on Monday and today because I felt sleepy all day on Sunday. Monday and today so far, have been fine only a little temper with my children that is unusual. I'm so hopeful after reading your story, please keep us updated. > Hi, I just wanted to say that if done properly, effexor withdrawal is problem free, if supervised correctly..... Here's my story - I've been on effexor 75mg for half a year and before that, prozac for another half year. This summer I had decided that if there was at all a time to be myself again and come off the meds, then now is it. First of all, my doc lowered me onto 37mg a day for (get this) a month, followed by another month of 37mg on alternate days. Toward the end of this month I begin to feel as if enough was enough and actually just quit. The first week med-free the only withdrawal symptons I got were a weird 'whoosey' sensation if I turned my head too fast, and that has since long gone. I'm posting this as a reassurance to people out there who are scared of withdrawing, that its fine done in a controlled (by the doc) and tapered way....and also for people who are scared to go on the drug because of the withdrawal effects. Perhaps its a bit different in England where I live, because we have free healthcare, so its no expense at all having these long withdrawal periods. And I guess that everyone is different, so perhaps I was just fortunate. Good luck to anyone coming off, no matter how easy or difficult they find it. Now I have to cope with the anxiety I had before instead, but I want to give it a go using natural methods (exercise, diet) rather than meds.
>
>
Posted by bikermiker on June 26, 2003, at 16:59:59
In reply to do effexor side effects lessen a lot w/ time?, posted by heather elle on June 25, 2003, at 16:31:51
My understanding is that there would be NO effect on your depression after just a couple of days. I am coming off the Effexor now, and can vouch for how real the withdrawal effects are. For me, therapy, emotional support, exercise and nutrition have probably been far more effective than any AD could have been, as they allowed me to address the underlying issues and build a more sustainable emotional structure.
I don't know the circumstances of your depression, so you may be in a far different situation. In retrospect, I think I could have achieved the same results without ADs and I don't think the risks were worth it (I was ill-informed about them).
> I tried taking effexor for 2 days (only 25 mg. daily!) and felt sooo wierd- self conscious, anxious, unable to speak to people and extremely mentally fuzzy. I also couldn't eat and had trouble sleeping. The thing is, I could feel it working on my depression a bit- I had more energy and motivation for sure. I really don't think this was a placebo effect as I have been on several other AD's. But there is no way I could deal w/ those side effects, it was so trippy and wierd and uncomfortable. Has anyone else felt these things to this extent and/ or know if they would go away with time?
Posted by countess on June 26, 2003, at 19:38:49
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
i've noticed that my side effects are lessening. i'm on my second week of effexor xr at 75mg. i have my appetite back. i don't have headaches. i feel less groggy during the day. i switched from taking my med at night to the a.m. i still have insomnia but not nearly as bad as before. i feel a bit more relaxed at night and can eventually go to sleep which i couldn't do before at all. i feel that the insomnia will improve over time. i think the key to this med. is patience. i'm hoping for the best. my jaw is tense which i hope will go away too. take care everyone!
Posted by scoot7 on June 26, 2003, at 21:40:43
In reply to side effects lessen over time, posted by countess on June 26, 2003, at 19:38:49
i just started my second week of effexor too. upped it to 75mg yesterday. i was terrified about the thought of upping it because the first week on only 37.5mg was pure hell! speedy...sketchy...shaky...no appetite (a good thing too though i guess!)...constant smoking...crazy bladder...sleepless sweaty nights. i was so nervous and sketched out i had to leave and go to my mom's house one night when my boyfriend had his friends over. i didn't want anyone to see me! i kept going back and forth between thoughts of "it'll get better, just give it time" and "i have to stop taking effexor, i'm freaking out, i can't do this anymore!". but going up to 75mg was so easy!!! i was high, dizzy and lightheaded yesterday but nowhere near as sketched out. plus it totally zonked me out. i had to keep busy so i wouldn't noticed how tired i was and how achy i felt. but today i feel great! a little weird feeling in the morning but it wore off fast. i think the drug is starting to take effect too. i'm taking it for mainly anxiety, and mild depression. i just notice i feel calmer in a lot of situations that would normally have me pulling my hair out. i don't feel like everyone is staring at me. hell...i'm even having a bad hair day today and i could give two shits!!
hang in there! the worst is almost over!
Posted by racergurl74 on June 26, 2003, at 22:39:54
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal IS FINE, posted by jtc on June 25, 2003, at 22:53:05
Hi,
Your situation sounds alot like mine. I was only on effexor for 7 days and now have been off for 7 days. I do notice that I am alot more agitated with the children.(I have one 15, then 10 & 8 ) I have been "going off" on my teenager for simple things. Giving her loud, long, speeches with lots of anger over small details. I don't like feeling so angry. With prozac and effexor I NEVER got angry about ANYTHING. But then again, is that what I want from life anyway. I have justified stopping my meds by saying, "considering all the side effects I guess I can live with some temper tanrums."(long enough to see if it fades)I've never really had major depression and it seems ridiculous to take medication to keep from feeling normal emotions about certain life situations. Not to mean that alot of people don't actually need AD's, I think they are a wonderful thing. I just hope that it doesn't mean I need them for the rest of my life. How long should it take to be absolutely back to normal and drug free?
Posted by racergurl74 on June 26, 2003, at 22:51:43
In reply to Re: do effexor side effects lessen a lot w/ time?, posted by bikermiker on June 26, 2003, at 16:59:59
How much do you feel that diet and exercise play a role in treatment. I am a food-a-holic and would like to change. I know all the benefits of nutrition. I just wonder if it's actually all the it's cracked up to be.
Posted by Roxanne on June 27, 2003, at 10:40:57
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by pregnant on September 19, 2002, at 0:59:37
I am currently 7 weeks pregnant, and just found out about my pregnancy last week. My doctor is weaning me off of effexor and I am going through hell. I can't tell what is morning sickness and what are my withdrawal symptoms from the effexor. I feel as though I am going crazy and I am so scared. I was on 225, and today I took my last dose of 75. She had me wean down to 150, then 75, then 75 every other day. I am so sick, dizzy, nauseous.
What can I do to feel better???
Posted by Anton on June 27, 2003, at 12:07:14
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by Roxanne on June 27, 2003, at 10:40:57
> I am currently 7 weeks pregnant, and just found out about my pregnancy last week. My doctor is weaning me off of effexor and I am going through hell. I can't tell what is morning sickness and what are my withdrawal symptoms from the effexor. I feel as though I am going crazy and I am so scared. I was on 225, and today I took my last dose of 75. She had me wean down to 150, then 75, then 75 every other day. I am so sick, dizzy, nauseous.
> What can I do to feel better???
chill.. dont worry about the effexor, think about the child, i think personally you should just keep taking plenty vitamins and nutrients, etc plenty of healty stuff
Posted by KimberlyDi on June 27, 2003, at 12:32:20
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal IS FINE, posted by jtc on June 25, 2003, at 22:53:05
Why did you go off Effexor? It sounds like you do still need AD's. You might need to try a different one. My Therapist talks highly of Lexapro. Keep up the exercise. I wish I had your dedication to it.
Good Luck!
Kim> Hi, I am happy to hear about both of your experiences. I have been off of Effexor for about 3 months now and I have been feeling okay. But now I am starting to get depressed, angry and agitated at my kids. It is not their fault but unfortunately they are home with me all day since school is out and they get the brunt of the anger and irritability and it is not fair to them. I am also starting to have more anxiety to the point of mild panic attacks and very nervous feelings. I wonder if I should be back on an antidepressant. I have been trying to exercise for almost two months now by running and walking and I think it is helping but I still cannot control my temper at my children or my husband (my husband deserves the temper tantrums directed at him because he treats me like a child, I think that is the reason for my problems). I am still taking Klonopin .5 mg a day. What do you all think? Thanks in advance for your advice and continued success to you both...jtc
>
> > Hi, It's so great to hear about your experience. I wish you continued success. How long have you been med free? Do you feel the anxiety is worse than before{pre-meds}? Have you had any problems with anger or temper tantrums? Continuing my story, the nauseau I had for two days is gone, but I'm not so sure it was a side effect because other relatives that I had been with alot had nauseau too and even some vomitting. I did take half of my dose on Sunday but decided not to on Monday and today because I felt sleepy all day on Sunday. Monday and today so far, have been fine only a little temper with my children that is unusual. I'm so hopeful after reading your story, please keep us updated. > Hi, I just wanted to say that if done properly, effexor withdrawal is problem free, if supervised correctly..... Here's my story - I've been on effexor 75mg for half a year and before that, prozac for another half year. This summer I had decided that if there was at all a time to be myself again and come off the meds, then now is it. First of all, my doc lowered me onto 37mg a day for (get this) a month, followed by another month of 37mg on alternate days. Toward the end of this month I begin to feel as if enough was enough and actually just quit. The first week med-free the only withdrawal symptons I got were a weird 'whoosey' sensation if I turned my head too fast, and that has since long gone. I'm posting this as a reassurance to people out there who are scared of withdrawing, that its fine done in a controlled (by the doc) and tapered way....and also for people who are scared to go on the drug because of the withdrawal effects. Perhaps its a bit different in England where I live, because we have free healthcare, so its no expense at all having these long withdrawal periods. And I guess that everyone is different, so perhaps I was just fortunate. Good luck to anyone coming off, no matter how easy or difficult they find it. Now I have to cope with the anxiety I had before instead, but I want to give it a go using natural methods (exercise, diet) rather than meds.
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by countess on June 27, 2003, at 13:10:38
In reply to Re: side effects lessen over time, posted by scoot7 on June 26, 2003, at 21:40:43
i am taking effexor for anxiety too and i had simular symptoms to scoot7. thanks for the words. it makes me feel better to not be alone with these symptoms. i was on 37.5 xr for two weeks, then 75 xr for two weeks. i think it helps to take the increase in amt. slowly. anyhow. strange how this med. calms down and how your body adjusts to it. my doctor said to hang in there that my body just needs to adjust to the med. i was a bit skeptical but he seems to be right so far. i feel more normal now. take care everyone!
Posted by melley on June 27, 2003, at 16:02:36
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by Roxanne on June 27, 2003, at 10:40:57
> I am currently 7 weeks pregnant, and just found out about my pregnancy last week. My doctor is weaning me off of effexor and I am going through hell. I can't tell what is morning sickness and what are my withdrawal symptoms from the effexor. I feel as though I am going crazy and I am so scared. I was on 225, and today I took my last dose of 75. She had me wean down to 150, then 75, then 75 every other day. I am so sick, dizzy, nauseous.
Will she then have you do 37.5mg? It seems like a leap to go from 75 to nothing. She must be trying to get you off quickly. I am just through the process; dramamine helped me (25mg) but oops I guess that's not an option with you being pregnant. What about natural options for motion sickness: ginger (tea? candied?), motion sickness bands. I felt like I had motion sickness; don't know how it is for you. And it is difficult to say what's the pregancy and what's the withdrawal. Poor you. No fun at all. I would ask about going to 37.5mg. Otherwise, it helps to realize it does end. I thought it would go on forever but now I am fine. Good luck with your baby!
Posted by ltleangel20 on June 27, 2003, at 17:45:51
In reply to Re: effexor withdrawal IS FINE » jtc, posted by KimberlyDi on June 27, 2003, at 12:32:20
Hello, well here's the story. I was on 75mg of Effexor for about 2 and a half years. About a month ago, my doctor started tapering me off of it and for the last 2 weeks, put me on 20mg of Prozac to help with the withdrawal feelings. Does this sound familiar to anyone? After being on the Prozac a month, my depression was getting worse so my doctor added Zoloft 25mg (which I was on a while ago for about 3 years). I took the Prozac and Zoloft for 3 days and then stopped the Prozac. Now I am on 25 mg on Zoloft per day and I have been feeling dizzy, not dizzy where I can't see straight, just unbalanced, like I want to close my eyes. This is my only complaint and I would just like to know what anyone thinks it is from? I really feel like I'm going crazy and I would like to know that I'm not the only one with this symptoms. Do you think it's withdrawal from Effexor (even though I've been off of it for 3 and a half weeks), withdrawal from Prozac, or a side effect of Zoloft? Please write back with any helpful info to put my mind at ease. Thanks so much!
Posted by CherC68 on June 27, 2003, at 19:19:34
In reply to Re: Withdrawal From Effexor, posted by Roxanne on June 27, 2003, at 10:40:57
Roxanne, Congratulations on the Baby! I feel for you and hope that you know that we are here for you. I would ask your doctor if you could wean off the medicine a little bit slower. You are probably have a lot of withdrawals from the medicine. I had withdrawals and I was only on effexor xr 37.5 for 6 days! Please just keep the baby in mind, and realize you are not going crazy! You are probably nauseous because of the pregnancy and that WILL go away! You probably are also having withdrawals and unfortunately,its so very hard, but its WILL also get better soon.
Good Luck to you and Good Luck with the Baby!Hugs, Cher
Posted by CherC68 on June 27, 2003, at 19:24:20
In reply to Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by ltleangel20 on June 27, 2003, at 17:45:51
Dear ltleangel,
Well, My thoughts are that it is a little of both. Zoloft made me very nauseous and very very light headed and dizzy, I threw up with it - I was only on it for 4 days. When I stopped taking it I ended up with stomach issues (diarrea for over a week. I was on Effexor after that for 6 days and my constant head zaps, throbbing in my head and my total feeling of crazy/everything is fine/i'm crazy/who cares/i'm crazy/my head is weird/who cares/crazy was non-stop. \When I stopped taking it I felt dizzy, emotional etc. Now, my anxiety attacks are really strong and I too have some major anger issues. I snap at everything now and feel so anxious, sad, angry, disgusted with myself for having a chemical imbalance.
Please just try to remember YOU are not going nuts, the medicine has done lots to your brain and its adjusting from one med to another and off one med to another - its all of the above, withdrawals and getting used to another medicine. Good Luck to you, and please keep posting. Things do get better, (in some ways like the side effects) but the original reason I was on the med is back in full fury, and I'm running out of options.
Hugs,
Cher
Posted by jasonr on June 29, 2003, at 19:48:59
In reply to Re: Effexor XR for KimberlyDi » KimberlyDi, posted by NThompson on June 25, 2003, at 1:33:44
Hi there!
Well, I am a guy so my experience may be a little different.
I could not orgasm for 3 or 4 weeks when I started 75mg.
Another 2 weeks when I went to 150.
I just went to 225 a few days ago and am experiencing the same problems, which I hope will go away in a few weeks.
Best of luck to you!
-Jason
> Hey there Kim,
>
> I have seen a few people talking about not being able to have orgasms when on Effexor XR, that is what I am on. I only started on the 13th of this month. When did you notice that you couldn't have them anymore? I am really scared about this. My husband and I have a great sex life and I like that I get an orgasm be fore he does. He makes sure of that. We even have sex 3-4 times a week, except for the week I'm on my monthly. I really like my orgasms, how do I keep them? Please help me with this one. The bedroom has been the only place in my life for the past few years that I feel that I have control over! When we are together, I don't think about anything but us. Making love and being in love. I can control anything there.
> Thanks for listening,
> NThompson
Posted by jtc on June 29, 2003, at 23:42:06
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP! » ltleangel20, posted by CherC68 on June 27, 2003, at 19:24:20
> Dear ltleangel,
> Well, My thoughts are that it is a little of both. Zoloft made me very nauseous and very very light headed and dizzy, I threw up with it - I was only on it for 4 days. When I stopped taking it I ended up with stomach issues (diarrea for over a week. I was on Effexor after that for 6 days and my constant head zaps, throbbing in my head and my total feeling of crazy/everything is fine/i'm crazy/who cares/i'm crazy/my head is weird/who cares/crazy was non-stop. \
>
> When I stopped taking it I felt dizzy, emotional etc. Now, my anxiety attacks are really strong and I too have some major anger issues. I snap at everything now and feel so anxious, sad, angry, disgusted with myself for having a chemical imbalance.
>
> Please just try to remember YOU are not going nuts, the medicine has done lots to your brain and its adjusting from one med to another and off one med to another - its all of the above, withdrawals and getting used to another medicine. Good Luck to you, and please keep posting. Things do get better, (in some ways like the side effects) but the original reason I was on the med is back in full fury, and I'm running out of options.
>
> Hugs,
> CherHi Cher,
I am having the same problem as you in being that the original reason I was on Effexor and all other meds I have been on is back now also in full fury. I am depressed, anxious, having mild panic attacks, and angry and irritable most of the time. I cannot sleep at night, it is usually 12:30 when I go to sleep and I get up at 6:00 a.m. I also have crying spells. My anger is mostly with my husband of 18 years (a few years too many, ha ha) but unfortunately my anger is sometimes taken out on my two beautiful daughters, ages 9 and 4. They don't understand what has happened to their mother because I used to be a kind loving person and sometimes I still am but I find myself yelling at them very loudly and I have a very short fuse with them. My 9 year old is so upset that she thinks I don't love her dad anymore and that we are going to get a divorce. She is on Zoloft, about 2 cc a day, because of her anxiety. I have so much anger at my husband because of the way he does things and the way he treats me as if I am a child. He says things to me that are demeaning but he thinks that he has not done anything wrong. There are too many things to go into but I am 38 years old and I am getting tired of it. I don't mean to blame him but I have been on medications since I was about 22 (two years after our marriage). Things will get a little better between us but then he starts in on me and I have to go on medication to be able to deal with him. I take everything he says to me very seriously and I think it is because he is the only person in my life whom I have depended on all these years. I am a stay at home mom with a small job doing medical transcription at home so he is in control of most of our finances and that is not making matters any better. I cannot leave him because my parents were divorced when I was four years old and I just cannot do that to my daughters because I hardly know my father. He is a good father and he is crazy about our girls. I just don't think he is crazy about me anymore, even though he says he is. What I don't understand is how someone can be in love with you and just put you down all the time. He is getting more and more selfish, thinking of himself more than anyone else. Anyway, I used to take Effexor for about 10 months but I went off it about 3 months ago and I am still taking Klonopin 1 mg a day. My psychiatrist has just increased my Klonopin to see if this helps me but I don't know if it will help with the anger and irritability. I took Luvox for about 3-4 years for OCD symptoms because I worry and ruminate about a lot of things I cannot do anything about. I am wondering if I should try to go back on an antidepressant or just try the klonopin for a while and see how I do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry this is such a lonnggg story. Thanks, jtc
>
>
Posted by Sam61 on June 30, 2003, at 6:44:50
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by jtc on June 29, 2003, at 23:42:06
Hi ltleangel & Cher.
About a year and a half ago I developed anxiety/panic attacks/depression. Prior to that I do admit I really couldn't understand others who had this disorder so now I'm not that crushed if family/friends just don't get it.I was originally perscribed 20 mg Paxil/day and that was hell adjusting to that but anything felt better than the emotional trauma. Paxil worked great for about six months but I felt so dam tired all the time. It was really effecting my ability to do my job (concentrate etc). I then switched to Zoloft (100 mg/day). Started taking Zoloft the very next day. It seemed to work as far as not feeling so tired all the time but I had to keep uping the dosage. Eventually after about four months the Zoloft was doing absolutely nothing (even at 200 mg/day). I started back on the Paxil (at 10 mg/day)the next day. My MD thought my being tired may have been the anxiety and not the Paxil so we thought we'd give it another try. Eventually at 30 mg/day Paxil it wasn't working at all anymore. I started weening off Paxil this week. So I'll go for 7 days at 20 mg/day. Then a week of 10mg Paxil plus 37.5 mg/day of Effexor XR. Then 75 mg/day of just the Effexor XR. I'm praying this med works. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Sam
> > Dear ltleangel,
> > Well, My thoughts are that it is a little of both. Zoloft made me very nauseous and very very light headed and dizzy, I threw up with it - I was only on it for 4 days. When I stopped taking it I ended up with stomach issues (diarrea for over a week. I was on Effexor after that for 6 days and my constant head zaps, throbbing in my head and my total feeling of crazy/everything is fine/i'm crazy/who cares/i'm crazy/my head is weird/who cares/crazy was non-stop. \
> >
> > When I stopped taking it I felt dizzy, emotional etc. Now, my anxiety attacks are really strong and I too have some major anger issues. I snap at everything now and feel so anxious, sad, angry, disgusted with myself for having a chemical imbalance.
> >
> > Please just try to remember YOU are not going nuts, the medicine has done lots to your brain and its adjusting from one med to another and off one med to another - its all of the above, withdrawals and getting used to another medicine. Good Luck to you, and please keep posting. Things do get better, (in some ways like the side effects) but the original reason I was on the med is back in full fury, and I'm running out of options.
> >
> > Hugs,
> > Cher
>
> Hi Cher,
> I am having the same problem as you in being that the original reason I was on Effexor and all other meds I have been on is back now also in full fury. I am depressed, anxious, having mild panic attacks, and angry and irritable most of the time. I cannot sleep at night, it is usually 12:30 when I go to sleep and I get up at 6:00 a.m. I also have crying spells. My anger is mostly with my husband of 18 years (a few years too many, ha ha) but unfortunately my anger is sometimes taken out on my two beautiful daughters, ages 9 and 4. They don't understand what has happened to their mother because I used to be a kind loving person and sometimes I still am but I find myself yelling at them very loudly and I have a very short fuse with them. My 9 year old is so upset that she thinks I don't love her dad anymore and that we are going to get a divorce. She is on Zoloft, about 2 cc a day, because of her anxiety. I have so much anger at my husband because of the way he does things and the way he treats me as if I am a child. He says things to me that are demeaning but he thinks that he has not done anything wrong. There are too many things to go into but I am 38 years old and I am getting tired of it. I don't mean to blame him but I have been on medications since I was about 22 (two years after our marriage). Things will get a little better between us but then he starts in on me and I have to go on medication to be able to deal with him. I take everything he says to me very seriously and I think it is because he is the only person in my life whom I have depended on all these years. I am a stay at home mom with a small job doing medical transcription at home so he is in control of most of our finances and that is not making matters any better. I cannot leave him because my parents were divorced when I was four years old and I just cannot do that to my daughters because I hardly know my father. He is a good father and he is crazy about our girls. I just don't think he is crazy about me anymore, even though he says he is. What I don't understand is how someone can be in love with you and just put you down all the time. He is getting more and more selfish, thinking of himself more than anyone else. Anyway, I used to take Effexor for about 10 months but I went off it about 3 months ago and I am still taking Klonopin 1 mg a day. My psychiatrist has just increased my Klonopin to see if this helps me but I don't know if it will help with the anger and irritability. I took Luvox for about 3-4 years for OCD symptoms because I worry and ruminate about a lot of things I cannot do anything about. I am wondering if I should try to go back on an antidepressant or just try the klonopin for a while and see how I do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry this is such a lonnggg story. Thanks, jtc
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by CherC68 on June 30, 2003, at 11:10:13
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by jtc on June 29, 2003, at 23:42:06
Dear JTC,
I'm so sorry JTC that you are having it so rough. My anger is mostly directed at myself, and I blow up in front of my husband & child, but make sure they know its me and not them.
I'm going to be 40 in August, and I found that exercising is the greatest therapy for anger issues. Whether it is a speed bag, kick boxing, yoga, weight lifting, swimming, or whatever. I know as an at-home mom its very hard to find the time. Some people would think, hell she doesn't work she has plenty of time. I work only 12-14 hours a week locally. I used to work full-time downtown Chicago - 2 hours of travel a day, etc., and I found the time to exercise. Since the depression and anxiety came back full throttle this year, I stopped exercising and starting eating! I exercised more working downtown.
Find the time to exercise. Doesn't matter if its going for a walk by yourself. Do it! I have gained over 100 pounds and my self-esteem and everything has gotten worse because of the depression. When I look back on my life, knowing I've had depression problems since the age of 4, the times I've had the least depression was the years I exercised. Being busy is not exercising. Doing everyday things is not exercising. Everytime I've exercised, it has helped me better than any medicine.
The problem is, when you have depression, exercise is the last thing you want to do. Start out slow, walking, or whatever else you can think of. That is what I have started to do, and my anger is diminishing. My crying jags are slowing down too!
As far as your husband is concerned, let him know immediately when he puts you down, that you don't appreciate it. Smile when you say it. Try to make sure the kids don't see you blow up. Especially if your one child has anxiety issues. If you are going to stay in the marriage, things have to change. Instead of yelling at your husband, smile and tell him, I would appreciate if you wouldn't put me down. It sure doesn't make you any better of a person, by putting me down. Smile when you say it. Eventually, he'll get the drift. Sometimes a smile and a soft voice goes way above yelling. Look him directly in the eye. Make sure he never puts you down in front of the kids. Tell him, if he has something negative to say, be mature, and do it in private. This way I can privately tell you to go to h***. LOL. (Sorry, I have a wicked sense of humor sometimes). I was married to a verbally abusive man, and sometimes physically abusive man. My son was almost 5 when we divorced. I exercised so much and changed my physical appearance, that my husband was too afraid to say boo to me, and of course, stopped pushing, smacking and verbally abusing me. I was too afraid to divorce him, but....exercising changed my appearance, gave me confidence and I got out of that abusive situation.
But, chemical imbalances suck and they always seem to creep back up. Diet & exercise are the key for those who cannot take medicine. I really truly believe it and am trying to push myself out of this fog now by exercise.
Take Care and if you want you can write to me at [email protected]
Posted by CherC68 on June 30, 2003, at 11:53:45
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by Sam61 on June 30, 2003, at 6:44:50
Dear Sam,
I know what it is like to have your family not understand. My parents and my brothers don't seem to understand, but they all have OCD and borderline personality disturbances. My brothers use recreational things, drinking, pot, etc. and blame everything on everyone else. My parents think they are normal, but its obvious to others my mom is manic and my dad has OCD and anger issues, but they act like it is normal!
So, when I have depression and anxiety, they don't seem to understand, when I was four years old I started having panic attacks and extreme racing in my head and my heart. I tried for years to explain this to my parents. Four years old and telling my mom i'm dying inside and I feel like i'm going nuts. I received no help!
My husband does understand though because his mom is bi-polar/manic and takes medicine.
I've explained to my son that I am sorry that I get depressed and have anxiety, borderline personality and ocd, and he understands. I explained how old I was when it started. So far, I'm lucky, my son doesn't exhibit any signs of depression problems or OCD. I told him if he ever feels anxiety or stress to let me know immediately. I told him its in my brain chemistry and I just have to try to find ways to deal with it and that I appreciate him accepting me for me.
I'm sorry your family doesn't understand, but there are plenty of people out there that do. Maybe your family doesn't understand because inside they realize they have issues, and sometimes parents (especially parents) don't want to think they handed down something to you. That's the deal with my Mother, espcially. She feels guilt that I'm not "perfect", but even my father realizes he has problems and he knows my mom does too, but he thinks, that's just the way it is, deal with it!
Good luck to you, and keep me posted.
Hugs, Cher
Posted by melley on June 30, 2003, at 13:06:42
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by Sam61 on June 30, 2003, at 6:44:50
Has anyone tried Sam-e? I am in a state of despair at the moment. Off effexor and on Wellbutrin. However, I am having joint pain and it might be a side effect of well. I am thinking of trying Sam-e, although I am sure my psychiatrist will have a cow when I suggest it. I feel badly about husbands being insensitive. Unfortunately, I think it is an all-too-common tale. Just being married can produce complacency in and of itself. But there is also this Mars/Venus thing which does have some truth.
> Hi ltleangel & Cher.
> About a year and a half ago I developed anxiety/panic attacks/depression. Prior to that I do admit I really couldn't understand others who had this disorder so now I'm not that crushed if family/friends just don't get it.
>
> I was originally perscribed 20 mg Paxil/day and that was hell adjusting to that but anything felt better than the emotional trauma. Paxil worked great for about six months but I felt so dam tired all the time. It was really effecting my ability to do my job (concentrate etc). I then switched to Zoloft (100 mg/day). Started taking Zoloft the very next day. It seemed to work as far as not feeling so tired all the time but I had to keep uping the dosage. Eventually after about four months the Zoloft was doing absolutely nothing (even at 200 mg/day). I started back on the Paxil (at 10 mg/day)the next day. My MD thought my being tired may have been the anxiety and not the Paxil so we thought we'd give it another try. Eventually at 30 mg/day Paxil it wasn't working at all anymore. I started weening off Paxil this week. So I'll go for 7 days at 20 mg/day. Then a week of 10mg Paxil plus 37.5 mg/day of Effexor XR. Then 75 mg/day of just the Effexor XR. I'm praying this med works. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
>
> Sam
> > > Dear ltleangel,
> > > Well, My thoughts are that it is a little of both. Zoloft made me very nauseous and very very light headed and dizzy, I threw up with it - I was only on it for 4 days. When I stopped taking it I ended up with stomach issues (diarrea for over a week. I was on Effexor after that for 6 days and my constant head zaps, throbbing in my head and my total feeling of crazy/everything is fine/i'm crazy/who cares/i'm crazy/my head is weird/who cares/crazy was non-stop. \
> > >
> > > When I stopped taking it I felt dizzy, emotional etc. Now, my anxiety attacks are really strong and I too have some major anger issues. I snap at everything now and feel so anxious, sad, angry, disgusted with myself for having a chemical imbalance.
> > >
> > > Please just try to remember YOU are not going nuts, the medicine has done lots to your brain and its adjusting from one med to another and off one med to another - its all of the above, withdrawals and getting used to another medicine. Good Luck to you, and please keep posting. Things do get better, (in some ways like the side effects) but the original reason I was on the med is back in full fury, and I'm running out of options.
> > >
> > > Hugs,
> > > Cher
> >
> > Hi Cher,
> > I am having the same problem as you in being that the original reason I was on Effexor and all other meds I have been on is back now also in full fury. I am depressed, anxious, having mild panic attacks, and angry and irritable most of the time. I cannot sleep at night, it is usually 12:30 when I go to sleep and I get up at 6:00 a.m. I also have crying spells. My anger is mostly with my husband of 18 years (a few years too many, ha ha) but unfortunately my anger is sometimes taken out on my two beautiful daughters, ages 9 and 4. They don't understand what has happened to their mother because I used to be a kind loving person and sometimes I still am but I find myself yelling at them very loudly and I have a very short fuse with them. My 9 year old is so upset that she thinks I don't love her dad anymore and that we are going to get a divorce. She is on Zoloft, about 2 cc a day, because of her anxiety. I have so much anger at my husband because of the way he does things and the way he treats me as if I am a child. He says things to me that are demeaning but he thinks that he has not done anything wrong. There are too many things to go into but I am 38 years old and I am getting tired of it. I don't mean to blame him but I have been on medications since I was about 22 (two years after our marriage). Things will get a little better between us but then he starts in on me and I have to go on medication to be able to deal with him. I take everything he says to me very seriously and I think it is because he is the only person in my life whom I have depended on all these years. I am a stay at home mom with a small job doing medical transcription at home so he is in control of most of our finances and that is not making matters any better. I cannot leave him because my parents were divorced when I was four years old and I just cannot do that to my daughters because I hardly know my father. He is a good father and he is crazy about our girls. I just don't think he is crazy about me anymore, even though he says he is. What I don't understand is how someone can be in love with you and just put you down all the time. He is getting more and more selfish, thinking of himself more than anyone else. Anyway, I used to take Effexor for about 10 months but I went off it about 3 months ago and I am still taking Klonopin 1 mg a day. My psychiatrist has just increased my Klonopin to see if this helps me but I don't know if it will help with the anger and irritability. I took Luvox for about 3-4 years for OCD symptoms because I worry and ruminate about a lot of things I cannot do anything about. I am wondering if I should try to go back on an antidepressant or just try the klonopin for a while and see how I do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am sorry this is such a lonnggg story. Thanks, jtc
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Susy on June 30, 2003, at 14:23:27
In reply to Re: Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft...HELP!, posted by jtc on June 29, 2003, at 23:42:06
Hi JTC, it is really sad when we have to live feeling this way, it seems that nobody understand, but it is still worst when the person who is next to you instead of giving support and love makes you feel even worst.
My situation is desperate because I am from Spain and been living in Los Angeles for 14 yrs already.
I don't even have a pschiatric doctor. And I don't know where to go! Like three yrs ago I went with this dr who said I was not dying but suffering panic attacks, he gave me Xanax, that I
have been taking for more than2 yrs already, but lately I have been feeling so terrible, I am not even working right now, because the attacks appear at any time in any place. So I went to this other Dr.and she said that I have to go to a Mental Health place, but she helped me out giving me a box of Paxil Cr 25 mg. I try it, but God, I couldn't stand it! I just try them once I am so affraid to try again, I don't want to experience again that symptons like magnifying my panic attack 100 times more.
Rigth now I don't even want to see my boyfriend anymore, even though I do love him he tells me all the time That I always feel sick, and blame me for everything until the point where I feel very humiliated.
Everytime I have a fight with him I think I am going to die because he let me feeling at the border of a heart attack or something similar, so I decided, even if it hurts a lot,I don't need a
person like him in my life, he just makes me feel worse.
About the Drs and meds I will really appreciate if some of you can tell me where can I go to follow my treatment. Lately I have been feeling that Xanax is not helping anymore.
I am not even eating, I dón't feel hungry, and I've been with diarrhea for about a month, a lot of headaches and panic attacks almost everyday.
It is very hard to live this way. I will love to go and work everyday like any normal person.Susy
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